Lazarus Release Candidate 1 of 1.4

[JuhaManninen]

I cannot reproduce this bug (windows 7, 64-bit, lazarus 32-bit). The project compiles fine.

Same here, also Windows 7, 64-bit.
The problem is local somehow. User access rights? Virus scanner? Hidden virus or spy-ware app? Corrupted filesystem? Something else?

[howardpc]

Same here, also Windows 7, 64-bit.
The problem is local somehow. User access rights? Virus scanner? Hidden virus or spy-ware app? Corrupted filesystem? Something else?

It may be something else, namely a Windows Service (most likely Program Compatibility Assistant Service) that is not running. Geeky people often disable Windows services that otherwise run by default, but seem only to hog memory and cpu cycles, with little perceived benefit. However, if this particular service is not running you will have problems dealing with newly generated executables that the OS suddenly discovers.

[Eugene Loza]

It may be something else, namely a Windows Service (most likely Program Compatibility Assistant Service) that is not running. Geeky people often disable Windows services that otherwise run by default, but seem only to hog memory and cpu cycles, with little perceived benefit. However, if this particular service is not running you will have problems dealing with newly generated executables that the OS suddenly discovers.

Telepathy? 
You are absolutely right!!! Enabled back 'Application Experience' service I've disabled lately and everything works!!!
Thanks a lot!!!

[mercury]

I found some bugs and issue.
1. Source in UTF-8 path can't localize when click the error in messages window.
2. When Crtl+V in object inspector, it will paste in source code.
3. Can’t remember tab position (anchordockingdsgn).

[JuhaManninen]

1. Source in UTF-8 path can't localize when click the error in messages window.

Please explain the steps how to reproduce this.

2. When Crtl+V in object inspector, it will paste in source code.

This is a known and reported problem with AnchorDocking.
  http://bugs.freepascal.org/view.php?id=24558
  http://bugs.freepascal.org/view.php?id=27165

3. Can’t remember tab position (anchordockingdsgn).

You mean the tabs inside a docked pane? This may not be reported. Can you please search for a bug report and create a new one if not found.
Note, AnchorDocking is not ready yet and not installed by default. These bugs will not be fixed for Lazarus 1.4.

[Windsurfer]

I was pleasantly surprised to discover anchor docking in the ide when reading another post, and I now have a single ide window.

Part of the reason that I never discovered it earlier was possibly the lack of good descriptions in the packages. Is there someone knowledgeable enough and with sufficient time to update them as part of the 1.4 release? Alternatively a Wiki page describing each package might be appropriate. The excellent page at http://wiki.freepascal.org/Lazarus_Packages does not deal with individual packages.

[mercury]

1. Source in UTF-8 path can't localize when click the error in messages window.

Please explain the steps how to reproduce this.

Please look the picture.
There is an error in the source (A).
When I build it, IDE can't localize the error when source is in UTF-8 path (B).
It only shows a dialog.
This doesn’t happen in Lazarus 1.2.6.

You mean the tabs inside a docked pane

Yes, look (C).
When I restart Lazarus, it will go top.

[mattias]

When I build it, IDE can't localize the error when source is in UTF-8 path (B).
It only shows a dialog.

Please create a bug report.

[Timewarp]

When I build it, IDE can't localize the error when source is in UTF-8 path (B).
It only shows a dialog.

Please create a bug report.

"Unit1.pas not found bug" reported long time ago
http://bugs.freepascal.org/view.php?id=26623

[JuhaManninen]

"Unit1.pas not found bug" reported long time ago
http://bugs.freepascal.org/view.php?id=26623

So it happens also when filename characters are inside current codepage, but only when there is an error in source code.
It should be fixable in Lazarus, it is not an FPC issue.
Did it really work in Lazarus 1.2.6? It would be nice to know which revision really broke it.

[Timewarp]

"Unit1.pas not found bug" reported long time ago
http://bugs.freepascal.org/view.php?id=26623

So it happens also when filename characters are inside current codepage, but only when there is an error in source code.
It should be fixable in Lazarus, it is not an FPC issue.
Did it really work in Lazarus 1.2.6? It would be nice to know which revision really broke it.

Yes it worked 1.2.6. Bug says where it broke, rev45396

Report may be confusing, because there were two bugs at same time, (other in FPC2.7.1, which was fixed)

[andrewcass]

You should care! It's a wonderfull product since Delphi 1.

Part of the community hates anchor docking, other part loves it, and there is even who does not care.
Should anchor docking really be default when even Delphi 2010 made it way back by easing the way to developers get back the look and fell of Delphi 7?

I don't care what Delphi does but I also think most appeal of docking is about fashion and hype.
I personally like to have 2 editor windows from top to bottom of screen, to see as much code as possible. I let some windows to overlap a little to maximize screen usage.
Now AnchorDocking is not usable because the form designer is not dockable, but even if it was usable I would still use separate windows.
Many people seem to think docking is a must-have feature, I think it has maybe 25% real usability and 75% hype.

Long time ago there were bugs like Windows taskbar showing many buttons but they have been fixed.

[JuhaManninen]

You should care! It's a wonderfull product since Delphi 1.

Yes I know. I am happy that Delphi has gained popularity again.

I still think that docking gets more weight than it deserves.
There are more important features that Delphi made better, for example debugging and Unicode support. Improvements for both are under construction in Lazarus. Once they are ready, Lazarus is very good with or without docking.
Yes, docking must be improved, too, but it does not affect productivety in a same way that debugging or seamless Unicode do.

[Windsurfer]

I have started looking through the examples to make sure that they all work.

The speedtest.lpi example fails at run time when it reaches this line:

Code: [Select]

  S := TFileStream.Create('../images/penguin.xpm', fmOpenRead);
I assume that it is a leftover from a much earlier release. The following would work, provided there is a penguin.xpm file in the examples folder.

Code: [Select]

  S := TFileStream.Create('./penguin.xpm', fmOpenRead);
I am happy to fix it and provide a suitable file, but have two questions:

Would a cheetah.png file be better?
Is there a rule against placing the file in the examples folder?

[JuhaManninen]

Would a cheetah.png file be better?
Is there a rule against placing the file in the examples folder?

No rule. The only concern is the size used by the examples. Lazarus distribution is quite big already.
One choice would be to use an existing image under Lazarus dir using a relative path. It would work always except if the example project is copied somewhere.

Another issue with examples are missing ReadMe.txt files. The Tools -> Example Projects ... window shows a project's ReadMe file automatically if it exists, but most projects don't have it.

Yet another issue are poor descriptions in Lazarus packages. They are shown for example in Install/Uninstall packages window and would be useful.

Patches are welcome for both project ReadMe files and package descriptions, and for other improvements, too.