Parsing a Delphi DFM File

Some time ago a friend asked me to help him to parse a DFM file into .NET objects. We tried to find something in the web that does the job but no success, so I accepted the challenge and wrote the parser he needed.

If for some reason you need a DFM parser, or just for curiosity, you can download it from here.

Here is an example of how to use it:

class Program { 

    static void Main(string[] args) { 

        var fileName = @"c:\Unit1.dfm"; 

        var dfmParser = new DfmParser(fileName); 

        dfmParser.ReadFile(); 

        foreach (var node in dfmParser.Nodes) { 

            if (node.PropertyType == "string") { 

                node.PropertyValue = "'Hello World!';"; 

            } 

        } 

        dfmParser.SaveFile(); 

    } 

}

The example above loads this file:

object Form1: TForm1

  Left = 0

  Top = 0

  object Label1: TLabel

    Left = 8

    Top = 40

    Caption = 'Label1';

  end

  object Label2: TLabel

    Left = 48

    Top = 40

    Caption = 'Label1';

  end

end

And rewrites like this:

object Form1: TForm1

  Left = 0

  Top = 0

  object Label1: TLabel

    Left = 8

    Top = 40

    Caption = 'Hello World!';

  end

  object Label2: TLabel

    Left = 48

    Top = 40

    Caption = 'Hello World!';

  end

end

If you find some use for this, enjoy :)