Here is my first (admittedly hurried) cut of the FAQ.  I am sending it out
quickly so that:
  a) I will get feedback quickly, especially from people who don't like the
  way it is set up :)
  b) I am going on vacation all next week, and did not want people to think
  that I had dropped the ball.
I have mail out to several people requesting specific information to be added,
but if anybody has anything that they would like to contribute, I welcome it
gladly.  I am getting 2 kinds of mail about the FAQ
  a) mail with either an answer to one of the questions I posted, or a new
     question along with an answer (hereby known as "good mail")
  b) mail saying something like "I think the FAQ should contain information on
     the following 10 areas..." (hereby known as "not-so-good mail").
I am not going to have lots of time to do research and track down detailed
answers to questions that are not really specific.  I will do what I can with
the "not-so-good mail", but I cannot guarantee anything.

All that said, here is the first cut.  I have interspersed special information
requests with NOTE: on the left margin.


  Frequently Asked Questions about comp.lang.ada

1) Where can I get a list of validated Ada compilers?
	
    (from tjmesler@vnet.ibm.com)
    By anonymous ftp from ajpo.sei.cmu.edu. Latest list is in the
    /public/ada-info directory. Only the latest list is kept, it
    has the name val-comp.hlp.ddmmmyy, where dd stands for date,
    mmm for month (3 letter abreviation), and yy stands for year.
    For example, the current list id val-comp.hlp.01Jun92.
    If the list is updated during the month the previous one
    is lost and the name of the file will change.

2) Where can I get a yacc/ayacc grammar to read Ada code?

    (from garym@flash.telesoft.com (Gary Morris @lone))
    masticol@dumas.rutgers.edu has kindly sent in a yacc and lex
    grammar for Ada.  It's available via FTP from the archives at
    primost.cs.wisc.edu and via mail from the compilers server at
    compilers-server@iecc.cambridge.ma.us.

3) Is there an Ada-mode for Emacs?

    (from obry@enthuse.bellcore.com (Pascal OBRY)
    You can find this in
    ajpo.sei.cmu.edu
    cd /public/infoada/gnu
    file r1.06a-ada.tar.Z
NOTE: I would like to get a small description of what the ada-mode does for
you, what compilers it works with, etc.  Could someone send this?

4) Who is that Ted Holden (HTE) character anyway, and why does he even bother
   to read comp.lang.ada?

    This one is currently a mystery to every reader of c.l.a that I have
    ever come across.  He has apparently done no Ada coding, save for some
    stuff on a PC about 5 years ago.  It is usually best to simply ignore
    postings by him, because no discussion of anything he has posted has ever
    been fruitful.  Send him mail if you want to discuss his opinions.

5) You know, I think Ada could really benefit from having <choose_a_feature> 
   from <choose_a_language>
     or
   You know, I think Ada is clearly <inferior_or_superior> to
   <choose_a_language> because it has <choose_a_feature>
 
    Such posts almost always result in religious wars about langauge, and
    never result in anything more productive than wasted bandwidth.  PLEASE
    refrain from such posts unless you have a specific question about Ada.
    For example, the following kind of question *is* appropriate:
    "In <choose_a_language> I can do <choose_a_feature>.  How would I go
    about doing this in Ada?"

6) Where can I get a public domain Ada compiler?

    There is no 'public-domain' Ada compiler available, as far as I know.
    There have been rumors of GNU doing such a compiler, but I have seen
    no facts to back it up.  There are a number of inexpensive Ada compilers
    now available for PC's.  See below for a list of cheap compilers.

7) What ftp sites exist that contain information about Ada or Ada source?

    (from Stephane Bortzmeyer <bortz@cnam.cnam.fr>)
    Ada Software Repository:  wuarchive.wustl.edu
	Internet address:
    AJPO and AdaIC repository:  ajpo.sei.cmu.edu
	Internet address: 128.237.2.253
    Source for aflex and ayacc:  liege.ics.uci.edu (~ftp/pub/irus)
	Internet address: 
    European Repository:  cnam.cnam.fr
	Internet address:
NOTE: I know this list is woefully inaccurate.  Any additions would be
welcome.

8) What organizations exist that deal with Ada and Ada issues? (Long)

    Ada Joint Program Office (AJPO) 
NOTE: I could put in what I think they do, but I would rather get something
from the source.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  

    Ada Information Clearinghouse (AdaIC)
    (from Michele L. Kee <adainfo@ajpo.sei.cmu.edu>)
    The Ada Information Clearinghouse (AdaIC) provides a full spectrum of
    information on Ada to anyone interested in finding out more about the
    programming language.  The AdaIC can be reached at (800) AdaIC-11 or
    (703) 685-1477.
    IIT Research Institute operates the AdaIC for the Ada Joint Program Office.
      The AdaIC publishes a quarterly newsletter, which contains current
    news, Ada conference reports, announcements from the Ada Joint Program
    Office (AJPO) Director, and articles on projects using Ada.  If you
    would like to receive a copy of the AdaIC newsletter, please call and
    request a subscription.  There's no charge.
      The AdaIC also regularly updates and publishes more than 70 separate
    information flyers.  Flyer topics include:
	Ada Validated Compilers
	Ada News and Current Events
	Ada Usage
	Ada 9X Project
	On-line sources of Ada Information
	Ada Bibliographies
	Ada Compiler Validation and Evaluation
	Resources for Ada Education and Training
	Ada Software, Tools, and Interfaces
	Ada Regulations, Policies, and Mandates
	Ada Historical Information
      One of the most commonly requested flyers is the Validated Compilers
    List.  This list, which is updated monthly, contains Ada compilers that
    have been validated by the AJPO.  For the most current information on
    validated Ada compilers, contact the AdaIC.

    Special Interest Group Ada (SIGAda): 
NOTE: Another group for which I would like to get a succinct description.
I would also like to get a list of all the 'official' WG's under SIGAda,
and brief descriptions of each.  Anyone care to volunteer?


9) What cheap (<500$) Ada compilers are available?

NOTE: this is not intended to be a joke :).  I need information from vendors
to put in here.  I think it is appropriate to also include compilers with
caveats as well (such as educational-only)

10) Are there any dialup BBS systems that deal with Ada?

    AdaIC BBS: (US)703-614-0215  AUTOVON: 224-0215

11) Is there a list of Ada vendor email contacts?

    Verdix questions: drew@verdix.com (Drew Johnson)
    Verdix sales information: moskow@verdix.com (Paul Moskowitz)

Send any changes/additions to drew@verdix.com.
==============================================================================