Subj : Re: C Programming HELP...
To   : borland.public.cpp.borlandcpp
From : Andrew Fenton
Date : Wed Jun 23 2004 09:41 am

Jeremy,

You wrote:
> Is CPPBuilder even WORTH it?...
>
> What does CPPBuilder even do?

The primary advantage to any of the Borland C++ Builder series is that you
can quickly produce Windows-based user interfaces using simple
drag/drop/edit techniques.  You basically draw your interface by adding
components (forms, buttons, edit boxes, controls, dialogs, menu bars, etc.)
and then introducing your code for each component to give functionality or
added functionality to those objects.

If you have ever seen Windows programming code (sometime called Windows API
language or some such thing), you may have been intimidated by lines and
lines of code required to produce the simplest of windows.  C++ Builder
generates the Windows coding for you so that you can concentrate on the
desired purpose of your program.

If coding Windows programs that are more than just consoles (DOS-looking
text boxes) is something you want to do, but you don't want to learn the API
language (a special extension of C programming) then the Builder series is
for you.

> Maybe, but the newest Borland C++ 6.0 Personal is about 130 bucks CND, as
opposed to thousand dollar CPPBuilder.  Personally, I'm just a teenager and
that kind of money spending is kind of out of my reach for now.

Borland offers C++ BUILDER 6.0 Personal edition for $69.00 in US currency.
This is one of the C++ Builder series which allows you to build Windows
interfaces as I described above.  Note that you may still do simple console
applications using Builder's environment.  These console apps are great for
learning and are also frequently employed in certain commercial instances.

Borland also offers Professional and Enterprise editions of C++ Builder.
These are the ones which cost hundreds and thousands of dollars.  They
provide more windows objects and more tools for building database and
network applications.

> All I want to do is enhance graphics and game performance.  Kind of a
personal goal out of my reach for now...
> I'm currently teaching myself C...

For what you want to do right now, Borland C++ 5.0 might be just fine.
Learning the basics of C and C++ programming can be done with almost any C++
compiler software even if it is a bit obsolete.  However, when you start
getting into graphics and game performance, you are then dealing with code
that addresses machine hardware.  To me, this type of code changes much more
quickly than the fundamental language code, so you may eventually discover
that Borland C++ 5.0 does not support all that you want to do.

I think the Personal edition of Builder would work just fine primarily if
you want to easily add Window's objects to your own programs.  There would
still be some time required to familiarize yourself with Windows objects,
but in the long run, Builder greatly simplifies the Windows programming
world.

Regards,
Andrew

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