Branch: review-fixes | Date: April 2, 2026
1. ecacf5f — Correct STRING_LITERAL grammar to accept any sequence of string parts
The EBNF for STRING_LITERAL only allowed a single quoted segment. In Delphi, a string literal can be a sequence of quoted parts, control characters (#nn), and caret sequences (^A). The grammar was corrected to accept any combination of these string parts.
2. fdb6209 — Remove redundant _ in IDENTIFIER EBNF and add & disambiguation rule
The IDENTIFIER production listed _ as a separate alternative even though it was already covered by the character set. Also added the & prefix rule that forces the lexer to treat a following reserved word as an identifier.
3. 843380b — Correct METHOD_HEADER grammar: class modifier precedes method kind keyword
The EBNF had the class keyword in the wrong position. In Delphi, class precedes the method kind: class function Foo not function class Foo.
4. 2a0434f — Use QualifiedIdent in ProcHeader/FuncHeader for method implementations in Appendix C.4
Method implementations use qualified names (TMyClass.DoSomething), but the EBNF used plain Ident. Changed to QualifiedIdent to match actual syntax.
5. fbe91bc — Replace undefined VALUE_TYPE_CONSTRUCTOR in §5.1 FACTOR and add if-expression disambiguation note
VALUE_TYPE_CONSTRUCTOR was used in the FACTOR production but never defined anywhere. Replaced with the correct production. Also added a note about disambiguating the if-expression (ternary operator) from the if-statement.
6. 94926f4 — Demote WriteLn/Write/Result/Self from keywords to predefined identifiers
In Delphi, WriteLn, Write, Result, and Self are not reserved words — they are predefined (magic) identifiers that can be redeclared. The token definitions were updated accordingly.
7. 4a23739 — Correct {$T-} and {$POINTERMATH} descriptions in compiler switch table in §17.2
The descriptions for {$T-} (typed pointers) and {$POINTERMATH} were swapped or inaccurate. Corrected to match the actual compiler behavior.
8. 4d8e86a — Clarify goto into/out of try blocks as compile-time error in §6.10
The spec said jumping into or out of a try block with goto was "undefined behavior." In Delphi, this is actually a compile-time error — the compiler rejects it.
9. 44bda59 — Clarify Round/Trunc validity in constant expression positions in §5.13
Round and Trunc were listed as valid in constant expressions, but they are not universally accepted by the compiler in all constant contexts (e.g., array bounds). Added a note about the limitations.
10. ba9ad93 — Specify valid positions for inline variable declarations in §4.5.3
The spec said inline vars can appear "at the point of first use" but did not specify where exactly they are permitted (e.g., not inside repeat..until condition, not inside with designator). Added the precise rules.
11. b3dba37 — Add generic angle-bracket disambiguation rule in §11.2
When the parser encounters Foo<Bar>, it must decide whether < is the start of a generic type parameter list or a relational less-than operator. Added the context-driven disambiguation rule the compiler uses.
12. 7dc376c — Add not in infix operator rule to grammar
The not in compound operator (Delphi 13+) needed its own grammar rule in the metamorf parser. Added expr.not_in at precedence 10 (relational level).
13. 6b7cec0 — Add uses SysUtils to mathlib.pas test fixture
The test file used Exception without importing SysUtils. Added the missing uses clause.
14. 13c5da8 — Document SetLength copy-on-write behavior for shared dynamic arrays in §3.6.1
When two dynamic array variables share the same backing store (reference count > 1), calling SetLength on one triggers a copy-on-write: the array is duplicated before resizing. This was undocumented.
15. 5fe4379 — Correct Variant arithmetic conversion priority: numeric types over string in §3.9.1
The spec implied string conversion could take priority in Variant arithmetic. In reality, numeric types always take precedence: Variant('3') + Variant(4) yields 7 (Integer), not '34' (string).
16. d2443e6 — Document for-loop control variable value after break in §6.7
After a break statement exits a for loop, the control variable retains the value it had at the iteration where break was executed. This behavior was unspecified.
17. 563e8cc — Clarify inherited behavior: bare form vs named form in §8.9
Bare inherited; (without a method name) silently does nothing if no ancestor method exists. Named inherited Foo; is a compile-time error if Foo does not exist in any ancestor. This distinction was unclear.
18. 842898e — Document partial-construction requirement for destructors when constructor raises in §8.6
When a constructor raises an exception (called on a class reference), Destroy is called automatically on the partially-constructed instance. Destructors must therefore tolerate zero-initialized fields. Added explicit documentation.
19. 35944a7 — Clarify {$M+} propagation through inheritance chain for default visibility in §8.3
The {$M+} directive (which changes default visibility from public to published) propagates through the inheritance chain: once a class is compiled with {$M+}, all descendants inherit published as the default visibility, regardless of their own compiler state.
