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Integrating a fast query builder into Delphi 7 takes less than 10 minutes using visual components like Active Query Builder (VCL Edition) or native TQuery/TADOQuery components.

Here is the fastest way to get a visual query builder running in your legacy application. 🔌 Prerequisites & Preparation (1 Minute)

Choose a component: Download the Active Query Builder VCL trial or use built-in Delphi components. Open Delphi 7: Start a new VCL Forms Application. 🛠️ Step 1: Install and Drop Components (3 Minutes) Install the query builder packages into your Delphi 7 IDE. Drop the TacQueryBuilder component onto your main form.

Drop a database connection component (e.g., TADOConnection or TDatabase).

Drop a companion metadata provider component (e.g., TacADOMetadataProvider). 🔗 Step 2: Link the Components (2 Minutes) Configure the property links in the Object Inspector:

Set the Metadata Provider’s Connection property to your database connection.

Set the Query Builder’s MetadataProvider property to your metadata provider component.

Set the Query Builder’s Active property to True to load database schemas automatically. 💻 Step 3: Add Visual Controls (2 Minutes)

Drop a TacDesignPane component onto the form for the visual diagram interface. Drop a TMemo component to display the generated SQL text.

Link the Design Pane to the Query Builder via the Object Inspector.

Write one line of code in the Query Builder’s OnChange event: Memo1.Text := acQueryBuilder1.SQL; Use code with caution. 🚀 Step 4: Compile and Run (1 Minute) Press F9 to compile. Drag and drop tables into the design pane.

Check boxes to select fields and watch the SQL generate instantly in your memo. Let me know: Your specific database engine (MS SQL, Oracle, MySQL?)

Your preferred data connectivity layer (ADO, BDE, FireDAC/AnyDAC?)

If you need to restrict specific tables from appearing to end-users