C++Builder (original) (raw)

Integrated development environment

C++Builder
Paradigms object-oriented, functional, strongly typed
Family C++
Developers Borland, CodeGear, Embarcadero
First appeared January 7, 1997; 28 years ago (1997-01-07)
Stable release 13 Florence / September 10, 2025; 42 days ago (2025-09-10)
Platform x64
OS Windows 10[1]
License Trialware
Website www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder
Influenced by
Delphi, C++

C++Builder is a rapid application development (RAD) environment for developing software in the C++ programming language. Originally developed by Borland, as of 2009[update] it is owned by Embarcadero Technologies, a subsidiary of Idera. C++Builder can compile apps for Windows (both IA-32 and x64), iOS, macOS, and Android (32-bit only). It includes tools that allow drag-and-drop visual development, making programming easier by incorporating a WYSIWYG graphical user interface builder.

C++Builder is the sibling product of Delphi, an IDE that uses the Object Pascal programming language. C++Builder combines the Visual Component Library (VCL) and IDE written in Object Pascal with multiple C++ compilers. C++Builder and Delphi can generate mutually compatible binaries. C++ methods can call Object Pascal methods and vice versa. Since both Delphi and C++ use the same back-end linker, the debugger can step from Delphi code into C++ transparently. In addition, C++Builder projects can include Delphi code. (The reverse is not possible.)

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.

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. The current version by Embarcadero supports cross-platform development using the new Firemonkey (FMX) library.

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

C++Builder was released in 1997, replacing Borland C++ and the Object Windows Library (OWL) to considerable user consternation, since maintenance of the latter products was abruptly abandoned. While Borland advised OWL users to migrate to C++Builder, no automatic migration tools were provided, and for many the cost of migration was too high. Some users continued to use Borland C++ to maintain their OWL applications, while others migrated to OWLNext (a patched version of OWL, maintained by the user community), Microsoft Foundation Classes or similar portable GUI library alternative, such as wxWidgets.

Still, despite the disruption caused to existing Borland C++ and OWL users by Borland's new focus on C++Builder and VCL, C++Builder was well received. In the press release announcing shipment, Borland included a glowing quote by renowned C++ expert and book author Bruce Eckel: "I love Borland C++Builder! For the first time, I can whip together an efficient C++ Windows program without thinking about Windows programming. [...] This is clearly the next major step forward in the evolution of C++ visual programming."[2]

Originally, the C++Builder release cycle was such that Delphi got major enhancements first, with C++Builder following,[3] though recent versions have been released at the same time as their Delphi equivalents.[4]

Borland announced the preview version of C++Builder 1.0 on January 7, 1997.[5] The company released a retail version on February 26, 1997,[2] in three editions: "Standard," "Professional," and "Client/Server Suite."[6]

Borland skipped the 2.0 version number to align C++Builder with its Delphi version numbering.

New features include:[7]

On March 22, 2000, Inprise Corporation announced the release of Borland C++Builder 5, available in Enterprise, Professional, Standard editions.[8] New features include:[9]

On February 5, 2002, Borland announced the release of C++Builder 6 on February 8, 2002, in three editions: "Enterprise," "Professional," and "Personal."[10] 60-day free trial download of C++Builder 6 Enterprise was also planned. New features include:[11]

Minimum supported operating system was changed to Windows 98.

On 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.[12] 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 (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++.[13]

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.

On Oct 10, 2005, Borland announced the release of C++Builder 2006 (previously codenamed "DeXter").[6] Minimum supported operating system was changed to Windows 2000.

About a year after the announcement, the company released Borland Developer Studio 2006, which includes Borland C++Builder 2006, with 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.

June 5, 2007, CodeGear released C++Builder 2007,[14] providing:

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.

After purchasing CodeGear, Embarcadero Technologies bundled C++Builder with Delphi and other tools and released them as RAD Studio.[15]

C++Builder 2009 was released on August 25, 2008, featuring:[16]

C++Builder 2010 followed August 24, 2009, adding:[17]

Embarcadero changed the versioning scheme. Each new version of C++Builder was called XE#, where # is a sequential integer.

C++Builder XE was released August 30, 2010 and included:[18]

C++Builder XE2 was released August 31, 2011 and included:[19][20]

C++Builder XE3 was released September 4, 2012 and added:[21][22]

C++Builder XE4 was released April 22, 2013, and included:[23][24]

C++Builder XE5 was released September 11, 2013, and included:[25]

C++Builder XE5 Starter Edition includes:

Available editions include Architect, Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Starter.

Released April 15, 2014, C++Builder XE6 included:[26]

Released September 2, 2014, C++Builder XE7 added:[27]

C++Builder XE8, released April 7, 2015, included the following new features:[28]

Subsequent releases

[edit]

In 2015, Embarcadero once again changed the versioning scheme. Starting with version number 10.0, each version also received a nickname.

