Chapter 01. A Tour of C++Builder
  The defintion of C++Builder
  The C++Builder Environment
  The C++Builder Menu System
  C++Builder Tools, including the Object Inspector and the Form Designer
  Code Insight
  How to configure your C++Builder environment
  Installing your own tools within C++Builder
  
Chapter 02. Projects, Source and Forms Files
  What makes up a project in C++Builder
  How to invoke and use the Project Manager
  The basic file types used by C++Builder
  How units and forms are related
  The CPP file
  The DFM file
  How to set project options
  The steps involved in compiling and linking a C++Builder project
 
Chapter 03. Form Designer
  Two-way tools and their use
  An example of two-way tools
  Configuring the Form Designer
  Visible vs non-visible components
  Creating a simple form
  Adding components to a form
  Moving and resizing components  on a form
  Using the Object Inspector to set properties
  Programming events with the Object Inspector
  Setting Properties
  Event handlers and how they are used
  A simple example of a form
 
Chapter 04. Component Sampler
  Creating Coolbars, Pagescrollers, ImageLists, and Toolbars with Toolbuttons
  Showing messages on a StatusBar
  Using the PageControl with Tabsheets to display loads of information
  Learning the use of a ScrollBox
  Manipulating RadioGroups
  Changing Font and Colour with invisible dialogues
  Create an animation screen using common Windows AVI animation
  Navigating the MonthCalendar component
  
Chapter 05. Menus
  Menu characteristics
  The insertion point
  Creating menu breaks
  Cascading sub-menus
  Shortcut keys
  Menu toggles
  Menu Images
  Menu Templates
  Menu Designers
  
Chapter 06. The C++ Language
  How to create simple C++Builder programs as exercises in C++
  The fundamental control elements in C++, including logical and mathematical operators, decision structures, and looping controls
  The data types that are available in C++, including numeric, string. Boolean, and user-defined types
  The facilities in C++ to create complex data structures, including arrays, sets, and structs
  
Chapter 07. Program Structure and Scoping
  The new keywords C++Builder adds bto C++
  New class scoping options in C++Builder
  How to create properties in C++Builder
  The definition of the _fastcall modifier
  How C++Builder includes DFM resources in projects
  New Classes created by C++Builder to accomodate VCL
  How to use open arrays in C++Builder
  How to use arrays of const in C++Builder
  How to handle VCL exceptions
  How to re-throw VCL exceptions
  How to create your own custom VCL exceptions
 
Chapter 08. Object Oriented Programming in C++Builder
  A brief history of programming methods
  An explanation of structured programming
  An explanation of modular programming
  The definition of object-oriented programming
  Abstraction
  Encapsulation
  Inheritance
  Polymorphism
  How object-oriented programming is implemented in C++Builder
 
Chapter 09. Advanced OOP
  Polymorphism
  Method Overloading
  Typecasting methods and their uses
 
Chapter 10. VCL Application Framework
  A short history of the Visual Component Library
  The distinction between components and objects
  Th definition of Run-time type identification
  A quick look at the VCL hierarchy
  How to type cast VCL objects
  Information about the "VCL" helper objects:
      TStringList
      TList
      TCanvas
      TPrinter
      TINIFile
      TRegistry
      TRegINIFile
 
Chapter 11. Using the Debugger
  The features of the C++Builder Debugger
  That debugging is not a "spectator sport"
  How to configure C++Builder to include debugging information
  How to use compiler directives to localize debugging options
  The distinction between Step Over and Trace Into
  How to set watches in C++Builder
  How to set breakpoints in C++Builder
  How to use inspectors in C++Builder
  How to evaluate and change variable values in C++Builder
  How to view the call stack in C++Builder
  Some general debugging strategies
 
Chapter 12. Exceptions in C++Builder
  Traditional error handling strategies
  Using exceptions to handle errors
  Syntax and usage of the try.._finally block
  The try.._finally block for resource protection (the "encapsulation operator")
  Syntax and usage of the try..catch block
  How to re-raise an exception that C++Builder has already handled
  How to create user-defined exceptions
  How to raise and exception, manually
 
Chapter 13. Templates and the Object Repository
  Creating fom and project templates
  General Rules of template design
  Use option for templates
  Copy optons for templates
  Inherit option for templates
  
Chapter 14. Event Driven Programming
  Event Driven Programming (EDP) and why it is so important to Windows programming
  User and System events
  The Order of Events
  Implementation of Drag and Drop
  The Show and ShowModal methods
  Border styles

Chapter 15. Borland Database Engine Overview
  The component pieces of the Borland Database Engine
  Integration of database access methods
  Using the BDE Administrator Utility
  The difference between tables and databases
  Using the BDEAdmin to create a pseudo-database
  Installation of the BDE
 
Chapter 16. Using the SQL Explorer
  Creating Aliases
  Viewing Data
  Manipulating Data with SQL Statements
 
Chapter 17. Creating Database Applications
  C++Builder's model for database access
  How to use Table and DataSource components
  How to use data-aware components
  How to create a simple data entry and database browser
  How to create a master/detail form
 
