Re: The trend is to move away from Delphi...

Jon Robertson wrote:
Andre Kaufmann wrote:
[...]
Hm. Were you wanting those other compilers to support the VCL? The VCL cannot be supported without having a Delphi compiler.

Hm. BCB isn't a Delphi compiler ;-). Yes perhaps under the hood and it uses non standard conformant extensions.
But nothing prevents DevCo from changing/extending the VCL (downwards compatible) in a way that a preprocess tool could emit standard conformant C++ code so that the VCL could be used with every C++ compiler. Or a tool/compiler could be shipped with the VCL package which generates the necessary binary code.
My intention wasn't to get independent from Borland, but being free to use the compiler / language I want or must have to use, because I need a certain feature of that compiler.

Before the VCL nobody thought that it could be that easy and simple to design and compile GUI applications for Windows. Not only in Delphi, but even in C++ (with a few extensions).


The only way I could see this would be for DevCo to create a native C++ version of the VCL and maintain/update the VCL for both languages. I don't think that is feasible.

Agreed.

- OR - Change VCL.NET so it can be used, and sold, without BDS. IIRC, that's mainly an issue of the license and redeployment, but I'm not positive. While it might be "killer" for VCL, it would definitely take away one of BDS's unique and best strengths.

I don't think that a .NET (only) version would be sold that much without BDS / Delphi. Surely the strengths of VCL are native applications and quick porting to .NET.

Andre
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