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The Atari Pascal Language System (usually shortened to Atari Pascal) is a version of the Pascal programming language released by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 8-bit computers[1] in March 1982.[2] Atari Pascal was published through the Atari Program Exchange as unsupported software instead of in Atari's official product line.[3] It requires two disk drives, which greatly limited its potential audience. It includes a 161-page manual.[2]
Development
editAtari Pascal was developed by MT Microsystems, which was owned by Digital Research. It's similar to MT/PASCAL+ from the same company.[3] The compiler produces code for a virtual machine, as with UCSD Pascal, instead of generating machine code, but the resulting programs are as much as seven times faster than Apple Pascal.[3] MT Microsystems wrote Atari Pascal with a planned "super Atari" 8-bit model in mind, one with 128K of RAM and dual-floppy drives (similar to a common configuration of the 1983 Apple IIe).[3] This machine never materialized, but the software was released because of pressure within Atari, though only through the Atari Program Exchange.
Atari's 1980 in-store demonstration program mentions Pascal as one of the available programming languages, despite Atari Pascal not being released until 1982.
Other Pascal implementations
editDraper Pascal was released in 1983[4] and Kyan Pascal in 1986.[5] Each works with a single floppy drive, a point emphasized in Draper Pascal magazine ads.
References
edit- ^ "Atari Pascal Language System". Atari Mania.
- ^ a b "Atari Pascal Language System Reference & Operations Manual" (PDF). Atari Mania.
- ^ a b c d Tillman, Raymond T. (May 1983). "Atari PASCAL - A Good Product?". ANALOG Computing. No. 11. p. 42.
- ^ "Draper Pascal". Atari Mania.
- ^ "Kyan Pascal". Atari Mania.
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