Dimensional Data

What do Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome OS, Android, Flutter, and Delphi all have in common? They have accelerated graphics thanks to Skia. This high-performance, cross-platform 2D graphics library is taking the development world by storm. It works with VCL and FireMonkey on every platform Delphi supports. One line of code can make your existing FireMonkey applications faster, or take it further and unlock new features for breathtaking user interfaces. Skia4Delphi is an open source project by Spirit of Delphi Award winners and brothers, Paulo César Botelho Barbosa & Vinícius Felipe Botelho Barbosa. So how do you use Skia4Delphi and take your application development to the next level? You’ve come to the right place. Here are a few shorter videos or you can watch the full replay: What is Skia, You Want to Ask? Imagine you are a software developer who needs to reach all the major platforms today. Your traditional choices are: Native Direct access to hardware Separate code for each platform Web/Cloud Mostly shared code Detached from hardware But Now We Have… FireMonkey Native Compiled – direct access to the platform hardware Multi-Platform – one code base for all platforms Component Based Visual Designer – maximize developer productivity How Does Skia Fit in Here? Introducing… Google Skia Google Skia is the open source graphics engine for Google Chrome, Android, Flutter, Xamarin, Firefox, and many others. It provides common 2D APIs that work on a variety of platforms, abstracting complexities in implementing low-level libraries it uses behind it, such as Vulkan, DirectX, Metal and others, implementing many optimizations and new features. Skia Platforms: All the most popular platforms in the world, such as: iOS (including simulator) Android (including simulator) Linux (main distributions) Skia Features About Skia4Delphi OpenSource Uses a modified fork of Google’s Skia Cross-Platform & Multi-Framework 2D graphics library for Delphi Drawing Focus on Quality & Performance The Brains Behind Skia4Delphi Two brothers from Brazil 2021 Spirit of Delphi Winners Paulo César Botelho Barbosa Vinícius Felipe Botelho Barbosa With the encouragement and suggestions of Ian and Jim Skia for Delphi ECONOMY – Open-source project, completely free EASY TO USE – Easy to install, simple code Compatibility Delphi 11+: All platforms Delphi 10.3+: Windows & Android Delphi XE7+: Windows Available via… Skia4Delphi Library The library conceptually exists in 3 parts: Skia API (Console, VCL, FMX) Access to the pure Google Skia library, through a single unit: Skia.pas Controls (VCL, FMX) TSkAnimatedImage: Play Lottie, Telegram stickers, animated GIF and animated WebP TSkLabel: Multiple styles in text, font weight, justify alignment, limit max lines, background color on parts of the text, auto size width and height, advanced decorations and more TSkPaintBox: use OnDraw event to draw with Skia API directly on control TSkSvg: load icons svgs, change colors and wrap mode App rendering (FMX) Optional feature that when enabled, the FMX graphics engine will be replaced by Skia4Delphi’s graphics engine, that is, the entire app, all the controls on the screen, will be painted internally by the Skia-based canvas. That is, by adding just 1 line of code to enable it, your entire app will automatically: Improve the quality of drawings; smoothing of jagged edges Gain up to 50% increase in graphics performance Increase drawing fidelity Adds support for right-to-left languages FMX Canvas App Rendering Benchm Uses custom version of Skia […]

