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== Unique Features ==
Unlike programming languages descended from C, Pascal uses := for assignment instead of =. This is an advantage in differentiating comparisons and assignments. In C == is comparison, but = is an assignment. These can be easily interchanged resulting in an inline assignment instead of a comparison. This syntax leads to many hard to track bugs in C style code. Since Pascal does not allow inline assignments and makes use of distinct syntax for assignments vs. comparisons it is not plagued with this ailment.
Another major difference is that Pascal is strongly typed. This means that all variables must be defined with a specific type before they can be used. Also incompatible variable assignments are not allows without an explicit type-cast. This prevents common errors where variables are used incorrectly because the type is unknown. This also alleviates the need for [[Hungarian notation]] - the practice of suffixing variable names with type identifing letters.
== Implementations ==
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With ''Turbo Pascal'' version 5 Borland added [[Object Oriented Programming|Object Orientation]] to Pascal forming the ''Object Pascal'' dialect. Their main language from [[1996]] on, [[Delphi programming language|Delphi]], is in turn based on this. A version of Delphi for Linux is known as [[Kylix]].
== Publicly available compilers ==▼
== Criticism ==▼
Several Pascal compilers are available for the use of general public:▼
* [http://www.gnu-pascal.de/ GNU Pascal Compiler] (GPC) is an additional front-end to the GNU Compiler Collection ([[GCC]]), and is written in C. Distributed freely under the [[GNU General Public License]].▼
* [http://www.freepascal.org FreePascal] is written in Pascal (so that it compiles itself), and is aimed at providing a convenient and powerful compiler, able both to compile legacy applications and to be the means of develop new ones. Also distributed freely under the GNU GPL.▼
* [http://community.borland.com Turbo Pascal] was the dominant Pascal compiler for PCs during the 80s and early 90s, popular both because of its powerful extensions and extremely low compilation times. Currently, older versions of Turbo Pascal (up to 5.5) are available for free download from Borland's site (registration required).▼
* [http://www.borland.com/delphi/ Delphi] is Borland's flagship RAD ([[Rapid Application Development]]) product. It uses the [[Delphi programming language]], descended from Pascal, to create applications for the windows platform. The latest version also supports compiling to the [[.NET]] platform▼
* [http://www.borland.com/kylix/ Kylix] is Borland's newest reiteration of the Pascal branch of their products. It is the descendant of [[Delphi programming language|Delphi]], with support for the [[Linux]] operating system and an improved object library. The compiler and the IDE are available now for non-commercial use. The compiler (but not the library or the IDE) is supposed to become [[Open Source]] software some time soon.▼
▲== Past Criticism ==
While very popular (although more so in the 1980s and early 1990s than at the time of writing), early versions of Pascal have been widely criticised for being unsuitable for "serious" use outside of teaching. [[Brian Kernighan]], co-creator of the [[C programming language]], outlined his most notable criticisms of Pascal as early as 1981, in his paper [http://www.lysator.liu.se/c/bwk-on-pascal.html Why Pascal Is Not My Favourite Programming Language]. Since that time Pascal has continued to evolve and most of his points do not apply to current implementations. The summary of Kernighan's criticism of early Pascal in that paper is as follows:
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As mentioned above, the currently available compilers address most of these issues. Many uninformed people still perscribe to the old belief that Pascal is not for "serious" programming and do not realize the benefits it currently offers. This stigma, more then any actual deficiency, is Pascal's biggest liability.
▲== Publicly available compilers ==
▲Several Pascal compilers are available for the use of general public:
▲* [http://www.gnu-pascal.de/ GNU Pascal Compiler] (GPC) is an additional front-end to the GNU Compiler Collection ([[GCC]]), and is written in C. Distributed freely under the [[GNU General Public License]].
▲* [http://www.freepascal.org FreePascal] is written in Pascal (so that it compiles itself), and is aimed at providing a convenient and powerful compiler, able both to compile legacy applications and to be the means of develop new ones. Also distributed freely under the GNU GPL.
▲* [http://community.borland.com Turbo Pascal] was the dominant Pascal compiler for PCs during the 80s and early 90s, popular both because of its powerful extensions and extremely low compilation times. Currently, older versions of Turbo Pascal (up to 5.5) are available for free download from Borland's site (registration required).
▲* [http://www.borland.com/delphi/ Delphi] is Borland's flagship RAD ([[Rapid Application Development]]) product. It uses the [[Delphi programming language]], descended from Pascal, to create applications for the windows platform. The latest version also supports compiling to the [[.NET]] platform
▲* [http://www.borland.com/kylix/ Kylix] is Borland's newest reiteration of the Pascal branch of their products. It is the descendant of [[Delphi programming language|Delphi]], with support for the [[Linux]] operating system and an improved object library. The compiler and the IDE are available now for non-commercial use. The compiler (but not the library or the IDE) is supposed to become [[Open Source]] software some time soon.
=== Further reading ===
*[[Brian W. Kernighan]], Why Pascal is Not My Favorite Programming Language
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