Converting Ada objects to Byte streams, independent of compiler implementation

[GDAU100@BGUVM.BITNET ("Jonathan B. Owen")]

I am probably not the first nor the last to pounder this problem.
Data residing in all kinds of ada types need to be converted to
byte streams in order to be transfered via a communication service to
another computer and then converted back to their original types.
Using uncheck conversion on static records (i.e. without discriminants)
work fine, if used with representation clauses.  What happends with
unconstrained types?  Some implementations will convert all storage
allocated for the object, even if not part of "current" value.  Also,
using 'SIZE is not recomended, as far as I understand, for creating
non-dependent implementation software when it comes to communicating
between two different computers.

        Hope I made myself clear.  Any points are very welcome... :-)


                                                 Jonathan B. Owen
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