What is “Delphi xxx” in TMS FNC Chart Installer?

Hey there, fellow Delphi developer! Have you ever fired up an installer for a shiny new component pack, only to stare at the screen in confusion? If you’re diving into TMS FNC Chart – that powerhouse for creating stunning charts in your Delphi apps – you might have bumped into this head-scratcher: “Delphi xxx” in the installer dialog. What on earth does it mean? Is it a placeholder for some secret feature, or a glitch in the matrix?

In this post, we’ll explore this quirky label step by step. By the end, you’ll not only understand what “Delphi xxx” is but also how to breeze through the TMS FNC Chart installation like a pro. Whether you’re building financial dashboards, scientific visualizations, or just want to jazz up your VCL or FMX app, we’ve got you covered. Let’s turn that confusion into clarity – and maybe even a little excitement for your next project.

Why Does “Delphi xxx” Show Up in the TMS FNC Chart Installer?

Picture this: You’ve downloaded the latest TMS FNC Chart installer from the TMS Software site, excited to add logarithmic charts, OHLC financial plots, or eye-catching pie graphs to your app. You run the setup, and bam – there’s a checkbox or dropdown labeled “Delphi xxx.” It wasn’t there in older versions, and now the install is failing right on that step. Sound familiar?

This isn’t a bug (at least, not usually). “Delphi xxx” is likely a temporary or generic placeholder in the TMS installer interface. It represents a specific Delphi version – probably the newest one at the time of the build, like Delphi 12 Athens or the freshly released Delphi 13 Florence (as of September 2025). Why “xxx”? It could be a build artifact, a string that’s meant to be replaced dynamically but didn’t quite make it, or even a nod to “Delphi [version code]” where the code got garbled.

From developer forums, this pops up especially with recent releases. For instance, users on Stack Overflow have reported seeing it when installing on Delphi 12 Community Edition, where the installer doesn’t always list every edition explicitly. It’s TMS’s way of future-proofing the installer for upcoming versions, but it can trip up beginners.

Quick Thought Experiment: If you’ve used other component installers (like DevExpress or Teechart), have you noticed similar placeholders? They often use “IDE Version X” to adapt to Embarcadero’s rapid release cycle. TMS FNC Chart, being cross-platform (VCL, FMX, WEB Core), has to juggle even more variables.

Understanding TMS FNC Chart: The Component Behind the Installer

Before we dive deeper into the installer woes, let’s back up. What is TMS FNC Chart, anyway? If you’re new to TMS Software’s ecosystem, FNC stands for Framework Neutral Components – a suite of controls that work seamlessly across Delphi’s VCL (Windows desktop), FMX (cross-platform), and even WEB Core for browser-based apps.

TMS FNC Chart specifically lets you create:

• Business charts: Bar, line, and area graphs for sales data.
• Financial charts: OHLC (Open-High-Low-Close) candlesticks for stock analysis.
• Scientific visuals: Logarithmic scales, heatmaps, and statistical plots.
• Customizable everything: Themes, animations, zooming, and export to PDF or images.

It’s built on TMS FNC Core, which handles the heavy lifting for rendering and events. No wonder it’s a favorite for Delphi devs – one codebase, multiple platforms!

But to use it, you need to install it correctly. And that’s where “Delphi xxx” sneaks in.

A Brief History of TMS FNC Installers

TMS has evolved their installation process over the years. Older versions used simple EXE files that scanned your system for Delphi installations and registered packages automatically. With FNC products, things got more sophisticated:

• Pre-2024: Basic checkboxes for Delphi 10.x, 11.x.
• 2024 Onward: Introduction of “Smart Setup” – a web-based tool that detects your IDE versions and downloads only what you need.
• 2025 Updates: Support for Delphi 13 Florence, with placeholders like “xxx” for beta or unlisted editions.

This shift helps with the explosion of Delphi editions (Community, Professional, Enterprise) and platforms. But it can lead to UI quirks, like our mysterious “Delphi xxx.”

Step-by-Step: Demystifying the Installation Process

Alright, let’s get hands-on. I’ll walk you through installing TMS FNC Chart, spotlighting where “Delphi xxx” might appear and how to handle it. This assumes you have a valid TMS subscription or trial key – grab one from their site if not.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting

Before launching the installer:

• Delphi Version: At least Delphi 10.4 Sydney or newer. For 2025, Delphi 12 or 13 is ideal.
• Admin Rights: Run as administrator to register packages.
• TMS FNC Core: Charts depend on it. Install Core first if you haven’t.
• Disk Space: About 500MB for the full pack.

Pro Tip: Close your IDE during installation to avoid conflicts.

