asheem@mandrill.UUCP (11/22/87)
Hi,
Are any of you programming NETWORKING/COMMUNICATIONS software (actual
protocol implementations, applications software, simulations etc.) in the
C language? If so, I'm interested in knowing the following:
1. Why you chose C?
2. What you like (or dislike) about using C?
3. Are there any particular requirements in networking software that C
does well (or doesn't do well)?
4. Have you ever considered using Ada for networking? If so, why did
you decide to use it (or not use it)?
5. Do you know anyone else who has used Ada (and C) for networking?
If there is sufficient interest, I will post a summary of responses.
Thanks in advance!
Asheem Chandna
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CSNET: asheem@mandrill.cwru.edu OR asheem@case.csnetDICOM3%IBACSATA.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.EDU (Berlen Oronzo) (11/26/87)
I tried to send this message before but I had some problem, then I'm submetting it again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ We are developping a distributed electronic mail and computer conference system conforming to X400 and new MOTIS standards. We are developping it for a VAX/VMS environment but our final main target environment are: - VAX/VMS - UNIX - IBM/VM CMS (MVS ?) Yuou asked: > 1. Why you chose C? When we chose the language to use for the development there was a long discussion between us. Someone suggested to use the ADA while someone else suggested C. Our final decision was driven by the following consideration: 1) compatibility with other software developped here in C in HP-UX environment; 2) ADA compilers aren't available for one of our target environment the IBM/VM CMS and MVS; 3) availability of software tools like ISO Develelopment Environment (ISODE) usable from C environment; 4) ADA was never used here, and we suppose it requires a big activity to get us up to date with it. > 2. What you like (or dislike) about using C? What I personally dislike of C is: a) it is not a safe language; b) it allows to develop almost unreadle software very easily; c) his lack of run-time support creates big problems with debugging in most of the environments mentioned above; e) it is unstable; new standards are coming but there are a lot of dialects, this could create big portability problems as pointed out from the distribution list discussions; What is good is presented before. > 3. Are there any particular requirements in networking software that C > does well (or doesn't do well)? Availablity of software networking tools for C environment is higher. > 4. Have you ever considered using Ada for networking? If so, why did > you decide to use it (or not use it)? Already explained in point 1. > 5. Do you know anyone else who has used Ada (and C) for networking? Here C is used for all the projects of Distributed Systems Area, while ADA is used for one software engineering project. I don't know any networking software using ADA, while I know a lot of C ones. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Your impression about it are really welcome! Berlen Oronzo Centro Studi Applicazioni in Tecnologie Avanzate (CSATA) Distributed Systems Area Tecnopolis, S.P. Valenzano Casamassima KM 3 Valenzano (BARI) 70010 Italy