This review isn't about a component or a set of components. It's about a set of experts. An expert (or Wizard, as Inprise is calling them now) is a special kind of program that extends Delphi IDE, in some manner.
GExperts is a set of experts that shows clearly how Delphi can be extended and how much functionality can be implemented.
After installing, it shows itself with a message in Delphi's initial splash screen, showing that it modifies Delphi internally. It installs itself as an add-in expert, a kind of expert that creates new menu options. It can install the options dispersed, grouped by functionality or create a new menu option in the main menu. The experts it installs are:
- Procedure List - shows every function/procedure/method found in the current unit, allowing to go to the source code with a double click.
- Grep search - searches for phrases on selected files. The search can be directed to the files on current project, to the open files or to the files on some directory (the VCL and RTL directories are preselected). Once found the search text, the results are shown and you can go to the corresponding source code with a double-click.
- Component replace - allows to replace components. This expert replaces the component in the form and in the corresponding unit, allowing to replace in the whole project. The source code of this expert is based on Ray Lishner's book, Hidden Paths of Delphi 3 : Experts, Wizards and the Open Tools Api.
- MsgDlg wizard - this expert is very useful to create message dialog boxes. You enter the message, select some buttons and the source code for a MsgDlg appears in the current text position.
- Set tab order - The way found by Inprise to set tab order is not very easy if you have many components in the form. To use this expert, you must select the components in the tab order you want then select it. The order is shown in a dialog box and, when confirmed, changes the tab order.
- Component grid editor This expert is an easy way to edit Tag and Help Context properties of all components in a form. They are shown in a grid, allowing to edit these two properties.
- Class browser - this expert shows all classes defined in a project, their methods, inheritance and declaration, allowing to go to the source code.
- Debug window - opens a window that receives debugging messages. You can insert them using the option "Insert debug message". In GExpert site, there is a unit that makes this debugging window be a SQL monitor.
- Project dependencies - Shows all project units, all units used by them and where are they used.
- Project backup - Makes a backup of all files used in the project, creating a ZIP file
- Clean project directory - Cleans the project directory of "discardable" files: backups, dcus, dsk.
- Expert manager - Manages all loaded experts loaded, allowing to install or uninstall them.
- Clipboard history - Shows what and when something was copied to the clipboard
- PE Dump - Analyses executable files, showing a huge amount of information about them: import and export dlls and functions, header info, etc.
- Favorite files - Allows to select most used files to open them easily.
- AscII Chart - Opens a character table, similar to MS Charmap, that allows to select special characters and copy them to the clipboard.
- Code librarian - Allows to store code snippets most used. GExperts comes with a collection of snippets very complete, with many tips.
- Shortcut expert - Allows to assign shortcuts to every Delphi menu option.
- Perfect layout - Changes the layout of Delphi IDE windows to a preassigned layout.
Besides these experts, GExperts allows to configure Delphi, with a multi line component pallette, a Window menu, showing all open windows, enable "View CPU Window", or modify the editor window, with a toolbar. Then, you can have many editor enhancements: begin...end groups marking and location, introducing comments or show the units, forms in the project or components in the form.
If anyone had some doubts about Delphi extensibility, GExperts eliminates it completely, extending its functionality, adding new menu items and even altering its internal components, as the editor window or splash screen. It definitely shows the flexibility and to what extents the Delphi IDE can be altered. To who wants to extend Delphi, this download is really great.
Author: Gerald Nunn
Download: http://www.amano-blick.com/~gnunn/gexperts.htm
Price: Free
Rank: 