What’s new
 
Delphi 5 introduces the following new features and enhancements.  
 
Note Some of the features are not available in all versions of Delphi.
 

• ADO Dataset (Enterprise and add-on to Professional edition)

The ADO dataset provides an alternative technology to the Borland Database Engine (BDE) to gain access to data in a variety of formats using Microsoft’s Active Data Objects (ADO) technology.
 

• Data Module Designer (All editions)

The Data Module Designer is a new visual design tool that makes it easy to create and maintain data modules.  
 

• InterBase Express (Professional and Enterprise editions)

InterBase Express (IBX) components integrate InterBase with Delphi better than any other database access components and do not require the Borland Database Engine (BDE).
 

• MIDAS enhancements (Enterprise edition)

The architecture to support multi-tier database (MIDAS) applications now supports stateless remote data modules and the new InternetExpress components let you create Web applications where browsers interact with data from a MIDAS application server.
 

• CORBA changes (Enterprise edition)

CORBA has been upgraded to work with the VisiBroker for C++ ORB version 3.32. In addition, message traffic is reduced because the CORBA client no longer pings messages to the server to maintain the client connection. Connections time out automatically if they are inactive for too long.
 

• New debugging features (All editions)

The Integrated debugger has new features, including the ability to set debugging options for specific processes, new Run menu items, and additional debugging options.
 

• VCL enhancements (All editions)

The VCL has many new objects, properties, and events incorporating new technology and responding to developer’s requests.
 

• Frames (All editions)

Frames are a special kind of form that can be nested within a form or another frame. You create frames by choosing File|New Frame, or by choosing File|New and double-clicking Frame on the New tab of the New Items dialog box.
 

• Customizable desktop settings (All editions)

You can customize various desktop layouts, then name and save them globally. Select the desktop layout you want from the Desktop toolbar or using View|Desktops. You can also specify a debugging desktop to load during runtime.
 

• To-Do Lists (Professional and Enterprise editions)

A to-do list maintains a list of tasks to be completed for the project. You can add items in the source code or directly to the list.
 

• Property categories in the Object Inspector (All editions)

The Object Inspector allows you to display and filter properties and events by category.
 

• Images in drop down lists in the Object Inspector (All editions)

Owner draw support has been added to the Object Inspector so you can view images such as cursors, image lists, and colors in drop down lists.
 

• New Project Manager features (All editions)

The Project Manager simplifies project management by allowing you to drag and drop files from Windows folders or other projects into your current project. You can also copy project items from one project to another and add any type of file to a project. Resource files that you add to your project are compiled into RES files and linked to the project.  
 

• TeamSource (Enterprise edition)

TeamSource is a new integrated workflow management tool. For more information, see TeamSrc.hlp in the Help directory. Note: TeamSource is a separate product and a separate installation, and is not provided with all versions of Delphi. It can be purchased separately.
 

• ActiveX Enhancements (Professional and Enterprise editions)

Imported COM servers can be implemented as components to for visual development. Other features have been added to simplify ActiveX development.
 

• New application wizards (Professional and Enterprise editions)

Two new wizards help with creating control panel applets (File|New then select Control Panel Application or Control Panel Module) and console applications (File|New then select Console Wizard).
 

• Editor enhancements (All editions)

Editing preferences are now centralized under a separate command (Tools|Editor Options). It is now easier to customize editor key binding with the Key Bindings tab on the Editor Options and Open Tools API enhancements.  
 

• New project browser (All editions)

A new project browser can browse symbols in your project (project-wide) or it can browse all symbols (VCL-wide).
 

• Forms now saved as text (All editions)

Form files (DFMs) are now saved as text rather than binary, by default. Right-click on a form and uncheck Text DFM to save that form as binary. Uncheck the New forms as text on the Preferences page of the Tools|Environment Options to save forms in binary.
 

• Option to auto create forms (All editions)

An option on Tools|Environment Options Preferences page lets you choose whether or not to automatically create forms. You must have at least one auto-created form to use this option. When unchecked, forms added to the project are put into the Available Forms list rather than the Auto Create list. You can change where forms are listed using the Forms tab of the Project|Options dialog box.
 

• IDE command line options (All editions)

You can start the IDE from the command line using several new options particularly useful for debugging.
 

• International tools (Enterprise edition)

A new suite of tools called the Integrated Translation Environment (ITE) is now provided to simplify software localization and simultaneous development for different locales.  
 

• NetMasters components (Professional and Enterprise editions)

The NetMasters components now appear on a separate page (called FastNet) in the Component Palette. Note that the TWebBrowser component on the Internet page, which imports the Internet Explorer ActiveX component, replaces the THTML component.
 

• Help menu changes (All editions)