I think I know Turbo Pascal quite well.
Now I`d like to switch to Delphi, and I need the book on exactly the language and its abilities, not about VCL components and IDE features.
Which book would you advice me to read? I started Marco Cantu "Mastering Delphi 7" but soon understood it is too complicated for me.
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444answers:
9
+1
A:
Delphi Component Design by Danny Thorpe (ISBN 0201461366) would be good value for you because a lot of the early design work in the Object Pascal language was driven by the needs of component oriented development.
You'll have to look for a second hand copy though, 'cause it's out of print.
Bevan
2008-12-07 23:33:14
Erm, if Mastering Delphi is Too complicated, this is probably too early too. But I admit, it is is a great book.
Gamecat
2008-12-08 09:07:36
The real value of Delphi Component Design is that Danny talks about the motivations behind the features - instead of just saying "this is what it is" you find out "this is why it is" - and that makes things much easier to understand.
Bevan
2008-12-09 03:05:13
+4
A:
Actually Delphi IS the VCL and the VCL IS Delphi. You can't, and shouldn't learn the language features in isolation of the VCL.
My advice would be to not get too ahead of yourself, and just use the knowledge you have of object pascal in conjunction with the VCL. In time, as you get more comfortable, you'll find Marco's book much easier to read, and can then start to add to your knowledge. Pick a small application, and build it in Delphi. There's no better way to learn then by doing!
Also, as with any other language and framework, you will continue learning something new everyday. I still learn something new everyday, and I've been using Delphi since Delphi 1. How many years is that?
Steve
2008-12-07 23:53:55
+12
A:
I recommend Marco Cantu's Essential Pascal, which is exactly what you are looking for:
http://www.marcocantu.com/epascal/
Highly recommended.
Nick Hodges
2008-12-07 23:57:42
+1
A:
Xavier Pacheco's Delphi 6 Developer's Guide is a great book. Though obviously somewhat dated on some specifics, the concepts are solid. It's available for less than $4 (used) on Amazon for example.
Argalatyr
2008-12-08 00:34:50
A:
Steve is correct. Pascal is the language that Delphi uses. If you know Turbo Pascal, then you only need to learn how the IDE works and what the various VCL components are.
I'd stick to Mastering Delphi 7 (a great book) and learn about Object Oriented programming, the VCL and how to use the IDE effectively.
p.s. Don't worry too much about the things you don't understand. When I first learned Delphi, there was a lot I didn't understand (OOP is not easy), so don't worry about trying to learn it all. Just get familiar with it. Then when you start using it, it will become clear.
lkessler
2008-12-08 03:11:57
Admittedly, it's been a while - but I didn't think that Turbo Pascal had properties and events, two of the major features of Object Pascal.
Bevan
2008-12-09 03:06:23
+3
A:
One book not allready mentioned is Delphi in a nutshell. I think one of the first few chapters, that explains the object model, is really usefull to better understand delphi. The reference chapters (most of the book) is also a very useful addition to the helpfile.
Vegar
2008-12-08 09:04:17
+2
A:
"DelphiLanguageGuide.pdf" could be also useful. One can be found here: http://www.win.tue.nl/~wstomv/edu/delphi/DelphiLanguageGuide.pdf (Note that Delphi for .NET is no longer available, as it is replaced with Delphi Prism)
pglowack
2008-12-08 11:10:25
A:
When learning Delphi I had to climb a very steep learning curve.
Even today I feel that there are no good books available for Delphi.
I am also trying to find good books which will teach me complete OOPs as implemented in Delphi Pascal but unfortunately there are none.
Almost all good authors of past have ditched Delphi and moved on to greener pasture....