C++Builder

C++Builder is a rapid application development (RAD) environment, originally developed by Borland and as of 2009 owned by Embarcadero Technologies, for writing programs in the C++ programming language targeting Windows NT (IA-32 and x64), OS X, iOS and Android. C++Builder combines the Visual Component Library and IDE written in Delphi with a C++ compiler. Most components developed in Delphi can be used in C++Builder with no or little modification, although the reverse is not true, but this constraint is valid only for source code. Binary code generated by Delphi can easily be linked to binary code generated by C++Builder and vice-versa to generate an executable written in both Object Pascal and C++. With this approach we can call C++ from Object Pascal and vice-versa.

C++Builder includes tools that allow drag-and-drop visual development, making programming easier by incorporating a WYSIWYG graphical user interface builder.

Technology

C++Builder uses the same IDE as Delphi, and shares many core libraries. Notable shared Delphi (Object Pascal code) and C++ Builder routines include the FastMM4 memory manager, which was developed as a community effort within the FastCode project, the entire UI framework known as the VCL, which is written in Object Pascal, as well as base system routines, many of which have been optimised for both Delphi and C++Builder through the FastCode project.

C++Builder projects can include Delphi code. The Delphi compiler emits C++ headers, allowing C++ code to link to Delphi classes and methods as though they were written in C++. The reverse (C++ code being used by Delphi) is not as straightforward but possible.

History

Borland C++Builder

C++Builder originally targeted only the Microsoft Windows platform. Later versions incorporated Borland CLX, a cross-platform development visual component library based on Qt, that supports Windows and Linux, however CLX is now abandoned. A cross-platform version for Linux and OS X is reportedly planned.

Traditionally, the release cycle was such that Delphi got major enhancements first, with C++Builder following,^[2] though recent versions have been released at the same time as their Delphi equivalents.^[3]

1.0

Original Borland C++Builder editions include Client/Server Suite, Professional, Standard.^[4]

Borland C++Builder 4

New features include:^[5]

• Integrated Inprise Corporation's VisiBroker 3.3 with event and naming services
• New multi-standard flexible C++ compiler
• Support for the latest ANSI/ISO C++ language specifications, including a host of compiler enhancements including Dynamic Compilation and Adaptive Compiler Technology (ACT), which radically speed compiler build processes; full ANSI/ISO template implementation; full ANSI/ISO STL (standard template library) support; and a high-performance 32-bit ANSI C++ native code compiler.
• Fully customizable AppBrowser IDE
• Latest support for Windows 98, 95, and NT including multiple monitors, common controls, docking forms and toolbars, and more.
• New Code and Parameter completion, and the new ClassExplorer live structured class view and member creation wizards.
• Exclusive C++ debugging tools, including remote debugging for distributed development (COM and CORBA); multi-process and cross-process debugging with debug inspectors, dynamic watch windows, and debug tooltips.
• Internet tools, including ActiveForms for building Web browser C++ applications and WebBroker for building CGI, WinCGI, ISAPI, and NSAPI C++ applications and over 25 Internet protocol components for instantly adding HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP, NNTP, HTML, and TCP/IP support to any C++ application.
• Multi-Tier Database Development Services (MIDAS) Development Kit, including MIDAS 2.
• Support for industry standards, including Oracle Corporation's Oracle8i database server; Microsoft Corporation's Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC), Microsoft Active Template Library (ATL), Microsoft SQL Server 7 and MTS (Microsoft Transaction Server); and Inprise Corporation's Object Windows Library (OWL) and Visual Component Library (VCL).
• EZ-COM, which simplifies C++ COM client development and One-Step ActiveX Control creation with new Data Binding support.

Borland C++Builder 5

It was launched in 2000.

Borland C++Builder 6

Launched in 2001.

Borland C++BuilderX

In Sep 15, 2003, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++BuilderX (CBX), which was also included as part of the latest Borland Enterprise Studio for Mobile.^[6] CBX was written using the same framework as JBuilder and bore little resemblance to either C++Builder or Delphi. This product was aimed at developing large programs for enterprises, but did not sell well.

In Sep 22, 2003, Borland Software Corporation and PalmSource, Inc. announced Borland has licensed the PalmSource software development kits (SDKs) and will support Palm OS development in the Borland C++BuilderX Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and latest Borland Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) solutions for C++.^[7]

At the end of 2004 Borland announced that it would continue to develop the earlier C++Builder and bundle it with the Delphi development suite, abandoning C++BuilderX.

C++ Builder 2006

In Oct 10, 2005, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++Builder (previously codenamed "DeXter").^[8]

About a year after the announcement Borland released Borland Developer Studio 2006 which includes Borland C++Builder 2006 that provides improved configuration management and bug fixes. Borland Developer Studio 2006 is a single package containing Delphi, C++Builder, and C#Builder.

In 2006 Borland's Developer Tools Group, developers of C++Builder, was transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary, CodeGear.

CodeGear Borland C++Builder

In 2007 CodeGear released C++Builder 2007, providing full API support for Microsoft Vista, increased ANSI C++ conformance, up to 500% faster in-IDE build performance, support for MSBuild, DBX4 database architecture, and "VCL for the Web" which supports Ajax. The API support for Microsoft Vista includes themed applications and seamless VCL support for Aero and Vista Desktop. CodeGear RAD Studio 2007 incorporates C++Builder 2007 and Delphi. Also in 2007 Borland revived the "Turbo" brand and released two "Turbo" editions of C++Builder: Turbo C++ Professional, and Turbo C++ Explorer (no longer available from CodeGear), based on Borland C++Builder 2006.

