So what's the problem? If necessary, then use try finally in try except block, this is an extension of the language, not a replacement.
There are plenty of other requests for something that saves typing a
few identifiers/keywords.
Of course there are also existing features that could be argued to do exactly that kind of savings. Maybe the difference is the amount of text they save. Maybe the difference is part of the below... It does not matter.
The "reason"(s) is/are simple. Some are:
1) With lots of ideas like this, you have to draw the line somewhere. (there isn't enough manpower to maintain everything)
2) The code/implementation in the compiler needs to be written. Or a patch needs to be vetted.
3)
The code/implementation needs to be maintained. Every line in the compiler, may add extra work for whatever will be added in future.
3a) Don't assume it's dead simple to implement. Maybe it is, maybe not. Depends on how the code looks today. That existing code (into which to add) has undergone several decades of growing.
And that means, even if you provided a patch, someone has to add it, and has to take responsibility for maintenance. And if no one (of the core team) feels up for this... Then it wont happen.
And even if someone was willing to put the time into it, they would still respect the opinions of their fellow team members.
Conclusion:
- I don't know how this is judged from a "language design" point. Even if other languages do have it, that does not mean it is good, or good for Pascal. But I don't know the answer here.
- Technical: I don't know the work it would cost to add it. But the maintenance risk will be there.
- And lastly: The willingness of the team to bear the cost vs their personal estimation of its benefit.