Re: What's stopping you from using Ada for your next commercial project?

[KK6GM <mjsilva@scriptoriumdesigns.com>]

On Mar 8, 2:23 pm, Lucretia <Lucretia9...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm just wondering what it would take for a company to choose Ada as
> their next implementation language?

One big problem, IMO, is that it seems to be almost impossible for
engineers to actually play with Ada (including its all-important
tasking and realtime features) on simple embedded hardware.  If you
could send them home with an under-$200 embedded board (like, say,
this one for $12: http://www.st.com/internet/evalboard/product/250863.jsp)
and some free plug-and-play tools (limited would be fine), then they
could actually get a feel for the benefits of Ada on their own.  Some,
at least (the clear-thinking ones?) would then become interested in
championing Ada in the workplace.  But if the engineers can't get
their hands on it in a low-cost exploratory fashion, why would they
champion it?

I am astonished that AdaCore, for example, doesn't offer plug-and-play
toolsets for a half-dozen assorted low-end boards, some with graphical
LCDs, some with ethernet, some with various analog and digital IOs,
just to prime the pump for their products.  They should do that and
sponsor some contests to help bring future supporters and customers
onto the bandwagon.