Introduction to Delphi and Object Pascal

1.1 What is Delphi?

Delphi is a RAD (Rapid Application Development) environment and the Object Pascal language. It compiles to native machine code for multiple platforms.

Borland created it in 1995. It's now developed by Embarcadero Technologies (part of Idera) as part of RAD Studio (Delphi + C++Builder).

It's known for very fast compilation, native performance, a visual form designer, a huge component ecosystem, and excellent database connectivity.

1.2 History Highlights

16-bit Windows, VCL, visual RAD 32-bit, ActiveX, Kylix (Linux, discontinued). Delphi 7 is a legendary version.

Delphi 2005–2007 IDE modernization, for..in, records with methods Delphi 2009

Unicode strings, generics, anonymous methods Enhanced RTTI, attributes

64-bit (XE2), FireMonkey (XE2), macOS/iOS/Android, LiveBindings, FireDAC (XE5), PPL (XE7)

10 Seattle / 10.1 Berlin / 10.2 Tokyo / 10.3 Rio / 10.4 Sydney

Linux (10.2), inline variables and type inference (10.3), custom managed records, unified memory management (ARC removed on mobile, 10.4)

HighDPI VCL designer, Windows 11 styles, Android 64-bit improvements, multiple monitors

Multiline string literals, Skia integrated (Skia4Delphi), NativeInt improvements, Smart CodeInsight (AI assistant integration, 12.2), split editor 13 Florence

Ternary conditional operator (if ... then ... else expression), 64-bit IDE, more language enhancements (check the DocWiki for the full list)

1.3 Editions

Free (with revenue/usage limits). Windows, macOS, iOS, Android targets.

Commercial. Local database support.

+ Linux target, multi-tier, RAD Server, full FireDAC enterprise drivers + modeling, Sencha, additional tools

1.4 What You Can Build

Windows desktop apps (VCL), cross-platform apps (FMX: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux via FMXLinux), console tools, Windows services, DLLs and COM servers, web servers and REST APIs (WebBroker, RAD Server, Horse, mORMot), database applications, games and multimedia, IoT and embedded (Windows IoT, Raspberry Pi via Linux/Android), Office add-ins.

1.5 Famous Software Built with Delphi

Total Commander, Skype (early Windows client), FL Studio (early versions), HeidiSQL, PeaZip, Beyond Compare (early), The Bat!, MediaMonkey, Inno Setup (Pascal), and countless business/ERP/medical/industrial systems.