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I used to work in SPARK (all caps), and while I don't miss the industry, I do miss working with the language. When you use it as it was meant to be used, it's

I used to work in SPARK (all caps), and while I don't miss the industry, I do miss working with the language. When you use it as it was meant to be used, it's incredibly empowering, it's like working with the world's most observant pair programmer. The book remains one of the best books I've read on software development, although obviously it's from a very specific view.

eggy 7y ago
Thanks for pointing out it's SPARK (all caps). I usually never miss this even on previous SPARK post I've made on HN. I was looking into Apache Spark recently, and it must have crossed lobes! I am finding it to be really cool, and the verbosity isn't bothering me like it does in other languages. I also picked up "Analysable Real-Time Systems Programmed in Ada" just for the RT aspects, and I am wondering how what I read and learn in this book can be leveraged by my push into SPARK. I am mainly looking to write controls software for the industry I work in Entertainment engineering, where performer flying winches, and all sorts of show action equipment have made the transition from neat, bespoke machines, to a regulated industry with standards like all other fields of engineering. If you don't mind, what industry were you working in, and why don't you miss it? Have you been able to use SPARK at all in your current industry? Thanks!
- noneeeed 7y ago
  Sorry for the slow reply. I used to work for Praxis (now part of Altran) who used to be the owners of the SPARK tech, in fact I spent a while working in the SPARK team on the automated theorem prover technology. Howerver this was a consultancy working in the aerospace and defense industry, and it frequently working away from home at the client's sites, on frequently very poorly run projects. I loved the technology, but I found the way things got done frustrating. Building software in SPARK for stage equipment sounds like a good fit. I'd be very interested to hear how you get on.

eggy 7y ago

Thanks for pointing out it's SPARK (all caps). I usually never miss this even on previous SPARK post I've made on HN. I was looking into Apache Spark recently, and it must have crossed lobes! I am finding it to be really cool, and the verbosity isn't bothering me like it does in other languages. I also picked up "Analysable Real-Time Systems Programmed in Ada" just for the RT aspects, and I am wondering how what I read and learn in this book can be leveraged by my push into SPARK. I am mainly looking to write controls software for the industry I work in Entertainment engineering, where performer flying winches, and all sorts of show action equipment have made the transition from neat, bespoke machines, to a regulated industry with standards like all other fields of engineering. If you don't mind, what industry were you working in, and why don't you miss it? Have you been able to use SPARK at all in your current industry? Thanks!

noneeeed 7y ago
Sorry for the slow reply. I used to work for Praxis (now part of Altran) who used to be the owners of the SPARK tech, in fact I spent a while working in the SPARK team on the automated theorem prover technology. Howerver this was a consultancy working in the aerospace and defense industry, and it frequently working away from home at the client's sites, on frequently very poorly run projects. I loved the technology, but I found the way things got done frustrating. Building software in SPARK for stage equipment sounds like a good fit. I'd be very interested to hear how you get on.