Programming > Installation

WPTools 9.x.x uses the same package project as WPTools 8. This makes the upgrade process easier.

The PRO and Premium editions can also be compiled as if they were version 8 when $DEFINE WP9 is disabled in WPINC.INC.

If you are upgrading:

We recommend to first backup WPTools 8 and then install WPTools 9 over WPTools 8.

Simply recompile the packages you are currently using.

Many 3rd party libraries come with a setup procedure which tries to install the component directly into the IDE. On first glance that appears to be a good thing, we however do not try this kind of automatic installation because:

1) The setup has to modify registry items which belong to the IDE for the installation. Should a setup manipulate the environment of a program of another vendor? Further more this requires higher access rights which on the other hand cause trouble with user environment separation.

2) Often even changes to the system PATH are required since runtime BPLs have to be located at start of the IDE

3) The use cannot simply use a VCL directory and add it to a different IDE if required without having to run the setup EXE.

4) Already compiled BPLs increase the size of the setup dramatically.

We on the other hand tried to make the concept of the sources as simple as possible, by avoiding lots of different paths, which would make it hard to recreate a working compiler configuration after a change of the machine.

Please do not install the components under "Programs". It is best to install components to a separate directory such as c:\VCL or a different source code partition.

This makes it easy to backup and move the installation and avoids problems with windows protection methods.

To compile the packages please open the *.DPK file in the directory WPTools\Dxxx (xxx depending on the version of Delphi) and click on 'install'. (The option "install" is in the package popup dialog or, in later Delphi versions a sub menu in the context menu of the project management)

Delphi 10.1 and later users please read here: step by step installation in Delphi XE and later

If you also have WPSpell or wPDF, simply decompress those (run installer) and then open the file WPTools\Dxx\WPINC.INC and activate the respective $DEFINE for the product to be included. Only then do a "build" with the wptools package.

Please check if the library path under "Environment Options" list the directory of the WPTools units (WPTools\Dxxx,...).

If there is a previous version of WPTools on your computer, you have 2 options:

1) Remove the previous installation: (Only) the package must be removed from the Delphi package list and the path must be removed from Delphi's search path. It works well to delete the previous WPTools BPL while Delphi is closed and reopen it.

It is not required (or recommendable) to uninstall the previous version of WPTools. Only make sure that Delphi does not find it or any BPL created with it.

2) Make a copy of the previous installation (backup) and install WPTools ∞ on top of the original. Check the file WPINC.INC if it includes the necessary compiler switches (WPPREMIUM, WPREPORTER) and then recompile the package. We do not recommend this alternative when the previous version is Version 4, 5 or 6 since there are new units and some have been removed. But if the old version was WPTools 7 or 8, this method should work fine.

When you have the 100% source edition of WPTools, you can also disable the $DEFINE WP9 in the file WPINC.INC and compile WPTools 9 as if it was Version 8!

The premium features in WPTools "Premium" are only active, when the source was compiled with the compiler symbol WPPREMIUM beeing defined. This symbol can be defined in file WPINC.INC and alternatively (to change it on project basis) also in the project options (click right in the project explorer), under "Conditionals".

Similarily, WPReporter needs the $DEFINE WPREPORTER.

Troubleshooting:

If the IDE reports an error message about a missing WPTools unit, please make sure the WPTools\Dxxx directory is listed under library paths - xxx = delphi version. (The setup runs as a different user and does not have access to the current user registry items)

If the XE IDE reports an error message about an missing VCL unit, i.e. jpeg, please make sure the unit namespaces (Project options) list "Vcl;System;VCL.Imaging" and others.

If you get a message that certain variables are not found, please make sure the units WPRTEDefsConsts, WPRTEPlatform, WPRTEEdit are listed in the uses clause.

The demo and the standard editions have been compiled to work with the registered versions of Delphi. They will usually not work with trial editions of

Delphi.

If Delphi reports an error on unit System.Actions please simply delete that unit inclusion. (Delphi XE3 adds this reference, even if it was added before inside of a condition.)

Demo version: If the WPTools editor does does not allow editing, loading or saving of text, it means the demo is expired.

Applications which have been compiled with the Demo edition will only work on a machine where the WPTools demo was installed.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask by mail to support@wptools.de