-=> Rob Williams schreef op 01 Jul 97  05:55:00 aan Ron Tuynman over Visual 
basic vs. Delphi..<=-
 RW> I wouldn't say that Clipper is more powerful than Delphi, just
 RW> different.
 ...Different it's for sure!
 RW> After using Delphi for several months now, the more I use it, the more
 RW> I like it.
 ...Delphi has several advantages to Clipper, but for my -- very
 humble -- opinion Clipper is more direct in handling databases.
 RW> Can clipper create a fully graphical windows application,
 RW> complete with all the data input fields, validation, navigation
 RW> components, grids, etc in less than 10 minutes?
 ...No it can't! I must admit that splashing screens in Delphi are
 made in a wink of an eye! Gorgeous! I love it!
 But hen as it coms to really programming, making the damned thing
 work, it's a hell to me...
 RW> For that matter, can
 RW> it do a DOS version in less than 10 minutes?
 ...Less than FIVE minutes... :-))))
 RW> I don't think so, unless
 RW> you have a 3rd party code generator, or your own templates.
 ...Thats a fact.
 IF ! FILE ( "database.dbf")
    RTPCreate( "database" ) //--- I must confess I created the database
                                   with dBAse...
 Screen2( "Hello world!" )
 USE database NEW
 RTPGET( "" , database , aFields , .t. )
 and the input works... Getting started with Delphi 1.0 I tried to
 recreate Windows-versions from existing applications. But both
 projects got stranded by my incapability to make the databases work.
 In the first project I need to index some date-fields on a function
 that transfers the given date to the same dat in THIS year. Exit
 Delphi for me...
 In the second project I'm not able to open the databases in a new
 form. The most mysterious error-messages play havoc with my efforts.
 In a earlier version I tried to modify the database-structure.. My
 God! Indexes not found and God knows what disaster came over my
 application...
 But that's not the issue, I think. The original question was about
 learning Delphi.  For me it's not that easy. Maybe I'm stupid, but I
 hate programming in Delphi.
 For instance:
 In Clipper a FOR-loop is always terminated with a NEXT. A DO WHILE...
 with an ENDDO, an IF-statement is always terminated with an ENDIF...
 It's so delightfully clear!
 Not for Delphi: all is ended with the same END;
 Furthermore I hate it to program on those 'Post-It-notes'. I want a
 FULL and clear programmingwindow! Now I always have to enlarge it...
 But maybe I'm cmpletely tuned over in a year or so... But for now I'm
 gratefull for the opportunity to blow off some steam ;-)
 RW> What helped me the most in learning it is to look at the samples
 RW> (there are lots of them),
 ...I looked at it, but for someone without a Pascal background it's
 rather hard to understand the why's and where's...
 RW> sites, etc. Also, make sure to use the experts (there is a really cool
 RW> database expert that will create the above mentioned database app in
 RW> just a couple of minutes, with NO coding!).
 ...Just plain Delphi-standards is not what I'm trying to make. I want
 my software to distinguish itself from others -- in Clipper I always
 had a recognisable style of menu's etc. The Windows shackles are
 restraining enough...
 RW> Agreed....Have you looked/purchased any of the good database Delphi
 RW> books to learn from?
 ..Yep! I've got three books overhere, but still I'm in need of a
 grouped list of all functions and their syntaxes. The help-files
 aren't giving me exactly what I need.
 RW> The only way to learn is to do though.
 ...I'm still doing. There's no acceptable alternative for Delphi I'm
 affraid.
 RW> Boy, I kind of went on and on there!  Anyway, hope that helps a little
 RW> bit!
 ...It really helps! I have to learn alll by my self. Seeing reactions
 of other people that my efforts WILL be rewarded in the end gives me
 strength to go on!
 Cu,
 Ron
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