General Questions
- What is Embarcadero C++Builder?
- Which editions are available and what are the differences between the editions?
- What does C++Builder include?
- What is Embarcadero® RAD Studio?
- What is Embarcadero All-Access?
- Where can I purchase C++Builder? How much does it cost?
- What is Support and Maintenance for C++Builder?
- Where can I get the latest updates for C++Builder?
- Is C++Builder available in languages other than English?
- Which types of licenses are available?
- What are the limitations of the Academic editions?
- Who qualifies for the upgrade pricing on C++Builder 2010?
- I'm still on a much older version of C++Builder. Do I still qualify for upgrade pricing?
Technical Questions
- Can I develop applications on one version of Windows and deploy to others?
- Will applications built with C++Builder 2010 run on older versions of Windows including Windows 2000, 95, 98 and Me?
- What are the pre-requisites for installing C++Builder?
- I'm wondering about moving my existing code to Unicode. What do I need to do?
- Do I have to register my copy of C++Builder?
- Can I open my projects created with earlier versions of C++Builder?
- What if I need to deploy Blackfish SQL in situations beyond those allowed with the license included Blackfish SQL RAD Studio Edition license?
- Why do I need to install the Microsoft .NET runtimes and SDK with C++Builder?
- Will my users / customers need the .NET runtimes / SDK in order to run my apps built with C++Builder?
- What are the differences between the ER/Studio Developer Edition data modeling capabilities in C++Builder Architectand the standard ER/Studio product?
- Can I install C++Builder 2010 on a machine with previous versions of RAD Studio, Delphi or C++Builder on it?
- What is Standard Library Technical Report 1?
- What is C++0x?
- What's different about C++Builder versus competing products?
General Questions
What is Embarcadero C++Builder?
C++Builder® is the only true RAD C++ environment and framework designed for ultra-fast development of highly-maintainable Windows GUI applications. C++Builder combines a powerful ANSI C++ tool chain with a rich and extensible visual component framework, enabling you to quickly and easily deliver high-performance GUI applications seamlessly across an array of Windows and database platforms. C++Builder's fully visual two-way RAD IDE powers hundreds of time-saving RAD C++ features designed to speed and simplify building visual and data-intensive end-user applications - from lightning-fast native Windows desktop and workstation applications to interactive touch-screen, kiosk and Web applications.
Which editions are available and what are the differences between the editions?
C++Builder Professional
C++Builder 2010 Professional is designed for building high-performance Windows desktop, touch-screen, and workstation applications with (or without) embedded and local database persistence. C++Builder's powerful combination of ANSI C++, VCL, and ultra small and fast "single exe" application generation makes it especially well suited for C++ developers needing to build and maintain "packaged" Windows GUI applications. Features include:
- Local database connectivity to InterBase®, Blackfish™ SQL and MySQL
- Blackfish SQL deployment on systems with 1 user, 512MB database size
- VCL for the Web with limit of 5 connections
- UML code visualization, providing a visual representation of source code for easier understanding
C++Builder Enterprise
C++Builder 2010 Enterprise is designed for C++ developers building rich data oriented client/server and multi-tier GUI and Web applications that work seamlessly with a wide variety of database servers and data sources. C++Builder Enterprise's high performance heterogeneous database server support is ideal for multi-vendor database server scenarios, or building turnkey applications that can work with a wide array of database servers. C++Builder Enterprise includes everything in the Professional edition, plus the following for building client/server and multi-tier database and Web applications:
- Database server connectivity to InterBase, Blackfish SQL, Firebird, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, Informix and Sybase
- DataSnap multi-tier application development
- Blackfish SQL deployment on systems with 5 users, 2GB database size
- VCL for the Web with no connection limit
- Full two-way UML modeling capabilities with multiple diagram types, synchronization between code and models, documentation generation, and design patterns
C++Builder Architect
C++Builder 2010 Architect is designed for C++ developers and teams building data-intensive client/server GUI and Web applications with large or complex enterprise database systems. C++Builder Architect combines data-driven rapid application development and heterogeneous high-speed data access with rich visual data modeling to help developers understand, design, and get the most value out of existing enterprise databases and data structures. C++Builder Architect includes everything in the Enterprise edition plus powerful database modeling and design capabilities:
- Reverse-engineer, analyze, and optimize databases
- Automatically generate database code from models for forward engineering
- Create logical and physical models based on information extracted from databases and script files
- Work with highly readable and navigable diagrams
- Advanced compare and merge with bidirectional comparisons and merges of model and database structures
What does C++Builder include?
C++Builder 2010 - C++Builder 2010 is the only true RAD C++ environment - combining a powerful ANSI C++ tool chain with a rich and extensible visual component framework for ultra-fast Windows application development.
ER/Studio 8.0 Developer Edition (full license in C++Builder Architect, trial license in C++Builder Pro/Ent) - ER/Studio helps data architects discover, document, and re-use data assets and gives you the power to easily reverse-engineer, analyze, and optimize existing databases.