In recent years we’ve seen objects and ideas previously thought of as science fiction become realities in our present world. The evolution of modern technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence are largely to thank for this fiction becomes reality migration. However, when it comes to Windows development, there are often new solutions, techniques, or features touted as the next big thing. As experts in the field, Embarcadero is always chasing down the next most promising Really Great Idea in Windows development. In this article I discuss some exciting prospects that seem likely to take Windows development by storm. Is Delphi the Next Big Thing in Windows Development? Since succeeding Turbo Pascal, Delphi has evolved into the biggest advent in the world of Windows development. Helping developers write code faster and smarter with its modern OOP practices and robust frameworks, Delphi significantly increases developer productivity. Therefore, to stay ahead of the curve, smart developers design, refactor, and build their code using Delphi. What makes Delphi such a great tool for writing Windows software? Delphi programs are incredibly robust and require little to no dependencies or preinstallation of anything at all unlike virtually every other kind of Windows Development technology. The programs are fully compiled binaries so there is no source code to run through a compiler or runtime interpreter. Those binaries – the things users install – are native too so they run at the full speed of the machine and are not filtered through a runtime framework or some kind of byte code which can only run at a reduced speed due to the overheads of the byte-code interpreter. It’s common for Delphi programs to run unchanged for many years, passing through various iterations of Windows upgrade cycles like Windows 7, Windows 8, 10, 11 and beyond. They still run without needing to be updated and without breaking due to external dependencies which have morphed around the program during the Windows upgrade – this is almost universally not the case for any other programming language out there. Can Delphi make use of modern features and technology? RAD Studio Delphi is a powerful Object Pascal IDE and component library for single-source multi-platform Native App Development with flexible Cloud services and broad IoT connectivity.RAD Studio Delphi provides VCL controls for modern Windows app development for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Embarcadero’s RAD studio Delphi also provides the FireMonkey FMX cross platform development framework which allows programmers to create apps which work faultlessly on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices running Android or iOS. Here are some of Delphi’s key features: Support for high-DPI and 4K+ screens Extended multi-monitor support High-performance compilers Modern OOP centric languages  Cross-platform support, etc Why Is an integrated software development toolchain important? Essentially, your software development toolchain combines your individual solutions into a collective end-to-end process. However, for many developers, their initial choice toolchain consists of siloed solutions— individual tools operated in different development environments. This siloing can cause friction, leading to reduced productivity, slower deployment and distribution time, and difficulty maintaining applications.  Increasingly, Windows development tools are being integrated with one another, facilitating a more reliable release process. Integrations can be built-in or custom-built. The former’s advantage over the latter is that you don’t have to worry about support and maintenance. RAD Studio Delphi offers integrated […]

What do Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Chrome OS, Android, Flutter, and Delphi all have in common? They have accelerated graphics thanks to Skia. This high-performance, cross-platform 2D graphics library is taking the development world by storm. It works with VCL and FireMonkey on every platform Delphi supports. One line of code can make your existing FireMonkey applications faster, or take it further and unlock new features for breathtaking user interfaces. Skia4Delphi is an open source project by Spirit of Delphi Award winners and brothers, Paulo César Botelho Barbosa & Vinícius Felipe Botelho Barbosa. So how do you use Skia4Delphi and take your application development to the next level? Register now and join Jim McKeeth and Ian Barker in this webinar to find out! Come back after the webinar for details on the contest, more links, and the replay. Here are a few shorter videos while we work on getting the full replay. What is Skia, You Want to Ask? Imagine you are a software developer who needs to reach all the major platforms today. Your traditional choices are: Native Direct access to hardware Separate code for each platform Web/Cloud Mostly shared code Detached from hardware But Now We Have… FireMonkey Native Compiled – direct access to the platform hardware Multi-Platform – one code base for all platforms Component Based Visual Designer – maximize developer productivity How Does Skia Fit in Here? Introducing… Google Skia Google Skia is the open source graphics engine for Google Chrome, Android, Flutter, Xamarin, Firefox, and many others. It provides common 2D APIs that work on a variety of platforms, abstracting complexities in implementing low-level libraries it uses behind it, such as Vulkan, DirectX, Metal and others, implementing many optimizations and new features. Skia Platforms: All the most popular platforms in the world, such as: iOS (including simulator) Android (including simulator) Linux (main distributions) Skia Features About Skia4Delphi OpenSource Uses a modified fork of Google’s Skia Cross-Platform & Multi-Framework 2D graphics library for Delphi Drawing Focus on Quality & Performance The Brains Behind Skia4Delphi Two brothers from Brazil 2021 Spirit of Delphi Winners Paulo César Botelho Barbosa Vinícius Felipe Botelho Barbosa With the encouragement and suggestions of Ian and Jim Skia for Delphi ECONOMY – Open-source project, completely free EASY TO USE – Easy to install, simple code Compatibility Delphi 11+: All platforms Delphi 10.3+: Windows & Android Delphi XE7+: Windows Available via… Skia4Delphi Library The library conceptually exists in 3 parts: Skia API (Console, VCL, FMX) Access to the pure Google Skia library, through a single unit: Skia.pas Controls (VCL, FMX) TSkAnimatedImage: Play Lottie, Telegram stickers, animated GIF and animated WebP TSkLabel: Multiple styles in text, font weight, justify alignment, limit max lines, background color on parts of the text, auto size width and height, advanced decorations and more TSkPaintBox: use OnDraw event to draw with Skia API directly on control TSkSvg: load icons svgs, change colors and wrap mode App rendering (FMX) Optional feature that when enabled, the FMX graphics engine will be replaced by Skia4Delphi’s graphics engine, that is, the entire app, all the controls on the screen, will be painted internally by the Skia-based canvas. That is, by adding just 1 line of code to enable it, your entire app will automatically: Improve the quality of drawings; smoothing of jagged edges Gain […]

