Delphi 5 to Delphi 6 and up

Dear List,
Trying to add 7Zip compression support to my delphi application.
I am using the ported 7Zip sdk (see their website, they have a link).
I am stumped on how to rewrite a single function:
function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of SmallInt; ....): .....
where the input is mostly a fixed size array of SmallInt.
This code perfectly compiles and functions in Delphi 6 and up, but in Delphi 5 I get the error:
There is no overloaded version of 'ReverseDecode' that can be called with these arguments
And obviously, the input (fixed) isn't the same as the param definition (dynamic sized).
However, my question is just as obvious:
How do I rewrite this function so it will behave correctly in Delphi 5? (If this is even possible)
I hope I don't have to overload it to something like:
function ReverseDecode(var Models: array[0..xxx] of SmallInt.......
Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Rory

Rory Slegtenhorst wrote:
> Dear List,
> 
> Trying to add 7Zip compression support to my delphi application.
> I am using the ported 7Zip sdk (see their website, they have a link).
> 
> I am stumped on how to rewrite a single function:
> 
> function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of SmallInt; ....): .....
> 
> where the input is mostly a fixed size array of SmallInt.
> This code perfectly compiles and functions in Delphi 6 and up, but in
> Delphi 5 I get the error:  There is no overloaded version of
> 'ReverseDecode' that can be called with these arguments
Is this version of the function part of a set of overloaded versions?
If so, show the others, with full parameter lists please.
> And obviously, the input (fixed) isn't the same as the param
> definition (dynamic sized).
Your parameter is *not* a dynamic array type, it is an open array
parameter. Such a parameter can be passed any variable that is a
fixed-size array of the same base type. It cannot be passed a dynamic
array type in older Delphi versions, like D5 and 6, if memory serves.
> However, my question is just as obvious:
> How do I rewrite this function so it will behave correctly in Delphi
> 5? (If this is even possible)
Insufficient information, see my request above. D5 did have a number of
limitations in the way the compiler handled overloaded
functions/methods, these became progressively less in later versions.
> I hope I don't have to overload it to something like:
> function ReverseDecode(var Models: array[0..xxx] of SmallInt.......
That would not be a valid declaration anyway, you would need a separate
type declaration for the array type.
The low-level approach would be an untyped parameter, but in this case
you must pass the actual size of the array as a separate parameter
since the function would not be able to figure out how much space the
array has on its own.

-- 
Peter Below (TeamB)  
Don't be a vampire (http://slash7.com/pages/vampires), 
use the newsgroup archives :
http://codenewsfast.com
http://groups.google.com

Dear Peter,
It is a single function defined as:
function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of smallint; const startIndex:integer;const rangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; const NumBitLevels:integer):integer;overload;
It then calls this function as
rep0 := rep0 + UBitTreeDecoder.ReverseDecode(m_PosDecoders, rep0 - posSlot - 1, m_RangeDecoder, numDirectBits);
Where
  rep0: Integer // local variable
  posSlot: Integer // local variable
  numDirectBits: Integer // local variable
  m_PosDecoders: array [0..ULZMABase.kNumFullDistances - ULZMABase.kEndPosModelIndex-1] of smallint; //private field of the class calling the function
  m_RangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; // private field of the class calling the function
At first I thought to be smart, and remove 'var' from Models, but then the decode function doesn't work anymore.
For the time being I have solved this little puzzle by defining the Models parameter as a specific type and by introducing another local variable lArr of that type.
Before and after it calls the function, I copy the data from and to m_PosDecoders/lArr:
definitions:
TSmallIntArray = array of SmallInt;
function ReverseDecode(var Models: TSmallInt; const startIndex:integer;const rangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; const NumBitLevels:integer):integer;overload;
using it:
SetLength(lArr, SizeOf(m_PosDecoders);
Move(m_PosDecoders[0], lArr[0], SizeOf(m_PosDecoders)); // Copy m_PosDecoders to lArr
rep0 := rep0 + UBitTreeDecoder.ReverseDecode(lArr, rep0 - posSlot - 1, m_RangeDecoder, numDirectBits);
Move(lArr[0], m_PosDecoders[0], SizeOf(m_PosDecoders)); // Copy lArr back to m_PosDecoders
SetLength(lArr, 0);
This compiles in both D5 and D7, in addition that it properly works. This part of the code is vital for proper decoding 7Zip data lol
I am aware of the subtle differences between D5 and D7, but I didn't expect this though.
I truly hope I don't run into a lot of these ;) *grins*
Rory

Rory Slegtenhorst wrote:
> function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of smallint; const
> startIndex:integer;const rangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; const
> NumBitLevels:integer):integer;overload;
Hm, yes, that should be valid with the variable declarations you have
shown. So this is likely a D5 limitation. Glad you found a workaround.
-- 
Peter Below (TeamB)  
Don't be a vampire (http://slash7.com/pages/vampires), 
use the newsgroup archives :
http://codenewsfast.com
http://groups.google.com

Rory Slegtenhorst wrote:
> 
> It is a single function defined as:
> 
> function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of smallint; const
> startIndex:integer;const rangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; const
> NumBitLevels:integer):integer;overload;
If it really is just a single function, why is it declared 'overload'? 
I made a small test program in D5, which gives your error message when
'overload' is there, but works as long as 'overload' is not specified. It
looks like overload and open arrays do not work together in D5.
{code}
type
  tArr = array[0..10] of smallint;
var
  iArr: tArr;
procedure IncrementThemOpen(var a: array of smallint); {overload; doesn't
work}
var
  i: Integer;
begin
  for i := Low(a) to High(a) do
    a[i] := a[i] + 1;
end;
procedure IncrementThemFixed(var a: tArr); overload; {fixed array and
overload works}
var
  i: Integer;
begin
  for i := Low(a) to High(a) do
    a[i] := a[i] + 1;
end;
procedure TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
var
  sl: TStringList;
  i: Integer;
  s: string;
begin
  sl := TStringList.Create;
  sl.CommaText := Edit1.Text;
  for i := 0 to Pred(sl.Count) do begin
    iArr[i] := StrToInt(sl[i]);
  end;
  IncrementThemOpen(iArr);
  IncrementThemFixed(iArr);
  s := IntToStr(iArr[0]);
  for i := 1 to Pred(sl.Count) do begin
    s := s + ', ' + IntToStr(iArr[i]);
  end;
  Edit2.Text := s;
end;{code}
-- 
Anders Isaksson, Sweden
BlockCAD: http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/proglego.htm  
Gallery: http://web.telia.com/~u16122508/gallery/index.htm

Dear Anders,
> {quote:title=Anders Isaksson wrote:}{quote}
> Rory Slegtenhorst wrote:
> 
> > 
> > It is a single function defined as:
> > 
> > function ReverseDecode(var Models: array of smallint; const
> > startIndex:integer;const rangeDecoder:TRangeDecoder; const
> > NumBitLevels:integer):integer;overload;
> 
> If it really is just a single function, why is it declared 'overload'? 
> 
> I made a small test program in D5, which gives your error message when
> 'overload' is there, but works as long as 'overload' is not specified. It
> looks like overload and open arrays do not work together in D5.
I never even saw the 'overload' directive (out of screen) until it was mentioned a second time here in the thread.
I performed the same tests as you have done, and came to the same conclusion.
Removing 'overload' simply corrected the whole thing.
I am completely unsure as to why the function is declared as such, as it's the only function in the unit.
Thank you very much for your assistance,
Rory