On Jul 02, 1997 04:18pm, RON TUYNMAN wrote to ROB WILLIAMS:
-=>> Rob Williams schreef op 01 Jul 97  05:55:00 aan Ron Tuynman over Visual
 RT> basic vs. Delphi..<=-
 RT>  ...Delphi has several advantages to Clipper, but for my -- very
 RT>  humble -- opinion Clipper is more direct in handling databases.
I would agree whole-heartedly with that statement.  Delphi uses a level of
abstraction from the databases in order to handle many different kinds of
databases. (and changing the type is pretty easy, if you code it right, too!)
 RT>  But hen as it coms to really programming, making the damned thing
 RT>  work, it's a hell to me...
Yes, it is a different state of mind, to be sure.  Part of it is windows, 
art
of it is OOP, and part Delphi, IMO.  It takes a while to get used to all of 
it,
especially when you are coming from a real procedurally oriented language.  
But
it can be done!
 RT>  Screen2( "Hello world!" )
 RT>  USE database NEW
 RT>  RTPGET( "" , database , aFields , .t. )
 RT>  and the input works... Getting started with Delphi 1.0 I tried to
RTPGET is a third party tool, though, isn't it? 
 RT>  In the first project I need to index some date-fields on a function
 RT>  that transfers the given date to the same dat in THIS year. Exit
 RT>  Delphi for me...
I think you should be able to do that, using an index with a function 
ttached
to it (but I'm not sure exactly why you would want to do that).
 RT>  In the second project I'm not able to open the databases in a new
 RT>  form. The most mysterious error-messages play havoc with my efforts.
Delphi 1 is harder to deal with the same database on multiple forms.  You can 
do
it (I finally figured out how), but it isn't easy.  In Delphi 2, it makes it
really easy to have a "Datasource form" that contains all your databases, 
tc,
and you just include it in all your forms, then address the components as 
such:
DataSourceForm.Component.Property
(where datasourceform is the name of the form, component is the name of the
component, and property is the property/method you are using).
 RT>  In a earlier version I tried to modify the database-structure.. My
 RT>  God! Indexes not found and God knows what disaster came over my
 RT>  application...
The error messages can be REALLY deceiving, I'll give you that....Although
Delphi 2 is a LOT better than Delphi 1 in most of this.  From what I 
understand,
Delphi 3 is even better about telling you what is wrong.
 RT>  But that's not the issue, I think. The original question was about
 RT>  learning Delphi.  For me it's not that easy. Maybe I'm stupid, but I
 RT>  hate programming in Delphi.
Not stupid, just learning...  You are correct, though, coming from a 
ascal
background helps a LOT.
 RT>  For instance:
 RT>  In Clipper a FOR-loop is always terminated with a NEXT. A DO WHILE...
 RT>  with an ENDDO, an IF-statement is always terminated with an ENDIF...
 RT>  It's so delightfully clear!
When you are used to it being that way...  I don't have any problems with 
the
begin/end pairs that pascal uses.  Mostly because I am accustomed to them.
 RT>  Furthermore I hate it to program on those 'Post-It-notes'. I want a
 RT>  FULL and clear programmingwindow! Now I always have to enlarge it...
That is one thing I agree with you on.  I always maximize the window, so I 
an
see my code, not just a little piece of it.
 RT>  But maybe I'm cmpletely tuned over in a year or so... But for now I'm
 RT>  gratefull for the opportunity to blow off some steam ;-)
Blow away!  But don't give up....
 RT>  ...Just plain Delphi-standards is not what I'm trying to make. I want
 RT>  my software to distinguish itself from others -- in Clipper I always
 RT>  had a recognisable style of menu's etc. The Windows shackles are
 RT>  restraining enough...
But using the database expert will create a complete application for you, and
hopefully by looking at how it is constructed, it will help you understand 
ow
things fit together (it did for me, anyway).  Once it is built, you can
delete/change/add to it however you want, but the grunt work is already done.
 RT>  ..Yep! I've got three books overhere, but still I'm in need of a
 RT>  grouped list of all functions and their syntaxes. The help-files
 RT>  aren't giving me exactly what I need.
Another area where Delphi 3 excels (from what I understand...).  The help is
MUCH improved over 1 and 2.
 RT>  ...I'm still doing. There's no acceptable alternative for Delphi I'm
 RT>  affraid.
Just don't use VB....
 RT>  ...It really helps! I have to learn alll by my self. Seeing reactions
 RT>  of other people that my efforts WILL be rewarded in the end gives me
 RT>  strength to go on!
I learned what I know by myself.  Also, see if there is a Delphi user group
where you live.  We have one here, and it is a source of good info and help.
Rob
... WCS Online! - BBS Doors and MORE!! (503) 631-8439 @wcssoft.com
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/Wildcat5! v2.0
---------------