Pas2js Transpiler

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About pas2js

pas2js is a compiler/transpiler to translate programs written in Pascal (subset of Delphi/ObjFPC syntax) to JavaScript.
The goal is to use strong typing, while still be able to use low level whenever you choose.
The compiled Pascal functions can be used in DOM events or called by JavaScript.
pas2js is written completely in FPC, runs on many platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux and more. It is built modular consisting of the following parts:

  • file cache - loading, caching files, converting to UTF-8
  • file resolver - handling search paths, finding used units and include files
  • scanner - reading tokens, handling compiler directives like $IfDef and $Include
  • parser - reading the tokens, checking syntax, creating Pascal nodes
  • resolver - resolving references, type checking and checking duplicate identifiers
  • use analyzer - finding unused identifiers, emit hints and warning
  • converter - translating Pascal nodes into JavaScript nodes
  • compiler - handling config files, parameters, compiling recursively all used units, writes js
  • command line interface - a small wrapper to embed the compiler into a console program
  • library and interface - a small wrapper to embed the compiler into a library

Each part is tested separately and is used by other FPC tools as well. For example the scanner and parser are used by fpdoc too. Thus they are tested and extended by other programmers, reducing greatly the work for developing pas2js. Consistency is kept by several test suites, containing thousands of tests.

Note: The modular structure allows to compile any parts or the whole compiler into an IDE addon (not yet started).

Command line parameters

Most parameters work the same as their FPC equivalent. pas2js has some options of its own (see -J options). 

 
Options:
Put + after a boolean switch option to enable it, - to disable it
  @<x>   : Read compiler options from file <x> in addition to the default
            pas2js.cfg
  -B     : Rebuild all
  -d<x>  : Defines the symbol <x>. Optional: -d<x>:=<value>
  -i<x>  : Write information and halt. <x> is a combination of the following:
    -iD  : Write compiler date
    -iSO : Write compiler OS
    -iSP : Write compiler host processor
    -iTO : Write target platform
    -iTP : Write target processor
    -iV  : Write short compiler version
    -iW  : Write full compiler version
    -ic  : Write list of supported JS processors usable by -P<x>
    -im  : Write list of supported modeswitches usable by -M<x>
    -io  : Write list of supported optimizations usable by -Oo<x>
    -it  : Write list of supported targets usable by -T<x>
    -iJ  : Write list of supported JavaScript identifiers -JoRTL-<x>
  -C<x>  : Code generation options. <x> is a combination of the following
            letters:
    o    : Overflow checking of integer operations
    r    : Range checking
    R    : Object checks. Verify method calls and object type casts.
  -F...   Set file names and paths:
   -Fe<x>: Redirect output to file <x>. UTF-8 encoded.
   -FE<x>: Set main output path to <x>
   -Fi<x>: Add <x> to include paths
   -FN<x>: add <x> to namespaces. Namespaces with trailing - are removed.
            Delphi calls this flag "unit scope names".
   -Fu<x>: Add <x> to unit paths
   -FU<x>: Set unit output path to <x>
  -I<x>  : Add <x> to include paths, same as -Fi
  -J...  Extra options of pas2js
   -Ja<x>: Append JS file <x> to main JS file. E.g. -Jamap.js. Can be given
            multiple times. To remove a file name append a minus, e.g.
            -Jamap.js-.
   -Jc   : Write all JavaScript concatenated into the output file
   -Je<x>: Encode messages as <x>.
     -Jeconsole: Console codepage. This is the default.
     -Jesystem : System codepage. On non Windows console and system are the
            same.
     -Jeutf-8  : Unicode UTF-8. Default when using -Fe.
     -JeJSON   : Output compiler messages as JSON. Logo etc are outputted
            as-is.
   -Ji<x>: Insert JS file <x> into main JS file. E.g. -Jirtl.js. Can be given
            multiple times. To remove a file name append a minus, e.g.
            -Jirtl.js-.
   -Jl   : lower case identifiers
   -Jm   : generate source maps
     -Jmsourceroot=<x>: use x as "sourceRoot", prefix URL for source file
            names.
     -Jmbasedir=<x>: write source file names relative to directory x, default
            is map file folder.
     -Jminclude: include Pascal sources in source map.
     -Jmabsolute: store absolute filenames, not relative.
     -Jmxssiheader: start source map with XSSI protection )]}', default.
     -Jm-: disable generating source maps
   -Jo<x>: Enable or disable extra option. The x is case insensitive:
     -JoSearchLikeFPC: search source files like FPC, default: search case
            insensitive.
     -JoUseStrict: add "use strict" to modules, default.
     -JoCheckVersion-: do not add rtl version check, default.
     -JoCheckVersion=main: insert rtl version check into main.
     -JoCheckVersion=system: insert rtl version check into system unit init.
     -JoCheckVersion=unit: insert rtl version check into every unit init.
     -JoRTL-<y>=<z>: set RTL identifier y to value z. See -iJ.
   -Jr<x> Control writing of resource string file
     -Jrnone: Do not write resource string file
     -Jrunit: Write resource string file per unit with all resource strings
     -Jrprogram: Write resource string file per program with all used
            resource strings in program
   -JR<x> Control writing of linked resources
     -JRnone: Skip resource directives
     -JRjs: Write resources in Javascript structure
     -JRhtml[=filename] : Write resources as preload links in HTML file 
            (default is projectfile-res.html)
   -Jpcmd<command>: Run postprocessor. For each generated js execute command
            passing the js as stdin and read the new js from stdout. This
            option can be added multiple times to call several postprocessors
            in succession.
   -Ju<x>: Add <x> to foreign unit paths. Foreign units are not compiled.
   -JU: This pas2js does not support PCU files
  -l     : Write logo
  -M<x>  : Set language mode or enable/disable a modeswitch
    -MDelphi: Delphi 7 compatibility mode
    -MObjFPC: FPC's Object Pascal compatibility mode (default)
    -M<x>  : enable or disable modeswitch, see option -im
    Each mode (as listed above) enables its default set of modeswitches.
    Other modeswitches are disabled and need to be enabled one by another.
  -NS<x> : obsolete: add <x> to namespaces. Same as -FN<x>
  -n     : Do not read the default config files
  -o<x>  : Change main JavaScript file to <x>, "." means stdout
  -O<x>  : Optimizations:
    -O-  : Disable optimizations
    -O1  : Level 1 optimizations (quick and debugger friendly)
    -O2  : Level 2 optimizations (Level 1 + not debugger friendly)
    -Oo<x>: Enable or disable optimization. The x is case insensitive:
      -OoEnumNumbers[-]: write enum value as number instead of name. Default
            in -O1.
      -OoRemoveNotUsedPrivates[-]: Default is enabled
      -OoRemoveNotUsedDeclarations[-]: Default enabled for programs with -Jc
      -OoRemoveNotUsedPublished[-] : Default is disabled
      -OoShortRefGlobals[-]: Insert JS local var for types, modules and
            static functions. Default enabled in -O2
  -P<x>  : Set target processor. Case insensitive:
    -Pecmascript5: default
    -Pecmascript6
  -S<x>  : Syntax options. <x> is a combination of the following letters:
    2    : Same as -Mobjfpc (default)
    a    : Turn on assertions
    c    : Support operators like C (*=,+=,/= and -=)
    d    : Same as -Mdelphi
    j    : Allows typed constants to be writeable (default)
    m    : Enables macro replacements
  -SI<x>  : Set interface style to <x>
    -SIcom  : COM, reference counted interface (default)
    -SIcorba: CORBA interface
  -T<x>  : Set target platform
    -Tbrowser: default
    -Tnodejs : add pas.run(), includes -Jc
    -Telectron: experimental
    -Tmodule : add pas.run(), includes -Jc
  -u<x>  : Undefines the symbol <x>
  -v<x>  : Be verbose. <x> is a combination of the following letters:
    e    : Show errors (default)
    w    : Show warnings
    n    : Show notes
    h    : Show hints
    i    : Show info
    l    : Show line numbers, needs -vi
    a    : Show everything
    0    : Show nothing (except errors)
    b    : Show file names with full path
    c    : Show conditionals
    t    : Show tried/used files
    d    : Show debug notes and info, enables -vni
    q    : Show message numbers
    x    : Show used tools
    v    : Write pas2jsdebug.log with lots of debugging info
    z    : Write messages to stderr, -o. still uses stdout.
  -vm<x>,<y>: Do not show messages numbered <x> and <y>.
  -?     : Show this help
  -h     : Show this help

Environment variable PAS2JS_OPTS is parsed after default config and before
            command line parameters.

Delphi and ObjFPC mode

Delphi mode

  • Defines macro DELPHI
  • Assigning a function to a function type variable does not require the @ operator. For example, you can write either OnGetThing:=GetValue; or OnGetThing:=@GetValue;.
  • A function type variable reference without brackets is treated as a call. For example: If OnGetThing is a variable of type function: integer you can write: If OnGetThing=3 then ;.
  • You must use the @@ operator to get the procedure address (i.e. JS reference) of a procedure type variable. For example instead of If OnClick=nil then ; you must use if @@OnClick=nil then ;.
  • Every procedure/method overload needs the 'overload' modifier.

ObjFPC mode

This the default mode of pas2js and is generally more strict than the Delphi mode, and allows some more operations.

  • Defines macro OBJFPC
  • Assigning a function to a function type variable requires the @ operator. For example: OnGetThing:=@GetValue;.
  • A function type variable always needs brackets to be called. For example: If OnGetThing is a variable of type function: integer then this is allowed: If OnGetThing()=3 then ;. While this gives an error: If OnGetThing=3 then ;.
  • You can compare a procedure type with nil. For example If OnClick=nil then ;.
  • You can compare a procedure type with a procedure address (i.e. JS reference). For example If OnClick=@OnFormClick then ;.
  • The procedure modifier 'overload' can be omitted when all overloads are in one scope, e.g. a unit or a class. And if one procedure has such modifier all procedures with same name and in same scope are overloads as well.

