"Delphi programming is the mutts nuts. You can start off not knowing anything about programming, within 1 hour you can write a program and at the end, still know nothing about programming :-)"
From my experience I can suggest a few steps you should follow and a few tools you should have to master Delphi programming.
The "steps" will help you get from the "I have an idea" to the full blown Delphi build application. The tools should be the building blocks of a Delphi project - tools you need before you start a new Delphi project.
What Delphi? This can also be Done Using Delphi?
Nice! Welcome aboard. Do you know that Delphi can do Win32 applications as well as .NET applications? Do you know there are different Delphi versions and that you should know how to pick your Delphi version?
When you know what Delphi version you should pick, you should make sure you know how to create applications using Delphi. Free Delphi online courses should help.
1. How to Layout Delphi Project Files (Best Practice) for Source Control System
Also, do not put all files in a single folder - make sure you follow some Delphi project organisation best practices.
After a month or two, year or two, you might want to go back to your first application and change something - but you do not have the source code :(
Source / Revision Control, in short, helps you have a place to store your source code, provides a historical record of what you have done over time, can provide a way for developers to work on separate tasks.
2. Extra VCL Controls
Depending on your Delphi version, you will have more than 100 ready made components you can use. Delphi Components are a part of the VCL. You can place VCL components on forms and manipulate their properties without writing code.
Developers write different programs. One developer will be happy with the out-of-the-box edit control (TEdit) provided in the VCL while another would need an super-turbo edit control that knows what a user is about to write even if he/she does not have a keabord :)
Creating custom components can also be interesting, but you can always look for free Delphi control libraries.
3. Glyphs, Icons, Graphics. Delphi IDE Plug-Ins and Add-Ons
Delphi controls and the VCL allow you to easily setup toolbars, menus and other user interface elements with custom graphics.
Delphi IDE provides all the tools you need to design, develop, test, debug, and deploy applications, allowing rapid prototyping and a shorter development time. Want more? Here's how to add more functionality to Delphi IDE and make your job easier.
