Free Delphi 3 Tutorial for Beginners
Frank Fortino
I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
for Beginning Delphi programmers.
I do not think that this newsgroup is the appropriate
place to post any ongoing Tutorial, so I will do
everything by direct email to each programmer
who asks for help.
This is in no way a money making venture for me;
I am doing this to pay back the people who got me started
learning Delphi, and as a way to share my excitement
with the power of Delphi programming.
It took me months of reading books to get a good
understanding of the basics of how Delphi works.
I wish that someone would have helped me this way
when I first started learning Delphi, it would
have made it a lot easier.
These newsgroups are a great place to ask specific
questions and get specific answers; but not a good place
for simple example programs that really work, or
detailed explanations of simple features.
I am not faulting these newsgroups in any way.
They are not meant for Tutorials, plus many of the
programmers that offer their advice here, would be
very expensive and impossible to hire.
Everything here is done for free. It's great to
know that so many people are willing to share
their knowledge with others.
So this is what I want to do.
I will create from 4 to 10 Lessons in Delphi that will
try and explain in simple non technical (if possible)
terms the following:
- How to set up your Delphi Environment
- Recommended Tool Bar Setup
- Environment Options
- Project Options
- A good way to Name and Manage simple
projects, units, forms and components.
- The 3 files that delphi uses for a project.
- How to Copy and Paste Components and features
for quick form design.
- How to set properties on an entire group of
Components at once (to save time)
- Delphi Basics:
- What is an Object, Component, Form, Dialog, ...
- Parts of a Component:
- Properties (Variables - size, color, ...)
- Methods (Actions - procedures)
e.g. Memo1.Lines.LoadFromFile('...
- Events (User Interactions - Button Clicks)
- The best way to use Delphi's Help (F1) ...
- Group Delphi Components by Category, and explain
how and when to use each different Component:
- Buttons
- Selection Components (CheckBox,RadioButton,...
- Grouping / Container Components (Form,Panel,GroupBox,...
- Database stuff
...
- Delphi Databases
- How do you create a database from scratch
with Database Desktop
- Database basics
DataSourse, Table, Query
DBGrid, DBNav, DBEdit, DBLookupCombo ...
- Using Tables
- Using Queries (SQL)
- When to use a Table or a Query
- Searching, Sorting, ...
- Using BatchMove
- Reading Text files into a Database
I'm not into any ego trips, I'm only trying to give
a new Delphi user a simple (if possible) explanation
of how to learn and use the power of Delphi.
This course is not for expert Delphi programmers,
and I would not classify myself as an expert compared
to many of the programmers that frequent these
newsgroups; but I have learned some clever ways to
use Delphi. In fact, I still find hidden features in
Delphi that amaze me.
The power of Delphi is in its ease of use, its simplified
Visual structure, and the elegance of its design.
I've only seen a little of Visual C and Visual Basic, but
I feel Delphi is a great place to start learning OOP
(Object / Visual) programming.
Please, no comments from others about the advantages
of VC or VB.
When I first saw object programming in Turbo Pascal it looked
to complicated, with tons of unique structures and rules.
Borland (Inprise) was always known for its simple, elegant
language design, and easy learning platforms.
If you have programmed in Turbo Pascal, C, ... or other
mainline type language; then OOP and Delphi are a big
new step.
The way to learn a new language; is to buy as many books
as you can afford, have someone to answer questions,
and have tons of simple examples.
People complain about Delphi's Help system, and believe
me, there is a lot of room for improvement. But there are
lots of good examples tucked inside Delphi's Help.
I still use Help every day.
Also, there is a lot of great advice in these newsgroups.
I've accumulated a lot of sample programs and code
snippets that give me my own Help folder
with only stuff that's important to me.
I have over 20 books on Delphi, and each one has some
very useful info.
Delphi has so many features that its hard to see which are
important and which ones you will seldom use.
Point to an Object and look at the list of Properties
that you see in the Object Inspector. Usually 15 to 20.
Well only 4 or 5 of these properties are really important,
and there are some that you will seldom or ever use.
But which ones are important?
The idea is to get you started fast, and give you a flavor
of how Delphi works. Then you can go further reading books,
or experimenting on your own.
This is not to replace any Delphi books that you have,
it is to augment your books.
I recommend that you have 'Mastering Delphi 1,2,3 or 4'
by Marco Cantu
It's one of the best books I've found on Delphi.
I will explain the important chapters to read.
Tutorial Requirements:
Delphi 3 or 4
At least 1 book on Delphi
A little programming experience (Turbo Pascal, C, Basic, ...)
Commitment to spend 30 min to 1 hour on each Lesson
Someone who really wants to learn Delphi, and has a new
project they want to build using Delphi.
I will then create a Lesson (sample program(s), explanation)
and email it to the first 50 programmers who email me.
I hope then to create new Lessons each week (or sooner).
You can also email me with any specific questions.
If appropriate, I will also email these questions and answers
to the group.
So, anyone who is new to Delphi, and wants a little help;
email me with:
Your version of Delphi, which books you have,
and the project you want to create.
Frank
---------------------
John smith
job making a good tutorial that would cover everything a beginner would need
(at least too big for one man). Just think how much time would you need to
write one of books you've read.
However, freeware makes everyone happy, so good luck.
--
----------------------
Regards
Robert Cerny
Remove both qwe when replying
email: robert.q...@neosys.xrs.qwe.si
No questions via email, unless explicitly invited.
