Since this is a Delphi Forum I won't loose my time talking about Micro$oft Visual C++.
Although thanks to Micro$oft we have nowadays a common standard called Windows.
There are 3 versions of Delphi(6). These statements apply to Delphi 3-4-5 as well, except for the CLX or Linux part.
Delphi Personal
The most simple and cheap version,
estimated price $99. Also can be found in trial versions which expire after 60 days
(if you don't buy it).
Consists of a compiler, IDE (Integrated Development Environment) and basic components.
Execelent way to start making small applications. No limit for creating applications. You can make executables and sell? them, although reading the license stuff will tell you that you may not sell your applictions, only give away.
Don't expect to become rich with Delphi Personal because Database Access is not included, except Paradox, DBase and Access.
Source code of the basic components is not included, so impossible to alter the basic components.
A typical program you could make is a Unit convertor, like pounds to kg etc. Make an executable, copy it to your clients computer and it will be working.
Delphi Professional
Estimated price $1000, (if you want to make money with programming)
Has the basic (standard) components + Quick Report components (comparable with Report Smith and Cristal Reports), graphics (TeeChart) and others.
Database access is extended with Local Interbase. Interbase is a RDBMS wich is limited in the professional version to not accept remote connections. You can play Client-Server on the local Machine, where the computer is Client + Server.
Comes with a special installation Utility called InstallShield, which can give your installation the same look as Installing MS-Office, to impress your clients. Create instalation disks or Cd's.
Has the source code of the components, so altering the components to fit your needs is possible.
Also has CLX components, to create multi-platform (read Linux) applications. It is possible to make a Windows Version and a Linux version of your program, however you will need Kylix to compile the Linux part.
Also has NetCLX which permits creating internet applications for CGI, ISAPI, NSAPI or Apache extensions.
Delphi Enterprice
Estimated Price $3000 (real bussiness, big money, programming as a living and surviving of course)
Complete, drivers for Oracle, SQL-Server, Sybase, Interbase and other Bigshot RDBMS.
Comes with a 5 license Interbase Server for
testing Client-Server database applications. Yes your client has to buy his own server.
TeamSource for developping applications in teams. ADO (direct access to MS-SQL server), Business-to-Bussiness (B2B) applications (still do not know what this is), XML and other weird things IT professionals talke about to confuse the mere mortals.
For more information:
The strongest point:
How many books on VC++ you will find, compared to Delphi? even in Russian
Regards S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr