How do the new string types work in Delphi 2009/2010?

Question

I have to convert a large legacy application to Delphi 2009 which uses strings, AnsiStrings, WideStrings and UTF8 data all over the place and I have a hard time to understan

Answer 1

Note that it does not only hit real string code. It also hits code where PCHAR is used to trawl through buffers, or interface with APIs.

E.g. initialization code of headers that load the DLL dynamically (getprocedureaddress/loadlibray)