Version Information Component (32 bit)
Information Sheet

Contents

• Description
• Compatibility
• Installation
• Demo Projects
• Update History
• License and Disclaimer
• About the Author

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Description

TPJVersionInfo is a 32 bit non-visual component for all Win32 versions of Delphi and C++Builder that encapsulates the version information contained in an executable file's resources.

The component reads information from a designated file's VERSIONINFO resource. The required file is specified in the component's FileName property. Setting FileName to the empty string fetches version information for the executable containing the component. The boolean HaveInfo property indicates whether the file contains version information. This component can access variable file information for each language provided in the resource.

Run-time properties enable access to to version information. Properties enable:

• Access to fixed file information, either by field or the whole record.
• Access to the number of translations stored in the version information.
• Selection of the translation for which information is to be returned by other properties.
• Access to the language and code page of the current translation - by code and by name.
• Access to the string file information for the current translation - named properties access the Microsoft-defined string information, while an array property gives access to any string item by name.

Limitations

The component makes calls to the Windows API. Therefore the version information being read must follow the Microsoft guidelines - be warned that not all software complies!

Further information

For detailed information about version information refer to the Win32 SDK.

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Compatibility

Delphi compatibility

TPJVersionInfo compiles on all Win32 versions and personalities of Delphi. It has been tested with Delphi versions 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 2006 (Win32 personality). It is assumed to work correctly with Delphis 5 and 2005.

Compatibility with previous versions

The unit name changed to PJVersionInfo at release 3 - this means that programs using earlier versions will need to be modified (or to have an alias set in Delphi's Project Options) before being recompiled using the new version. Functionally, the component is backward compatible with earlier versions.

Help system compatibility

The help file is not compatible with the Delphi 2, 2005 or 2006 IDEs, although it can be used separately.

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Installation

In these instructions $(DELPHI) is to be taken to represent the path where the appropriate version of Delphi was installed. Similarly $(BDS) refers to the installation path of a version of the Borland Developement System.

Note that the help file included in the download can only integrate with the IDE in Delphi 3-7.

The installation method differs depending on the version of Delphi. Therefore the instructions are divided as follows:

• Installation with Delphi 2005 & 2006
• Installation with Delphi 3 to 7
• Installation with Delphi 2

Installation with Delphi 2005 & 2006

1. Unzip the downloaded zip file into a folder, preserving the directory structure.
2. Copy PJVersionInfo.pas and PJVersionInfo.dcr to where you wish to install into Delphi. This will probably be a sub-folder of $(BDS)\lib.
3. To install the component it must be included in a design package. You can either create a new design package or add the component to an existing one. These instructions assume you will be installing into an existing package.
   • Open the required package. Select File | Open menu and choose a suitable package source file. You may decide to install into the "user" package. This is found in $(BDS)\Lib and is named dclusr.dpk. You can select this file or the associated dclusr.bdsproj file.
   • The package (with .bpl extension) will now be displayed in the Project Manager. If the package has not been installed right click the .bpl entry in the Project Manager and select Install. Dismiss any resulting message dialog.
   • Now right click the .bpl entry again and select Add. The "Add" dialog box will be displayed. Click the dialog's Browse button then select PJVersionInfo.pas from the resulting file open dialog. The full path to the file should now be displayed in the "Add" dialog's Unit file name edit box. Click OK to add the component to the package.
   • Back in the Project Manager, check that PJVersionInfo.pas and PJVersionInfo.dcr appear under the package's "Contains" node. If so, right click the .bpl entry again and select Compile. The package will now be recompiled and, if all is well, a message should be displayed indicating that TPJVersionInfo has been registered. The component should now appear in the "DelphiDabbler" section of the Tool Palette. (Note this will only appear when a form is selected in the designer).
   • Close the package project using the File | Close menu item. If a prompt appears offering to save the package project, accept this.
4. If you wish you can now delete PJVersionInfo.pas from the place where you copied it.
5. The supplied demo programs can be loaded into the IDE and compiled and run as required.

Installation with Delphi 3 to 7

1. Unzip the downloaded zip file into a folder, preserving the directory structure.
2. Copy PJVersionInfo.pas and PJVersionInfo.dcr to where you wish to install into Delphi. This will probably be a sub-folder of $(DELPHI)\lib.
3. To install the component it must be included in a design package. You can either create a new design package or add the component to an existing one. These instructions assume you will be installing into an existing package.
   • Open the required package. Select File | Open menu, make sure that files with the *.dpk extenstion are being displayed, and choose a suitable package source file. You may decide to install into the "user" package. This is found in $(DELPHI)\Lib and is named dclusr.dpk or dclusrXX.dpk where XX is a version number.
   • The package editor will now be displayed. If its Install button is not disabled then click it to ensure the package is installed into Delphi. Dismiss any resulting message dialog.
   • Now click the package editor's Add button. The "Add" dialog box will be displayed. Click the dialog's Browse button then select PJVersionInfo.pas from the resulting file open dialog. The full path to the file should now be displayed in the "Add" dialog's Unit file name edit box. Click OK to add the component to the package.
   • Click the package editor's Compile button. The package will now be recompiled and, if all is well, a message should be displayed indicating that TPJVersionInfo has been registered. The component should now appear in the Component Palette on the "DelphiDabbler" tab.
   • Now close the package editor window. You will probably be prompted to save the package. Agree to this and the package source file will be updated with information about the new component.
4. If you wish you can now delete PJVersionInfo.pas from the place where you copied it.
5. The simplest way to install the help file is to use my Component Help Installer Expert. The download includes an .als a-link keyword file for use with Delphi 6 and 7. Component Help Installer v2.2 or later can also install the keyword file for you. If you prefer to install manually, this article explains the process.
6. The supplied demo programs can be loaded into Delphi and compiled and run as required. Please note: the demo programs do not compile and run correctly under Delphi 3.

Installation with Delphi 2

1. Unzip the downloaded zip file into a folder, preserving the directory structure.
2. Copy PJVersionInfo.pas and PJVersionInfo.dcr to where you wish to install into Delphi. This will probably be a sub-folder of $(DELPHI)\lib.
3. Install into Delphi as follows:
   • Select the Component | Install menu option to display the "Install Components" dialog box.
   • Click the Add button to display the "Add Module" dialog box.
   • click the Browse button and choose PJVersionInfo.pas from the resulting standard file open dialog box and click Open.
   • This returns you to the "Install Components" dialog box. Click OK here to rebuild the component library.
   • TPJVersionInfo should now appear on the "DelphiDabbler" tab of the component palette.
4. If you wish you can now delete PJVersionInfo.pas from the place where you copied it.
5. Please note: the demo programs do not compile and run correctly under Delphi 2.

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Demo Projects

The source code for two demo projects is included. The demos are:

1. VIDemo.dpr is an application that can extract and display version information from any program (provided that the program has valid version information).
2. HelpEgs.dpr implements all the examples from the component help file.

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Update History

A complete change log is provided in a text file that is included in the download.

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License and Disclaimer

This source code is subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1 (the "License"); you may not use this program except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/.

Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing rights and limitations under the License.

The Original Code is Version Information Component.

The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Peter Johnson (http://www.delphidabbler.com/).

Portions created by the Initial Developer are Copyright © 1998-2005 Peter Johnson. All Rights Reserved.

Contributor(s):

Roland Beduerftig (C++ builder compatibility)

All relevant trademarks are acknowledged.

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About the Author

I'm Peter Johnson - a hobbyist programmer living in Ceredigion in West Wales, UK, writing write mainly in Delphi. My programs are available for download from: http://www.delphidabbler.com/.

I can be contacted via the website.