Python is a high-level programming language that may be used to create a wide range of applications, such as online applications, software and game development, network programming, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), scientific and quantitative applications, and more. It also has a long list of success stories, demonstrating that it assists a wide range of businesses in accomplishing their objectives. This article will be looking at unquestionable reasons to love Python GUI. What are Python GUIs and the main reasons to love them? GUI stands for Graphical User Interface, and it refers to computer applications that allow users to interact with an underlying application or system through a visual interface. For example, our smartphones’ graphical user interfaces (GUIs) will enable us to engage with many functionalities via the display, which we can touch, tap and swipe on. In simple words, a Python GUI is a graphical user interface created in the Python programming language. Python is a widely-used programming language due to its ease of use, widespread adoption, and, most significantly, its beginner friendliness. Python is wonderful for creating graphical user interfaces, as well as being extremely valuable in the disciplines of data science and machine learning. It even provides a number of frameworks that beginners can utilize to get started with GUI development. What Makes Python Unique? Python’s codebase is clean and well-structured, making it easy for developers to update and maintain the software. In addition, they don’t require developers to write any more code, which saves them both time and effort. As a result, they may devote their time to something more beneficial for the company. Python’s syntax consists primarily of English keywords, emphasizing code readability. During the development of the application, the readability of the code is crucial. When the software is used in the real world, the customers’ needs may change. You won’t have to worry about shifting needs with Python. Even if the developers who designed the program earlier have left the company, the new developers will be able to read and comprehend the old code and apply the new requirements accordingly. Why is PyScripter the best IDE for Python GUIs? PyScripter originated as a simple IDE to supplement the excellent Python for Delphi (P4D) components by providing a reliable scripting solution for Delphi applications. Because it is written in a compiled language, it has a more current user interface and is faster than some other IDEs. It also has several features that make it a good Python development environment. This fantastic IDE seeks to create a Python IDE that can compete with other languages’ traditional Windows-based IDEs. PyScripter is an excellent program. Lightweight, versatile, and extendable with a lot of features. Because it was built from the ground up for Windows, it is substantially faster and more responsive than cumbersome text editors, general-purpose IDEs, or other Python cross-platform IDEs, making it a perfect match for Python GUI programming and application How does Delphi supercharge Python development? Python’s versatility as a programming language stems from the fact that it can be used to create for all major platforms. You can develop programs for not only Windows but also Android, macOS, and Linux with the right Python tools. Using development tools that allow you to do so opens up a whole new universe of possibilities for your […]