Method 1: Using the Traditional EXE Installer (Where “Delphi xxx” Lurks)

1. Download the Installer: Head to the TMS FNC Chart product page and snag the latest ZIP (e.g., TMSFNCChartSetup_2.5.0.0.zip as of Sept 2025).
2. Extract and Run: Unzip to a folder (e.g., C:\TMSFNCChart), then double-click Setup.exe.
3. The Dialog Dilemma: You’ll see a list of IDEs:

• Delphi 11 Alexandria ✓
• Delphi 12 Athens ✓
• Delphi xxx ?? Here it is! Select it if your version matches (e.g., Delphi 12 Community). If the install fails here – common error: “Package registration failed” – it’s often because the placeholder doesn’t map perfectly to your path.

1. Troubleshoot the Failure:

• Check Logs: Look in %TEMP% for TMSSetup.log. It might say “Unable to find bpl in Delphi xxx path.”
• Manual Path Fix: Edit the installer’s INI file (if present) or use RegEdit to verify your Delphi install path (e.g., HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Embarcadero\BDS\23.0 for Delphi 12).
• Community Edition Hack: For Delphi 12 CE, manually compile packages as per Stack Overflow guides.

1. Finish Up: Restart Delphi, and check the Component Palette under “TMS FNC” for TTMSFNCChart.

If it bombs on “Delphi xxx,” don’t sweat – jump to Method 2.

Method 2: The Smart Setup Tool (TMS’s Recommended Fix)

TMS is pushing their “Smart Setup” for a reason – it sidesteps placeholder issues altogether. Here’s how:

1. Access Smart Setup: Log into your TMS account at my.tmssoftware.com, go to “Downloads,” and launch the Smart Setup app.
2. Detect IDEs: It auto-scans your system for Delphi/C++Builder installations – no “xxx” nonsense!
3. Select Products: Choose TMS FNC Core → Install. Then TMS FNC Chart → Install. It handles dependencies.
4. Customize: Pick platforms (VCL, FMX, etc.) and editions (even Community).
5. Deploy: One-click install, with progress bars and error checks.

Users report this works flawlessly for Charts, even on Delphi 13 betas.

Manual Installation: For the Brave Souls

If all else fails (e.g., offline setup), go manual:

1. Extract packages from the ZIP (e.g., VCLTMSFNCChartPkgD*.dpk).
2. Open Delphi, File → Open → Select the .dpk for your version (e.g., DXE15 for Delphi 12).
3. Compile → Install. Watch for errors like HPP file creation fails – fix by running as admin or clearing temp folders.

Installation Method	Pros	Cons	Best For
EXE Installer	Quick for standard setups	Prone to “Delphi xxx” glitches	Experienced users
Smart Setup	Auto-detects, no placeholders	Requires internet/login	Beginners, new versions
Manual	Full control	Time-consuming, error-prone	Offline or custom paths

Common Errors and Fixes for TMS FNC Chart Installation

Even with the best guides, hiccups happen. Here’s a roundup:

• “Could not create output file” (HPP Error): Common on Community Edition. Solution: Ensure your Delphi install allows package output (check Tools → Options → Environment → Delphi Options).
• Dependency Missing: “TMS FNC Core not found.” Always install Core first – it’s the foundation for all FNC packs.
• Registration Fail: “BPL not found.” Verify your Delphi path in the installer or use Process Monitor to trace file accesses.
• “Delphi xxx” Specific Fail: As one dev noted, switch to Smart Setup – it “just works.”

Run Delphi as admin, update to the latest patches, and you’re golden.

Why Bother with TMS FNC Chart? Real-World Wins

Once installed (placeholders be damned), TMS FNC Chart shines. Imagine dropping a candlestick chart into your trading app – zoomable, tooltips, and exportable to Excel. Or a heatmap for scientific data in FMX for mobile.

Dev testimonials rave: “Lightning fast rendering” and “Cross-platform magic without rewriting code.” In 2025, with Delphi 13’s AI integrations, pairing it with ML datasets could be game-changing.

Quick Example Code Snippet (VCL):

uses
  VCL.TMSFNCChart;

procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject);
var
  Chart: TTMSFNCChart;
begin
  Chart := TTMSFNCChart.Create(Self);
  Chart.Parent := Self;
  Chart.Align := alClient;
  // Add series, data points...
  Chart.Series.Add;
  Chart.Series[0].AddXY(1, 10);
end;

Boom – instant chart!

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Wrapping Up: Conquer the Installer and Chart Away!

So, “Delphi xxx” in the TMS FNC Chart installer? It’s just a quirky placeholder for your Delphi version – think of it as the installer’s way of saying, “Hey, pick me if you’re on the latest!” With Smart Setup, you can ignore it entirely and focus on what matters: building awesome apps.

If you’ve wrestled with this, share your story in the comments. Did manual install save the day, or was Smart Setup your hero? Drop a line – let’s learn together.

Resource: For official docs, check the TMS FNC Chart Product Page. Happy coding!