Dr. Çetiner’s Blogs (Dr. Beytullah Gültekin Çetiner)

Some Technical Information about Delphi for PHP
As Delphi community knows VCL (Visual Component Library) is very powerful and VCL architecture which allowed third party components created a market sector what we know as Delphi components. There are thousands of Delphi components now either freeware or very cost-friendly. How much of these VCL components can be used now? I think one of the reasons why Kylix project failed (my opinion) was lack of integration or convergence of these tremendeous components into Kylix. The same thing exists here. If Delphi for PHP project develops some easy ways to make use of these extensive libraries of component treasury by say an Object Pascal to PHP utility, that would change a lot of things. By this way, Delphi developers will have very good advantage in PHP world by their RAD skills. And it will also attract a good support from PHP and open source community.
The following is the compilation of some technical information from CodeGear’s own page together with some of my comments written in italic.

What is VCL for PHP?
VCL for PHP are the open source PHP scripts and libraries, including Qooxdoo, Adodb, DynAPI, Smarty, XAjax and JSCalendar. Inspired by VCL for Delphi, the component architecture is 100 percent written in PHP. Developers can create and integrate components into the IDE and extend the existing components to fit their needs.
(Some tools would be very useful for Delphi community to speed the conversion process of available VCL object Pascal components into VCL for PHP components)

Where is the VCL for PHP open source project hosted?
The VCL for PHP open source project will be hosted at:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/vcl4php
(There is nothing there yet (13th march 2007). You can check time to time)

Does Delphi for PHP include any additional software?
Delphi for PHP includes a developer edition of InterBase that enables developers to create and test their application with the InterBase database before deployment. Deploying an application that uses InterBase for its database requires the purchase of InterBase licenses.
(I think most of the Delphi developers who are using Interbase Database should have to shift to MySQL database since Interbase is not supported by majority of Webhosting companies. It is also better option since most of the LAMP/open source community are using MySQL. There must be also native support in Delphi for PHP for PostgreSQL Database)

Conclusion: I think the most critical issue for the success of new product, Delphi for PHP is the support from both Delphi and PHP communities. PHP community already created their own libraries in many subjects. To get support for Delphi for PHP, they need to see some real benefits and advantages for using VCL for PHP. Having a RAD tool cannot be the only reason to change to new environment. Delphi for PHP must give them all they need in RAD way but with extensive component support not found in PHP world.

Borland has really offered good tools to us to developers in the past. But it is difficult to say the same thing for their own business (at least my opinion).

My Comments are written in Italics and they are only my pure opinions not necessarily shared by others.

Some general questions and answers about Delphi for PHP are given below:-

The following was compiled from the Original Page of CodeGear

Delphi for PHP is the first completely integrated visual Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment for PHP. Delphi for PHP brings RAD productivity benefits to PHP web developers that Delphi users have enjoyed for years. The powerful editor and debugger increase coding speed and efficiency, while the integrated VCL for PHP 5 component class library lets developers quickly and visually create PHP web applications and integrate PHP open source components.

Delphi for PHP has an integrated PHP 5 class library called VCL for PHP. A customizable palette of over 50 reusable components includes buttons, labels, check boxes, images, DHTML menus, flash objects, grids, tree views, list boxes and more. Database components are also available for accessing databases, tables, queries, and stored procedures, as well as data grids and navigation. You can also add to the VCL for PHP at any time with your own components or enhancements being offered through the open source PHP platform.

Delphi for PHP makes it easy to create your own components and install customized packages to use in the IDE. The VCL makes it simple for you to develop new classes, because every component is built in pure PHP. Simply place these components into forms and use them in your applications. VCL components have built-in properties, methods, and events that make web interface development a snap. Delphi for PHP is the fast and easy way to build powerful and reliable PHP web applications.

What is PHP?

PHP is a widely used open source Web Scripting language that is frequently used by web developers for the creation of forums and web applications because it helps them create dynamic web applications with solid database connectivity.

Is Delphi for PHP a PHP add-in for Delphi or Borland Developer Studio?
No Delphi for PHP is a stand-alone product and not included with the Borland Developer Studio.

Does Delphi for PHP have the same functionality as Delphi for Windows?
Delphi for PHP has similar features and benefits that users have come to expect from Delphi’s proven visual RAD development environment. Being a new product, Delphi for PHP doesn’t have all of the functionality available in a product like Delphi for Windows which has been around for more than ten years. Delphi for PHP also has specific features that have been added to support PHP development.

Are there multiple editions available like Professional, Enterprise and Architect?
There is only a standard edition available for the initial release.

The following pricing information is correct on the time of taking (13th March 2007).

How much does Delphi for PHP cost?
New user price: USD $299
Academic price: USD $99
Support & Maintenance: USD $99

Introductory price: USD $249 – limited time introductory price.
See www.codegear.com/products/delphiforphp for more information.

How is Delphi for PHP different from other PHP development tools?
Delphi for PHP is the only visual Rapid Application Development (RAD) environment for PHP. It also has an integrated VCL for PHP component class library lets developers quickly and visually create PHP web applications and integrate PHP open source components.

When will Delphi for PHP products be available? Are there localized versions?
Delphi for PHP will be available for pre-order from February 20, 2007. Localized versions are not available at this time.

Delphi for PHP looks like a product called qstudio. Is it qstudio?
CodeGear has partnered with qadram software to jointly develop Delphi for PHP. qadram software, the development team behind VCL for PHP, had been working on a pre-beta project called Qstudio that became the foundation of Delphi for PHP.Development of Delphi for PHP is being done by CodeGear and qadram software at CodeGear headquarters in Scotts Valley, CA.

Wasn’t qstudio going to be free?
qstudio was planned to be a free download with an annual subscription fee for updates/fixes and additional components. Delphi for PHP is a paid license model with an annual subscription option.

What will happen to the qstudio product?
The qstudio project was folded into Delphi for PHP and the qstudio project is being closed.

What will happen to the WCL?
WCL has become VCL for PHP. The first version is being completed by CodeGear and qadram software but will continue to be run as an open source project by qadram software, WCL’s founder and creator.

Will I be able to buy Delphi for PHP from qadram software?
Delphi for PHP will be available from CodeGear and CodeGear resellers. qadram software does not plan to sell Delphi for PHP but does plan to offer Delphi for PHP add-ons and services that you may be interested in.

You can access the original article from here

I was very happy to see my good old friend Delphi while I was searching something for PHP. I always admired Delphi way of developing software applications and was a loyal customer like other Delphi community users. Since I shifted to open source world and PHP, I was thinking that Delphi was not offering me anymore. However, I still keep my good friend on my PC to develop something quickly. I think the RAD nature and power of Delphi will bring a new dimension to PHP world. I hope that the Delphi for PHP project will not be a failure like in Kylix.

You can access ‘Delphi for PHP Page’ from http://www.codegear.com/Products/Delphi/DelphiforPHP/tabid/237/Default.aspx

Quotation from CodeGear:
“Many web developers today use PHP to develop portal frameworks, forums, and web applications because PHP allows them to create dynamic web applications with solid database connectivity. However, PHP web development has been stymied by the lack of a powerful RAD visual development environment. The existence of an active and vital open source PHP ecosystem with myriad of open source components and options makes the need for an integrated RAD development environment even more critical.”