[fpc-pascal] ANN: Dynamic Package Support for Windows, MacOS, and Linux

[Michael Van Canneyt]

On Sun, 18 Oct 2026, Anthony Walter via fpc-pascal wrote:

> I am pleased to announce the first release of full dynamic package support
> for the Free Pascal Compiler and the Lazarus IDE. This feature has been a
> long time coming for the ecosystem, but a complete implementation is now
> available at both gitlab and as scripted downloads from my website
> getlazarus.org.
>
> https://gitlab.com/sysrpl/fpc
> https://gitlab.com/sysrpl/laz
>
> An overview, demonstration, and more details are available on this page:
>
> https://www.getlazarus.org/dynamic/
>
> Dynamic packages allow users to create and install components, controls,
> and Lazarus extensions in seconds without rebuilding the entire IDE. They
> can also be used in your own programs to develop and deploy plugins that
> expose native Pascal classes and types through dynamic package libraries.
> To support this functionality, I have made numerous improvements to the
> compiler, its runtime, and the Lazarus IDE. I have also created additional
> IDE extensions to improve the experience of working with Lazarus packages.
>
> Dynamic packages are implemented as standard shared library files for
> Linux, Windows, and macOS. They contain additional metadata generated by
> the compiler that can be inspected and queried using new RTL units. The
> runtime also includes mechanisms for safely preserving thread variables and
> managing dynamic types, such as strings and dynamic arrays, between
> programs and packages or between multiple packages.
>
> Please let me know if you have any comments or questions.

Were you planning to create a MR on the FPC repo for the necessary changes ?

Michael.