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GExperts Developer FAQ

  • Do you accept code contributions from users?

    We love to see users getting involved with GExperts development. Please join the mailing list and review this FAQ for an introduction to our development process.

  • Where can I get the latest source code?

    We recommend you learn to use CVS (see below for a quick start) and access the source repository directly. If this is not an option, you can download daily snapshots of the GExperts CVS source. If you are looking for source to an older version of GExperts, see the download page. Please do not make modifications to old versions of the source and send them into us for inclusion in the official GExperts releases - always apply your changes to the latest CVS source.

  • How do I use CVS to download the latest source code?

    Make sure you have CVS installed. Windows users can download cvs.exe and Linux users can find RPMs at rpmfind.net. Then, execute these two commands from the command line in the directory where you want to download the GExperts source code (just press enter when prompted for a password):

    cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cvs.gexperts.sf.net:/cvsroot/gexperts login
    cvs -d :pserver:anonymous@cvs.gexperts.sf.net:/cvsroot/gexperts co gexperts
    If you begin to use CVS more, you might want to check out some more complex but nicer looking GUI CVS clients such as WinCVS, TortoiseCVS, jCVS, tkCVS, Pharmacy, LinCVS, gCVS, Cervisia, etc. Also see the SourceForge CVS documentation.

  • Why is GExperts using CVS?

    CVS isn't the most modern or friendly version control system, but it is standard, reliable, and well-maintained by the SourceForge administrators.

  • How can I interactively debug GExperts?

    See the debugging tips in the GExperts User FAQ.

  • How should I publish my changes to GExperts for others to use?

    After you complete and test your changes, you should post a notice to the GExperts Discussion mailing list and explain the changes you made. Include a link to a zip archive of the changed source files (include a binary if you want to). If you don't have access to a web site, you can use the GExperts file area for the mailing list. Other GExperts developers and users can then download, test, and comment on your modifications. To dramatically increase the chances of getting your changes into the main GExperts distribution, remember to base your code contributions on the latest CVS source, instead of older versions of GExperts.

  • I want to help fixing bugs or adding features, what can I do?

    Consult the mailing list or the mailing list archives for projects that may need help. You can also check the latest Readme.txt to see any known bugs or plans for future features.

  • What guidelines should I follow when making changes to the source code?

    • Format your code similar to the existing GExperts source code. We generally follow Borland's VCL/RTL source style and the Econos Delphi Coding Standards.
    • Review the existing general utilities in Src/Utils/ to see what helper functions are available to make your coding easier.
    • Use comments where your code is incomplete or unclear.
    • Avoid making changes to DFM files unless absolutely necessary. All DFMs should be saved in text format.
    • All visual development of forms should be done with the "Small Fonts" Windows Display Adapter setting.
    • Remember as you code that GExperts supports several versions of Delphi, C++Builder, and Kylix.
    • Look at the SampleExperts directory if you need help creating a new expert.
    • Thoroughly test your code before submitting it to us for review.
    • The mailing list can help you with any other issues.