In 2008 CodeGear was purchased by Embarcadero Technologies, who continued development.

Embarcadero C++Builder

C++Builder 2009 was released in August 2008, with the most notable improvements being full Unicode support throughout VCL and RTL, early adoption of the C++0x standard, full ITE (Integrated Translation Environment) support, native Ribbon components and the inclusion of the Boost library. C++Builder 2010 then followed in August 2009, adding in particular the touch and gesture support newly introduced to the VCL and a C++ specific class explorer. C++Builder XE was released in August 2010.

Embarcadero moved to a different versioning scheme in 2010. Rather than using numbers, they use XE.

XE (15)

C++ Builder XE was released in August 2010. No notable major changes were included in this version except for bug fixes.

XE2 (16)

C++Builder XE2 was released in August 2011. Inclusion of 'FireMonkey' for creating cross-platform GUIs.

XE3 (17)

C++ Builder XE3 was released in August 2012. No notable major changes were included in this version except for bug fixes.

XE4 (18)

C++ Builder XE4 was released n April 2013. Included a 64-bit Windows compiler based on Clang 3.1. The 32-bit compiler is still based on Embarcadero's older technology.

XE5 (19)

Changes to C++Builder XE5 include:

• Time Picker control for Windows and OS X
• Built-in search filtering for TListView on Windows and OS X
• FM Platform performance optimizations
• Professional edition includes expanded FireDAC support for local databases, including Microsoft Access database, SQLite database, InterBase ToGo / IBLite, InterBase on localhost, MySQL Embedded, MySQL Server on localhost, Advantage Database local engine, PostgreSQL on localhost, Firebird Embedded, and Firebird on localhost
• FireDAC integrated into the C++Builder install for Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate and Architect editions
• REST Client support for simplified invocation of REST services
• Authorization support including Basic Authentication, Plan Authentication, OAuth1, OAuth2
• TRestClient, TRestRequest, and TRestResponse components
• REST Debugger tool for testing REST calls and their parameters

C++Builder XE5 Starter Edition includes:

• Develop 32-bit Windows application using the C++Builder VCL and FireMonkey application platform
• IDE and visual development environment
• Hundreds of included components
• License for use until user's individual revenue from C++Builder applications or company revenue reaches $1,000 US or development team expands to more than five developers

Available editions include Architect, Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Starter.^[9]

RAD Studio XE5 also includes C++Builder XE5.^[10]

XE6 (20) to XE8 (22)

• Include changes for stability of the IDE, updated FMX and VCL libraries

10 Seattle (23)

Released in late August 2015 Seattle updates the C++ compiler suite to CLANG 3.3 with the following exceptions:

• OS X compiler is still proprietary Borland
• iOS 64 bit compiler is Clang 3.5
• Changes to the IDE and compiler can be found here: www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/whats-new

10.1 Berlin (24)

Released in late April 2016.^[11]

• FireUI App Previews - Lets you preview your FireMonkey application on iOS, Android, OS X and Windows as you are designing the app.
• Address Book for iOS and Android - Supports the TAddressBook component which lets your applications access the device’s Address Book.

10.2 Tokyo (25)

Released in late March 2017.^[12]

• Better Support for Debugging
• Better Codegen in Clang-enhanced compilers
• C++ Android applications can be built without requiring specific versions of the NDK
• The linker can now use up to 4GiB of memory
• Full support for iOS 10

OS X support

C++Builder XE2 was released in August 2011, introducing OS X support to the compiler for the first time. This allows the creation of cross-platform executables from a single source using the included FireMonkey libraries, however the IDE is only compatible with Microsoft Windows.

C++Builder XE3 was released in August 2012 containing further OS X support and an upgraded version of FireMonkey.

C++Builder XE4 was released in April 2013 containing further OS X support and FireMonkey version 3.

Version history

The following is a rough outline of product release information.

Editions

C++ Builder is available in four editions with increasing features and price:

• Starter - only compiles 32-bit Windows applications and has a limited commercial-use license.
• Professional - adds 64-bit Windows applications, cross-platform compilation for macOS, iOS and Android, library source code, code formatting, local database connectivity and a full commercial license.
• Enterprise - adds client/server database connectivity, Enterprise Mobility Services, and DataSnap multi-tier SDK.
• Architect - adds data modeling tools.

See also

• Comparison of integrated development environments

References

External links

• Embarcadero Technologies, Inc. C++Builder current version product pages: Full version, Starter edition
• C++Builder current version downloads
• Embarcadero Technologies, Inc. C++Builder archived pages for prior versions: 2009, 2010, XE, XE2, XE3, XE4
• CodeGear from Borland (Borland Software Corporation) C++Builder pages: 2006, 2007, 2007 R2
• Borland Software Corporation C++Builder pages: 5, 6, 6 Studio, 2006, C++BuilderX
• Inprise Corporation Borland C++Builder pages: 4, 5
• Borland International, Inc. C++Builder pages: 1, 3
• Download selection of 2010, v5.5, and other versions
• CodePedia C++ Builder page
• C++Builder Developer's Journal