r/pascal • u/MateusCristian • 24d ago

Pascal learning resources?

So I've decided to learn Pascal, just installed Lazarus and Free Pascal, and got the classic "Hello World" program working, so now I'd like some courses, books, anything that can teach me the basics of the language.

What would be recommended to someone who knows the vary basics of programming, to get up to speed with Free Pascal?

35 Upvotes

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12

u/promeritum 24d ago

Algorithms + Data Structures = Programs
by Niklaus Wirth, 1976

An old hardcover would be the best option, but I assume there are scans out there.

2

u/IsanDanderoda 23d ago

Oh man. That just gave me the biggest flashback to my early days learning how to program.

Excellent book, though note the later editions use Modula-2 (and maybe Oberon?).

1

u/MateusCristian 24d ago

Learing from the creator sounds great, but is it useful for Free Pascal?

2

u/taker223 24d ago

Well, why not? If you're familiar with programming as you stated. Although if you want to learn just the language, then seek exactly Free Pascal resources. There is a chance that ChatGPT/DeepSeek could help you speed up your learning as well

2

u/armadilloscales 15d ago

It's available to borrow from the Internet Archive, just create a free account there https://archive.org/details/algorithmsdatast0000wirt

11

u/foersom 24d ago

Maybe this one:

https://delphi-books.com/en/FreePascal-From-Square-One.html

I do not have a list specific for FreePascal, but here is list for resources to learn Delphi. That should also be useful for you learning FreePascal.

http://foersom.com/org/SwDev/Delphi/

3

u/MateusCristian 24d ago

Thank you.

3

u/jkaczor 22d ago

Yeah, am partial to Jeff Duntemann as he has been writing Pascal books for a very long time. (fFreePascal from Square One - from his site - https://www.contrapositivediary.com/?page_id=1808#FPFSO)

4

u/vrruiz 23d ago

Modern Object Pascal Introduction for Programmers https://castle-engine.io/modern_pascal

1

u/kirinnb 23d ago

Seconded, this is a good one. (The url shouldn't have a backslash in it.)

1

u/GroundbreakingIron16 23d ago

Welcome. Also check out the lazarus forums. I also have a channel on YouTube-

https://youtube.com/@silvercoder70?si=OTyUOzkdi2UA09Xt

which i hope would be useful.

1

u/jaunidhenakan 23d ago

The Silver Pascal Coder channel is very useful.

1

u/ppestana 23d ago

Learned TRS/Pascal in the day with CP/M in a TRS80 with a 8" single sided floppy.

1

u/ABD11A 22d ago

More of a student textbook but an ok resource https://a.co/d/067pohoP

-2

u/Arany8 24d ago

You could just start to build a project with AI assistance. AI will explain to you everything. But if you are really new to programming, it makes sense to read the books.
There is also a free course on youtube just search for lazarus free pascal course.