Delphi XE5 and C++Builder XE5 (that is, RAD Studio XE5) ship with a fully integrated version of FireDAC for the first time. In the XE4 time frame, FireDAC was distributed as a separate installer, and wasn't fully integrated. Now even in XE5 it is not fully integrated (for example because of the missing links in the tools menu I blogged about) but the process has started.

Notice that David I just posted on his blog about FireDAC (reminding me that I wanted to blog about this as well).

What is exactly different in FireDAC in XE5 compared to XE4? Here is a not-so-short list:

  • FireDAC has a new set of units and component names, to reflect the new name (form AnyDAC), the need for dotted unit name / namespaces, and a better integration.
  • The decision to pick "FD" for the components was helped by the fact this is a unique combination (unlike AD) so you can type it in IDE Insight (the new search box in the toolbar) or in the Tools Palette to filter out FireDAC component easily.
  • If you have existing applications, a new utility we ship can help you do a complete search/replace with some scripts, available in a demo folder.
  • There is Android support, as expected.
  • FireDAC core components and the very powerful in-memory table are now part of the Professional edition of the products. This is a complete new set of components in the Professional edition. Probably one of the most relevant additions to Delphi Professional in a few years.
  • FireDAC database connectivity depends on the SKU. Access to many embedded and local databases is part of the Professional edition (see above). Access to the "Enterprise-class" databases is in the Enterprise edition, but the same is also in the Client/Server add-on to the Professional edition.
  • It is true that by merging the source FireDAC in XE5 works... with XE5. You can still download the latest separate installer to support previous versions of Delphi. This was expected and announced since Embarcadero originally acquired the technology.

There is actually more in the works. We are going to release some FireDAC / DataSnap integration. You can get a glimpse of those in my coming CodeRage8 session about DataSnap. There are several other areas in which FireDAC will grow. The most important think is that XE5 puts FireDAC in the hands of a much larger number of Delphi developers. Welcome to FireDAC, Delphi's preferred database access library.