Turbo C++

Infobox Software
name = Turbo C++



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developer = Borland
released = February 28, 1991
latest release version = 2006
latest release date = September 5, 2006
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operating system = Microsoft Windows
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genre = IDE
license = Freeware (Explorer) Proprietary (Professional)
website = [http://www.turboexplorer.com www.turboexplorer.com]

Turbo C++ is a Borland C++ compiler and Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The original Turbo C++ product line was put on hiatus after 1994, and was revived in 2006 as an introductory-level IDE, essentially a stripped-down version of their flagship C++ Builder. Turbo C++ 2006 was released on September 5, 2006 and is available in 'Explorer' and 'Professional' editions. The Explorer edition is free to download and distribute while the Professional edition is a commercial product. The professional edition is no longer available for purchase from Borland.

Historical versions

The first release of Turbo C++ was made available during the MS-DOS reign on personal computers. It came up in versions 1.0, running on OS/2 and version 1.01, released on February 28, 1991 [http://community.borland.com/article/0,1410,21751,00.html] , running on MS-DOS. The latter was able to generate both COM and EXE programs, and was shipped with Borland's Turbo Assembler compiler for Intel x86 processors. The initial version of the Turbo C++ compiler was based on a front end developed by TauMetric (TauMetric was later acquired by Sun Microsystems and their front end was incorporated in Sun C++ 4.0, which shipped in 1994). This compiler supported the AT&T 2.0 release of C++.

Turbo C++ 3.0 was released in 1991 (shipping on November 20), and came in amidst expectations of the coming release of Turbo C++ for Microsoft Windows. Initially released as an MS-DOS compiler, 3.0 supported C++ templates, Borland's inline assembler, and generation of MS-DOS mode executables for both 8086 real-mode & 286-protected (as well as the Intel 80186.) 3.0's implemented AT&T C++ 2.1, the most recent at the time. The separate Turbo Assembler product was no longer included, but the inline-assembler could stand in as a reduced functionality version.

Soon after the release of Windows 3.0, Borland updated Turbo C++ to support Windows application development. The Turbo C++ 3.0 for Windows product was quickly followed by Turbo C++ 3.1 (and then Turbo C++ 4.5.) It's possible that the jump from version 1.x to version 3.x was in part an attempt to link Turbo C++ release numbers with Microsoft Windows versions; however, it seems more likely that this jump was simply to synchronize Turbo C and Turbo C++, since Turbo C 2.0 (1989) and Turbo C++ 1.0 (1990) had come out roughly at the same time, and the next generation 3.0 was a merger of both the C and C++ compiler.

Starting with version 3.0, Borland segmented their C++ compiler into two distinct product-lines: "Turbo C++" and "Borland C++". Turbo C++ was marketed toward the hobbyist and entry-level compiler market, while Borland C++ targeted the professional application development market. Borland C++ included additional tools, compiler code-optimization, and documentation to address the needs of commercial developers. Turbo C++ 3.0 could be upgraded with separate add-ons, such as Turbo Assembler and Turbovision 1.0.

Version 4.0 was released in November 1993 and was notable (among other things) for its robust support of templates. In particular, Borland C++ 4 was instrumental in the development of the Standard Template Library, expression templates, and the first advanced applications of template metaprogramming. With the success of the Pascal-evolved product "Delphi", Borland ceased work on their Borland C++ suite and concentrated on C++ Builder for Windows. C++ Builder shared Delphi's front-end application framework, but retained the Borland C++ back-end compiler. Active development on Borland C++/Turbo C++ was suspended until 2006 (see below.)

Legacy software

Turbo C++ v1.01 and Turbo C v2.0 can be downloaded, free of charge, from Borland's Antique Software web site.
Turbo C++ 3.0 (DOS) was included in the Turbo C++ Suite 1.0, which is no longer sold by Borland.

External links

* [http://www.turboexplorer.com Official website]
* [http://community.borland.com/article/0,1410,21751,00.html Turbo C++ v1.01 free download from Borland]