Nils Eilers, 21.04.2017

Delphi's Strength: Modularity and Customization Through Third-Party Components

One of Delphi's strengths is its modularity and customization capabilities through third-party components. These components can simplify various tasks and challenges faced by Delphi developers and enable other solutions without the need to write new code. Thanks to regular updates, many of these components remain compatible with the latest Delphi versions. Here is a small selection of such components:

TeeGrid

• Developer: Steema Software SL

• Supported Versions: Delphi 2009 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo and FireMonkey

• Description:
  TeeGrid is a powerful grid component capable of handling large data sets. It allows formatting customization for each column, creation of sub-columns per column, automated column widths, grouping and bands, and many other features. It provides an efficient and flexible solution for displaying and manipulating data grids.

TeeChart

• Developer: Steema Software SL

• Supported Versions: Delphi 7 and all versions from Delphi 2007 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo

• Description:
  TeeChart enables the creation of charts and graphs, which can be displayed in 2D or pseudo-3D and exported in various formats. It offers a wide variety of chart types and visualizations, making it suitable for statistical, scientific, financial, and business applications.

DevExpress VCL

• Developer: DevExpress

• Supported Versions: Delphi 2010 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo

• Description:
  DevExpress VCL is a comprehensive component package providing powerful user interface controls. Its ExpressQuantumGrid Suite, a part of DevExpress VCL, offers advanced grid options with many built-in functions such as single or multi-column sorting, automatic column widths, grouping, bands, filtering, and relationships. It is well-known for its high performance, extensive feature set, and seamless integration with Delphi.

These components demonstrate Delphi’s adaptability and support for modern application requirements. They provide developers with powerful tools to enhance productivity and improve the quality of their applications.

The QuantumGrid in Action

The ExpressQuantumGrid Suite is part of the DevExpress VCL package and offers powerful data visualization capabilities. It allows data to be presented in various formats, including grids, trees, and list views, or even a combination of these. Its use of a DataController library enables fast and efficient data management, allowing developers to create versatile user interfaces for different applications.

ExpressQuantumTreeList

Another valuable component in the DevExpress VCL package is the ExpressQuantumTreeList. This component can display data as a tree, a list, or a combination of both. Its flexibility, combined with the powerful DataController library, allows for rapid data management and highly customizable user interfaces. Developers can build complex views with hierarchical data structures, making it ideal for applications requiring advanced data presentation capabilities.

Additional Components in the DevExpress VCL Package

The DevExpress VCL package also includes components for:

• Spreadsheets: Robust tools for creating, editing, and exporting spreadsheet documents.

• Ribbon Controls: Modern interface components that mimic Microsoft Office-style ribbon bars.

• UI Controls: Enhanced UI elements for creating rich desktop applications.

• Spell Checking: Integrated spell-checking tools for text-editing components.

• Scheduling: Comprehensive tools for calendar and event management.

• Flowcharting: Tools for designing diagrams and flowcharts with ease.

• Printing Control: Advanced print management for generating high-quality printed output.

FastReport VCL

FastReport VCL, developed by Fast Reports, Inc., is available for all Delphi versions from Delphi 7 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo. It provides a powerful, fully customizable reporting solution with the following features:

• Visual Report Designer: A user-friendly tool that allows developers to design complex reports with a simple drag-and-drop interface.

• Reporting Core: A robust engine capable of handling various report types and data sources efficiently.

• Preview Window: A preview feature for testing and modifying reports before final output.

FastReport VCL offers extensive customization capabilities, making it ideal for building detailed, professional-quality reports for various business and industrial applications.

Delphi's compatibility with these third-party components demonstrates its continued relevance and adaptability for modern software development. These tools provide developers with the resources to build rich, feature-packed applications with minimal effort.

Popular Third-Party Components for Delphi

Delphi’s modularity and adaptability are greatly enhanced by the use of third-party components. These components simplify various tasks and offer solutions without the need to write new code. Here’s a list of notable components compatible with Delphi versions up to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Steema Software Components

• TeeGrid: A grid component capable of handling large datasets with formatting customization, automatic column widths, grouping, bands, and more. Compatible with Delphi 2009 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo and FireMonkey.

