[fpc-pascal] Experimental and Unimplemented directives

[fpclist at silvermono.co.za]

On Saturday 31 October 2009 10:51:24 fpclist at silvermono.co.za wrote:
> Hi Guys,
>
> With reference to FPC 2.2.4 Linux, can somebody please explain how to get
> the compiler to compile code that uses the Experimental and Unimplemented
> hint directives?
>
> An expanation is given on their use on page 11 of the Reference Guide for
> Free Pascal, version 2.2.4, but I have no luck making use of them.
>
> The compiler recognizes the Experimental directives as an identifier and
> the compilation fails with a syntax error. The Unimplemented directive does
> not seem to be recognized by the compiler.

The Unimplemented  directive is ignored if used in the interface section (as a 
global exported function/procedure). The directive only emits a hint if its 
used with a function/procedure within the implementation section and is not 
globally exported (i.e. function definition does not appear in the interface 
section).

Perhaps this is the intention of the directive designer? Would it be useful to 
have a globally exported Unimplemented function? Who am I to say no?

> I understand that these directive are for the output of hints only during
> the compile process, but it would be a good thing to have them work,
> (assuming that the programmer has hints on and reads/notices the hints).
>
> Regards,
> Nino
>
> _______________________________________________
> fpc-pascal maillist  -  fpc-pascal at lists.freepascal.org
> http://lists.freepascal.org/mailman/listinfo/fpc-pascal