An ancient saying goes: "If a worker wants to do his job well, he must first sharpen his tools."
I think all friends who use Delphi should have a deep understanding of this sentence. Indeed, if Delphi did not have the support of controls, its popularity would be greatly reduced, and there would not be as many fans as it does now. I would switch to BCB or VC, haha.
However, controls are everywhere nowadays, not to mention DSP (Delphi Super Page). There are already tens of thousands of controls on just one Deep Adventure, and they are still being updated every day. How terrifying:) However, when there are too many choices, troubles come with it (haha, it would be great if MM could have so many for me to choose from). Because I can’t try them all, there are many excellent controls that are still available. It's not well known, so I wrote this article, hoping it can be a guide for everyone and play a role in inspiring others.
Okay, now let’s get to the point. First, let’s roughly classify the controls to facilitate our subsequent discussion.
But because there are so many types of controls, they are roughly divided into the following categories:
---Interface style class
---Shell appearance class
---Editor class
---Grid class
---DB class
---Report class
---Graphics class
---Comprehensive category
The premise of the agreement is: All FreeWare, All source. As for those commercial controls that cost money to purchase, I will discuss them later. For every control we discuss in this article, a quality score will be given. Commercial controls and free controls are treated equally, not based on price, but on quality:
The general scoring criteria are as follows: First-class super cool control: ★★★★★
Also very nice controls: ★★★★
General but distinctive controls: ★★★
Controls with less than three stars are beyond the scope of this article. (☆ means the effectiveness of ★ is halved)
◆First, let’s discuss free third-party controls (with source code):
(1) Interface style class
----------
An excellent software should have an excellent operating interface, I think this should be beyond doubt. However, friends who have used C/C++ to write programs will definitely lament that it is too tiring to make a beautiful and easy-to-use interface (except for BCB). But since Delphi was born, all this has suddenly changed.
Here I first recommend four sets of excellent interface production control packages to everyone.
1.FlatStyle2.1 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ----
Review:
A very great interface control package, what is Cool? After using FaltStyle, you will know:) In the latest version 2.1, FlatStyle has made great changes, not only added several new controls, but also modified the source code Made a great deal The modifications are more organized. However, there are still a few small bugs, haha, but they are harmless. AWater himself revised it on this basis and added several controls. There is only one word to describe the feeling of using it, Haha, it’s so cool! Highly recommended!
2.JLAqua1.0 Quality: ★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- --
Review:
This is a control package with a Mac OS-like interface. If you have a soft spot for Apple's lovely interface, this thing is your best choice. It is absolutely eye-catching. But because it is version 1.0, AWater will use it after using it. I still feel like I'm still not satisfied with it, as if something is missing. But it's already very good, and I recommend it to you.
3.Platinum Controls Quality: ★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- --
Review:
It is another control package with a Mac OS-like interface. Compared with the JLAqua above, the main difference is that this control package simulates a more classic old-fashioned Mac OS style interface, while JLAqua is more trendy. At the same time, this control package provides relatively few types of controls and has relatively single functions. However, it is still quite unique and worth recommending.
4.CoolForm quality: ★★★
--------------------------------------------------
Review:
The first time I used this guy, I was really fooled by its name. Later, when I took a closer look at its source code, I found that it was nothing more than that. It was actually just a weird Form thing, but it was written very well. It is simple and has good functions, especially its built-in attribute editor, which is very interesting and can automatically generate Mask images based on the pictures you provide. Haha, it’s a pretty good control, it’s up to you to use it or not.
(II)Shell appearance class
-------------
I believe that many friends are not satisfied with the OpenDialog and SaveDialog provided by Delphi when writing programs. Sometimes they need to make something similar to an explorer, but the FileListBox and DirectoryListBox provided by Delphi are too ugly and crude. Although Delphi provides ShellApi.pas, but it is too troublesome to write such a Component from scratch, the following things can free you from redundant repetitive work.
1.DFS TSystemTreeView v0.95 Beta Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Speaking of DFS, I believe that any veteran who uses Delphi will be familiar with it. This control can be considered a high-quality product, and AWater doesn't have to talk too much about it. However, because it is a Beta version, it is still a little unstable and will occasionally make mistakes. So I only gave it four stars, which is a bit unfair, haha. Recommended to you!
