Delphi is easier and quicker to code in over C++. Delphi is Object Oriented Pascal. Boland has done an excellent job in building Delphi. It is very strongly typed language and requires variable declarations prior to the code before using those variables. However, it is very good at keeping you from making mistakes by type checking on the fly and it has great Intellisense features. However, the Help files leave a lot to be desired. You will usually eventually find your answer but it may take a while.

You will have some overlap of experience in Delphi from C++ in the sense of the IDE. However, the syntax is much different than C++. Kylix is basically Delphi for Linux. It uses the CLX libraries rather than the VCL libraries. However, to be cross compatiable you must use the CLX libraries in Delphi as well. There isn't a native database like VFP in Delphi. Delphi 7 was just announced and should be shipping any day now. At least the PRO version so you get the source code.