C++Builder


C++Builder is a rapid application development environment, originally developed by Borland and owned by Embarcadero Technologies, for writing programs in the C++ programming language targeting Windows NT, macOS, iOS and Android. C++Builder combines the Visual Component Library and IDE written in Object Pascal with multiple C++ compilers. 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, C++ can be called from Object Pascal and vice versa. Since both Delphi and C++ use the same back end linker, the debugger can single step from Delphi code into C++ transparently.
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 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 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, though recent versions have been released at the same time as their Delphi equivalents.

1.0

Preview edition was announced in Jan. 7, 1997. Retail version was released on February 26, 1997. Original Borland C++Builder editions include Client/Server Suite, Professional, Standard.

Borland C++Builder 4

New features include:
On March 22, 2000, Inprise Corporation announced the release of Borland C++Builder 5, available in Enterprise, Professional, Standard editions. New features include:
On February 5, 2002, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++Builder 6 on February 8, 2002, including C++Builder 6 Enterprise, C++Builder 6 Professional, and C++Builder 6 Personal editions. 60-day free trial download of C++Builder 6 Enterprise was also planned. New features include:
Minimum supported operating system was changed to Windows 98.

C++ Builder 2006

On Oct 10, 2005, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++Builder. Minimum supported operating system was changed to Windows 2000.
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.

Borland C++BuilderX

On Sep 15, 2003, Borland Software Corporation announced the release of Borland C++BuilderX, which was also included as part of the latest Borland Enterprise Studio for Mobile. 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.
On Sep 22, 2003, Borland Software Corporation and PalmSource, Inc. announced Borland has licensed the PalmSource software development kits and will support Palm OS development in the Borland C++BuilderX Integrated Development Environment and latest Borland Application Lifecycle Management solutions for C++.
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.

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, 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 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 in 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:
C++Builder XE5 Starter Edition includes:
Available editions include Architect, Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Starter.
RAD Studio XE5 also includes C++Builder XE5.

XE6 (20) to XE8 (22)

Released in late August 2015 Seattle updates the C++ compiler suite to CLANG 3.3 with the following exceptions:
Released in late April 2016.
Released in late March 2017.
Released in November 2018.

10.4 Sydney (27)

Released in May 2020.

macOS 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.
YearVersionReleased byTarget platforms
4 Feb. 19971Borland International, Inc.Windows
8 Feb. 19983Borland International, Inc.Windows
26 Jan. 19994Inprise CorporationWindows
30 Jan. 20005Inprise Corporation, Borland Software CorporationWindows
1 Feb. 20026Borland Software CorporationWindows
28 Aug. 2003XBorland Software CorporationWindows, Linux, Solaris
23 Nov. 20052006 Borland Software Corporation, CodeGearWindows
5 June 20072007 CodeGearWindows
25 Aug. 20082009 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows
24 Aug. 20092010 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows
30 Aug. 2010XE Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows
31 Aug. 2011XE2 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X
4 Sept. 2012XE3 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X
22 April 2013XE4 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X
11 Sept. 2013XE5 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS
15 April 2014XE6 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS, Android
2 Sept. 2014XE7 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS, Android
7 April 2015XE8 Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS, Android
31 Aug. 201510 Seattle Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS, Android
20 April 201610.1 Berlin Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, OS X, iOS, Android
22 March 201710.2 Tokyo Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
22 Nov. 201810.3 Rio Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, macOS, iOS, Android
26 May 202010.4 Sydney Embarcadero TechnologiesWindows, macOS, iOS, Android

Editions

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