PC Format Collection 48/SENT14D.ISO/tech/delphi/disk1/readme.txt

Text File | 1997-02-03 | 17.8 KB | 430 lines

Welcome to Delphi
-----------------

This README file contains important, last minute information
about Delphi.

Before you install Delphi, carefully read INSTALL.TXT.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------
  Minimum system requirements
  How to get help
  Installation
  Product overview
  Demonstration programs
  Release notes


MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
------------------------------
Delphi requires Windows 3.1 or a 100% compatible operating
system, an 80386 or newer processor (486 recommended), and 6Mb of
system memory.

A minimum installation requires approximately 30Mb of disk space.

DCC.EXE, the DOS command-line compiler, requires at least 1Mb of
extended memory.

Delphi has been tested under Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups
3.11, Windows NT 3.5, OS/2 Warp, and Windows 95.


HOW TO GET HELP
------------------
If you have any problems with this product, please read this
file, and the online help files, and  first.

If you still have a question and need assistance, help is
available from the following sources:

1. You can use your modem or Internet connection to easily obtain
   assistance online.  Borland maintains support forums on
   CompuServe.  These forums put you in contact with thousands of
   other programmers using Borland products. You'll be able get
   your questions answered and share information and ideas with
   others.

   You can also download the latest technical information, sample
   code, utilities, patches, etc., from these online services as
   well as from Borland's Download Bulletin Board Service
   (DLBBS).

   Access Borland's online services in the following manner:

   CompuServe
     GO DELPHI

   World Wide Web
     The Delphi page (http://www.borland.com/TechInfo/Delphi)
     contains tips and techniques, the latest Delphi book list,
     links to other Delphi pages, newsgroups, and other
     references.

   Borland DLBBS in the USA
     You can reach the Borland DLBBS by dialing [phone]
     (up to 14,400 Baud, 8 data bits, No Parity, 1 Stop bit). No
     special setup is required.



INSTALLATION
---------------
Please refer to the file INSTALL.TXT on your CD in the
\INSTALL\DISK1 directory or on DISK1 of your floppy disk set
for complete installation instructions.

To start the installation, run the SETUP.EXE program on your CD
in the \INSTALL\DISK1 directory or on the floppy disk labeled
DISK1.


 PRODUCT OVERVIEW
-------------------
Delphi's visual design environment lets you create sophisticated
Windows applications faster than any other development tool.
Because Delphi is built around an optimizing native-code
compiler, Delphi applications are up to 10-20 times faster than
interpreted code.

Delphi integrates the Borland Database Engine, so you have
instant support for dBase, Paradox, and ODBC local databases.

Delphi includes the Local InterBase Server so you can create
standalone client/server applications with a high-performance
ANSI SQL-92 compatible database server.

Delphi includes Borland's award-winning ReportSmith report
writing tool, which allows programmers to prepare innovative
reports using live data in all popular database formats.

Delphi Client/Server includes all of Delphi plus high performance
native drivers for Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, Informix
and InterBase remote servers with unlimited application
deployment. You also get team development support, ReportSmith
SQL, a Visual Query Builder, source code to the Visual Component
Library (VCL), and the Local InterBase Server Deployment Kit.

Delphi includes an Open Tools API capability that allows
you to extend the Delphi environment to include your own tools,
experts, and so on. By using this API, you can seamlessly
integrate these extensions into the Delphi environment.  For
details, refer to the file TOOLINTF.PAS located in the
\DELPHI\DOC for Delphi or in the \DELPHI\SOURCE\VCL directory for
Delphi Client/Server.  Source code for an example expert is also
located in \DELPHI\DEMOS\EXPERTS directory.


DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
-------------------------

Here's an overview of the example programs, libraries and
components located in the \DELPHI\DEMOS directory:

\DELPHI\DEMOS
  \DB - Contains all database sample projects. Data used by these
        examples is in the \DELPHI\DEMOS\DATA directory. The
        SETUP program creates a BDE alias called DBDEMOS which
        can be used to access this data. Refer to INSTALL.TXT for
        additional information. (DBG=Database Application
        Developer's Guide)

    \ANIMALS  - Uses TBlobField type to access dBASE data.
    \BDEDLL   - DLL that uses database components and a
                companion application.
    \CALCFLDS - Simple use of calculated fields with linked
                master/detail tables.
    \DATALIST - Dynamically retrieves lists of aliases, tables,
                fields and indexes.
    \DBAWARE1 - Simple use of TDBEdit, TDBListBox, TDBComboBox
                and TDBGrid.
    \DBAWARE2 - Simple use of TDBLookupCombo and TDBLookupList.
    \FISHFACT - Uses TBlobField and TMemoField to access
                Paradox data.
    \FORMAT   - Simple use of FormatDateTime and FormatFloat.
    \INSQUERY - Simple use TQuery to perform SQL insert.
    \LINKQRY  - Master/detail form using TQuery components.
    \MASTAPP  - Extensive example featured in Chapter 2, 4, and
                Appendix D of the Database Application
                Developer's Guide. Consists of 12 forms and comes
                with sample data for Paradox and Local InterBase
                Server. Uses ReportSmith to print invoice,
                inventory and customer data; includes online help
                that explains how the application is implemented;
                contains a sophisticated invoice form, and is
                fully scalable between desktop and Client/Server
                data. Refer to the comments at the beginning of
                MAIN.PAS for more complete information.
    \QJOIN    - Simple SQL join.
    \RANGE    - Simple use of TTable range support.
    \SEARCH   - Simple use of TTable.SetKey.
    \STOCKS   - Stock portfolio example that uses complex SQL
                joins, ReportSmith reports and the TChartFX
                sample VBX control.
    \TOOLS    - Two applications: an MDI database browser and a
                SQL Activity Monitor.
    \TWOFORMS - Simple example that shows how multiple forms
                can share a single dataset (DBG, Ch. 3).

  \DOC - Contains examples from the printed documentation
         (UG=User's Guide, CWG=Component Writer's Guide).

    \ABOUTBOX - AboutBox dialog (UG Ch. 2).
    \CALENDAR - TSampleCalendar component (CWG Ch. 11).
    \CBROWSE  - Uses TSampleCalendar (CWG Ch. 11).
    \DATAEDIT - Read/write data aware TCalendar (CWG Ch. 12).
    \DBCAL    - Read-only data aware TCalendar (CWG Ch. 12).
    \FILMANEX - File manager (UG, Ch. 13).
    \FORMCOMP - Encapsulates a form as a component (CWG, Ch. 13).
    \FORMDLL  - Encapsulates a form as a DLL (CWG, Ch. 13).
    \GRAPHEX  - Simple paint program (UG, Ch. 12).
    \OLE2     - MDI OLE2 container (UG, Ch. 15).
    \SHAPE    - TSampleShape component (CWG, Ch. 10).
    \TEXTEDIT - Simple MDI text editor (UG, Ch. 10).
    \WRAPMEMO - TWrapMemo component (CWG, Ch. 9).

  \CALLDLL    - A simple password form in a DLL and a test
                program that calls it.
  \DATA       - Contains all data used by sample programs. Note
                that the MASTAPP example defines referential
                integrity rules on the CUSTOMER, ORDERS, ITEMS
                and PARTS tables. These rules, which require that
                the master record be posted before a detail
                record may be posted, are defined in both the
                Paradox tables (.DB) the Local InterBase Server
                database (MASTSQL.GDB) versions of this data. If
                you write database applications that insert data
                into these tables and your insertions violate the
                referential integrity rules that are defined, a
                "Master Record Missing" exception will be raised.
  \DDEDEMO    - Uses DDE to create a group in Program Manager.
  \DRAGDROP   - Two projects that demonstrate drag and drop.
  \DYNAINST   - Dynamically creates components at run-time.
  \EXPERTS    - Source for the application and dialog experts
                (access via the Project and Form expert gallery
                pages).
  \FILECTRL   - Uses the file and directory controls.
  \GENERIC    - Object Pascal version of the "generic" SDK app.
  \IMAGVIEW   - Views and browses images (BMPs, WMFs, etc.).
  \OLE2       - Links and embeds OLE2 objects.
  \OWNERLST   - Uses an owner-draw listbox.
  \PAGECTRL   - Integrates the TNotebook and TTabSet components.
  \PROPEDIT   - Component with accompanying property editor.
  \SCRIBBLE   - A simple drawing program in only 3 lines of code.
  \TEXTDEMO   - Uses TFindDialog and TReplaceDialog components.
  \USERHELP   - Shows how to implement and register online help
                for a custom component.




