Delphi Vs Visual Studio

This is a comparison between developing software in Delphi XE+ vs Visual Studio 2015 (C#). I’ve decided not to go to in-depth with regards to syntax or run time dependencies of executables. I have experience in both although I have mainly developed web service and WCF services in C#, and mainly developed desktop applications in Delph, so that might affect some of my opinions.

Delphi Pros

•          Quick and easy to develop desktop applications.
•          I prefer the form designer, because I find it easier to use.
•          Quick to compile projects.
•          I like the code structure of interface and implementation in the same file.
•          You can develop mobile apps.

Delphi Cons

•          Code insight is slow and could be significantly improved.
•          Some areas of the IDE look dated and it needs investment to keep it up to date with its competitors.
•          Find declaration does not always work, finding the function or procedure is more time consuming than Visual Studio.
•          Hard to employ developers as there are not many about.
•          Code insight is slow to update, for example add a new property to a class and sometimes you need to compile to make that property available for code insight.
•         Unit testing using DUnit feels old and there has been little development of it over the years.

  

Visual Studio Pros

•          IDE has a more modern interface, like the option for a dark color theme.
•          Code IntelliSense is great, and I like the ‘potential fixes’ option which is very useful for adding directive or assembly reference.
•         Unit testing is easy and integrated into the IDE, making it easy to run tests while you are developing.
•          Debugging services is easier than when I have developed services in Delphi, this might have changed recently in later versions of Delphi.
•         Peek definition is a nice feature.

Visual Studio Cons

•         Slow to start-up.
•          Sometimes freezes and it is best just to wait.