Subj : 2 [FAQ] mini-FAQ V2.00 - essential reading for those new to the newsgro To : All From : Robert AH Prins Date : Thu May 17 2012 11:13:14 option is set to COMPILE TO DISK. When you compile, make or build your program then you will create the file XXX.EXE, where XXX is the name of your .PAS file. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Will Delphi V2/3/4/5/6/7/.net/D2005 do DOS programs as well as Windows? Delphi V2 and later are for Windows 9x and Windows NT/XP. They are not DOS products. They can create 32-bit console mode apps, but they will not create DOS apps. If you want DOS apps from a Delphi Product then Delphi V1 can do them with some work on the RTL. See http://www.pedt.demon.co.uk/usenet/ DCC32 -cc program.pas is worth trying on some BP/TP programs mainly computational in nature. There is also wdosx, a winapi emulating dos-extender. Afaik this also works for 32-bits Delphi's. [MvdV] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Is there a Borland Pascal Mailing list? No, there is not. There is a mailing list for Virtual Pascal (see below) on Yahoo. Read access is here: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/vpascal/ The old Topica list is still readable at http://www.topica.com/lists/virtualpascal/read ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Is it possible to 'decompile' Pascal EXEs or TPUs? No. Too much information is lost in the compiling process. For a more detailed explanation see Prof. Timo Salmi's FAQ. It is possible to get a *reasonable* disassembly to assembly language only - try http://www.hex-rays.com/idapro/ The FLIRT technology that comes with IDA will identify most routines of the _original_ Borland RTLs. It will 'miss' interrupt routines, but due to its interactive nature, these can be added very easily. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- What were the Borland Pascal Products? In essence, Borland Pascal was the 'professional' product, whilst the Turbo Pascals were 'hobbyist' products. Discontinued versions Turbo Pascal 7 (Dos) Turbo Pascal for Windows 1.5 (Win) Borland Pascal 7 (DOS, WIN 3.1, Pmode) Borland Pascal could do everything that both Turbo Pascals could do, plus: . Compile for 16 bit DOS Protected mode (less memory constraints) . Full Run Time Library Source code . Lots of assorted debugging and programming tools There was an update to TP and BP to v7.01, but this is no longer available. V7.01 still has VER70 defined. If you really want to pay big bucks for an old version, you might try here http://www.emsps.com/oldtools/borland.htm for the possibilities of obtaining a used copy of the various versions of the Pascal compilers produced by Borland. You may also find copies of BP7 for sale on Ebay at http://www.ebay.com/ Needlessly to say, there are also other options... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Are there any freeware Pascal compilers? - FPC Pascal Free Pascal, now (2010-11-12) at version 2.4.2, is a compiler for 32-bit and 64-bit CPU architectures such as Intel x86, Amd64/x86_64, PowerPC, PowerPC64, Sparc, ARM. The discontinued 1.0 version also supports the Motorola 680x0. The following operating systems are supported: Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, Mac OS X/Darwin, DOS, Win32, Win64, WinCE, OS/2, Netware (libc and classic) and MorphOS. It comes with a cross-platform Run-Time Library, many interfaces to existing libraries, and a large set of non-visual classes in the Free Component Library. Last but not least, a text-mode IDE exists on various platforms, and FPC comes with 1800 pages of documentation. The compiler is licensed under the GNU General Public License. The Run-Time code is licensed under a modified version of the Library General Public License, which allows to use it in a commercial application. Comes with full Pascal source and compiles itself. http://www.freepascal.org/ - GNU Pascal GNU Pascal is a portable 32/64 bit compiler system. It supports the language of Borland Pascal V7 as well as ISO Standard Pascal, a large subset of ISO Extended Pascal and other extensions (see http://www.gnu-pascal.de/gpc/h-index.html GNU Pascal is part of the GNU family of compilers, runs on all platforms supported by GNU C, including DOS, OS/2 and MS-Windows 9x/NT, Linux, *BSD and other Unix-compatible systems and can cross- compile between these platforms. Full C source and precompiled binaries for several platforms are available from: http://www.gnu-pascal.de/alpha/ (Sources) http://www.gnu-pascal.de/binary/ (Binaries) There is a GNU Pascal mailing list, gpc@gnu.de. To subscribe, write an email with the body "subscribe gpc your@email.address" to the list robot, gpc-request@gnu.de. Framework Pascal (Formerly TMT Pascal) Framework Pascal, now at Version 6.1, is a 32-bit compiler with Turbo Pascal syntax and is quite compatible with Turbo Pascal. Framework Pascal is available from http://www.frameworkpascal.com/products.htm - Virtual Pascal Virtual Pascal, now at Release V2.1 is free. It fully supports DOS and Delphi plus Turbo Vision has been ported to 32 bits. There is incomplete support for (x86 architecture only) Linux. http://vpascal.ning.com/ On 22 August 2003 Allan Mertner made the modified-for-VP sources of TurboPower's Object Professional libraries available on the VP site. Legal uncertainties have led to their removal. On 24 August 2003 Allan Mertner announced that he is looking into Open Sourcing the compiler. More info and discussion about this can be found on the Virtual Pascal mailing list, which is archived on Topica, http://lists.topica.com/lists/virtualpascal/read A direct link to the post that kicked