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Developer's Corner / Re: VB6 - where to go now?
« on: September 10, 2007, 08:04 AM »
Troy:
A small world it is. I am a geologist who also writes software for the earth sciences (GIS/well logging/lab data software). I've been using Delphi since v5 and I think it is an excellent tool (I'm also a VB convert).
Q: Does it have the staying power?
A: I think so, but Borland/CodeGear (the makers of Delphi) has seen a decline in their user base; I think this is on the rebound now with new management and a spin-off of their developer tools division as CodeGear.
Q: Will it be ready for 64bit?
A: Delphi has a roadmap that indicates a 64-bit compiler is in the works for their Commodore release in Winter 2008 (see: http://dn.codegear.com/article/36620). Note that Highlander is the code name for "RAD Studio 2007" which was just released.
Q: Can it be used from .Net and can it use .Net components?
A: Yes, your Win32 dlls/ActiveX, etc. can be used from .Net. .Net components can be used from your Win32 executables also but this requires the whole .Net runtime, of course. I don't use .Net, so my knowledge here is a little fuzzy, but I believe CodeGear will be scaling back their .Net features (such as eliminating support for WinForms). This shouldn't matter for using .Net components in Win32 applications, but it could matter if you want to develop .Net components/applications. If this is important to you, you might want to investigate it further.
Q: Can it create activeX dlls that would work from VB6 apps?
A: Yes.
Another user suggested RealBasic and has some valid points about its ability to perform cross-platform compilation. Although Delphi lacks this ability, it has a major strength that RealBasic doesn't match, which is a substantial 3rd-party vendor market for all kinds of components. To me, this is one of Delphi's biggest strengths.
Kind Regards,
Greg
A small world it is. I am a geologist who also writes software for the earth sciences (GIS/well logging/lab data software). I've been using Delphi since v5 and I think it is an excellent tool (I'm also a VB convert).
Q: Does it have the staying power?
A: I think so, but Borland/CodeGear (the makers of Delphi) has seen a decline in their user base; I think this is on the rebound now with new management and a spin-off of their developer tools division as CodeGear.
Q: Will it be ready for 64bit?
A: Delphi has a roadmap that indicates a 64-bit compiler is in the works for their Commodore release in Winter 2008 (see: http://dn.codegear.com/article/36620). Note that Highlander is the code name for "RAD Studio 2007" which was just released.
Q: Can it be used from .Net and can it use .Net components?
A: Yes, your Win32 dlls/ActiveX, etc. can be used from .Net. .Net components can be used from your Win32 executables also but this requires the whole .Net runtime, of course. I don't use .Net, so my knowledge here is a little fuzzy, but I believe CodeGear will be scaling back their .Net features (such as eliminating support for WinForms). This shouldn't matter for using .Net components in Win32 applications, but it could matter if you want to develop .Net components/applications. If this is important to you, you might want to investigate it further.
Q: Can it create activeX dlls that would work from VB6 apps?
A: Yes.
Another user suggested RealBasic and has some valid points about its ability to perform cross-platform compilation. Although Delphi lacks this ability, it has a major strength that RealBasic doesn't match, which is a substantial 3rd-party vendor market for all kinds of components. To me, this is one of Delphi's biggest strengths.
Kind Regards,
Greg