CPas

Static C Libraries for Delphi

Current list of static C libraries available. More will be added by myself and hopfully other people in the community. If you wish to contribute, submit a PR. Follow the project format in this repo.

Name	Latest Version	Category	Description
miniaudio	0.11.21	Audio	An audio playback and capture library
Print	1.0.0	Console	Print colored text to the console
SQLite	3.46.0	Database	Local SQL database library

Utilizing C code in Delphi app

From Delphi 12.1 onwards compiled C code can be incorporated into Delphi EXE without the need to use or include a DLL.

In short

1. Including the .o file from C++ Builder {$L Unit1.o}.
2. Exposing all the calls the C code relies on, and referencing them in Delphi (long list already exists, figuring out more is easy). See CPas.CRuntime unit.
3. Defining Delphi headers for the actual C routines in the .o file.

Explanation

• The trick is to build a CRuntime unit to reference all the missing functions the C code needs.
• C++ Builder's Win64 Modern platform is Clang based and links against the UCRT runtime, making a dll/exe in C, with TDUMP to show all the C runtime routines it references.
• It is ‘trivial’ to add to the CRuntime unit and build up a unit of routines in Delphi.
• Since Win64 Modern platform links only to the dynamic UCRT, only the routine address is needed, not a proper definition. i.e. procedure wprintf; external ucrt; is enough since the host app does not need to call it directly. As long as the code in the .o can reference wprintf, it will compile.

Instructions

• Compile the project with C++ builder, take the .o file and add it to the Delphi wrapper unit {$L Unit1.o}, with reference to CRuntime unit.
• Any C library that one would normally have to use via a .dll, can be attempted to be compiled in C++Builder Win64 Modern, and if so, then it's likely possible to statically link that into Delphi without having a DLL.

For example:

1. Compile sqlite3.c and take the sqlite3.o.
2. In the uses section add CRuntime unit, used by the C runtime routines.
3. In a sqlite3 unit, declare all the routines inside sqlite3.o.
4. Add {$L sqlite3.o} in the implementation section.
5. Add this sqlite3 unit to your project and compile.

sqlite3 C lib is now statically linked inside your Delphi EXE.

Prerequisites and other notes

• RAD Studio 12.1 or higher.
• __chkstk_ms is needed, which is located not in api-ms-win-crt-stdio-l1-1-0.dll but in kernalbase.dll and it is not named chkstk_ms inside that DLL, but only as chkstk, while the code inside the .o file references it as __chkstk_ms and is solved by procedure _chkstk_ms; stdcall; external kernelbase name 'chkstk';. This has been added to CPas.CRuntime unit.
• All these things must be "visible" in Delphi in order for the project to compile.

Expanding

• May work with other clang based compilers, but using C++ Builder to compile the C sources will work best with Delphi.
• Adding more references:

Imports from api-ms-win-crt-convert-l1-1-0.dll:
_strtod_l
_strtoi64_l
_strtoui64_l
atof
atoi
atol
mbrtowc
mbsrtowcs
strtof
strtol
strtoll
strtoul
strtoull
wcrtomb
wcrtomb_s

• Take all those references and go to ChatGPT and say: “Create a Delphi unit called CRuntime and export these routines from api-ms-win-crt-stdio-l1-1-0.dll define as a const ucrt:” and paste the above references. => ChatGPT will generate a CRuntime unit.
• If for example wprintf in UCRT complain that _wprintf is not found, an underscore prefix will help, it’s a c linkage thing.
• Target 64 bit
• CPas.CRuntime unit exists in the repo, just add any new references to it.

Support

Our development motto:

• We will not release products that are buggy, incomplete, adding new features over not fixing underlying issues.
• We will strive to fix issues found with our products in a timely manner.
• We will maintain an attitude of quality over quantity for our products.
• We will establish a great rapport with users/customers, with communication, transparency and respect, always encouraging feedback to help shape the direction of our products.
• We will be decent, fair, remain humble and committed to the craft.

Links

• Issues
• Discussions
• Discord
• YouTube
• X (Twitter)
• tinyBigGAMES

License

CPas is a community-driven project created by tinyBigGAMES LLC.

BSD-3-Clause license - Core developers:

• Jarrod Davis

Acknowledgments

CPas couldn't have been built without the help of wonderful people and great software already available from the community. Thank you!

People

• John Claw
• Robert Jalarvo

Contributors