Building Delphi 5.0 Applications


COBOLTranslator generates two files for every translated COBOL module. These files have '.txt' and '.pas' extensions. The TXT file is a ASCI representation of the DELPHI screen definition file, and can be saved as a DFM file.

Following is a brief guide to building a project in DELPHI from COBOLTranslator output:

  1. Delete all program.txt files where files size is 0
  2. Open Delphi, From FILE|Open, one by one select all .txt files, and SAVE AS filename.dfm - This will create the screen descriptions.
  3. From COMPONENT|INSTALL menu install all the
  4. Create a new Delphi project
  5. Remove the UNIT created by default by DELPHI project.
  6. Save the project as
        c:\directory\progs\PROJECT1

  1. Add the following form to the project
        c:\directory\ACM-INC\ACMFORM.pas
  1. Open this form.
  2. This form is currently set to fsMDIChild Form. All your converted screens will inherit from this form. Hence if you intend this application to be an SDI, you must change the form style (from Object Inspector) to fsNormal.
  3. Add All the .pas files in the \progs directory
  4. From the Projects menu select Options. Go to Directories page. Set the following
        Output directory :      x:\directory\exe

        Search Path :            x:\directory\user-inc;x:\directory\acm-inc;x:\directory\data-inc; x:\directory\acmvcl;
  1. Open the form (program) ACMFORM.pas, right click on the mouse and select ‘ADD TO REPOSITORY. Then you can close the form.

  1. From FILE|New select Forms page, and select PSFORM - make sure the the INHERIT radio box is selected. This form is to act as your parent form (whether the application is to be MDI or SDI). For MDI applications you will need to overwrite the Form Style (from Object Inspector) to fsMDIForm.