Translating modules

A Pascal Program is translated into the following JavaScript structure:

Pascal JavaScript Structure, not code! 
 Program <unitname>;
 Implementation
   [implementation section]
 Begin
   [main code]
 End.

 pas.<program>={
   [implementation section],
   $main: function() {
     [main code]
   }
 };

A Pascal Unit is translated into the following JavaScript structure:

Pascal JavaScript Structure, not code! 
Unit <unitname>;
Interface
  [interface section]
Implementation
  [implementation section]
Initialization
  [initialization section]
End.

pas.<unitname>={
  [interface section],
  $impl: {
    [implementation section],
  },
  $init: function() {
    [initialization section]
  }
};
Note: The finalization section is not supported by pas2js.
To create and initialize the units in topological order the compiler translates an Unit to the following JavaScript code:
Pascal JavaScript 
Unit <unitname>;
Interface
  [interface section]
Implementation
  [implementation section]
Initialization
  [initialization section]
End.

rtl.module('<unitname>',
  ['system',...other used units of the interface section...],
  function(){
    var $mod = this;
    var $impl = $mod.$impl;
    [interface section]
    $mod.$implcode = function(){
      [implementation section]
    }
    $mod.$init = function(){
      [initialization section]
    };
  },
  [...used units of the implementation section]
  };

Here is a more detailed example to make it more clear:

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Uses Sysutils;
var
  dIntf: double;
  sIntf: string = 'abc';
procedure MyIntfProc;
Implementation
Uses Classes;
Var dImpl:double;
Procedure MyIntfProc;
Begin
  dImpl:=dIntf;
End;
Procedure MyImplProc;
Begin
  dImpl:=dIntf;
End;
Initialization
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System","SysUtils"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  var $impl = $mod.$impl;
  this.dIntf = 0.0;
  this.sIntf = "abc";
  this.MyIntfProc = function(){
    $impl.dImpl = $mod.dIntf;
  };
  $mod.$implcode = function(){
    $impl.dImpl = 0.0;
    $impl.MyImplProc = function() {
      $impl.dImpl = $mod.dIntf;
    };
  }
  $mod.$init = function() {
  };
},
["Classes"]);

Notes:

  • Unit System is always loaded implicitely.
  • References to other units are translated to full path. For example TObject is translated to pas.system.TObject
  • References to dotted unitnames, aka units with namespaces are translated to pas["namespace.unitname"].


Translating variables

Variables are converted without type, because JavaScript lacks a clear type. They are however always initialized, which helps JavaScript engines to optimize.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Uses Classes,Forms;
const
  c1:integer=3;
  c2 = 'abc';
  c3 = 234;
  c4 = 12.45;
  c5 = nil;
var
  v1:string;
  v2,v3:double;
  v4:byte=0;
  v5:TForm;
  v6:TIdentMapEntry;
  v7:string='abc';
  v8:char='c';
  v9:array of byte;
Implementation
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System","Classes","Forms"],
function(){
  this.c1 = 3;
  this.c2 = "abc";
  this.c3 = 234;
  this.c4 = 12.45;
  this.c5 = null;
  this.v1 = "";
  this.v2 = 0.0;
  this.v3 = 0.0;
  this.v4 = 0;
  this.v5 = null;
  this.v6 = new pas.Classes.TIdentMapEntry();
  this.v7 = "abc";
  this.v8 = "c";
  this.v9 = [];
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Type casting a boolean to integer, gives 0 for false and 1 for true.
  • Type casting an integer to boolean, gives false for 0 and true otherwise.
  • A char is translated to a JS string, because JS lacks a native char type.
  • A char is a single JS char code. An UTF-16 codepoint can contain one or two char.
  • Integers overflows at runtime differ from Delphi/FPC, due to the double format. For example adding var i: byte = 200; ... i:=i+100; will result in i=300 instead of i=44 as in Delphi/FPC. When range checking {$R+} is enabled i:=300 will raise an ERangeError.
  • type cast integer to integer, e.g. byte(aLongInt)
    • with range checking enabled: error if outside range
    • without range checking: emulates the FPC/Delphi behaviour: e.g. byte(value) translates to value & 0xff, shortint(value) translates to value & 0xff <<24 >> 24.
  • The mod-operator works 32-bit signed in JS.

Translating string

Strings are translated to JavaScript strings. They are initialized with "" and are never null.
There are no ShortString, AnsiString or RawByteString. Unicodestring and Widestring are alias of String.
JavaScript strings are immutable, which means that changing a single character in a string, creates a new string. So a s[2]:='c'; is a slow operation in pas2js compared to Delphi/FPC.
Although pas2js creates .js files encoded as UTF-8 with BOM, JavaScript strings are UTF-16 at runtime. Keep in mind that one UTF-16 codepoint can need two char, and a visible glyph can need several codepoints. Same as in Delphi.

Translating resourcestrings

Resourcestrings are translated to JS objects with original (org) and current value.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
resourcestring
  rsCompiler = 'pas2js';
var
  s:string;
Implementation
initialization
  s:=rsCompiler;
End.

rtl.module("test1",["System"],function () {
  var $mod = this;
  this.s = "";
  $mod.$resourcestrings = {rsCompiler: {org: "pas2js"}};
  $mod.$init = function () {
    $mod.s = rtl.getResStr(pas.test1,"rsCompiler");
  };
});


Translating currency

Currency in Delphi/FPC is an int64 with a factor of 10000. This is translated to a double with factor 10000 and truncated.

  • CurA := 1.12345 -> CurA = 11234
  • CurA + CurB -> CurA + CurB
  • CurA * CurB -> CurA * CurB/10000
  • CurA / CurB -> Math.floor(CurA/CurB * 10000)
  • CurA ^^ CurB -> Math.floor(Math.pow(CurA/10000,CurB/10000) * 10000)
  • Currency + Double -> Currency + (Double*10000)
  • Double := Currency -> Double = Currency/10000
  • Currency := Double -> Currency = Math.floor(Double*10000)
  • JSValue := Currency -> JSValue = Currency/10000
  • Keep in mind that a double has only 54 bits for the number, so calculating values greater than 900,719,925,474 might give a different result than in Delphi/FPC. See SysUtils.MinCurrency/MaxCurrency


Translating Types

JavaScript type design has no declarative form, except for object types (so-called prototypes). That's why all the derivatives from simple Pascal types can not be translated. The compiler ensures type safety at compile time though, which is a big plus for using Pascal.
Complex Pascal types (classes, records, or arrays) are translated into JavaScript objects or arrays respectively.

Translating pointer

A pointer is translated to a JS reference. It can be assigned a class, a class instance, a class-of, an array, a procedure var, a method var, a @proc address, a @method address, or a pointer of record. There is no pointer arithmetic, i.e. no p+1, and no typed pointers, except for pointer of record. You can find out its type using the functions isArray, isClass, isClassRef, isCallback, etc of unit JS.

Translating record type

A record is translated to a JavaScript object.

Pascal JS Pas2js 1.3 JS Pas2js 1.2 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Type
  TMyRecord = Record
    i: integer;
    s: string;
    d: TDateTime;
  End;
Var
  r, s: TMyRecord;
Implementation
Initialization
  r.i := 123;
  r:=s;
  if r=s then ;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.recNewT($mod, "TMyRecord", function() {
    this.i = 0;
    this.s = "";
    this.d = 0.0;
    this.$eq = function (b) {
      return (this.i == b.i) &&
         (this.s == b.i) && (this.d == b.d);
    };
    this.$assign = function (s) {
      this.i = s.i;
      this.s = s.s;
      this.d = s.d;
      return this;
    };
  };
  this.r = this.TMyRecord.$new();
  $mod.$init = function() {
    $mod.r.i=123;
    $mod.r.$assign($mod.s);
    if ($mod.r.$eq($mod.s)) ;
  },
},
[]);

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.TMyRecord = function(s) {
    if (s){
      this.i = s.i;
      this.s = s.s;
      this.d = s.d;
    } else {
      this.i = 0;
      this.s = "";
      this.d = 0.0;
    };
    this.$equal = function (b) {
      return (this.i == b.i) &&
        (this.s == b.i) && (this.d == b.d);
    };
  };
  this.r = new this.TMyRecord();
  $mod.$init = function() {
    $mod.r.i=123;
    $mod.r = new $mod.TMyRecord($mod.s);
    if ($mod.r.$equal($mod.s)) ;
  },
},
[]);
  • The record variable creates a JavaScript object.
  • Variant records are not supported.
  • Supported: Assign, pass as argument, equal, not equal, array of record, pointer of record, const, default(), RTTI.
  • Advanced record (since pas2js 1.3):
    • visibility private, strict private, public, default is public
    • methods, class methods (must be static like in Delphi/FPC)
    • class vars
    • const fields
    • property, class property, array property, default array property
    • sub types
    • constructor
    • class constructor
  • Not yet implemented:
    • operator overloading
    • reference counted interfaces as fields
    • Interfaces as nested types
    • default non array property
  • Until Pas2js 1.2 when assigning a record it is cloned, creating a new JS object. Since Pas2js 1.3 only values are copied, keeping the object, so pointer of record is compatible.
  • Since record types are JS objects it is possible to typecast a record type to the JS Object, e.g. TJSObject(TPoint). Note that you cannot typecast directly to a TJSObject descendant. You can use TJSWindow(TJSObject(aRecord)).
  • A pointer of record is simply a reference.
    • p:=@r translates to p=r
    • p^.x becomes p.x.
    • New(PointerOfRecord) creates a new record
    • Dispose(PointerOfRecord) Sets the variable to null if possible.
  • Passing a record to an untyped arguments (e.g. ''TObject.Dispatch(var Msg)'') passes the record JS object directly, not creating a temporary reference object.
  • Typecasting RecordType(UntypedArgument) returns the argument, i.e. no conversion.

Translating generics

Generics are not translated, their specializations are.

  • Specializations are created with a $ number postfix, for example TList$G3.
  • Their RTTI name has the full name, for example TList<project1.TBird>
  • Multiple specializations of TList<word> creates only one specialization. That is true for the whole program.
  • Specializations are created in the unit, where the generic is defined, not where they are specialized.
  • Important: This means that a new specialization of TList require a recompile of the js of unit generics.collections.