Frank Fortino
You're right, it can become a Big job.
I am not going to spend much time, polishing
up my Lessons. They will be simple and functional.
I will not be covering everything.
Only the basics on the topic, and the best
way to learn Delphi on your own.
I am not an expert, so you will not see anything
on DLL's, API calls or DBI's.
I believe in lots of simple examples; that only
demonstrate one thing at a time.
I will not have a web site etc. for now.
Each Lesson will be a simple overview of the topic,
with no in-depth discussions (that are in books).
Over the years, learning Delphi; I've accumulated a lot
of code snippets and simple example programs, that I
use all the time in my projects.
This will help me to organize these notes; and make them
available to others. And who knows, they might be helpful.
There's just so much in Delphi, it's a little overwhelming.
Anyway it's worth I try.
Thanks for your comments.
Frank
-------------------------------
Charles
programming I look forward to your articles. Please keep me posted on
your Tutorials. Every bit of help will count.
Thanks charles
Gery Rohrig
>I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>for Beginning Delphi programmers.
Very interesting, I will keep an eye on this.
Regards ... Gery Rohrig
email: gpr...@zip.com.au
D J Mann
>Hello, I think what you are doing is great. As a beginner to delphi and
>programming I look forward to your articles. Please keep me posted on
>your Tutorials. Every bit of help will count.
>
>Thanks charles
I would like to be added to his list of students, but I do not see his e-mail
address.
Frank, if you see this, please count me as one of your students.
>
>Frank Fortino wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
---cut for brevity----
David Mann
g
D J Mann wrote in message <76ka7n$cr7$1...@vnetnews.value.net>...
>In article <368CFF16...@ibm.net>, cha...@ibm.net wrote:
>>Hello, I think what you are doing is great. As a beginner to delphi and
>>programming I look forward to your articles. Please keep me posted on
>>your Tutorials. Every bit of help will count.
>>
>>Thanks charles
>
>I would like to be added to his list of students, but I do not see his
e-mail
>address.
>
>Frank, if you see this, please count me as one of your students.
>
>>
>>Frank Fortino wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
>
TMat...@mincom.com
>Frank Fortino wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
Sounds good to me too, please let me know if it flys!
Tom Matthews
TMat...@Mincom.com
D J Mann
>On Fri, 01 Jan 1999 12:00:07 -0500, Charles <cha...@ibm.net> wrote:
>
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
>
I have received and worked through lesson one, and am waiting eagerly for the
next one.
Hugh Lim
Is it possible to include me in the distribution list?
Thanks
D J Mann wrote:
> In article <36911a35.11150831@nntpserver>, TMat...@Mincom.com wrote:
> >On Fri, 01 Jan 1999 12:00:07 -0500, Charles <cha...@ibm.net> wrote:
> >
> >>Frank Fortino wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi,
> >>>
> >>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
> >>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
> >
pico
>Hello
>
>Is it possible to include me in the distribution list?
another one for me please
pi...@xs4all.be
>
>Thanks
>
>D J Mann wrote:
>
>> In article <36911a35.11150831@nntpserver>, TMat...@Mincom.com wrote:
>> >On Fri, 01 Jan 1999 12:00:07 -0500, Charles <cha...@ibm.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >>Frank Fortino wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Hi,
>> >>>
>> >>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>> >>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
>> >
Mel Boonstra Jr
thankyou.
Charles <cha...@ibm.net> wrote in message news:368CFF16...@ibm.net...
Pascal van der Weiden
...i'd like to be added as well.
Thanks!
g wrote:
> I think this is a great idea - sign me up !
>
> D J Mann wrote in message <76ka7n$cr7$1...@vnetnews.value.net>...
> >In article <368CFF16...@ibm.net>, cha...@ibm.net wrote:
> >>Hello, I think what you are doing is great. As a beginner to delphi and
> >>programming I look forward to your articles. Please keep me posted on
> >>your Tutorials. Every bit of help will count.
> >>
> >>Thanks charles
> >
> >I would like to be added to his list of students, but I do not see his
> e-mail
> >address.
> >
> >Frank, if you see this, please count me as one of your students.
> >
> >>
> >>Frank Fortino wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi,
> >>>
> >>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
> >>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
> >
Clark Kent
That is just super.....
If you still have room, then please add me to your class.
Books I have: Teach yourself Delphi 3 in 14 Days and Delphi 3 for dummies.
If all seats are taken, will it then be possible to get a copy of your
lessons?
Thanks...
Clark
Cl...@NOSPAMpost2.tele.dk Please remove the NOSPAM if you reply directly to
me
Roelf Botha
Email : ro...@icon.co.za
Books : Delphi Unleashed by Calvert, Teach yourself delphi in 21 days.
Project : Florest & Giftshop system.
Phaegus
I also want to be included in the destribution ...
Is it possible?
Thanx in advance,
Dirk Dulfer
Hugh Lim heeft geschreven in bericht <36931438...@usa.net>...
>Hello
>
>Is it possible to include me in the distribution list?
>
>Thanks
>
>D J Mann wrote:
>
>> In article <36911a35.11150831@nntpserver>, TMat...@Mincom.com wrote:
>> >On Fri, 01 Jan 1999 12:00:07 -0500, Charles <cha...@ibm.net> wrote:
>> >
>> >>Frank Fortino wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> Hi,
>> >>>
>> >>> I thinking of offering a free Delphi 3 Tutorial
>> >>> for Beginning Delphi programmers.
>> >