IT SOLUTIONS
Your full service technology partner! 
-Collapse +Expand
To/From Code
-Collapse +Expand Cross Ref Guide
-Collapse +Expand Members-Only
Sign in to see member-only pages.
   ► KBTo/From GuidesDelphiTool Basics  Print This     

Cross Ref > Tool Basics

By Mike Prestwood

Delphi versus Corel Paradox: A side by side comparison between Delphi and Corel Paradox.

 
Tool Basics
 

Developer environment basics such as common file extensions, common keyboard shortcuts, etc.

Deployment Overview

[Other Languages] 
Delphi: 

Delphi creates native code Windows applications so you can create an EXE with no dependencies that will run on any Windows computer. If you add dependencies (reports, database libraries, DLLs, etc.) use a Windows installer to build an installation program.

D2007 and D2009 are bundled with InstallAware Express CodeGear Edition installer.

More Info / Comment  
Corel Paradox: 

To deploy a Paradox application, you need to deploy either the full version of Paradox or the Paradox Runtime both of which will include the BDE as well as any dependecies you've added such as psSendMail DLL, ezDialogs, etc.

More Info / Comment




Development Tools

[Other Languages] 

Languages Focus

Primary development tool(s) used to develop and debug code.

Delphi: 

CodeGear Delphi is the primary tool of choice for most developers but other Object Pascal language development tools do exist and some are quite good.

More Info / Comment
Corel Paradox: 

Corel Paradox for Windows (was Borland Paradox). Also, Borland used to offer a Paradox for DOS tool which support it's Paradox Application Language (PAL) which is not compatible with ObjectPAL. The biggest drawback to Paradox is that Corel does not have anyone at Corel actively developing Paradox for Windows (as opposed to Microsoft Access which does).





File Extensions

[Other Languages] 

Languages Focus

Common or primary file extensions used (not a complete list, just the basics).

Delphi: 

Common source code file extensions include:

  • .BDSPROJ - Project, Borland Developer Studio project file holds compiler options, etc. This is the file you open.
  • .DCU - Delphi Compiled Unit file.
  • .DFM - Delphi Win32 form file (a text resource file).
  • .DPR - Delphi project file. Primary project "source" file.
  • .PAS - Delphi unit source file.

Note: Delphi 2009 changed the project file to acommadatte new features. When you open a project file from a previous version, it will be upgraded. In addition to .bdsproj, D2009 also uses a .dproj project file.

Corel Paradox: 

Paradox for Windows has two primary file types: source files and delivered files:

Source Files
Source files in Paradox are binary but can can be opened in later versions of Paradox and even in earlier versions if you don't use any new features.

  • .FSL = Form
  • .RSL = Report
  • .SSL = Script
  • .LSL = Library

Since Paradox source files do not compile to an EXE, Paradox developers tend to use a startup form or script to start the application.





Overview and History

[Other Languages] 
Delphi: 

CodeGear Delphi Helmet IconLanguage Overview: Delphi programming language is a type-safe language consisting of hybrid traditional Pascal and OOP features. You code either in a traditional approach using functions, procedures, and global data, or you code using an OOP approach, or a mixture of both.

Target Platforms: Delphi for Win32 is most suitable for creating native code Win32 applications that run on Microsoft Windows.

More Info / Comment
Corel Paradox: 

Language Overview: Object based language. Although ObjectPAL uses object oriented techniques "under the hood", it is not object oriented. Although you cannot create classes, ObjectPAL has built-in objects you can use in your code. You code in a traditional approach attaching code to objects or within a script. Most Paradox applications are form based. You may have a short startup script but you design forms and reports and tie them together with a common form. You can store reusable code such as custom methods and procedures in a library.

Target Platforms: Corel Paradox is most suitable for creating business desktop applications that run within Corel Paradox for Windows.

More Info / Comment  




Report Tools Overview

[Other Languages] 

Languages Focus

Built-In: Some development tools have a reporting tool built-in and some do not. For example, typically desktop databases such as Paradox and Access have a built-in reporting tool and typically that reporting tool is used with nearly every application built with it. A built-in reporting tool makes development of reports across many clients and applications consistent and therefore easy.

Add-On: Development tools that do not have a built-in reporting tool need to use either a currently bundled report writer, or one of the popular reporting tools that integrates well with the development tool. For example, popular reporting tools include Crystal Reports, ReportBuilder, and MS SQL Reporting Services (tied to MS SQL).

Delphi: 

Rave Reports comes closest to a Delphi standard now but historically there has been no real standard in Delphi development. Do-it-yourself developers sometimes like to use TPrinter for very simple reports. ReportSmith was bundled with the first few versions of Delphi.

Delphi has offered many embedded VCL component report options. Quick Reports has been a part of Delphi since Delphi 2.0 and has been the default report writer for many Delphi developers. Ace Reporter, ReportBuilder and Rave Reports are also very popular. During the time of Kylix, FastReports was popular because of it's cross-platform nature.

Crystal Reports is very common because of it's overall popularity as a stand-alone report writer that integrates well with many different tools.

Corel Paradox:   Built-In

Paradox offers a built-in reporting tool that will suffice for most desktop database applications.

More Info / Comment




Go ahead!   Use Us! Call: 916-726-5675  Or visit our new sales site: 
www.prestwood.com


©1995-2025 Prestwood IT Solutions.   [Security & Privacy]