Delphi and C# comparison

Delphi and C# comparison: "Marc Rohloff posted a pretty nice list copmaring and contrasting Delphi and C#.

Features C# has that Delphi doesn't foreach operators using, lock, checked and unchecked block scoped variables case statements with strings assembly internal classes namespaces can span code units implicit array dimensioning: int[] a = new int[1,2,3]; ternary operator ( ? : ) can use classes from namespaces without importing the whole namespace circular references are possible try..catch..finally assignment operators ( =, , -=, etc) multi-file assemblies You don't need to distribute Borland.Delphi.dll

Features Delphi has that C# doesn't sub-range types enums and sets are first-class types class type support virtual constructors virtual class methods nested procedures non-default index properties can defines constant arrays and records resourcestring s default parameters variants arrays with non-integral subscripts sets with more than 64 elements message handlers unions (variant records) untyped parameters const parameters

Web Development With .NET

Web Development With .NET: "This tutorial covers the building of Web applications and Web services using the Microsoft .NET Framework. The student will learn the basics of programming in the C# language, what the .NET Common Language Runtime is and how it works, how to use many of the .NET Framework classes, how to use ADO.NET to access relational databases, and how to use ASP.NET to build Web applications and services. In addition the student will learn about XML and how it is used in the .NET Framework. Most aspects of Web applications and services will be covered: architecture, design, coding, data access, etc. The architecture of the .NET Framework will be discussed, as well as practical development issues such as debugging, deployment and security. Design for scalability, performance and availability will be emphasized."

A lot of good information for C# developers!

aspxDelphi.net

aspxDelphi.net covers Active Server Page development with Delphi 8.

Delphi and the .NET Voyage: .NET Assemblies

Delphi and the .NET Voyage: .NET Assemblies

By Bob Swart

In this article, Bob Swart explains what .NET Assemblies are, how you can use them in Delphi for .NET applications, and how you can make them yourself. There's more than one way–and even a special way–to use them in Win32 applications!

New Logos

Notice the new logos on the upper left of the blog pages. There are currently 11 that are randomly cycled through. They are thanks to www.LetterJames.de. I found Letter James after Nick Hodges post, which Anders Olson mirrored. It is a really cool site allowing you to change the text on many signs, you should head over and take a look at their AlphaPicture service too.

The script to rotate the images is thanks to Matt's Script Archive. In order to use the SSI I had to change the pages from .html to .shtml. There should be redirects for all of the changes.

Intel touts 'MP3 for 3D' universal graphics format

The Register has the article Intel touts 'MP3 for 3D' universal graphics format

In the first line it mentions that Microsoft, along with 30 other companies, are co-operating in the standard.

Not to long ago there was a push for Microsoft to adopt open file formats for their office suite. They naturally didn't follow through. Their reason is they have a virtual monopoly in office suites - despite very viable alternatives. If they adopted an open file format then that would, in their mind, strengthen the competitors and weaken customer lock-in.

Their motive for advocating an open 3D graphic format is that they have no stake in the 3D imaging market. If an open format is adopted then that gives them a leg up on taking over the 3D image market.

The interesting thing is how Microsoft "embraced and extended" the SVG format - only to make their own incompatible format WVG. This is in spite of the fact that Microsoft was involved in the specification. I would suspect they will use the same strategy with U3D.

Registration Is Open for OSCON 2004

It is time once again for OSCON - O'Reilly Open Source Convention. If you are involved in Open Source then this is a great way to see where your peers are headed. If you are not involved in Open Source then you can check out the competition.

If nothing else its a software development geekfest. There are tracks on many different open source and related technologies, including XML and Security.

I know Ken Wilcox went to OSCON last year. He said it was great.

To top it off, User Group members who register before June 18, 2004 get a double discount. Use code DSUG when you register, and you'll get the 20% User Group discount on top of the "Early Bird" price.

Close encounters of the Bill Gates kind

Sip from the Firehose: April 13, 2004 - Close encounters of the Bill Gates kind: "David I writes about Bill Gates visiting the Borland booth at VSLive in San Francisco and also about other close encounters with Bill."

I really like David's response of "because it’s better" to Bill's question about why Turbo Basic was so good (it out performed Quick Basic at Comdex). That was back in 1986, I think he handled himself a little more eloquently this time.

BDN Introduces Article Ratings

Borland just unveiled article ratings for their Borland Developers Network articles.

This would be a great opportunity to go out and rate my article on Code Profiling with Non-Breaking Breakpoints. You will need a free BDN account to rate articles.

Good news for US Software Developers

MSNBC - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

We all said it would happen eventually:

As U.S. companies move from exporting call centers to outsourcing more complex work like software development, they're finding overseas workers are often ill-equipped to deliver consistent, quality work.

Every so often the press starts talking doom and gloom in the tech sector. For those of us dedicated technology types we just ride the storm and things work out. It is a matter of weeding out the weak who jump ship at the first sign of trouble.

The important thing to realize is that one size doesn't fit all. There are some things that go really well with outsourcing, and some of those can even be outsourced over seas. But there are other things that really should be done in house, or at least close by. This is true in all industries, including software development. Right now we are in a transitional state as we try to find what works where. Grin an bear it and it will come out to everyone's benefit in the end.