Marco Cantu has finished annotating the "Mastering Delphi 5" book, making it available as a free PDF download. This updated edition provides modern context and corrections to the 20-year-old text, focusing on the core Delphi language and VCL framework concepts that remain relevant today. While acknowledging some outdated aspects, the annotations aim to clarify the book's content for a contemporary audience and highlight its enduring value for learning fundamental Delphi programming principles. Cantu sees this project as a stepping stone towards similarly updating his "Mastering Delphi 7" book.
Marco Cantù, a prominent figure in the Delphi programming community and author of the seminal "Mastering Delphi" series, has officially announced the completion of his extensive annotation project for "Mastering Delphi 5." This ambitious undertaking, which began in March 2023, involved meticulously reviewing and updating the entire book, originally published in 2000, to reflect the passage of time and the evolution of the Delphi language and surrounding technologies. Cantù painstakingly examined each chapter, code snippet, and concept, adding detailed annotations to clarify outdated information, provide historical context, suggest modern alternatives, and correct any inaccuracies that have surfaced over the two and a half decades since the book's initial release.
The annotated edition isn't simply a collection of errata; it's a comprehensive re-examination of the material, designed to make the book relevant and accessible to both veteran Delphi developers and newcomers alike. Cantù's annotations address a wide range of topics, including changes in the Windows API, advancements in Delphi language features, the emergence of new libraries and frameworks, and shifts in best practices within the software development landscape. The annotations also explore the evolution of the Delphi ecosystem, acknowledging the transition from Borland to Embarcadero and the continued development of the Delphi language. The result is a richly enhanced version of the original text, offering a unique blend of historical perspective and contemporary insights.
The completion of this project represents a significant achievement, not just for Cantù, but for the Delphi community as a whole. "Mastering Delphi 5" is widely considered a classic text, and its updated, annotated form provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning Delphi or revisiting its foundational concepts. The annotated edition is available as a free PDF download, ensuring its accessibility to a broad audience. Cantù expresses his gratitude to the numerous individuals who provided feedback and support throughout the annotation process, emphasizing the collaborative nature of this endeavor. He also hints at the possibility of undertaking similar projects for other books in the "Mastering Delphi" series, potentially enriching the Delphi community with further annotated editions of these influential texts.
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Hacker News users reacted to the updated "Mastering Delphi 5" with a mix of nostalgia and pragmatism. Several commenters reminisced about Delphi's past prominence and ease of use, fondly recalling their experiences with the platform and its RAD capabilities. Others questioned the relevance of Delphi 5 in the modern development landscape, acknowledging its legacy but expressing concerns about its limitations compared to newer technologies. Some pointed out the niche areas where Delphi still thrives, such as industrial automation and legacy system maintenance, highlighting the value of the updated book for developers in those fields. A few users also discussed the merits of sticking with older, stable technologies versus constantly chasing the latest trends, with some advocating for the simplicity and reliability of mature platforms like Delphi 5.
The Hacker News post titled "Mastering Delphi 5 2025 Annotated Edition Is Now Complete" generated a modest number of comments, primarily focused on nostalgia, the surprising longevity of Delphi applications, and the author's dedication to updating a book about a relatively old technology.
Several commenters reminisced about their past experiences with Delphi, recalling it as a productive and enjoyable development environment, especially in its heyday. One user fondly remembered using Delphi 5 and versions 3 through 7, highlighting its speed and ease of use compared to contemporary tools. They expressed surprise and a touch of wistful amusement that people were still using it.
Another commenter, seemingly more familiar with the author, Marco Cantù, praised his ongoing commitment to Delphi, describing him as a "Delphi evangelist" who has steadily produced books and content about the platform. They pointed out the enduring relevance of Delphi, particularly in maintaining legacy applications, suggesting Cantù's work serves a real need within that community. This aligns with another comment which emphasized the impressive number of still-running Delphi 5 applications, emphasizing the practical value of maintaining expertise in the older technology.
A separate thread discussed the surprising fact that Delphi 5 applications can still run smoothly on modern Windows, with one user expressing amazement that it remains compatible. This sparked a brief discussion about compatibility layers and the relatively stable Win32 API, which likely contributes to Delphi 5's continued functionality. Another commenter chimed in, stating that they work with codebases originating from Delphi 1, 3, and 5, further illustrating the longevity of software built with these tools.
Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of nostalgia for Delphi's past, acknowledgment of its continued presence in legacy systems, and appreciation for the author's dedication to supporting the community still working with Delphi 5. There's a sense of quiet surprise at the technology's enduring relevance in a rapidly changing technological landscape.