From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.5-pre1 (2020-06-20) on ip-172-31-74-118.ec2.internal X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.0 required=3.0 tests=BAYES_40 autolearn=ham autolearn_force=no version=3.4.5-pre1 Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 16:36 EDT From: SAHARBAUGH@ROO.FIT.EDU Subject: reply to Greg's reply Message-ID: <9204132035.AA07073@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu> List-Id: Greg Aharonian writes: Maybe Ted is unsuccessfully trying to say that while Ada is more safe and reliable to program in than other computer languages and commercial software products (which is a very desirable for the military), it is not more cost effective (that is, with different policies, other languages or off-the-shelf stuff can be used and still meet mission requirements). I say: You can't get off-the-shelf weapons software. A point in his favor, though, is that military specifications and procedures are excessive. A good number of soldiers ordered commercial, off-the-shelf GPS recievers with their credit cards during the Gulf War, and had no complaints about their operations, especially those whose lives were saved. If commercial, off-the-shelf, less mil-spec equipement passed the test of combat, maybe the DoD software standards are as excessive. I say: First, the GPS receiver is just the tip of the iceberg, system-wise. There are numerous satellites in orbit, launch vehicles and systems involved, ground stations tending them (under Air Force control I believe). Also I bet that the commercial receivers were derived from designs paid for by the DoD. I say: Second, they didn't pass the test of combat. Remember that in a real war Loran, GPS and commercial radio and TV are useless for location. You need the right code for Loran, GPS, TACAN etc. and commercial radio goes to moving virtual source (Conalrad alert) Throwing money at Ada as a very safe, reliable system for mission critical systems is justifiable, giving the lives and freedoms at stake. Doing so because Ada is more cost-effective is a silly attempt by socialists to act like captilists. No one cares, as long as they defend the country. Yes, on this we agree 100%. ps: I wish I had that neat software that puts an identifier on each line of the original message. sam harbaugh saharbaugh@ROO.FIT.EDU -----------