Can We use dcu (Delphi compiled unit) at runtime?

Question

Can we use dcu an runtime like dll? For example, show form that compiled in dcu file. I have the question because i want to develop plugginable application. As Delphi programmer, as far as i know, i just have two options to do this, dll based or bpl based. I like dll based because it does not depend to delphi version, but.. save form to few dll, make each dll have a big size and its total size is bigger than single .exe extremely. Using bpl, it depends on Delphi version that compiled both bpl and exe.

Or can somebody explain a trick or strategy so can make .dll that save form become as small as possible? Thanks!

Answer 1

DCU's are only compiled units (hence the name) they are used to build an exe/dll through the Linker.

Answer 2

No you can't directly access DCU files from runtime :(

It was pretty common practive to store Delphi forms in DLLs, Google should be able to throw up quite a few examples.

Delphi Dll - more than one Form / unit in one dll

http://www.link-rank.com/dll.htm

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Delphi-1595/2008/6/Call-procedure-DLL-Form.htm

http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=54261

HTH

Answer 3

As far as I know, you cannot access .dcu-s at runtime. Better use DLLs.