Agreed, but the problem you're describing has nothing to do with looking like COBOL. If we're talking superficial syntax, my first thought was that it looks like Ruby but with C++-style interface/implementation separation. The syntax is odd, but not at all unpleasant.
For me, my hurdles were:
* First, I thought that Ada was exclusively a proprietary language.
* Then, I got confused about whether I can use GNAT Community and not publish it under the GPL (https://www.adacore.com/get-started says I must).
* Finally I found FSF GNAT (http://www.getadanow.com/), so it turns out there is a standard-licensed language I can use.
At this point I'm finally ready to actually try Ada, and just haven't started a project that seemed like a good fit. But the bulk of my barrier to entry was licensing questions, not syntax.
Yep! This is the tutorial that finally cleared everything up for me. I'd previously found AdaCore.com, which was where I learned about the Community edition but not the FSF GNAT.
For me, my hurdles were:
* First, I thought that Ada was exclusively a proprietary language.
* Then, I got confused about whether I can use GNAT Community and not publish it under the GPL (https://www.adacore.com/get-started says I must).
* Finally I found FSF GNAT (http://www.getadanow.com/), so it turns out there is a standard-licensed language I can use.
At this point I'm finally ready to actually try Ada, and just haven't started a project that seemed like a good fit. But the bulk of my barrier to entry was licensing questions, not syntax.