Translating functions

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Function DoubleIt(n: integer): integer;
Implementation
Function DoubleIt(n: integer): integer;
Begin
  Result:=2*n;
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  this.DoubleIt = function(n){
    Result = 0;
    Result = 2*n;
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Local variables become local JavaScript variables: var l = 0;.
  • Local constants become JavaScript variables in the unit/program implementation section.
  • Local types are elevated to module.
  • Overloaded functions are given an unique name by appending $1, $2, ...
  • Supported: default values, const/var/out/default, FuncName:=


Translating passing a parameter by reference

JavaScript lacks passing by reference. Instead a temporary object is created with a get and set function. That means changes within the procedure are immediately visible outside, compatible with Pascal.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
Procedure DoubleIt(var n: integer);
Begin
  n:=2*n;
End;
Function Doubling(n: integer): integer;
Begin
  DoubleIt(n);
  Result:=n;
End;
Var
  i: integer = 7;
Begin
  Doubling(i);
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.i = 7;
  this.DoubleIt = function(n){
    n.set(2*n.get());
  };
  this.Doubling = function(n){
    var Result = 0;
    DoubleIt({
      get:function(){
        return n
      },
      set:function(v){
        n=v;
      }
    });
    Result = n;
    return n;
  };
  $mod.$main = function(){
    Doubling($mod.i);
  }
},
[]);

When the passed value is from another context, the context is passed too:

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
Procedure DoubleIt(var n: integer);
Begin
  n:=2*n;
End;
Var
  i: integer = 7;
Begin
  DoubleIt(i);
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.i = 7;
  this.DoubleIt = function(n){
    n.set(2*n.get());
  };
  $mod.$main = function(){
    DoubleIt({
        p:$mod,
        get:function(){
          return this.p.i
        },
        set:function(v){
          this.p.i=v;
        }
      });
  }
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Contrary to Delphi/FPC it is allowed to pass a property to a var/out parameter.


Translating nested functions

A nested function is translated to a local variable.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Function SumNNumbers(n, Adder: integer): integer;
Implementation
Function SumNNumbers(n, Adder: integer): integer;

  Function Add(k: integer): integer;
  Begin
    if k=1 then
      Result:=1
    else
      Result:=Add(k-1)+Adder;
  End;

Begin
  Result:=Add(n);
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  this.DoubleIt = function(n,Adder){
    Result = 0;
    var Add = function(k) {
      Result = 0;
      if (k==1) {
        Result = 1;
      } else {
        Result = Add(k-1)+Adder;
      }
      return Result;
    };
    Result = Add(n);
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);

Note: You can assign a nested procedure to a procedure variable. A nested procedure of a method can be assigned to a method variable.
JavaScript preserves the current local scope, including references to the local variables of parent functions. Local types and constants belong to the unit scope (singleton).
When a method has nested functions, the compiler adds a local var Self.

Translating for-loops

The JavaScript for-loop executes the end expression every iteration, while Pascal only executes it once. Therefore a local variable is introduced. If the loop is not entered at all, the variable is not touched. If the loop was entered the variable contanis the last value.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Implementation
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Var
  i, j: integer;
Begin
  j:=0;
  For i:=1 To n Do
  Begin
    j:=j+i;
  End;
  if i<1 then j:=1;
  Result:=j;
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  this.SumNNumbers=function(n){
    Result = 0;
    j = 0;
    for (var $l1 = 1, $le2 = n; $l1 <= $le2; $l1++) {
      i = $l1;
      j = j + i;
    };
    if (i<1) j=1;
    Result = j;
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);

Note: The after-loop decrement is only added if i is read after the loop.

Translating repeat..until

The repeat..until is translated to a do{}while().

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Implementation
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Var
  i, j: integer;
Begin
  j:=0;
  i:=0;
  Repeat
    i:=i+1;
    j:=j+i;
  Until i>=n;
  Result:=j;
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  this.SumNNumbers=function(n){
    Result = 0;
    j = 0;
    i = 0;
    do{
      i = (i + 1);
      j = (j + i);
    } while (!(i>=n));
    Result = j;
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);


Translating while..do

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Implementation
Function SumNNumbers(n: integer): integer;
Var
  i, j: integer;
Begin
  j:=0;
  i:=0;
  While i<n Do Begin
    i:=i+1;
    j:=j+i;
  End;
  Result:=j;
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  this.SumNNumbers=function(n){
    var Result = 0;
    var j = 0;
    var i = 0;
    while(i<n){
      i = (i + 1);
      j = (j + i);
    };
    Result = j;
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);


Translating case..do

Although JavaScript has something similar in form of the "switch" statement, it lacks ranges and is on current JS engines often slower than "if-else". Therefore a case..of is translated to if..else.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
Var
  i: integer;
Begin
  case i of
    1: ;
    2: i:=3;
  else
    i:=4;
  end;
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.i = 0;
  $mod.$main=function(n){
    $tmp1 = $mod.i;
    if ($tmp1 == 1){
    } else if ($tmp1 == 2) {
      i=3;
    } else {
      i=4;
    }
  };
},
[]);


Translating with..do

JavaScript has a with, but it is slow and deprecated. Instead a temporary variable is used:

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
type
  TClassA = class
    i: integer;
  end;

procedure DoIt;

Implementation

procedure DoIt;
begin
  with TClassA.Create do
    i:=3;
end;

End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClass($mod, "TClassA", pas.System.TObject, function () {
    this.$init = function () {
      this.i = 0;
    };
  });
  this.DoIt = function(){
    var $with1 = $mod.TClassA.$create("Create");
    $with1.i = 3;
  };
},
[]);

Note: If the with-expression is already a local variable no new variable is created. This is Delphi/FPC compatible.

Translating enums

Enum values are translated to numbers. The enum type is translated to an object containing a mapping from name to number and number to name.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
type
  TMyEnum = (
    Red,
    Green,
    Blue);
var
  e: TMyEnum = Blue;

procedure DoIt;

Implementation

procedure DoIt;
begin
  e := Green;
end;

End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.TMyEnum = {
    "0":"Red",
    Red:0,
    "1":"Green",
    Green:1,
    "2":"Blue",
    Blue:2
    };
  this.e = $mod.TMyEnum.Blue;
  this.DoIt = function(){
    $mod.e = $mod.TMyEnum.Green;
  };
},
[]);
  • Supported: ord(), low(), high(), pred(), succ(), type cast number to enum.
  • With optimization level -O1 the compiler uses numbers instead of names.
  • Not yet implemented: custom values for enum values.


Translating sets

A set s is translated to a JavaScript object, where for each included enum holds s.enumvalue==true. This allows arbitrary large sets and the in operator is fast.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
type
  TColor = (Red, Green, Blue);
  TColors = set of TColor;

procedure DoIt;

Implementation

procedure DoIt;
var
  c: TColor;
  S, T: TColors;
  b: boolean;
begin
  S:=T;
  b:=Red in S;
  Include(S,Blue);
  Exclude(S,Blue);
  S:=S+T;
  S:=S-[Red,c];
  b:=c in [Red..Blue];
end;

End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.TColor = {
    "0":"Red",
    Red:0,
    "1":"Green",
    Green:1,
    "2":"Blue",
    Blue:2
    };
  $mod.DoIt = function(){
    var c = 0;
    var S = {};
    var T = {};
    var b = false;
    S = rtl.refSet(T);
    b = $mod.TColor.Red in S;
    S = rtl.includeSet(S,$mod.TColor.Blue);
    S = rtl.excludeSet(S,$mod.TColor.Blue);
    S = rtl.unionSet(S,T);
    S = rtl.diffSet(S,rtl.createSet($mod.TColor.Red,c));
    b = c in rtl.createSet(null,$mod.TColor.Red,$mod.TColor.Blue);
  };
},
[]);
  • Supported:
    • Include
    • Exclude
    • literal
    • literal range, e.g. [EnumA..EnumB], ['a'..'z']
    • union +
    • difference -
    • intersect *
    • symmetrical difference ><
    • equal =
    • unequal <>
    • subset <=
    • superset >=
    • set of anonymous enum type: set of (enum1,enum2,...)
  • Not supported: set of char, set of boolean
  • There is no optimization yet for small sets like in Delphi/FPC.
  • Assigning a set or passing the set as an argument only creates a reference and marks the set as shared. When a shared set is altered with Include/Exclude a new set is created (copy on write).
  • Passing a set as an argument might clone the set. Use the const modifier for parameters whenever possible.
  • Constant sets in expressions (e.g. if c in ['a'..'z'] then) are not yet optimized and created every time. Create a const to avoid this.


