Subj : Re: Delphi
To   : mark lewis
From : Tim Schattkowsky
Date : Fri Feb 25 2022 20:53:52

//Hello mark,//

on *19.02.22* at *10:57:52* You wrote in Area *PASCAL*
to *Tim Schattkowsky* about *"Delphi"*.

 TS>> While I know it's still there and actually IMHO still quite interesting,
 TS>> even mentioning Delphi in any industry or academia context is at least
 TS>> giving you raised eyebrows.

 ml> imagine the looks that mentioning (actively using) freepascal will get
 ml> you ;)

For sure. Any idea in what state that one actually is? 

 ml> TBH, i only had delphi one time and it was a free version for
 ml> something... i used it once and never again... i don't recall why...
 ml> probably because i didn't understand GUI programming at that time... in
 ml> any case, though, most of my coding was being done in TP/BP 6 and 7 for
 ml> command line tools and a few BBS door things... then i found freepascal
 ml> later on after my coding time had lessened... in today's world, i use
 ml> freepascal and the lazarus editor... yes, even for text only command line
 ml> apps... i even have one that thinks it is an "application" (using
 ml> TApplication IIRC)... i'd have to go look at the code which i've not
 ml> looked at in 5+ years ;)

I have done a lot of development and worked alot with most common programming languages (Assembler, C, C++, C#, Java, ECMAScript ...) on most common plattforms (C64, Amiga, DOS, OS/2, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, ...). Still, I have to say that when it comes to desktop or database application develpment, the productivity as well as the quality of the result from a user's perspective I see with Delphi is unrivaled. This holds even today, when developing mobile applications. However, I have rarely actually used Delphi (aside from reviving WP using Delphi 2007) simply because using Delphi today feels like betting on the wrong horse. However, it did so already 20 years ago and proved a good idea for many people I know so actually my confidence in Delphi is rising again today.    

For clarification I have to add, that in the end there is not much difference in using C++, C#, Java or Delphi for an experienced programmer. However, the productivity comes often largely from the tools and frameworks at hand (what makes Python so attractive for certain applications). At this point, Delphi still for me provides the most comprehensive and shortest path to high quality graphical user interfaces that can be easiliy maintained and extended. Same hold for relational database support and many other field, where a still suprisingly rich portfolio of COTS exists that simplify the development of applications based on common standards a lot. Also, there are little other platforms that easiliy enable simple multi-platform develoment in reality.

Regards,
Tim

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