NAVIGATION: David's Corner > DIY Delphi > Basic Browser


BASIC BROWSER - DIY DELPHI PROJECT

I've worked intermittently on different versions of a browser program using Delphi and Internet Explorer, and have found that writing a working application is relatively straightforward and simple.

You're welcome to build on or change what I've done. Complete Delphi source is included with this project.


STAGES OF THE PROJECT

This article is divided up as follows:

* Looking at options for building your own web browser;

* Integrating the IE WebBrowser component into your Delphi setup and building a basic but functional browser;

* Refining this into a reliable, working browser which you could use on the Internet;

* Looking at ideas and examples for further customisation.


WHAT YOU'LL NEED

* A 32-bit version of Delphi. The whole project has been tested on D3, and parts of it on D2. D4 and higher remain untested.

* Windows 98 or higher with Internet Explorer 5 or higher installed on your system.

That's all. The project uses standard Delphi and IE components throughout.

The original project was built under D3/Win98/IE5, and the compiled program has been tested on all 32-bit Windows platforms except for NT3/4, and Win2003.


NOTES

With minor modifications, the project will compile under Delphi 2; where I know what the differences are, I've commented them in the source code. I don't know what, if any, modifications would be necessary for it to compile under D4 or later.

My programming knowledge is strictly at the amateur/hobbyist level. If I've done it, then anyone can! All it took was some hunting around, learning from the code examples I found, some thought going into the design of the program, and (it has to be said) upgrading from D2 to D3 - the hint/autocomplete function in the D3 IDE got me through two or three coding puzzles along the way.


Click on the link below to go to the first stage of this project.

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