Translating array type

All arrays are translated into JavaScript arrays.
Contrary to Delphi/FPC dynamic arrays are not reference counted and do not copy on write. That means if you pass an array to a procedure and change an element, the original array is changed.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Type
  TIntArr = Array of integer;
  TObjArr = Array of TObject;
  TRec = record c: char; end;
  TRecArr = Array of TRec;
Procedure Test;
Implementation
Procedure Test;
Var
  IntArr: TIntArr = (1,2,3);
  ObjArr: TObjArr;
  RecArr: TRecArr;
Begin
  IntArr:=nil;
  SetLength(IntArr,4);
  IntArr[2]:=2;
  IntArr[1]:=length(IntArr);
  SetLength(ObjArr,5);
  SetLength(RecArr,2,TRec);
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.Test = function(){
    this.TRec = function(s){
      if (s){
        this.c = s.c;
      } else {
        this.c = "";
      };
      this.$equal = function(b){
        return (this.c == b.c);
      };
    };
    this.IntArr = [1,2,3];
    this.ObjArr = [];
    this.RecArr = [];
    this.Test = function(){
      $mod.IntArr = [];
      rtl.arraySetLength($mod.IntArr,4,0);
      $mod.IntArr[2] = 2;
      $mod.IntArr[1] = $mod.IntArr.length;
      rtl.setArrayLength($mod.ObjArr,5,null);
      rtl.setArrayLength($mod.RecArr,2,$mod.TRec);
    }
  };
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Supported features of dynamic arrays: SetLength(), Length(), equal/notequal nil, low(), high(), assigned(), concat(), copy(), insert(), delete(), multi dimensional, array of record
  • Dynamic array constants. E.g. in mode ObjFPC const a: array of byte = (1,2). In mode Delphi you must use square brackets, ... = [1,2]
  • Supported features of static arrays: length(), low(), high(), assigned(), concat(), copy(), const, const records
  • Open arrays are implemented as dynamic arrays.
  • Calling Concat() with only one array simply returns the array (no cloning). Calling it with multiple arrays creates a clone. This is Delphi 10.1 compatible.
  • In Delphi/FPC an empty array is nil. In JS it can be null or []. For compatibility comparing an array with nil checks for length(a)>0.
  • function Assigned(array): boolean results true iff length(array)>0.
  • array of const:
    • Works the same: vtInteger, vtBoolean, vtPointer, vtObject, vtClass, vtWideChar, vtInterface, vtUnicodeString
    • ''longword'' is converted to ''vtNativeInt''. Delphi/FPC converts to ''vtInteger'', changing big numbers to negative numbers.
    • vtExtended is double, Delphi/FPC: PExtended
    • vtCurrency is currency, Delphi/FPC: PCurrency
    • Not supported: vtChar, vtString, vtPChar, vtPWideChar, vtAnsiString, vtVariant, vtWideString, vtInt64, vtQWord
    • only in pas2js: vtNativeInt, vtJSValue
  • Assignation using constant array, e.g. a:=[1,1,2];
  • String like operation: + operator concatenates arrays. e.g. a:=[1]+[2];. This is controlled by modeswitch arrayoperators, which is enabled in mode delphi.
  • function copy(array,start=0,count=max): array
  • procedure insert(item,var array,const position)
  • procedure delete(var array,const start,count)


Translating class type

Classes are implemented using Object.create and some rtl magic.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Type
  TClassA = Class(TObject)
  Public
    i: integer;
    Procedure Add(a: integer);
  End;
var
  ObjA: TClassA;
Implementation
Procedure TClassA.Add(a: integer);
Begin
  i:=i+a;
End;
Initialization
  ObjA:=TClassA.Create;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClass($mod,"TClassA",pas.System.TObject,function(){
    this.$init = function () {
      this.i = 0;
    };
    this.Add = function(a){
      this.i = this.i + a;
    };
  });
  this.ObjA = null;
  $mod.$init = function(){
    $mod.ObjA = $mod.TClassA.$create("Create");
  };
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Each class and each instance is an JS object.
  • Each class has a globally unique JS object, created by rtl.createClass.
  • Self is never nil.
  • The method TObject.Free is using compiler magic. See [#tobjectfree Translating TObject.Free].
  • Class.$class is a reference to the class itself.
  • Class.$ancestor is a reference to the ancestor class.
  • A class has c.$ancestor == Object.getPrototypeOf(c).
  • A class instance has o.$class == Object.getPrototypeOf(o).
  • Class.$classname is the short name. E.g. TClassA.$classname == 'TClassA'.
  • Class.$name is the long name. E.g. TClassA.$name == 'MyModule.TClassA'.
  • Class.$unitname is the unit name. E.g. TClassA.$unitname == 'MyModule'.
  • The "is"-operator is implemented using "isPrototypeOf". Note that "instanceof" cannot be used, because classes are JS objects.
  • The "as" operator is implemented as rtl.as(Object,Class).
  • Supported:
    • constructor, destructor
    • private, protected, public, strict private, strict protected
    • class vars, const, nested types
    • methods, class methods, class constructor, external methods
    • method modifiers overload, reintroduce, virtual, override, abstract, static, external name, message integer, message string
    • call inherited
    • assigned()
    • type cast
    • class sealed, class abstract
  • Not supported: class destructor
  • Property:
    • References are replaced by getter/setter.
    • Supported: argument lists, default property, class property, stored modifier, index modifier.
    • Not supported: getter/setter to an array element, e.g. property A: char read FArray[0];
    • Class property getter/setter can be static or non static. Delphi: must be static.
    • The Index modifier supports any constant, e.g. a string, while Delphi only allows an ordinal (longint). -2147483648 is not a special number in pas2js. Overriding a property with an index property is allowed in Delphi and pas2js.


Translating class-of type

A class-of is a reference to a class. See above about translating class.

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Type
  TBird = Class(TObject)
  Public
    Class var Count: integer;
    Class Procedure Add(a: integer); virtual;
  End;
  TBirds = class of TBird;

  TPigeon = Class(TBird)
  Public
    Class Procedure Add(a: integer); override;
  End;

var
  BirdType: TBirds;
Implementation
Class Procedure TBird.Add(a: integer);
Begin
  Count:=Count+a;
End;
Class Procedure TPigeon.Add(a: integer);
Begin
  inherited Add(a+1);
End;
Initialization
  BirdType:=TPigeon;
  BirdType.Add(1);
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClass($mod,"TBird",pas.System.TObject,function () {
    this.Count = 0;
    this.Add = function (a) {
      this.Count = this.Count + a;
    };
  });
  rtl.createClass($mod,"TPigeon",$mod.TBird,function () {
    this.Add = function (a) {
      $mod.TBird.Add.call(this,a + 1);
    };
  });
  $mod.$init = function(){
    $mod.BirdType = $mod.TPigeon;
    $mod.BirdType.Add(1);
  };
},
[]);

Note that this in a class method is the class itself.

Notes:

  • Contrary to Delphi/FPC the "is" operator works with class-of.


Translating TObject.Free

In Delphi/FPC AnObject.Free checks if Self is nil, then calls the destructor and frees the memory, without changing the reference. In JavaScript however calling a method with AnObject=nil causes a crash. And memory cannot be freed explicitely. Memory is only freed if all references are gone (e.g. set to null).
Therefore pas2js adds code to call the destructor and sets the variable to nil:

  • Obj.Free on a local variable or argument is translated to Obj = rtl.freeLoc(Obj);.
  • Obj.Free on a non local variable is translated to rtl.free(this,"Obj");.
  • Not supported: Freeing a property or function result.
    For example List[i].Free gives a compiler error. The property setter might create side effects, which would be incompatible to Delphi/FPC.

Notes:

  • If the destructor raises an exception, the variable is not set to nil. This is compatible to Delphi/FPC, where the memory is not freed in this case.
  • Alternatively you can use FreeAndNil, which first changes the variable to nil and then calls the destructor.


Translating class interfaces

JavaScript has nothing like it, so they are emulated.
An interfacetype is a JS-object with some hidden properties, containing the GUID ($guid) and an array with the method names ($names). Here is how IUnknown looks like in JS:


{
  $module: [object Object],
  $name: "IUnknown",
  $fullname: "System.IUnknown",
  $guid: "{00000000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}",
  $names: ["QueryInterface","_AddRef","_Release"],
  $rtti: [object Object],
  $kind: "com",
}

A class implementing interfaces has a variable $intfmaps, which has for each implemented GUID a map or delegator function. A map is a JS instance of the interfacetype plus a for each method name a function to call the class method. Here is an example map of IUnknown of TInterfacedObject:


{
  QueryInterface: function (){ return fn.apply(this.$o,arguments); },
  _AddRef: function (){ return fn.apply(this.$o,arguments); },
  _Release: function (){ return fn.apply(this.$o,arguments); },
  ...
}

When an interface is created for an object (here: a Pascal class instance), for example by using the as-operator "ObjVar as IUnknown", a JS object is created, which is an instance of the map object with its $o set to the ObjVar.

Supported:

  • methods, properties, default property
  • {$interfaces com|corba|default}
    • COM is default, default ancestor is IUnknown (mode delphi: IInterface), managed type, i.e. automatically reference counted via _AddRef, _Release, the checks for support call QueryInterface
    • CORBA: lightweight, no automatic reference counting, no default ancestor, fast support checks.
  • inheriting
  • An interface without a GUID gets one autogenerated from its name and method names.
  • Contrary to Delphi/FPC you can assign an interface type or var to the type TGuidString.
  • a class implementing an interface must not be external
  • a ClassType "supports" an interface, if it itself or one of its ancestors implements the interface. It does not automatically support an ancestor of the interface.
  • method resolution, procedure IUnknown._AddRef = IncRef;
  • delegation: property Name: interface|class read Field|Getter implements AnInterface;
  • is-operator:
    • IntfVar is IntfType - types must be releated
    • IntfVar is ClassType - types can be unrelated, class must not be external
    • ObjVar is IntfType - can be unrelated
  • as-operator
    • IntfVar as IntfType - types must be releated
    • IntfVar as ClassType - types can be unrelated, nil returns nil, invalid raises EInvalidCast
    • ObjVar as IntfType - can be unrelated, nil if not found, COM: uses _AddRef
  • typecast:
    • IntfType(IntfVar) - must be related
    • ClassType(IntfVar) - can be unrelated, nil if invalid
    • IntfType(ObjVar) - nil if not found, COM: if ObjVar has delegate uses _AddRef
    • TJSObject(IntfTypeOrVar). Note that you cannot typecast directly to a TJSObject descendant. You can use TJSWindow(TJSObject(IntfType)).
    • jsvalue(intfvar)
  • Assign operator:
    • IntfVar:=nil;
    • IntfVar:=IntfVar2; - IntfVar2 must be same type or a descendant
    • IntfVar:=ObjVar; - nil if unsupported
    • jsvalue:=IntfVar;
    • TGUIDVar:=IntfType;
    • TGUIDVar:=IntfVar;
    • TGUIDVar:=stringconstant;
    • TGUIDStringVar:=IntfVar;
    • StringVar:=GuidVar;
  • Equal/Inequal operator:
    • IntfVar=nil;
    • IntfVar=IntfVar2; - must be related
    • jsvalue=IntfVar;
    • TGUIDVar=IntfType;
    • TGUIDVar=IntfVar;
    • TGUIDVar=string;
    • TGUIDStringVar=IntfVar;
  • Passing an COMIntfVar to an untyped parameter or JSValue does not trigger _AddRef, _Release.
  • Assigned(IntfVar)
  • RTTI, typeinfo(IntfType), typeinfo(IntfVar)

Not yet supported: array of intferfacetype, interface as record member.