Chapter 18. Using Database Experts
  When to use Database Wizards and how they can help you
  How to invoke the Database Form Wizard
  How to use the Database Form Wizard to create a simple data entry form
  How to use Data Modules in your application
  How to use the Form Wizard to create a master/detail from

Chapter 18. Using Database Experts
  When to use Database Wizards and how they can help you
  How to invoke the Database Form Wizard
  How to use the Database Form Wizard to create a simple data entry form
  How to use Data Modules in your application
  How to use the Form Wizard to create a master/detail from
 
Chapter 19. Using TField Objects
  The definition of fields
  How to change a field's description
  How to remove a field from Grids and Tables
  Formatting fields
  Making calculated fields
  Lookup fields
  Validation field data
 
Chapter 20. Manipulating Datasets
  Data Navigation
  Filtering data with SetRangeStart and SetRangeEnd
  Filtering data with the Filter property
  Finding records
  Bookmarking records
  Providing default values
 
Chapter 21. Migrating to Client/Server
  Converting an existing desktop database application to a client/server application using the Data Migration Wizard (Data Pump)
  Accesssing server-specific features within an application
  Changing DFM, H and CPP files for proper functioning within a client/server environment
 
Chapter 22. Using the SQL Monitor
  Using the SQL Monitor to view the SQL Log
  Setting the Trace Options
  Saving the SQL Log
 
Chapter 23. Using TQuery Components
  Writing SQL
  How to Open and Prepare a Query
  Rules for live result sets
  Parameters in queries
  Adding and Assigning Query parameters
  Using Locate in a query
  Inserting new records
  Open vs ExecSQL
  The SQL Builder
 
Chapter 24. Using TDatabase Components
  Configuring the TDatabase component
  Replacing the BDE Alias
  Using the TDatabase Component Editor
  Names and Drivers
  TDatabase Parameters
  Maintaining aliases with the TINIFile component
  TDatabase and Client/Server
 
Chapter 25. User Interface Techniques I
  How to create splash screens
  How to create SDI applications
  The best way to create and destroy forms
  How to control Windows cursors
  How to implement standard status lines
 
Chapter 26. User Interface Techniques II
  How to create MIDI applications
  The distinction between fsMDIForm and fsMDIChild
  How to control form instances
  How to implement a standard Windows Window menu
  How to merge MDI menus
  How to prevent application shutdown
 
Chapter 27. Advanced C++
  The details concerning class scoping
  Private class scope
  Protected class scope 
  Public class scope
  _published class scope
  Automated class scope
  How to define properties 
 
Chapter 28. Advanced TDatasets
  Implementing Database Transactions
  Setting up Cached Updates
  Handling Cached Updates across multiple datasets
  The Use of TUpdateSQL components
  The State property for datasets
 
Chapter 29. Advanced Exception Handling Techniques
  How exceptions work in an event driven environment
  How to use the exception instance object
  How to raise a silent exception
  How to handle exceptions at the application level
  How to handle database errors
  How to handle database engine errors
  How to create exceptions on a database server
  How to handle database server exceptions
 
Chapter 30. Packages
  What a package is and the advantages to using them
  What are Contains and Requires clauses
  The rules packages must follow
  How to create, edit, compile, and install packages
  The distribution options for using packages
 
AppendixA. QuickReports
  How to create a new report using a form
  What are the types of QRBands and how to use them
  How to add static information
  How to add data to our report
  The different types of System Information and how to use it
  How to create calculated values
 
AppendixB. InstallShield Express
  InstallShield Express' user interface
  What groups, components, and setup types are and planning how they fit together
  What directory specifiers are and how they are used
  How to set the visual design of the installation project using basic information about the application
  Using InstallShield Express to specify which files belong in which groups and which groups belong to which components
  Deciding which components to include in the available setup types
  The available user interface components and how they are used
  How to add and use necessary C++Builder files in the application
  How to specify folders and icons for the application
  How to use Install Shield Express' disk builder
  How to test the setup project
  Creating distribution media
 
AppendixC. Local InterBase
  The deifnition and mental model for client/server applications
  High-end database server features, such as security, triggers, and stopred procedures
  How InterBase with C++Builder 4 Enterprise differs from InterBase that comes with C++Builder 4 Professional
  Running the InterBase Interactive SQL program, and how to connect to a database and make a new query
  Referencing InterBase as a TDataSet with C++Builder
 
AppendixD. DLLs and the Windows API
  The advantage for using Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs)
  How to create DLLs
  The two ways of oading a DLL
  Calling API routines
  What handles are anmd the Handle property for several C++Builder components
  The difference between Strings and PChars
 
AppendixE. Threading
  Uses for Multi-Threading and thread safety
  How to create and manipulate thread objects in C++Builder
  How to update Visual Displays from Threads using the Synchronize method
  How to terminate a thread
 
AppendixF. Run-Time Component Creation
  The uses for run-time component creation
  Testing components before installing them
  Basing component creation on data that is only available at run-time
  How to create components at run-time
  The distinction between the Owner and Parent properties
  An example of a data driven user interface