Switching from LVK Components to TwoDesk Components

The TwoDesk Component Library is rooted in the component library originally written by Lasse Karlsen, known as the LVK Components. If you use LVK Components, but want to take advantage of what the new TwoDesk Component Library has to offer, you're in luck. Below are simple instructions for switching a product from the LVK Components to the TwoDesk Component Library with minimal hassle.

First, get the library

You can download the TwoDesk Component Library here. Before you do, be sure to read the licensing overview to be sure that you're aware of your rights and obligations in relation to this software.

FART

It's not what you think. FART is a simple, open-source tool that can Find and replace text in multiple files. You can get FART here.

Backup your project

If something goes wrong, you don't want to be without a compilable project. Be sure to back it up first

The big switch

Switching is easiest if all of the source code for one file is in one directory. If it's not, you'll have to do a little more work, but it's still not very complicated.

Open a command prompt and use the cd command to navigate to the directory where your source code is located.

First you will want to modify all of the component, exception, and interface names in the project. Do this with the following FART commands:

fart *.pas,*.dfm Tlvk Ttd
fart *.pas, Ilvk Itd
fart *.pas, Elvk Etd

Don't try to simplify by simply replacing "lvk" with "td." That will cause problems when you get to the next step.

Next, you need to change the filenames in your uses clauses. You can do this with the following FART command:

fart *.pas lvk TwoDesk

You're done!

That's all there is to it. You should now be able to open your project in Delphi, compile it, and keep on working with the TwoDesk Component Library.