After a clean install of Delphi, what components and IDE add-ins do you make certain that you install? What’s your Delphi “rig”? Here’s what I install after a clean installation:
- Delphi 2007 / Delphi 2010
- JCL / JVCL – JEDI Code Library and JEDI Visual Code Library (600+ components)
- JWA / JWSCL – JEDI API Library & Security Code Library
- GExperts – GExperts is a free set of tools built to increase the productivity of Delphi and C++Builder programmers by adding several features to the IDE. (Now includes the previously experimental code formatter.)
- CnWizards – Provides IDE enhancements to improve development efficiency
- Virtual TreeView – Virtual Treeview is a treeview control built from ground up. More than 5 years of development made it one of the most flexible and advanced tree controls available today.
- MustangPeak Components (EasyList View, Virtual ShellTools, etc) – EasyListview is a control that has no dependance on the Microsoft Listview control but has all the features of the latest version from Microsoft. Also includes ‘Explorer.exe’ like shell components.
- Synapse lightweight networking components – contains simple low level non-visual objects for easy programming without problems. (no required multi-threaded synchronization, no need for windows message processing,…) Great for command line utilities, visual projects, NT services
- EurekaLog – EurekaLog is a complete bug resolution tool for Delphi and C++Builder developers that gives your application the power to catch every exception and memory leak, directly on the end user PC, generating a detailed log of the call stack (with file, class, method and line number), optionally sending you a copy of each log entry via email or to a web bug-tracker.
- DelphiSpeedUp – DelphiSpeedUp is an IDE plugin for Delphi and C++Builder. It improves the IDE’s startup speed and increases the general speed of the whole IDE.
- DDevExtensions – DDevExtensions extends the Delphi/C++Builder IDE by adding some new productivity features.
- IDE Fix Pack – The IDE Fix Pack installs is a DLL-Expert that fixes the following RAD Studio 2007 bugs at runtime. All changes are done in memory. No file on disk is modified.
- TPerlRegex – Regular Expression library for Delphi
How about other Delphi developers?
My list:
The Dev.Express Quantum grid: enhanced grid component: once you get the hang of this component, you can use it in all sorts of scenarios (at least I have)
Dev.Express Quantum Tree list: if you know the grid component, you can use this component as well (treelist and grid combined)
Dev.Express Express bars: menu bars and ribbons (which I don’t use myself) fully configurable by the user without any code from the developer – cool and usable even in previous Delphi versions
CNPack – Delphi IDE enhancer: is a Free IDE Plug-in Tool Set for Delphi/C++ Builder/CodeGear RAD Studio to Improve Development Efficiency. One of the features (among tens of features) is a small form which attaches itself at the bottom left of any form you are designing, with buttons to left align, right align, center align etc … your components on your form – check it out
HtmlViewer component: as the name suggest: an HTML viewing component in native Delphi, now free, but I have been using it for a lot of years now. I have written almost all of my reports in my programs using html and css and the HtmlViewer component. It’s amazing what you can do with html and css as a reporting solution (and it’s standard too).
I have a lot of other components too, but these are the ones I use in every project (from small ones to the biggest I have written).