:> What might constitute a "software engineering reason" to choose C++ over
:> Ada 95?  I can see COTS, tools, and cheap programmers as reasons, but
:> can't seem to think of a Software Engineering reason.

That's partly the point.  The NRC study, and Mr. Paige's acquiesence*
raises the language decision from being a "Software Engineering" issue
to being one part of the broader decision-making process which _includes_
"COTS, tools, and cheap programmers", etc. as factors to consider.

This makes it much easier for those already so inclined to de-emphasize
reliability, lower defect rates, lower maintenance costs, ....

*acquiescence might be too nice a word.  The announcement as quoted
sounded like the so-called mandate is being completely abandoned, but
the NRC (wait, it wasn't NRC, was it?  Nuclear Reg. Comm.?) study
recommended _keeping_ an Ada mandate for "warfighting software"

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