A quick comparison.

<%
Dim MyName
MyName = "Mr Paradiddle"
%>
<script language="javascript">
<!--
function ShowYourName() {
document.write('Your name is <%=MyName%>.')
}

ShowYourName()
-->
</script>

You don't have to do anything special in your application. However, you do have to give certain folders and files the correct rights in your installer.

If you've written any ISAPI DLLs, and tried to debug them, you've learned that it isn't exactly a trivial task. This little code snippet can often eliminate much of the pain.

I always found the sleep command in ObjectPAL very useful. The following code does about the same thing in Delphi. It makes use of GetTickCount which is a Win32 API call that retrieves the number of milliseconds that have elapsed since the system was started, up to 49.7 days.

procedure TUtils.Delay(MillisecondsDelay: Integer);
var
   FirstTickCount: LongInt;
begin
   FirstTickCount := GetTickCount;
   repeat 
       Application.ProcessMessages;
   until ((GetTickCount-FirstTickCount) >= Longint(MillisecondsDelay));
end;

Use the Screen variable which is a TScreen. The Screen variable is a TScreen component that represents the screen of the system on which the application runs. By default, applications create a screen component based on information from Windows about the current screen device and assign it to Screen.

For example, put the following code in a button click:

MessageDlg( 'screen width = ' + IntToStr( Screen.Width ) + ',
  screen height = ' + IntToStr( Screen.Height ), 

    mtInformation, [mbOk], 0 );

The same way you do with HTML. Here is a simple example:

<%
Dim MyName
MyName = "Mike Prestwood"
%>
<script language="javascript">
<!--
document.write('Hi <%=MyName%>')
-->
</script>

Carry a portable Linux version with you on a USB flash pen drive. Bring your portable desktop with you wherever you go.

USB Linux installation enables you to install a portable Linux operating system on a flash drive or USB key no larger than your thumb. This portable Linux version can then be run from any computer that can boot from a flash device, allowing you to bring your operating system, desktop, applications, files, e-mail, personal settings, favorites and more with you. It’s like having your own personal operating system you can carry in your pocket.

In Paradox, use an sqlQuery block to call store procedures. The following code uses an sqlQuery block to call an Oracle stored procedure. Use the syntax of whatever SQL server you're going against. With Oracle, if I remember correctly, you use an "execProc" or "exec" command.

sqlQuery =
SQL
;execute proc here
ENDSQL

if not dbSQL.executeSQL(sqlQuery, tcAnswer) then
  errorShow()
endIf

Paradox 11 with SP2 applied ships with WordPerfect Office X3 Professional Edition. There are two ways to get the current Paradox, buy the WPO Pro Edition (X2, X3, etc.) or buy a license directly from Corel.

System requirements

	Windows® Vista (Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Business 32 bit and Business 64 bit Edition with latest SP and Critical Updates)*, Windows® XP (Home, Media or Professional Edition with latest SP and Critical Updates), Windows® 2000 (with latest Critical Updates) or Windows® 98 SE (with latest Critical Updates)
	128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
	466 MHZ (Pentium® III or equivalent processor recommended)
	450 MB hard disk space for minimum installation
	Super VGA, 16-bit color monitor with 800 x 600 or greater resolution
	CD-ROM drive
	Mouse or Tablet

*Paradox and the SDK (software development kit), included in the Professional Edition, will be updated for Windows® Vista at a later date.

I recently upgraded to Windows XP and now Paradox 11 cannot open SQL Server database tables. In the open-dialog-box, I see the aliases, but cannot select one which is linked to a SQL server database. The same thing happens, trying to create a QBE query, new form, etc... All existing queries, forms, ... are working (using these aliases).

Solution was to apply the latest BDE patch, all works as it should.

Free trial of Delphi for PHP.

Software that allows you to burn a .ISO image to CD on Windows XP or Vista and to DVD on Vista. Free and very easy to use (right click on image and select Copy Image to CD.

You should be aware of the benefits of using PNG images. This short article is a great overview. Although here at Prestwood we use and recommend using GIFs and JPGS because of compatiblity with older browsers and you can animate GIFs. However, this compatibility issue will likely go away in the coming years and we too may switch to PNG images at that time.

Should I use GIF or PNG images on my website?

Although the PNG format is slightly superior to the GIF format, GIF is more compatible with older browsers so we are currently recommending you use GIF images. That's the quick answer. However, there are issues so if you wish to use PNG images, read up about it to understand it's pros and cons.

With the size of applications and data, my belief is that you need a minimum of 2 GB of RAM not because it's required, but because Vista will use it. In Windows Vista, the caching scheme changed. Vista's SuperFetch built on and replaced Prefetch. Unlike Prefetch, SuperFetch will use up ALL memory you give it so you want as much memory on Vista as you can afford. My current Vista system has 3 GB of RAM with an additional 4 GB ReadyBoost compliant USB flash drive.