Chapter 1
Introduction 1-1
What is Delphi?.................. 1-1
Where to find information............ 1-1
Online Help................... 1-2
Printed documentation............ 1-3
Developer support services.......... 1-3
Typographic conventions............. 1-4
Chapter 2
A tour of the environment 2-1
Starting Delphi...................2-1
Using toolbars, menus, and keyboard
shortcuts......................2-2
Placing components on a form..........2-3
Changing component appearance and
behavior......................2-4
Working with events..............2-5
Viewing and editing code.............2-5
Viewing form files...............2-6
Browsing with the editor...........2-6
Exploring code.................2-7
Managing projects.................2-7
Browsing project elements and structure .... 2-8
Creating to-do lists.................2-9
Designing data modules.............2-9
Setting project and environment options .... 2-10
Getting help..........-..........2-11
Help with coding................2-12
Class Completion..............2-13
Debugging applications..............2-13
Exploring databases................2-14
Templates and the Object Repository......2-15
Chapter 3
Your first application—a brief tutorial 3-1
Starting a new application............3-1
Setting property values..............3-2
Adding objects to the form............3-3
Connecting to a database.............3-5
Adding support for a menu and a toolbar . . . 3-6
Adding a menu...................3-8
Adding a toolbar..................3-9
Displaying images.................3-10
Adding text and memo objects..........3-12
Writing an event handler.............3-13
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Chapter 4
Customizing the environment 4-1
Organizing your work area............4-1
Docking tool windows.............4-1
Arranging menus and toolbars........4-4
Customizing desktop settings...........4-5
Setting default project options...........4-5
Specifying default projects and forms......4-5
Setting tool preferences...............4-6
Customizing the Code editor.........4-6
Customizing the Form Designer........4-6
Setting Explorer options............4-6
Customizing the Component palette.......4-7
Arranging the Component palette.......4-8
Installing components.............4-8
Adding ActiveX controls..........4-8
Creating component templates........4-8
Customizing the Help system...........4-9
Chapter 5
Programming with Delphi 5-1
Development tools and features..........5-1
Using the VCL..................5-1
Exception handling.............5-2
Database connectivity and utilities......5-3
BDE Administrator.............5-3
SQL Explorer (Database Explorer).....5-3
Database Desktop..............5-4
Data Dictionary...............5-4
Kinds of development project...........5-4
Applications and servers............5-4
DLLs.......................5-4
Custom components and packages......5-5
Frames......................5-5
COM and ActiveX................5-5
Type libraries.................5-6
Deploying applications...............5-6
Internationalizing applications..........5-6
