Ada FAQ:

[Magnus.Kempe@di.epfl.ch (Magnus Kempe)]

Archive-name: Ada/comp-lang-ada/part3
Comp-lang-ada-archive-name: comp-lang-ada/part3
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 19 December 1994
Last-posted: 1 December 1994

                                 comp.lang.ada
                       Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This is part 3 of a 3-part posting.
Part 2 begins with question 5.
Parts 1 and 2 should be the previous postings in this thread.


9: Resources

   
   
9.1: What FTP sites exist that contain information about Ada or Ada source?

   
   
   Public Ada Library (formerly Ada Software Repository)
          wuarchive.wustl.edu (Internet address: 128.252.135.4)
          
          Mirror: ftp.cdrom.com
          
          European mirror: ftp.cnam.fr (Internet address: 192.33.159.6)
          
   AJPO and AdaIC
          ajpo.sei.cmu.edu [mirrored by the PAL, listed above] (Internet
          address: 192.58.107.159)
          
   ASSET / STARS (Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems):
          source.asset.com (Internet Address: 192.131.125.10)
          
          Note: the ASSET host no longer takes anonymous FTP. To request
          a free account, contact: info@source.asset.com
          
   
   
   
9.2: Reuse

   
   
    9.2.1: Are there any free, public-domain, or other general-access software
    repositories that contain Ada source code and information on reuse?
    
   There are a number of them, among them PAL (the Public Ada Library)
   and ELSA, described below. 
   
    Public Ada Library (formerly Ada Software Repository)
    
   Formerly the Ada Software Repository (ASR), the Public Ada Library
   (PAL) is a collection of programs, components, tools, general
   information, and educational materials; taking up hundreds of
   megabytes, it contains the source code for hundreds of distinct items
   as documented in its Master Index. Previously housed on the SIMTEL20
   host computer, it is now located at Washington University at St.
   Louis's host (wuarchive.wustl.edu -- which had been a mirror site for
   the ASR). The PAL is available for anonymous FTP, directory:
   ftp://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/languages/ada,
   
   The PAL has its own FAQ, a copy of which is stored in directory
   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-group/comp.lang.ada, which stores
   the FAQ files posted to news.answers. 
   
    ELSA (previously AdaNet)
    
   ELSA is a component of the Repository Based Software Engineering
   (RBSE) Program sponsored by NASA's Technology Utilization Division. It
   is a public-domain reuse library containing value-added software from
   ASR (PAL), STARS, JPL, many educational institutions, and various
   other sources. The non-software information includes relevant research
   papers, standards, and technical reports.
   
   ELSA also distributes components on floppy disks. All of its services
   are free of charge.
   
   For more information, contact ELSA Client Service at 1-800/444-1458 or
   lacey@rbse.mountain.net.
   
   
    9.2.2: Is there some sort of database of re-usable Ada software
    components?
    
   You might want to join ACM SigAda (see question 5.3) in order to
   subscribe to Ada Letters. They publish a list of reusable components
   on an annual basis. The most recent list was in the March/April 1994
   issue (XIV.2). In fact, it is more of a list of lists, in that it
   mentions places that have sets of reusable components. The maintainer
   of the Ada Letters "master list" is levine@sun490.fdu.edu (also
   levine@vax.fdu.edu).
   
   To our knowledge this list is NOT available online. Check also the
   software repositories, mentioned above (question 9.2.1).
   
   
9.3: Where can I get Ada benchmark programs?

   In addition to the information below, you may also wish to look at
   the AdaIC flyer "How to Obtain Benchmark Performance Test Suites and
   Results", flyer C15, file benchmrk.txt on the AJPO host
   (ajpo.sei.cmu.edu). (For more on the AdaIC and downloading files, see
   questions 5.2, 9.1, and 9.2.)
   
    The Ada Evaluation System
    
   The Ada Evaluation System (AES) may be obtained from the British
   Standards Institute at the following address:

Software Product Services
Software Engineering Department
BSIQA
P.O. Box 375
Milton Keynes MK14 6LL
United Kingdom
Tel: 0908 220908
UUCP: sed@bsiqa.uucp
(Internet: bsiqa!sed@uunet.uu.net)

   As of February 1993, the current version is the DIY-MAPSE-01 version.
   It is available at a cost of 3,000 pounds sterling. BSI also offers a
   validation service at a cost of 24,000 pounds sterling. Principal
   documents are a User's Manual, a Reference Manual, and a Test
   Description Document.
   
   The Ada Evaluation System (AES) was merged with the Ada Compiler
   Evaluation Capability (ACEC) under a joint agreement between the
   Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom and the Department of
   Defense of the United States that was signed in June of 1991. The
   merged product has been released as the Ada Compiler Evaluation System
   (ACES), which is the latest version of the ACEC.
   
    The Ada Compiler Evaluation Capability/Ada Compiler Evaluation System
    
   The Ada Compiler Evaluation System (ACES) may be obtained from:

Data and Analysis Center for Software (DACS)
Attn: Document Dataset Ordering
Kamen Sciences Corporation
P.O. Box 120
Utica, NY 13503-0120
Tel: 315/734-3696; Fax: 315/734-3699
Internet: dacs@kaman.com

   There are three documents: the User's Guide, the Reader's Guide, and
   the Version Description Document. The total cost for the software (on
   6250-bpi 9-track VMS Backup tape) and documentation is 100 US dollars.
   
