Project Manager
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View > Tool Windows > Project Manager
Displays and organizes the contents of your current project group and any project it contains. You can perform many important project management tasks, such as adding, removing, and compiling files. The default location of the Project Manager is the upper right corner of the IDE, but the window is dockable, as are many windows in the IDE.
Note: Some features described here are available only in specific editions of the product. For example, some functionality in the Project Manager is available only for C++Builder.
Contents
- 1 Nodes and Items on the Project Manager
- 2 Project Manager Toolbar
- 3 Common Context Menu Commands
- 4 Project Group Context Menu
- 5 Project Context Menu
- 6 C++ Precompiled Header File Context Menu
- 7 Build Configurations Context Menu
- 8 Target Platforms Context Menu
- 9 Contains and Requires Folders Context Menu
- 10 File Context Menu
- 11 Child Dialog Boxes
- 12 See Also
Nodes and Items on the Project Manager
The contents of the current project is represented by a tree structure in the Project Manager. The various nodes and items in the tree structure are indicated by icons and labels.
Here is a partial list of the icons that appear in the Project Manager tree structure:
- Project group node
- Project node (typically an .exe file)
- Build Configurations node
- Target Platforms node (only available for multi-device applications such as an HD Multi-Device Application or a multi-device console application)
- Output folder (from Show Project Output context menu command)
- Folder (such as Contains or Requires)
- Source code (
.pas
,.cpp
or.mm
) that does not contain a form. - Source code (
.pas
or.cpp
) that contains a form. - Resource file (
.res
) - Form file (
.dfm
) - Type library (
.ridl
) - Header file (
.h
) (C++) - Import library for a package (
.bpi
) (C++)
- Source code (
Project Manager Toolbar
To enable/disable the toolbar on the Project Manager, right-click the Project Manager window and select Toolbar from the context menu.
Item | Description | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Displays the selected project on top of other projects in the IDE so that you can make changes to it. You can also double-click the project to activate it. The active project is displayed in boldface type. | |||||
Displays the New Items dialog box so that you can add a new project to the current project group. | |||||
Removes the selected project from the current project group. | |||||
Controls the view of the files in your project or project group. Select from three choices:
| |||||
Synchronizes the Code Editor with the current selection in the project tree. Expands the tree if necessary and selects from the tree the file that is currently active in the editor (if the file exists in the project tree). The related Auto Track command, on the common context menu, enables and disables continuous synchronization. | |||||
Opens the currently selected node or nodes in the project tree so that you see the contents of the node or nodes. | |||||
Closes the currently selected node or nodes in the project tree so that you see only the node names. | |||||
Specifies the global sort order to be used in all projects in the current project group (Sort Projects By) or in all subsequently created or imported projects (Default sort order), as follows:
| |||||
Displays the Build Groups pane below the Project Manager pane. Use Build Groups to create groups of projects (inside a project group) that you can then build, compile, clean, or delete as a group. | |||||
Sets the active build configuration for all the projects in the project group. Click the drop-down arrow to select the configuration you want (default values are Debug and Release). The drop-down list contains only the configurations that exist for the current project group. | |||||
Sets the active target platform for all the projects in the project group. Click the dropdown arrow to select the platform you want (such as Win32, Win64, or OSX32). The drop-down list contains only the platforms currently enabled for the project. | |||||
File and project list box |
Displays the projects and files in the current project group. |
Common Context Menu Commands
The Project Manager has several different context menus, depending on the object you select (such as the project group, project, file, or Build Configurations node). However, the context menus share several of the following common menu commands. The common commands are available when you right-click an empty area on the project list box.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Auto Collapse |
Collapses the tree structure of the project after you complete an operation. |
Auto Track |
Turns on/off synchronization between the Code Editor and the Project Manager. When this option is checked, the file currently being edited in the Code Editor is also the focus in the Project Manager. Auto Track enables continuous synchronization, while the related Synchronize selection with editor command on the toolbar performs a single synchronization (even when Auto Track is off). |
Dockable |
When checked, docks (attaches) the Project Manager window to other tool windows, such as the Code Editor. Uncheck this option to make the Program Manager a floating window. |
Show Path |
Adds an additional field (Path) to the Project Manager to display the path of the files, projects, and project groups. |
Show Project Output |
Adds the Output folder to the window and lists the files that are part of the build output for the project, such as DCU and EXE files. This folder is not a real directory on disk, but you can see the actual directory locations of output files by hovering the mouse over the file name inside the Output folder. You can set your output directories as follows:
|
Status Bar |
