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From: DICOM3%IBACSATA.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.EDU (Berlen Oronzo)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.c
Subject: Re: Use of C/Ada for networking software
Message-ID: <10551@brl-adm.ARPA>
Date: Thu, 26-Nov-87 00:17:59 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-adm.10551
Posted: Thu Nov 26 00:17:59 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 29-Nov-87 12:35:47 EST
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I tried to send this message before but I had some problem, then I'm
submetting it again.

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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.

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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