Embarcadero RAD Studio XE4 and Delphi XE4 Features and Enhancements

Embarcadero RAD Studio XE4 and Delphi XE4 Features and Enhancements

RAD Studio XE4 released on April 22, 2013. RAD Studio XE4 is available in five editions – Starter, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate and Architect. RAD Studio XE4 is filled with hundreds of new features and enhancements to help you build ultra-rich Windows, Mac, Web and mobile applications ultra-fast. Embarcadero Prism was available in earlier versions of RAD Studio. It is not included in RAD Studio XE4. Following is the list of features which Delphi XE4 provides:

1. Delphi XE4 supports Multiple Platforms

Delphi XE4 runs on multiple platforms like Windows, iOS and Mac. Delphi XE4 is used to build native applications for Windows, iOS and Mac with single codebase. You can run these applications on your PCs, Tablets and Smartphones. 

Development teams not using RAD Studio often have to support multiple development projects using different tools, programming languages, code bases, and sometimes different teams to deliver their app on both desktop and mobile devices. But building your app in RAD Studio eliminates the need to engage in multiple development efforts for the same application on multiple devices. 

2. Delphi XE4 builds Script Free True Native Apps

True native app development lets you deliver script-free, device-native apps that expose the full range of capabilities and performance in the underlying devices – for faster, richer apps that end users love.

Many tool vendors are using the term "native" app development to describe web technologies and scripts wrapped into an app package to deliver an app-like user experience. This approach can impose limits on app performance and capabilities.

True native apps in RAD Studio are script-free and run directly on hardware CPU.

3. Delphi XE4 uses Single Codebase for Multiple Platforms

With Delphi and C++Builder in RAD Studio, and the FireMonkey app platform, you can write an app once and natively target Windows (32-bit and 64-bit) and Mac from a single IDE and single source code base.

4. Delphi XE4 provides Advanced iOS App Development Features

Delphi XE4 provides a lot of advanced iOS application development features like:

A) Delphi ARM optimized compiler

B) Phone and tablet development for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

C) Pixel-perfect native UI controls

D) FireMonkey for iOS

E) dbExpress data access for InterBase and SQLite

F) DataSnap client

G) Device service and sensor support (gyro, GPS, camera and accelerometer)

H) Mobile form designer

With Delphi in RAD Studio XE4, you get a full range of native styled user interface controls, including buttons, listboxes and combo boxes, to incorporate into your apps. The iOS apps you create include native controls like the date picker and custom picker, different keyboard types, services like notifications, and support for Share Sheet to print and share via social media, email and direct communication with other apps. 

Your apps can be installed on your iOS developer devices, distributed via Apple's App Store, or made available within your organization.

iOS app development features are available in all editions of RAD Studio, in Delphi Enterprise edition and higher, and in Delphi Professional edition with the Mobile Add-On Pack option.

5. Delphi XE4 creates Secured Native Apps

Many app development vendors use Java, JavaScript and WebKit runtimes which are notorious hacker targets presenting inherent security risks on mobile devices. Embarcadero RAD Studio allows for true native app development, so your code runs directly on the device, reducing the risk of being targeted by third party attacks.

6. Delphi XE4 supports many Databases and Cloud Computing

FireDAC gives you native high-speed direct access from Delphi and C++Builder to InterBase, SQLite, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, DB2, SQL Anywhere, Advantage DB, Firebird, Access, Informix, DataSnap and many more local/embedded, mobile and enterprise databases.

RAD Studio XE4 includes ISV and enterprise-class integrated database connectivity, middleware and cloud computing via dbExpress and FireMonkey. You get integrated support for SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, DB2, InterBase, SQL Anywhere, SQLite, MySQL, and many more embedded and server databases as well as cloud services including Windows Azure and Amazon Web Services.

Delphi XE4 provides extensive support for IBLite and SQLite iOS database.

7. Fast CPU and GPU native performance

Apps built with Delphi and C++Builder in RAD Studio are natively compiled and ultra-fast for the most performance demanding apps and user experiences. Windows and Mac apps are compiled to the Intel CPU architecture, and Delphi iOS apps are compiled to the ARM architecture. FireMonkey apps also directly utilize the GPU graphics hardware built into every PC, Mac, and mobile device built today and over the past decade.

8. Delphi XE4 supports Component-based development

With RAD Studio, you'll build apps up to 10x faster using pre-built components, drag-and-drop visual design, and Two-Way-Tools that always keep your visual design view and source code in sync. You get hundreds of components for user interfaces, charting, reporting, and connecting to databases and cloud services. Extend and customize the included components, create your own, or use the thousands of free and commercial components for every imaginable need.

9. Delphi XE4 has rich IDE

RAD Studio gives you everything you expect in an IDE like an intuitive code editor, integrated local and remote debugging, project management and building plus a whole lot more. You get advanced tools for refactoring, code audits, metrics and modeling. Delphi and C++Builder in RAD Studio also include special editions of popular add-on tools for logging, performance profiling, graphics, charting, reporting, web apps and creating installers – all at no extra cost!