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Writing 16-bit code in 2004

Early this year, Raymond Chen blogged about Why 16-bit DOS and Windows are still with us.

I found this an intersting read, if for no other reason than I'm currently involved in a 16-bit project.  The reason I'm working on a 16-bit project in 2004 isn't because of an existing LOB application, but instead, it's because my client has over 350 retail sites throughout the U.S., and many of these sites are still running Windows 3.1.  The cost of upgrading them all (in a reasonable period of time) to Win XP or better is prohibitive, so until all of the sites are upgraded, they needed a solution that would run on Win 3.1, WinNT, Win98, Win2k and WinXP.

I developed the application using Delphi 1.0.  I chose Delphi because a) I had Delphi 1.0, b) small runtime requirements compared to VB3 or VB4-16 and c) object pascal is a great language.

I actually finished the major coding of the app last year, but I'm currently in the process of adding a one-off report.  This application does NOT use the BDE (and there's no way in hell that I'm going to distribute it), so I can't use QuickReports.  TPrinter provides me with *almost* everything I need.

Print | posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 1:57 PM

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# re: Writing 16-bit code in 2004

left by Nick Hodges at 6/29/2004 8:06 AM Gravatar
Cool! A Delphi 1.0 app! That rocks!

You should give Delphi 8 for .Net a look. Full support for the .Net framework with that great Object Pascal Language.

# A Blast from the Past

left by Nick's Delphi Blog at 6/29/2004 8:09 AM Gravatar

# A Blast from the Past

left by Nick's Delphi Blog at 6/29/2004 8:14 AM Gravatar

# re: Writing 16-bit code in 2004

left by Joerie at 6/29/2004 8:20 AM Gravatar
Yeah Delphi 8 .net is really cool, just downloaded the demo this week. I have used D4 a couple of years ago (And I liked it). Did not use Delphi (For different reasons) for years now. Guess what? I found my way very fast, even in the real .net enviroment. I am sure I will get me copy real soon :-)

# re: Writing 16-bit code in 2004

left by M. Eaton at 6/29/2004 9:18 AM Gravatar
I've always liked Delphi, but it's one of those things...many employers have never heard about it and those that have haven't wanted to break out of their VB/SQL Server frame of mind.

The funny thing about this particular 16-bit app is that when it was first installed (with only a couple people knowing it was a delphi app), one of the IT guys looked at it and said: "Wow...a Delphi app." Those damn speed buttons gave it away. :-)

# re: Writing 16-bit code in 2004

left by Nick Hodges at 6/29/2004 1:46 PM Gravatar
Michael --

Hey, thanks for the reply.

Yep, those speed buttons are everywhere.

Just to do a little marketing -- remember that you'll be able to migrate the 16-bit app to 32-bit fairly easily (depending on how much of the Win31 API you've used, etc.....)

Then, if the time every comes, that /same code base/ can be migrated to .Net.

Just some food for thought.

Joerie -- you rock. Glad you liked Delphi in the .Net world.

Nick

# re: Writing 16-bit code in 2004

left by M. Eaton at 6/30/2004 6:43 AM Gravatar
Nick,

The 16-bit app is pretty straight-forward -- no Win16 API calls, although like I said in another post, I did have to hack printers.pas to accept a filename.
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