Blackfish™ SQL RAD Studio Edition - Blackfish SQL is a high-performance, small-footprint, SQL-92 compliant transactional database. C++Builder includes the Blackfish SQL software with a license for development and deployment of Blackfish SQL in certain situations at no additional cost.
InterBase SMP 2009 Developer Edition - InterBase SMP 2009 Developer Edition provides developers with the best cross-platform database to build and test database applications for embedded and SME applications.
InstallAware Express - InstallAware Express provides an unsurpassed feature set, enabling you to build sophisticated installations in record time without any programming or scripting skills.
Partner Software - C++Builder users have access to a variety of free and trial editions of tools and components from Embarcadero Technology Partners accessible from the product launcher as either a partner DVD ISO or online from the Embarcadero developer network.
What is Embarcadero® RAD Studio?
Embarcadero RAD Studio 2010 is the industry's most powerful rapid application development suite for visually building GUI-intensive, data-driven end-user applications for both native Windows and .NET. RAD Studio includes Delphi®, C++Builder and Delphi Prism™, enabling developers to deliver applications& up to 5x faster across multiple Windows and database platforms.
What is Embarcadero All-Access?
If you want to go beyond Windows application development with additional tools for .NET, Java, PHP and Ruby on Rails coding; plus a complete set of database tools, Embarcadero All-Access is the solution for you.
Embarcadero All-Access provides all the application development and database tools you need-when you need them-across all major platforms, frameworks, and programming languages. It's the single, cost-effective toolbox solution for developers, architects, performance testers, and DBAs.
All-Access provides you with industry-leading database tools, including DBArtisan®, Rapid SQL ®, ER/Studio®, and many more. It also provides powerful application development tools, including Delphi®, JBuilder®, C++Builder, Delphi Prism™ the InterBase SMP database, and more.
Where can I purchase C++Builder? How much does it cost?
You can purchase C++Builder from one of our valuable partners or our online Embarcadero Shop site. Contect BSC Polska for more information.
What is Support and Maintenance for C++Builder?
Support and Maintenance can be purchased at the time you purchase your C++Builder product or upgrade. The support and maintenance agreement gives you a year of upgrades (including major and minor upgrades) and a specified number of support incidents. See the Support dropdown menu item of our web site for additional information.
Where can I get the latest updates for C++Builder?
Updates and additional software for C++Builder users are available on the registered users download page at http://cc.embarcadero.com/reg/c_builder. More major new feature upgrades are available only to users with current Maintenance agreements. Notifications for those upgrades are delivered via email and the upgrades can be downloaded via the Maintenance Portal web site by following the instructions in the email.
Is C++Builder available in languages other than English?
C++Builder is available in English, French, German and Japanese. The installer lets you choose any combination of languages and in 2010 it's easy to switch between languages in the IDE.
Which types of licenses are available?
C++Builder is available with multiple licensing options including:
- Individual named user licenses
- Named and concurrent user licenses managed using the Embarcadero License Server or FLEXnet which provide the additional flexibility of managing licenses on a license server
- 5-pack and 10-pack licenses at discounted prices
- Academic individual licenses for students and educators
- Academic volume licenses for classroom use
What are the limitations of the Academic editions?
The Academic edition can be used only for learning in an academic or classroom environment. Educational institutions cannot use the academic version to produce software for use within their institution.
Who qualifies for the upgrade pricing on C++Builder 2010?
- Professional upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2006-2009 versions of Borland Developer Studio, CodeGear RAD Studio, Delphi, Delphi Prism, or C++Builder; or Turbo Professional products. Special Limited Time Only through Dec 31, 2009 all classic versions 1 thru 2005 also qualify for upgrade pricing.
- Enterprise upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of& 2006-2009 versions of Borland Developer Studio, CodeGear RAD Studio, Delphi, Delphi Prism or C++Builder Professional or Enterprise products. Special Limited Time Only through Dec 31, 2009 all classic versions 1 thru 2005 also qualify for upgrade pricing.
- Architect upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2006-2009 versions of Borland Developer Studio, CodeGear RAD Studio, Delphi, Delphi Prism or C++Builder Enterprise or Architect products. Special Limited Time Only through Dec 31, 2009 all classic versions 1 thru 2005 also qualify for upgrade pricing.
I'm still on a much older version of C++Builder. Do I still qualify for upgrade pricing?
Yes. For a limited time only thru Dec 31, 2009 all classic versions 1 thru 2005 also qualify for upgrade pricing.
How is Blackfish SQL licensed in C++Builder?
Blackfish RAD Studio Editions are specially licensed versions of Blackfish SQL included with CodeGear RAD Studio, Delphi Prism, Delphi and C++Builder.
Architect and Enterprise editions of the IDEs include unlimited Blackfish SQL database desktop or server deployment on systems with up to 5 users / 20 connections, and support for databases up to 2GB.
Professional editions of the IDEs include unlimited Blackfish SQL desktop database deployment on systems with 1 local user / 4 connections, and support for databases up to 512 MB.
