How to start?

[nfol]

I used Turbo Pascal on a DOS computer many years ago and would like to restart. However, I'm confused by the many download options (even though I tried to read some of the guides).
 
Would someone be so kind as to inform me exactly which files to download and install.
Also, do I need to download the units crt, printer or wincrt? Where to place these?

I very much appreciate any help.

Best regards,
nfol

Windows 10
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700 CPU
 

[Handoko]

Hello nfol,
Welcome to the forum.

There are 2 different installers available:
- Lazarus + FPC
- FPC only

Normally, you should use Lazarus + FPC. Lazarus is the GUI IDE editor, it offers some extra tools for help you building graphical interface applications. But if you want to build console mode programs only, FPC is enough.

You can download the installers here:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/lazarus/files/
https://www.freepascal.org/download.var

... do I need to download the units crt, printer or wincrt? Where to place these?

No, you don't. They're bundled on the default installation. You just need put them in the uses clause.

Some reading materials I recommend:

List of tutorials with wide range of topics (graphics, database, printer, web, etc):
http://wiki.freepascal.org/Lazarus_Documentation#Lazarus.2FFPC_.28Free_Pascal.29
http://wiki.freepascal.org/Category:Tutorials

(Free) Pascal reference guide:
http://freepascal.org/docs-html/current/ref/ref.html

Some cool Pascal tricks:
http://lazplanet.blogspot.co.id/

Pascal video tutorials:
https://devstructor.com/index.php?page=tutorials

Lazarus IDE tricks:
http://wiki.freepascal.org/New_IDE_features_since

[nfol]

Thank you for your help.
I selected the Lazarus-solution (for Win 32 and 64 bit) and made my first little program.

[marcov]

Note that lazarus is perfectly fine for building console applications too.

Most console apps in the Free Pascal SVN repository come with lazarus projects even.

[nfol]

> Note that lazarus is perfectly fine for building console applications too.

Ok.

How is it; when I have installed Lazarus+FPC, is it possible to run that installation like I did not have Lazarus?

I ask this strange question because I like to introduce my little son to the very concept of programing. I believe that is best done without a lot of fancy things, but just

Program x;
Begin
End.

from which to increase the complexity.

[Handoko]

The FPC package actually consists of 2 programs:
- FPC the compiler
- FP the text-based editor

You can start the FP text-based editor by typing fp [enter] on your command prompt.

[Martin_fr]

How is it; when I have installed Lazarus+FPC, is it possible to run that installation like I did not have Lazarus?

I ask this strange question because I like to introduce my little son to the very concept of programing. I believe that is best done without a lot of fancy things, but just

Program x;
Begin
End.

from which to increase the complexity.

The FPC installation is in the folder fpc. You can use any editor you want, to create a pascal file, and then call the compiler (fpc.exe). Not sure what args you need to pass, but there is online docs (google).

There also is fp.exe in the fpc folder (an old style like IDE, but IMHO it really only is any good for nostalgic reasons).

In the end I recommend to still use the Lazarus IDE.
Project > New > "Program"

This gives you an empty command line program (you can get rid of the pre-defined use).
Then you still get the comfort of the IDE, you dont need to worry how to call the compile, and you start at zero.

[Trenatos]

Just use Lazarus.

Project -> New Project -> Simple Program

You'll get the barest of programs