Recommended books about Delphi

The guide to what's new in CodeGear Delphi 2009 by best-selling Delphi author Marco Cantu.

With a new name and a new focus on CORBA, database drivers, and Microsoft Back Office applications, Inprise/Borland Delphi is enjoying a resurgence, with a growing user base of more than 300,000 programmers who use Delphi for rapid development of enterprise computing applications. Not to rest on success, the latest version of Delphi, Version 5, adds Java interoperability and further expansion and refinement of the 3-tier application framework introduced in Delphi 4. Delphi in a Nutshell starts with the Delphi object model, covers the use of the IDE in detail, and shows how to use RTTI (Run Time Type Information) for efficient programming. Later chapters include working with the windows API and concurrent programming tips and techniques. The rest of the book is the most complete Delphi Pascal language reference available in print, detailing every language element with complete syntax, examples and methods for use. The book concludes with a look at the compiler, and compiler directives discussed in depth.

Aimed at the working Delphi developer, Delphi in a Nutshell is an effective desktop reference to this popular programming tool. Besides listing all core classes and methods, this book also provides a host of expert dos and don'ts for mastering the newest features in Delphi's Object Pascal.

The heart of this book is its reference sections on built-in Delphi language features and other useful information on this development tool. Each entry has a guide to syntax, a description of all parameters and return values, and code samples, plus many entries feature "tricks and tips" with additional information. While this title concentrates on the "core" language (instead of Delphi's extensive support for visual components), there's little doubt that it will be useful if you work with the tool on a daily basis.

The book also delivers an advanced guide to ramping up on the latest and greatest in new language features in Object Pascal. Material on using classes, and the type of information features available in today's Delphi, are particularly effective. There are a lot of smart tips on proper class design techniques, including using properties, constructors, and destructors. (Delphi has its own conventions here, and this book will fill you in if you are coming to Object Pascal from another programming language.) Along the way, the author offers numerous expert nuggets on when to use (and when to avoid) using certain features. Whether you are a novice or a more experienced developer, this tutorial and reference is all you need to be productive with the latest and greatest in object-oriented programming with Delphi. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Overview of Delphi Object Pascal, units and libraries, data and string types, exception handling, file I/O, classes and objects, inheritance, constructors and destructors, interfaces, reference counting, Windows messages, memory management strategies, virtual method tables (VMTs), properties, using TypInfo, virtual and dynamic methods, automated methods and COM, Delphi type information and RTTI, concurrent programming with threads, synchronization, thread local storage techniques, Delphi language reference, system constants, operator reference, compiler directives, code samples, and programming tips.

This is a must have book for any Delphi developer. I use mine continuously. The others are on the bookshelf. But this book needs an update. The book was written in year 2000 and is at version 5, 4 releases behind current. I still give it five stars because it's indispensable.

This is an excellent desk reference book for Delphi, with great in-depth information of Delphi's Object Model, RTTI, ans SysUtil. Nonthless, be warned that it does not tell you how to write Delphi code specifically; therefore it is really not a book for Delphi beginners.

Meanwhile, this book is comparable to the classic "Inside C++ Object Model" by Stanley Lippman, but with more, let alone the English writting of this book is more concise, accurate, and easy to follow.

In a nutshell, 8 years after this book's first print, still every page, every line, and every word from this book is gem for serious Delphi developers.

Highly recommended!

Material is presented out of order and not readable to anyone who has not already mastered the subject.

This book is a fair reference for the intermediate programmer. However, it stops at Delphi 5, so it's use for those using later versions of Delphi will find a lot missing. The book is organized fairly well and it is easy to find answers to questions that are pertinent up through Delphi 5. It does have some tutorial content, but that is limited and for those seeking programming with Delphi education would be better off with other books. This book is best used as a supplement to an instructional book, like the Cantu books.

Ray has written an excellent desktop reference for Delphi. I really liked the explanation of the SysUtils unit. I found that there were functions in there that I had written myself, if I had only known I would have saved myself some time. The Language reference with the Tips and Tricks is excellent, helps make more sense of the sometimes archaic online help. My only complaint is that this is the ONLY Delphi book published by O'Reilly, I would love to see a Learning, Programming, or Mastering book!

