[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> > Interesting article at http://msnbc.com/news/768401.asp  I haven't read
> it
> > all yet but there is a minor mention of Ada in the "First aid for faulty
> > code:Correct by construction" sidebar.
>
> Sneaks in a little defense of M$ bugs on the way, doesn't it?

It's a little light on distinguishing promise from performance,
giving MS now credit for leading the way because MS said that
they were leading the way.  Stories about computers and software
are not restricted to observable facts.  MS now stands in the
position of the sausage maker who says that after 20 years of
astronomical profits, he took a month to make sure that he will
never sell sausage made with rat feces again.  They said it.
They must have improved something if they said it. (Pay no
attention to the viri since found on the DevStudio CD's.) That's
good enough for the press, who knows that the public doesn't
really want to know the details of how software from successful
firms turns out so bad.

Stories about software that works are just too boring.  The press
loves it when wealthy sinners contritely (or even flamboyantly)
repent.


Al