My Delphi experience is limited to going through "Delphi for Dummies" a few years back, I was once a proficient Turbo Pascal 5 programmer. I've been using FPC.. one of the things I really like about it is being able to compile the same code on Windows and Linux.

I've been given a copy of Delphi (8, altough I may exchange it for 7) and been asked to create a class that implements some non-visual functionality (it will perform searches on textual data, like Google.com).

I'm dreading giving up Linux compatibility. Is it possible that I could create the required class in such a way that it can be compiled by both Delphi 7/8 and also by FPC? If it's possible, is it *reasonable* that I do this as a Delphi novice? Got any tips on things to avoid? I'm not even sure how I will do it without a command line....

Any recommendations on a good book for my context? Using FPC and the FPC docs, I tried making a class over the weekend and I did something majorly wrong... I don't grok the difference between an object field and a class property.

Thanks!

-Alan

It should be perfectly possible.

Any recommendations on a good book for my context?

I haven't met a good book on Object pascal yet. Most books are focused on Delphi's RAD aspect, and in particular, the GUI aspect. A major shortcoming IMHO, but who am I...

Using FPC and the FPC docs, I tried making a class over the weekend and I did something majorly wrong... I don't grok the difference between an object field and a class property.

Let's say that an object field can always be considered a class property, but not the opposite.

If the docs are not clear on this point, feel free to send me remarks.

Also, if you need assistance in writing cross-platform code, feel free to contact me in private. If I can help, I will.

Michael.

Delphi 7 comes in the box with Delphi 8 so you won't have to exchange it. That was Borland's way of saying sorry for not having Win32 support in Delphi 8.

You should be able to make a class that compiles in all three (D7, D8, FPC). Just stick to the basics and it should all be fine.

Sly

Any recommendations on a good book for my context?

I was a seasoned Java and C++ programmer when I was giving the task of implementing a very complex algorithm with Delphi. I left the Windows world years ago so I always had in mind developing on Delphi but keeping most of the code as FPC compatible as possible. Aside from the UI aspects of the program, the rest of the code works fine both on Delphi and FPC, so I'm happy and my "contractors" (my graduate thesis directors) are happy too.

Along the way I used the following books:

* Mastering Delphi 6 (non-free)
* Essential Pascal (free) www.marcocantu.com
* Essential Delphi (free) www.marcocantu.com
* ObjectPascal 5 Language Guide (free) www.borland.com (it's somewhere in the site)