Article “Lazarus vs Delphi.” Let's discuss it

[ALLIGATOR]

https://ideasawakened.com/post/delphi-versus-free-pascal-lazarus-comparison

Here, Lazarus and Delphi are compared
I suggest we discuss this, and if there is anything that is inaccurate or controversial, we should discuss it and leave comments about it for the author

[Martin_fr]

For an article that was committed 3 days ago, it is very very outdated

Integrated debugger (via GDB/LLDB)

Debugging experience depends on external debuggers

Ok, on Mac, or non intel you still need the external debugger. Btw, anyone, if you develop for Mac under Delphi, what does it (internally) use for debugging?

[PierceNg]

Not mentioned, maybe because "outside the thinking box" for Delphi:
- pas2js
- WebAssembly compilation target

[eny]

If it looks like a duck....
I.e. AI-generated content.

[Martin_fr]

If it looks like a duck....
I.e. AI-generated content.

I thought so too, that or a really superficial search through older articles by others.

[LeP]

I thought so too, that or a really superficial search through older articles by others.

Yes, but in a very general way, it gives a general idea of ​​the two environments. Of course, those in the programming world can get an idea from this "article", but not those who aren't entrepreneurs or programmers.

The reality is obviously much more complex, but alternatively it would be necessary to write an entire book of hundreds and hundreds of pages on this topic, and by the time it was presented it would probably already be "old" and outdated.

[Martin_fr]

I thought so too, that or a really superficial search through older articles by others.

Yes, but in a very general way, it gives a general idea of ​​the two environments. Of course, those in the programming world can get an idea from this "article", but not those who aren't entrepreneurs or programmers.

The problem isn't that it is broad, or superficial (though the latter is to be regretted).

The problem is that it compares data that is half a decade old.


If the author use AI to help collect data, fine. Fine, if he then vetted it. Also, he can use AI for formatting, or improving the language of the article. All good.

But apparently, this is just a cheap attempt of getting his work done for free by others. Have AI put something together, possible the worse the better. Then let others correct it. And at the end, he may even try to sell the data.
Ok, fine, I admit, I haven't researched the author. I don't know his motives. I don't know why he publishes something like that... There could be other reasons. None of those that I can think of would flatter the author.

[440bx]

The problem is that it compares data that is half a decade old.

Half a decade old ? ... then it must be comparing against the current version SCNR.

[marcov]

The whole document gives me the impression to want to push the "Delphi is pro" mentality often found on Delphi forums,  with some minimal weaselling to give Lazarus a few points in the corners to make it appear balanced.

What struck me:

- It talks about native UIs, while being very vague over which GUI library is used for Delphi.
  VCL is native on Windows, Firemonkey is mostly owner drawn to my best knowledge.

The Delphi advise, even if you agree with it, is imho objectively too generic:

• It doesn't differentiate if you are on most recent version (subscription)  or an older (like I am, Delphi 10.0) or totally arcane (D7) version
• It totally disregards what you do. How many components you use, whether you use only VCL or also Firemonkey, which database components you use.
• Is your app's GUI mostly straightforward , or is it supposed to dazzle for sales purposes? I don't use one bought Delphi component in this job, but in previous jobs I have bought and used many, even if only to use one of the big component suites to cheaply change ("upgrade") the UI from version to version, or to participate in a far out tender.
• Do you sell a product or do you do work for hire?

[LeP]

For an article that was committed 3 days ago, it is very very outdated

Integrated debugger (via GDB/LLDB)

Debugging experience depends on external debuggers

Ok, on Mac, or non intel you still need the external debugger. Btw, anyone, if you develop for Mac under Delphi, what does it (internally) use for debugging?

Of course is public known: they use LLDB, packaged in their side server. And in Linux too.

[marcov]

The problem is that it compares data that is half a decade old.

Half a decade old ? ... then it must be comparing against the current version SCNR.

It is about Lazarus, not FPC.

[440bx]

It is about Lazarus, not FPC.

You're right.  My mistake... ooops!

[LeP]

The whole document gives me the impression to want to push the "Delphi is pro" mentality often found on Delphi forums,  with some minimal weaselling to give Lazarus a few points in the corners to make it appear balanced.

What struck me:

- It talks about native UIs, while being very vague over which GUI library is used for Delphi.
  VCL is native on Windows, Firemonkey is mostly owner drawn to my best knowledge.

The Delphi advise, even if you agree with it, is imho objectively too generic:

• It doesn't differentiate if you are on most recent version (subscription)  or an older (like I am, Delphi 10.0) or totally arcane (D7) version
• It totally disregards what you do. How many components you use, whether you use only VCL or also Firemonkey, which database components you use.
• Is your app's GUI mostly straightforward , or is it supposed to dazzle for sales purposes? I don't use one bought Delphi component

Of course is not a tech doc. It's only a wide range view (may be like others said with help of AI, and superficial).
But, I dont' think it is very far from real life (I disagree from @Martin_fr).

Talk about old version is no sense. All must have a view on actual version.
Tech specs about GUI, talking about Delphi, Delphi components like VCL and Firemonkey are real different things from LCL and widgest of Lazarus. With FireMonkey you can have one component in the Form and use it without changing nothing with all supported platform. You don't have to change source or other things, only decide the destination platform (from a visible simple combobox in the IDE). And you can have a style with the same components for every platform with different dispositions (i.e. for different SmartPhone, Tablet, Desktop).

[marcov]

Talk about old version is no sense. All must have a view on actual version.

They might as well have set "paid is better" in nice friendly big letters, and skipped all the semblance of justification.

Tech specs about GUI, talking about Delphi, Delphi components like VCL and Firemonkey are real different things from LCL and widgest of Lazarus.

The VCL and LCL are actually closer than VCL and Firemonkey. The fact that VCL components like VST mostly run on LCL/windows using the same codebase should say enough.

With FireMonkey you can have one component in the Form and use it without changing nothing with all supported platform. You don't have to change source or other things, only decide the destination platform (from a visible simple combobox in the IDE).

You mean just like with the LCL ?

But yeah, low porting requirements is the point of self drawnwidgetsets. They have their place, but as fundamentally different technology, there are also downsides. Usually in look and feel requiring custom update (if that even happens).

[Martin_fr]

There is much else wrong with the article....

And let me say upfront: I have no issues that they advertise some stuff as better in Delphi. I have no issues with that. There are things Delphi can do better.

But, they are extremely unclear what each of their statements applies to. At some point they says Delphi is better cross platform, another paragraph says Lazarus is better. Many points (even within the same section) are repeats, i.e. they did not even have enough content for a document that short.