How to compile GExperts

Several people have asked me how to compile their own GExperts DLL. It is really simple.

Prerequisites:

  • A supported Delphi version (why would you want to compile GExperts if you don’t have one?)
  • A SubVersion client. I am using TortoiseSVN but you can basically use any client regardless if GUI or command line
  • An Internet connection
  • 15 Minutes of spare time

If you are using a command line svn client, type the following (or rather copy and paste it):

svn co https://svn.code.sf.net/p/gexperts/code/trunk GExperts

This should check out the latest sources from the GExperts trunk on Sourceforge to a sub-directory GExperts. As of 2017-02-25 I no longer develop in the formatter branch, so using the trunk is now the way to go.

NOTE: The build scripts do not support directories containing space characters, so do not check out to something like

c:\My Data\My Sources\GExperts

It won’t work!

Alternatively, you can use any gui client, please refer to its documentation on how to check out from a HTTPS URL.

If your Delphi version comes with a command line compiler (each commercially available Delphi version did), you can simply change to the corresponding GExperts project directory and call the build script:

cd GExperts\projects\Delphi2007
__Build_Project.cmd

If everything works, this will compile a new GExperts DLL in the GExperts\Binaries directory.

If for whatever reason the build script does not work, open the project (also located in the same directory) in the Delphi IDE and compile it there. Again, the DLL should be located in the GExperts\Binaries directory.

Now, replace the GExperts DLL in your Installation with the DLL from this directory and you are done.

Easy as cake, isn’t it?

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