Re: Is Linux right for Embedded?

["Marin David Condic" <dont.bother.mcondic.auntie.spam@[acm.org>]

Well, in fairness, let's say this: It will take a descent programmer 2 weeks
to be able to use Ada or any other new language so some tolerable level of
competency. To truly become well versed in a language could take
considerably longer. (True of any language that is non-trivial & used for
"real" work) And given that the benefits of Ada come by understanding "The
Ada Way" of doing business - not simply writing C code in Ada syntax or
resorting to "Adatran" - one would expect that some training would be in
order if one wants to reap the benefits.

However, experience I've had with software engineers who knew their problem
domain is that they can get up to speed and be productive in Ada relatively
quickly. You've got to at minimum buy them a descent Ada book and give them
a couple of weeks to work through it to have them start getting a good feel
for it, so it isn't free. After a few months of working with it, most
engineers begin to really understand it and start "thinking" in Ada - much
like with a natural language. It helps to send them off to a course or a
college-level class, but it isn't strictly necessary.

It helps if they're motivated and don't come at it with an attitude of "I'm
going to *hate* this language no matter what..." As with any educational
experience, it does require an open mind and a willingness to learn to do
things a new way. Its sometimes hard for C programmers to make the
transition because the mindsets of the languages are so different - but if
there is a willingness to make the thought-transition, they get there.

MDC
--
Marin David Condic
Senior Software Engineer
Pace Micro Technology Americas    www.pacemicro.com
Enabling the digital revolution
e-Mail:    marin.condic@pacemicro.com
Web:      http://www.mcondic.com/


"mike@nospam" <mike_member@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:9pd4s402bga@drn.newsguy.com...
>
> If you know a programmer who needs more than 2 weeks training to pick up
> a new language, let me know, so I make sure I do not hire them.
>