>Often the decision has nothing to do with, "What language produces systems >that cost less or are more reliable?" (IMO Ada). The language decision is >Unfortunately, I have seen managers who ignore statistically valid data; All true. But in addition to making managers pay attention, and creating a large supply of expert Ada programmers, we should be urging the advance of knowledge. >would like to point out that data valid at the 50% confidence level >is no better than a coin toss. I have spoken to the local zoo, and they agreed to toss a coin, and if it comes up heads they will place a lion outside your door. So the hypothesis "there's a lion outside your door" is true with 50% confidence. Does that knowledge affect your actions? 0% confidence means "I have no useful data". 50% means "I may be wrong, but my data indicates ...".