Experiences with Ada/C/C++

[benson@msfc.nasa.gov (pat smith benson)]

This letter is to gather information about experiences in ADA and C or C++
programmings.

I have been assigned a project and a language study is in progress       
comparing ADA and C (C++).  We have several concerns about each
language.  The project is an X-ray astrophysicis facility that is non-
returnable to be delivered to orbit by a Delta II launch vehicle.  It will
be using telemetry processing and orbital commanding.  Some of the questions
we have are listed below:

1.  How can software patching be done in both languages during a flight?

2.  How does ADA handle garbage collection and absolute memory addressing?

3.  Explain the difficulty in manipulating bits and addresses in both 
    language. 

4.  If you have had any bad experiences in either of these languages, please
    let us know.

Please respond  by email to benson@mohave.msfc.nasa.gov

Thank you in advance,

Patricia A. Benson