Re: Is Linux right for Embedded?

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

Well, there *are* problem domains in which 5 years represents 10 generations
of product. :-) You and I may have lots of experience with long-lived
systems and see the value of Ada there rather readily. For faster product
cycles, things like maintenance may be less of a concern. But then, so would
be the concern about finding programmers who know the language 5 years from
now.

In fast product cycle environments, I'd think the advantages of high
reliability are still of major importance. Who wants to put out an
electronic gadget and sell millions of them only to discover some fatal flaw
after they ship that forces recalls and/or lawsuits? We all know it has
happened and could probably cite lots of cases here. Ada wouldn't guarantee
it doesn't happen, but it helps minimize that risk.

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/


"Ted Dennison" <dennison@telepath.com> wrote in message
news:SXHu7.14534$ev2.23789@www.newsranger.com...
>
> That's one of the reasons I think Ada is a good choice. If you do your
software
> right, it is probably going to end up lasting for many years. Thus if you
choose
> a language that has *nothing* to offer other than it present-day market
share or
> "coolness", you might as well choose the one with the prettiest box, for
all the
> good it will have do you 5 years down the line.
>
> Ada isn't about market share or slick marketing or cool logos. Ada is
about
> writing fast, bullet-proof software, period. Those are timeless values
that will
> *never* quit paying you dividends, no matter what language is cool 3
years(or
> weeks) from now.
>