off the discussion is http://lists.topica.com/lists/virtualpascal/read?sort=d&start=2665 On 3 April 2005, Allan Mertner announced the death of Virtual Pascal. He will continue to run vpascal.com for "a few more years", but development will cease - the main reason for doing so is the fact that the compiler is written in assembler and it cannot realistically be changed to add new features. Due to copyright restrictions, the source will not be made available. There is a small possibility that Allan might produce one more maintenance release. See Also Section 4 on Borland's release of TP compilers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How should I unsubscribe from the INFO-PASCAL mailing list? Send the message "unsubscribe INFO-PASCAL" to mailto:info-pascal-request@brl.mil Please do not send such requests (or others) to info-Pascal@brl.mil ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How to use run-time checks? The Borland compilers can be set up to trap a substantial number of Run-time errors. In the early stages of program development it is advisable to enable _ALL_ error-checking options, i.e. - $I+ to detect I/O errors - $Q+ to detect overflows (BP/TP7 only) - $R+ to generate range-checking code - $S+ to detect stack overflows - $T+ to enable type-checked pointers - $V+ to enable strict checking of Var-strings The $T+ option is a _compile-time_ error-check. It does not carry any run-time overheads! Using all of them will in many cases enable you to find problems without having to resort to the newsgroup. Once a program runs correctly, even with input no sensible user would ever enter, you might want to disable all error-checking, with the possible exception of I/O checking. However, the high clock frequencies of todays CPUs might make the resulting reduction in execution time minimal. As an alternative, it might be advantageous to put fully debugged, well tested and frequently executed code into a separate unit that is compiled without any error-checking. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How to use Random/Randomize? The Randomize procedure is used to initialize the seed of the random number generator (RNG) with a value derived from the system time. It should only be called once, at the very start of a program. Calling it more frequently, especially in loops on fast CPUs, may result in it being re-seeded with the same seed on many iterations, which in turn results in the Random() function producing the same 'random' number over and over again! ********************************************************************** 3.1 Pointers to info for assorted questions ********************************************************************** This section attempts to provide pointers to help and resources for some of the other VFAQ's. Any assistance to compile a fuller list will be gratefully received. Cursor blink problem in Win95 after exiting BPW IDE http://www.filewatcher.com/_/?q=tdsvga.zip Standalone debugger and profiler do not work under Win95 File above and use TDWINTH.DLL instead of TDWIN.DLL Can I use truetype or other BGI fonts with BP7 http://www.freetype.org/ http://web.archive.org/web/20030811232215/www.xs4all.nl/~remcodek/fontpage.html Where can I find source code for ZIP files http://www.foyeh.org/ Where can I find a replacement for BGI graphics http://www.crossfire-designs.de/?lang=en&what=sourcecode - see GrafX Where can I find a unit to play through a Soundblaster Card http://www.crossfire-designs.de/?lang=en&what=sourcecode - see SoundLib How can I link C code into my Turbo Pascal Program http://www.pedt.demon.co.uk/usenet/c-in-tp.htm My computer has more than 64Mb of memory and BP7 will not work Add NOVCPI to the DEVICE=EMM386.EXE line in config.sys, config.dos and config.win files in the root directory of your boot drive. I'm still using Windows 3.1x and TDW has stopped working http://www.pedt.demon.co.uk/usenet/ctl.zip My mouse does not work in the IDE under Windows 2000 Windows 2000 has cut and paste for DOS boxes and this feature is enabled by default. Right click the top of your DOS Box, look for the 'Edit Options' and uncheck 'QuickEdit Mode' and 'Insert Mode' My protected mode Turbo Vision programs crash with Runtime Error 216 Windows NT4, Windows 2000 and Windows XP programs have problems with 16 bit far callbacks for the mouse handler. Recompile drivers.pas to use polling instead of being interrupt driven. Copy of the fixed drivers.pas http://www.pedt.demon.co.uk/usenet/drivers.zip The problem is also present in 32-bit land. ********************************************************************** 3.2 Request for answers ********************************************************************** - There seems to be reliable evidence that running BP on very fast P4 Windows XP systems causes problems (other than RTE 200). Can anyone give any clues as to the source of this problem. ********************************************************************** 4 Compiler and unit downloads ********************************************************************** 4.1 Borland compilers for download ********************************************************************** Borland has placed three older versions - V1.0, V3.02 and V5.5 of the Turbo Pascal compilers on the Internet for download at http://edn.embarcadero.com/museum/antiquesoftware As regards any licensing issues, Borland have stated "Since the software is old, you can do whatever you want with it. You can freely distribute the executable version of programs that you develop." Brief highlights of the compilers [V3.02 is bug fixed version of V3.0 and V7.01 is bug fixed version