A professional Pascal compiler, Free Pascal is used to support 32 and 64 bit processors like Intel x86, Amd64/x86_64, PowerPC, PowerPC64, Sparc and ARM. The compiler source comes under the GNU General Public License which ensures that sources for both the compiler and runtime library are available while the complete compiler is written in Pascal. The compiler is able to run on the following operating systems including Linux, MAC OSX/Darwin, DOS, Win32, Win64, OS/2, FreeBSD and MorphOS.
The most recent and stable version of Free Pascal compiler is the version 2.2.4 which although is still in the development stage enables the download of the compiler source code from the download page. The page also contains changes incorporated into the existing codes. All the user needs to do to download the changes needed by compiler running on the system is to choose from a list of mirrors to download from. The mirror containing the closest and the most relevant options is then downloaded.
Manuals are available on Free Pascal compiler features which have been translated into many languages. The manuals also contain a reference guide for 17 most important units that come along with Free Pascal in the package.

Some of the features of Free Pascal 2.3.4 include:

. The compiler supports global properties, function overloading, operator overloading and other related functions.
. The Pascal compiler used in MAC OS provides a MAC Pascal mode which is compatible with Think Pascal and Metrowerks Pascal to a great extent.
. The syntax of the language is compatible with TP 7.0 as well as with numerous versions of Delphi, for example classes, rtti, exceptions, ansi strings, wide strings and interfaces to name a few.

System Requirements:

.x86 architecture: For the version 80×86, at least a 386 processor is required, but a 486 is recommended. The Mac OS X version requires Mac OS X 10.4 or later, with the developer tools installed.
PowerPC architecture: Any PowerPC processor will do. 16 MB of RAM is required. The Mac OS classic version is expected to work System 7.5.3 and later. The Mac OS X version requires Mac OS X 10.3 or later (can compile for 10.2.8 or later), with the developer tools installed. On other operating systems Free Pascal runs on any system that can run the operating system.
ARM architecture: 16 MB of RAM is required. Runs on any ARM Linux installation.
Sparc architecture: 16 MB of RAM is required. Runs on any Sparc Linux installation.