DATABASE NOTES
--------------
Closing ReportSmith Run-time from a Delphi application - When
ReportSmith run-time is loaded by a TReport component,
TReport.AutoUnload is False and your application is terminating,
you'll need to call TReport.CloseReport explicitly to unload
ReportSmith:

  procedure TForm1.FormClose(Sender: TObject;
    var Action: TCloseAction);
  begin
    Report1.CloseReport(False);
  end;

TTable.CreateTable - The TTable.CreateTable function does not
support the Paradox formatted memo field type.

Queries with BCD Parameters - (Paradox tables only) Substitution
parameters that are of type BCD should be bound using floating
point data types (not BCD).

Using Database components in a DLL - Certain restrictions apply
when a DLL uses database components. In particular, such a DLL
can only be used by one client at a time. It is the
responsibility of the DLL to prevent simultaneous access by
multiple applications. In addition, a DLL that uses database
components should provide startup and cleanup routines to ensure
safe initialization and shutdown. Refer to the
\DELPHI\DEMOS\DB\BDEDLL directory for an example of a DLL that
uses database components and a companion application.

SQL Database floating point precision - Servers that support a
single-precision floating point type typically offer only seven
significant digits. If no TField.DisplayFormat is specified and
the precision of the underlying field is less than 15 digits, you
should set the TField.Precision property accordingly.

Additional information about updateable SQL queries:
  o The online help on Syntax Requirements for a Live Result Set
    should state that ORDER BY clauses are allowed in updateable
    queries.
  o The online help on Syntax Requirements for a Live Result Set
    incorrectly states that a unique index must exist on Sybase
    servers. Only the original column values implied by the
    setting of TQuery.UpdateMode must be unique.
  o All Oracle column names are case sensitive (as if they were
    quoted explicitly). Oracle table names are never quoted (and
    thus must be uppercase).
  o Quoted columns must be prefixed with a table alias.
  o Tables owned by another user must be qualified by owner name.
    Use quotes around the entire qualified name, for example
    "OWNER.TABLE".

Dataset synchronization on SQL Databases - Whenever supported by
the server, Delphi supports inserts against updateable queries,
views, non-indexed Sybase and InterBase tables. However, a newly
inserted record is not present in the current cache (dataset)
when it is no longer the current record. The table must be
reopened or the query executed again to refresh the cache and
retrieve the inserted record.

Informix SQL Link - Due to Informix 4.x restrictions, only one
application instance can be connected to one server at a time. To
help circumvent this problem, we recommend that you set the
TDatabase.KeepConnections property to False when accessing
Informix databases. Close all active connections at design time
before running the application. Informix 5.X does not have this
limitation.

The Borland Database Engine (BDE) looks for the IDAPI.CFG
configuration file which contains driver and alias information
used by all BDE client applications. The SETUP program creates
and places a copy of IDAPI.CFG in the \IDAPI directory. We
recommending backing up your IDAPI.CFG file periodically. You can
also create a new one by copying from the IDAPI.CNF file in the
\RUNIMAGE\IDAPI directory on your CD-ROM (or, if you're
installing from floppy disks, from the indicated .PAK file listed
in FILELIST.DOC ), for example:

  copy D:\RUNIMAGE\IDAPI\IDAPI.CNF C:\IDAPI\IDAPI.CFG

Note that other .CNF files are provided as well and may be merged
using the BDECFG.EXE utility's merge facility. Once you've
created a new IDAPI.CFG file, you can use BDECFG.EXE to create
aliases and drivers. For example, assuming you've installed
Delphi on your C: drive, here's how to create the DBDEMOS alias
that is normally created by the SETUP program:

  1. Click on the Database Engine Configuration icon in the
     Delphi Program Manager group.
  2. Select the Alias page and click the New Alias button.
  3. Enter DBDEMOS and press the OK button.
  4. Click on the path in the Parameters entry box and specify
     C:\DELPHI\DEMOS\DATA
  5. Select File|Save

Now this alias is available to Delphi's data access components
(TTable, TQuery, etc.).