C++Builder 6 Developer�fs Guide is a comprehensive guide to developing applications using the latest version of C++Builder. This version makes it easy to develop applications with any level of complexity and includes support for the latest technologies such as XML, SOAP, and CORBA/DataSnap for multi-tier application development. Readers will also learn about the WebBroker and WebSnap architectures; the Visual Component Library and the Component Library for Cross-platform development; the dbExpress and CORBA frameworks; and implementing SOAP-based web services with the BizSnap architecture.

On the CD:
* C++Builder 6 Enterprise 60-Day Trial
* Sample projects created, compiled, and tested using
* C++Builder 6 Enterprise Edition

Not having used C++Builder for several years, I was looking forward to reading this one to learn the new bits of v6, and pick up some pointers on BDE while getting there. The book was very frustrating to me. There are some people who can explain topics in an easy-to-follow fashion. The author of this book excels at making topics as complex as possible, using multisyllabic words whenever possible, and just generally trying to appear erudite. Opening the book at random, I came across this sample: "A web application module is typically a TWebAppPageModule object or a TWebAppDataModule object. The TWebAppPageModule component should be used if our application is to generate at least one web page; in other words, our application is of page module type. (p307)" I'm not planning on throwing it away, but it's not a book to keep by the computer. For many topics, I can get more useful information from Borland's on-line help.This book feels like a surface skim of BCB6, with the occasional deep dive with extremely specific examples. I should have figured that at a bit over a third the size of C++Builder 5: A Developers Guide, quite a bit would be missing, particularly with all the cool new components in BCB6. For example, under "Developing custom components", the author states that this is a topic that could occupy an entire book. He then gives two pages of notes and code fragments that did not help me at all. CB5:ADG above, on the other hand, has an entire chapter, 74 pages, and actually provides the information needed for the task. Why bother including this topic if the information is useless?I also have to admit, I found the fact that the author had to come here and respond to critics with five stars not only amusing, but worth taking one star away from my own review (which otherwise would have been three stars). This is by no means a five star book.

I am the author of this book, and I feel I should write a response to this review made by "A Reader" from NY,NY on March 10, 2003, which, in my opinion, is made without going through the book in detail, or even attempting to use the examples. This book is certainly not on the C++ language; however, it is written for C++Builder developers very carefully to bring out many features not documented in the manuals. Extensive set of example projects are created throughout the book making sure that these programs compile and execute well. Extensive editing has been done by me and the publisher to minimise the possibility of errors. The book is written to be useful for both newcomers and experienced professionals. Obviously every book will not satisfy every need of every individual; however, it does not mean the book is useless. Book reviews are really appreciable when they bring out both the strengths and weakneses of the book in DETAIL rather than just a simple sentence; then only reviews are useful to the potential buyers. In addition, the book is really handy, without compromising on the quality of contents, and one can carry it easily and read while in travel also, not like the bulky books which are difficult to carry.

This is not the book to buy on the subject of C++ Builder 6. Save your money on this one and go with Borland's development guide on C++ Builder 6.

Unlike many other books written on C++ related technologies, this book discusses all the new technologies supported by C++Builder, and fundamentals of desktop and database development with the same level of emphasis. With regard to database development all the three technologies supported by Borland, BDE, ADO and the new dbExpress are discussed at length. This book is as useful to a new C++Builder developer interested in learning C++Builder, as it is to an experienced developer who is interested only in advanced development concepts of the product. This is a notable feature of the book. In nut shell, new developers will be benefited by the whole book, while the advanced developers will be benefited by about two thirds of the book. In my opinion, the author is very smart in choosing the book's contents to make it useful for every kind of reader.