2.LsFileExplorer 2.7 Quality: ★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- -
Review:
It's a pretty good control package. The only pity is that there is a bug in the TLsDirTreeCombo part. That is, when placing TLsDirTreeCombo on top of TCoolBar or TControlBar, once the width changes, you will find that the ClickButton position of TLsDirTreeCombo will be seriously affected. dislocation. Haha, originally AWater wanted to give it a ★★★★☆, but the result fell sharply, which is a pity. It would be great if this bug could be fixed, but then again, it's free after all. Still worth recommending to you.
㈢Editor class
----------
Have you ever felt this way? Memo is too simple, Richedit is difficult to use, and the version is too messy, making it prone to problems. Do you want to have a powerful editing control that supports syntax highlighting like Delphi's own Editor? Please take a look at the following two things.
1.mwEdit 0.92a Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
This stuff is currently the top free control. It has powerful functions like commercial controls and is open source code. It is a blessing for the majority of Delphi programmers! With it, you can easily write an editor like Delphi's own Editor. In addition to supporting the special highlighting of Pascal syntax, it can also support more than ten other syntax highlighting. The best thing is that mwEdit can actually be connected to the database.
hehe. It’s really powerful and I highly recommend it to you!
2.unicode edit 1.0 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
This control is one of the famous JEDI projects. It is generally similar to mwEdit above, but its functions are not as powerful as it is, but it is already very good. The feature is that it has more than a hundred unicode (WideString) functions built-in. Isn’t it scary? Haha, I recommend it to you!
∣Grid class
--------
In reality, many data organization methods are very suitable to be represented by Grid, especially in a system with a large amount of data and complex information. It would be unimaginable without Grid control. However, the Grid that comes with Delphi, whether it is StringGrid, DrawGrid, or DBGrid, is not powerful enough. The following Grid controls may excite you.
1.TStringAlignGrid 2.0 Quality: ★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Although this control is free, it can be seen that the author is still very careful. The function cannot be said to be very powerful, but it is useful enough. As long as you are not doing anything special, this control is definitely your best choice. It also comes with a detailed help file, which is worth recommending.
(5) DB class
------
There doesn't seem to be any particularly outstanding free controls in this area. After picking them up, I only found this one, haha.
1.TkbmMEMTABLE v. 2.33 Quality: ★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- -
Review:
A nice memory table control. If you are in urgent need of controls in this area, give it a try. Worth recommending.
㈥Report class
----------
Speaking of reports, many friends must have an inexplicable feeling in their hearts. After tasting the embarrassment brought by QuickReport, we have always been striving to find an excellent report control with outstanding functions. Here we recommend two very excellent report controls for you, and they are all developed by our own people, haha , welcome with applause:
1.eReport quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
A very excellent report control, completely designed for the Chinese report format, and it also comes with a report editor. The working mode is similar to copy printing. It originally took a month to use QuickReport, but it can be done in three days with eReport, haha . However, it should be pointed out that eReport does not yet support report nesting, which is a pity. (The author Wang Hansong himself said that the nested part of the report was originally written, but unfortunately it was accidentally lost, and it has not been written down since. Woo woo woo woo...)
2.rmachine quality: ★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Speaking of this stuff, not many people may know about it. But speaking of FastReport, I believe everyone must have heard of it. This control is developed on the basis of the famous FastReport. It has fixed some bugs and enhanced many functions. Pretty good, haha. recommend!
(7) Graphics
--------
It should be said that the range of graphics controls is too large, from general Image to Chart, and various Effects. The content is too much and wide, so I will simply select a few of the most distinctive ones and introduce them to you.
1.FastLib quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
A very, very excellent graphics library that provides a large number of graphics processing functions. Its functions are so powerful that even some commercial controls are inferior to them. The various graphic special effects made with it, haha, I can only say one word. Highly recommended to you!
2.GLScene(OpenGL Component) Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Have you ever tried to write an OpenGL program like this: select a model and then add lights and textures to it. Adjust size, position in real time. Not satisfied? Just change the model and try again. Everything does not feel like writing a program, but like editing on the spot in 3DSMax. How about it, it’s amazing, why don’t you try it soon. Haha, I highly recommend it to you!
