ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9 N 373

Convener's Report, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9 (Ada)

Prepared by: James W. Moore, James.W.Moore@ieee.org, 11 July 2000.

This report is in the same form as past "Business Plans." Other items are included in an additional Section 4.

BUSINESS PLAN FOR ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9 (Ada)

PERIOD COVERED:

July 2000-July 2001

SUBMITTED BY:

Convener of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9
James W. Moore
The MITRE Corporation, W534
1820 Dolley Madison Blvd.
McLean, Virginia 22102
USA
703.883.7396 (Office)
703.883.5432 (Fax)
James.W.Moore@ieee.org

1. MANAGEMENT SUMMARY

1.1 JTC1/SC22/WG9 STATEMENT OF SCOPE

Development of ISO standards for Programming Language Ada

1.2 PROJECT REPORT

1.2.1 COMPLETED PROJECTS
22.10.01 -- IS 8652:1995 Programming Languages: Ada

A Technical Corrigendum has been drafted and will undergo ballot in WG9 during August 2000. The document will be submitted for an SC22 approval ballot in October 2000. See Requested Action 4.1.1.

22.10.02 -- IS 11430:1994 Generic Package of Elementary Functions for Ada

Withdrawal of this standard was approved by the 1998 SC22 Plenary.

22.10.03 -- IS 11729:1994 Generic Package of Primitive Functions for Ada

Withdrawal of this standard was approved by the 1998 SC22 Plenary.

22.10.04 -- IS 13813:1998 Generic packages of real and complex type declarations and basic operations for Ada (including vector and matrix types)

No action is needed.

22.10.05 -- IS 13814:1998 Generic package of complex elementary functions for Ada

No action is needed.

22.31 -- IS 12227:1995 SQL/Ada Module Description Language (SAMeDL)

Withdrawal of this standard was approved by the 1999 SC22 Plenary.

22.35 -- (Type 2) TR 11735:1996 EXTensions for real-time Ada

The contents of 11735 are substantively subsumed by the 1995 revision of 8652. This Technical Report should be withdrawn. See Requested Action 4.1.2.

22.15291-- IS 15291:1999 Ada Semantic Interface Specification (ASIS)

No action is requested.

22.15942 -- TR 15942 Guidance for the use of the Ada Programming Language in High Integrity Systems

Since the 1999 SC22 plenary, this document was published.

22.18009 -- IS 18009, Ada Conformity Assessment

Since the 1999 SC22 plenary, this document was published.

1.2.2 PROJECTS UNDERWAY

The only project currently underway is the Technical Corrigendum to IS 8652 mentioned above.

1.3 COOPERATION AND COMPETITION

There are two major professional societies in this area: the Special Interest Group on Ada (SIG) of the Association for Computing Machinery and Ada-Europe. The semi-annual meetings of WG9 are scheduled to coincide with the major conferences organized by these two groups. Informal but close cooperation with SIGAda is maintained by the convener. The UK Head of Delegation to WG9 is also an officer of Ada-Europe.

There is one major vendor consortium, the Ada Resource Association (ARA). Informal liaison with ARA is maintained via the Chair of the US TAG who is also a member of the ARA.

The United States Department of Defense (DOD) has a continuing interest in the Ada language. Liaison is assured because DoD funds the convener to serve in his position.

In addition, liaison and/or consultation are applied as appropriate with other working groups in SC22, notably WG15.

2.0 PERIOD REVIEW

2.1 MARKET REQUIREMENTS

Although certain segments of the US DOD remain committed to favoring Ada, notably the real-time, embedded systems community, the DoD has elected to "privatize" its activities in the area of compiler conformity assessment. WG9 stepped up to the responsibility of assuming this role by developing a conformity assessment standard so that the authority of ISO could substitute for the authority of DoD in this vital area. With the cooperation of the SC22, JTC1 and ITTF, WG9 has succeeded in processing an appropriate standard at the ISO "speed of light." Publication was completed in 1999. The standard was completed and published only fifteen months following the realization of its need and only nine months after the approval of the corresponding NP.

2.2 ACHIEVEMENTS

Achieved during the past year:

2.3 RESOURCES

All new work item suggestions are screened by the requirement for active support from five national bodies. This has worked well, resulting in explicit commitments from national bodies supporting a possible project.

The recent JTC1 resolution permitting WG participation by SC22 O-members has already provided benefit to WG9. At the last meeting, Switzerland rejoined WG9.

The current convener of WG9 reaches the end of his three-year term at the September 2000 plenary. He has stated his willingness to serve another term and has obtained an appropriate commitment of support from his employer. See Requested Action 4.1.4.

3.0 FOCUS NEXT WORK PERIOD

3.1 DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables are anticipated during the next 12 months:

3.2 STRATEGIES

Routine, but efficient, processing will suffice to achieve our goals.

3.2.1 RISKS

Unexpectedly heavy technical comment could delay any of the items described above. WG9 has mitigated this risk by providing mechanisms for full treatment of NB technical concerns at the WG level.

3.2.2 OPPORTUNITIES

National body participation in WG9 has ceased its recent decline. The JTC1 approval of the resolution permitting SC22 O-members to participate in working groups has already yielded one new member for WG9. Other members will be solicited.

WG9 is pleased to note that a WG9 request tabled at the last SC22 plenary led directly to an SC22 resolution regarding inexpensive availability of standards. This resolution, in turn, led to JTC1 recommendations on this subject, recommendations that were recently approved by ISO Council for trial use. WG9 believes that SC22 should volunteer to participate in the trial use period or should, at least, offer WG9 for the trial usage. See Requested Action 4.1.3.

3.3 WORK PROGRAM PRIORITIES

The Technical Corrigendum document described above is the most important item in WG9's current work programme. WG9 anticipates developing an Amendment to IS 8652:1995 during the year 2002.

4. OTHER ITEMS

This section lists other items that are not part of the "Business Plan" but are appropriate for Convener's Report.

4.1 ACTION REQUESTED AT FORTHCOMING PLENARY

4.1.1

SC22 is requested to endorse to schedule a ballot for a Technical Corrigendum to ISO/IEC 8652:1995 commencing in October 2000.

4.1.2

SC22 is requested to endorse the following WG9 resolution:

Resolution 38-4: ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22/WG9 recommends to SC22 that the following Technical Report be withdrawn when it reaches the end of its five-year review period. The Technical Report is relevant to the 1987 version of the Ada language standard rather than the current version:

4.1.3

SC22 is requested to volunteer for participation in the recently approved trial period for inexpensive availability of standards. If all of SC22 is unable to participate, SC22 is requested to offer WG9 for participation in the trial period.

4.1.4

SC22 is requested to appoint James W. Moore to serve a second three-year term as convener of WG9.

4.2 FUTURE MEETINGS

4.3 RECENT MEETINGS