Translating helpers

Pas2js supports class helpers, record helpers and type helpers since 1.3. The extend is only virtual, the helped type is kept untouched.

  • A class helper can "extend" Pascal classes and external JS classes.
  • A record helper can "extend" a record type. In $mode delphi a record helper can extend other types as well, see type helper
  • A type helper can extend all base types like integer, string, char, boolean, double, currency, and user types like enumeration, set, range, array, class, record and interface types. It cannot extend helpers and procedural types.
    Type helpers are enabled by default in $mode delphi and disabled in $mode objfpc. You can enable them with {$modeswitch typehelpers}.
  • By default only one helper is active per type, same as in FPC/Delphi. If there are multiple helpers for the same type, the last helper in scope wins.
    A class with ancestors can have one active helper per ancestor type, so multiple helpers can be active, same as FPC/Delphi.
    Using {$modeswitch multihelpers} you can activate all helpers within scope.
  • Nested helpers (e.g. TDemo.TSub.THelper) are elevated. Visibility is ignored. Same as FPC/Delphi.
  • Helpers cannot be forward defined (e.g. no THelper = helper;).
  • Helpers must not have fields.
  • Class Var, Const, Type
  • Visibility : strict private .. published
  • Function, procedure: In class and record helpers Self is the class/record instance. For other types Self is a reference to the passed value.
  • Class function, class procedure: Helpers for Pascal classes/records can add static and non static class functions. Helpers for external classes and other types can only add static class functions.
  • Constructor. Not for external classes. Works similar to construcors, i.e. THelpedClass.Create creates a new instance, while AnObj.Create calls the constructor function as normal method. Note that Delphi does not allow calling helper construcors as normal method.
  • no destructor
  • Property : getters/setters can refer to members of the helper, its ancestors and the helped class/record.
  • Class property : getter can be static or non static. Delphi/FPC only allows static.
  • Ancestors : Helpers can have an ancestor helper, but they do not have a shared root class, especially not TObject.
  • no virtual, abstract, override. Delphi allows them, but 10.3 crashes when calling.
  • inherited : inherited inside a method of a class/record calls helper of ancestor.
    inherited inside a helper depends on the $mode:
    • $mode objfpc : inherited; and inherited Name(args); work the same and searches first in HelperForType, then in ancestor(s).
    • $mode delphi: inherited; : skip ancestors and HelperForType, searches first in helper(s) of ancestor of HelperForType.
    • $mode delphi: inherited name(args); : same as $mode objfpc first searches in HelperForType, then Ancestor(s) In any case if inherited; has no ancestor to call, it is silently ignored, while inherited Name; gives an error.
  • RTTI: typeinfo(somehelper) returns a pointer to TTypeInfoHelper with Kind tkHelper.
  • There are some special cases when using a type helper function/procedure on a value:
    • function result : using a temporary variable
    • const, const argument : When helper function tries to assign a value, pas2js raises a EPropReadOnly exception. FPC/Delphi use a temporary variable allowing the write.
    • property : uses only the getter, ignoring the setter. This breaks OOP, as it allows to change fields without calling the setter. This is FPC/Delphi compatible.
    • with value do ; : uses a temporary variable. Delphi/FPC do not support it.
  • A method with external name modifier is treated as an external method of the helped type.


Translating attributes

Attributes are stored in the TTypeInfo objects as streams stored in an array. See the function GetRTTIAttributes in unit TypInfo for details.

Translating try..finally

JavaScript has the same, so it translates straight forward.

Translating try..except

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface
Uses SysUtils, Math, JS;
Function DoIt(n: integer): double;
Implementation
Function DoIt(n: integer): double;
var E: Exception;
Begin
  try
    Result:=double(7.0)/n;
    if not IsFinite(Result) then
      if n=0 then
        raise EZeroDivide.Create
      else
        raise EOverflow.Create;
  except
    on EZeroDivide do Result:=0.0;
    on E2: EOverflow do Result:=0.0;
    else
      raise EAbort.Create('Something other: '+String(JS.JSExceptObject));
  end;
End;
End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System","SysUtils"],
function(){
  this.DoIt=function(n){
    Result = 0;
    var E = null;
    try{
      Result = 7.0 / n;
      if (!IsFinite(Result)){
        if (n==0){
          throw pas.SysUtils.EZeroDivide.$create("Create");
        } else {
          throw pas.SysUtils.EOverflow.$create("Create");
        };
      };
    }catch($e){
      if (pas.SysUtils.EZeroDivide.isPrototypeOf($e)){
        Result = 0.0;
      } else if (pas.SysUtils.EOverflow.isPrototypeOf($e)){
        var E2 = $e;
        Result = 0.0;
      } else {
        throw pas.SysUtils.EAbort.$create("Create",["Something other: "+(""+$e)]);
      }
    }
    return Result;
  };
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Division by zero does not raise an exception in JavaScript. Instead it results in Infinity, except for 0/0 which results in NaN.
  • There is no ExceptObject in SysUtils.
  • When calling external functions keep in mind that JS allows to throw (raise) any value, often a string.
    You can access the current except value via JSExceptValue in unit JS.
    Note that this is only valid inside the catch-block. The compiler will not warn, if you use it outside.


Translating enumerators

The for..in..do supports enumerating:

  • ordinal types like char, boolean, byte, ..., longword, enums, custom ranges are translated to a for loop.
  • set types are translated to a for loop, while const sets and set variables are enumerated via a for(...in...) loop.
  • string and array variables are enumerated via for loops.
  • for aString in ArrayOfString do ...
  • for key in jsvalue do translates to for (key in jsvalue){}
  • for key in ExternalClass do
    • If the externalclass has a ''length'' and a matching default property it uses the enumeration of an array. For example for value in TJSArray do enumerates the values of the array, not the index. It checks if the array is nil.
    • Otherwise it translates to for (key in externalclass){}, which enumerates the keys (property names) of the JS object.

The class GetEnumerator function is translated like this:

Pascal JavaScript 
Unit MyModule;
Interface

uses Classes;

procedure DoIt(List: TList);

Implementation

procedure DoIt(List: TList);
var
  Item: Pointer;
begin
  for Item in List do
    if Item<>nil then ;
end;

End.

rtl.module("MyModule",
["System","Classes"],
function(){
  this.DoIt=function(List){
    var Item = null;
    var $in1 = List;
    try {
      while ($in1.MoveNext()) {
        Item = $in1.GetCurrent();
        if (Item !== null) ;
      }
    } finally {
      $in1 = rtl.freeLoc($in1)
    };
  };
},
[]);

Notes:

  • Not supported: operator Enumerator, member modifier enumerator (i.e. custom Current and MoveNext)


Translating function types

JavaScript functions work like Delphi's "reference to function", which means like closures, capturing outer variables. Assigning a normal function or nested function to a procedural variable is translated to a simple assignment. A Pascal method needs this to be the class or class instance.
Note that bind cannot be used, because it does not support the equal operator. Instead a wrapper is created:

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
type
  TMyMethod = procedure(n: integer) of object;
  TBird = class
    procedure DoIt(n: integer); virtual; abstract;
  end;
  TMyProc = procedure(n: integer);
procedure DoSome(n: integer);
begin
end;
var
  m: TMyMethod;
  Bird: TBird;
  p: TMyProc;
Begin
  m:=@Bird.DoIt;
  m(3);
  p:=@DoSome;
  p(4);
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System","UnitA"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClass($mod,"TBird",pas.System.TObject,function(){
    this.DoIt = function (n) {
    };
  });
  this.DoSome = function (n) {
  };
  this.m = null;
  this.Bird = null;
  this.p = null;
  $mod.$main = function() {
    $mod.m = rtl.createCallback($mod.Bird,"DoIt");
    $mod.m(3);
    $mod.p = $mod.DoSome;
    $mod.p(4);
  };
},
[]);

rtl = {
  ...
  createCallback: function(scope, fn){
    var cb;
    if (typeof(fn)==='string'){
      cb = function(){
        return scope[fn].apply(scope,arguments);
      };
    } else {
      cb = function(){
        return fn.apply(scope,arguments);
      };
    };
    cb.scope = scope;
    cb.fn = fn;
    return cb;
  },
  ...

Notes:

  • You can assign a nested procedure to procedure variable. You don't need and you must not add the FPC "is nested" modifier.
  • In pas2js a procedural typed declared as reference to accepts procedures, local procedures and methods. Delphi only supports capturing procedures and methods. FPC 3.0.4 does not support reference-to.
  • In pas2js the calling convention safecall has a special meaning:
    Assigning a procedure/method, uses rtl.createSafeCallback instead of createCallback, enclosing a call in a try..catch block. When an exception is thrown by JS, it is caught and delegated to rtl.handleUncaughtException(err).
    For example:
    aButtonElement.OnClick:=@DoClick; uses rtl.createSafeCallback
    aButtonElement.OnClick:=SomeElement.OnClick; does not.


Translating anonymous functions

Anonymous functions are supported since pas2js 1.1.
Note that in pas2js local procedures are closures as well. See below.
For pas2js 1.0 the next best thing are local procedures. For example:

Delphi Pas2js 
Program MyModule;
type
  TAdder = reference to function(n: integer): integer;

function CreateAdder(a: integer): TAdder;
begin
  Result:=function(b: integer)
    begin
      Result:=a+b;
    end;
end;

var
  Adder: TAdder;
Begin
  Adder:=CreateAdder(3);
  writeln(Adder(5)); // gives 8
End.

Program MyModule;
type
  TAdder = reference to function(n: integer): integer;

function CreateAdder(a: integer): TAdder;
  function Add(b: integer): integer;
  begin
    Result:=a+b;
  end;
begin
  Result:=@Add;
end;

var
  Adder: TAdder;
Begin
  Adder:=CreateAdder(3);
  writeln(Adder(5)); // gives 8
End.


Translating var modifier absolute

The absolute modifier works as an alias. That means it works FPC/Delphi compatible for related types like Pointer and TObject, and works incompatible for unrelated types like longword and record (e.g. var r: TPoint absolute MyLongInt).
The modifier is currently only supported for local variables.

