Cross Ref > Language Details

Because java is an OOP language, all custom routines belong to a specific class and are therefore referred to as methods.

All methods in Java must return something so even with procedures, you return a "void".

public void sayHello(String pName) {
  System.out.println("Hello" + pName);
}

 

public int add(int p1, int p2) {

  return p1 + p2;

}

Delphi is a hybrid language so you can create either class methods (functions and procedures) or you can create global functions and procedures. When a function or procedure is part of a class, it is a class method.

[function/procedure] RoutineName : ReturnType;

As with C++, your custom routine must come before it's first usage or you have to prototype it in the Interface section.

Note: Contrast Delphi with Delphi Prism which is an OOP language (everything is within a class). Both Delphi and Delphi Prism are based on Object Pascal but implement OOP features differently and have some syntax differences too.

procedure SayHello(pName: String);
begin
  ShowMessage('Hello ' + pName);
end;

function Add(p1, p2 : Double): Double;
begin
  Result := p1 + p2;
end;

 Delphi Custom Routines (procedure, function)

Many objects in Delphi have events you can use to trigger code. For example, when you add a form to your project you have access to the form events such as onCreate, onShow, onHide, onDockDrop, etc. In addition, Delphi offers module level events initialization and finalization sections.

You cannot embed assembly in a java program but you can get system information via jni.

In Delphi, you can inline assembler code using the asm keyword.

The Java compiler automatically inlines when it determines  a benefit. The use of final methods is considered a compiler hint to tell the compiler to inline the method if beneficial.

Delphi introduced developer defined function and procedure inlining with Delphi 2005. Use the inline keyword to tell the compiler to try to inline a routine (a compiler hint). Since Delphi will only try to inline the routine, make sure you test for speed because inlining a routine can lead to slower code under some circumstances.

Syntax Example:   function Add(a, b: Integer): Integer; inline; begin end;

Java Overloading

• Operator - No. Sun deliberately chose not include operator overloading in the Java language.
• Method - Yes.

 Java Overloading

Delphi supports both method and operator overloading.

For method overloading, you use the overload keyword (all versions of the routine must include the overload keyword). The compiler chooses the correct method first based on the number of parameters, then on the type so you can have two overloaded methods with the same number of parameters so long as at least one parameter is different.

Another form of method overloading is with the use of default parameters, a shortcut syntax, where you specify a default parameter value.

Delphi also supports operator overloading with some operators.

function Add(a, b: integer): Integer;  overload;
begin
  Result := a+b;
end;

function Add(const msg: String; a, b: integer): String; overload;
begin
  Result := msg + IntToStr(a+b);
end;

 Delphi Overloading (overload)

Object Pascal allows parameters of the same type to be listed together, separated by commas, and followed with a single data type (more params of different data types can follow, after a semi-colon).

Delphi also supports default parameters (a form of overloading).

By Reference or Value (and by constant): The default for parameters is by value. For by reference, add var in front of the parameter. Object Pascal also offers constant parameters where you add const in front of the parameter. A constant parameter is like a local constant or read-only parameter the compiler can optimize. You cannot assign a value to a constant parameter, nor can you pass one as a var parameter to another routine. (But when you pass an object reference as a constant parameter, you can still modify the object's properties.)

function Add(a, b: integer) : integer; 
begin
  Result := a + b;
end;
  
procedure ReplaceTime(var pDT: TDateTime; const pNewDT: TDateTime);
begin
end;

 Delphi Parameters (var, const)  

Within the implementation of a method, the identifier Self references the object in which the method is called. The Self variable is an implicit parameter for each object method. A method can use this variable to refer to its owning class.

ShowMessage('Self=' + Self.ClassName);