Re: Ada used in General Aviation (GA) applications?

[Marin David Condic <nobody@noplace.com>]

Georg Bauhaus wrote:

> 
> Do you mean "at no cost"? (which is close to what Microsoft is doing with
> compilers and libraries for the wuold-be non-commercial users,
> and certainly what they are doing with mediaplayer (lamp for free,
> you can buy oil)
> 
Clearly, they almost give away compilers because they want people to 
develop apps for their OS and thus sell more OS's to the general public. 
Compilers are a lot of work and don't have (proportionally) many 
customers. OS's are something every computer needs.

So the lesson ought to be "Develop the compiler in order to develop 
something of more general usefulness" Perhaps not down to the consumer 
level, but at least some level where the end market is bigger than the 
people who develop software.

A really good example: Develop the compiler to target some embedded 
processor board/kit. Sell the embedded computers for profit and view the 
compiler as a necessary expenditure. One of the general complaints about 
Ada in the embedded world has always been "Even if it is terrific, I 
can't get it with the embedded machine I'm using..." Well, sell them the 
embedded machine! ;-)

That's not the only way to go, but it is an example of the compiler 
being a value-added product that helps you make enough money to keep the 
compiler work alive.


> 
> Is there noone willing to pay smaller sums for bug fixing and enhancements?
> 
Probably, but is it enough to keep the vendor in business? People are 
willing to pay Microsoft for MSVC++ and for quarterly updates, but I'll 
bet it still is a "loss-leader" that is subsidized by Microsoft in order 
to keep the OS sales going.

The trick here is to say "I've got to find a larger market for my goods 
and services in order to keep the business afloat..." The generalized 
market of "software developers" may be willing to spend some money, but 
are there enough of them to keep a dozen different languages and 
hundreds of different vendors in business? The prices are relatively low 
because the supply exceeds the demand and Ada is fighting for a slice of 
that pie against larger competitors. Can Ada continue to be a niche 
player in a not-all-that-profitable market? It either needs a larger 
slice of that market or the vendors have to find a way to branch out.

Let's cogitate here a second.... Microsoft sells compilers in order to 
sell operating systems... Ada has a compiler..... What if Ada had an 
operating system..... Hmmmmm....... Monkey see, Monkey do? :-)

MDC



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Marin David Condic
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