OT: Language for the ages

[Bob Bradlee]

most likely, Ansi C 

Most of my stuff was in LISP, which is about the same age as speedcode
I mean fortran :)

My speciality was parameter driven CAD producing M&G code
for machining centers. We still have some turning applications 
punching paper tape or running BTR paper tape emulators
to talk to the machines. The only valve we turn on is coolant On
and coolant off but we cut a lot of parts in a lot of plants around the world.

It is very hard to generalize about manufacturing.
How about the manufacture of software ? 
my first question is what are we making ?  is it solid, liquid, or gases ?

Bob


On Fri, 14 Oct 2005 11:21:42 -0700, Chuck Guzis wrote:

>Here's an interesting problem.

>Suppose you wanted to write an application for a manufacturing process that
>will, in all probability, run for the next 30 years.  No direct control of
>the process itself is entailed (i.e., you don't need the program to
>operation valves or run motors), but you do need this program to compute
>manufacturing parameters for each customer.  I/O requirements are very
>modest, mostly simple keyboard and display.

>What would you write it in?  Clearly, you'd want to be independent of a
>particular software vendor, so the likes of Visual BASIC isn't an option.
>You'd also want to write in a language that isn't nearing obsolesence, nor
>one that's still evolving.  "Niche" languages would be out of the question,
>as longevity could be a problem.

>So what would it be?   My vote is for FORTRAN.

>Cheers,
>Chuck