View source for Ada 83 history

  
== Brief historical context ==

In the history of the development of modern computing, there is a particular and rich period that extends from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s.
This period corresponds to the appearance and maturation of personal computing (IBM PC in 1981, Apple Macintosh in 1984) and the birth of the
Internet. 

The previous period, which could be situated in the 1970s, saw the beginning of microprocessor technology (Intel 4004 in 1971) which would lead
to the gradual disappearance of large “mainframe” computers in favor of mini-computers and then micro-computers and compact personal
workstations with increasing power. 
Computer programming languages follow the evolution of increasingly capable hardware in terms of speed and memory, and one of them in
particular, the Pascal language, which appeared in 1970, will exert a particular influence. 
Following Pascal, a reflection on the homogenization of software systems of the American Department of Defense (DoD) began in 1974 and led in
1983 to the definition of a highly advanced language: Ada, now known as Ada 83 to distinguish it from its evolutionary versions Ada 95 and later,
2005, 2012, 2022.
  
== Ada 83 in its time ==

Here is a timeline of salient events relating to the period that interests us (preparatory from 1970 to 1983, standardized life of the Ada 83
language from 1983 to 1994).

'''1971''' the Intel 4004 microprocessor is produced.

'''1974''' independent proposals for a common language from the US defense services: US-ARMY, US-AIR FORCE, US-NAVY.

'''1975''' Creation of the High Order Language Working Group (HOLWG), beginning of the Strawman language specifications, then Wooden man.

'''1976''' (January) Tinman specifications, parallel evaluation of 23 existing languages. Derivatives of the Algol-68, Pascal, PL-1 languages are
recognized as possible bases.

'''1977''' (January) Ironman specifications. 
(August) four competitors emerge among 15 proposals mainly based on Pascal: CII-Honeywell Bull, Intermetrics, Softech, SRI International.

'''1978''' 2 competitors continue: Steelman specifications. Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) releases the VAX 11/780 

'''1979''' (April) The “Green” project led by Jean Ichbiah (CII-Honeywell team) is selected. In May the name of the language is chosen, it will be “Ada”, in
homage to Augusta Ada Lovelace (1815-1852), daughter of the poet Byron and collaborator of Charles Babbage in his work on the “Analytical
Machine”. New York University (NYU) with Robert Dewar examines the Ada specification and develops a partial executable model in SETL
language. Launch of the Stoneman project for a programming environment for the common Ada language. Appearance of the Motorola 68000
microprocessor. It will be discontinued in 1996, the succession being taken over by its successors 68010 to 68060. 

'''1980''' intermediate standard, NYU Ada/Ed is adapted. In December HOLWG becomes Ada Joint Program Office (AJPO). J. Ichbiah founds Alsys. 
1981 IBM introduces the first PC. 
1982 new Ada reference manual, adapted from NYU Ada/Ed1983 release of the ANSI-MIL-STD-1815 standard defining Ada 83, in April Ada/Ed is validated on the ACVC (Ada Compiler Validation Capability)
tests. 

[[File:Diploma of first validated compiler.jpg|center|frame|caption|300px|alt=Presentation of diploma for first validated Ada compiler|Presentation of diploma for first validated Ada compiler to the Ada/Ed team, Robert Dewar (right) and Ed Schonberg (left)]]

The C language becomes popular, between 1985 and 1992 Ada/Ed will be translated into C. 

'''1984''' Apple presents the Macintosh, DEC releases the Microvax I. The DEC Ada compiler is available. 
1985 release of the IBM OS-2 operating system. Workstation for Ada programming Rational R1000. 

'''1986''' Collaboration of the National Center for the Study of Telecommunications (CNET) with NYU on the C version of Ada/Ed.

'''1987''' ISO standard, revision in preparation for Ada 95. DEC microvax 3000. 
1989 C language is standardized: ANSI C. 
1990 Intermetrics is chosen for the Ada 9X revision 

'''1992''' DEC Alpha AXP processor. Minicomputers give way to microcomputers. DEC, not having taken the turn well, will disappear in 1998. 

'''1994''' November Ada 95 revision accepted. Now the transition out of Ada 83 begins, although compatible with Ada 83, Ada 95 is in many aspects,
including object programming, a language with a very different flavor.