FMX Linux - the product and the company

[DJof SD 13]

Background: I have a number of systems running Windows 10 on platforms which do not meet MSFT's requirements for Windows 11. Not a problem since I can switch to running some instance of Linux. I am exploring solutions to create GUI apps for the Linux.

 

I am aware of Fire Monkey for Linux, however, as an individual the Enterprise and Architect are not affordable or justifiable. The Professional edition of RAD Studio does not include that feature.

 

One part of my research has discovered FMX Linux (https://www.fmxlinux.com/index.html) but emails have gone unanswered.

 

Does any have any recent dealings with FMX Linux? Is is still a going entity after the passing of the founder?

 

.

[DelphiUdIT 257]

Yes, they are "alive". And they are working on, but FMX Linux means "FireMonkey X Linux" ... so ...

[Rollo62 595]

There have been some discussion here and in the German DP, but best of all,
there is an official announcment.
https://blogs.embarcadero.com/fmx-linux-for-delphi-12-3-is-now-available/
https://www.delphipraxis.net/216783-fmx-linux-kennt-jemand-den-aktuellen-stand.html#post1546803

https://en.delphipraxis.net/topic/12288-fmxlinux-missing/?tab=comments#comment-102324
It should be available in summer, as arnof reported from the 12.3 introduction.

 

Edited Tuesday at 03:48 PM by Rollo62

[Remy Lebeau 1634]

1 hour ago, DJof SD said:

I am aware of Fire Monkey for Linux ... 

One part of my research has discovered FMX Linux

They are the same product.

1 hour ago, DJof SD said:

 but emails have gone unanswered.

The original author passed away. Embarcadero had to renegotiate a new deal with his estate in order to continue providing the product. So any emails should be directed to Embarcadero.

1 hour ago, DJof SD said:

Is is still a going entity after the passing of the founder?

Embarcadero will continue developing and providing FMXLinux as an option, but only for Enterprise and Architect with Active subscription, AFAIK. 

[salvadordf 40]

As far as I know, FMXLinux requires RAD Studio Enterprise or Architect to work. It doesn't work in RAD Studio Pro,

 

If you need native applications consider using Lazarus or create web applications using any of the frameworks available for Delphi :

• D2Bridge (open source)
• Unigui
• VirtualUI
• TMS WebCore
• Quartex Pascal

There are more frameworks to create web applications. I just listed a few that I can remember right now.

[salvadordf 40]

Quartex Pascal is an entire new IDE independent from Delphi and it will be released soon.

[Uwe Raabe 2166]

2 hours ago, DJof SD said:

as an individual the Enterprise and Architect are not affordable or justifiable. The Professional edition of RAD Studio does not include that feature.

The reason why FMX Linux is only available for Enterprise and Architect is, that those are the versions targeting Linux as a target platform. With a Professional version you can't compile code for Linux.

[DJof SD 13]

Remy, sorry, I did not make it clear, yes I know those are one in the same offering.

 

Uwe, Professional can target Linux but only as a console app. I'm attempting to find a way to develop GUI apps for Linux hence the post.

 

I am aware that FMXLinux is bundled with Enterprise and Architect along with the little problem of the feature being temporally missing from RAD Studio.

 

What I did not offer initially was my hope for a "back door" solution. And a much cheaper one than buying the next tier offering from Embarcadero, to whit, buying the product offering directly from the company. Yes, it does have a fee. I'm willing to pay for it especially if it is a life time license, and, it is much, much less expensive than what EMBT is demanding.

 

My understanding is that EMBT has acquired the rights to bundle and distribute FMX Linux as a part of the 2 editions already mentioned but at the same time, the original company is still able to sell the product. Acquiring FMX Linux directly from the original source seems to be perfectly legitimate solution to my goal. But if not, as has also been posted, there are other non EMBT solutions to writing GUI apps in a variant of Pascal.

 

If any one from EMBT reads this, offering FMX Linux as a part of Pro (but not community) would be really appreciated. But if that is not possible (or desirable), why not come up with an enhancement to the Pro license where some additional features like FMX Linux would be available for an additional but reasonable fee -- call it Pro basic license fee plus.

[Uwe Raabe 2166]

4 minutes ago, DJof SD said:

Professional can target Linux but only as a console app

Not according to the feature matrix:

[DJof SD 13]

Wow, as it turns out, that matrix is correct. My big mistake was seeing the penguin icon for New Project, Other, Console app and believing I could run such an app on Linux. But when I tried to add that target under Project Manager, I could not do it. Furthermore, I uninstalled RAD Studio and when starting the online installer, I could not select Linux.

 

So I guess I'm going to start learning Eclipse or Lazarus/FreePascal or something else.

 

Thanks, Uwe.

[Anders Melander 2047]

4 hours ago, salvadordf said:

it will be released soon.

...depending on your definition of "soon" 🙂 

[Patrick PREMARTIN 149]

9 hours ago, Anders Melander said:

...depending on your definition of "soon" 🙂 

it's sooner this week than previous month