• TeeChart: A charting component that supports 2D and pseudo-3D charts and exporting features. Compatible with Delphi 7 and versions from Delphi 2007 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

DevExpress VCL

An extensive component suite for Delphi 2010 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo, including:

• ExpressQuantumGrid Suite: Supports complex data management with sorting, grouping, filtering, and more.

• ExpressQuantumTreeList: Combines tree and list displays with fast data management.

• Other Components: Spreadsheet, Ribbon Controls, UI Controls, Spell Checking, Scheduling, Flowcharting, and Printing Management.

FastReport VCL

By Fast Reports, Inc., compatible with Delphi 7 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo. It provides tools for creating highly customizable reports, including a visual designer, a reporting core, and a preview window.

Devart Components

• UniDAC (Universal Data Access Components): Provides unified access to popular database servers such as Oracle, MySQL, MS SQL Server, Firebird, etc. Compatible with Delphi 6 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• EntityDAC: An ORM framework enabling database objects to be represented as Delphi classes. Supports encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, etc. Compatible with Delphi 2007 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Mitov Software Components

A collection of specialized libraries for Delphi and FireMonkey, compatible with versions from Delphi XE4 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo:

• AnimationLab: Time-based control for components.

• AudioLab & VideoLab: Processing, analysis, storage, and visualization of audio and video.

• CommunicationLab: Communications tools for client-server applications.

• InstrumentLab: Custom controls for LEDs, gauges, thermometers, and other instruments.

• IntelligenceLab: Neural network-based tools for pattern recognition.

• LogicLab & SignalLab: Logical operations and signal processing tools.

• PlotLab: Graph and chart creation tools.

• VisionLab: Video analysis tools for tracking, contour detection, etc.

TMS Software Components

• TMS FMX Chart: Cross-platform charting with high customization capabilities. Compatible with Delphi XE6 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• TMS VCL WebGMaps: Display maps in various views (e.g., street, satellite, hybrid, terrain) with routing and annotation capabilities. Compatible with Delphi 2007 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

MiTeC Components

• System Information Component Suite: Retrieves various system information (CPUs, drives, BIOS, network, devices, etc.). Compatible with Delphi 7 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• Forensic Analysis Component Suite: Retrieves browser histories, IM logs, registry keys, etc. Compatible with Delphi 7 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

ComponentAce - ZipForge

A ZIP component for creating, extracting, and managing archives. Compatible with Delphi 4 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

JAM Software - ShellBrowser

Components for emulating the Windows Shell. Compatible with Delphi XE2 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Gnostice - eDocEngine VCL

A library for generating various document types (PDFs, CSVs, PNGs, HTML, etc.). Compatible with Delphi 6 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Tools&Comps - TUsers Security Component

Security components for implementing user authentication and permission management. Compatible with Delphi 2009 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

JEDI Code Library (JCL) & JEDI Visual Component Library (JVCL)

• JCL: A library of tested utility functions and non-visual classes. Free to use for commercial, freeware, and open-source projects.

• JVCL: Over 600 visual and non-visual components for a wide range of tasks. Compatible with Delphi 6 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Synopse mORMot Framework

An open-source client-server ORM SOA MVC framework supporting Windows, Linux, and mobile platforms. Includes a PDF creation tool.

MARS - Curiosity

A REST server library for Delphi with client library support. Compatible with Delphi XE to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

FFmpeg Framework

A powerful multimedia processing library for audio and video decoding, encoding, streaming, and more. Compatible with Delphi 6 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Redis Client

A client library for connecting Delphi applications to Redis servers. Compatible with Delphi XE5 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

Virtual TreeView

A highly efficient tree control that doesn't own the data, instead retrieving it via events. Compatible with Delphi 7 and Delphi XE to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

IDE Tools & Plugins

• IDE Theme Editor: Customize the IDE’s color scheme. Compatible with Delphi 7 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• DDev Extensions: Adds features like autosave, extended key bindings, and package cache disabling. Supports Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• GExperts: Adds functionalities like advanced backups, dependency tracking, and Unicode search. Compatible with Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• IDE Fix Pack: Unofficial bug fixes and performance optimizations for Delphi 2009 to Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• CnWizards: IDE plugin suite enhancing productivity with various improvements. Compatible with Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

• DelphiPI: Simplifies component installation and resolves dependencies. Compatible with Delphi 10.2 Tokyo.

These third-party components significantly enhance Delphi's capabilities, allowing developers to build more powerful and sophisticated applications.