How useful is Delphi as a programming language to learn in terms of software development?
I’m already proficient in Java, and I know some C++ so I’m not new to programming in general. I want to learn something new though aside from commonly used languages, and I heard that Delphi is great for native Windows application development. Is this true for those who have used it? I’ve seen open source applications that are written in Delphi, but I’ve never used it myself how does it compare to other programming languages?
It’s pretty good, not as popular as some. I’d recommend you check out C#, Microsoft was so impressed with Delphi they hired its lead designer to do C#.
My impression is that Delphi is passed its peek. The only jobs I see advertised for it tend to be maintenance and conversion from Delphi to C#. Which leads to what I think you should look at, being the C# family of languages.
C# and WPF, if done right, is a neat way of constructing applications, introducing easily skinable application with the user interface and application clearly separated.