Released August 31, 2015, Seattle[29] updated the IDE with:

Released November 2015, Update 1 added:

Released April 20, 2016,[31] Berlin added:

Released September 2016, Update 1 added:

Released December 2016, Update 2 added:[32]

Released March 22, 2017,[33] Tokyo included:[34]

Released August 2017, Update 1 added:[35]

Released December 2017, Update 2 added:[36]

Released March 2018, Update 3 provided quality improvements and fixes for:[37]

C++Builder 10.3 was released November 21, 2018 with new features:[38]

Released February 2019, Update 1 added:[39]

Released July 2019, Update 2 added:[40]

Released November 2019, Update 3 provided numerous quality enhancements and bug fixes for:[41]

Released May 26, 2020, Sydney improved the product by adding:[42]

Released September 2020, Update 1 added:[43]

Released February 2021, Update 2 added:[44]

C++Builder 11 was released September 10, 2021.[45]

On March 15, 2022, Embarcadero released RAD Studio 11.1 with new features including:[46]

11.1.5 C++ Code Insight Update

[edit]

On July 14, 2022, Embarcadero released C++Builder 11.1.5 C++ Code Insight Update with a number of improvements and quality fixes for C++ developers using C++Builder 11.1 by adding:[47][48]

C++Builder 11.2 was released September 2022.

C++Builder 11.3 was released February 2023.

C++Builder 12 Athens was released November 2023.

C++Builder 12.1 was released April 2024.

C++Builder 12.2 was released September 2024.

C++Builder 12.3 was released March 2025.

C++Builder 13 Florence was released September 10, 2025.

  1. ^ "Installation Notes - Operating System Requirements". Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  2. ^ a b "BORLAND SHIPS BORLAND C++BUILDER". June 5, 1997. Archived from the original on June 5, 1997. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  3. ^ "Borland C++Builder 5.0 - PC Magazine". Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  4. ^ "Delphi Release Dates". Delphi Programming. Archived from the original on 2019-10-25. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  5. ^ "PR-BORLAND ANNOUNCES WEB AVAILABILITY OF PREVIEW EDITION OF BORLAND C++BUILDER". June 5, 1997. Archived from the original on June 5, 1997. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Borland® Delphi® 2006 and C++Builder® 2006 Deliver Key New Features to Speed Microsoft® Windows® and .NET Application Delivery". February 26, 2009. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009.
  7. ^ "Inprise Corporation Launches borland.com With Announcement Of Borland C++Builder 4". October 30, 2001. Archived from the original on October 30, 2001.
  8. ^ "Inprise/Borland Announces Availability Of Borland C++Builder 5". Archived from the original on 2005-02-06. Retrieved 2005-02-06.
  9. ^ "Inprise/Borland Announces Borland C++ Builder 5". Archived from the original on 2004-10-13. Retrieved 2004-10-13.
  10. ^ "Borland Targets C++ Web Services Opportunity". Archived from the original on 2005-03-10. Retrieved 2005-03-10.
  11. ^ "Feature Matrix" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2003-06-05. Retrieved 2003-06-05.
  12. ^ "Mobile Industry Welcomes the Launch of Borland® C++BuilderX™". June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on June 15, 2009.
  13. ^ "Borland and PalmSource Advance Enterprise C++ Development for Palm OS® Mobile Applications". February 23, 2009. Archived from the original on February 23, 2009.
  14. ^ "What's New in RAD Studio (C++Builder 2007)". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  15. ^ "See Embarcadero's press releases for different software application development and database products in various countries and regions". Embarcadero Website. Archived from the original on 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  16. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder 2009". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  17. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder 2010". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  18. ^ "C++Builder Changes for XE". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  19. ^ "What's new in C++Builder XE2". Embarcadero Developer Network. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  20. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE2". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  21. ^ "C++Builder XE3 Data Sheet" (PDF). Embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  22. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE3". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  23. ^ "C++Builder XE4 Frequently Asked Questions". Embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  24. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE4". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  25. ^ "C++Builder XE5 Feature Matrix" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
  26. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE6". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Archived from the original on 10 February 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  27. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE7". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  28. ^ "What's New in Delphi and C++Builder XE8". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  29. ^ "What's New". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  30. ^ "What's New in RAD Studio 11 Alexandria".
  31. ^ "C++Builder 10.1 Berlin released". ComponentSource. April 25, 2016. Archived from the original on October 1, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  32. ^ "RAD Studio 10.1 Berlin Update 2". Embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  33. ^ "C++Builder Professional 10.2 Tokyo". ComponentSource. 22 March 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-29.
  34. ^ "What's New". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  35. ^ "10.2 Tokyo - Release 1". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  36. ^ "10.2 Tokyo - Release 2". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  37. ^ "10.2 Tokyo - Release 3". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  38. ^ "What's New". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  39. ^ "10.3 Rio - Release 1". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  40. ^ "10.3 Rio - Release 2". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  41. ^ "10.3 Rio - Release 3". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  42. ^ "What's New". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  43. ^ "10.4 Sydney - Release 1". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  44. ^ "10.4 Sydney - Release 2". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  45. ^ "Release Notes". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  46. ^ "Release Notes". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  47. ^ "Release Notes". docwiki.embarcadero.com. Embarcadero Technologies. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  48. ^ "Release Notes". blogs.embarcadero.com. David Millington. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.