Re: Ichibah flames, and flames out over, Ada 9X

[emery@dr_no.mitre.org (David Emery)]

In my opinion, the term "class" is too tied up with C++ now.  I'ave
said many times that Ada's greatest strength is that it is *NOT*
C/C++.  Consider the average unwashed programmer who knows (or think
he knows C++).  When he sees the word "class", he will expect C++
class semantics.  If Ada9X does not deliver C++ semantics, then he'll
start screaming that Adas9X "got it wrong."  By not using the
boogie-word "class", we avoid bringing in all of the baggage now
associated with C++ classes.  

On the other hand, people who know multiple OO languages (e.g. Eiffel,
SmallTalk, Modula-3, etc.) will probably jnot be intimidated by the
absence of the "C-word".

We will not convince the died-in-the-wool (pun intended) programmer
who believes C is the greatest thing ever, and C++ is even better (is
this attitude consistent??), taht Adas9X offers a serious alternative.
In many respects, our big hope for Ada9X is for software engineers who
have tried C++ and don't like it, for whatever reason.  

				dave