What components and IDE add-ins do you install with Delphi?

Question

After a clean install of Delphi, what components and IDE add-ins do you make certain that you install? What's your Delphi "rig"? Here's what I install after a clean installation:

1. Delphi 2007 / Delphi 2010
2. JCL / JVCL - JEDI Code Library and JEDI Visual Code Library (600+ components)
3. JWA / JWSCL - JEDI API Library & Security Code Library
4. GExperts - GExperts is a free set of tools built to increase the productivity of Delphi and C++Builder programmers by adding several features to the IDE. (Now includes the previously experimental code formatter.)
5. CnWizards - Provides IDE enhancements to improve development efficiency
6. Virtual TreeView - Virtual Treeview is a treeview control built from ground up. More than 5 years of development made it one of the most flexible and advanced tree controls available today.
7. MustangPeak Components (EasyList View, Virtual ShellTools, etc) - EasyListview is a control that has no dependance on the Microsoft Listview control but has all the features of the latest version from Microsoft. Also includes 'Explorer.exe' like shell components.
8. Synapse lightweight networking components - contains simple low level non-visual objects for easy programming without problems. (no required multi-threaded synchronization, no need for windows message processing,…) Great for command line utilities, visual projects, NT services
9. EurekaLog - EurekaLog is a complete bug resolution tool for Delphi and C++Builder developers that gives your application the power to catch every exception and memory leak, directly on the end user PC, generating a detailed log of the call stack (with file, class, method and line number), optionally sending you a copy of each log entry via email or to a web bug-tracker.
10. DelphiSpeedUp - DelphiSpeedUp is an IDE plugin for Delphi and C++Builder. It improves the IDE’s startup speed and increases the general speed of the whole IDE.
11. DDevExtensions - DDevExtensions extends the Delphi/C++Builder IDE by adding some new productivity features.
12. IDE Fix Pack - The IDE Fix Pack installs is a DLL-Expert that fixes the following RAD Studio 2007 bugs at runtime. All changes are done in memory. No file on disk is modified.
13. TPerlRegex - Regular Expression library for Delphi

How about other Delphi developers?

Solution 1

My list:

• The Dev.Express Quantum grid: enhanced grid component: once you get the hang of this component, you can use it in all sorts of scenarios (at least I have)

• Dev.Express Quantum Tree list: if you know the grid component, you can use this component as well (treelist and grid combined)

• Dev.Express Express bars: menu bars and ribbons (which I don't use myself) fully configurable by the user without any code from the developer - cool and usable even in previous Delphi versions

• CNPack - Delphi IDE enhancer: is a Free IDE Plug-in Tool Set for Delphi/C++ Builder/CodeGear RAD Studio to Improve Development Efficiency. One of the features (among tens of features) is a small form which attaches itself at the bottom left of any form you are designing, with buttons to left align, right align, center align etc ... your components on your form - check it out

• HtmlViewer component: as the name suggest: an HTML viewing component in native Delphi, now free, but I have been using it for a lot of years now. I have written almost all of my reports in my programs using html and css and the HtmlViewer component. It's amazing what you can do with html and css as a reporting solution (and it's standard too).

I have a lot of other components too, but these are the ones I use in every project (from small ones to the biggest I have written).

By the way: I will certainly try out some others on this page. If it's good enough for other developers, it's good enough for me too.

Solution 2

• Bergsoft components. I Would be lost without NextGrid and NextDBGrid (fastest grid implementation I came along)

• Lately, I'm seriously considering to start coding with a Delphi framework, Delphi Spring Framework looks like a way to go.

Delphi Spring Framework is an international open source project, whose mission is to provide a robust infrastructure framework that will help Delphi developers build solid, flexible and extensible enterprise applications and class libraries based on the Embarcadero® Delphi® 2010 for Win32 platform.

Also it has a Dependency Injection container with 2 week build spawn

• JEDI for Delphi with many wrappers for common dlls, also provides a robust VCL platform to develop

Solution 3

I always install TSmiley. I can't get along without it.

Solution 4

JEDI API Library & Security Code Library for sure but probably my answer couldn't be more subjective since I participate in both projects ;-) I find GExperts to be a must (can't live without it) and of course Virtual Treeview.

Solution 5

The first tools I install are:

1. Model Maker Code Explorer
2. GExperts

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Comments

[Daniel Maurić]

Despite your witty attempt, I don't think many Delphi developers with real problems will find a Delphi R&D Manager recommending TSmiley very amusing.

[Robert Giesecke]

@dmauric, I did. ;-)

[Nick Hodges]

Wow -- I'm really sorry that you didn't find that witty and amusing. My bad.

[Mihaela]

PivotGrid is even better. I was amazed when I first tried it.

[Remko]

I remember having tried CNPack few years ago but it seemed very buggy, has this improved (for Delphi 2009 & 2010)?

[Edelcom]

I don't know about Delphi 2009 or 2010, I still use Delphi 7 for 95% of my Delphi development. But in D7, I haven't found problems (yet). Mind you, I don't use all possible features, so maybe there are bugs in the features I don't use. But for me, I wouldn't live without it. As with all such things: install it, try it and uninstall it if you don't like it.

[Wouter van Nifterick]

@Dmauric.. Lighten up dude...