brett@tle.enet.dec.com (Bevin Brett) (05/09/91)
We see a lot of uninformed comment [and some informed comment] in comp.lang.ada about the need for "a free Ada compiler for universities". What most of these authors don't realise is that some compiler vendors such as DIGITAL [for whom I work] have VERY substantial discounts on their Ada compilers when sold for educational use. So you should call your local sales rep for the company that you wish to buy from and find out whether he is going to charge you $200 or $2000 or $20000 for that Ada compiler you want to buy AFTER YOU HAVE TOLD H[IM|ER] that you are an educational site.
rharwood@east.pima.edu (05/09/91)
In article <22551@shlump.lkg.dec.com>, brett@tle.enet.dec.com (Bevin Brett) writes: > What most of these authors don't realise is that some compiler vendors such as > DIGITAL [for whom I work] have VERY substantial discounts on their Ada > compilers when sold for educational use. Pima Community College has licensed the VAX Ada compiler (I believe for ALL of it's student-access VAXes), yet I am the ONLY instructor offering an Ada course. It might be different out "there" in the main-stream of DoD-land, but I wonder if the statement "Oh sure I'd USE Ada if only we could get a cheap compiler" really translates to "Hmmm, I've GOT to find an excuse somewhere for not using a language that naturally induces good program structure." Yes, free/cheap C compilers have contributed to its success, but as Bevin points out, there ARE options out there if you look hard enough. Gee... I'd drive a BMW if they were free/cheap. Most people that want to show "class" are willing to pay for it! <tongue firmly in cheek!> ----- Ray Harwood |Data Basix |Associate Faculty, Voice: (602)721-1988 |PO Box 18324 | Pima Community College FAX: (602)721-7240 |Tucson, AZ 85731 |Instructor in Ada and Pascal CompuServe: 76645,1370|AppleLink: DATA.BASIX|Internet: rharwood@east.pima.edu
rcd@ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn) (05/10/91)
rharwood@east.pima.edu writes: > Pima Community College has licensed the VAX Ada compiler (I believe for ALL of > it's student-access VAXes), yet I am the ONLY instructor offering an Ada > course. It might be different out "there" in the main-stream of DoD-land, but > I wonder if the statement "Oh sure I'd USE Ada if only we could get a cheap > compiler" really translates to "Hmmm, I've GOT to find an excuse somewhere for > not using a language that naturally induces good program structure." There are at least two considerations here: - The statement of need for a very cheap (preferably "free", since the concept of "cheap" seems to cover almost two orders of magni- tude:-) Ada compiler for university use should be taken as a necessary, but NOT necessarily sufficient condition to promote the teaching and use of Ada. It's not the only obstacle. - TTT: Things Take Time. Even if you've got the compiler and support, you don't just gesture and say "Domini, domini, domini... we all use Ada now." The folks who are comparing with the way C and UNIX gained a toehold ought to look at how long that took. I remember my role in helping wean a large university's engin- eering school away from FORTRAN as the only language they ever taught or used. It took several years--not to convert them entirely to another language, but just to break FORTRAN's stranglehold. Another matter to consider: the C-UNIX synergy was important in giving it a toehold in universities. -- Dick Dunn rcd@ico.isc.com -or- ico!rcd Boulder, CO (303)449-2870 ...If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind.
g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu (George C. Harrison, Norfolk State University) (05/10/91)
In article <22551@shlump.lkg.dec.com>, brett@tle.enet.dec.com (Bevin Brett) writes: > We see a lot of uninformed comment [and some informed comment] in comp.lang.ada > about the need for "a free Ada compiler for universities". > > What most of these authors don't realise is that some compiler vendors such as > DIGITAL [for whom I work] have VERY substantial discounts on their Ada > compilers when sold for educational use. > > So you should call your local sales rep for the company that you wish to buy > from and find out whether he is going to charge you $200 or $2000 or $20000 > for that Ada compiler you want to buy AFTER YOU HAVE TOLD H[IM|ER] that you > are an educational site. I ditto this remark. I've worked with Ada since 1985 and with VAX Ada since 1987. The price is wonderful for educational institutions. With an educational discount and the price of media and docs, we have trained many successful Ada programmers and software engineers. VAX Ada's ACS (Ada Compilation System) is ideally designed for group projects supporting quality configuration management. Digital's commitment to educational institutions may be equaled by some companies, but it certainly is not surpassed. YES... I'd like to see a free Ada compiler for higher education, but Ada demands quality. I'm not convinced that the government can produce the same quality of compiler as is produced in the commercial world; the motivation is totally different. I want MY students to learn how to be software engineers with the best tools available. George... -- George C. Harrison ----------------------- ----- Professor of Computer Science ----------------------- ----- Norfolk State University ----------------------- ----- 2401 Corprew Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23504 ----------------------- ----- INTERNET: g_harrison@vger.nsu.edu ---------------------------------