3.TPicShow v2.3 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
This little thing provides 122 kinds of graphic effects, and the efficiency is also good. A lot of time is left for you to search books and code. Come and give it a try. Add some switching effects to the graphics in your program and let your users praise your program interface. Haha, I highly recommend it to you!
(8) Comprehensive category
--------
Comprehensive control packages refer to those hodgepodges that include various types of controls. Here are some excellent comprehensive control packages among free controls:
1.RxLib 2.75 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Speaking of this guy, everyone should have already heard it like thunder, right? Haha, so I won’t say much about AWater, but don’t tell me you don’t know it yet, I highly recommend it to you!
2.RALib 1.52a Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Although there is one word difference between the names of Dongdong and RxLib, their functions are stronger than RxLib, but they are not as well-known in China as RxLib. Go try it, I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. Highly recommended to you!
3.DevExPRess Forum Library 2.0 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
This control package is a free and source code expansion package produced by Developer Express, a well-known Delphi control manufacturer. Adhering to the consistent style of Developer Express, this control package has an "aristocratic" flavor everywhere, including many excellent controls. It doesn't feel like a free control at all. If you look at its source code , more of this feeling, clear and well-structured. It is worthy of a famous artist to take action. hehe. but
, such good stuff cannot be obtained casually. You must first participate in the Developer Express Forum and register with them (of course it is free) before you can get it. Go ahead and register. Highly recommended!
Okay, after looking at the free third-party controls above, let's take a look at the commercial controls. We also divide the commercial controls into 8 categories and conduct an evaluation to compare them with the free ones recommended earlier. Let’s compare the controls to see who has the advantage. Commercial controls may not necessarily dominate them all!
◆Commercial controls (but you have to spend money to buy them):
(1)Interface style class
----------
1.DevExpress Bars 3.1 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
It is a control group with a Word2000 interface produced by the famous Delphi control manufacturer Developer Express. The functions are so powerful and the interface is so gorgeous, haha, it’s simply hard to describe it in words. I even have some doubts that Dephi's menus and toolbars are made of this stuff. It's really cool. In comparison, the free ToolBar97 is like a chicken and tasteless. Haha, if you want to make a beautiful popular interface, this is your best choice.
And it also saves you a lot of time for repetitive work. Highly recommended! ! !
2.ExtarPack 1.5 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
If you want to make your own program interface very different, this stuff is the best choice, haha. It can arm your program to your teeth. If others don't know about it, they will definitely think that you are using some new operating system. Haha, if you want to give someone a surprise, just use ExtarPack. It will make you very satisfied. However, I have to remind you in advance that this stuff consumes a lot of system resources. Highly recommended!
3.FormContainer 1.5 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
You have never used the TeeChart that comes with Delphi. This thing was written by two programmers from the company that produced TeeChart. Is the quality good? Haha, it is first-class. Never embarrass TeeChart. Do you know why a person would be in a daze in front of the computer? Most likely you have seen programs written using FormContainer. hehe. It's really amazing, the absolutely classic interface style will give you an unexpected surprise. AWater is very compatible with the programmer who can write this control, which is amazing. It's a pity that the source code is not available, otherwise I would have to study it carefully. Highly recommended to you! !
(II)Shell appearance class
-------------
1.Shell Control Pack VCL v1.5 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Regarding this control, AWater doesn’t want to waste any more words. I just want to say one thing: it feels like using Explorer. Haha, very, very great. Highly recommended to you! !
㈢Editor class
----------
1.Dream Memo 3.1 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
A powerful editing control produced by Dream Company, the famous Delphi control manufacturer "Dream Team". It should be said that it is excellent in all aspects. At least I thought it was the best before AWater didn't use mwEdit. Now, hey, of course it's not the best. However, it is indeed very powerful, but it is a pity that the writing of this stuff is too complicated. Place
So, there are more bugs. But it is still worth recommending to you.
2.PlusMemo 5.2 Quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
This control is old and powerful. Very distinctive. It has its own style and also supports data sensing. And it's also very small. Very nice. Highly recommended to you! !
∣Grid class
--------
1.DevExpress ExpressQuantumGrid 2.1 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
It is also a super Grid control produced by Developer Express, a well-known Delphi control manufacturer. Mainly used in the operation and use of databases. It has powerful functions and has many "unique martial arts". Haha, if you use the Go rankings to score, the level of this control is probably still above the ninth level. It's super first class. Even among the same commercial controls, in terms of operating databases, there is probably one that is better than ExpressQuantumGrid. If coupled with the dxTreeList and dxPrintSystem from the same school, it will really be invincible in the world. And it is written in 100% pure VCL. COOL is stunned, haha. Highly recommended to you! ! ! ! !
