Absolutely, you can leverage your Delphi XE8 knowledge to build this application, but there's an important detail to keep in mind: the native Delphi XE8 compiler doesn't support compiling directly for the Raspberry Pi's ARM Linux architecture (it only targets Windows, OS X, and x86 Linux). That said, you still have a clear path forward thanks to the tight compatibility between Delphi's Object Pascal and Free Pascal (FPC).

Here's how to make it work, plus project type recommendations: #

• Feasibility breakdown
  Since Delphi and FPC share nearly identical Object Pascal syntax, you can write your core logic in Delphi XE8 (sticking to cross-platform compatible code) and then use FPC to cross-compile the code for the Raspberry Pi's ARM Linux environment. Alternatively, you can migrate your code to Lazarus + FPC on the Raspberry Pi itself for direct compilation—this might even be smoother, as you noted Lazarus feels more convenient.

• Recommended project type
  Go with a Console Application in Delphi XE8. This is perfect for your command-line-only requirement, as it skips all GUI overhead and gives you a minimal runtime focused on text input/output and system interactions. Just make sure to avoid Windows-specific APIs (like Win32 serial port functions) in your code—stick to standard Object Pascal and cross-platform logic.

• Implementing UART and GPIO interactions

  • For UART: On Linux, UART is accessed via device files like /dev/ttyAMA0. You can use FPC's serial unit (or low-level termios calls) to handle serial communication. Write your code to wrap these calls in a cross-compatible way, so it works when compiled with FPC for the Pi.
  • For GPIO: Linux exposes GPIO via the sysfs filesystem (under /sys/class/gpio). You can write simple Object Pascal code to read/write to these filesystem entries, or use FPC-compatible third-party libraries designed for Raspberry Pi GPIO control. Avoid any Windows-specific hardware APIs—stick to Linux-standard methods.

Quick tips to streamline the process: #

1. Test your core logic in Delphi XE8 on Windows first to iron out bugs before moving to the Pi.
2. Minimize reliance on Delphi XE8's VCL components—stick to pure Object Pascal code to ensure compatibility with FPC.
3. If you decide to switch to Lazarus, you'll find the transition nearly seamless, and it has direct support for Raspberry Pi target compilation.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Mawg