readme.txt

PackageSPY is a freeware that shows Delphi Package files internal information & related stuff. It an

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                      PackageSPY for Delphi3 Packages
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                           Beta Version 00.7.1
                          (C)Paolo Rainone 1998
                         [e-mail]

                       www.bigfoot.com/~PackageSPY

                       *Freeware Beta/Pre-Release*

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WARNING: The code is supplied with no guarantee on performance or
         stability, so use it at your own risk.

         TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE AUTHOR (Paolo Rainone)
         DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
         INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
         MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
         NONINFRINGEMENT. THE AUTHOR (Paolo Rainone) IS NOT OBLIGATED
         TO PROVIDE ANY UPDATES TO THE SOFTWARE.

                           *** BETA VERSION ***

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PackageSPY shows Delphi3 Package files internal information & related
stuff. It analyzes a compiled .EXE in order to report the Used Packages 
(Deployment Analysis). Furthermore, it extracts .DPK (Package Source) 
from DCP & DPL and .DCU from .DCP. Some of the features are for Delphi3 only:
I'm working on a CPB3 version, and I hope to release it soon.


Here follows a brief description of the implemented features:

 - General Info:     shows common information about loaded package,
                     such as 'Included Units' and 'Required Packages';

 - Structure Sheet:  shows package internal structure, that is
                     all the 'pure' included units (Main Unit, Sysinit and
                     Weak Units are stripped out) along with defined
                     classes/procedues/types (replaces Class Sheet);

 - Export Sheet:     reports all package exported functions (DPL is a
                     common DLL), showing address, ordinal and
                     export name;

 - Import Sheet:     reports all package imported modules showing
		     handle/base-address at run-time;

 - Resource Sheet:   reports all resource directories linked to the
                     package module;

 - DPK Builder:	     allows rebuilding of package source (.DPK) from a
                     complete package module (.DPL) or compiled object
                     code (.DCP);

 - DCP Analyzer:     this tool analyzes .DCP files and reports internal
                     information about contained units, required
                     packages/resoruces;

 - Application Analyzer:
                     AppAnalyzer analyzes the executable code within a
                     Delphi application and reports useful information on
                     required Run-Time Packages. It was designed to help
                     developers to deploy an application with run-time
                     packages;

 - SmartFind:        this is a File Search facility designed for Package
                     files; it quickly scans the system for:

                      - Package Library (*.DPL);
                      - Package Source (*.DPK);
                      - Compiled Package (*.DCP);
                      - Package Collection (*.DPC);
                      - Package Collection Editor (*.PCE);
                      - Description Resource Compiler (*.DRC);
                      - Delphi Compiled Unit (*.DCU);
                      - Delphi Resource File (*.RES);
                      - Delphi Unit Source (*.PAS);
                      - CPB3 Package Library (*.BPL);
                      - CPB3 Import Library (*.BPI);
                      - CPB3 Binary Image (*.OBJ);
                      - CPB3 Static Library (*.LIB);
                      - C++ Source File (*.CPP);
                      - C++ Header File (*.HPP);
                      - C Header File (*.H);

 - System Sheet:     This Tab reports some information about
                     Delphi3 IDE installed Packages (known packages).
                     Some management functions are also available.

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****** Release History:

*** Beta 00.7.1 - 04/28/1998:
- Improved SmartFind (speed/features);
- Improved System Sheet speed;
- System Package Managment buttons added (System Sheet);
- Explorer-like Structure Sheet (replaces Class Sheet);
- AppAnalyzer now checks package dependencies recursively;
- AppAnalyzer now uses all ready drives;
- SmartFind now supports CPB3 stuff;
- General Sheet recognizes CPB3 packages;
- Fixed Bug: another Progressbar work-extimation error (very annoying);
- Fixed Bug: Duplicated matches (SmartFind);
- Fixed Bug: AppAnalyzer uses Delphi System path;
- Fixed Bug: 'Load Selected' button (System Sheet);
- Fixed Bug: Load DCP at startup (DCP Analyzer);
- Fixed Bug: Empty package description (System Sheet);
- Fixed Bug: required packages (Dcp2Dpk);
- minor bug fixes.


*** Beta 00.7 - 04/13/1998:
- Deploy Analysis added: analyze a compiled .EXE and reports Used Packages;
- .DCP Static Analysis added;
- Now extracts .DCUs from .DCP;
- Now SmartFind can search on Delphi Library Path;
- Get Resource Directories;
- Get Imported Functions;
- Improved .DPK management (internal viewer with syntax highlight);
- Improved 'Find Required Package' feature;
- Improved Export listview sorting speed;
- Improved Startup speed;
- Fixed Bug: annoying ''' is not a valid integer value' message;
- Fixed Bug: Progressbar work extimation;
- Fixed Bug: DPL Loader path;
- Fixed Bug: Dsgn/Rntm flags (General/SmartFind/System);
- Fixed Bug: member functions scan feature;
- Fixed Bug: Empty 'Requires' (or 'Contains') clause in .DPK;
- minor bug fixes.


*** Beta 00.3 - 02/19/1998:
- Rebuild/Extract *.DPK from *.DPL;
- Rebuild/Extract *.DPK from *.DCP;
- 'Find Required Packages' facility added;
- Improved SmartFind;
- Fixed Bug: Dsgn/Rntm flags;
- Fixed Bug: SmartFind;


*** Beta 00.2 - 01/29/1998:
- Improved exported methods report;
- Package Search Tool (SmartFind);
- System Package Listing & Options Management;
- Fixed Bug: memeber functions scan feature;


*** Beta 00.1 - 12/06/1997:
- Package General Info (such as Rebuild Options and Package type);
- Exported Functions List;
- 'Pure' Package Unit (no Main-Package/Sysinit unit);
- Class definitions per Unit;
- Memeber Functions per Class (not inherited);


*** Next Steps:
- Full CPB3 support;
- Testing components at runtime;
- On-Line WinHelp file;
- Print/SaveToFile reports;
- IDE Expert/Wizard;

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Copyrights:

This release is absolutely free, you can use it any way you want.
It would be greatly appreciated to get some feedback from you,
along with comments and bug reports, yes!


  IMPORTANT NOTE:

  Public Distribution of this package (Web/CD-ROM Resource
  Collections) is only allowed under my permission!!!


  
You can reach me at:

Paolo Rainone
[e-mail]