Question 1

How to parse a Delphi file with DelphiAST and extract function names?

Accepted Answer

Use the library to generate the AST XML, then parse the XML to find METHOD nodes with 'kind' attribute; the README sample shows how functions are represented with name attributes for easy extraction.

Question 2

DelphiAST vs. Jedi Code Library's parser: which is better for code analysis?

Accepted Answer

DelphiAST focuses on lightweight syntactic parsing with XML output, while JCL might offer more features like symbol resolution; choose DelphiAST for simple AST generation without full compilation, but JCL for deeper integration.

Question 3

Can DelphiAST handle modern Delphi features like generics or anonymous methods?

Accepted Answer

The README doesn't specify, but as a basic parser, it might have limited support for newer language features; check the GitHub issues or source for updates on syntax coverage.

Question 4

How to integrate DelphiAST into a custom IDE plugin for Lazarus?

Accepted Answer

Incorporate the library as a dependency in your plugin project, use it to parse units on-the-fly, and map the AST to IDE features; compatibility with FreePascal/Lazarus is noted, but setup may require Delphi toolchain knowledge.

Question 5

What are the performance implications of using DelphiAST on large units?

Accepted Answer

Parsing large files can generate verbose XML, potentially impacting memory and speed; optimize by processing in chunks or caching results, as the library handles one unit at a time without project context.

Question 6

Is there a way to get the AST in JSON format instead of XML?

Accepted Answer

No, the library only outputs XML natively; you would need to convert the XML to JSON externally, adding an extra step to your toolchain, as mentioned in the structured output feature.

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