Delphi
Rapid development environment based on Object Pascal, launched by Borland in 1995 and now owned by Embarcadero. Widely used in Windows business systems.
Pronunciation
What is it
Delphi is a development environment (IDE) and language for building applications visually and quickly. It uses the Delphi dialect of Object Pascal and compiles to native code, producing fast desktop applications with few dependencies.
For years it was one of the favorite tools for enterprise systems on Windows: custom ERPs, accounting systems, software for clinics, logistics, or point of sale. Many of those systems are still in production.
A Bit of History
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Borland launches Delphi as the successor to Turbo Pascal |
| 2006 | Borland spins off its developer tools as CodeGear |
| 2008 | Embarcadero Technologies acquires CodeGear and Delphi |
| 2015 | Idera, Inc. acquires Embarcadero |
Delphi Isn’t Dead
Unlike VB6, Delphi is still active. Embarcadero keeps shipping new versions: as of this entry, the latest is Delphi 13.1, part of RAD Studio 13 (“Florence”). It offers two main frameworks:
- VCL (Visual Component Library): focused on Windows applications
- FireMonkey (FMX): cross-platform, for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux
There’s also a free Community Edition with revenue restrictions.
That changes the conversation: many companies’ problem isn’t Delphi itself, but an application written decades ago on an old version, with discontinued third-party components and business logic mixed into the UI.
Why It Matters for Your Company
Signs that a Delphi system needs attention:
- A very old compiler version that can no longer be easily installed or licensed
- Third-party components whose vendors have disappeared
- Logic in the forms: SQL queries and business rules inside button events
- Desktop only: users ask for web or mobile access, or integration with other systems
- Dependence on one person who knows the code
In Latin America it’s not unusual to find mid-sized companies whose operations depend on a custom Delphi system.
Modernization Options
There’s no single answer. The most common options:
| Option | When it makes sense |
|---|---|
| Upgrade to a recent Delphi | The team knows Delphi, the app is desktop, and the architecture is reasonable |
| Expose APIs and add web | The logic is valuable and integration or remote access is needed quickly |
| Rewrite in slices to .NET + Angular | You want a broader talent pool, a web/cloud app, and less dependence on a niche stack |
Common Mistakes
❌ Assuming “legacy” means “throw it away” → Sometimes upgrading the Delphi version is cheaper and less risky than rewriting
❌ Rewriting without extracting logic from the forms → Business rules hidden in UI events get lost
❌ Forgetting the database → Many Delphi systems use database engines or versions that also need migrating
Practical Example (illustrative)
A logistics company runs a Delphi dispatch system. Drivers need a mobile app and management wants a web dashboard. A possible plan:
- Build a .NET backend with APIs over the current database
- Build the mobile app and dashboard on top of those APIs
- Move desktop modules to an Angular web app one by one, following the Strangler Fig pattern
- Retire the Delphi executable once no functionality remains exclusive to it
Running a Delphi system? At Nextsoft we support these projects together with specialized strategic partners: the partner carries out the migration and Nextsoft delivers new modules, integrations, frontend and QA. Explore the legacy system modernization service. Contact us.
Related Terms
- VB6 - Microsoft’s RAD tool from the same era, no longer supported for development
- PowerBuilder - Another enterprise client/server platform
- Technical Debt - The cost of changing a system that grew without maintenance
- Strangler Fig - Pattern for modernizing without stopping operations
- Backend - The layer where business logic moves during modernization
Additional Resources:
- Embarcadero - Delphi - Official product site