Python is an extremely popular and adaptable programming language. Python’s ease of set-up, low learning curve, and low cost of entry has probably helped fuel an increased interest in coding and programming. The Python language has consistently grown in popularity among programmers since its inception, for the same reasons that learners love it but also because of its comprehensive versatility. The large number of capabilities combined with the low barrier to entry allows developers to quickly get up to speed and compete in the marketplace. Python is flexible and can work with a variety of programming paradigms. To be truly competitive, developers should become familiar with a variety of Python tools, libraries and IDEs in order to get the most out of Python and improve their skills.  There are numerous development frameworks and packages available to assist you in creating aesthetically pleasing GUIs for your Python applications. Many can come with a fair number of compromises and sacrifices. Experienced developers recommend picking technology which adds value, enhances the development chain, and adds depth to this rich development language, such as Delphi’s Python tools. Adopting this technology allows you to take advantage of libraries that make the development process easier and aid in the creation of memorable user interfaces. In this article, we’ll look at the next big thing in Python GUI by discussing our thoughts on what we think is the best Python IDE and libraries out there. How is PyScripter helpful in creating a Python GUI? PyScripter began as a lightweight IDE with the purpose of offering a solid scripting solution for Delphi applications to complement the excellent Python for Delphi (P4D) components. It has a modern user interface and is only available for Microsoft Windows operating systems at the moment. It’s faster than some of the other IDEs because it’s developed in a compiled language rather than an interpreted one, and it includes a wide range of features that make it a useful Python programming environment. All the professional IDE capabilities such as brace highlighting, code folding, code completion, and syntax checking as you type are all aspects of PyScripter. It also supports the kind of features you’d expect to find in a proper native apps such as the ability to drag and drop files from Explorer into the PyScripter IDE, all of which add up to saving you time and making the development process a smooth and pleasurable experience. Why is PyScripter the best IDE for writing and debugging Python programs? PyScripter has a Python interpreter built-in that provides call indications and code completion. This program keeps track of your command history and lets you run scripts without having to save them. This IDE also includes a remote Python debugger for debugging Python code. Variables, the watch window, and the call stack may be seen as a result. Debugging can also be aided by conditional breakpoints or thread debugging. In circumstances where the programmer is unable to discover the fault in his code, debugger indications are also useful. You can not only destroy your files without saving them, but you can also debug them without saving them, which is a useful feature. What is Python4Delphi? Consider combining the power of Delphi’s GUI and desktop app development with Python in your applications to provide world-class solutions for your […]

cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category “Analytics”. cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional 11 months The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category “Functional”. cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category “Necessary”. cookielawinfo-checkbox-others 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category “Other. cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance 11 months This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category “Performance”. viewed_cookie_policy 11 months The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

In a recent survey of 65 000 developers, StackOverflow finds that Windows is still the most used application development platform. This, in part, is because Windows app development meets the four requirements users must consider before choosing a platform — reach, simplicity, speed, and future proof. This is quite reiterated in Microsoft’s Windows 11 launch publicity which focuses a lot on developers. If anything, this new version of Windows shows the direction of the development platform for the next several years. With innovative features like the new Microsoft Store, new distribution methods, WinUI3 controls, the Windows app SDK, etc., Microsoft is affirming its position as a dominant operating system.  With that being said, every software developer knows the importance of staying abreast of the latest industry trends. From rapid application development to low code solutions, application development trends change as fast as technology. To stay current, not only do you need to consider new platform features, but you must also pay attention to trends that can increase developer productivity.  This article discusses 7 trends in Windows program development you may have overlooked. Is visual development making a come-back?   Visual application development can be said to have originated as far back as the 1960s and 70s when developers sought improvements on typing numerous lines of code into a terminal window. Early on, the term Visual programming was often associated with Visual Basic, an IDE launched by Microsoft in 1991. This tool allowed users to develop applications by dragging and dropping code blocks and flowcharts. Borland then took the development world by storm with their launch of Delphi in 1995. With a similar “draw the user interface with a WYSIWYG interface but with a vastly superior experience due to Delphi’s ability to compile code natively – with a blindingly-fast compiler – with no dependencies which had plagued Visual Basic it quickly became the development IDE of choice for all sorts of developer scenarios ranging from small indie developers to large, sprawling blue-chip corporates where the reliability of Delphi apps which ‘just worked’ and kept on working made an awful lot of sense. In our fast-paced economy, developers are under increasing pressure to meet business needs. Demand to deploy new solutions faster, demand to deliver innovative and exciting features and a number of other competing requirements. Sometimes these expectations are unrealistic, but such has become the norm for developers today. Add to that the might of marketing muscles from organizations who were able to wield large advertising budgets to push and pull developer opinions things headed into all sorts of directions, not all of which were the best for the developer.  While there may be development methods that claim to speed up Windows program development, none quite does it, like visual development. Hence, we’re seeing developers move towards tools that enable them to incorporate visual development. One such tool is the Delphi IDE.  RAD Studio IDE, Embarcadero’s modern evolution of Borland’s phenomenally successful Delphi continues to pave the way for innovative Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), with what is surely the most advanced visual development toolset, an extensive array of unique features, shortcuts, and capabilities to improve development productivity significantly.  Is rapid application development coming back in fashion?  In 1991, James Martin, in his book, Applications Development Without Programmers, coined the term Rapid application […]