Embarcadero Delphi

Delphi is an application developed by company Borland development environment for the programming language Object Pascal. In November 2006, the development team of development tools, including Delphi was spun off from Borland in a new subsidiary called CodeGear. On 7 May 2008, the IDE division was sold to Embarcadero Technologies.

Origin of the name

The name Delphi has its origin in the strong database orientation of the development environment. Oracle is the name of a database system as well as the English word for oracle. The best-known oracle applies the oracle of Delphi. This relationship is also known as Borland employees as the origin of the name.

Development

Delphi EEP (Early Experience Program )

The first pre-release version of Delphi was sold by Borland to a limited circle developers in autumn 1994. This along with its source code shipping version still showed significant differences for the next version of Delphi 1

Delphi 1 ( Codename: Delphi)

The first version of Delphi was released on 14 February 1995 and produced only code for 16- bit applications for Windows 3.x. The scope of the supplied components was relatively low.

Delphi 2 (codenamed Polaris )

Delphi 2 was released in March 1996 and is the first version that could create 32 -bit applications for Windows. The previous version of Delphi 1 and the English version of Delphi 2 were included in addition to the CD- ROM.

Delphi 2 was significantly developed by the transition from 16 to 32 bits. In addition to more modern components to the Windows 95 style, the advantage was mainly at the local store much larger. Before the size of all data types to a maximum of 64 Kbytes (-16 bytes) was limited. Strings could only be 255 characters long. Now strings and data structures up to 2 GB could be large or long.

Delphi 3 ( Codename: Ivory )

Delphi 3 was released in May 1997.

Significant changes from the previous version were the elimination of numerous bugs, an extension of the IDE by Code Insight, more common control components ( ToolBar, cool bar ) and the inclusion of components for Internet protocols. The most important change is the introduction of the "Packages". In version 2 additional components had to be integrated in the component library. With the introduction of the packages internal or external components could be dynamically added or removed.

Delphi 4 ( Codename: Allegro)

Delphi 4 was released in July 1998 and brought the support for dynamic arrays and action lists as well as some improvements in the IDE, especially in terms of clarity and managing large projects and project groups.

Delphi 5 ( Codename: Argus)

Delphi 5 was released in August 1999. With Delphi 5 could be accessed through ADO databases for the first time. This extension had to be bought as ADO Express in the Professional version, however. In addition, components have found their way, which could be accessed via OLE in Microsoft Office applications. This has previously been possible, however, by directly calling the OLE commands.

Delphi 6 (code name: Iliad )

Delphi 6 was released in May 2001. With Delphi 6 could be generated by the additive modeling tool ModelMaker from UML models Delphi program code for the first time. Model Maker allows you to create diagrams in the Unified Modeling Language UML, a standard language for modeling object-oriented systems. As the programmer is thus reduced. For database access, the new interface dbExpress found its way.

Enumerated types can a certain ordinal value is assigned.

Delphi 7 (codenamed Aurora)

Delphi 7 was released in August 2002. With Delphi 7 compiler for a preview. NET development was delivered in Delphi. The modeling tool ModelMaker was integrated from this version in Delphi. The report generator was changed with Delphi 7 of QuickReport towards Nevrona Rave Reports 5.

Delphi 8 ( Codename: Octane )

Delphi 8 was published in December 2003. It comprised only. NET Development. The package therefore Delphi 7 was included.

Delphi 2005 (Code Name: Diamond Back )

Delphi 2005 was delivered in November 2004. In addition to native Windows 32 -bit applications NET applications can be created in Delphi and C # with Delphi 2005. . In contrast to previous versions Delphi 7 (Win32) and Delphi 8 (. NET), there are now only a Delphi IDE or " Borland Developer Studio ".

With Delphi 2005 held extensive changes such as refactoring in the IDE feeder. Also, the programming language itself has been extended to some functions, such as the For -in construct (corresponding For Each in Visual Basic). The compiler can now interpret language-specific characters. So also the special characters ä, ö and ü can be used in the German source text. The IDE displays comprehensive help texts in a better clarity. However, many errors within the IDE and the supplied components occurred, which has led to some dissatisfaction among users, especially in relation to the long time the IDE. This was fixed with some program updates. Also from Delphi 2005 there was a free Personal Edition.

This version has new language support for the Win32 compiler for Records with methods, operator overloading, and class variables; thus almost the status of the existing features of the Delphi for NET compiler. achieved.

Delphi 2006 also includes full C language support including VCL Form Designer (as in Borland C Builder ), although, since it was not finished on time, was only completed with Update 1. This was officially announced, a novelty in the product policy of Borland.

The IDE includes new features such as the "Live Templates", block completion and indentation while typing and changing line indicators on the left editor margin.

In addition, a command-line compiler for. NET Compact Framework applications included. To enable applications for Windows CE and Pocket PCs can in principle be created even if the Form Designer is not yet designed, there is still no debugger and you have to download an emulator from another website (free).

September 5, 2006, there is Delphi 2006 so-called " Turbo " versions. It involves stripped-down versions of Borland Developer Studio 2006 ( Professional).

