Date: January 11, 1996

Speaker: Richard J. Orgass, University Libraries, CMU

C or a Software Engineering Language?

Abstract:
This somewhat provocative title is intended to raise interest in a fairly detailed comparison of two implementations of the same piece of software, one in C and one in a Software Engineering Language. Both implementations are realizations of the same design but use language specific libraries.

The core of the application is a set of closely related data structures with objects as members that are used to manage a cache of journal article page bitmaps that are delivered and stored on CD-ROMs.

The data presented supports claims to the effect that it is cheaper to create, change, port and maintain the version written in a Software Engineering Language. There is circumstantial data which suggests that the Software Engineering Language implementation is more reliable.

SDI / LCS Seminar Questions?
Karen Lindenfelser, 86716, or visit www.pdl.cmu.edu/SDI/