[fpc-devel] what fpc is good for?

[Helmut Hartl]

> There is nothing in this article we can consider, for starters because

> it does not contain any proposals.

It even tries to give directions on how to and how to not use a tool. 
Normally a tool proves itself usefull by being usefull in some way for
someone. Now we got a ultraflexible, even changeable and adoptable tool.
So why do we sit down and cry about the tool and give directions what 
to do with it and what not. Is it too expensive ? Can't we change 
it and make everything better what we want ? Or do we want that the
tool magically adopt to our wishes without further work, even 
if that is not that what the tool constructors intended ?

"Everyone is able or limited to see only what he can imagine."

So - What is FPC good for?

After reading that i just have to state my opinion too by
providing a so called "success story".

I program since i am 10 Years old - now i am 33 - so
i have seen and tried many different things.

I hacked firmware in assembler for microcontrollers - 
=> 2 Weeks for 1000 Lines of Code tested, understood and working.
I programmed firmware in C for microcontrolers used on hundreds of
Devices. => 1 Week for 1000 Lines of Code tested, understood and
working.

But for my "hobbies" i always programmed in Pascal. And on 
an good day i program 1000 Lines of code understood, tested and working
in 
just 1 Day. 

So after studying informatics me and a colleague made the hobby a
profession.
We develop programs, projects and solutions WE consider attractive using
delphi and freepascal. Where the amount of freepascal solutions is 50%
and rising.

So what do we do with it? => Everything that is imaginable.
Server applications on Linux using NPTL and servicing 1000 Clients
simultanousely.
Embedded solutions, databaseapplications and GUI Applications,
Middleware.
(We run a carrier grade Billing Solution for a Cable Net VOIP/SIP
Provider here in Austria,
using Freepascal, ZEOS, and PostgreSQL)

So what is FPC good for ? 

-> Maybe to make a big bunch of money using it. (we do)
-> Learn programming - look as deep into the sources as you like, even
the compiler.
-> Program a Scene Demo in OpenGL, make a Game, or write a "Delphi
Killer" like Lazarus.
-> Waste your time with Web Applications ... :-) (just to make some
emotions too)
-> It enables that our firm with 4-5 Programmers sucessfully competes
with firms employed
   10-20 programmers.

*) Object Pascal is a great Language allowing to make readable,
understandable,
 small, fast and efficient code, if you provide the skills to use it.

*) Freepascal is (IMHO) after the GNU C++ environment the most flexible
free compiler
   providing a useful and professional framework, for a variety of
architectures.

Don't ever press FPC or Lazarus in a scheme, as it clearly depends on
your skills,
what you make out of it. It is even suitable to make an OS.

I am humble, and gratefull that FPC is here allowing me to make my hobby
my profession,
to earn money and to spend more time with my family - and that there is
a community
which answer questions and helps on problems - as no one is able to do
eveything alone.

That is what is FPC good for !

helmut