Re: Ada.Networks.Sockets hierarchy for standardization? (sf: ada0y-net-std)

["Randy Brukardt" <randy@rrsoftware.com>]

Warren W. Gay VE3WWG wrote in message <3ED806D3.5030001@cogeco.ca>...
>While it is too soon to judge general interest in this project, based
>upon the pulse of other Ada socket articles in this newsgroup, I think
>it is time _something_ was _started_ in this vein. Funding would be
>nice, but I don't think we can wait for it. The clock is ticking.
>
>Rather than lose precious time on this, since defining standards and
>reference implementations can require considerable effort, I have
>taken some initiative and registered a request at sourcforge for
>an ada0Y-net-std project to be created there. The website indicates
>that they need 2 business days to review and to respond to the request.


Umm, I have to admit that this has been an action item of mine for the
last 10 months or so. (See AI-292, which is currently empty). My plan
was to put together a group to propose something, but the last time this
subject came up here on C.L.A., there wasn't much support for
standardizing Sockets. So I put my efforts into decoupling the
Claw.Sockets implementation from Claw (and from Windows), so we at least
would have a decent library to use, even if not part of the standard.

If your goal is to make something for the standard, keep in mind that
the important part (and by far the most boring) is writing RM language
for the packages. You'll find dozens of people willing to design and
critique packages, but you will find hardly anyone ready to write the
many pages of RM description needed.

Also, if your goal is to get something into the standard, you really
have to start with existing practice. There are at least three sockets
libraries in current use (Claw sockets [Claw-less version], Gnat
sockets, Ada Sockets), and there is no need to design something from
scratch. Moreover, you'll get more support from the ARG if you do so,
even though the final result probably will differ a lot.

>I will be looking for volunteers for various things. I can volunteer
>my some of my own time on various things and code, but depending upon
>when the submission deadline is, I'll probably need other people to
>contribute code and documents as well. Can anyone state when our
>ARG submission deadline is? Randy?


It depends. For independent outside projects, the deadline is in
September. (I don't think that is enough time.) If the project is
"invited", the deadline is at the end of December. The easiest way to do
that is to convince me that your project is my action item. :-) (Since
it's already open and on the agenda, no one can complain about a
last-minute addition.)

             Randy.