2.TopGrid 2.01 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Although this control is not as sharp as the previous DevExpress ExpressQuantumGrid in terms of operating database functions. But it has a wide range of adaptability and can do all the work of StringGrid, DrawGrid, and DBGrid. Unlike ExpressQuantumGrid, it is only suitable for database operations. Moreover, the interface of TopGrid is very cool, a bit like the DataWindow in PowerBuild, and it is more beautiful. The function is very flexible and can
It is very convenient to operate each Cell in the Grid. The only disadvantage is that the compiled EXE file is a bit larger, but you can use aspack to compress it and you can have both, haha. Highly recommended to you! ! !
3.XLGrid 1.62 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Using this control reminds me of MS Excel, haha. Strong, strong, still strong. Unfortunately, database operations are not supported. On its homepage, there is a pre-release 2.0 implementation function plan. After reading it, AWater drooled. It is so cool, but it is a pity that it has not been released yet. But this version 1.62 is already very cool. Highly recommended to you! ! !
(5) DB class
------
There are really too many, from the high-end ASTA to the comprehensive-performance DBISAM, from DAO to Topaz, and the famous InfoPower, there are really too many, and all of them are five-star. I won’t write about AWater. Anyway, in this aspect, commercial controls win out. hehe.
㈥Report class
----------
1.ReportBuilder 5.0 Quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
It is a very, very powerful report control. Don't ask me how powerful it is, because it would take five to six thousand words to explain it to you clearly. If you are missing a powerful and widely applicable report control at hand, then it is the only one, and this is your best choice. It can be said that as long as you can think of it, it can basically do it. Highly recommended to you! ! !
2.HTMLReport quality: ★★★★☆
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Putting this stuff in may seem like making up the numbers. It cannot be said that the function is very, very powerful. But if you look at its name, there is a very popular word in it: HTML. Haha, yes, that’s what it’s used for. If you have needs in this area, it's the right place to look for. Overall performance is also very good. Of course it's not as powerful as the REportBuilder above. Highly recommended to you! !
(7) Graphics
--------
1.Pegasus company’s series of graphic controls quality: ★★★★★
-------------------------------------------------- ---
Review:
Pegasus has produced many well-known graphics controls, such as FXTools, ImagN' and other super controls that everyone has heard of for a long time. If you have higher requirements for graphics processing, you should consider these first-class controls produced by Pegasus. It cannot be replaced by ordinary free controls. Highly recommended to you! !
(8) Comprehensive category
--------
I won’t write a review on the comprehensive category, anyway, whether it is the dinosaur-level LMD, AHM2000, RZLIB, or the exquisite 1stClass. The powerful functions and various controls are not comparable to free control packages. When using them, the only thing that worries me is which one should I use? Haha, isn’t this also a kind of trouble? :)
By comparison, I think everyone has an idea. In the above eight categories of evaluation of free controls and commercial controls, it should be said that commercial controls have an absolute advantage. Except for one Editor class, free controls can compete with commercial controls. The rest are There is a certain gap. Especially in the DB category, the free control side is the worst, haha. But having said that, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Good things always have to be bought with money. However, in the end we can draw the conclusion that although commercial controls are powerful and of excellent quality. However, when you don’t have much money to purchase, or your performance requirements for certain aspects of the program are not very demanding, you can consider using some excellent third-party free controls, or use them as a basis. Conducting secondary development to meet your design requirements is also a very good and cost-effective solution:)
From the above discussion, you should be able to learn some information about Delphi's third-party controls. However, I would like to remind you that although the controls are good, they cannot be abused. We cannot rely on controls for everything. A good programmer must not only be able to use them, but also be able to write them himself. If you have time, studying the source code of excellent controls will be very helpful to improve your level, and you can also have a deeper understanding of the mechanism of object-oriented programming. I hope that one day, we Chinese can also write excellent programs like Delphi, and let foreigners all over the world develop third-party controls for us, hahaha...
Finally, thank you all for taking your precious time to read this article. (scholar)