'Then integrate this little tool into your Delphi IDE and run it every time you make a new build.'

Running that little tool manually isn't a matter. But is there a way to run it automatically before building?

well, I don't see any post or pre build events in my Delphi 7 contrary to VS2005. Am I missing something or this is just wishfull thinking.

An easier and neater way is to use the compiled project exe file date. In VB .NET 2003 this is easily done with

Inports System.IO
,
,
,

dim strDate as string
dim fName as string

fName = Application.StartupPath & '\YourProjectFilename.exe'

strDate= File.GetLastWriteTime(fName)

QED

I would not suggest using the last write time if you are depending on the version for things such as database restructuring, (i.e., if you're using version 20080401 but the exe says it's version 20080418). The reason for this is that your executable's 'Date Modified' can be altered fairly easily, and as such does not represent the actual compilation date always.

That being said, it will work most of the time, and it is a fairly neat way.

The first suggestion is probably better, basically having a const hard coded to a date and/or time stamp.