This book serves well both novices and experts by providing answers to technical questions such as simple "how to" s, as well as presenting useful pointers on rather complex concepts that make further research easier. The author does an excellent job of helping readers comprehend and appreciate the overwhelming features of C++ builder, by offering a step by step approach in explaining fundamentals as well as advanced concepts. This book explains in clear and simple terms why C++ builder is not just a compiler but a feature packed, fully integrated development environment, which is essential for developing high performing, user friendly applications. The chapter on C++ advanced concepts does a commendable job in jogging your C++ memory. The first part of the book covers in great depth how to use the set of tools provided by C++ builder to develop database applications with ease and effectiveness. The author presents in great detail how to take advantage of the features of C++ builder to develop simple, as well as advanced database applications. Part two provides the web developers using Borland technology an excellent source of information along with examples to understand the difference among verity of proprietary architectures currently available. Finally, an entire chapter on advanced topics is well justified and serves as a prelude to upcoming technology innovations. Quite simply, this book is a must have for all serious developers using Borland Technology.

If you're looking to capitalize on the powerful capabilities of Delphi 2005, this is your essential resource. Named "Best Book" by Delphi Informant magazine, its practical, tutorial-based coverage helps you develop key skills, solve tough problems, and build functionality in your applications. Special insights from Delphi expert Marco Cant�� give you an extra advantage. This edition contains enhanced coverage of sophisticated new features of the IDE and the Delphi programming language, covers Internet programming in Win32 and ASP.NET, the updated Win32 VCL and its .NET counterpart, the .NET FCL, and .NET/Win32 interoperability. Whether you�fre a beginner wanting to learn the essentials, an upgrader wanting to grasp the newest features, or an intermediate programmer seeking to optimize your applications, this book has all the answers you'll need.

For subscribers of the previous mastering Delphi series this book is not going to add much to your knowledge of Delphi.
I have the Mastering Delphi 4-2005 and I haven't really opened this one as it offers nothing new.
For the beginner in Delphi this would prove as useful as Mastering Delphi 4 was for me; invaluable.

The book covers the fundaments of the Delphi 2005 programming, in an inteligent and clear way. Doing more emphasis in win32 development but not leaving alone to .NET interested.
This book mantain the expected quality for an author like Marco Cantu. An recommended choice for all Delphi developers.

Marco Cantu presents another fine in-depth Delphi book. I treat this as more of a reference rather than something you read start-finish. Its over 900 pages long and I recommend having tried Delphi for a while before picking this book up. The downloadable demos are especially helpful. Highly Recommend it.

This latest in Marco's Delphi series is a must-have for anyone who is serious about rapid Microsoft Windows systems development. In contrast to most, perhaps all, of the technical books dealing with creative development, this one is very readable, and more to the point immediately useful.

The rich code samples are immediately applicable to today's right-now applications, with background material that is succinct and helpful.

It's still applicable today for one simple reason: Delphi is still the fastest and most reliable way to build robust Windows applications, bar none. The economic impact of this simple fact is why Delphi is still being used today, despite Borland's self-induced problems, and will continue to be used for the same reason for as long as Win32 is around - probably a long, long time indeed.

DISCLAIMER: Borland wanted to do a case study on my company's use of Delphi, even after I told them I thought that their marketing department was brain dead. They compiled and published the case study, but I still believe that their marketing department is brain dead.

I found the book attractive and easy-reading. Marco Cantu boosts Delphi learner's expectations again, with this Mastering Delphi 2005 edition. The author makes learning Delphi a gentle issue, as if he's chating with you personally. Definitely, the book is a better choice for learning Delphi.

Now in its 10th version, Delphi provides users with four programming languages: C++ and Delphi for Win32 for building Windows applications, and C# and Delphi for .NET for building applications that target the .NET platform. Inside Delphi 2006 demonstrates how to use all of these languages. Topics include the foundations of Delphi, VCL framework programming, and .NET programming. Learn how to: Create applications using Delphi, C++, and C#. Design user interfaces using actions and other VCL components. Create, handle, and raise exceptions. Customize and create components. Use the refactoring commands to restructure your source code. Build lightweight database applications using the TClientDataSet component. Reuse common routines by creating dynamic link libraries. Produce graphic output with GDI and GDI+, and process images. Print documents or store them as PDFs.

This is a very good book for learning Delphi. It is for beginners and advance learners. I use it in addition to: Introducing Delphi programming: theory throug practice by J Barrow et al.

