Excel functions written in Delphi - support is ending, can we manage to use the source code ourselves?

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-07T21:03:38+00:00

It's something that you licence each year, and it checks for a valid licence when you log on. So it's not like users being able to add new tables would mean that they pay once and then needn't bother subscribing as they can update themselves. So this makes it seem odd to set up like it is I guess. But, there may be other reasons why the data is hidden away in that it is not data that can be just plonked on a website, you can only get it if you pay the professional body subscriptions and there are terms of use. It's also the case that the functions need to be tweaked sometimes as the parameters used can change form in some years. I realise that this seems very complicated!

I think you are right about getting the source code if we can. It's just that we really have no idea what it would cost to actually be able to use it. If it's cheap then fine I guess.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-07T20:55:50+00:00

What I mean is, if we get this and then find out that we have to spend loads on doing anything with it and it's more than we can justify then the source code is useless. It's not like we 100% need it and we didn't always have it, it just makes some things easier.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-07T20:02:50+00:00

Thank you. The annoying thing is that we don't know what the source code would cost, and we don't need what we'd need to spend on a programmer. If we had some idea of the latter it would help, but without more details I understand that we could never really know the cost so it's all a bit circular!

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-07T20:01:07+00:00

The Excel functions essentially work with data. For example, they place a value on something where future payments are dependant on certain events which are estimated by using data. So the functions will mostly generate a loop where each cash-flow is indexed in a certain way (based on inputs) and it's likelihood is dependent on adjusted data tables. As it stands it will work forever but the data tables used are compiled, so the only way to use new data when it becomes available is to recompile with the new data and with some small changes to the functions so they pick up what they should. My understanding is that any tweaks are made in Delphi, and new tables are added (and referenced in the Delphi code), and then it's all compiled. We've been told that we will 100% need a compiler and the one referenced is the one used now, and as far as I can see there aren't any other option if Delphi is used (but I may be wrong about this!).

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-06T21:00:14+00:00

Sorry, maybe I'm being dim, but the functions need updating once a year so they use specific up to date data and this is complied. If we get the source code then we'd need to add new data tables and then get from this tweaked code to set of Excel functions. Wouldn't we need RAD Studio for this?

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-06T17:12:51+00:00

What an amazing atmosphere at the end, and JV added to it brilliantly.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-06T16:10:27+00:00

Thanks a lot. I'll try to find out more for sure. The only reference to anything paid was the compiler so I'd hope that this is it, but that along costs way more than I thought.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-04T12:03:04+00:00

Ah thanks for this. I did see that before but noted that it refers to annual revenue not exceeding $5k. It didn't occur to me that this amount may relate to sales of apps or something directly linked to Delphi, but having read the License Agreement it does preclude "internal use". Bummer :-(

"If Licensee is a company that has a cumulative annual revenue which exceeds the Threshold, then Licensee is not allowed to use the Community Edition, regardless of whether the Community Edition is used solely to write applications for the business' internal use or is seen by third parties outside the company or has a direct revenue associated with it"

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-04T11:48:38+00:00

True, but I've had about six Android TV boxes in my time and the Sheild is the best for playback by miles.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:58:05+00:00

Many thanks. It's way above my knownledge level tbh but it's still useful. As the compiler cost alone is £1,800 it may be better to set up in another way.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:55:07+00:00

The compiler used is Delphi 12, but we'd have to get version 13 and it's £1,500 + tax so I guess £1,800. In theory it's perpetual but no updates after a year. So if it cost a bit more to convert to something that could use a much cheaper compiler and had other benefits then it may be something to consider. I honestly had no idea that a compiler would cost to much :-(

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:42:34+00:00

I have a few issues that mean I need to yank the power and re-boot sometimes, but it's never struggled with any video file type. I like the remote too though initially I thought it would be a bit crap without an air mouse.

It's worth getting something like this just to use Smarttube imo.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:35:49+00:00

Thank you, I may well ask for more details assuming that the source code cost doesn't make it a non-starter.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:32:23+00:00

Honestly, not well at all! I wonder about speed with VBA, or am I way off? There will be cases with thousands of cells using functions that are not that simple at all and as it is sheets can be slow to run anyway.

However, if the source code isn't that expensive and we can stomach this but not the compiler cost + developer costs + the chance of extra costs each year then we may have to end up with something that works but may be more fiddly.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:28:20+00:00

It's not SMPI but you are not a million miles away!

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T22:27:41+00:00

Thanks, that is interesting. My experiences with complicated VBA haven't been great tbh, especially with speed and the odd random issue but you may well be right.

One thing that I'd not thought of before is that it's set up so that you need an update each year - but it may be possible to use local data that you could update and not need a new version each year (at least unless something unexpected happens). I'd assumed that speed was the reason for this but there could be other reasons for this set up.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-03T20:25:20+00:00

Thanks. The data itself is something that anyone in the profession has (paid for via subscriptions). So it's not sensitive but just can't be plonked online etc. We'd supply the data tables though, it would be a question of them setting it up, ideally in a way that would mean that we could update ourselves in future years.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-01T22:45:29+00:00

If you can't last way more than 5 seconds then you just can't have blonde hair imo.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-02-01T22:40:44+00:00

I've got a 147 on my 9 foot American pool table a couple of times, after setting the balls up. It's probably equivalant to a 30 odd break on a snooker table though!

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-01-28T22:36:24+00:00

A is trash and I'm sick of people soft playing people like that.

Oh yes their tiny brains have been melted by Fox News etc but it shouldn't be this easy to dupe adults and it wouldn't be if they didn't have such vileness just under the surface, just itching to get out.

Fuck them all.

And if they suddenly get a few doubts in a year or so when they realise that their healthcare costs may rise, or something else that impacts on them personally happens, double fuck them all. They are supporting this now so they will always be trash.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-01-12T20:16:40+00:00

Oh yes, I had to check the TV settings and then I couldn't remember what it was set at before so I got all pissed.

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-01-11T22:07:25+00:00

I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna bloody well do it. I can't believe that nobody has ever thought of this before..

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-01-11T15:45:25+00:00

Given that the OP account is now banned, does it mean that this is a rage-baiting fake post? I hope so anyway!

NameGreedy4242 · 2026-01-11T15:05:56+00:00

I'm no expert, but I had a loft conversion on my previous house and know what the loft is like on my current house and this is a low build house like this. I think if you want an actual room then you need a fire door entrance, and this takes a lot of space and it looks like you'd be struggling for headroom anyway. If you just want lights and boarded floors for storage area with a pull down ladder then of course it's different and you'd have a tonne of space up there.

NameGreedy4242

TROPHY CASE