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C++ VS Free Pascal

Compare C++ VS Free Pascal and see what are their differences

C++ logo C++

Has imperative, object-oriented and generic programming features, while also providing the facilities for low level memory manipulation

Free Pascal logo Free Pascal

Free Pascal (aka FPK Pascal) is a 32 and 64 bit professional Pascal compiler.
  • C++ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-01

We recommend LibHunt C++ for discovery and comparisons of trending C++ projects.

  • Free Pascal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-29

C++ features and specs

  • Performance
    C++ is known for its high performance which is critical in resource-constrained applications such as gaming, real-time systems, and simulations.
  • Control
    C++ offers fine-grained control over system resources such as memory and CPU, allowing for efficient and optimized code.
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
    C++ supports OOP, which helps in organizing complex software projects through classes and objects, encouraging code reusability and modularity.
  • Standard Template Library (STL)
    C++ includes the Standard Template Library (STL) that provides a set of common classes and algorithms, enhancing productivity and reducing the need for writing boilerplate code.
  • Backward Compatibility
    C++ is largely compatible with C, offering the flexibility to use C libraries and code, making it easier to integrate with existing C systems.
  • Rich Community and Ecosystem
    The large and active C++ community provides extensive resources, libraries, and frameworks that can aid in development and problem-solving.

Possible disadvantages of C++

  • Complexity
    C++ is a complex language with many features that can be difficult to master, leading to a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Manual Memory Management
    C++ requires manual management of memory which can lead to errors such as memory leaks and segmentation faults if not handled correctly.
  • Lack of Modern Features
    While C++ has been updated over the years, it still lacks some modern programming features available in newer languages, which can limit productivity and ease of use.
  • Maintenance
    Maintaining C++ code can be challenging and time-consuming due to its complex syntax and potential for low-level operations.
  • Slower Compilation
    C++ programs often have slower compile times compared to those written in some other high-level languages, which can slow down the development process.
  • Portability Issues
    Despite being a general-purpose language, C++ code can face portability issues across different platforms due to compiler differences and system-specific dependencies.

Free Pascal features and specs

  • Cross-platform Compatibility
    Free Pascal supports a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and more. This allows developers to write code that can be compiled and executed on multiple operating systems without extensive modifications.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source compiler, Free Pascal is freely available for use and modification. This openness encourages community collaboration and continuous improvement of the software.
  • Strong Community Support
    Free Pascal has a dedicated and active community, providing extensive documentation, forums, and user support, which can be invaluable for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Compatibility with Delphi
    The compiler aims to be highly compatible with Delphi, making it easier for Delphi developers to transition their applications to Free Pascal with minimal changes.
  • Rich Set of Libraries
    Free Pascal comes with a comprehensive set of libraries and tools, allowing developers to create a variety of applications, from small utilities to complex software systems.

Possible disadvantages of Free Pascal

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For developers unfamiliar with Pascal, the language and its concepts may present a learning challenge compared to more modern languages such as Python or JavaScript.
  • Limited GUI Toolkit Support
    While Free Pascal does support some GUI toolkits, it may not have as robust or modern GUI options compared to other programming environments, which can be a limitation for developing desktop applications.
  • Less Popular
    Pascal is not as widely used in the programming community as other languages like Java or Python, which can result in fewer third-party tools, libraries, and resources.
  • Performance Overheads
    While Free Pascal is generally efficient, there can be some performance overheads compared with compilers specifically optimized for newer languages and architectures.
  • Limited Modern Language Features
    Free Pascal might lack some of the modern programming features found in newer languages, which can be a disadvantage for developers looking to use the latest paradigms and practices.

C++ videos

C++ Programming | In One Video

More videos:

  • Review - C++ Programming
  • Tutorial - C++ Tutorial for Beginners - Full Course

Free Pascal videos

Tin 8. Bài Thực hành 1: Làm quen với Free pascal.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to C++ and Free Pascal)
Programming Language
77 77%
23% 23
OOP
84 84%
16% 16
IDE
0 0%
100% 100
Generic Programming Language

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, C++ seems to be a lot more popular than Free Pascal. While we know about 56 links to C++, we've tracked only 2 mentions of Free Pascal. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

C++ mentions (56)

  • Distributed Systems: Challenges, Experiences and Tips
    About 4 months ago (approximately the last time I wrote something here), I opted to embark on a graduate school journey at Stony Brook University, Computer Science (if you have a remote position — Technical Writer and/or Software Engineer position — at a non-USA company, don't hesitate to reach out). Was it the best decision to make considering less pay (if any), more theoretical undertakings and assumptions, and... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Any opinion about tutorialspoint? Getting apparently wrong results
    Full of wrong and/or incomplete information. I prefer cplusplus.com when I need to look up some library details. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Learning DSA from scratch : The Ultimate Guide
    For C++ I would suggest using cplusplus.com. Fantastic resource to use. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Things that i should know before gettting into Data Structures and Algorithms??
    C++ was far from my first language. I took Modula-2 and FORTRAN in school. I knew about pointers, linked lists, etc before writing my first line of C++. I think the best way to learn is just to work on projects that interest you. Get familiar with online resources. I like cplusplus.com and cppreference.com (can get a little verbose). I'm also a big fan of w3schools.com. They have a good C++ tutorial for beginners. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Help
    I second this. cplusplus.com will pop up on your searches, I just blocked it. Loaded with ads and slow, and almost always less thorough than cppreference. I found geeksforgeeks OK when learning algorithms - not so much the language itself though. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Free Pascal mentions (2)

  • AoC 2015 in multiple languages: Day 3 Pascal
    I used Free Pascal which I was quite impressed with. It supports multiple dialects and many targets. Source: over 3 years ago
  • One Commander – a new Windows 10 file browser
    As a tangent, I found it fascinating that Double Commander is developed with Free Pascal and Lazarus. https://github.com/doublecmd/doublecmd/wiki/Development https://freepascal.org/ https://www.lazarus-ide.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing C++ and Free Pascal, you can also consider the following products

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

Lazarus - Lazarus is a cross-platform IDE for the Free Pascal compiler.

Go Programming Language - Go, also called golang, is a programming language initially developed at Google in 2007 by Robert...

Java - A concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, language specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible

Rust - A safe, concurrent, practical language

Lua - Powerful, fast, lightweight, embeddable scripting language