Ada Compiler for Educational Use

[pattis@JUNE.CS.WASHINGTON.EDU (Richard Pattis)]

  I have been teaching the CS-1 and CS-2 courses here at the University of
Washington in Modula-2 for the past 4 years.  I am now strongly considering
teaching Ada in these classes.  I would like to solicit recommendations for
compilers: we use a large VAX/VMS for instruction, but will also ultimately
need compilers for our own department's machines (mostly VAX/ULTRIX and Suns).
I am looking for a system with short compile times and good error diagnostics;
fast run times are not as important.  We typically have 20-40 students logged
on at once.  Also, I am interested in other language related tools, such as
language sensitive editors, debuggers, and profilers. I hope to direct the
Computer Center while it examines a few compilers early in the summer, and
then choose one for use this Fall.  I'd appreciate any relevant comments.