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"Team Ada: Ada Advocacy Issues (83 & 95)" <[log in to unmask]>
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"Davenport, Darren" <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 9 Jan 1998 11:17:04 -0800
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AdaWorks <[log in to unmask]>
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AdaWorks <[log in to unmask]>
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Darren listed some good books on C++.  I would like to add mention of Rob
Murray's "Obfuscated C++," a monthly column in "The C++ Report" which
illustrates how easy it is to write seemingly simple code in C++ that
results in dangerous but non-obvious errors. I read this column each month
and there seems to be no indication that Rob is about to run out of
examples.

It is instructive to note that most of the examples of obfuscated code simply
could not happen in Ada.  I know that many defense contractors, including
some of our clients, are looking for reasons to begin using C++ instead
of Ada, and no amount of rational argument is going to change their minds.
However, when it comes to safe software, C++ simply will not make the grade.
The use of C++ for software in which human lives may be at risk is simply
irresponsible.

On the down side, there is a clear decline in support for Ada for a lot of
platforms.  In many situations we are required to continue with Ada 83
compilers because some platforms are not widely enough used to create an
Ada compiler.  Further, some (not all) compiler publishers seem to be
de-escalating their commitment to Ada in the aftermath of Emmett Paige's
abrogation of DoD Ada policy.

Richard

Richard Riehle
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AdaWorks Software Engineering
Suite 30
2555 Park Boulevard
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(650) 328-1815
FAX  328-1112

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