Translating assert()

The Assert(boolean[,string]) function is translated to if(bool) throw x. If unit sysutils is used, it creates an EAssertFailed exception.
Otherwise it throws a string.

  • Command line enable with -Sa, disable with -Sa-
  • In code enable with {$C+} or {$Assertions on}, disable with {$C-} or {$Assertions off}


Dispatch messages

The procedure modifier message and the Dispatch method works similar to FPC/Delphi, as it expects a record of a specific format and TObject.Dispatch calls the corresponding method with that message number or string.
The procedure modifier message <integer> adds an entry to hidden YourClass.$msgint object, while the modifier message <string> adds an entry to the hidden YourClass.$msgstr object.
Two new directives {$DispatchField fieldname} and {$DispatchStrField fieldname} were added. Insert these directives in front of your class declaration to let the compiler check all methods with message modifiers of this class and its descendants whether they pass a record with the required field. For example: 


  {$DispatchField Msg} // enable checking message methods for record field name "Msg"
  {$DispatchStrField MsgStr}
  TObject = class
    procedure Dispatch(var aMessage); virtual;
    procedure DispatchStr(var aMessage); virtual;
  end;
  TMouseDownMsg = record
    Id: integer; // Id instead of Msg, works in FPC, but not in pas2js
    x,y: integer;
  end;
  TMouseUpMsg = record
    MsgStr: string;
    X,Y: integer;
  end;
  TWinControl = class
    procedure MouseDownMsg(var Msg: TMouseDownMsg); message 3; // warning: Dispatch requires record field Msg
    procedure MouseUpMsg(var Msg: TMouseUpMsg); message 'up'; // ok, record with string field name MsgStr
  end;

Note that descendant classes can override the $DispatchField or disable the check using {$DispatchField -}.

Calling JavaScript from Pascal

Pas2js allows to write low level functions and/or access a JavaScript library with the following possibilities:

The asm block

The asm block is pure JavaScript, that is copied directly into the generated .js file.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
var
  s: string;
Begin
  s = 'Hello World!';
  Asm
    console.log(s);
  End;
End.

rtl.module("program",
 ["System"],
 function(){
   var $mod = this;
   this.s = '';
   $mod.$main = function(){
     $mod.s = "Hello World!";
     console.log(s);
   };
 },
 []);

Notes:

  • The block is indented to produce more readable JS code. All lines are indented or unindented the same amount, i.e. sub indentation is kept.
  • The compiler does neither parse, nor check the syntax of the JS.
  • The compiler does not know what Pascal identifiers are used by the asm-block and might remove them, if no Pascal code is using them. To make sure that an identifier is kept, add some dummy code like if MyVar=0 then;
  • Accessing an interface, program or library identifier:
    • From inside the module you can use $mod.Identifier.
    • Otherwise use the fully qualified path pas.Unitname.Identifier.
  • Accessing an implementation identifier:
    • From inside the unit you can use $impl.Identifier.
    • Otherwise use the path pas.Unitname.$impl.Identifier.
  • Accessing a class instance member (field, procedure, function, constructor, destructor) from a method of the class: use this.Identifier. Inside a nested function of a method you use the Self.Identifier.
  • Accessing a class member (class var, class procedure, class function) from a method of the class: for writing use this.$class.Identifier, for reading you can omit the $class.
  • Accessing a class member (class var, class procedure, class function) from a class method of the class: use this.Identifier.
  • Access to Properties must use the getter/setter.
  • When calling a Pascal method, make sure the this is correct:
    • A class method (e.g. class function, class procedure) needs the class as this.
      Wrong: aCar.DoIt(params,...)
      Correct: aCar.$class.DoIt(params,...)
  • Calling a Pascal function from a HTML/DOM-element: For example to call a function when user clicks a DOM element you can assign a function to the onclick property. This will call the function with this set to the DOM element.
    Pascal methods needs a wrapper to set this to the instance. Examples:
    • An unit function: DOMElement.onclick = $mod.DoIt;
    • An implementation function: DOMElement.onclick = $impl.DoIt;.
    • A method: DOMElement.onclick = this.DoIt.bind(this);
    • A class function/procedure: DOMElement.onclick = this.DoIt.bind(this.$class);
    • A nested function: DOMElement.onclick = DoIt;.


The procedure modifier assembler

You can write pure JavaScript functions like this:

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;

Procedure Log(const s: string); assembler;
Asm
  console.log(s);
end;

Begin
  Log('Hello World!');
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.Log = function(s){
    console.log(s);
  };
  $mod.$main = function(){
    $mod.Log("Hello World!");
  };
},
[]);

See also [#asm asm].

The procedure modifier external

The procedure modifier external requires a string constant and tells the compiler to replace a reference with this string value. The value is not checked for JS syntax.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
Procedure ConsoleLog(const s: string); external name 'console.log';
// Note: an external procedure has no begin..end block
Begin
  ConsoleLog('Hello World!');
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  $mod.$main = function(){
    console.log("Hello World!");
  };
},
[]);


The procedure modifier varargs

Appending the varargs modifier to a procedure allows to pass arbitrary more parameters to a function. By default these parameters are untyped, i.e. any type fits. Alternatively you can use varargs of aType to allow only specific types.
To access these arguments use either JSArguments from unit JS or an asm..end block.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
uses JS;
function Sum(b: boolean): longint; varargs;
var i: longint;
begin
  if b then
    asm
      for (var i=0; i<arguments.length; i++) Result+=arguments[i];
    end
  else
    for i:=0 to JSArguments.length-1 do
      Result:=Result+longint(JSArguments[i]);
end;
var
  i: integer;
Begin
  i:=Sum(true,2,4,6); // i=12
  i:=Sum(false,2,4,6); // i=12
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System","JS"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.Sum = function(b){
    var Result = 0;
    var i = 0;
    if (b){
      for (var i=0; i<arguments.length; i++) Result+=arguments[i];
    } else {
      for (var $l1 = 1, $le2 = argumens.length; $l1 <= $le2; $l1++){
        $i = $l1;
        Result = Result + arguments[i];
      }
    }
    return Result;
  };
  this.i = 0;
  $mod.$main = function(){
    $mod.i = $mod.Sum(true,2,4,6);
    $mod.i = $mod.Sum(false,2,4,6);
  };
},
[]);

The above example defines a function Sum, that requires the first parameter to be a boolean and then an arbitrary number of parameters. The compiler does not type check the other parameters, so you can pass anything readable.

The var modifier external

The var modifier external allows to use a JavaScript variable or constant.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
var
  EulersNumber: Double; external name 'Math.E';
  d: double;
Begin
  d:=EulersNumber;
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  this.d = 0.0;
  $mod.$main = function(){
    $mod.d = Math.E;
  };
},
[]);


The external modifier of class members

The method modifier external works as the procedure modifier, except it uses the scope of the class or instance.
The field modifier external works as the var modifier, except it uses the scope of the class or instance.
Requires the modeswitch externalclass.

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
{$modeswitch externalclass}
type
  TWrapper = class
  private
    // let's assume this object has the properties "$Handle", "$id", and "0"
  public
    Id: NativeInt; external name '$Id';
    x: NativeInt; external name '[0]';
    y: NativeInt; external name '["A B"]';
    function GetState(typ: longint): NativeInt; external name '$Handle.GetState';
    procedure DoIt;
  end;
procedure TWrapper.DoIt;
begin
  Id := GetState(4);
end;
var
  W: TWrapper;
Begin
  W.Id := 2;
  W.x := 3;
  W.y := 4;
  W.GetState(5);
End.

rtl.module("program",
["System"],
function(){
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClass($mod, "TWrapper", pas.System.TObject, function () {
    this.DoIt = function(){
      this.$Id = this.$Handle.GetState(4);
    };
  });
  this.W = null;
  $mod.$main = function(){
    $mod.W.$Id = 2;
    $mod.W[0] = 3;
    $mod.W["A B"] = 4;
    $mod.W.$Handle.GetState(5);
  };
},
[]);
  • Non identifiers like "0" or "A B" must be enclosed in brackets.


External classes

pas2js introduces a new class modifier "external name", which makes the whole class external. External classes allow to easily declare Pascal wrappers for JavaScript objects and function objects.
They need the modeswitch externalclass in front of the class.
An external class is not a TObject and has none of its methods.
All members are external. If you omit the external modifier the external name is the member name. Keep in mind that JS is case sensitive.
Properties work the same as with Pascal classes, i.e. are replaced by Getter/Setter.
Destructors are not allowed.
Constructors are supported in four ways:

  • constructor New is translated to new ExtClass(params), and for nested external class: new ExtParentClass.ExtClass(Params)
  • constructor New; external name ''GlobalFunc'' is translated to new GlobalFunc(params).
  • constructor SomeName; external name '{}' is translated to {}.
  • Otherwise it is translated to new ExtClass.FuncName(params), and for nested external class: new ExtParentClass.ExtClass.FuncName(params).
Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
{$modeswitch externalclass}
type
  TJSDate = class external name 'Date'
  private
    function getYear: NativeInt;
    procedure setYear(const AValue: NativeInt);
  public
    constructor New;
    constructor New(const MilliSecsSince1970: NativeInt);
    class function now: NativeInt;
    property Year: NativeInt read getYear write setYear;
  end;
var
  d: TJSDate;
Begin
  d:=TJSDate.New;
  d.Year:=d.Year+1;
End.

rtl.module("program",["System"],function () {
  var $mod = this;
  this.d = null;
  $mod.$main = function () {
    $mod.d = new Date();
    $mod.d.setYear($mod.d.getYear() + 1);
  };
});

Notes:

  • An external class can descend from another external class.
  • Any class instance can be type casted to any root class.
  • A Pascal class can descend from an external class.
  • You can define a class-of external class and the is and as operators work similar.
  • Class variables work as in JavaScript. That means, each descendant and each instance can have its own value. For example TExtA.Value might be different from InstanceExtA.Value. Setting InstanceExtA.Value does not change TExtA.Value.
  • Const with an expression are replaced by the expression.
  • Const without an expression are treated as a readonly variable.
  • Class functions and class procedures are allowed, but can only be called via the class, not via an instance.
    For example you can call the class function TJSString.fromCharCode(), but you cannot call aJSString.fromCharCode().
  • Since class types are JS objects it is possible to typecast a class type to the JS Object, e.g. TJSObject(TObject). Note that you cannot typecast directly to a TJSObject descendant in $mode objfpc. You can use TJSWindow(TJSObject(ExtClassInstance)).
  • You can typecast function addresses and function references to JS function, e.g. TJSFunction(@SomeProc), TJSFunction(OnClick). Keep in mind that typecasting a method address creates a function wrapper to bind the Self argument, except when typecasting to TJSFunction (pas2js 1.5+).

