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Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

lazarus-ide.org

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Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#41

Post by iajrz »

rgacote wrote: post #22
scardine wrote: post #7

I wish porting projects from Delphi was easier. I was trying to make Python bindings for the AcBR library[1] and failed miserably. Shameless plug: if you think you are up to the task and is not too expensive contact paulo at xtend.com.br [1] http://acbr.sourceforge.net/drupal/

I'd definitely use it more if I could port over the last few Delphi apps I have in production. My Delphi 7 is getting a bit old... Aside from single-file executables, the biggest advantage to Lazarus (and also Delphi) [to me] is that all the libraries are also built in the language. No needing to bounce down to opaque DLLs just to display some GUI element.

Just in case, I found this: http://wiki.lazarus.freepascal.org/Delphi_Converter_in_Lazar...

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#43

Post by DisownedWheat »

adrianlmm wrote: post #37
samuell wrote: post #4

Lazarus/FPC checks so many nice boxes: [x] Statically compiled [x] Native UI on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Typically compiled without code changes on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Small binaries [x] No GC [x] Readable, somewhat python-like syntax [x] Still, doesn't rely on indentation for nested blocks [ ] (Fill in)

I've created small projects in Lazarus and you are right in all points except in the small binary part, also I would add that it comes with db drivers for Postgrees, MySQL and Firebird SQL out of the box.

Depends on what you define as small but if you remove the GDB debugging information you can trim down your binaries by a huge amount. My last project was 3.4MB.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#44

Post by codewritinfool »

yardshop wrote: post #33
gfody wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lazarus is basically a Delphi 2 clone. Delphi ditched the multiple floating windows design starting in version 3 and every subsequent version has been the more traditional "MDI" design similar to Visual Studio. I really like that Lazarus kept the floating window design because it's nice to be able to see your desktop, the wallpaper is more pleasant than whatever solid color background is on the MDI client, and you ca…

The floating windows were still very much present in Delphi 7, my preferred arrangement [0]. D7 was the last "good" version before the .NET era. Actually I remember the buzz around Lazarus and Free Pascal really growing when the .NET versions of Delphi came out. So I think its fair to say Lazarus took plenty of influence from versions later than D2. [0] http://i.imgur.com/gHQR6aH.png

Agreed, it seems that the odd-numbered Delphi versions were the best.... 3, 5, 7. 7 was my main environment for years.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#45

Post by leledumbo »

Zablus wrote: post #6
samuell wrote: post #5

Btw, OmniPascal for VSCode is also worth a mention as an alternative for quick edits, or for coding those CLI apps in pure FPC. A really nice project, which also helps showing that Pascal is Alive and Kicking :) http://www.omnipascal.com (Only issue is Linux support is not (yet) on par with Windows and Mac ... but then, it is open source, so that could change!)

Just wanted to mention OmniPascal :) What's about Linux support? It's working on all platforms, isn't it? http://blog.omnipascal.com/omnipascal-0-14-0-mac-and-linux-s...

Yes it is, finally :) I like the ability to extract build information from .lpi, despite still needs a lot of work (macros won't work), already lifts the burden to write the unnecessary build scripts.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#46

Post by leledumbo »

DisownedWheat wrote: post #16
throwaway7645 wrote: post #8

I see Lazarus pop up on HN occasionally. It's an IDE for FreePascal right? I guess I'll have to open the article again. How are the database drivers? I've been told they're ageing. Is there 64 bit support for Windows or only 32?

I'm no expert by any means, but I just opened Lazarus to look at the DB drivers and they seem pretty respectable. The MySQL driver only goes up to 5.6 but works well in my experience. I haven't tried the SQLite, Postgres, ODB or MSSQL drivers though. Also it does support 64 bit, I have a 64 bit Lazarus installed on my Windows VPS.

As MySQL develops, the bindings are updated as well, but most people will have to wait for stable release. If you use trunk, though, you can enjoy it right away because MySQL bindings has been designed rather easy to port a new version.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#47

Post by sien »

pvg wrote: post #14
tomc1985 wrote: post #3

I miss the glory days of RAD

Xcode is a RAD tool at heart so we're in the glory decade of RAD. We just don't call it that.

That's an interesting point.

However, with VB business users who knew a database would come up with applications that served their needs well.

These applications are still all over many companies and government departments.

In general though, these folks wouldn't be able to do the same with XCode and in addition XCode only targets a platform that isn't widespread in business and government.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#48

Post by Jack4E4B »

sctb wrote: post #18

We've updated the description from “Proving That Pascal Is Alive and Kicking Ass”. Submitters: the guidelines ask that you please don't editorialize titles.

That headline made people read... and your current title is not fully accurate. It is a Delphi inspired Pascal for sure, but not fully compatible, more like a free alternative.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#49

Post by tigershark »

samuell wrote: post #4

Lazarus/FPC checks so many nice boxes: [x] Statically compiled [x] Native UI on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Typically compiled without code changes on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Small binaries [x] No GC [x] Readable, somewhat python-like syntax [x] Still, doesn't rely on indentation for nested blocks [ ] (Fill in)

No GC is actually an advantage? The world really changed, there are people rejoicing for procedural languages, while we have so many excellent OO and FP alternatives, and they are actually happy to shoot their own foot with manual memory management. I'm not really sure that the change has been for the better.

Re: Lazarus – A Delphi-compatible cross-platform IDE

#50

Post by brass9 »

samuell wrote: post #4

Lazarus/FPC checks so many nice boxes: [x] Statically compiled [x] Native UI on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Typically compiled without code changes on Linux/Mac/Win [x] Small binaries [x] No GC [x] Readable, somewhat python-like syntax [x] Still, doesn't rely on indentation for nested blocks [ ] (Fill in)

> [x] Readable, somewhat python-like syntax

I have a rather different opinion on OP that it has a needlessly verbose syntax.

Pythonic it is definitely not. Even C# (which is another creation of Anders Hejlsberg, after MS poached him from Borland) has a better, readable and concise syntax.

I used to be a Delphi evangelist in it's glory days. Now I bristle when I read Pascal source code, there's so much unnecessary visual noise. Of course if your brain is habituated enough to parse Pascal code, eventually you will tend to filter out the begin..end's.

Pascal syntax belongs to C family of language.

As regards to Python-like syntax, I think you are referring to the Nim language, whose syntax happens to be similar to that of Pascal.

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