of V7.0] TP V1.0: produces .com files, 64K maximum for code, data and stack but you can use the heap for variables. TP V3.0: produces .com files, 64K each for code, data and stack. Heap can be used. Implements overlays but careful planning needed to avoid thrashing the disk. [Hint: Use a RAMdisk] TP V5.5: produces .exe files, 64K each for code, any unit, data and stack. Heap can be used. Implements decent overlay manager. First TP that can use OOP [Object Orientated Programming]. Users of this version who need the Delay procedure should read the notes about RTE200 in Section 3. TP V7.0: OOP plus Turbo Vision and inline assembly language available. Users of this version should read the notes about RTE200 in Section 3. ********************************************************************** 4.2 Replacement units for download ********************************************************************** Borland made the source of the Run-Time Library (RTL) of its later products available to the end user, either for an additional fee or, in the case of BP7, as a "bonus" disk. Using the source it was theoretically possible to write improved units. ********************************************************************** 4.2.1 Replacement SYSTEM units for download ********************************************************************** At the moment there are FIVE of them available on Garbo. They are: - for TP 5.5: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa45/syst55c.zip by James LeMay - for TP6: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa6/sys60a.zip by James LeMay ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa6/tpl60n19.zip by Norbert Juffa - for TP/BP7: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa7/bpl70n16.zip by Norbert Juffa ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa7/bpl70v20.zip by Robert AH Prins The units by James LeMay are just faster, Norbert Juffa's units also have an increased smart-link granularity because he split up most of the original sources into several parts. However, most notable about the Norbert Juffa libraries is the greatly improved 6-byte real arithmetic, which is now as IEEE-754 compliant as possible within the restrictions of the format. Needlessly to say, Norbert's SYSTEM units are also substantially faster than Borlands original versions. The unit by Robert Prins is based upon Norbert Juffa's code, but it has been enhanced significantly. A few of the major changes are: - it is based on the BP 7.01 RTL - it requires a 32-bit CPU and a 387 class FPU if FPU datatypes are used - the code has been made Pentium+ friendlier by replacing most of the slower CICS type instructions by their RISC type equivalents - the code is even more smart-link friendly - both the real (TURBO.TPL) and DPMI (TPP.TPL) libraries include a non-RTE200 smartlink-friendly CRT unit - both contain a much more smartlink-friendly DOS unit (all original get/set routines have been broken in two) - the FPU based Trunc, Int and Round functions were made re-entrant There is an additional very small "SYSTEM" unit available for BP7, but it is stripped down to such an extent that, to quote the author "... you can't use all the features that the standard RTL has." The name of the archive is BPC-TRTL.ZIP and using Google you should have no trouble finding a copy. Here's an incomplete list of removed features: - All System unit procedures, such as WriteLn - All runtime error checks (you have to use {$R-,S-,Q-,I-} mode) - Return codes (ignore the runtime error messages that IDE shows) - Floating-point data types (you have to use {$N-,E-} mode) - Heap manager (allocate memory using DOS calls) - String handling routines (including the + operation) + Some of the LongInt operations: *, /, shr, shl (they still work with Integer) + Large variable assignments (that involved a procedure call) Also, note that you can't compile programs with debug information for standalone debugging. However, you can use the integrated debugger, or you can compile your program with the standard RTL for debugging (and use TinyRTL after the bugs are fixed). Don't forget to save your program before you compile it! The compiler crashes with an internal error if you occasionally use some of the removed features. ********************************************************************** 4.2.2 Replacement CRT units for download ********************************************************************** Following work on a replacement CRT unit to primarily fix the RTE200 bug in T/BP7, two replacement CRT units are now completed. CRT units are included for TP V5, 5.5, 6.0 and 7.0x including protected mode units for BP7.0x. Pedt Scragg's ZIP file also includes precompiled units for Delphi 1. Robert Prins' unit contains all .OBJ files so that users of D1 can roll their own. This unit is included in BPL70V20.ZIP. The replacement CRT units also include code to allow use of extended keys such as F11 and F12 with ReadKey and, if using other than 40x25 text mode or 80x25,43,50 text mode should not reset text screen to 80x25. Be aware that the unit by Robert Prins (rpcrt100.zip) contains 386 instructions. It will not run on 8086/88/286 systems, but does not test for such systems! Pedt Scragg's unit: Information at http://www.pedt.demon.co.uk/crt/ including download links. Download directly from: http://www.signpost-design.co.uk/crt.zip ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/ibmpc/dos/programming/crt.zip ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopas/crt.zip Robert Prins' unit: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopas/rpcrt100.zip ********************************************************************** 4.2.3 Replacement OVERLAY unit for download ********************************************************************** Available on Garbo is a replacement Overlay unit. The unit comes with the never-made-available by Borland reconstructed sources of the original unit. The file containing the replacement unit also contains an improved version of Wilbert van Leijen's OVERXMS.ASM source, but not the other files in WvL's original archive! Both units contain 386 instructions and both are included in BPL70V20.ZIP. Download from: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopa7/over-120.zip ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbopas/overxms.zip (WvL's original unit) ********************************************************************** 4.2.4 Emulator sources for download ********************************************************************** Borland never made the sources of the hard- and software emulator files available. Reconstructed sources, including those of the improved version of the hardware emulator by Norbert Juffa, with instructions on how to add them to the RTL are also available on Garbo: ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/turbspec/em8x-110.zip Newer, further optimized and far better commented, versions can be found in BPL70V20.ZIP. ********************************************************************** 5 Using Borland compilers on modern Operating Systems ********************************************************************** It is possible to use TP/BP and the programs they compile on 64-bit versions of Windows and both 32- and 64-bit versions of Linux, but it might be more advantageous to use either Delphi (for Windows) or FreePascal (for Windows and Linux) to do so. ********************************************************************** 5.1 Windows 64-bit ********************************************************************** 64-bit versions of Windows XP/Vista/7 no longer support running the 16-bit programs generated by the various versions of Borland and Turbo Pascal. It may be possible to run BP/TP non-Windows programs using DOXBox http://www.dosbox.com/ currently at version 0.73, with version 0.74 apparently just around the corner. Another option, for users of W7 Ultimate is to download the XP emulator. ********************************************************************** 5.2 Linux ********************************************************************** To run TP/BP and the programs they create on Linux you can use DOSEMU http://dosemu.sourceforge.net/ ********************************************************************** 5.3 Virtual Machines ********************************************************************** A final option, usable for both 64-bit Windows and all versions of Linux, it to download a virtualisation program, such as - Oracle's VirtualBox http://www.virtualbox.org/ - Bochs http://bochs.sourceforge.net/ and run DOS or Windows in a virtual machine. ********************************************************************** Appendix A - ftp Mirror sites (Choose the closest to you) ********************************************************************** Public, authorized Garbo mirror sites: From Timo Salmi, 2003-03-07: > Garbo's mirrors are hardly relevant in this day and age. The main > site is enough. > Anyway: http://lipas.uwasa.fi/~ts/garbinfo/garbmirr.html Simtel.Net Simtel.Net is a worldwide distribution network for Shareware, Freeware and Public Domain programs for MS-DOS, Windows 3.x and Windows 95/98. For a complete Simtel.Net list, send mail to listserv@Simtel.Net with body: get mirrors.info You can also get a list of mirror sites and directory descriptions from news:comp.archives.msdos.announce news:comp.archives.ms-windows.announce Look for the subjects List of Simtel.Net MS-DOS dirs w/descriptions List of Simtel.Net authorized mirror sites The Simtel mirrors should also be listed at ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/MIRRORS.TXT ********************************************************************** Appendix B - Credits ********************************************************************** Scott A. Moore - Original posting guidelines Dr John Stockton - WWW sites, many corrections/tips Prof. Timo Salmi - Garbo mirrors, corrections Anthon Pang - Beta testing WWW sites Keith Petersen - Simtel.Net information Marco van de Voort - Additional FPC info Tom Wheeley - Creator of this FAQ Chris Mathews - Previous maintainer of this FAQ Pedt Scragg - Previous maintainer of this FAQ Not forgetting those not mentioned whose contributions have also helped to keep the mFAQ up-to-date and useful. ********************************************************************** Thank you for reading the Mini-FAQ Copies available from - ftp://garbo.uwasa.fi/pc/doc-net/faqclpb.zip - http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/clpb-faq.txt - ftp://ftp.demon.co.uk/pub/doc/faq/clpb/faqclpb.zip Old versions from http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/oldpfaqs/ Comments, additions, alterations and corrections to Please do not be backward about coming forward if you have additions to the mFAQ. All suggestions, broken or amended links, suggestions for altering the content of the mFAQ are warmly welcomed. This mini-FAQ is (C) Copyright Robert AH Prins 2002-2011 on behalf of the newsgroup comp.lang.pascal.borland. Upon change of maintainer, the copyright will automatically pass over to the new maintainer. Except for the name of the maintainer and dates, the new --- Internet Rex 2.31 * Origin: The gateway at Omicron Theta (1:261/20.999) .