From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.1 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_20,INVALID_MSGID, REPLYTO_WITHOUT_TO_CC autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 115aec,f41f1f25333fa601 X-Google-Attributes: gid115aec,public X-Google-Thread: 103376,a3ca574fc2007430 X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public From: schwarza@gdls.com (Art Schwarz) Subject: Re: Ada and Automotive Industry Date: 1996/11/21 Message-ID: <571qub$l1n@mill.gdls.com>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 197835417 references: organization: General Dynamics, Land Systems Div reply-to: schwarza@gdls.com newsgroups: comp.lang.ada,comp.realtime Date: 1996-11-21T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: GM is switching to C as their main high-level embedded processor language. One GM stumbling block (since overcome I believe) is the lack of fixed point arithmetic. However, GM has much more fundamental problems to over- come than language. [1] As a corporation, GM does not understand Systems / Software Architecture and design. [2] There are invested prefectures (within GM) which will not move from absolute assembly language. [3] There are managers who do not understand or acknowledge the necessity for a large scale toolset for configuration management, design, and development. [4] Ditto for migrating from absolute assembly language to relocatable assembly language to a high level language. [5] GM implementation and test procedures are arcane (at best) and often self-defeating. Rigorous test consists of getting in a car and seeing if anything happens. [6] The development of requirements suitable for implementation is overshadowed by the development of requirements which are the implementation. The result is insufficient attention to requirements analysis as opposed to implementation (code) inspection. [7] GM applies 'magic bullet' technology. Given a perceived software 'hole' or significant failure, software tools will be purchased and exper- imentation performed with the tool. Bypassing the problems associated with not having staff with the appropriate knowledge, training, or inclination. (The same applies to the grand acquisition of junior people in targeting disciplines hired to plug a knowledge hole.) [8] A penny saved should be banked. The attention of 'penny pinching' by purchasing and using minimal architecture computers forces development to proceed into extraordinary pot-holes. There is no true feel for the art and practice of software in the auto industry in general (not just GM). This results in a continuously and replayable suboptimal development behavior. Although I cynically say that no auto manufacturer is happy without a ball-peen hammer in hand, I think it more appropriate to say that the in-built inertia in the largest company in the world precludes the replacement and / or education of the company doers. The auto manufacturers are conservative in just the arena where conservatism has no voice - software and firmware. I must say that this is ironic. GM (in the very early 60's) was one of the prime developers and one of the first users of graphics devices (Lockheed was the other one). To recognize change requires insight. To insist on it requires courage. art schwarz The opinions held here were never held by my wife and are certainly not held by any company that I have ever worked for. In article , detaylor@holli.com (David Taylor) writes: > In article <56fpp2$m77@pt9201.ped.pto.ford.com>, > patteeuw@sys2.ped.pto.ford.com wrote: > > > Also, in powertrain controllers, GM has been using 68332 for years and Ford > > GM has millions of 68332-based controllers on the road. > > > has already announced intentions to use PowerPC in the future. I > > personally think Ada would find a good fit in either of these two > > architecture, but neither Ford nor (to my knowledge) GM have shown any > > interest. > > GM uses Modula GM, a derivative of Modula 2. Some of the additions to > the language: > > Character strings from ANSI C > Volatile types from ANSI C > Fixed point types from Ada > Constant objects from ANSI C and Ada. > > While not directly used, Ada has had an impact on the automotive world. > > > -- Dave > detaylor@holli.com >