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=1.2 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,FROM_WORDY, INVALID_MSGID autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 103376,47b1574786b5f9de X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public From: "Nick Roberts" Subject: Re: Ada not wanted Date: 1998/03/01 Message-ID: <6dcfkc$s3t$2@plug.news.pipex.net>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 329785204 References: <6d76s3$1av$1@gte1.gte.net> <01bd43dc$491dd580$7b2c5c8b@aptiva> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 Organization: UUNet UK server (post doesn't reflect views of UUNet UK) Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada Date: 1998-03-01T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: On more than one occasion I have mentioned the 'Ada' programming language over the phone (to a dealer, a recruitment office, etc.), and had a (confused) written reply which mentions the 'Aider' programming language! This is a much debated topic on this newsgroup. It is clear that Ada is, in the commercial arena at least, a rarely used language, compared to C++, and others (Visual Basic, Delphi, Powerbuilder, even xBase). Thus, it is hardly surprising that a lot of programmers feel their bread is buttered on the C++ side. However, in the commercial arena, I know well that a frequent (almost persistent) comment from those who have made the move from C++ to Delphi is how much easier they find it to program in the latter. They invariably mention the improved readability, facilities such as range-checking, and the greater number of bugs caught quickly by the compiler (as well as the rich environment, the great debugger, and many other things). And, of course, Ada is a much better language (in the same terms) than Delphi. Someone suggested on this newsgroup recently that an Ada compiler with the same rich, slick environment that Delphi comes with would be a 'killer application'. The response was muted, but it surely would. When people started using the language, and finding its ease-of-use, they would rejoice. But, no such thing exists. It makes me chuckle: I am convinced Borland would again have a product to make them No.1* programming language vendor in the world (as they used to be for a short period), if they were to do exactly as the above poster suggested (Delphi based on Ada). But they won't, because they don't have anyone there who knows enough about Ada. Of course, a popular Ada product would spawn a banquet of Ada programmers (thus, a few competent ones among them ;-). Finally, ever hopeful, I once again cast forth one of my little pearls: there's no such thing as a good** Ada programmer; only a good programmer (who maybe knows a little Ada :-). ----- *all right then, maybe No. 2 **substitute experienced, competent, senior, most winning, or other superlative of your choice ------------ Nick Roberts ---------- Croydon, UK -------- Nick.Roberts@dial.pipex.com ------ Voicemail & Fax +44 181-405 1124 ---- Proprietor, ThoughtWing Software -- Independent Software Development Consultant Jerry van Dijk wrote in message <01bd43dc$491dd580$7b2c5c8b@aptiva>... >I matches my own experience over here: the hardest part of getting an >Ada project started is finding enough experienced Ada programmers.