Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cmcl2!brl-adm!adm!DICOM3%IBACSATA.BITNET@wiscvm.wisc.EDU 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 Sender: news@brl-adm.ARPA Lines: 62 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