Delphi 2007 - How to avoid having a \history folder?

9
votes

Newer Delphi versions (including Delphi 2007, which I'm using) have a build in file history feature, which lets you revert to old files from within the IDE. That's nice, but I already have source control. Is it possible to disable this feature?

I ask because the IDE auto-creates a \history folder with old versions of all your files, and that annoys me.

5
delphidelphi-2007
The history folder isn't really for source control. It is so you can make small "experimental" modifications, while being able to revert to an earlier, unchecked in version. Unless you want to check in each save... – Gerry Coll

5 Answers

23
votes

Tools \ Options \ Editor Options \

Uncheck "Create Backup Files"

;)

7
votes

I believe you can go into the registry:

D2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Borland\BDS\5.0\Known IDE Packages
D2009: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\CodeGear\BDS\6.0\Known IDE Packages

and delete the appropriate key:

$(BDS)\bin\historyide100.bpl
or
$(BDS)\bin\historyide120.bpl

I'm sure that worked for me and I seem to recall that was all that was needed. I tend not to bother now though and just leave it in. Tell SVN to ignore the history folders. Any Delphi update does seem to put it back too.

5
votes

I don't believe you can. If you go to

Tools \ Options \ Editor Options \ File backup limit

Which is where controls how many files it backs up, the minimum is 1, which would still create the history folder.

Maybe you could setup an MSBuild event to clear it out or some other house keeping task.

5
votes

IIRC Delphi Distiller has an option to keep it from creating History folders. I don't actually have it on my current system, though, so I can't check. But you might want to check it out.

5
votes

DDevExtension by Andreas Hausladen has a feature to remove __history directories.