Creating components at runtime - Delphi

Question

How can I create a component at runtime and then work with it (changing properties, etc.)?

Answer 1

I would just like to add that when dynamically adding controls... it as a good idea to add them to an object list (TObjectList) as suggested in <1> by @Despatcher.

procedure Tform1.AnyButtonClick(Sender: TObject);
begin
  If Sender is TButton then
  begin
    Case Tbutton(Sender).Tag of 
    .
    .
    .
// Or You can use the index in the list or some other property 
// you have to decide what to do      
// Or similar :)
  end;
end;

procedure TForm1.BtnAddComponent(Sender: TObJect)
var
  AButton: TButton;
begin
  AButton := TButton.Create(self);
  Abutton. Parent := [Self], [Panel1] [AnOther Visual Control];
  AButton.OnClick := AnyButtonClick;
// Set Height and width and caption ect.
  .
  .
  . 
  AButton.Tag := MyList.Add(AButton);
end;

You need to add the Unit 'Contnrs' to your Uses list. I.e System.Contnrs.pas the base Containers Unit And you can have many object lists. I suggest using a TObjectList for each type of control that you use e.g.

Interface
 Uses Contnrs;
Type
 TMyForm = class(TForm)
private
   { Private declarations }
public
   { Public declarations }
end;
 Var
  MyForm: TMyForm;
  checkBoxCntrlsList: TObjectList; //a list for the checkBoxes I will createin a TPanel
  comboboxCntrlsList: TObjectList; //a list of comboBoxes that I will create in some Form Container

this allows you to easily manipulate/manage each control as you will know what type of control it is e.g.

Var comboBox: TComboBox;
I: Integer;

begin
 For I = 0 to comboboxCntrlsList.Count -1 do // or however you like to identify the control you are accessing such as using the tag property as @Despatcher said
   Begin
    comboBox := comboboxCntrlsList.Items[I] as TComboBox;
    ...... your code here
   End;
end;

This allows you to then use the methods and properties of that control Don't forget to create the TObjectLists, perhaps in the form create event...

checkBoxCntrlsList := TObjectList.Create;
comboboxCntrlsList := TObjectList.Create;