DevExpress Integration

Bold for Delphi includes components that integrate with the DevExpress VCL component suite, providing Bold-aware versions of popular DevExpress controls.

Requirements

• DevExpress VCL Subscription with full source code access
• DevExpress source code must be accessible to the Delphi compiler

The Bold DevExpress integration uses DevExpress internal APIs and access classes, which requires the DevExpress source code to compile.

Available Components

Grid Components

Component	Description
TcxGridBoldTableView	Bold-aware table view for cxGrid
TcxGridBoldBandedTableView	Bold-aware banded table view
TcxGridBoldDataController	Data controller connecting cxGrid to Bold object lists
TcxLookupBoldGrid	Bold-aware lookup grid

Editors

Component	Description
TcxBoldTextEdit	Bold-aware text editor
TcxBoldComboBox	Bold-aware combo box
TcxBoldLookupComboBox	Bold-aware lookup combo box
TcxBoldExtLookupComboBox	Extended lookup combo box with Bold support
TcxBoldCheckBox	Bold-aware check box
TcxBoldDateEdit	Bold-aware date editor
TcxBoldTimeEdit	Bold-aware time editor
TcxBoldSpinEdit	Bold-aware spin editor
TcxBoldMemo	Bold-aware memo editor
TcxBoldImage	Bold-aware image editor

Navigation

Component	Description
TdxBarBoldNavigator	Bold-aware DevExpress bar navigator

Repository Items

The cxBoldEditRepositoryItems unit provides repository item versions of all Bold editors for use in cxGrid columns.

Installation

1. Ensure DevExpress VCL is installed with source code
2. Build the dclBoldDevEx.dpk package for your Delphi version
3. Install the package in the IDE

Basic Usage

Using TcxGridBoldTableView

uses
  cxGridBoldSupportUnit;

// Create a Bold-aware grid view
var
  GridView: TcxGridBoldTableView;
begin
  GridView := cxGrid1.CreateView(TcxGridBoldTableView) as TcxGridBoldTableView;

  // Connect to a BoldListHandle
  GridView.DataController.BoldHandle := BoldListHandle1;

  // Add columns
  var Col := GridView.CreateColumn;
  Col.DataBinding.BoldProperties.Expression := 'name';
  Col.Caption := 'Name';
end;

Using Bold Editors in cxGrid

uses
  cxBoldEditRepositoryItems;

// In the grid column properties
Column.PropertiesClass := TcxBoldTextEditProperties;

// Or use repository items
var
  RepoItem: TcxEditRepositoryBoldTextItem;
begin
  RepoItem := cxEditRepository1.CreateItem(TcxEditRepositoryBoldTextItem) as TcxEditRepositoryBoldTextItem;
  Column.RepositoryItem := RepoItem;
end;

Standalone Bold Editors

uses
  cxBoldEditors;

// Place TcxBoldTextEdit on form
cxBoldTextEdit1.DataBinding.BoldHandle := BoldExpressionHandle1;

Source Files

The DevExpress integration is located in Source/BoldAwareGUI/BoldDevex/:

File	Purpose
cxGridBoldSupportUnit.pas	cxGrid integration and data controller
cxBoldEditors.pas	Bold-aware editor components
cxBoldEditRepositoryItems.pas	Repository items for grid columns
cxBoldLookupComboBox.pas	Lookup combo box component
cxBoldExtLookupComboBox.pas	Extended lookup combo box
cxLookupBoldGrid.pas	Lookup grid component
dxBarBoldNav.pas	DevExpress bar navigator
BoldToCxConverterUnit.pas	Converter utilities
BoldAFPCxGridProviderUnit.pas	Auto-form provider for cxGrid
cxBoldRegUnit.pas	Component registration

Key Features

Automatic UI Updates

Like standard Bold controls, DevExpress Bold controls automatically update when the underlying Bold objects change. The subscription system ensures the UI stays synchronized with the object model.

OCL Expressions

Use OCL expressions for data binding:

// Display a derived value
Column.DataBinding.BoldProperties.Expression := 'orders->size';

// Display a formatted value
Column.DataBinding.BoldProperties.Expression :=
  'firstName + '' '' + lastName';

Lookup Support

The lookup combo boxes support OCL-based list expressions:

cxBoldLookupComboBox1.Properties.ListHandle := BoldListHandle1;
cxBoldLookupComboBox1.Properties.LookupExpression := 'name';

Troubleshooting

Compilation Errors

If you get "unit not found" errors for DevExpress units:

1. Verify DevExpress source code is in the Delphi library path
2. Check that you have the correct DevExpress version installed
3. Ensure the DevExpress source code option was selected during installation

Missing Properties

If Bold-specific properties don't appear in the Object Inspector:

1. Verify dclBoldDevEx.dpk is installed
2. Check the component palette for "Bold DevEx" tab
3. Rebuild and reinstall the package if needed

Version Compatibility

The DevExpress integration is tested with DevExpress VCL 24.2.4. If you encounter compatibility issues with a specific DevExpress version, please report them on GitHub.