20. 675e1c3 — Document hidden result pointer for large-value return types in §18.1.1
When a function returns a large value type (record, string, dynamic array, Variant), the caller allocates space and passes a hidden pointer as an extra parameter. This calling-convention detail was undocumented.
21. 1bc8ac3 — Move Pi from math functions table to predefined constants in §19.2/§19.3.7
Pi is a predefined constant, not a function. It was incorrectly listed in the math functions table. Moved to the predefined constants section.
22. 87d4e35 — Clarify bare raise outside except block as compile-time error in §13.2
A bare raise; (without an exception object) is only valid inside an except block to re-raise the current exception. Using it elsewhere is a compile-time error, not a runtime error as previously implied.
23. fcb2e21 — Fix triple-quoted multi-line strings version: Delphi 11, not 12 in §1.8.1
Triple-quoted multi-line strings ('''...''') were introduced in Delphi 11 Alexandria, not Delphi 12 Athens as stated. Corrected the version reference.
24. 0c02dab — Add EXPORTS_CLAUSE to DECLARATION_SECTION in §4.1
The exports clause was described in §2.2 and Appendix C.2 but was missing from the DECLARATION_SECTION production in §4.1. Added for consistency.
25. 485105b — Soften RawByteString restriction: inadvisable, not prohibited in §3.5.2
The spec said RawByteString "must not" be used as a variable type. In practice, the compiler allows it — it is inadvisable (because the code page is undefined) but not prohibited. Softened the language.
26. 6be4baa — Document type inference limitations for generic method calls in §11.4.1
Delphi's type inference for generic method calls is limited: it only infers from direct argument-to-parameter matches, not from return type context or nested expressions. Documented the specific limitations.
27. 71fc40b — Use @label: prefix for labels in symbol table to avoid conflating with constants
In the metamorf semantics implementation, labels and constants could collide in the symbol table. Added a @label: prefix to label entries to ensure distinct namespaces.
28. f7df14e — Dispatch WriteLn/Write by name in stmt.ident_stmt and clean up grammar rules
Refactored the metamorf grammar to dispatch WriteLn and Write by identifier name rather than by dedicated keyword tokens. Removed the now-unnecessary self/writeln/write grammar rules.
29. de74bf8 — Fix directive count: 70+ → 59 in Appendix A.2
The heading claimed "70+" directives but only 59 are listed. Updated the count and its cross-reference in §A.1.
30. 638eaf3 — Remove implementation-specific W1020 warning code from §8.2.1
A normative language specification should not reference internal compiler warning codes. Replaced "the compiler issues a warning (W1020)" with descriptive language.
31. 7ef6122 — Add obsolescence note for absolute INTEGER_LITERAL form in §4.5.2
The integer-literal form of absolute dates from 16-bit real-mode DOS and causes access violations on modern protected-mode platforms. Added a warning that it exists only for backward compatibility.
32. 0d39fd0 — Clarify Pi type is platform-dependent in §4.3.1 and §19.2
On Win64 Extended = Double, so Pi has only ~15 significant digits rather than the ~19 digits available with 80-bit Extended on Win32. Added notes in both the example comment and the predefined constants table.
33. 90bff43 — Clarify on/at terminology: context-restricted reserved words in §A.1
The phrase "context-sensitive reserved words" is an oxymoron: reserved words are by definition not context-sensitive (unlike directives). Replaced with "context-restricted reserved words" and expanded the explanation of their dual nature.
34. eba2f44 — Add editorial note in §8.12 about misplacement in Classes chapter
Operator overloading applies only to records, yet §8.12 lives in Chapter 8 (Classes). Added a visible note directing readers to the canonical treatment in §10.4.
35. 918f211 — Add Win64 VMT offsets and symbolic formula in Appendix F.2
The table previously showed Win32 offsets only with a vague note about Win64 being different. Added a Win64 column (offset × 2 since all entries are pointer-sized) and a general formula.
36. 86ac60c — Add Delphi 13 vs 13.1 version numbering clarification
Features are tagged inconsistently as "Delphi 13+" and "Delphi 13.1+" throughout the spec. Added a note explaining the relationship: both share the Florence codename, "Delphi 13+" means both releases, "Delphi 13.1+" means Florence-update-only.
37. 82f1c38 — Add parsing disambiguation rules for is not and not in operators
Both are two-token compound operators that could be ambiguous with the unary not prefix. Added formal parsing rules: not after is is absorbed into the compound operator; not in is only recognized in infix position after a complete left-hand expression.
