> > > I cannot stop
> > > working for a living to dedicate myself for several months to a >single-minded
> > > attempt to teach myself Ada in vacuo.
>
> > how did you learn C ?
>
> By reading, by studying, and, most of all, by getting assistance from local
> programmers and others who are competent in C.  I learn best by example, and the C
> code that we obtained from these local sources was of great value in developing my
> grasp of the language.  Ask around in this town about Ada, and you'll get blank
> stares, derisive laughter, or earnest suggestions that centre largely on C, C++, and
> even Java.

I note that you are in Rochester.  There is a lot of Ada work going on in
"nearby" Syracuse at Lockheed Martin.  I've talked to people at Kodak and
Xerox in Rochester with Ada experience who are frustrated with their
companies' short-sighted devotion to C.  (I can't mention names lest their
current bosses read this.)

Or you might consider a "contract position" in Buffalo (Aerotek) or
further where Ada is used.  Have some money coming in while you learn.
Problem there is that job shops usually want you to have the experience
before you start--but there are exceptions.  How about a place that does
both C AND Ada (and others)?  Such as Sensis, in Syracuse and Rochester.

My company (Fort Wayne, IN) wants software engineers badly enough to
accept any kind of engineer and run him/her through a twelve-week class
much of which is Ada.  Obviously, they would demand an agreement to stay
on for some minimum time.  Send me a resume if you're interested.

As for examples: well, browse around the Public Ada Library
(http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/pub/languages/ada), or the Ada Infomation
Clearing House (http://sw-eng.falls-church.va.us/AdaIC).

I can sympathize with not having the luxury of time/funds to shift to a
better way of doing business.  Just be really _sure_ you can't afford it.
If there's any possible way to scrape together XX dollars for the sake of
saving many times that over the next five years.....  Man, if the _Ada_
learning curve is too much, the least you could do for yourself is get out
of C and into Java!

There are three Ada tutorials available on the 'Net - you can pace
yourself.

You made some good points, and I'm sorry for my colleagues' overreaction.
But I really suspect if you pinch those pennies too hard, they'll bleed
dollars.

A parting shot: Consider taking a chance on this:

Hire an experienced software engineer who also teaches both Ada 95 and
Java to help you do your design and code and teach you Ada and/or Java at
the same time.  (Yes, I have someone in mind, and I'll send him a copy of
this.  If either of you are interested, let me know.  If both are
interested, I'll introduce you.)  Sure, you'd have the added expense of
his fee or wage, but you'd be getting your work done at the same time.
(And probably faster and with fewer defects.)