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- 14-Ago-2007: First english version
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What is Pascal?
Pascal is a general purpose computer programming language. It is very structured, and quite adequate for starters in computer programming.
Turbo Pascal has been the most used version of Pascal language for a long time. It was developed by Borland, for Dos operating System. Now it is more used a open source alternative, called Free Pascal, which is available for several operating systems.
Delphi is a visual development tool for Windows, created by Borland, based on Pascal language. Kylix is the Linux version of Delphi. Lazarus is an open source Delphi clone, available for Windows, Linux and other operating systems.
Tutorials on Pascal
- Pascal tutorial by Coronado Enterprises, version 2.40, 196 KB.
- Pascal tutorial (in Spanish), by Nacho Cabanes, (still not completed) hosted byaprendeAprogramar.com.
Pascal compilers
- Free Pascal (formerly FPK Pascal) is probably the best choice nowadays. It is a 32 bits free pascal compiler, mostly Turbo Pascal compatible, with several Delphi extensions. It has an Integrated Development Enviroment (IDE) similar to Turbo Pascal's. There are versions for Windows, Linux, OS/2 and other operating systems. You can find it at www.freepascal.org (version 2.0.4 available since august 2006).
- Turbo Pascal is the "de facto" standard in Pascal. It was created by Borland for MsDos operating system, and now is discontinued. Latest version is number 7, but Turbo Pascal 1 is available for download from Borland's site, as well as Turbo Pascal 3.02 and Turbo Pascal 5.5. Note: Turbo Pascal 7, the lastest version, does not work properly on current PCs (most Pentium II and above). It is the Runtime error 200. You can find more information about it at www.brain.uni-freiburg.de/ ~klaus/pascal/ runerr200.
- Delphi is a commercial product for Windows, created by Borland (you can also fin a free clone called Lazarus a bit later). Now and then, you can find evaluation versions in computing magazines or any "Personal Edition" in Borland's site, but it has not happened since long ago...
- Lazarus is a Delphi clone (for Linux, Windows and other systems) created over Free Pascal. Its site is www.lazarus.freepascal.org. It is still in beta stage, but quite usable. Version 0.9.22 available since 30-Mar-2007
- Chrome is an Object Pascal compiler for the .Net platform. There is a commercial version, which can be integrated in Visual Studio, but also a free version, which includes the command-line compiler. More details in www.chromesville.com
- Kylix was the Linux version of Delphi. A free version existed, but now it seems ti be discontinued (you cantry to search at Borland's site).
- GNU Pascal (GPC) is developed over the GCC compiler. More information and downloads: www.gnu-pascal.de.
- Dev-Pascal is a development environment, by Bloodshed, which can be used with Gnu Pascal or Free Pascal. The download including Free Pascal is near 8 Mb in size.
- Virtual Pascal. A 32 bits Pascal compiler for DOS y OS/2, with syntax and environment very similar to Pascal 7. Currently discontinued, but it can still be downloaded as a 25 MB Zip file at vpascal.ning.com
- If you need Pascal compilers for the Mac you can have a look at Free Pascal or Gnu Pascal, or search more in www.pascal-central.com
- Pocket Studio is a Pascal environment for Palm PDAs, not free. You can find it in www.winsoft.sk/pstudio.htm.
- TMT Pascal. TMT is a multiplaform compiler, for DOS, Windows and OS/2, quite compatible to Turbo Pascal 7. Version 5.0 is commercial (near 350 US$), but 3.90 is free for educational use, after e-mail registration. Its site is www.tmt.com. Its name has recently changed to Framework Pascal.
- Irie Pascal is a shareware compiler for Dos, Windows and others. It is almost fully functional, but the executable files it creates stop working the next day. More info at www.irietools.com/iriepascal.
- DPas is a free 32 bits compiler, with no IDE, that can be reached at www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bay/9159/dpas.html.
- Pascal Pro is a Pascal compiler, whose sources are available. You can have a look at www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/sql/39/.
- SURPAS. An old, small (115 KB) and freely distributable (shareware) pascal compilers, similar tu Turbo Pascal 3. You can download it here.
Other links on Pascal
- HelpPC is a very complete reference on Pc Hardware, C Language, Asm, interrupts and MsDos. It is compressed in a 275 KB Zip file.
- PcGPE is the PC Games Programmer Encyclopedia, which contains information about graphic programming, using the mouse and the joystick, and about how to create graphic effects such as fire, rotations, perspective, shadings ans so on. It is oriented to MsDos, with most sources in Pascal, routines in Asm (also and introduction to this language). Compressed in a 720 KB Zip file.