Hello everybody, I have some little experience programing at Visual Basic, but since Borland released a free version of the Delphi 6.0 personal edition (the one where you can''t sell things made on it), I was thinking about moving to this program, but I have some questions about it: 1) Is it somewhat close to C/C++? I have plans to learn that too in the future, so is learning Delphi (I believe it''s also called Pascal) going to help me when I move on? 2) Can I use DirectX with it? Since Delphi is owned by Borland, I believe there are no exemples at the directX SDK (not shure, becouse I haven''t downloaded the full version), so even if it supports DirectX, how much hard would it be to do the same things? Thanks! (if anybody is interested in downloading it, the URL is http://www.borland.com/delphi/personal/del6personal_keyanddown_steps.html)

I would recommend just going to C++. From what I''ve heard Delphi has some annoying quirks. You can probably find a cheap copy of Visual C++ in stores or on the web. I believe there is a way to use DirectX with Delphi. Knowing Delphia probably won''t help you learn C++ anymore than knowing VB will.

Breakaway Games

Actually Delphi makes it very easy to move to C and C++. The only major differences between the languages are the syntax
(int i VS i:integer) and the fact that Delphi (Object Pascal) enforces strong typing and requires that programs be read top to bottom (you have to declare variables and function before using them). These functions make Delphi a more forgiving language than C++ (Its a lot harder to shoot yourself in the foot) and in unlike older versions of pascal (Turbo Pascal 1-7 for DOS) Delphi allows you to go around the strong typing.

For instance:
var
P: Pointer;
I: Integer; {32bit integer}
begin
I:=P; {Not legal due to strong typing, only possible in C}
I:=Integer(P); {NOT A TYPECAST, tells the compiler to treat P as raw integer data}
end;

As for support for API's that varies. OpenGL, COM and most open standards are all supported with the included libraries. To use DirectX you need to download something like DelphiX, UnDelphiX or some other conversion (Unlike VB anything you can do Visual C++ can be done in Delphi without needing external DLL/COM libraries). Checkout Project JEDI for conversions of popular API's.

If you're still learning get Delphi and use it. It provides a really good stepping stone from the super friendly but limited (Don't flame) VB and the powerful industry standard (but deadly) C++.

Edited by - Michalson on February 1, 2002 12:16:37 PM

Well...
All I have to say is... Thanks!! That''s all I wanted to know!

Object Pascal is a rarther limited language when compared to C++, IMNSHO.

The Delphi IDE and UI framework are easier to learn and use than MFC (or Win32). You certainly can make games with Delphi, there''s a forum on this sight for it (the Turbo forum).

There''s something called DelphiX that yo might want to check out.

Also, there''s C++ Builder which is much like Delphi, but with C++ instead of OP.

from what ive seen 3d graphics speed wise delphi gives similar results to c or c++ heres a nice site (theres a few around) www.delphi3d.net

http://uk.geocities.com/sloppyturds/gotterdammerung.html

Firstly, I think you should learn Delphi - I use it most of the time and it is certainly far easier to use than C++, while also being very similar and almost as powerful (and certainly better than Visual Basic).

Secondly, DirectX is very easy to use in Delphi, thanks to the DelphiX library by Hiroyuki Hori which you can download here. Also on the turbo site are loads of links to using DirectX with Delphi.

quote: Original post by Michalson
The only major differences between the languages are the syntax

LOL!

Hey, thanks for all these links, They are going to be very useful. While I don''t think I''m ready to start using DirectX with Delphi yet (I''ll have to learn the basics first, afterall), it can''t hurt knowing where I can find stuff.

Take it from a huge fan of Delphi: if you want to learn C++ you should just do that. I don''t think learning Delphi or any other language will make learning C++ easier and you may find yourself sidetracked by that stepping-stone language. I went from VB to Delphi and learned C++ right around the same time. Picking up a new language is a matter of understanding fundamental programming concepts and just learning how to express those ideas in that language''s syntax. Which language(s) you''ve used before doesn''t seem to make much of a difference to me.