Using build configurations effectively

Before we start writing code and developing applications, there are a few more project management topics you should be aware of that apply to any project. One of those is the use of Build Configurations. This is the first sub-item that shows in the Project Manager window under the project name and lists the currently selected build configuration in parentheses for that project. You can set up various project options and save them as a build configuration, then switch between them by expanding the Build Configurations list and double-clicking on one. Delphi comes preconfigured with two standard configurations: Debug and Release. You can customize the default configurations or add other ones to suit your needs.

When testing applications, you may want to step through your code, set breakpoints, and watch variables. To do this, several compiler options need to be enabled in the project options (select Project | Options from the menu or right-click...