Delphi (VCL) Generics and data binding?

Question

Does anyone know if Delphi XE (I'm talking VCL here) has any Generic Collection classes that work with data-aware controls? In other words, are there any Generic classes, like TObjectList<> that can be assigned to TDataSource.DataSet, or something similar?

Thanks.

Dan

Answer 1

Yes you can, using an ObjectDataSet concept, which I think you would end up having to implement yourself based on the linked sample code as a starting place.

The sample code shows how to fuse the concept of a regular non-generic TObjectList and a TDataSet. It uses RTTI to provide any list you wish to attach to it, of any object type. It uses RTTI and does not need to use Generics, rather it requires that you inherit from TPersistent.

The bad side of it, is that I have used it, and I would never use it again. The resulting code was a mess, was slow, and the model was horrible. Next time, I would stay away from data aware controls, and simply use containers with VIRTUAL CONTROLs like VirtualTreeView, and ExGridView.

I see no reason why you couldn't start with the above code as a base, and combine generics with data binding, but I can see lots of reasons why you shouldn't.

Answer 2

To have another opinion:

• Please refer to Stefan Glienke's effort. He is the author of the promising DSharp. More on his Blog.
• Point to DN4D (DotNet4Delphi).

They both can use Generic Collection classes as expected with binding capablity which makes exposing data to visual components quite easy.