Re: C/C++ knocks the crap out of Ada

[jsa@organon.com (Jon S Anthony)]

In article <4gejp7$o23@mailhub.scitec.com.au> ramsesy@rd.scitec.com.au (Ramses Youhana) writes:

Ramses,

> Since I posted the above, I've been flamed by every man and his dog.

:-)

> The comment was based on something I was told at UNI by one of the
> lecturers, and not out of my own experience.

Yes, it is highly unfortunate that people in "positions of authority
or power" should pontificate on things they know absolutely nothing
about.  I suppose this is just one more piece of evidence suggesting
that so called "authorities" are to be questioned at every point.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, but it appears to be
true...

> particular, one who stated that I could probably learn Ada in about
> one week.

Same comment applies.  This is just pure baloney.  You can learn the
core of the language (C/Pascal equivalent) in somewhat less time than
learning Pascal (due to the more regular syntax and semantics).  I
really don't believe that you can learn all of Pascal (and actually
know it) in "about one week".

> in learning it.  Can anyone suggest any good books on it (one that
> reasonably priced) and possibly a good compiler for a PC.  Also,

Well, two excellent books would be John Barnes's Programming in Ada95,
Addison Wesley; and Norman Cohen's Ada as a Second Language (the new
edition covering Ada95).  Both are probably going to run around
US$45.00.  As for a compiler, you are in good luck.  A couple options
are Gnat (download your favorite machine binary version for free from
cs.nyu.edu pub/gnat [includeing Win/95, Win/Nt, OS/2, DOS] and make
sure you pick up the emacs mode or M. Felman's GWU Turbo-like
environment) or Thompson's ActivAda or ObjectAda (beta test) for under
US$100.00.  There are many others.  Also, for all sorts of information
like this check out the Ada WWW home page: http://lglwww.epfl.ch/Ada/


> according to many of the postings, I'm being given the impression
> that there are plenty of engineering jobs for Ada.  I've been
> looking in the job ads (in Sydney, Australia) and I can't seem to
> find many Ada jobs (as compared with C and C/C++ jobs) for
> engineers.  I'm interested to know where these jobs are.

Unfortunately, this topic generally generates only flames and other
irrational comments.  IMO, the exact situation is very unclear, but
it seems there are (in general) more Ada positions than qualified
people to fill them.

/Jon
-- 
Jon Anthony
Organon Motives, Inc.
1 Williston Road, Suite 4
Belmont, MA 02178

617.484.3383
jsa@organon.com