Systems Notes
-------------
Video Drivers - Some older versions of the Dell/Tseng ET4000
video driver, when operated in high-color modes, fail to properly
paint the multiselect rectangle while dragging. In addition, some
older ATI video drivers contain spurious INT 3 breakpoint
instructions which interfere with Windows debugging. If you
experience either of these problems, contact your vendor for an
updated driver.

Embedding or linking an Excel object - When embedding Excel in a
TOleContainer component, a known problem in Excel reduces its
scaling factor each time the object is activated.

DPMI utilities and other operating systems - DCC.EXE, the DOS
command-line compiler, and DLIB.EXE, the library utility for
DELPHI.DSL, both use DPMI services provided by RTM.EXE. RTM.EXE
requires at least 1Mb of extended memory. When running under
Windows NT 3.5, add the following line to your
\WINNT\SYSTEM32\CONFIG.NT file:

  ntcmdprompt

When running DCC or DLIB in an OS/2 DOS session, set DPMI_DOS_API
to Enabled.

Cannot Optimize EXE errors - When the Optimize EXE for size and
speed option is enabled on the Options|Project|Linker page, you
may encounter a "disk full" error during compilation. If this
error occurs and you have sufficient disk space, disable the
Linker page option and use the command-line utility instead:

  \delphi\bin\w8loss project1.exe

Program Reset - Windows support for debugging does not always
make it possible for Delphi to shutdown a running application and
recover all system resources that were allocated. When possible,
terminate your running application normally instead of using
Debug | Program Reset. This is especially important when an
exception has occurred in your application. If you do use Program
Reset, you may be bypassing some of your application's shutdown
code. You may need to periodically exit and then restart Windows
to recover resources which were allocated but not released.

CANNOT CREATE PROCESS Error - There are two possible causes for
this error.

  o Your application requires a DLL which cannot be located

  o Insufficient low DOS memory - Windows requires a minimum
    amount of conventional DOS memory in order to launch an
    application. If available conventional memory is insufficient
    when you try to run or debug an application, a CANNOT CREATE
    PROCESS error message will appear.

    Here's how you can increase the available DOS memory:

      o Exit all BDE client applications (e.g. Delphi), run the
        BDE Configuration utility (BDECFG.EXE), select the SYSTEM
        page and reduce or zero the "LOW MEMORY USAGE LIMIT"
        setting.

      o Modify your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to
        eliminate DOS TSRs or load them into "high memory".

      o Many Windows applications inadvertently use low memory.
        Closing other Windows applications will often free up a
        significant amount of low memory.

      o Some Windows video drivers use low memory. Make sure you
        have the latest drivers for best performance.

    IMPORTANT: This error should occur on very few systems and is
    generally due to problems with system configuration or other
    Windows software.


BP 7.0 Compatibility Notes
--------------------------
o Passing Borland Pascal 7.0 style object variables as arguments
  in an open array constructor is not supported.

o Don't use the Borland Pascal 7.0 Fail procedure with Delphi
  classes.

o Though we do not recommend using ObjectWindows and VCL units
  in the same application, by following these instructions, you
  can easily work on your Borland Pascal 7.0 Windows projects in
  the Delphi development environment:

  1. Open your program or library file as a project. Make sure
     there's a correct module header declaration (i.e. program,
     library or unit) at the beginning of the .PAS file.

  2. Change the Search Path on the Options|Project|Directories
     page to include \DELPHI\SOURCE\RTL70.

  3. Update the uses clause of each unit as follows:

     o For each unit that uses WinTypes, replace "WinTypes" with
       "Messages, WinTypes"
     o Remove all references to the Win31 unit