Small survey for component developers:

-
Small survey for component developers:
How do you sell/distribute your components - as opensource, as .dcu or  as .bpl ?

And similiar question for components/libraries users -  which type of components do you use  - distributed as opensource, .dcu, or .bpl?

Do you have problems with closed source components (ie upgrading to newest IDE versions) ?

Comments

  1. François PietteJune 16, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    As open source. See http://www.overbyte.be
    My advice: never buy components for which no source code is availanle. Always buy FULL source code and always use the component by recompiling the provided source code (ignore any dcu or bpl) so that you are sure to have the correct soucre code. If the component make use of DLL, OCX or others, make sur you get the source code as well. This is the only way to guarantee you'll have full access for ever, even if the editor is gone.
    Getting the source doesn't means it is opens ource. That is not important. What is important is to get the source and pay for it if required.

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  2. Igor SchevchenkoJune 16, 2013 at 12:45 PM

    I aways use (buy) full source code.

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  3. Lance RasmussenJune 16, 2013 at 12:56 PM

    I always buys source code. And as mentioned, I recompile to make sure my IDE updates get compiled in.

    There's only one component that was too costly for source, but worked well enough to not buy it. However I've not had issues as they keep things updated.

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  4. Roland BengtssonJune 16, 2013 at 2:01 PM

    Yes same here. We always only use components with full source.

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  5. Alexander ElaginJune 16, 2013 at 11:38 PM

    I never buy components without a full source.

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  6. François PietteJune 17, 2013 at 1:49 AM

    Buying the source is not enough. Sometimes, the vendor omit some sources, for example for DLL and OCX, or provides not up-to-date sources. It is very very important to throw away any dcu, obj, bpl, exe, dll, ocx, res. Don't forget resources such as bitmaps and others. Somtimes, you need another compiler (for example a C/C++ compiler to rebuild obj files from their source).
    Only use what you've been able to recompile and nothing else.
    Don't wait to work like that. Do it immediately, for the first use.
    This is the only way to be sure you have everything and that you'll be able to update the source for the next Delphi versions should the vendor disapear or ask to much for update. If you can't do the update yourself, you will be able to hire an expert to do it for you. You'll never be stuck.

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  7. Anthony FrazierJune 17, 2013 at 7:50 PM

    If I can't compile and install the entire thing myself, I'm not interested. Considering how poorly I've seen some components packaged, I know some vendors put very little effort into their source distributions, or don't have any clue how to properly build packages.

    ReplyDelete

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