Re: OO, C++, and something much better!

[Richard Riehle <rriehle@nunic.nu.edu>]

On 6 Jan 1997, Ole-Hjalmar Kristensen FOU.TD/DELAB wrote:

> However, if I remember correctly, Alex Stepanov had earlier tried to
> implement a library like the C++ STL in Ada, but was incapable of
> doing it. This would indicate that the C++ template mechanism is more
> flexible than the Ada generics.
> Any comments?

  In an in-depth interview published in Dr. Dobbs (I do not recall the
  date) Stepanov was both complimentary of Ada and critical of it. His
  primary criticsim was the inability to create generic packages in which
  he could use generic formal package parameters.  C++ and Eiffel both
  allow something analogous to this.

  This was perceived by many as a problem in Ada 83, and "fixed" in 
  Ada 95.  ISO Standard 8652:1995 Ada does include generic formal 
  package parameters, though the model seems, to some, a little more 
  awkward to use than the same mechanism in C++ or Eiffel. STL could be
  implemented in Ada 95 if anyone wanted to take the time to do it.

  Probably a better approach than STL, for Ada 95, would be that by
  Bertrand Meyer as published in his book, "Reusable Software" from
  Prentice-Hall. 

  At a Tri-Ada conference in Los Angeles, Mr. Stepanov re-visited
  this Ada 83 criticism while on a panel discussion with Tucker Taft.
  At that time, Tucker made it clear to Mr. Stepanov that Ada 95 does
  include generic formal package parameters. 

  Richard Riehle