Displays the full path name of the selected file at the bottom of the Project Manager window. The default is On. |
Stay on Top |
Displays the Project Manager on top of the desktop even if other windows are displayed. |
Toolbar |
Shows or hides the toolbar on the top of the Project Manager. |
Views |
Controls the view of the files in your project or project group. Select from three choices:
|
Project Group Context Menu
Right-click a project group to display the following commands.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Compile All |
Compiles all projects within the current project group that have changed since the last build, and any files that depend on them. (Available only for project groups that contain more than one project.) |
Build All |
Rebuilds all projects within the current project group regardless of whether they have changed. (Available only for project groups that contain more than one project.) |
Clean All |
Removes generated files from all projects within the current project group, such as object code files. (Available only for project groups that contain more than one project.) |
Add New Project |
Displays the New Items dialog box, allowing you to create a new project and add it to the current project group. |
Add Existing Project |
Displays the Open Project dialog box, allowing you to add an existing project to the current project group. |
Save Project Group |
Saves the project file ( |
Save Project Group As |
Displays the Save As dialog box, allowing to save the project with a new name and location. |
Rename |
Renames the project file. |
Add to Version Control |
Opens the version control system wizard so that you can select to add the files in the project to Subversion or Git. Appears only for projects that are not under a version control system. |
Subversion |
If your project is under version control by Subversion, displays the following commands:
|
Git |
If your project is under version control by Git, displays the following commands:
|
Mercurial |
If your project is under version control by Mercurial, displays the following commands:
|
See also:
Project Context Menu
Right-click a project file to display the context menu commands.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Make (C++) or Compile (Delphi) |
Compiles all files in the current project that have changed since it was last built and any files that depend on them. You can also choose Project > Compile <project name>. |
Build |
Rebuilds all files in your project regardless of whether they have changed. You can also choose Project > Build <project name>. |
Clean |
Removes generated files from the project, such as object code files. |
From Here > or From Here > |
Compiles only the selected project and all other projects listed below it in the Project Manger if these projects have changed since the last build. Enabled only when multiple projects are open. In contrast, choose Project > Compile All Projects (Delphi) or Project > Make All Projects (C++) to rebuild every project that has changed in the project group. |
From Here > |
Rebuilds only the selected project and all others listed below it in the Project Manager regardless of whether they have changed. Enabled only when multiple projects are open. In contrast, choose Project > Build All Projects to rebuild all projects in the project group. |
From Here > |
Removes generated files (such as object code files) from the project, starting at the selected project and including all other projects listed below it in the Project Manager. Enabled only when multiple projects are open. |
Run |
Compiles any changed source code and, if the compile is successful, executes your application, allowing you to use and test the application with the debugger built into the IDE. Also available on the debug toolbar as the Run button and drop-down list of executables (, F9). |
Run Without Debugging |
Compiles any changed source code, and if the compile is successful, executes your application without invoking the debugger built into the IDE. Also available on the debug toolbar as the button (Shift+Ctrl+F9). |
Install | Uninstall |
Only for packages (.bpl files). Installs a design-time package and registers the associated component (if a component is present), or uninstalls the design-time package and unregisters the component (if a component is present). See also Install Packages. |
Build Sooner |
Moves a project up in the list of projects within a project group, which changes the order in which the projects are compiled. |
Build Later |
Moves a project down in the list of projects within a project group. |
TDump |
(C++ only) Starts a file dump using TDUMP.exe. |
Show in Explorer |
Opens the project files in the Windows Explorer. Also available on the file-level context menu. |
Add to Version Control |
Opens the version control system dialog box so that you can select to add the files in the project to Subversion or Git. Appears only for projects that are not under a version control system. |
Subversion |
If your project's project file (.dproj or .cbproj) is under version control by Subversion, the following commands are available:
|
Git |
If your project's project file (.dproj or .cbproj) is under version control by Git, the following commands are available:
|
Mercurial |
If your project's project file is under version control by Mercurial, displays the following commands:
|
Add |
Displays the Add to Project dialog box, allowing you to add files to the selected project. |
Add New > |
Adds a new item to your project, as follows:
|
Remove File |
Displays the Remove from Project dialog box, allowing you to remove a file from the selected project. |
Remove Project |
Removes the active project from its project group. Removing the target from the current project group affects the project group's project file (.grouproj); it does not remove any files from disk. Thus, remove a project from your project group before deleting its file from disk so that the product can update the project file accordingly. |
