Re: computer language used to program Mars Lander

[Gary Scott <garylscott@sbcglobal.net>]

Chris Thomasson wrote:

> "Paul Hsieh" <websnarf@gmail.com> wrote in message 
> news:13a2f4f0-6ec1-4570-b6bf-1621cfb32db2@a2g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
> On Jul 14, 4:49 am, Nick Keighley <nick_keighley_nos...@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> > On 14 Jul, 12:18, "jhc0...@gmail.com" <jhc0...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Interesting article I came across on Slashdot:
>> >
>> > >http://developers.slashdot.org/developers/08/07/10/213211.shtml
>> >
>> > > They are using C at JPL to program Mars Lander and just about
>> > > everything now! Not Ada. Anyone got an explanation? I wonder also, do
>> > > they really mean C++ when they say C. In my experience, this is a
>> > > frequent, although disagreeable usage.
>> >
>> > contrary to popular expectations space probes are very
>> > conservative in their use of technology. Processors are old
>> > (and hence proven) memories are small (less vulnerable to radiation).
> 
> 
>> Indeed.  Ada is used by the military, because they have much more
>> sophisticated hardware in tanks and fighter jets.
> 
> 
> Is this a trolling attempt? Anyway, the military uses C++ for all critical
> system software in state-of-the-art fighter-bombers because they have much
> more sophisticated hardware:
> 
> http://www.research.att.com/~bs/JSF-AV-rules.pdf
> 
> http://www.ldra.co.uk/nologindownload.asp?id=52

It has very little to do with the "sophistication of the hardware".

> 
> :^/
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> I would expect that
>> perhaps NASA also uses it for the space shuttle.
> 
> 
> [...]


-- 

Gary Scott
mailto:garylscott@sbcglobal dot net

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