Articles

I plan to provide several articles on Delphi and/or C++Builder related subjects. Some of them are to be published on the Borland Developer Network site, but I will post them, in a slightly different format, to this site as well. The sources to the articles will be posted to my Downloads page too.

Currently, you can find these articles on my site:

Using C++ objects in Delphi

Explains two techniques how C++ objects can be used from a DLL: either "flattened" as functions, or as virtual abstract classes.

Using C object files in Delphi

Demonstrates how to compile and link an object file into a Delphi unit, and provide the required parts of the C runtime.

A Tale of Two Assemblers

Demonstrates how to use NASM (the Netwide Assembler) to replace BASM (Delphi's built-in assembler) routines with external assembler. This knowledge may be important for some future versions of Delphi, which may not have a BASM.

PChars: no strings attached

Discusses the similarites and the differences between PChars and strings, as well as some things you should or shouldn't do with them. With additions for Delphi 2009 and above.

Open array parameters and array of const

Describes the syntax and use of open array parameters, and the use of the "array of const" parameter type.

Pitfalls of converting

A very lengthy article discussing most of the pitfalls I have encountered during the conversion of C and C++ header files to Delphi units. It is not a tutorial, just a text for advanced reading about the subject.

Addressing pointers

Also a very lengthy article, discussing the use and abuse of pointers and references in Delphi, from my POV. I also try to explain pointers for those who are not familiar with them.

Floating point numbers

An article discussing the use and limitations of the floating point types used by Delphi.

Installing a package from the IDE

A short article describing how you can install a package that was opened in the IDE, using the Open Tools API and some trickery.

Quoting in newsgroups

A short article explaining what I, and many others, think of proper quoting in newsgroups, like the CodeGear public server.

If you have any comments on one of the articles, please email me.