Save |
Stores changes made to all files in the open project using each file's current name. If you try to save a project that has an unsaved code file, the product opens the Save As dialog box, where you can enter the new file name. |
Save As... |
Displays the Save As dialog box for each compilation unit that needs to be saved and allows you to enter a new name for each unit. |
Rename |
Highlights the project node and allows you to enter a new name or edit the existing name of the project. |
TDump <filename> |
Runs the TDUMP.EXE command line tool on the output of the selected node. For example, on a C++ source file, this command TDumps the .obj, whereas for a project, this command TDumps the .exe/.bpl/.dll. The output from TDump is then opened in the Code Editor for inspection. |
Activate |
Makes the current project active. |
Sort By |
Sets the local sort order for the selected project or projects. Sorts the items listed in the Project Manager according to:
The default order in the Project Manager is alphabetical order. Auto Sort is turned off if you use drag & drop to reorder the files in the project manager, because it is assumed if you rearrange files this way you do not want any sorting done. The sort settings order will be maintained in the project's .local file, and applied whenever the project is reloaded. The Build Configurations node remains at the top of the project group and is not sorted. To set the global sort order for all projects, click the (Sort By) button on the toolbar of the Project Manager. If global sort order is set (using the toolbar), local sort order (using the context menu) is disabled. |
View Source |
Displays the source code for the selected project. |
Dependencies |
Displays the Project > Dependencies dialog box, allowing you to change the build order for the projects in a project group. This command is only available if the current project group contains more than one project. |
Build Order |
(C++ only) Displays the Build Order dialog box, enabling you to move the files that are to be compiled by each compiler (the Resource Compiler, the Turbo Assembler, and the C++ Compiler). |
Modeling Support |
Displays the Modeling Support dialog, which lists the projects that are currently open. Select the projects that you want to have modeling support. |
Format Project Sources |
Performs the Format Project Sources action. |
Options |
Displays the Project Options dialog box. |
C++ Precompiled Header File Context Menu
RAD Studio shows an additional node for C++ applications: the precompiled header file (PCH.h) node.
The PCH.h file is an automatically generated precompiled header file that is part of every C++ project (with a name such as Project1PCH1.h). This PCH.h file is used by any of the C++ compilers if you right-click the PCH.h node and enable the Use for Precompiling option in the context menu, as described below. In addition, the previous-generation C++ compilers (BCC32 and BCCOSX) create a precompiled header for you behind the scenes.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Preprocess |
Runs the C++ preprocessor, either CPP32.EXE or CPP64.EXE, depending on the current target platform of the project. |
Open |
Opens the selected files in the Code Editor. |
Remove From Project |
Removes the selected files from the project. You will be prompted to save any changes. |
Save |
Saves changes made to the selected files using their current names. |
Save As |
Displays the Save As dialog box, allowing you to save the selected files with new names and locations. |
Rename |
Allows you to rename the file and any corresponding secondary files that appear as child nodes in the Project Manager. |
Use for Precompiling |
Specifies whether this C++ header file is to be used as a precompiled header for the project. The default for this option is determined by the target platform of the project, as follows:
|
Build Configurations Context Menu
The Build Configurations node displays the current active build configuration name, for example:
Right-click either the Build Configurations node or the name of a specific build configuration within the node to display the context menu.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Make |
Compiles all files in the current project that have changed since it was last built, as well as any files that depend on them. You can also choose Project > Compile [project name]. |
Build |
Rebuilds all files in your project regardless of whether they have changed. You can also choose Project > Build [project name]. |
Clean |
Removes generated files from the project, such as object code files. |
Rename |
Allows you to rename the selected build configuration. |
Delete |
Displays the Confirm input box and allows you to delete the selected configuration. |
New Configuration |
Adds a child configuration, based on the selected configuration, and lists the new configuration in the Project Manager under the name of the parent configuration. |
New Option Set |
Creates a new option set file ( |
Apply Option Set |
Displays the Apply Option Set dialog box and allows you to select an |
Activate |
Makes the selected build configuration the current active configuration for the project; appears only for configurations that are not currently active. The active build configuration is listed in boldface. |
Edit |
Displays the Project > Options dialog box preloaded with the values set in the selected build configuration. |
Target Platforms Context Menu
- To add a platform, right-click the Target Platforms node itself and then click the Add Platform command. By default, the newly added platform becomes the active platform for the project; to add a platform without activating it, uncheck Make the selected platform active in the Select Platform dialog box.
- To display the other context menu commands, right-click the name of a specific multi-device target in the Target Platforms node.
