AdaIC News Winter 1996
Why is Ada appropriate? Support for large, complex systems Interoperability and maintainability Software Engineering Modifiable, reliable, portable, easily integrated, etc. Economics DoD core competency, lower lifecycle costs International standard (ANSI, ISO, FIPS) Only internationally-standardized object-oriented language Only language with required validation Promotes reuse, portability Not locked into proprietary vendor Most companies settle on a standard, why not DoD? Metrics 60-80% of software costs are in maintenance Ada best in FAA and SEI scores (capability, cost, risk, etc.) Ada leads in MITRE reliability and maintainability comparisons |
Why Ada?
Ada Information Clearinghouse 800/232-4211 or 703/681-2466 adainfo@sw-eng.falls-church.va.us http://sw-eng.falls-church.va.us Defense Information Systems Agency Center for Software |
DoD-wide Policy
It is DoD policy to use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software
whenever it meets our requirements. When COTS or NDI software is not
available to satisfy requirements and the DoD must develop unique
software for which the government is responsible for lifecycle
maintenance and support, that software must be written in the Ada
programming language.
DODD 3405.1 Ada is the preferred common HOL Based on lifecycle cost, prefer use of: (1) COTS and advanced software technology, when no government modification or maintenance during lifecycle; (2) Ada; (3) DoD-approved standard HOL, if waiver granted Use Ada for all major upgrades (1/3 or more of lines total). Army extensions: HQDA ltr 25-92-1, 25-95-1 Ada for all modifications of 1/3 or more of functional component SQL is approved for DBMSs 4GLs permitted for prototypes, short-term, ad-hoc systems; non-Ada prototype cannot be fielded. Navy extensions: NAVINST5234.2A Ada for modification of 1/3 or more of computer software configuration item or sub-system specification, within 5 years Waivers granted only on substantiation of economic analysis. Air Force extensions: SAF/AQK Action memo Distinguishes exceptions/waivers, gives details on each Exempts individual-use, unique, in-house applications SAF/AQK Info Memo Interprets term "cost effective" in Congressional Ada mandate. All three Services permit baselined ("project-validated") compilers -- projects can keep same compiler throughout lifecycle (after validation certificate expires). |
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