The Case For Pascal, 55 Years On

[WayneSherman]

The Case For Pascal, 55 Years On
https://hackaday.com/2025/09/02/the-case-for-pascal-55-years-on/

[graemex]

The problem is not the language, its the ecosystem.

I have thought about learning it several times, and I prefer to learn a language by writing a small project in it. Each time I find there is something missing or that looks difficult.

In fact I came to the forum today to find out whether a small (but real BTW) project I am thinking of could work in Pascal, and it looks like the only way to implement one part what I want (a QR code scanner) it looks like the best bet would be to use  C library. The rest would be fine, but this one bit is quite off putting to a newbie (I suspect an experienced Pascal programmer would be fine).

Cross platform GUIs would be great to have, I have tinkered with Lazarus and like visually building a GUI, I like the fast compilation, I like the simplicity of the core language ("write your Pascal like its 1985", as the article puts it). Lots to like but there is always some little thing that puts me off.

[Curt Carpenter]

My experience over 60+ years is that there is ALWAYS some little thing that puts me off    As the ancient Greek maxim put it:  learning is like chewing stones.

[rnfpc]

I read that Ada and Eiffel languages, which are very similar in syntax to Pascal, may be safer for mission critical systems as chances of error there are close to zero. Is that generally accepted? Or can properly written and tested Pascal code also be as safe?

[Thaddy]

There is a number of languages that are "safe" according to NSA. and, like ADA,  Pascal is one of them.
See:

https://media.defense.gov/2025/Jun/23/2003742198/-1/-1/0/CSI_MEMORY_SAFE_LANGUAGES_REDUCING_VULNERABILITIES_IN_MODERN_SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT.PDF?sv=2024-11-04&ss=b&srt=o&spr=https&se=2025-06-25T16%3A16%3A55Z&sp=r&sig=h6Zh%2BMHTX5CGtti%2FwMzkTUKhawvib84%2BYZcFcHNn68s%3D

And

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Nov/10/2003112742/-1/-1/0/CSI_SOFTWARE_MEMORY_SAFETY.PDF

[tr_escape]

For 55th years:

https://www.pcjs.org/software/pcx86/lang/borland/pascal/5.50/

Note: Some keys not working you should work virtual keyboard on that site.

[valdir.marcos]

[fpc-pascal] Article: The Case For Pascal, 55 Years On
Wayne Sherman via fpc-pascal Sun, 07 Sep 2025 09:00:50 -0700
https://www.mail-archive.com/fpc-pascal@lists.freepascal.org/msg57833.html

The Case For Pascal, 55 Years On
https://hackaday.com/2025/09/02/the-case-for-pascal-55-years-on/
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fpc-pascal maillist  -  fpc-pascal@lists.freepascal.org
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The Case For Pascal, 55 Years On
by Tyler August
September 2, 2025
51 Comments
https://hackaday.com/2025/09/02/the-case-for-pascal-55-years-on/

Marco says:
September 4, 2025 at 4:31 am
Some extra history / reading material: https://www.amazon.com/Pioneering-Simplicity-fascinating-history-Delphi/dp/9083440311

Pioneering Simplicity: The fascinating history of Delphi and Pascal
by Marco Geuze
October 2, 2024
https://www.amazon.com/Pioneering-Simplicity-fascinating-history-Delphi/dp/9083440311

[valdir.marcos]

My experience over 60+ years is that there is ALWAYS some little thing that puts me off   
As the ancient Greek maxim put it: learning is like chewing stones.

[valdir.marcos]

I read that Ada and Eiffel languages, which are very similar in syntax to Pascal, may be safer for mission critical systems as chances of error there are close to zero. Is that generally accepted? Or can properly written and tested Pascal code also be as safe?

There is a number of languages that are "safe" according to NSA. and, like ADA,  Pascal is one of them.
See:

https://media.defense.gov/2025/Jun/23/2003742198/-1/-1/0/CSI_MEMORY_SAFE_LANGUAGES_REDUCING_VULNERABILITIES_IN_MODERN_SOFTWARE_DEVELOPMENT.PDF?sv=2024-11-04&ss=b&srt=o&spr=https&se=2025-06-25T16%3A16%3A55Z&sp=r&sig=h6Zh%2BMHTX5CGtti%2FwMzkTUKhawvib84%2BYZcFcHNn68s%3D

And

https://media.defense.gov/2022/Nov/10/2003112742/-1/-1/0/CSI_SOFTWARE_MEMORY_SAFETY.PDF

Interesting.

[valdir.marcos]

For 55th years:

https://www.pcjs.org/software/pcx86/lang/borland/pascal/5.50/

Note: Some keys not working you should work virtual keyboard on that site.

 

https://www.pcjs.org/software/pcx86/game/id/wolf3d/