Short notation: This book is great - and here is why

Its starts with the most simple programming without windows - it "aclimitize" your eyes to delphi code. Like me who havn't programmed for a while I love the way we clean out everything uninportant. You don't get a bucket full of paint over you at the first page, we go with easy steps to all the details. What a variable is and how it can be declared. All the container types there can be... Then we advance slowley and I simpley love the book. I borrowed it from a friend and fell in love with the way it was done! -- Now you just not stop with delphi - the book lets your feet get wet in C++ too!!
Also he mention how math formulas can be delcared inside const variables can be declared, and its so neat!

at the end of the book we shure get complicated - and for me who wants to get into the hard stuff - I can ashure that this fellow will have it noted as well used later on..

This book get Many stars !!! We love you !!!

at the same time - this is said - I wish that a math book in the same way could be published - accually I would recomend that to happend!

The book covers from basic to more complex themes. So it can be very useful to completely new users and to the more experienced ones, as a shelf reference as well. I recommend.

I have been a Delphi programmer for a number of years and read many Delphi books and this is by far the most basic. It is also the most difficult to follow. The Mr. Hladni mixes Delphi and C++Builder into one presentation. So if your interest is only Delphi (which seems to be implied by the book title) then take about half of the 727 pages and throw them out. Another difficulty in the manor of his approach is the examples his uses. The examples in the first 10 chapter are console applications - get real DOS. I had the feeling that he pulled parts of old material together and manufactured this book. I have always been critical of the example code that books use for their simplicity. This book goes to the extreme. The best example of this simplicity is chapter 23, Creating Win32 API Applications. All of the examples used in the chapter are basic components of Delphi - forms, buttons, list, etc. Delphi hides this complexity from programmers and there is very little need to create a form using direct API calls, so why doesn't he have examples that are more pertinent? If I were a non-experienced Delphi programmer and I read this chapter and I would come away confused at why I would want to create a Win32 API program. As an experienced programmer I found this chapter a waste of time and skipped through the material in about 2 minutes.

When he did address newer features than Pascal coding from the 1980s he did not point out or almost never that it was new/modified, whatever, the reason for the change much less the significance of the change. Needless to say you will not find a chapter entitled "New Features of Delphi 2006" and sadly that is the reason I bought this book.

If you are new to Delphi then you may find this to be a good primer, but I would suggest that as soon as you complete the book to get another to expand your knowledge of the current product (Mastering Delphi 2005 by Cantu for starters). For experienced programmers this book is a waste of time and money.

As a long time Delphi programmer from v1 through v7, C++ Builder programmer from v1 through v3, and Kylix programmer from v1 through v3, I found this book to be a very useful "nutshell" type book which provides both Delphi and C++ examples throughout.

As others have noted though, this is not the book you want if you expect more than cursory treatment [...]- I didn't so I wasn't disappointed.

Well written to boot.

This book teaches distance-learning students how to program in Delphi, a major computer language used to design a variety of programs.

This is a good book to get started with whether you are familiar with programming on not. I worked my way through the book from the beginning but stopped eventually when I realized I was getting a bit board and needed bigger challenges. I also use it as a reference occasionally.

If you are new to programming, and want to learn Delphi... This is your book.

I found the book interesting, and very well structured. It can take any beginner and make them a programmer in a few weeks.

The problem with most computer books for beginners, is that they are written by programmers that already know how to program. So many minor details that confuse beginners are often left out. Besides, this book is really fun.

Learn Object Pascal with Delphi provides an introduction to the popular programming language that is used as the basis for many computer science programs and a wide range of professional software development projects. The book is organized around specific programming skills, such as defining constants, creating variables, declaring types, making decisions, looping, encapsulating routines into procedures, using arrays and records, and handling files.

Among the elements that make this book perfect for beginning Delphi developers are Quick Check review questions to reinforce new concepts; Test Your Knowledge exercises for trying out newfound skills; and an appendix listing Object Pascal�fs reserved words.

