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DOD Should Change Its Approach to Reducing Computer Software Proliferation

MASAD-83-26 Published: May 26, 1983. Publicly Released: Jun 27, 1983.
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Highlights

GAO was asked to: (1) evaluate the ongoing efforts of the military services to standardize their computers; (2) determine whether it is more cost effective to standardize the software using a high-level language, Ada; (3) determine whether the Department of Defense (DOD) should rely on the computer industry to provide the stimulus for computer innovations; and (4) determine what possible rationale exists for DOD not moving rapidly to implement Ada.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force to ensure that any new military computers acquired by the services are compatible with Ada and that contracts are awarded on a competitive basis using functional requirements as the procurement criteria.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Navy, Army and Air Force to begin reducing software proliferation by justifying, on the basis of cost and benefits, the use of computer languages other than Ada in new software development programs. These justifications should be submitted to the Ada Joint Program Office for evaluation and approval.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force to also, for the purpose of reducing software proliferation, evaluate the costs and benefits of converting existing major software programs to Ada and, if cost effective and beneficial to make such conversions, make them. Reports should be submitted quarterly to the Ada Joint Program Office on the status and results of these evaluation.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should assign the Ada Joint Program Office the responsibility to monitor the Ada efforts recommended above and to provide assistance to the services in gaining widespread experience with Ada.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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Topics

Computer hardwareComputer industryComputer languagesComputer services contractsComputer software industryCost effectiveness analysisDefense procurementInteragency relationsIT acquisitionsLife cycle costsProcurement regulationsProgramming languagesSystems compatibility