External class as ancestor

A Pascal class can descend from an external class - a JS object or function.
The methods AfterConstruction and BeforeDestruction are called if they exist.
New instances of a JS Object descendant are created by default with Object.create(ancestorclass).
New instances of a JS Function descendant are created by default with new DescendantFunc().
You can override this, by providing a non private
class function NewInstance(fnname: string; const paramsarray): TPasClass; virtual;. This method is called to create a new instance and before calling the constructor. The name is arbitrary, but the function must be the first non private, non external, virtual class function with the class as result type.

Pascal JavaScript 
// Example for descending a Pascal class from a JS Object
Program MyModule;
{$modeswitch externalclass}
type
  TExtA = class external name 'ExtA'
  end;
  TMyB = class(TExtA)
  protected
    // optional: override default allocation
    class function NewInstance(fnname: string; const paramarray): TMyB; virtual;
  end;
class function TMyB.NewInstance(fnname: string; const paramarray): TMyB;
Begin
  asm
  Result = Object.create(ExtA); // that is what the rtl does
  end;
End;

Begin
End.

rtl.module("program",["System"],function () {
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClassExt($mod, "TMyB", ExtA, "NewInstance", function () {
    this.$init = function () {
    };
    this.$final = function () {
    };
    this.NewInstance = function (fnname, paramarray) {
      var Result = null;
      Result = Object.create(ExtA);
      return Result;
    };
  });
  $mod.$main = function () {
  };
});
Pascal JavaScript 
// Example for descending a Pascal class from a JS Function
Program MyModule;
{$modeswitch externalclass}
uses JS;
type
  TExternalFunc = class external name 'ExternalFunc'(TJSFunction)
    constructor New(a: word);
  end;
  TMyFunc = class(TExternalFunc)
    constructor Create(b: word);
  end;
constructor TMyFunc.Create(b: word);
Begin
  inherited New(b+1); // optional: call inherited constructor function
End;

var
  f: TMyFunc;
Begin
  f:=TMyFunc.Create(3);
  writeln(jsInstanceOf(f,TExternalFunc)); // writes true, instanceof operator works as expected
End.

rtl.module("program",["System","js"],function () {
  var $mod = this;
  rtl.createClassExt($mod, "TMyFunc", ExternalFunc, "", function () {
    this.$init = function () {
    };
    this.$final = function () {
    };
    this.Create$2 = function (b) {
      this.$ancestorfunc(b+1);
    };
  });
  this.f = null;
  $mod.$main = function () {
    f = $mod.TMyFunc.$create("Create$2",[3]);
    pas.System.Writeln(pas.JS.jsInstanceOf(f,ExternalFunc));
  };
});

The JSValue type

Pas2js introduces a new type JSValue, which works similar to a JS variable. You can assign almost any value to it and it can be type casted to many types. JSValue is useful for JS wrappers, when a variable can have multiple types. And it can be used for containers storing arbitrary data, e.g. a list of JSValue.
Key features:

  • A JSValue variable initial value is undefined.
  • Operators: =, <>
  • type casting a JSValue to ...
    • Integer: Math.floor(aJSValue) Note: may return NaN
    • Boolean: !(aJSValue == false) Note: works for numbers too, 0==false
    • Double: rtl.getNumber(aJSValue) Note: typeof(n)=="number"?n:NaN;
    • String: ""+aJSValue
    • Char: rtl.getChar(aJSValue) Note: ((typeof(c)!="string") && (c.length==1)) ? c : ""
    • class instance or class-of: rtl.getObject() Note: checks for type "object"
    • enum type
    • pointer
  • A JSValue in a conditional expressions If aJSValue then, while aJSValue do, repeat until aJSValue has the same meaning as in JS: the condition is true, if the value is not undefined, false, null, NaN, 0, ''. Note that new Boolean(false) is not null and the condition is true.
  • function Assigned(V: jsvalue): boolean returns true if
    (V!=undefined) && (V!=null) && (!rtl.isArray(V) || (V.length > 0))
  • function StrictEqual(const A: jsvalue; const B): boolean
  • function StrictInequal(const A: jsvalue; const B): boolean
  • Any array can be assigned to an array of jsvalue.
  • is-operator: jsvalue is class-type, jsvalue is class-of-type
  • The unit JS provides many utility functions for JSValue, like hasString, hasValue, isBoolean, isNumber, isInteger, isObject, isClass, isClassInstance, etc..


Accessing JS object properties with the bracket accessor

Pas2js allows to define index properties that map directly to the JS object properties. For example the default property of TJSObject allows to get and set the properties of an object. For example TJSObject(AnObject)['Name']:=Value;
Another example is the default property of TJSArray, that allows access via integers aTJSArray[3]:=Value;
To define your own bracket accessor define a normal index property and define the getter/setter as external name '[]'.
Here is an example for a read only accessor:

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;
{$modeswitch externalclass}
type
  TExtA = class external name 'ExtA'
  private
    function GetItems(Index: integer): String; external name '[]';
  public
    property Items[Index: integer]: String read GetItems; default;
  end;
var
  Obj: TExtA;
  s: String;
Begin
  ... get Obj from somewhere ...
  s:=Obj[2];
End.

rtl.module("program",["System"],function () {
  var $mod = this;
  this.Obj = undefined;
  this.s = "";
  $mod.$main = function () {
    $mod.s = Obj[2];
  };
});

Notes:

  • A property can have a mix of normal accessor and bracket accessor. For example a bracket accessor as getter and a normal function as setter.


RTTI - Run Time Type Information

The RTTI provides access to the type data of all published properties, fields and methods. The type data provides similar information as Delphi/FPC, but the internals are very different. Delphi/FPC uses pointers, variant records and fake static arrays, which have no equivalent in JS. Instead pas2js uses external classes. For example: 


    TTypeInfo = class external name 'rtl.tTypeInfo'
    public
      Name: String external name 'name';
      Kind: TTypeKind external name 'kind';
    end;
    TTypeInfoClass = class of TTypeInfo;

    TTypeInfoInteger = class external name 'rtl.tTypeInfoInteger'(TTypeInfo)
    public
      MinValue: NativeInt external name 'minvalue';
      MaxValue: NativeInt external name 'maxvalue';
      OrdType : TOrdType external name 'ordtype';
    end;

The typeinfo function works on type, var, const and property identifiers. By default it returns a pointer. If the typinfo unit is used it returns the appropiate TTypeInfo. For instance typeinfo(integer) returns a TTypeInfoInteger.
Typeinfo of a var or const returns the typeinfo of its type, not of its current runtime value. The exception is a class and class-of instance variable (e.g. var o: TObject; ... typeinfo(o)), which returns the typeinfo of the current runtime value. If o is nil it will give a JS error.
Local types (i.e. inside a procedure) do not have typeinfo.
Open array parameters are not yet supported.
Note that FPC typeinfo(aClassVar) returns the compiletime type, so it works on nil.

Async/AWait

Pas2js supports the JS operators async and await to simplify the use of Promise. The await operator corresponds to three intrinsic Pas2js functions:

  • function await(AsyncFunctionWithResultT()): T; // implicit promise, the inner () can be omitted
  • function await(aType; p: TJSPromise): aType; // explicit promise requires the resolved type
  • function await(aType; j: jsvalue): aType; // explicit promise requires the resolved type

The await function can only be used inside a procedure with the async modifier.
Example for the explicit promise:

Pascal JavaScript 
Program MyModule;

uses JS, Web;

function ResolveAfter2Seconds: TJSPromise;
begin
  Result:=TJSPromise.new(procedure(resolve, reject : TJSPromiseResolver)
    begin
    window.setTimeout(procedure
      begin
      resolve('resolved');
      end,
      2000); // wait 2 seconds
    end);
end;

procedure AsyncCall; async;
var s: string;
begin
  writeln('calling');
  s := await(string,resolveAfter2Seconds()); // does not check if result is really a string
  writeln(s); // expected output: 'resolved'
end;

begin
  AsyncCall;
end.

rtl.module("program",["System","JS","Web"],function () {
  "use strict";
  var $mod = this;
  this.ResolveAfter2Seconds = function () {
    var Result = null;
    Result = new Promise(function (resolve, reject) {
      window.setTimeout(function () {
        resolve("resolved");
      },2000);
    });
    return Result;
  };
  this.AsyncCall = async function () {
    var s = "";
    pas.System.Writeln("calling");
    s = await $mod.ResolveAfter2Seconds();
    pas.System.Writeln(s);
  };
  $mod.$main = function () {
    $mod.AsyncCall();
  };
});

Notes:

  • The await function does only compile time checks, no runtime checks.
  • Inside an async function/procedure you can pass a TJSPromise to the exit() function. For example:
    exit(aPromise);
    exit(inherited);


Compiler directives

In config files:

  • #IFDEF macroname
  • #IFNDEF macroname
  • #IF expression - same as $if, except only defines
  • #ELSEIF
  • #ELSE
  • #ENDIF
  • #ERROR text

In source files:

  • {$Define MacroName}: defines macro MacroName with value '1'.
  • {$Define MacroName:=value}: defines macro MacroName with custom value.
  • {$Undef MacroName}: undefines macro MacroName.
  • {$IfDef MacroName}: if MacroName is not defined, skip to next $Else or $EndIf. Can be nested.
  • {$IfNDef MacroName}: as $IfDef, except negated.
  • {$If boolean expression}: if expression evaluates to true (not '0'), skip to next $Else or $EndIf. Can be nested.
    Supported functions and operators:
    • macro - replaced by its value, a simple define has value '1'
    • defined(macro) - '1' if defined, '0' otherwise
    • undefined(macro) - as not defined(macro)
    • option(letter) - same as {$IFOpt letter+}
    • not - first level of precedence
    • *, /, div, mod, and, shl, shr - second level of precedence
    • +, -, or, xor - third level of precedence
    • =, <>, <, >, <=, >= - fourth level of precedence
    • If the operands can be converted to numbers they are combined as numbers, otherwise as strings. Not supported functions and operators:
    • defined(Pascal identifier), undefined(Pascal identifier)
    • declared(Pascal identifier)
    • in operator
  • {$IfOpt Letter+,-}: if expression evaluates to true (not '0'), skip to next $Else or $EndIf. Can be nested.
  • {$Else}: If previous $IfDef, $If or $IfOpt was skipped, execute next block, otherwise skip.
  • {$ElseIf boolean expression} : As $Else, except with an extra expression like $if to test. There can be multiple $elseif.
  • {$EndIf} : ends an $IfDef block
  • {$mode delphi} or {$mode objfpc} : Same as -Mdelphi or -Mobjfpc, but only for this unit. You can use units of both modes in a program. If present must be at the top of the unit, or after the module name.
  • {$modeswitch externalclass} : allow declaring external classes
  • {$modeswitch arrayoperators} : allow + operator to concatenate arrays, default in mode delphi
  • {$modeswitch OmitRTTI} : treat published sections as public
  • {$macro on|off} enables macro replacements. Only macros with a value are replaced. Macros are never replaced inside directives.
  • {$I filename} or {$include filename} - insert include file
  • {$I %param%} :
    • %date%: current date as string literal, '[yyyy/mm/dd]'
    • %time%: current time as string literal, 'hh:mm:ss'. Note that the inclusion of %date% and %time% will not cause the compiler to recompile the unit every time it is used: the date and time will be the date and time when the unit was last compiled.
    • %file%: current source filename as string literal, e.g. unit1.pas
    • %line%: current source line number as string literal, e.g. 123
    • %linenum%: current source line number as integer, e.g. 123
    • %currentroutine%: name of current routine as string literal
    • %pas2jstarget%, %pas2jstargetos%, %fpctarget%, %fpctargetos%: target os as string literal, e.g. 'Browser'
    • %pas2jstargetcpu%, %fpctargetcpu%: target cpu as string literal, e.g. 'ECMAScript5'
    • %pas2jsversion%, %fpcversion%: compiler version as strnig literal, e.g. '1.0.2'
    • If param is none of the above it will use the environment variable. Keep in mind that depending on the platform the name may be case sensitive. If there is no such variable an empty string '' is inserted.
  • {$Warnings on|off}
  • {$Notes on|off}
  • {$Hints on|off}
  • {$Error text} : emit an error
  • {$Warning text} : emit a warning
  • {$Note text} : emit a note
  • {$Hint text} : emit a hint
  • {$Message hint-text} : emit a hint
  • {$Message hint|note|warn|error|fatal text} : emit a message
  • {$Warn identifier on|off|default|error} : enable or disable a specific hint.
    Note, that some hints like "Parameter %s not used" are currently using the enable state at the end of the module, not the state at the hint source position.
    Identifier can be a message number as written by -vq or one of the following case insensitive:
    • CONSTRUCTING_ABSTRACT : Constructing an instance of a class with abstract methods.
    • IMPLICIT_VARIANTS : Implicit use of the variants unit.
    • NO_RETVAL : Function result is not set
    • SYMBOL_DEPRECATED : Deprecated symbol.
    • SYMBOL_EXPERIMENTAL : Experimental symbol
    • SYMBOL_LIBRARY
    • SYMBOL_PLATFORM : Platform-dependent symbol.
    • SYMBOL_UNIMPLEMENTED : Unimplemented symbol.
    • HIDDEN_VIRTUAL : method hides virtual method of ancestor
    • GARBAGE : text after final end.
    • BOUNDS_ERROR : range check errors
    • MESSAGE_DIRECTIVE : user defined $message
  • {$M+}, {$TypeInfo on} : switches default visibility for class members from public to published
  • {$ScopedEnums on|off} disabled(default): propagate enums to global scope, enable: needs fqn e.g. TEnumType.EnumValue.
  • {$C+} generate code for assertions
  • {$H+} , but not {$H-}
  • {$J-}, {$WriteableConst off} : Typed const become readonly. For example const i:byte=3; ... i:=4 creates a compile time error.
  • {$M+} : allow published members
  • {$Q+} : not yet supported, ignored
  • {$R+}, {$RangeChecks on} : compile time range check hints become errors and add runtime range checks for assignments.
  • {$ObjectChecks on|off} :
    • Verify method calls, i.e. check at runtime in every method if Self is a descendant class.
    • Check type casts, e.g. TBird(AnObject) becomes AnObject as TBird
  • {$DispatchField Msg} : enable checking message number methods for record field name "Msg"
  • {$DispatchStrField MsgStr} : enable checking message string methods for record field name "Msg"
  • {$Optimization Name} : same as command line option -OoName
  • {$linklib filename [alias]}:
    • filename filename to import.
    • alias alias for this import. Must be a pascal identifier. If no alias is specified, the last part of the filename is used, all non-alphanumeric characters are converted to underscores.

Defines:

  • PAS2JS
  • PAS2JS_FULLVERSION - major*1000+minor*100+release, e.g. 1.2.3 = 10203
  • Target platform: Browser, NodeJS, Pas2JSTargetOS=<value>
  • Target processor: ECMAScript5, ECMAScript6, ECMAScript=5, Pas2JSTargetCPU=<value>
  • Mode: DELPHI, OBJFPC

Numbers

JavaScript only supports double. All Pascal number types and enum values are mapped to this. A double supports integers from
 MinInteger = -$10000000000000;
 MaxInteger = $fffffffffffff;
 MinDouble = 5.0e-324;
 MaxDouble = 1.7e+308;

 Intrinsic integer types:
  • Byte - unsigned 8-bit
  • ShortInt - signed 8-bit
  • Word - unsigned 16-bit
  • SmallInt - signed 16-bit
  • LongWord - unsigned 32-bit
  • LongInt - signed 32-bit
  • NativeUInt - unsigned 53-bit
  • NativeInt - signed 54-bit

Notes:

  • Division by zero does not raise an exception. 0/0 results in NaN, positive/0 is Infinity, negative/0 is -Infinity.
  • NaN<>NaN
  • Overflows work differently. For example in Delphi adding 100 to a byte of 200 gives 300 and $ff = 44, while in pas2js it gives 300, which is not a byte anymore.
  • Math.isNan(double) tests for NaN. Otherwise false. isNan(Infinity)=false.
  • Math.isFinite(double) tests if not NaN, positive or negative infinity.
  • Math.isInfinite(double) tests if positive or negative infinity.
  • For more functions see unit Math.
  • To make porting easier Single is defined in the system unit as alias of double, but gives a warning. Since using higher precision might give unexpected results you should check every place.


Other supported Pascal elements

  • break, continue, exit, exit()
  • chr, ord
  • alias type and type alias type
  • inc() and dec() to += -=
  • Converts "a div b" to "Math.floor(a / b)"
  • and, or, xor, not: logical and bitwise
  • Name conflicts with JS identifiers are automatically fixed by changing case. For example a Pascal function "apply" is renamed to "Apply".
  • uses unitname in 'filename'. In $mode delphi the in-filenames are only allowed in the program and the unitname must fit the filename, e.g. uses unit1 in 'sub/Unit1.pas.
    In $mode objfpc units can use in-filenames too and alias are allowed, e.g. uses foo in 'bar.pas'.
  • The intrinsic procedure str works with boolean, integer, float and enumvalue.
    Additionally there is str function, that takes an arbitrary number of arguments and returns a concatenated string. It supports string as parameter too. For example s:=str(i,' ',d:1:5).
    Width and precision is supported. str(i:10) will add spaces to the left to fill up to 10 characters. str(aDouble:1:5) returns a string in decimal format with 5 digits for the fraction.
  • Intrinsic procedure WriteStr(out s: string; params...)
  • Debugger; converts to debugger;. If a debugger is running it will break on this line just like a break point.
  • function concat(string1,string2,...): string since 1.3
  • $mode delphi: function lo|hi(integer): byte since 1.3
  • $mode objfpc: function lo|hi(integer): byte|word|longword since 1.3
  • function GetTypeKind(Type or Var): TTypeKind; since 1.5

Not supported elements

  • Class destructor
  • Enums with custom values
  • Global properties
  • Futures
  • Inline
  • Objects
  • Operator overloading
  • Pointer arithmetic
  • Package
  • Resources
  • RTTI extended, $RTTI
  • Variant records
  • Variants

JavaScript Version

Code generation depending on -P option:

  • ECMAScript5
  • ECMAScript6: using 0b for binary literals, and 0o for octal literals


Creating source maps

Source maps are files telling the browser what JavaScript comes from which original source (e.g. Pascal file), similar to debug information in FPC/Delphi.
In 2017 FireFox and Chrome supports source maps.
You can enable generating source map files by using the -Jm option.
The compiler generates one module.js.map file for every generated module.js file. The last line of the .js file contains the line
//# sourceMappingURL=module.js.map
telling the browser where to find the source map.
The source map contains references to the Pascal files and included .js files (e.g. -Jirtl.js) relative to the location of the source map. Note that if the Pascal file lies in a parent directory, the relativ path contains '../'. You can change the base directory of the relative paths by using the option -Jmbasedir=<x>. For example -JmC:\www\pas creates paths relative to C:\www\pas.
You can set the base URL, where the browser finds the Pascal sources, by passing the -Jmsourceroot=<x> option. For example -Jmsourceroot=http://www.yoursite.com/pas/. The browser prepends this to the source map filenames when downloading the original source files (e.g. the .pas files).
You can include the whole Pascal sources in the source map using the option -Jminclude.

To show the generated mapping for each line you can use the tool fpc/packages/fcl-js/examples/srcmapdump.

See Also

Retrieved from "https://wiki.freepascal.org/index.php?title=Pas2js_Transpiler&oldid=156390"