Delphi Open Tools API - During development of EasyNSE a lot of time and effort was consumed (wasted?) trying to understand how to work with the Open Tools API (OTA). This page is to help other component developers from wandering down the same wrong paths I traveled.

The OTA allows for a bewildering array of possibilities for component writers. Repository Wizard Creating the Repository Wizard Unit Registering the Wizard with Delphi Creating the Wizard Package (or adding the Wizard unit to an existing package) Installing or Removing the Packages from the IDE Download the Demo Menu Wizard Creating the Menu Wizard Unit Registering the Wizard with Delphi Creating the Wizard Package (or adding the Wizard unit to an existing package) Installing or Removing the Packages from the IDE Download the Demo Add-in Wizard (coming soon) Creating the Add-in Unit Registering the Wizard with Delphi Creating the Wizard Package (or adding the Wizard unit to an existing package) Installing or Removing the Packages from the IDE Download the Demo Creating Forms with Published Properties which show in the Object Inspector Download the Demo Creating Projects, Units, Forms, other Files Understanding BorlandIDEServices Understanding Modules and Editors Implementing a Project Module Creator Implementing the Project File Implementing a Form Creator Implementing a DataModule Creator Implementing a Frame Creator Implementing the Form File Populating the Form with Components Download the Demo Property Editors (coming soon) Component Editors Download the Demo A Window that Interacts with the IDE Invisible Components (like TMenuItem) (coming soon) Supporting the Object Treeview (coming soon) Debugging a Wizard or Component Debugging Tips Images for Custom Components Several of the Demos can display comment strings to the GExperts debug window while the Wizard or interface is being called by the IDE. This is a useful feature to help understand what the IDE is doing with an interface.   Note - There was a fair number of changes to the IOA between Delphi 5 and 6, the examples will attempt to show you how to create a single file that will support all versions that incorporate the OTA using interfaces. The interface based OTA was introduced in Delphi 4.

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