The companion CD-ROM puts you to work immediately with the complete Delphi 5.0 Standard Edition compiler ready for installation. The CD also contains the complete source code for all of the examples; trial versions of GLAD components; and a trial version of the UIL Security System from Unlimited Intelligence Limited.

Good introduction to Pascal. Easy to read. Code from page 285 (chapter 11) did not compile in Delphi 7 Pro.

To anyone who bought this book. Does Delphi 5 Standard that comes with the book include a commercial distribution license, meaning you can sell any apps you right with it, or is it strictly a learning edition? Thanks.

This is a great introductory book to programming for the non-programmer. The books starts at the very basic level and takes you through conventional programming (not to much of oop). In the last chapters of the book the examples are not presented clearly enough and somtimes it is hard to follow the authors line of thought . In conclusion -a good book to start off with !!

I can't understand the negative reviews for this book. I'm with the first reviewer, Larrywp from Carson City, NV -- this is a great introductory book to programming for the non-programmer. All of the essentials behind programming in any language are here(declaring and initializing variables, working with strings and arrays, pointers, file-handling, looping, etc.), and the book also includes a minor intro to object-oriented programming. While I would have appreciated going a little further into OOP and at least cursory info about how the Delphi IDE fits in, the book makes clear from the start that it won't be going there. Rather, this book's aim is to provide novices with the foundation they need to understand what's going on in code behind the IDE, and at that, it succeeds quite well.There were a few typos/formatting glitches that a tighter tech or page-proof edit would have caught, but the content of this book is nonetheless clear. If you happen to agree with the author's view that the place to start is with fundamental coding skills (that means practicing and learning with console (DOS) applications, not GUI apps), then this book really is an excellent place to start.As for choosing Delphi Pascal as a learning language, I've looked at many languages and read several books to try to grasp the fundamentals. I have no prorgramming or computer science experience, which made my search for the right language and tutorial all the more difficult. Believe me, I've looked at just about everything: VB, C++, C#, Java, RealBASIC, Perl, Python, Objective C, Rebol, and Ruby, to name most of them. After much study, I believe that Pascal, with its focus on highly structured and well throught out "unit" modules, really makes the most sense for a beginner (RealBASIC comes close, but good reference material is still a bit scarce). The language just makes sense to me, and coupled with Borland's Delphi IDE, programming is just easier and more fun to learn.If you're just getting started on your adventures in programming, this book can't be beat. It even includes Delphi 5 standard to practice with, which is a ... value on its own. Although Delphi 6 is already out, use this book and v.5 to explore the language (which hasn't changed at all, as far as I can tell) and the environment as a means of deciding whether Delphi is for you. If so, you'll want to move on to additional references, like Marco Cantu's Mastering Delphi books. One more note -- just because this book is for absolute novices, that doesn't mean it's a no-brainer. The pace is relatively swift, and I had to re-read some sections several times to catch on. The code samples build on prior lessons, too, and I found myself going back to previous material to refresh my recollection. This, however, helped rather than hindered my learning, as I was forced to re-study recently learned concepts I would have otherwise forgotten.In all, this book is a great value and an excellent read. It's finally got me going as a fledgling programmer, and for that, the author and publisher (as well as Borland) deserve great thanks!

