Design-Time Pass-Through Functions

TECH TIP: Accessing Pass-Through Functions in Delphi Design-Time

Question: "How do I make my pass-through functions available at design-time?"

Since pass-through functions are registered with RAP by calling raRegisterFunction (typically in the Initialization
section of a unit), to make your functions available at design-time we simply need to arrange to have the
initialization section of your unit executed at design-time.

To do so, we'll create a design-time package and add in your units.

Do the following:

1. Select New... from the File menu in Delphi.
2. In the New Items dialog, select Package and click OK.
3. In the Package editor, click the Options button. 
4. In the Description tab:
      a: Type in a meaningful Description, such as "My RAP Functions"
      b: Set usage options to Designtime only.
5. Click OK.
6. Right-click the Contains node and select Add.
7. In the Add dialog, enter the unit or units that contain the functions you wish to make available.
8. Click OK.
9. Save your package with a meaningful name and click the Install button.

Your functions should now be available within RAP at Delphi design-time.

For an example of this, see the CodeSite support package in RBuilder\Demos\0. RAP\2. CodeSite.