|
|
Free Pascal Software
|
If you are learning Pascal programming, or would like to learn, you may be interested in these free Pascal lessons which include free sample programs. The lessons explain how to develop a program from the ideas, to planning, writing, testing, and revising. The lessons sometimes favor the use of Turbo Pascal or Borland Pascal.
If you are not a Pascal programmer, but a computer user, you can skip to the next list.
For what it's worth, here are my thoughts on Pascal.
I recommend this FREE Pascal compiler: Virtual Pascal.
If you use Borland's TurboVision units, you will appreciate this WYSIWYG tool for designing dialog boxes or similar windows, and automatically generating the Pascal source code for your dialog designs.
The dialog editor can be used to visually design TurboVisionTM dialogs. The generated Pascal code can optionally include a LineDraw picture of the dialog for easy reference, and usually needs to be supported by the TVInput unit. Validators for most data types are supported. For each dialog, an interface record type is defined, and default or initial record data can also be defined. DialEdit can be installed as a tool in the Borland IDE.
The DialEdit_Screenshot picture shows the dialog editor in action. The "Specify an Adder Tree" dialog is from an actual program. It can be fetched from the DIALOGS.RES resource file using Dialog | Fetch from the menu bar. Double-clicking on the dialog background changed the background to a grid pattern for easy measuring and alignment. Any element of the dialog can be moved or re sized by dragging. Double-clicking on the "Input Pattern" RadioButtons has opened the "Change RadioButtons" dialog. In this dialog, the "Multiplier" item has been selected and the "Edit" button clicked, opening the "Change Item" dialog. Along the bottom edge of the window are handy buttons for adding new items.
Download the DialEdit3a.ZIP file, and read
the ReadMe.txt file in the ZIP file. It will explain all the other
files and how to install and use the program.
Back to the download list
The Params and CmdLine units provide these features:
consistent methods for interpreting the DOS command
line
permits single- and double-letter function codes
handles filenames, expands wild-card specs
detects syntax errors, provides error messages
works with multiple sources -
the DOS command line
option string built into the
program .exe
option string from an
external file
The last feature makes it easy to set and change 'default' values. For example, you can put a string constant into your program that sets the initial parameters for your program, using the SAME syntax as the command line, and/or you can read the parameter string from a 'configuration' file. Then your program can scan the command line to override these defaults.
Furthermore, the companion Config program allows you to write parameter strings into your program .exe file.
Download the Params.ZIP file, extract to a folder of
your choice, and read the ReadMe.txt file in the ZIP file.
Back to the download list
If you work with program source code or other structured text, you sometimes need to adjust the indentation or change tabs to spaces or vice versa. This simple tool, operating from a DOS command line, will save you a lot of work. It can be installed in the tool menu of the Borland IDE.
Download the TAB.zip file and extract to a folder
of your choice.
Read the Tab.txt file in the ZIP file, or type the program name without parameters
at the command line, to read about the command-line parameters.
Back to the download list
I didn't write this program, but it is freeware that I can pass along. It's the best program I have ever seen for printing text files, neatly paginated. You can print two 'pages' to a page, double-sided, making those program listings less bulky, but very usable.
Download the TxtPrint.zip file and extract to a folder
of your choice.
Read the TxtPrint.hlp file in the ZIP file, or run the program name and use the
help menu, to learn how to use the program.
Back to the download list
The DBF.zip file contains source code and documentation for three related Pascal units:
The DBF unit defines data structures and objects for working with *.DBF database files, but memo fields are not supported. The DbfIdx unit defines data structures and objects that support a hash indexing method for fast searching of text in a database file. It uses the DBF and Str units. The Str unit provides an assortment of special string functions, some of which are intended to support database-related software. The FindDBF program was created by using these units.
Download the DBF.zip file and extract to a folder
of your choice.
Read the ReadMe.txt file in the ZIP file.
Back to the download list
FindDBF.exe is a general-purpose program that is easily customized to search any database (DBF) file. You can specify the database file, what text fields to search, and what fields to display when matching records are found. You can also change the look of the program by changing the header that identifies the purpose of the program.
Once customized, the program is easily used, even by computer-shy users. The user is prompted to enter word(s) to find in the data base. The program finds database records that have all of these words (or as many as possible) and shows these records to the user. Several sophisticated searching methods are used automatically without the user needing to do anything complex. For esample. if the user enters the word 'love', the program will also search for related words loves', 'lover', 'lovers', 'lovely', 'loving', 'loved', and 'lovable', but not unrelated words like 'glove' and 'clove'.
This screenshot shows the FindDBF program in action, after it has been customized for a recipes database. Notice that the header at the top of the screen identifies the custom use of the program. The user has entered the word 'salmon', and the program has displayed recipes in the database that contain the word 'salmon'. Notice also the hint line at the bottom of the screen that helps the user know what do next.
Download the FindDBF.zip file and extract to a folder
of your choice.
Read the ReadMe.txt file in the ZIP file.
Back to the download list
This is an exciting game that combines elements of Conway's Game of Life with elements of Worm, an old game that was prevalent on Unix systems years ago. Conway's Game of Life is the basis for the 'fire' and 'ashes' in the PyroWorm game: changing cells are 'fire' and static cells are 'ashes'. The worm can be burnt by the fire, and can re-ignite the ashes, using its tail to do this so it can be done more safely. With the danger of fire ever-present, there is no need of penalties for collisions with anything other than fire, and the wrap-around geometry eliminates the confinement of walls. The scoring provides the incentive for the worm to act like a pyromaniac; and as for real pyromaniacs, this dare-devil can be burned, even killed, by his own handywork.
For more information about the PyroWorm game, click here.
The above screen shot shows the PyroWorm game in action. The worm has just ignited a fire with its tail and is fleeing to the left. There are safe areas (green grass) and small patches of ashes (brown) that can be re-ignited for points. The current score is shown at the bottom right corner.
Download the PyroWorm.zip file and extract to a folder
of your choice.
Read the ReadMe.txt file in the ZIP file.
Back to the download list
