Developing applications can be a complex, problematic, and time-consuming task. Developing programs using Borland's Delphi, although less time-consuming, can still be complex and problematic. However, most problems can be solved, in fact most problems have already been solved - the key is finding the necessary information amongst the gigabytes of data available.

This sub-site is an overview of how to find the Delphi information you need. Whether you're looking for some sample code, a simple answer, or the solution to a complex programming issue, these steps can help you find the information quickly. A few words about Solving Delphi Issues.

Step 1 - Define Your Issue

You probably already understand the issue, or you wouldn't be looking for further information. However, it is important to understand the scope and category of your issue. Make sure you can identify the specifics surrounding your issue. Ask yourself:

• Is it an error?
  • If so, when/where is it occurring?
  • What code is involved?
• Is it a VCL issue?
  • If so, what component or unit is involved?
  • Have you checked the Delphi help/documentation?
• Is it an API issue?
  • If so, what API function is involved?
  • Have you checked the Delphi help/documentation?
  • Have you checked the API help file (Win32.hlp)?
• Is it a Database or BDE issue?
  • What database?
  • What is the BDE or Database error or message?
  • What code is involved?

Of course, these are just a few guidelines, but the idea is to understand your exact issue before attempting to find information or a solution. Understanding the issue by answering the above questions will help you narrow your search and allow you to focus on the information you require. Thus, spending less of your time searching for a solution and more of your time building your program.

Shaking the Delphi Information Tree

Step 2 - Newsgroup Search

This guide concentrates on Internet-related sources and discusses how to best utilize those sources when looking for Delphi-related information. It is important to note that many other sources exist, they are simply beyond the scope of this guide. Some general information can be found in the article, Solving Delphi Issues.

1. Start Specific
   
   Try and find your exact problem first, you might succeed.
   

   One of the best ways to find the answer to a specific issue is to conduct a search of Delphi-related newsgroups. There are several ways to search newsgroups for Delphi-related information. Here are few of the major search engines. Deja News is a search service dedicated to extracting informaiton from newsgroups. The major search engines below also have the ability to search newsgroups. Note that Infoseek and Yahoo! use the Deja News search engine to perform their searches, so theoretically Deja News, Infoseek, and Yahoo! should return the same results. However, sometimes Deja News can be slow, and an alternate engine may help.
   
   

   Alta Vista

   Deja News

   Infoseek

   Yahoo

   Be sure to carefully construct your search query with relevant and specific words. For example, if you are attempting to find some information about adding an icon to the system tray for your Delphi application, you might try the following searches:
   
   

   1. delphi system tray icon
   2. delphi system tray
   3. delphi tray icon
   4. tray icon

   Start your search in a very specific fashion; try and think of how someone else might ask the question and phrase your search query accordingly. Chances are someone else has had the exact same question and posted it to a newsgroup. For the above example, you might ask:
   
   

   1. how do i system tray delphi
   2. how to delphi system tray icon
   3. delphi system tray icon example
   4. can delphi system tray

   If your specific queries do not return the desired results, begin to widen your scope by submitting more and more general queries. Although this will lead to a lengthed and more difficult search for the exact information you require, it is a good way to learn. Begin searching for anything related to your subject:
   
   

   1. delphi api system tray
   2. windows 95 system tray
   3. windows system tray icon
   4. tray icon

   Throughout this process you will almost always encounter a number of worthless posts either complaining about the subject, or simply listing the subject as a feature, benefit, or deteriment of something. However, you will also be exposed to similar and parellel concepts, ideas, and terminology which may help you in your continued search for a solution.

   Step 3 - The Entire World Wide Web

   If subsequent newsgroup searches do not produce the desired results, it's time to move the search out to the entire world wide web. It is important to note that each step, although a potential golden answer, is less likely to produce an answer than the previous step.

   This document will not list all of the available search engines, but here are a few that can be helpful when searching for Delphi-related information: