Overview
The Delphi environment keeps evolving. Every year, a new version of Delphi introduces fresh features. But many companies stick to old versions and miss out on new opportunities.
What are the differences between the newest versions and the old ones? Do you need to update your system? How to do it risk-free? Softacom provides the answers to these and other questions.
Upgrade Delphi Software
Delphi is a software development environment created by Borland. Its version history began with Delphi 1, which was launched in 1995. When Delphi was a Borland product, they released 12 versions. The first version after Embarcadero acquired Borland in 2010 was Delphi XE. Since then, they have released updates every year. The latest version is Delphi 12.1 Athens, introduced in 2023.
What is a legacy Delphi version?
Legacy Delphi versions refer to earlier releases of the Delphi programming language and IDE. Specifically, Delphi versions up to 7 are considered legacy. Versions from 7 to 10 work more efficiently than their successors but lack the latest features and improvements.
Legacy software is built using the technologies available at the time it was created. Older software is more difficult to maintain. And this is a key issue for many legacy system owners. But technology doesn’t stand still. Each year brings several groundbreaking innovations that impact how Delphi develops. Let’s see what innovative features you are missing by neglecting system updates.
What you are missing using legacy Delphi versions:
- Improved IDE features and usability. Versions 2005 and higher offer enhanced IDE features and usability. These features help developers reduce debugging time, and ensure faster app delivery.
- Modern language improvements and new syntax. Modern language enhancements and new syntax are available from Delphi XE2 onwards. They include features like generics and anonymous methods, and others. The updates make the code cleaner and easier to manage. This facilitates the development and system maintenance.
- Updated VCL and FMX libraries. Updated VCL and FMX libraries in Delphi provide tools for building Windows and cross-platform apps. VCL has evolved since Delphi 7, while FMX debuted in Delphi XE2. They streamline development, enhance visual appeal, and enable cross-platform functionality. All this benefits businesses with faster, more efficient app creation.
- Cross-platform development opportunities. Cross-platform development became possible with the introduction of FireMonkey (FMX) in Delphi XE2. Today, Delphi allows the creation of apps that run across various platforms using a single codebase. This update streamlines app development, broadens business reach, and attracts new customers.
- Improved performance and stability. Recent Delphi updates introduce optimizations that help improve program execution, speed, and stability. This helps businesses achieve faster application responsiveness, and reduce downtime. Among other benefits are improved user satisfaction thanks to smoother software experiences.
How We Upgrade Your Delphi Application to a New Version
Maintaining a legacy system is painful. But moving it to a newer Delphi version can be even more frustrating without expert help. Softacom has 15 years of experience in Delphi development, migration, and updates. During that time, we delivered many projects of different sizes and across various industries. So, we understand what issues can arise and have developed time-tested approaches to address them.