   
   ACES is also available for downloading via anonymous FTP from the AJPO
   host computer, where it can be found in the /public/aces directory. It
   can also be downloaded from the Public Ada Library (PAL -- see
   question 9.3.1).
   
    Hartstone Benchmarks
    
   Electronic-mail requests for Hartstone should be sent to the following
   Internet address: hartstone-info@sei.cmu.edu .
   
   The reply message will contain full details of how to obtain source
   code and documentation by various means, including anonymous FTP.
   There is no charge for the Hartstone source code.
   
   For people without Internet access, the address to send requests to
   is:

REST Transition Services
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Phone: 412/268-7787

   Hartstone source code may also be retrieved from the PIWG bulletin
   board. (See below.)
   
    The PIWG Benchmarks
    
   The ACM Performance Issues Working Group (PIWG) benchmarks may be
   obtained in one of three ways:
    1. Via anonymous FTP from the ajpo.sei.cmu.edu machine. Users should
       issue the command "ftp ajpo.sei.cmu.edu" and log in using the word
       "anonymous" as the login name and an identifying string (e.g., the
       user's e-mail address) as password. Change directory ("cd"
       command) to the "public/piwg/piwg_11_92" directory and use the FTP
       file-transfer commands to retrieve the files. The README file
       contains information about using the benchmarks.
       
    2. Via the PIWG bulletin board. Ideally, users should access this
       from a PC (rather than a dumb terminal) using a modem capable of
       sending and receiving at 1200 baud or higher. The number of the
       bulletin board is 412/268-7020. Once connected to the bulletin
       board, users will be able to navigate their way around the system
       using simple menus that the system provides. The point of contact
       for this service is Gene Rindels, 412/268-6728.
    3.
       
       Via a written request or telephone request to the following
       service:

PIWG Distribution
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Tel: 412/268-7787
   As of February 1993, the current release of the PIWG suite is the one
       dated 11/92. There is no charge for the PIWG benchmarks.
       Documentation for the PIWG benchmarks consists principally of the
       READ.ME file distributed with the suite and comments in the
       individual test programs and command files. There is also
       additional information about the PIWG suite in the Winter 1990
       special edition of Ada Letters (Vol. X, No. 3, special edition on
       Ada Performance Issues).
       
   
   
   
9.4: Are there any dial-up BBS systems that deal with Ada?

   AdaIC BBS: (US) 703/604-4624 AUTOVON: 664-4624
   
   AdaNet BBS: This is a free service that maintains e-mail connections
   for people not on the Internet, an Ada source code repository, and a
   selection of other on-line Ada-related documents. It is sponsored by
   NASA. Call 800/444-1458 to register for access.
   
   (Caveat: Telephone numbers can change without notice. If we find out a
   number doesn't work, we'll note that, but leave the entry in until
   we're sure the service has actually been discontinued. If you are
   aware of a better number, please let us know.)

Naval Computer Telecommunications Command
Tel: 804/444-7841 (DSN 564-7841)

Air Force Software Technology Support Center (STSC) BBS
Tel: 801/774-6509
Baud: 2400, 1200, 300
Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1

ACM SIGAda Performance Issues Working Group
PIWG Ada Benchmarks BBS
Tel: 412/268-7020

Embedded Systems Programming Magazine BBS
Tel: 415/905-2689

   
   
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10: Credits

   The following persons have contributed (directly or indirectly
   through e.g. comp.lang.ada) to the information gathered in this FAQ:
   the Ada Information Clearinghouse--AdaIC [I know, AdaIC is not a
   person; still, they managed the FAQ for about one year], Heddy
   Boubaker, Susan Carlson, Cyrille Comar, Robert Dewar, Patrick Donohoe,
   Herndon R. Elliott, Dave Emery, Don Erway, Michael Feldman, John
   Goodenough, Drew Johnson, Michele L. Kee, Mathew Lodge, "tjmesler",
   Gary Morris, Robb Nebbe, Pascal Obry, Richard O'Keefe, Kurt Olender,
   Manuel Op de Coul, Isaac Pentimaki, Margie Price, Richard Riehle,
   Tucker Taft, Dave Weller, and the maintainer has simply :-) organized,
   polished, or added some information for your satisfaction. The general
   HTML structure of this FAQ was inspired by the WWW FAQ.
   
     _________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
11: Copying this FAQ

   This FAQ is copyright 1994 by Magnus Kempe. It may be freely
   redistributed as long as it is completely unmodified and that no
   attempt is made to restrict any recipient from redistributing it on
   the same terms. It may not be sold or incorporated into commercial
   documents without the explicit written permission of the copyright
   holder.
   
   Permission is granted for this document to be made available under the
   same conditions for file transfer from sites offering unrestricted
   file transfer on the Internet and from Forums on e.g. Compuserve and
   Bix.
   
   This document is provided as is, without any warranty.