The Future of Delphi Programming: Be Careful

Delphi, a once up-and-coming programming language, is often seen as “dying out”. A look at the developer community shows that the number of Delphi developers is declining compared to other languages, and most new developers are opting for languages such as Java, Python or C#.

This has led to a growing “skills gap” as fewer and fewer professionals with Delphi experience are available. A survey by Stackoverflow, one of the best-known question-and-answer websites for programmers and developers, shows that in 2023, only 3.23% of developers worldwide (87,585 participants) will still use or be proficient in Delphi as a programming language. Even more alarming: of these, only just under 1% state that they are actively learning Delphi.

This leads to a growing skills gap, as fewer and fewer specialists with Delphi experience are available. We can help in different ways.

Why are we holding on to this supposedly outdated technology? The answer lies in the stability and expertise that Delphi developers can offer. We have realised that many Swiss companies are still using Delphi-based applications. These solutions have proven themselves over the years and continue to fulfil their functions. If the company’s own developer is unavailable – we step in.

We take over your business software, stabilise and maintain it – or modernise it.

Despite the skills gap, we are able to further develop, maintain and, if necessary, modernise your Delphi-based business software. Our team has the ability to understand, optimise and integrate legacy code seamlessly and incrementally into modern technologies. This enables us to maintain the stability and functionality of your Delphi applications while ensuring their future viability.

Delphi continues to be used in various industries. Especially in those that rely on long-standing and proven solutions that need to be continuously developed and maintained. Some industries where Delphi continues to be present include:

• Financial services: Banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions often use Delphi to develop applications for transaction processing, database management and risk analysis.
• Healthcare: Hospitals, doctors’ offices and medical research facilities use Delphi to develop patient management systems, imaging technologies and laboratory information systems.
• Production and manufacturing: In the manufacturing industry, Delphi applications are used to control manufacturing processes, automate equipment and collect production data.
• Logistics and transport: Companies in the logistics and transport sector use Delphi to develop systems for tracking goods, route optimisation and fleet management.
• Government and public sector: Government agencies and public institutions use Delphi to develop applications to manage citizen services, tax collection, security systems and much more.

These industries have often made long-term investments in Delphi systems and rely on these solutions to remain effective and reliable. Therefore, there is an ongoing need for Delphi developers and service providers who can support and modernise these systems.

We know that Delphi can no longer offer the long-term sustainability that your business software needs. That’s why, if you wish, we can offer you a step-by-step modernisation project so that your business processes are not impaired.

Our development team not only has in-depth knowledge of Delphi, but also expertise in modern programming languages such as Python, .NET, C#, Java and many more. Through targeted re-factoring, we can gradually transfer your Delphi-based software to a modern platform without risking a “big bang”. With our KUBE-X platform’s slice & dice process, we can do this even more safely, quickly and cost-effectively than other companies.

Advantages of Modernisation

The advantages of modernising to a modern programming language are manifold.

1. Modern languages offer a broader developer base, which facilitates the recruitment of new specialists and reduces the skills gap.
2. Modern languages enable faster development and deployment of software, improving responsiveness to changing requirements and market dynamics.
3. They offer improved scalability and performance to keep pace with your organisation’s growth.
4. Modern platforms allow easier integration with other systems and technologies, facilitating compatibility and the ability to utilise cloud services.

Overall, modernising your business software to a modern programming language will help to increase your company’s efficiency, flexibility and competitiveness.

You can find more reasons why you should replace your Delphi application here.

An example: soxes redesigned an existing Delphi solution for Wilux Print AG. In the process, our developers converted several applications into the C# programming language. Before the redesign, the numerous local applications each used their own database. These isolated and partially redundant instances were replaced by a centralised database. This led to accelerated processes and programmes as well as a considerable increase in the security of internal company data. Find out more about the project here!

If your business relies on Delphi-based systems, you may have wondered: Is it time to migrate to a more modern platform? Here are key considerations to help you decide:

1. When is Migration Necessary?

Migration becomes essential when your Delphi system shows clear limitations, such as:

• Difficulty finding skilled Delphi developers.
• Security vulnerabilities due to outdated dependencies.
• Challenges in scaling your software to meet current business demands.

If these issues sound familiar, a migration strategy may be worth exploring to ensure your software remains competitive, secure, and aligned with future business needs.

2. Risks of Staying with Legacy Delphi Systems

While Delphi has been reliable for decades, relying on it today carries risks:

• Incompatibility with modern tools or platforms.
• Reduced efficiency compared to newer programming languages.
• Increased maintenance costs as older technologies become obsolete.

By assessing these risks, you can determine whether sticking with Delphi could hinder your business growth or if transitioning to a modern platform could unlock new opportunities for scalability and innovation.

3. Migration Strategies: Tailored for Your Business

Transitioning from Delphi doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Consider these approaches:

• Partial Migration: Keep critical Delphi components while modernizing key modules.
• Complete Rewrite: Rebuild the entire system with a modern programming language.
• Integration Solutions: Use frameworks that bridge Delphi with newer platforms, minimizing disruptions.

Each strategy has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your business needs and budget, as well as the long-term goals you aim to achieve with your software.

4. Costs and ROI of Migration

Migration is an investment, but it can pay off in the long run:

• Short-Term Costs: Expenses for development, testing, and deployment.
• Long-Term ROI: Enhanced performance, reduced maintenance costs, and improved scalability.

By upgrading from Delphi, you position your business for sustained success and adaptability in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Future-proof your Delphi applications with expert modernization and migration. Optimize performance and stay competitive. Get in touch today!