Turbo Delphi

Parallel to the spin -off of the IDE division Borland CodeGear in the new company, a new turbo product line was introduced, which was probably alluding to the success of Turbo Pascal in the 1980s and early 1990s. As Turbo products, the components Delphi, Delphi for. NET, C and C # were sold as individual modules.

It was for all the products a free, limited in functionality Explorer version that did not contain a command line compiler and in which no components from other manufacturers could be installed in the Tool palette - you had to make do with the 200, provided by the third-party components at runtime produce. There were also professional versions that did not have this limitation. All turbo versions have in common is that on one computer only one product of the Turbo series can be installed. This, however, has no licensing, but only technical reasons.

It was originally planned to take the turbo versions as an integral part in our product range, this plan was abandoned. The Turbo product line remained at the 2006 level, from September 2009, the downloads were from the side www.turboexplorer.com away.

Delphi 2007 for Win32 ( Codename: Spacely )

This was published in March 2007 and available separately variant has by popular demand only the Delphi for Win32 personality and waits for, among others, the following new features: adaptations and enhancements for Windows Vista, revised database Framework dbExpress, an extended version of Intraweb with Ajax support under the name " VCL for the Web " and a revised help. This version is also the first version that is available as a download over the Internet and all languages ​​(English, German, Japanese, French ) contains together. Also published is a Delphi for PHP, but that has other than the name and a certain similarity of the IDE with Delphi continues to do nothing.

RAD Studio 2007 (codenamed Highlander )

The published in September 2007 version combines Delphi, Delphi for. NET and C Builder under the name RAD Studio 2007 (RAD stands for Rapid Application Development ). The originally announced for this release is support of mobile devices based on the Compact Framework has been postponed to a later date. In addition, the 2007 version 4 rebuilt with Delphi dbExpress database framework will be further developed and delivered a new embedded database called Blackfish SQL. This is based on. NET and is compatible with existing JDataStore. With RAD Studio 2007 Framework version 2.0 on the. NET side support, including ASP.NET 2.0 and thus Generics. Classes of. NET Framework 3.0 can also be used with some manual work, because this version is no language extensions (such as 2.0 Generics ) but only includes new features. The built-in help was further revised and now contains again some code examples. The WinForms Form Designer. NET was omitted because Microsoft had changed the APIs contained in the designer. NET Framework completely.

Delphi 2009 (code name: Tiburón )

Originally announced as Delphi 2008, Tiburón is available as Delphi 2009 since 25 August 2008. There were extensive changes to IDE, RTL and VCL. In the IDE, inter alia, the Class Browser has been revised, expanded a Resource Browser for managing the einzukompilierenden with the exe file resources and custom build configurations (debug, release) added. Several new components, including a ribbon control, with the menus are possible as with Office 2007, extend the VCL. Moreover, the entire RTL and VCL was converted to Unicode. As a language extension held lambda functions and generics collection in Delphi for Win32. The. NET support has been removed.

In addition to Delphi 2009 and C Builder 2009 operating under the name Tiburon ( Spanish for " Shark" ). If both are installed, they are integrated into a single IDE.

Delphi Prism ( Delphi. NET)

The Delphi NET Framework version, Delphi Prism, was the end of October 2008 presented by Embarcadero. In contrast to previous Delphi for NET versions Studio is used for prism no longer the Delphi IDE, but visual. Embarcadero works in cooperation with RemObjects to continue the product Oxygene as Delphi Prism.

Prism means, it becomes possible to use a mono NET implementation.; so that programs for Linux and Mac OS X can be developed. Developing for Windows Mobile is still not officially supported because the WinForms designer surface hardcoded for VB.NET and C #.

The programming language is not compatible with the existing Delphi NET language scope, for the lack of RTL and VCL.Net support there is a project called ShineOn.

Delphi 2010 ( Codename: Weaver)

Delphi XE ( Codename: Fulcrum corresponds to Delphi 2011)

August 31, 2010 Embarcadero Delphi has released with the suffix XE. Cross - platform features (OSX ) were postponed to later versions. The Linux support, and the 64 -bit support is also not yet appeared in Delphi XE. Newly included is inter alia a Subversion integration, and support of cloud programming and other DataSnap improvement ( inter alia creating DataSnap servers from C code out ). Also new are some bundled third-party products such as AQtime Standard ( A Runtime Profiler), Final Builder ( build operations management ) and a professional logging solution. Also found numerous bug fixes (eg for generics or IDE features ) their way into the product.

Delphi Starter Edition

On 27 January 2011 Embarcadero has announced that now a Starter Edition is available whose functions below the previous Pro Edition and that is especially suited for hobbyists, and startups. The license conditions allow only a limited commercial use.