I consider that this is one of the best introductory books on computer programming I have read and I have read a lot of books on computer programming. It not only teaches the reader how to code in Pascal, but also how to program. The techniques which the author elaborates are applicable to other computer languages such as C++ and Java. Typically, the authors of books on computing, propose a problem and then give the solution as a listing without giving any indication of how they arrived at the solution. This author breaks the problem down into its component parts and proceeds to code and discuss each part and then combines the parts into a program or in Chapter 8 and succeding chapters into one or more units. The author also explains the advantages of modularizing a program using procedures, functions and units as an aid to information hidding and security. Readers who are new to programming should note how the author prefaces each of his procedures and functions with a panel giving a brief description of the purpose, input parameters and output values.The author makes it very easy for the uninitiated to do the example programs by creating a template project which is used throughout the book.The semantics of Pascal are well covered in the first seven chapters.In Chapter 8 the concept of units is introduced. My first attempt at the Currency Conver program with two units would not compile, so I tried the program from the CD-ROM, and although it compiled correctly, I got a run time error. I typed in the complete program again and this time it worked perfectly.In Chapter 9 on arrays, the author gives an interesting example of how a non-numerical ordinal type (char) can be used as the control variable in a FOR loop in the airplane seat reservation program.Chapter 10 on records gives a good example using student details of how all the procedures and functions can be contained in a unit, with only a simple menu, using the case construct as the main program. Also in this chapter is an introduction to stack and queue structures.Chapter 11 gives an introduction to object orientated programming using the queue structure from the previous chapter. While this chapter discusses the aspects of OOP, it is only an introduction to the subject of object orientated programming and a more advanced book would be required for a more in depth study of the subject, but what is given is adequate for an introduction.The twelth and final chapter discusses file IO and pointers. The file IO componet covers various ways files can be handled and is quite adequate. The section on pointers is probably too brief to be of much use, but the linked list is an interesting example of how pointers can be used.It is not the author's intention to delve into the graphical apects of Delphi, so there are not any examples of it in this book, but if any readers want to see Pascal in the Delphi environment, then they can see Marco Cantu's online book: Essential Pascal .... Marco Cantu is the author of the series of books Delhi Unleashed.I would have given this book a four star rating, but in Chapter 7 and some other chapters, nearly all the inequalities are missing from the statements. This is gross carelessness on the part of the author and the proof readers. I suggest readers down load the programs from the CD-Rom to see what the inequalities should be and pencil them in.

.NET for Delphi Programmers explores .NET from a Delphi programmer's viewpoint, and it is ideal for Delphi programmers moving to .NET. It presents the core concepts of the .NET world in terms you are familiar with. This book will help you with Delphi for .NET as well as C#.

Apress publishes migration books for both VB 6 and C++ programmers moving to .NET. Consider this the Delphi installment of Apress migration books! There is ample coverage of C# as well as Delphi for .NET inside this newest addition.

The best way to go from Delphi to Net Framework. Use the Delphi skill to learn Net.

As someone who used to use Delphi almost all the time, I hate to admit that in order to stay employable today, I'm having to know and use .NET. If you find yourself in the same situation, and you want a fast-track to .NET 2.0, then this book is at the top of the list.

It's the single most used book in my collection today when it comes to .NET.

At first, I read it cover to cover. It's not hard reading like some books can be, and it made sense to me since I know Delphi.
But with Jon's writing style, it's organized in a way that I reach for it when I need a quick reference as well.

It comes with special tidbits about the inner workings of the CLR, which I always find fascinating.

I keep it at the front of my bookshelf. I've had other programmers that C++ guys come by and ask to use it. So you don't need to know Delphi to make good use of it. Borland C++ Builder users will find it an easy read as well since Builder is built on Delphi.

Five thumbs up for this one. Well done Jon!

This is the eBook version of the printed book. If the print book includes a CD-ROM, this content is not included within the eBook version.

Master Microsoft's .NET Framework using Delphi.

This book provides expert knowledge of both Delphi and. NET with the same, practicable and real-world solutions approach used in previous Delphi Developer's Guides. Delphi for .NET Developer's Guide is a new edition of the #1 Delphi book by authors Xavier Pacheco and Steve Teixeira. This newest edition is completely updated for Delphi using the .NET Framework and includes in-depth coverage on Borland's new CLX architecture, DBExpress Applications, SOAP, CORBA, WebSnap and BizSnap features. It continues as a complete reference and authoritative guide to the newest version of Delphi. Additional topics covered include: The .NET Framework; Programs, Units, and Namespaces;.NET Security Custom WinForms Controls; Memory Management and Garbage Collection; COM and COM+ Interoperability; ADO.NET, ASP.NET and Web Services.

If you're into, or getting into, .NET programming with Delphi, this is a good reference. I am a professional programmer, and Delphi is one of 4 languages I use on a regular basis. I bought this book, and Cantu's book, about two months ago to ease into ASP.NET from 12 years of VCL programming. Both books are very helpful, but my Pacheco book is way more dog-eared than the Cantu book, so that says something right there.

