FireMonkey Frequently Asked Questions

FireMonkey FM³ is the multi-device, true native app development platform for companies that need to create apps for PCs, tablets, and smartphones, and get them to markets and users fast. Manage one codebase, one team, and one schedule to get apps that deliver great performance, tighter security, and a better user experience.

2016 is the year of the FireMonkey in the Chinese calendar. FireMonkey brings with it extra energy and determination to reach far beyond your expectations. The FireMonkey is uniquely inventive and thinks out of the box.

We picked the name because our engineers have aimed high. They have done what many thought wasn't possible with our next generation application platform.

And finally because we like the name. We think it's fun. :-)

FireMonkey FM³ is FireMonkey 3.0. The 3 also represents the three target platforms now supported by FireMonkey – iOS, Windows and Mac. FireMonkey FM² was FireMonkey 2.0 and the original version was FireMonkey. FM³ iOS support is currently available for Delphi (and the Delphi portion of RAD Studio). FireMonkey for iOS is planned to be available for C++Builder in a future version.

You can program in either "RAD" C++ or Delphi, two easy to learn component based object oriented languages that are used by millions of developers worldwide. You can choose "RAD" C++ to use existing C++ or C-like language skill or to reuse existing ANSI C++ code in FireMonkey FM³ applications. Or you can choose Delphi, an elegant and easy to learn object oriented language.

The FireMonkey FM³ platform itself doesn't cost anything. There are no deployment fees or runtime fees. Applications built with the FireMonkey FM³ platform can be distributed royalty free. To build FireMonkey FM³ applications, you need Delphi XE4, C++Builder XE4 or RAD Studio XE4. You can click here to learn more about these products or download a trial.

RIA platforms have rich free-form graphics, time based animation, and media capabilities that are well suited for web content, entertainment and advertising. Because RIA applications are typically web embedded, they use scripting and VM engines to execute program code. This provides cross-platform browser compatibility, but comes with a performance trade off. RIA platforms being entertainment focused are not designed around the needs for business applications. Things like enterprise data and services connectivity, business UIs and graphics, and packaged and enterprise app distribution are not well served with RIA platforms.

FireMonkey FM³ is a true native application platform, with many of the rich capabilities of RIA platforms such as vector graphics, 3D, animation, effect, and cross-platform but FireMonkey FM³ is focused on the unique needs of business, ISV, and industrial use software. FireMonkey FM³ is fully CPU and GPU native, UI oriented, and provides powerful database and services connectivity.

Not really. Unlike 3D frameworks such as Unity 3d, Unreal or Torque that specifically work on game development, FireMonkey FM³ is focused on the business or industry specific applications such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace and so on. But if you do wish to build a game with FireMonkey let us know, we'd love to play it!

Windows, Mac OS X and iOS. You can build FireMonkey FM³ applications on Windows with Delphi or C++Builder and deploy to Windows and Mac OS X. You can also create iOS applications with FireMonkey and Delphi.

FireMonkey FM³ applications are 100% CPU and GPU native which means that your applications are executing directly in your hardware and not in software "engines". Application code runs full throttle in the CPU and graphics are executed by your GPU hardware. This means your FireMonkey FM³ business applications will run with "hardware level" performance that you simply cannot get from RIA platforms, virtual machine runtimes or dynamic languages.

Not at all. FireMonkey FM³ is designed to run on any standard Intel based PC or Mac. And FireMonkey GPU requirements are very modest, only requiring a DX9 level GPU also known as pixel shader level 2. In plain language, this means pretty much any display hardware shipped in the last 10 years. FireMonkey apps also run on all recent iOS devices (iPhone 3G or later, iPad 2 or later, iPod Touch 4th Generation or later).

Yes. You can check out our events page for upcoming live or online events or watch one of our on-demand webinars.

You can join our forums on EDN, the Embarcadero Developer Network, follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook. You can also contact your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.