- To create a connection profile or to edit an existing connection profile, choose Tools > Options > Environment Options > Connection Profile Manager.
- To add a new SDK or edit an existing SDK, choose Tools > Options > Environment Options > SDK Manager.
See Target Platforms Overview for more information about this node.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Add Platform |
Opens the Select Platform dialog box, where you can select a platform to add to your project. Choices are limited by the multi-device capabilities of the type of application you are creating, such as a console applicationor a DataSnap server. Choose from:
|
Edit Connection |
Opens the Connection Profile Manager page of Tools Options and allows you to edit the connection profile assigned to the selected platform. |
Revert to Default Profile |
Assigns the default connection profile to the selected platform. This command is available only when a connection profile is currently assigned to the selected platform, and is not the default connection profile. You can change which connection profile is default from Tools > Options > Environment Options > Connection Profile Manager. |
Remove Profile |
Unassigns the connection profile that is currently assigned to the selected platform, so no connection profile is assigned to the platform. This command is available only when a connection profile is currently assigned to the selected platform. |
Remove Platform |
Removes the selected platform from the Target Platforms for the current project. You can add the selected platform again by right-clicking the Target Platforms node and selecting Add Platform. |
Properties |
Opens the Platform Properties dialog box and allows you to:
|
Activate |
Makes the selected platform the target platform for the project. This command is available only when you right-click a platform that is not currently the active platform (that is, a platform whose name is not in boldface). |
Refresh |
Updates the list of available devices and simulators for the target platform. See Using the Target Node.
|
Contains and Requires Folders Context Menu
The Contains and Requires folders appear only for packages. For more information, see Creating a Package and Packages (Delphi).
Item | Description | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Add |
Displays the Add to Project dialog box, allowing you to add files to the Contains folder. | ||||||||||
Add New |
Adds a new item to the Contains folder, as follows:
| ||||||||||
Remove File |
Opens the Remove from Project dialog box, which allows you to remove a file from the Contains folder. |
Item | Description |
---|---|
Add Reference |
Opens the Add dialog box, Requires tab dialog box, which allows you to browse for and add a package (.bpl) to the Requires folder. |
Remove File |
Displays the Remove from Project dialog box, allowing you to remove a file from the selected folder. |
File Context Menu
Right-click a file within a project to display the context menu commands. The commands vary depending on the type of file selected.
Item | Description |
---|---|
Build |
Is a shortcut that compiles the selected file. |
Compile to Assembly |
(C++ only) Compiles the selected source file to an .ASM file and displays the file in the Code Editor. |
Edit Local Options |
For C++, displays an abbreviated Project Options dialog box that contains only the pages that pertain to the current project and file. |
Exclude from build |
For C++ only. Temporarily marks the selected file as not part of the build. After you exclude a file from the build, the file name appears grayed out in the Project Manager, and this context menu item has a checkmark. To restore the file to the build, right-click the file in the Project Manager and click the checkmark for this command in the context menu. |
Link by Name Only |
For C++ only. For a library or object file, locates the file by using the Library Search Path (set on the Project > Options > Directories and Conditionals dialog box). To link a library or object file explicitly by its file path, uncheck this field, and then the linker receives the fully qualified path name of the library or object file and ignores the Library Search Path setting. Link by Name Only is the default for .lib and .obj files added to 2009 projects; this option is new for 2009. |
Open |
Opens the selected files in the Code Editor. |
Preprocess |
Runs the C++ preprocessor (Cpp32.exe). |
Rename |
Allows you to rename the file and any corresponding secondary files that appear as child nodes in the Project Manager. |
Remove From Project |
Removes the selected files from the project. You will be prompted to save any changes. |
Save |
Saves changes made to the selected files using their current names. |
Save As |
Displays the Save As dialog box, allowing you to save the selected files with new names and locations. |
Show Dependencies |
For C++ only. Displays the Project > Dependencies dialog box, allowing you to change the build order for the projects in a project group. |
Show in Explorer |
Opens the Windows Explorer, displaying the folder that contains the selected file. Also available on the project-level context menu. |
Add to Version Control |
Opens the version control system wizard so that you can select to add the files in the project to Subversion or Git. Appears only for projects that are not under a version control system. |
Subversion |
If files are under version control by Subversion, it displays the following commands:
|
Git |
If files are under version control by Git, displays the following commands:
|
Mercurial |
If files are under version control by Mercurial, displays the following commands:
|
TDump <filename>.obj |
For C++ only. Sends the selected file to the TDump utility. |