In this tutorial we will describe the main elements of the C# programming language and the Common Language Infrastructure (whose implementation by Microsoft is knows as .NET), and explain how Ada fits into this framework. The C# discussion will focus on that language's distinctive features —is it simply Microsoft's response to Java, or is there more to it?— through examples and comparisons with other languages. We will summarize the main elements of the .NET technology (intermediate language, type system, run-time environment) and explain why it is referred to as "language agnostic". We will show how Ada development is supported on .NET, and conclude with a demonstration using GNAT Pro for .NET.

This is an intermediate-level tutorial. Attendees should be familiar with a language such as Ada, Java or C++ and should also understand the basics of object-oriented programming. No previous experience with C# or .NET is required. For the last section of the tutorial, which focuses on how Ada fits into .NET, some familiarity with Ada is assumed.

Presenters

Dr. Benjamin Brosgol is a senior member of AdaCore's technical staff in the US. He has over 30 years of experience in the computer software industry, with a focus on programming languages (Ada and Java in particular), software development methods, safety and security, and real-time systems.

Dr Brosgol has been directly involved with the Ada language development effort since its inception, and participated in both the initial language design and the Ada 95 revision. Dr. Brosgol has delivered presentations and tutorials at many Ada-Europe and SIGAda conferences, and has been conducting professional Ada courses for more than 20 years.

Jerôme Lambourg is a member of AdaCore's technical staff in the EU. He has 10 years of experience in the computer software industry, with a focus on software architecture and mission-critical systems across a broad range of domains. He is currently participating in several product developments including GNAT for .NET, the GNAT Programming Studio (GPS) IDE, and the AUnit test framework.

Before joining AdaCore, Mr. Lambourg was a software architect at a technology consulting company, which entailed assignments at General Electric Medical Systems, Sagem Mobile and Thales Naval. He has also worked for Canal+, in the domain of digital television back-office servers.

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