How useful is Delphi as a programming language to learn in terms of software development?

Addyson Briggs: How useful is Delphi as a programming language to learn in terms of software development?
I’m already proficient in Java, and I know some C++ so I’m not new to programming in general. I want to learn something new though aside from commonly used languages, and I heard that Delphi is great for native Windows application development. Is this true for those who have used it? I’ve seen open source applications that are written in Delphi, but I’ve never used it myself how does it compare to other programming languages?

Answers and Views:

Answer by mystic smeg
Hi,

Delphi is pretty easy, but it is a older language. Because it’s been around for a while, there’s plenty of free stuff (source code, examples, components, etc.) out there, but you may feel the GUI is a little dated (esp. if using older versions).

Delphi was developed around the RAD (Rapid Application Development) methodology, and while this works most of the time, it can also be unwieldy if you want to get technical. Code reuse and portability is good, if you program using OOP.

Visual Studio .NET is just as good from the GUI side, if not better. Though I would say there is no harm in giving it a go, if you’re interested.

I hope this is of some use…

Mystic.

Answer by Abby Thatcher
My impression is that Delphi is passed its peek. The only jobs I see advertised for it tend to be maintenance and conversion from Delphi to C#. Which leads to what I think you should look at, being the C #family of languages.

C #and WPF, if done right, is a neat way of constructing applications, introducing easily skinable application with the user interface and application clearly separated.