What are the essential files to ship with an application that uses the BDE?

Delphi allows you to generate a nice tight executable file (.EXE), but if you have created a database application you must include the files that make up the Borland Database Engine as well. The table below shows the files that are mandatory when delivering a database application with Delphi.

File Name           Description
-------------------------------
IDAPI01.DLL         BDE API DLL
IDBAT01.DLL         BDE Batch Utilities DLL
IDQRY01.DLL         BDE Query DLL
IDASCI01.DLL        BDE ASCII Driver DLL
IDPDX01.DLL         BDE Paradox Driver DLL
IDDBAS01.DLL        BDE dBASE Driver DLL
IDR10009.DLL        BDE Resources DLL
ILD01.DLL           Language Driver DLL
IDODBC01.DLL        BDE ODBC Socket DLL
ODBC.New            Microsoft ODBC Driver Manager DLL V2.0
ODBCINST.NEW        Microsoft ODBC Driver Installation DLL V2.0
TUTILITY.DLL        BDE Table Repair Utility DLL
BDECFG.EXE          BDE Configuration Utility DLL
BDECFG.HLP          BDE Configuration Utility Help
IDAPI.CFG           BDE Configuation File (settings)

To assist the user, Delphi ships with an install program for exporting the appropriate files that you want deliver to your clients.  Also, installation programs such as InnoSetup and InstallShield can automatically include the relevant files in their setup programs.

InnoSetup is my program installation program of choice, and it is FREE!  For more information or to download a copy visit Jordan Russell's site at http://www.jrsoftware.org/

Finally a tip on using the setup CAB file that ships with the BDE to install the relevant files can be found at http://www.bhnet.com.br/~simonet/tipstricks/bdeinstcab.htm

Chris Bray.