Delphi 7 on Windows 8

[retrocoder]

By using compatibility mode and a different CD, I finally managed to install Delphi 7. I have configured the shortcut to run with admin rights and it seems to be working fine. During the install I had a dialog that said there were know issues which I bypassed and the rest ran smoothly. I then ran the JEDI SDL installer which Windows 8 tried to stop as it believed it was potentially dangerous. Under Windows 7 I would normally hit the “run anyway” button but under Windows 8 they have hidden this from view so at first it looks as if you can’t run the exe. So far everything seems fine so I can get back to writing a game

[WILL]

If you are a Delphi 7 fan, you might be better off with Lazarus as newer Windows has changed so much that older programs like that just aren't running on the current Windows anymore. Lazarus is free and it is as close to the older D7 IDE as you'll get these days. And Lazarus is much more capable than Delphi of yester-year, just add "Delphi Compatibility Mode" to your project's compiler settings if you want to directly port old Delphi code over.

Normally I wouldn't suggest switching over unless you want to support a different platform, but as you seem reluctant to purchase a newer Delphi, Lazarus would be your only other FREE option. And sticking to aging tools is never a good way to do software development.

[retrocoder]

Hello, The main reason I stick with Delphi 7 is because it works well and the IDE is quick and easy to use. I have access to newer version of Delphi at work but at home I just use it to write games. As long as I can install and use the JEDI SDL library I’m happy. I spend the day writing business apps and using WPF for the GUI so the last thing I want to do when I get home is more of the same. This is why D7 works for me, I don’t really use the RAD stuff. I did try Lazarus five or six years ago and it seemed a little rough around the edges. If I get a chance I’ll give it another go but at the end of the day I just want to program and not spend ages setting up an environment.

[hwnd]

I maybe would use also Lazarus, but last time i used it, IDE was slow and executables were too big.
So i didn't like it at all. Luckily i have no reason to install Win8, which is like Windows ME. Total trash.

[User137]

I also used to think that Delphi is better. Some point maybe was, but now the tables have turned. I only support Delphi for my game engine because some of you guys still use it You can make small executables (always could, it's in compiler settings). Lazarus starts up much faster than Delphi if you disable splash screen (launch parameter --no-splash-screen). Plus of course your apps are multiplatform, you don't need to buy it unlike Delphi, have new language features etc. Basically, i feel at home with Lazarus now, it is that good.

[LP]

I maybe would use also Lazarus, but last time i used it, IDE was slow and executables were too big.

Latest Delphi versions such as XE 2 also have large executables due to forceful Unicode. On the other hand, Delphi 7 is 32-bit, which is a dying platform. Yes, it won't disappear quickly as it occurred with 16-bit DOS/Windows, but it is still a good idea to start porting applications to 64-bit.

Luckily i have no reason to install Win8, which is like Windows ME. Total trash.

May I ask why do you think that? (Yes, I do believe Metro UI is a regression, but that's another story)

[SilverWarior]

I did try Lazarus five or six years ago and it seemed a little rough around the edges.

A lot have changed in this time. I also did try lazarus a few years ago and wasn't much pleased with it. But I also tried it a few months ago and I was preety impressed how it got much better in that time. So I strongly recomend you to give it a try.
And don't get me wrong I'm still a Delphi supporter and I own Delphi XE2 and will be upgrading to Delphi XE3 soon (already got upgrade codes from Embarcadero). The reson why I still stick with newer versions of Delphi is the fact that newest Delphi IDEs (Delphi XE and newer) do suport some feature that werent present in older versions of Delphi like Regions for instance. What I liked most in Delphi 7 was the help system which I can say was the best help system in any Delphi version.

[WILL]

You'll love Lazarus then. They just released 1.0 not long ago and it's code editor is just like Delphi 7. Actually it's better!

You don't have to use the VCL or LCL to make your games in fact just create a new "Program" project and you are on your way. SDL links just as well to a Lazarus project as it does a Delphi one. You just have to setup your project options up to include your SDL paths, but you have to do the same in Delphi anyways. Plus later on if you wanted to share your game with your Mac or Linux friends it's as easy as giving them the source to compile for their platforms or doing it yourself.

Here is a first impressions blog from someone that tried the new Lazarus 1.0 recently: http://www.delphifeeds.com/go/s/95836

[hwnd]

Are there also custom components available for Lazarus?
I mean like for Delphi, VCL components, free and shareware ones?
How good is Lazarus at compiling some Delphi component source?

I never tried to do that, so that's why i ask.


I will try out v1.0. Maybe it's really better now, than it was

[SilverWarior]

As far as I know there are plenty of third party componets which work with FPC/Lazarus. Infact many Delphi third party components have been ported to FPC/Lazarus already.