Namespaces for Delphi

Danny's Blog provides a good indicator that namespaces will get the notice they deserve. You will have to read carefully to notice it but it is there. I know I certainly can't wait for full namespace control for library packaging.I am not sure whether namespaces were on the radar in the past but I do suspect they were. I do know however that Delphineedsnamespaces before I will consider it a viable language choice for me in the .NET space. While you may still be able to get the job done without them it is important that you can properly contain the exposedAPI of any library that you use internally amongst many developers or when publishing the library to external developers.

In the same blog there is a mention of some refactoring work as well. I hope to see Delphi 9 hit the streets as soon as possible with some of these important new capabilities.Keep up the great work guys.

Microsoft Open Sources for a change

MS has an open source project as reported in the linked blog. It certainly gives you something to think about. I have been using an XML based installer call Ghost Installerfor some time now and been quite pleased with it. It isn't MSI based but it has suited my needs. I will certainly be giving the MS installer another look but it was really the auto-repair and patch maintenance that made it a bit too steep for me to use on the past for all but the most rigorous install requirements.Kudos to the MS boys for a good step forward.