[DUG] Learning Delphi adn Lazarus opinions

[Phil Scadden]

> > Also what do people think of the FPC and Lazarus setup? My main desktop
> > machine at home is a dual boot Linux/windows machine but I really prefer
> > to use Linux and I understand that the Kylix ide is no longer being
> > supported/developed. Is the Lazarus and FPC combo simular enough to real
> > delphi to allow me to build up some skills that can be crossed between
> > or would you really recommend starting with a proper borland  delphi???

Hmm. Lazarus is long long way from Delphi 2006. I would be rather
hesitant about starting with Lazarus because of the potential frustration in
wherther you are dealing a Lazarus "feature" or your own bug. On other
hand, if you want your programs to run on Linux, then it probably best
to go at moment. There unfortunately a whole of lot of useful mechanisms that
use Delphi design-time interfaces that are very difficult to port to Lazarus.
OTOH  FPC compiles the actual code pretty well.

Think further down track too. If you are just learning the language for fun, then
go for it. If you have some particular projects in mind, then you might want
look what component sets such a project would use and whether these
are available to Lazarus or easy to port.

----------------------------------------------------------
Phil Scadden, Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences
764 Cumberland St, Private Bag 1930, Dunedin, New Zealand
Ph +64 3 4799663, fax +64 3 477 5232