[log in to unmask] (Ben Brosgol) writes: >Although I don't have an answer, I think that TRW is asking the wrong >question. The issue is not the number of XYZ Programmers (where >XYZ is Ada 95, C++, etc) but rather the number of people who >understand the principles of software engineering and who also >know XYZ. I would suggest that although the sheer number of >C++ programmers is undoubtedly much higher than that of >Ada 95 programmers, if you filter the population so as to >focus on those who truly understand software construction, >then the numbers become closer. It is far more likely >that an Ada 95 programmer will also have a good understanding >of software engineering, than a C++ programmer. So although >it may be harder to find Ada 95 programmers, those whom >you do find will be more likely to succeed. Which brings to mind another question which might be asked: Assuming our personnel selection is imperfect, what are the statistics regarding our likelihood of getting competent software engineers if we choose only those experienced in C vs only those experienced in Ada.