Delphi Database Technology ups and downs--to be the history of the BDE

September 2014, Delphi Xe7 out, this time in the database technology, completely cast off from 1995

Delphi 1.0 comes with the Borland database access technology. Thus declaring this continuing

More than 20 years of Delphi access to database technology into history.

Throughout the 20 years of Delphi Database technology development, in fact, is also the history of Delphi. Through the database technology

Change, you can also understand the history of Delphi and the future direction.

First, the words originally

The Delphi 1.0 was a 16-bit compiler, when the internet was almost nonexistent, and the first to get the Delphi 1.0 was

That kind of software collection CD (you know), in the 486 Win95 for a long time, before installation, installation interface is Borland

Classic Racing Instrument panel window. After loading, it entered the design interface of the drag control, the supporting database technology is BDE,

BDE (Borland) is the database engine of Borland Corporation, which combines SQL links to allow programmers

It enables you to connect to a variety of different databases (such as Oralce,sybase,sql server, etc.). The earliest BDE was for

Paradox used, later Borland Paradox bought, retained Bde, in Delphi directly use BDE

As a technique for accessing the database. Due to the fact that the database server is still very small, the development of the database is mainly local,

The database is paradox. Because the BDE support Paradox no Chinese language support, Chinese appears garbled, it is troublesome,

After many experiments, I finally found that using Thai language support can show Chinese (Chinese support is almost all computer system headaches).

Delphi 2.0 enables Delphi to enter the 32-bit world, and clearly puts forward the concept of C/s. BDE has also been formally replaced by 32-bit

, the use of BDE provides a smooth connection to the Oracle and SQL Server database servers. Completely into the C/s era, separated from the

Single desktop era, see Oracle 7.0 data can be displayed in the DBGrid inside, and can be censored, simply excited dead.

In the Delphi 1.0 and Delphi 2.0 era, basically no mature third-party database technology, belongs to the era of BDE monopoly.

Second, crowded

1997, the introduction of Delphi 3.0, greatly stabilizing the market position of Delphi, already with the VB,PB than he came out earlier.

In Delphi 3.0, Borland has proposed a multi-layered concept and implementation, while the C/s is basically a complete monopoly of the database

Market, after many years, multi-layered technology is accepted by many developers, it can be seen that the borland of the cattle more powerful.

Delphi 3.0 out, Delphi's database access technology in the third-party support, there has been a blossoming, there are mainly three forms

One is similar to BDE, directly support the background database server access, there is support for a variety of database sqldirect,zeoslib, and support

A single database, such as ODAC, DOA, and so on. These directly implement the database API using native code, and then access the database server.

The second is similar to the later adoexpress, through the Encapsulation of ODBC, ADO and other Microsoft Data access Technology database server, the typical Representative is

ODBC Express. The biggest difference between the two and BDE is that the program is not installed when the distribution of BDE, as long as the database is installed on the client can be,

Reduces the hassle of program configuration. The third is to achieve their own database, with Delphi to develop a complete database system, you can directly

The integration of database functions into the program can also be divided into client and server-side use. The typical representative of this class is Elevatesoft's Dbisam

And TurboPower ' s Flashfiler, as well as Nexus Database Systems Nexusdb. These have realized both C/s architecture,

And you don't have to buy expensive database servers. Very suitable for small and medium-sized enterprise applications.

Each of these third-party database technologies has its own point of purchase. Developers choose a lot, sometimes in order to integrate some projects, even in an IDE

More than 5 database access technologies will be installed on the

Iii. the dangerous and perilous

As the Delphi 4.0 rushed out and failed, Delphi 5 regained the glory of the past, while the compiler added a lot of new features, BDE also in

Micro-update, third-party database access technology with the development of time, technology is becoming more and more mature. At the same time, service-side database technology is also rapidly

Oracle launched 8i, Microsoft also out of SQL Server 2000,bde but no big update, has been the sense of yesterday's yellow.

At the same time, BDE's first internal crisis also came along, Borland to add Linux support in Delphi 6, and BDE is only supported by Windows,

Then to support the Linux database access in Delphi, BDE is not available. So Borland developed a Windows and Linux-enabled

Dbexpress. At the same time, in order to improve multi-layer applications, dbexpress deliberately dealt with a lot of multilayer problems, combined with three-layer technology, called a very

The name of the Ox is datasnap. Prepare to be an enterprise-class multi-tier middleware. Dbexpress's launch, has announced in advance the fate of BDE.

Delphi 7.0, the introduction of Delphi pushed to the history of the highest point, Sheng very will decline. Borland internal unrest began to occur, many people have left, supporting the Linux

Kylix did not sell, making Delphi back to Microsoft's camp, first launched a history of the most rotten Delphi 8 for NET (not one), followed by the introduction of the history of the second rotten

Delphi 2005, led to the level of Delphi over several years also maintained at the level of Delphi 7.0, missed the market, missed the opportunity, Delphi began to decline. Broalnd inside continues

Turbulence, and did not have much energy to improve the dbexpress technology, so that BDE was not completely kicked out of Delphi. Of course, BDE itself has not changed any. Delphi

The business itself has been Borland out, engaged in a call CodeGear department, opportunistic hawking. During this time out of Delphi 2006 and Delphi 2007, these two

In addition to the changes in the IDE, but also basically fried Delphi 7 cold, even the most basic Unicode has not joined the support.

