Components
IBO installs into various tabs on the component pallette. They all start with IBO except for some components are installed into the Data Access and InterBase tabs. This is where the TIBODatabase, TIBOTable and TIBOQuery components are placed in Delphi 4 and Delphi 5 respectively. This is because they are the TDataset based components and I want them to be placed along with all the other standard data access components.
IMPORTANT! It is necessary to use full source for all versions of C++ Builder since I do not distribute the DCU's. This is to save download size and because I don't mind allowing people to evaluate the full source. You must request this via email.
All Versions
IMPORTANT! Be sure to remove all previous files from earlier versions before installing a new version. This includes the sample applications as well. It's best to rename the old directory and install into a fresh new one. This way the curious can use a tool like Beyond Compare to see all the differences between versions.
When unzipping files please be sure that the "Folder Names" option is enabled since IBO has numerous sub-folders for examples, tutorials, add-ons, etc.
A common problem when upgrading is that Delphi/CPPB may continue to use outdated DPL or DCP files that are created in another directory than the source. Be sure to do a full disk scan looking for files that begin with IBO_D?.* to see where they may be. Very strange and unpredictable errors will result if the source base gets out of sync with these files. They have shown up in the Windows system folders and Delphi folders both.
Be sure to include the path where you installed IBO in the library and browse paths. This allows your projects to compile and so allows quick access to what sources have been made available.
Evaluation Version
Unzip the IB_Objects.ZIP in your chosen directory for the components.
In the same directory, unzip the corresponding Dx_DCU.ZIP file for D4 or D5 in order to provide critical DCU files for which the source has been withheld. You will not be able to install the components without doing this. Delphi 2 & 3 require a separate download to get the D2_DCU.zip and D3_DCU.zip files.
In Delphi 4 open the package source file IBO_D4.DPK and then do a build and install of the package. In Delphi 5 it is IBO_D5.dpk. You do this by chosing "File - Open" from the menu and then choose "*.dpk" file type.
This version will cause a welcome message to appear if you run your application outside of the IDE.
Partial Source Version
This works the same as the evaluation version except that you have slightly modified DCU files which do not include the little welcome message when the application is first loaded into memory and Delphi or CBBP are not running.
Full Source Version
In this version there are no DCU files to have to worry about. Upon registering for full source you should have received access to the full source area. In here are the instructions about what files you need.
You just have to copy all the files into the desired location and then follow the same instructions as above to register the components into the IDE. You still need to compile your own package files in Delphi 3, 4 & 5 and C++ Builder 3, 4 & 5.
Help File
Delphi 3 & 4:
1. Copy the IBO.HLP and IBO.CNT files into your ..\Delphi\Help directory.
2. Edit the Delphi3/4.cfg and remove any reference to IBO.hlp
3. Edit the Delphi3/4.cnt and add two lines
:Include IBO.cnt
:Link IBO.hlp
4. Remove any existing DELPHI3/4.GID file, to force it to rebuild on the next usage. This is a hidden file, so you will not see it unless you have your Windows File Explorer options set to display hidden files. Not sure why, but one person said that removing their GID file caused a problem so you may want to just put them in a ZIP file, remanve them, or something like that so you can put them back if you feel the need.
So, my Delphi4.cnt file looks like
<snip>
;==============
; Include section
;================
:Include del4new.cnt
<snip>......
:Include IBO.cnt
:Link IBO.hlp
C++ Builder 3 & 4:
In order to install help into C++ Builder you can do it from the IDE itself. Go to the Help menu and select Customize... There you will be able to add the IBO.CNT file into the help system. Change the file open dialog's file type to *.CNT when adding in IBO.CNT.
Delphi 5:
1. Copy the IBO.HLP and IBO.CNT files into your ..\Delphi\Help directory.
2. Use the existing tool to Customize help from the Help menu option on the IDE.
TIP:
Place a registry setting telling where the help file is installed at:
Inside the registry path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Help
Create a String value named "ibo.hlp" whose data is the full path to the help file.
For example:
d:\projects\comps\iobjects\
This path is read by Winhlp32.exe to locate files.
InfoPower Compatible Components
An additional unit IPIBDataset.pas has been provided which contains two component declarations, TwwIBOQuery and TwwIBOTable. It is necessary to install this unit into a new or existing package file so that these components can be included on your Data Access component pallette tab along with the TIBOQuery and TIBOTable components.
I don't provide a package source for this because I would have to have one for every unique combination of Delphi, CPPB, IBO and InfoPower. That's a lot of packages! It's much easier to give you the source and let you make your own package according to your needs. It would probably be the easiest to simply include it in the Delphi User Components package.
In earlier versions of InfoPower it was necessary to make a simple modification to their sources so that the new components would be recognized by IP but this is no longer necessary with version 4.0. Please inquire if you suspect that you are having this problem with v3.0 and earlier.
Add-Ons
There are various add on products in the AddOn folder. This includes the data pipeline for use with ReportBuilder as well as some other useful utilities. Take a little time and snoop through them. I hope to get them all better organized and integrated in the future.