Delphi XE2 ( Pulsar Codename )

On September 1, 2011 Delphi XE2 has been released on the market. It brings a whole new set of features, including: 64- bit Windows compiler, 32 -bit Mac OS compiler and compilation for the operating system Apple iOS. Support for iOS (iPhone / iPad) is currently still using Free Pascal compiler and requires an Apple computer with XCode development environment. All non- 32 bit targets are served by the Delphi development environment by cross compilation, there are here for both 64-bit and Mac OS are each a remote debugging client out on the one hand, the distribution of the compiled program, as well as debugging from the development environment supported. In addition to the new compilers Delphi XE2 introduces a completely new GUI component library called FireMonkey that is required for developing platform independent applications. FireMonkey supports 2D and 3D graphics acceleration and is largely based on the bought- VGScene technique. Also new is the ability to change VCL programs by Styles visually, but also with self-made styles. Other new features include a DataBinding concept to synchronize changes values ​​of class properties using the GUI, an ODBC dbExpress database drivers for Windows and other enhancements to the DataSnap RFC technology.

A Starter Edition is available right from the beginning and another new edition called Ultimate was introduced, which should be between Enterprise and Architect. Only significant difference is included which database tool. As a new report generator, a light version of Fast Reports is included.

Delphi XE3 (codename Water Dragon)

3 September 2012 Embarcadero Delphi XE3 published. New features include support for Microsoft Windows 8, including the new Modern UI surface, but to write without applications for the "Metro " App Store because Microsoft has not designed some needed clean programming interfaces usable by third party. The cross-platform FireMonkey framework is now available in version 2. The iOS support introduced in XE2 been removed for Embarcadero working on its own iOS compiler. In addition, FireMonkey 2 was modified in some places, which would have meant a greater effort to adapt the on Free Pascal based solution. On the C Builder page came with the update 1 a LLVM -based 64-bit compiler added.

Delphi XE4 (codename Quintessence )

On April 22, 2013 Delphi is XE4 appeared on the market. An ARM compiler for iOS is now in FM3 FireMonkey framework ( requires at least the Enterprise Edition or Add- On Pack for the Professional edition ) included. Following the acquisition of AnyDAC database components, these were expected to be incorporated under the name FireDAC; they are included in the Enterprise version or require the purchase of at Professional FireDAC Client / Server Pack.

Delphi XE5 (codenamed Zephyr )

On September 11, 2013 Delphi is XE5 appeared on the market. An ARM compiler for Android and the necessary RTL, FireMonkey and IDE integration, including debuggers are added. The FireDAC database components are now included in the Professional version.

Roadmap

The current roadmap lists several projects for the development of Delphi, include the following, among other points: Enhancements for the remaining components, better support of Windows based tablets in the VCL, direct support of various " wearables " as Google Glass and support for Bluetooth on mobile platforms. Linux is still on the roadmap as a server- side support for DataSnap, WebBroker and the necessary RTL Umsetngen and database connectivity. A 64 bit compiler for Mac OS X is also on the list of future projects.

Delphi -like development environments

For Linux/X11 on Intel x86 a similar package under the name Kylix was available, which is, however, no longer maintained. Since the development environment contained several errors, there are numerous activities to stabilize them and to make the compiled files under newer Linux distributions run. These include unofficial bug fixes, as well as an alternative called CrossKylix with which the Kylix compiler can use under Windows.

For the C language CodeGear delivers a similar development system called C Builder, which is closely related to the Delphi IDE. ( The often mistook hereby C BuilderX is based on the prime time of the JBuilder IDE, extensible IDE for cross-platform development as well as support for multiple compilers and has worked with C Builder little in common. )

Lazarus is a development environment for Object Pascal, whose language family also belongs Delphi. The source code is largely Delphi - compatible, making it easy to migrate code between the two development environments. The IDE is licensed under the LGPL. Lazarus is similar to older versions of Delphi, also are similar concepts (LCL instead VCL ) is used. The Lazarus IDE is based on the Free Pascal compiler and runs under Linux, Mac OS and Windows - also can be used for this and some other platforms programs are generated.

WDSibyl was originally developed as a commercial product by the German company Speedsoft (Speed ​​Pascal, Pascal Sibyl ). The sources of the IDE under the GPL, the source code of the runtime and class libraries, the company released on his website years ago. The original source code can be continued by freelance developers and also subject to the GPL. The Delphi -like development environment running under OS / 2 and Windows. A similar project was Virtual Pascal of the British company FPRINT UK Ltd..

The formerly marketed by Microsoft Visual Basic development environment (up to version 6 ) was also conceptually and visually, to a certain degree similar to Delphi, where the language range, however, in particular object-oriented aspects concerning, not enough of Delphi to connect with it. Also, it was not possible in Visual Basic to develop components in their own environment with the same language itself, which was in Delphi from the beginning of the case. In Visual Basic, you had to do this in C / C . Furthermore, code sections for optimized program speed can be formulated directly in assembly language in Delphi since the first version, which was also not possible in Visual Basic. In addition, had to any program that was written in Visual Basic, the special Visual Basic Runtime ( runtime environment ) are included. The last published version of Microsoft Visual Basic 6 is from the year 1998, the support was discontinued in April 2008. The product was separated from the predominantly object-oriented redevelopment VB.NET based on the. NET framework. Source code from VB 6 is not compatible with VB.NET. The Visual Basic 6.0 runtime is still supported up to and including Windows 8 over the duration of the respective support life cycles.