Beautiful introduction to .NET and Delphi language / environment. Especially enjoyed the
sections on GDI programming, assemblies, and cross platform demos. Great job.

Though this book aimed primarilly at .NET rather than Delphi it self, but I think its approach is correct, for the readers that already familiar Delphi 5/6/7. I would call this book '.NET for Delphi programmers'.

This book contains advanced topics I didn't feel useful first time. But lately I migrate some old Delphi 5 compoment packages
to VCL.NET, I found there're many useful topics in this book.

In a word, I like this book and it worth the money.

I was initially disappointed by this book, though now I am only slightly negative. In the book, the author provides a good overview of how you can use Delphi for .NET and ASP.NET. I did learn a lot about .NET and am better prepared for the migration.

However, this looks and reads like an editted C# book. Except for a few pages (literally one chapter), there is very little about Delphi. The examples are in Delphi, which helps with the understanding, but the author uses the Microsoft .NET libraries and DOES NOT USE EVEN ONE of the Borland specific libraries like VCL.NET, etc. in his examples.

Overall, an educational book, but not what I was looking for.

The book covers an excellent range of topics. As both Delphi and .Net are large subjects I think Xavier has managed the content very well.

The book is easy to read and the examples are very easy to follow.

The Delphi 6 Developers Guide on CD is also a nice bonus if you are still developing for Win32 in Delphi 6/7.

What I expect out of this type of book is to reduce my learning curve and allow me to start writing programs, Delphi for .NET Developer's Guide has certainly done that for me.

If you are going to write .NET programs in Delphi than you want this book on your shelf.

The only book to focus on advanced database development, readers will learn the intricacies involved in developing robust database applications with Delphi.

• Comprehensive coverage of how to create distributable database applications
• Explains all of Delphi's database development tools
• CD-ROM includes all of the source code from the book, sample applications, and demo software

This is the Michael Jordan of Delphi books. It is the best there ever was, the best there will ever be. Every page in this book holds knowledge that Delphi programmers should know. If you're a new Delphi developer, you need this book to learn how the masters do things. If you're an intermediate developer, you need this book to take you to the next step in your development as a programmer. And if you're an expert, you need this book to learn some tricks from an old master and to see how the wizards do things. From the expert commentary, to the excellent writing, to the treasure trove of technical advice, this is, page-for-page, the best Delphi book ever written.

I have all the Delphi books out there - Cantu, Calvert, etc. - and none of them compare to this one. It's written better than 99% of the technical books you will find. It is also jam-packed with useful technical info. No other Delphi book compares. The best things about this one are:* Detailed instructions on connecting to and working with the leading DBMSs. Just the other day this saved my behind with an Oracle problem I was having.* The components chapter. I couldn't believe how easy it was to make data bound components.* The tutorial. I worked through this and learned oodles of things that I didn't know about Delphi (I've been using Delphi since version 2).It's just a great book that belongs in your library if you're serious about Delphi.

I don't write many good technical book reviews. Most books just don't deserve it. This one, however, is an exception.I bought this book because a good portion of it is dedicated to a tutorial that shows how to develop a complete database application using Delphi. I have never seen such a detailed, complete tutorial in a technical book. It spans some seven chapters and takes you from literally nothing but a concept of what the application might to do a polished product. I've never seen anything like it in a book before.Some highlights:1. The interleaving of the figures and commentary is excellent. It feels like you've got the instructor right there in the room with you. You get the sense that the author has built an application or two.2. The prose is friendly, yet nitpickingly technical and complete. Useful tips abound. Usually, you don't get both technical excellence and good writing in the same computer book. Not true with this one. This is some of the best technical writing I've ever read.3. The approach taken to show user-interface design is right on the money. It's better than many books dedicated to the subject. Henderson apparently comes from the same school of thought as Microsoft. His recommendations follow those of the book "The Windows User Interface Guidelines for Software Design" (from Microsoft Press), though his book predates this book.I also really love his approach to database design and data modeling. It is a nice cross between the approach C.J. Date's books take (e.g., Foundation for Future Database Systems - Addison-Wesley) and those of Joe Celko (e.g., Data and Databases - Morgan-Kaufmann). His approach is practical, yet grounded in solid theory. Here is a database wiz who knows both sides of the business -- the high-brow theory and the stuff that pays the bills.4. The CD is a great value in and of itself. In addition to providing the full source code for the book (there must be thousands of lines of it), it also contains a number of extra utilities and components that have value a part from the book. I would have paid what I did for the book just to get the CD.The book is simply a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. The naming conventions chapter, the report writing chapter, the chapter on the BDE, the one on creating your own data-aware components, etc., make for some of the best technical writing out there on Delphi or any other language tool.If you are really interested in database programming with Delphi, this is the one book to have. It tells you everything you need to know to build robust, scalable, polished Delphi applications for the complex world of Windows.I liked this one so much that I recently paid big $$ to get the sequel to this book (Client/Server Developer's Guide with Delphi) from a collector. I'll post a review of it as soon as I finish going through it. Already I'm learning tons.One last comment: I loved the Epilogue. No one has ever said it better!

