Mastering Delphi 6 by Marco Cantu

pub Sybex, RRP £44.99, 1104 pages including index plus CD and supporting website (from which Marco’s
comments below are taken)

Part I: Foundations Chapter 12: Libraries and Packages

Some classic topics, plus a couple of extended
Chapter 1: The Delphi 6 IDE examples of dynamically loading/injecting packages
This chapter discusses all of the new features of in running applications.
the IDE (and there are indeed many) suggesting
some non-obvious tips (and some undocumented Part III: Database Programming
registry entries). The material has been updated with
the same structure of the previous edition. Chapter 13: Delphi’s Database Architecture
A condensed summary of the core coverage of Delphi
Chapter 2: The Object Pascal Language: Classes and database programming, although Paradox is almost out of
Objects the picture. The foundations, with little new.
The first step in the discussion of the language has little Chapter 14: Client/Server Programming
new content (the new compiler directives) and has been
extensively rewritten for clarity, reorganizing the content A highly rewritten chapter now including some elements of
of this and the next chapter. database design, a lot about the ClientDataSet component,
and an in-depth introduction of dbExpress.
Chapter 3: The Object Pascal Language: Inheritance
and Polymorphism Chapter 15: InterBase and IBX
Another chapter that has been reorganized, adding and A short chapter totally focused on InterBase and the
modifying material, but has very little about Delphi 6 presentation of a simple but full-blown application.
(because there is very little new in this area). Chapter 16: ActiveX Data Objects
Chapter 4: The Run Time Library A complete rewrite of the ADO chapter of the last edition,
done by Guy Smith-Ferrier.
This is a brand new chapter, covering the function-based
runtime library, including both classic units and all of the Chapter 17: Multitier Database Applications with
units (StrUtils, DateUtils, ConvUtils, and so on). It is not a DataSnap
reference, but a list of tips and suggestions, highlighting An update of the material on MIDAS, with coverage of the
some little-known gems. few new components and features, and some extended
examples.
Chapter 5: Core Library Classes
As in the past edition, this chapter covers the core elements Chapter 18: Writing Database Components
of the library, including TComponent and related classes. A brand new chapter discussing in details the development
There is some new material on streams, including custom of data-aware controls and of custom datasets. The material
streams, and containers, even if little has changed in Delphi 6. originated in Delphi Developer’s Handbook, although the
custom data sets architecture presented is brand new. Little
Part II: Visual Programming specific for Delphi 6, but a lot of new value for the book.
Chapter 6: Controls: VCL Versus VisualCLX Part IV: Beyond Delphi: Connecting
This chapter covers the TControl class is both VCL and CLX
libraries (the latter is obviously brand new in Delphi and in with the World
the book). Most of the examples have been translated from Chapter 19: COM Programming
VCL to CLX, and a few have been added. A condensed update to the chapter of the last edition, also
Chapter 7: Advanced VCL Controls because there was very little new to say.
Covers features like anchors, page controls, the rich edit, Chapter 20: From Automation to COM+
splitting, hints, and other assorted UI techniques. There isn’t An update of the last edition, with coverage of COM+,
a lot of new stuff here. COM+ events, and some of the other limited updates related
Chapter 8: Building the User Interface to COM in Delphi 6.
This covers actions, toolbars, and docking. There is Chapter 21: Internet Programming: Sockets and Indy
information about the new Action Manager architecture and Components
some brand new examples. A large rewrite of the similar chapter of the last edition,
Chapter 9: Working with Forms now with more multi-threading examples and coverage of
Not too much new material, beside CLX versions of all of Indy.
the examples, plus coverage of alpha blending and the like. Chapter 22: Web Programming with WebBroker and
Chapter 10: The Architecture of Delphi Applications WebSnap
This is a new chapter collecting material previously spread The introduction to WebBroker of the last edition, followed
in the book (and some new examples): includes the by many pages of brand new material on WebSnap.
application object, frames, visual form inheritance, MDI, Chapter 23: XML and SOAP
and more. A totally new chapter, covering the BizSnap technologies
Chapter 11: Writing Delphi Components of Delphi but also introducing XML and related technologies
An update of the material in the last edition, with coverage (XSL-T, SOAP, DOM programming...). The long chapter
of some new features like exposing compound components includes also coverage of technologies not directly
in properties and a limited update of the ToolsApi examples. supported by Delphi, such as SAX parsing.