The beginning of the end. I've used Delphi since Delphi 1. Actually used turbo Pascal before that. This week at work we got the order, from up high, "no more new development" with Delphi. So some maintenance for a while, but that's it. Been good while it lasted. :(
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ReplyDeleteWere there any reasons given or discussed on giving up this product ? What was the last version you were using ?
ReplyDeleteIf anything it is difficult to fill in new Delphi programmers but still if you were only an older version of Delphi then that is something completely different.
I know the overall cost is huge and Idera is taking way too much time to make a decision but still this is a fantastic studio to work with.
My company will continue using it as long as it is available. Maybe you can give us more insight on what happened.
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ReplyDeleteWhat are you switching to?
ReplyDeleteWell, if you want to stay with that company, you'll have to move to whatever they're moving to. If you want to stay with Delphi, well, perhaps there is enough maintenance work to keep you using it. However, perhaps it's time to look for new work?
ReplyDeleteNew work? Really? Lol
ReplyDeleteMaintenance could last for 10 years in practice... Big Delphi issue is lack of developers IMHO... From the technical POV you can do wonders with it...
ReplyDeleteThere are still Delphi shops out there. My company still use Delphi. But why are you LOL'ing? If you feel there is no more Delphi work out there, move on, nothing stopping you. I don't get why people come on here to bad-mouth Delphi. Do I detect some bitterness? Who are you trying to blame? Embarcadero? Idera? Borland? Us?
ReplyDeleteThere are still companies using Delphi otherwise the product would have been dead long time ago. There are new ones in Manhattan starting up as of today.
ReplyDeleteMy company still uses it and loves it. The only thing that Steven did not provide is what version he was using as well as the reason to leave, so I would not take much on this until more information is provided.
It sounds like one of these "orders from up high" - where I tend to look for new work - because if such an announcement is done without involvement from the people actually producing the code - then that is a sign of ignorance and stupidity. Then I am out of there - it does not matter what trade or tools we talk about. Management should be involved in what their people think and feel - and not just go for the dish of the day - if this is what happens in your case. By changing "strategy" they probably also loose a lot of efficiency - lets see if they have a good reason - but it doesn't sound like it - as it is described here. And yes some people jump when they are told to - step up.
ReplyDeleteMaybe he has a NDA, very common these days. Any way it's sad to learn that a company drops out the ship!
ReplyDeletenot surprised, however, I do wonder what will you guys go for windows desktop, sure C# isn't that steep of a learning curve, but at the same time, I'm wondering what triggered this decision...
ReplyDeleteoh well /sub
We are also in maintenance only. New developments are done in c#. If Delphi programs need new functions, we develop them with c# by using com. Embedding the wpf is done with hwndhost. Users don't see a difference between Delphi and c# parts.
ReplyDeleteBernd Ott I used to work in such a company. A big mess of deployment and debugging... And global productivity went down a lot... Managers were happy to find (cheap) developers to hire. But the Users did see a difference between Delphi and C# parts: Delphi parts where much more reactive, and never broken after a Windows system update...
ReplyDeletethat scenario is like salad and spaghetti, alone they taste good, mixed kind of weird!
ReplyDeleteWe were using Delphi XE6, and will be getting Seattle in the next weeks. The company sees Delphi as a dead or dying language. Probably the biggest problem is finding developers. Nobody wants to use Delphi. C# is the designated language of choice. We have several groups, most have moved to C#, we're one of the last teams left.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind C#. Syntax wise it's not a big step from Delphi. I do prefer Delphi. The fact you have an interface means you can see what a class does at a glance. In C#, unless you code fold, it's a bit of a mess if you ask me, although it does force you to keep classes short and simple. One major advantage of C#, is if I have a problem, someone has already solved that problem. It used to be that easy with Delphi, but it's getting harder and harder. That's just my anecdotal experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fun thing about companies following the popular languages - it is a double edge sword - it is easy to get mediocre people - and it is just as easy to loose then. Regardless of the language - I would rather have fewer passionate craftsmen that know the best tool for the job. I have worked with several consultants that did not know there toolbox - but just shopped as mediocre developers in whatever tool was popular. I think that is called prostitution.
ReplyDeleteI very much in favor that every developer keep learning multiple languages and technologies - gives perspective and good ideas. I keep meeting developers that bought into a specific brand (read OS) and they think the other alternatives are dead. "Is Linux still around?" - type question - a bit like what the Delphi community had to listen to for many years.
Go to Brazil :D
ReplyDeletehttps://plus.google.com/u/0/+VictoryFernandes/posts/CoAT2rprhgh?cfem=1
If Steven Camilleri company has several groups moved over to VS Studio, it does make sense from a business point of view to group everyone together. There is no reason to purchase the VS Professional any longer and that is after my discussions with Microsoft.
ReplyDeleteAs for developers not wanting to do Delphi is garbage, that sounds like a company who does not wish to put the time and effort to look for Delphi people.
With Visual Studio 2015 Community a company no longer has to purchase licenses for each developer something that Idera will have to address later this year on how to compete against something like this.
I think Idera has to present its plans for Delphi's future. I still use Delphi, however, this year I have to ask a question if it is worth to renew a subscription. The cost keeps going up' and as many of you said, it is getting harder to find a Delphi post or a code sample on the Internet. I am preparing to develop a new app and most likely it will be Java. It will be a desktop app or combo Web and Desktop.
ReplyDeleteChris Z. Keep the faith. The measurement you need to use for any type of business is whether the subscription justifies the product produced and sold.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not developed using Rad Studio any products over the course of the year due to client's requests then you have to make that judgment.
In my case I develop using Rad Studio when I can and have sold applications to justify the cost but if a client wishes me to use Visual Studio or Android or Objective-C then I have to do it.
It is only business.
A. Bouchez I like the switch to c#. I'm not happy anymore using Delphi. They focused to long on other topics like cross platform which is really unimportant for me. C# fits better to my requirement. The other reason: I'm the last Delphi developer in the company. Hard to find good payable developers.
ReplyDeleteBernd Ott "Il faut de tout pour faire un monde", as we say here in France. I understand your POV, even if I certainly do would not come back to C#+WCF to build any complex SOA systems, when I've my Delphi/FPC+mORMot at hand.
ReplyDeleteRichard Baroniunas Rich, I am going to observe a direction Delphi will take under a new management. I do not expect it to return to old good days popularity. On the other hand, I think it is still might be a great niche product if the stewardship will be more stable.
ReplyDeleteChris Z. I agree with that. When EMB took over they brought back the product to an exciting development tool.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are way too many options for developers out there and especially the youth who use the free software tools, that is where Idera has to figure out how to create an affordable package.
The major problem of Delphi nowadays is: it is difficult to find good experienced Delphi devs and even more difficult to find junior, less experienced Delphi devs. Without Delphi in universities this will get harder and harder...
ReplyDeleteAlexandre Machado I agree, it is time for Idera to step up and get this back into the colleges so that the youth start using it.
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