Iboron in Delphi history at the lowest price of the shot, at a very cheap price to buy Borland Delphi and other development tools business. launched the first support

The Delphi version of the Unicode Delphi 2009 (Of course the bug is flying everywhere). Followed by Dephi 2010,delphi XE. These versions are mostly Unicode.

Stable version, database technology this piece has no big changes in addition to Unicode support.

Four, double-male hegemony

Delphi Xe2 out, although began formally support WIN64 and Mac OSX, but time, opportunity has been missed, Delphi market has shrunk sharply, many third-party database technology

Either stop the update, or simply maintain it, and no longer make a drastic update. Database server access control has been updated basically left Devart Unidac and Da-soft

The ANYDAC.

In fact, it's interesting that the database access controls for both companies are from Oracle database access, and Devart's first database access control is called ODAC. Da-soft's

The first database access control is called NCOCI8, and is free. Then developed FREEDAC is also free, and later launched to the commercial version of the Anydac. And it's backed by the RTC company.

, a simple three-tier database access framework--THINDAC was developed. Later RemObjects company saw Anydac, put ANYDAC income, and their own products of the data Abstract

together to buy. Later may be due to product development direction inconsistent, ANYDAC after less than three years, and from the RemObjects company independent out.

The main task of Delphi Xe2,xe3,xe4 is to cross-platform, start supporting Win64, and start supporting Mac Osx,ios through Firemokey. Although there are some minor problems, but

Product quality has been greatly improved. Firemonkey is also constantly optimizing. Of course, that BDE, although basically no one to use, or stay there, as a standard configuration,

Every time the Delphi installation, are silently installed on the hard disk.

In all third-party database controls, only UNIDAC and ANYDAC timely updates, fast support for Firemonkey, and support for Delphi's latest cross-platform applications.

Therefore, this phase of the third-party database support, the remaining two began to hegemony. These two have advantages and disadvantages, and have different functions. Sometimes it's hard to divide.

In general, UNIDAC supports the background database itself with strong strengths. And ANYDAC is the client data operation function is more perfect, stronger.

Can the King return?

With the release of Delphi Xe5, an astonishing thing happened, Delphi Xe5 directly integrated into the ANYDAC, the original Iboron has

In Delphi Xe4 has ANYDAC income, named Firedac. With Xe5 officially released. At this point, third-party database controls that support multiple platforms are left with only

UNIDAC is the main force. With the rapid update of a new version of Delphi six months ago, from this April's Delphi Xe6 to this year's September release of the Delphi Xe7,

FIREDAC has been integrated into the blood of Delphi, not only as a database access layer, but also played a pivotal role in the Datasnap,

The use of tfdmemtable began to replace the old, popular tclinetdataset process, and in the latest Enterprise Mobility Services (EMS)

Clients play an important role. In this way, BDE was finally sent to the Museum of history, ending more than 20 years of life (silent, all the way).

Since FIREDAC was directly integrated by Delphi, it became free, so that with Delphi you can use FIREDAC directly. And the performance is similar to UNIDAC, many programmers

The FIREDAC is selected directly as the database access layer and begins to discard the UNIDAC. In this case, will it cause the decline of UNIDAC?

This individual believes that it should not be, competition is temporary, in the long run, more is a win:

1.FIREDAC Update is released with the Delphi version, that is, FIREDAC's new features only the latest version of Delphi to use,

While UNIDAC supports all versions from D5 to Xe7, you can access the latest database features without having to upgrade Delphi (as if there are a few people using D7).

Therefore, although the UNIDAC charge, but the use of polygons will be a little wider.

2.UNIDAC also has many feature points that are unique (such as no client access to the Oracle database), and for some customers who have this requirement will continue to

Stay on the UNIDAC. At the same time because FIREDAC is free, then for the sake of competition, UNIDAC will also accelerate the development, add more functions, for us

It's actually a good thing. At this point, without UNIDAC, there is no benefit for the developer.

3. As the two big cross-platform database access control, their opponents are not each other, but should be outside the Delphi Enterprise Development Market, how to take advantage of their respective technical advantages

To make the Delphi market bigger? Allow Delphi to provide more functionality, support more emerging technologies, and attract more developers to come in. With the market,

Big Plate, any one will have more users, but also afraid of what, Delphi 3-delphi7 era is a good example.

4.firedac and UNIDAC should play their respective advantages and strengthen cooperation. Using the advantages of FIREDAC, we strengthen Delphi's datasnap, improve the stability, enhance

More new features (now enhanced with rest support) provide a stable, powerful, enterprise-class middle tier. And UNIDAC can also take advantage of its own,

Provides support for new database features and features (such as Oracle 12c,sql Server 2012), and even provides support for NoSQL databases to enhance

The benefits of Delphi enterprise-class development. If you combine the advantages of both, you can develop an enterprise-class database application that is powerful and supports a variety of new technologies.

Let Delphi to Glory, return to the king's position.

Destroy nothing, the old do not go, the new does not come, BDE gone, Firedac come, new Delphi carrier multi-platform development also came, are you ready?

Note: 1, because I am old, memory down, many things in the text are written according to memory, may be the age and name will be wrong, welcome to point out;

2, because I am old, thinking rigid, if you think my point of view is wrong, do not point out, point out I also do not change.

Delphi Database Technology ups and downs--to be the history of the BDE