I do not like writing negative book reviews (see other books I have reviewed) but I feel I have to in this case. I bought this book because a major portion of the book (Chapters 8 to 14) goes through a tutorial of developing a database application using Delphi. I quickly ran into problems. 1. In many cases, what the book says and the illustrations do not match. This can be very confusing. In most cases, follow what the book says (exception: Chapter 9 - the editform where the illustration is correct; I believe a paragraph has been deleted here.)2. The author's style of writing is verbose. It would be much easier if steps were written in a 1-2-3 manner so that it is easy to follow rather than putting everything into essay form. If you were spending a half hour a day or so working through the book, it can be very difficult to pick up where you left off. Also in the future if you want to refer to something, it is very difficult to look it up.3. (personal opinion) I happen to disagree both with the author's user interface and with his method of data modeling.4. There is a CD with the book which supposedly has all the source code from the book. This would be a good place to check the typographical errors and to see a complete finished product with all the code. Unfortunately the finished product does not work, the code in the CD has no resemblance whatsoever to what was in the tutorial.On the bright side, I like his naming conventions for objects (Chapter 4). Also one of the few books I have come across that goes through report writing in some detail (Chapter 12) and the Control Grid component (user beware: the control grid component comes with the developer's edition of Delphi, not the desktop edition).If you are really interested in database programming with Delphi, and are willing to take the time and spend the effort to do it right, I would recommend that you get:1. A good book on database design (eg. "An introduction to database systems" by Date, "Data Analysis for Data Base Design" by Howe)2. A good book on user interface design3. A good book on Delphi techniques (eg. "Mastering Delphi" by Cantu)

I've been buying computer books for the better part of 25 years. Around 1990 things went down hill in a big way. I don't know how or why, but somewhere around my first Unleashed or Teach Yourself book I began to smell a rat. Technical publishing had become big business and the quality of the books had declined markedly. My response to this was to be much more careful about what I bought. There was a time when you could count on publishers to weed out crumy books, but those days are long gone. I suspsect there's a bad book published just about every day nowadays, and you have to be careful lest you end up wasting your money on one of them.What does all that have to do with this book? Very simple: this book is the antithesis of all that's wrong with the computer publishing industry. It's a masterpiece in the spirit of the old classics. It *feels* like it was written before the industry was ruined by unscrupulous publishers and authors. It takes me back, but takes me way forward at the same time.This guy can write, and thankfully for us all, he took the time to do so and put down on paper one of the best computing how-to books ever written. The explanations are clear, concise, and thought-provoking. The practices recommended are logical and innovative. The prose is first-rate and stands on its own independent of the technical info.I recently bought another of this fellow's books -- The Guru's Guide to Transact-SQL -- even though I don't work with Microsoft SQL Server just because I like to read what he writes. I'll probably continue to do so just because his expressions never fail to give me a warm smile here or there. He loves what he does and it shines through in his work.The book is a classic and belongs on the shelf of any Delphi developer who wants to really master the tool. If you're wanting to learn Delphi at the feet of a guru, you've come to the right place.