[fpc-devel] New FPC language/dialect MODE, Generics.Collections and new branch

[Michael Van Canneyt]

On Fri, 17 Jul 2015, Maciej Izak wrote:

> New modern Pascal dialect is subject of this topic.
> 
> Is any way to get branch for new pascal dialect and for generics.collections improvements? For me ObjFPC is too much conservative and Delphi after XE2 version, really sucks, so $MODE Delphi is not
> option.
> 
> I think is good idea to discuss new dialect. I really like some elements from ObjFPC, also from Delphi and from Oxygene (we can't implement pure $MODE Oxygene but some ideas are good). To combine best
> of mentioned dialects elements we need to create new $MODE. I call my new dialect "Sparta" (yes it is related to freesparta.com) but I can change this name. 

I think you better choose some more neutral name: GenPas or so.

> I have some concerns, that all my effort for new dialect even if I done some work will be useless.
> 
> If you wish, I can prepare some "manifest document" related to new language dialect details.
> 
> Let me know if there is no option for that initiative.

You are free to do so, no-one will stop you. Your work will surely be integrated.

But I advise against it: The Pascal community is splintered as it is: FPC, Delphi, Oxygene. 
Creating another dialect will not help, because your code will only be usable in that dialect.
We could rather use the help to improve the Delphi mode, to make sure it is on par with Delphi.

IMHO Adding more language features is not going to save pascal. Adding more libraries will be of more help.

Listening to all these arguments, I cannot help but think:
Poor C devs. They are really backwards. 
One wonders how the Linux kernel and Windows OS got where they are today.

Michael.