From what should you descend your component?

Problem/Question/Abstract:

From what should you descend your component?

Answer:

The easiest way is to decend from an existing component that has most of the characteristics you are looking for.
If you have to create a custom component from "scratch" then use one of the classes listed below.

TComponent                - The base starting point for non-visual components.
TWinControl                - The base starting point for components that need to have window handles.
TGraphicControl        - A good starting point for visual components that don't need the overhead of a window handle. This class has a Paint method, that should be overridden, but no canvas.
TCustomControl        - The most common starting point for visual components. This class has a Window handle, common events and properties, and most importantly a canvas with a Paint() method.