This is exactly the kind of thing that I never, ever, ever get bothered about .

Delphi is approximately as fast as C++. Sometimes a bit slower. Sometimes a bit quicker. Part of the problem in comparing the two is simply that they require different ways of thinking. If you write a Delphi program as you could a C++ program then you're not taking advantage of some of the finer points of Object Pascal and should change your style.

The point is that the difference is not something to lose sleep over. If Delphi is slower, it is not by a great deal. Sometimes code can be more concisely expressed in Object Pascal, sometimes C++. But don't listen to any FUD that flat-out disses a language without any thought. Think about it - how can any one problem accurately describe how the language performs on a general task? The only way to check those out are from larger-scale case studies (i.e., projects). Experience helps here.

If you really *are* bothered by this, check Jake's code efficiency challenge. You'll see that the oldish compiler versions (VC6, Delphi 5) are absolutely neck and neck (we're talking less than milliseconds in most cases). There's even a challenge where Delphi 5 wins. Damn that rocket-powered bike!

Don't worry about it. Really. Worry about the invisible demons underneath the bed, patiently waiting for you to fall asleep. That's something to be worried about.