38. 1de8e36 — Document with-statement and inline variable scope interaction in §6.14
Inline variable declarations inside a with-block interact with the with-scope injection in non-obvious ways. Added a note explaining shadowing behavior in both directions.
39. 33dbad7 — Expand property specifier inheritance rules in §8.10.1
The spec said specifiers are "inherited" but did not detail which specifiers carry forward during partial re-declaration. Added explicit rules for read, write, default, stored, index, visibility, and type.
40. 7865a9f — Add missing EBNF productions and terminal definitions in Appendix C
Defines ClassVarSection, OperatorDecl, ClassConstructorDecl, and ClassDestructorDecl which were referenced but never defined. Adds new §C.11 with formal definitions for all terminal symbols used in the grammar: Ident, Number, IntegerLiteral, RealLiteral, StringLiteral, StringConst, BoolConst, GUID, and AsmInstruction.
41. 653f142 — Document class constructors and class destructors in new §8.7.1
These were referenced in the EBNF (§8.1) but completely undocumented. Added syntax, execution timing, rules about no-explicit-calls, no-inheritance, use cases, and exception safety behavior.
42. e7b3f0e — Document TMonitor hidden monitor field in §8.17
Every TObject instance has a hidden pointer-sized field for built-in lock support via System.TMonitor. This was completely unmentioned in the spec despite being a significant runtime feature since Delphi 2009.
43. 325c374 — Add {$ZEROBASEDSTRINGS} deprecation guidance in §17.2
RTL functions remain 1-based regardless of this directive, making it a source of subtle off-by-one bugs. The mobile compilers it was designed for have been retired. Added recommendation against use.
44. 74b443c — Explain packed set syntax and semantics in §3.6.3
The packed modifier is accepted before set of but has no effect since Delphi sets are already bit vectors. Added explanation noting this differs from packed record/packed array where packed does change layout.
45. 219fa8d — Add CompilerVersion/VERxxx history table in §17.4.1
The spec only mentioned VER370 and VER360 in passing. Added a complete mapping from Delphi 7 (15.0/VER150) through Delphi 13.1 Florence (37.1/VER371) with CompilerVersion float values and VERxxx symbols.
46. 33d7c37 — Document Assigned() behavior with method references
Assigned() was listed for pointer/object/proc but method references (which are interface-backed) were unmentioned. Added method reference support to both the §5.14 summary and §19.3.5 table.
47. a2ad55b — Fix codenames: Delphi 13 is Florence not Athens, add repo reference
Athens is Delphi 12's codename. Both Delphi 13.0 and 13.1 are Florence. Corrected the version note and CompilerVersion table. Added reference to omonien/Delphi-Version-Information for the comprehensive version mapping.
48. 7830891 — State TArray<T> open array compatibility explicitly in §3.6.1
The existing note was minimal. Expanded to clearly confirm that TArray<T> is fully compatible with open array parameters and that this is the primary mechanism for passing generic collection contents to non-generic routines.
49. 99df34a — Expand Supports() documentation with all overloads and examples in §9.9
Only two of four overloads were shown, and no usage examples were provided. Added the two-argument overloads (test-only, no out param) and the common query-and-use pattern.
50. 02b5c77 — Reconcile lexical terminology and Appendix C terminals with current Delphi documentation in Chapter 1 / Appendix A / Appendix C
The lexical chapter still used ASCII-only identifier grammar, CHAR_LITERAL terminology for #nn/#$nn string fragments, and appendix-terminal definitions that had drifted from the revised Chapter 1 wording. The wording was reconciled to use Unicode-aware identifier rules, CONTROL_STRING terminology, clearer classification of context-restricted reserved words and class-scope directive words, and Appendix C terminal aliases that now point back to the lexical productions actually used by the document.
51. 56311b7 — Define chapter-level identifier aliases and align UNIT_NAME grammar after lexical rewrite
After the Chapter 1 lexical rewrite, later grammar snippets still used the shorthand nonterminals IDENT and IDENT_LIST without defining them in the main text, and §2.3 still repeated UNIT_NAME using the older identifier form. Added explicit chapter-level aliases in §1.4.1 and aligned the repeated UNIT_NAME production so the main grammar remains internally consistent without relying on Appendix C as hidden glue.
52. 6863e0e — Verify compiler-accepted lexical edge cases for &, numeric separators, and caret control strings
Targeted Delphi 13.1 Florence compiler experiments confirmed that &begin and &77 are disambiguated as escaped identifier vs octal literal, underscore separators are accepted in decimal/hex/binary/octal numerals, and legacy caret control-string fragments such as ^A, ^M, and ^? compile and contribute single control characters inside string literals. The reference and evidence artifacts were updated to reflect these compiler-verified facts, while keeping the undocumented full caret-mapping table labeled as implementation-defined.