Why Pascal is not my favorite programming language (1981) [pdf]

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71 points susam | 1 comments | 13 Apr 25 14:16 UTC | HN request time: 0.203s | source

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HexDecOctBin ◴[13 Apr 25 16:21 UTC] No.43673899[source]▶

Why is it that Pascal is supposedly so good for Rapid Application Development? Is it simply a historical accident, or does Pascal have some features that make it easier? What features would need to be added to C to make C a viable language for RAD?

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codr7 ◴[13 Apr 25 16:32 UTC] No.43673971[source]▶

>>43673899 #

Object Pascal as defined by Borland/Inprise/Embarcadero's Delphi has plenty of features that make it easier to build components. C++ Builder offers a similar experience. Straight C would certainly be possible, GTK is a step in that direction, but likely more awkward to use.

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1. robocat ◴[14 Apr 25 03:52 UTC] No.43677916[source]▶

>>43673971 #

I would add that Delphi also had a culture of component libraries and sharing code.

There were free intro libraries (no code), shareware component libraries, and usually a developer version available that came with source code. Plus a culture of open source libraries.

This community was a key strength of Delphi compared to some other choices. I suspect if Borland had really leaned into a combination of open source, plus better support for commercial proprietary solutions, that would have kept the ecosystem alive.

Also of note is that Delphi came with some source code for library components (often useful when understanding usage or debugging or extending).

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