Re: Thus spake the DoD...

[jans@mako.UUCP (Jan Steinman)]

I think many of you are either missing the boat completely, or have not
actually read the DOD directives.  Although I don't have them in front of me,
(and am, therefore, guilty of what I am accusing others) I can recall quite
clearly that the original directive refered to *embedded systems* entering
*advanced development* by a certain date.  Once DOD gained confidence in Ada,
a more general directive refering to all *mission critical systems* which
were *entering advanced development* by a certain date was issued.

Everyone seems to be on to the *embedded systems* part, but examine the
implications of the other two phrases:

1) "entering advanced development by..."  No one is suggesting that huge,
	presumably working FORTRAN or Lisp programs will be re-written in Ada!
	If a new system entering advanced development depends on previously
	written code in some other language, Ada is flexible enough that an
	interface can be written so the previous code can appear as an Ada
	package.  Of course, unscrupulous DOD contractors may use this as an
	excuse to soak the DOD for a needless re-write, but that's another
	issue...

2) "all mission critical systems..."  There is certain latitude in the
	interpretation of this phrase, but it is much larger in scope than
	"embedded systems".  Until Ada expertise is widespread, I suspect this
	means that if two organizations bid a job, one using Lisp, the other
	Ada, the Ada bidder will get the job.  Note that everything is a
	"mission" in military jargon -- if a soldier's duty is to compile a
	program, the compiler is "mission critical".

The services differ greatly in embracing Ada.  Those who want or need to work
in the military-industrial complex and are unwilling or unable to learn an
exciting new language should probably start looking for Navy contracts and
avoid Air Force work at all costs.  (The Army falls in between, but is much
closer to the AF's enthusiasm for Ada than the Navy's grudging acceptance.)
-- 
:::::: Jan Steinman		Box 1000, MS 61-161	(w)503/685-2843 ::::::
:::::: tektronix!tekecs!jans	Wilsonville, OR 97070	(h)503/657-7703 ::::::