See the license terms in the C++Builder license.rtf file for further information.
How is InterBase licensed in C++Builder?
InterBase 2009 Developer Edition is InterBase SMP 2009 Server licensed for up to 20 users and 80 logical connections. You can install InterBase Developer Edition on a server for testing purposes using the serial number included in the C++Builder 2010 readme file or you can download and request a serial number from the InterBase download page.
When you're ready to deploy applications using InterBase, Embarcadero offers a variety of editions (Desktop, Server and To-Go) and a variety of licensing options (flexible server licensing, multi-packs and OEM licensing). Contact Embarcadero Sales or partners for more information. See the license terms in the C++Builder license.rtf file for additional licensing details.
Technical Questions
Can I develop applications on one version of Windows and deploy to others?
Yes. You develop applications on the Windows OS that is most productive for you, so you can develop applications on your choice of operating systems (Windows 7, Windows Vista, XP, Server 2008 or Server 2003). Applications built with C++Builder will run on all of those Windows versions plus Windows 2000.
Will applications built with Delphi and C++Builder 2010 run on older versions of Windows including Windows 2000, 95, 98 and Me?
Because of the use of Unicode as the default string type, Windows 98, 95, and ME will not run applications produced with Delphi and C++Builder 2010. These operating systems do not support Unicode strings, and Microsoft has dropped support for them. Applications built with Delphi 2010 and C++Builder 2010 will run on Windows 2000.
Will applications built with C++Builder 2010 run on older versions of Windows including Windows 2000, 95, 98 and Me?
Because of the use of Unicode as the default string type, Windows 98, 95, and ME will not run applications produced with C++Builder 2010. These operating systems do not support Unicode strings, and Microsoft has dropped support for them. Applications built with C++Builder 2010 will run on Windows 2000.
I'm wondering about moving my existing code to Unicode. What do I need to do?
Most existing code will work fine using the new default UnicodeString. Code that does byte level manipulation of string data, or that carries data in string variables probably needs to be examined and perhaps updated to account for the new character sizes inherent in Unicode string data. For more information, see the documentation and Embarcadero Developer Network for information about moving existing code to Unicode.
Do I have to register my copy of C++Builder
Yes. When you first run the product, a small application will open and ask you to register the product. Once that is done, and your product key is validated, then your product will be registered and installed.
Can I open my projects created with earlier versions of C++Builder?
Yes, you should be able to do so, depending on the installed components required by your projects. C++Builder 2010 uses the MSBuild system for the build engine, and thus requires a new project file if you are upgrading from version 2007 or earlier. However, the IDE will seamlessly update your projects to the new format.
What if I need to deploy Blackfish SQL in situations beyond those allowed with the license included Blackfish SQL RAD Studio Edition license?
Additional Blackfish SQL deployment licenses are available separately for purchase. See the Embarcadero online shop site for your country or your favorite Embarcadero reseller partner for pricing.
Why do I need to install the Microsoft .NET runtimes and SDK with C++Builder?
Some of the functionality of the IDE requires these software packages.
Will my users / customers need the .NET runtimes / SDK in order to run my apps built with C++Builder?
No. Applications produced with C++Builder 2010 do not require any .NET runtime support. The product produces pure native Windows applications.
What are the differences between the ER/Studio Developer Edition data modeling capabilities in C++Builder Architect and the standard ER/Studio product?
The ER/Studio data modeling and visualization in C++Builder Architect is a subset of the full ER/Studio. C++Builder Architect doesn't include metadata import/export capabilities or access to ER/Studio team repository servers. It includes limited reporting functionality (HTML only). The ER/Studio functionality in C++Builder Architect supports a specific set of databases in line with those supported by dbExpress, while the full ER/Studio products offer flexible configurations for those databases and more.
Can I install C++Builder 2010 on a machine with previous versions of RAD Studio, Delphi or C++Builder on it?
Yes, C++Builder 2010 coexists nicely with earlier versions of RAD Studio, C++Builder and Delphi.
What is Standard Library Technical Report 1?
TR1 is the first official ISO extension to the C++ Standard Library, including many components to enhance library use and development, including a reference counted smart pointer and function call wrapper for better resource management; tuple, array and hashing containers; regular expressions; random numbers; improved function binders to simplify calling library algorithms; and type traits.
More details may be found in the final public draft available on the ISO committee website at: http://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg21/docs/papers/2005/n1836.pdf
What is C++0x?
C++0x is the informal name for the next version of the C++ Standard. While the standard expected until late 2010 many features are now well defined. More details may be found on the ISO committee website. A good place to start would be: http://www.open-std.org/jtc1/sc22/wg21/docs/papers/2008/n2705.html
What's different about C++Builder versus competing products?
C++Builder is the only true RAD C++ environment and framework designed for ultra-fast and highly-maintainable Windows GUI application development. No other C++ development environment offers a more comprehensive included visual component library for quickly building rich user interfaces, rich ecosystem of additional components and tools, and rapid development of database applications.