Borland Software Monday introduced a new software development environment and application lifecycle management (ALM) suite for the C++ language
Borland C++BuilderX is a new
C++ integrated development environment (IDE). Accompanying that is the
Borland Enterprise Studio for C++, the Scotts Valley, Calif., vendor’s ALM suite for software development in
C++. Borland anticipates both suites will be extremely popular with mobile
applications makers.
Borland has strived to address a number of problem areas that have reared up
since the advent of C++, one of the most popular programming languages for
graphical applications. Both C++BuilderX and Borland Enterprise Studio for
C++ address the demand for multi-platform support because applications are
moving from UNIX to Linux.
The company’s new tools also supply support and maintenance requirements for
millions of lines of old C++ code, as well as the need to manage numerous
compilers and debuggers on multiple platforms, which shortens the porting
time of applications to new platforms.
But perhaps one of the biggest subsets of users is comprised of mobile
applications developers.
Because C++ dovetails so nicely with graphics creation, mobile apps creators
want to use the language to craft software for handheld devices, an
increasingly lucrative market.
Demand for gadgets such as personal
digital assistants (PDAs) and smartphones in the corporate and consumer
sectors use is blossoming — particularly devices that are stocked with rich
media.
To wit, Microsoft Monday announced AT&T Wireless and Motorola as partners for its new smartphone strategy,
illustrating the software giant’s belief in the potentials success of
next-generation mobile phones.
According to Evans Data, C++ is the most popular language for mobile and embedded computing today, with corporate enterprise accounting for 28 percent of all wireless development.
Not surprisingly then, Borland’s C++BuilderX is garnering support from
leading mobile vendors such as HP, Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Symbian.
Moreover, market research outfit IDC said C++ will top the language charts
in terms of software development through 2005.
Rikki Kirzner, research director at IDC, said C++ is often the language of
choice for building applications found in such industries as defense,
aerospace, finance, manufacturing, and scientific and engineering.
“Many of these developers are using non-integrated tools and are eager for a
solution that allows them to overcome the disparities in compiler and
platform support in order to build better software, faster,” Kirzner said.
C++BuilderX offers UNIX support with VisiBroker CORBA IDE integration and
the IDE based on the same Borland JBuilder framework. It relies on one XML
format to make the management of multiple compilers and debuggers easier.
The IDE also eases platform portability with a new Borland ANSI/ISO C++ and
C99 compliant compiler, and includes C++ support for other C++ compilers
including, GCC, Intel, Metrowerks, Microsoft Visual C++ and Sun Forte C++.
As the ALM, Enterprise Studio for C++BuilderX meets the requirements of
cradle-to-grave application creation, use, and disposal. It defines,
designs, develops, tests, deploys and manages stages of C++ application
development. The new Borland Together Edition for C++BuilderX is bundled
within to let developers create projects with detailed blueprints in the
form of UML-based models.
Borland C++BuilderX and Borland Enterprise Studio for C++ will be available
in September 2003.
Borland Targets C++ Developers with New Tools
