Turbo C++
| Company type | Software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software development |
| Predecessor | Borland C++ |
| Founded | May 1990 |
| Founder | Borland |
| Fate | Discontinued |
| Successor | C++Builder |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | C++ compiler, integrated development environment |
| Owner | Borland (later CodeGear, then Embarcadero Technologies) |
| Parent | Borland |
Turbo C++ was a C++ compiler and integrated development environment initially developed by Borland, now discontinued. It served as a home and hobbyist option compared to the more advanced Borland C++, with subsequent editions acting as simplified variants of Borland's professional-grade compilers.
Borland Turbo C++
The first release, Turbo C++ 1.0, appeared in May 1990 for MS-DOS, alongside a version for OS/2. In February 1991, version 1.01 was introduced, featuring the ability to produce both COM and EXE executables and bundled with Borland's Turbo Assembler designed for Intel x86 CPUs. The compiler's front end was derived from TauMetric (later acquired by Sun Microsystems) and complied with the AT&T 2.0 C++ standard.
In November 1991, Turbo C++ 3.0 was launched as an MS-DOS compiler that supported C++ templates, Borland’s inline assembler, and executable generation targeting 8086 real mode and 286 protected mode processors. This version implemented the AT&T C++ 2.1 standard. Unlike earlier releases, it omitted the separate Turbo Assembler, substituting it with inline assembler capabilities.
Following the release of Windows 3.0, Borland issued Turbo C++ 3.0 for Windows, which was soon followed by Turbo C++ 3.1. The leap from version 1.x to 3.x likely reflected a unification of the Turbo C and Turbo C++ product lines.
Starting with version 3.0, Borland divided their C++ compiler offerings into two distinct categories: "Turbo C++" targeted at hobbyists and entry-level programmers, while "Borland C++" catered to professional developers by providing enhanced tools, optimization features, and documentation support. Users could augment Turbo C++ 3.0 with additional components such as Turbo Assembler and Turbo Vision 1.0.
Released in November 1993, Turbo C++ 4.0 gained recognition for its robust template support, playing a significant role in advancing the Standard Template Library, expression templates, and template metaprogramming methods. As Borland Delphi grew in popularity, Borland shifted its emphasis away from Borland C++ toward C++Builder, which combined Delphi’s front-end interface with the Borland C++ compiler backend. Consequently, development on Borland C++/Turbo C++ was suspended until 2006.
Announced in March 1995, Turbo C++ 4.5 introduced multimedia enhancements such as QuickTour and included five new games with source code examples (including Turbo Meteors). It also featured ObjectWindows Library (OWL) version 2.5, along with improvements to AppExpert, ClassExpert, and Object Components Framework.
Borland Japan Turbo C++
The Japanese edition version 4.0J supported DOS environments on the PC-9801 and PC/AT (DOS/V) platforms and included Turbo Debugger 4.0. Its IDE utilized XMS memory management and offered project management capabilities that facilitated OBJ/LIB linking along with integration for Turbo Assembler 4.0J.
Announced in July 1996, version 5.0J was based on Borland C++ 5.0J and provided support for Windows 95 and NT 3.51 operating systems while compiling both 16-bit and 32-bit applications. This release incorporated ObjectWindows Library version 5.0, the Borland Database Engine, and Visual Database Tools.
Borland Turbo C++ Suite
This package combined Borland C++Builder 1.0 with Turbo C++ 4.5 designed for Windows 3.1 and Turbo C++ 3.0 for DOS environments. Subsequent editions replaced C++Builder 1.0 with the Borland C++BuilderX Personal Edition variant.
Turbo C++ 2006
Turbo C++ 2006 represents a dedicated C++ edition derived from Borland Developer Studio 2006. Officially announced in August 2006 and launched the following month, it was available in two versions: a complimentary Explorer edition and a paid Professional edition.
Embarcadero Technologies ended support for all versions of Turbo C++ 2006 in October 2009. The Explorer edition is no longer accessible for download, while the Professional edition has been withdrawn from sale. Before Embarcadero acquired CodeGear, Turbo C++ 2006 was replaced by C++Builder 2007. Currently, its official website redirects users to the C++ Builder 2010 page.
Freeware releases
In February 2002, Inprise Corporation made Turbo C++ version 1.01 available as freeware.
Legacy software
- Borland continues to offer free downloads of Turbo C++ v1.01 and Turbo C v2.01 through its Antique Software portal.
- Turbo C++ 3.0 (DOS), which was included in the Turbo C Suite 1.0 package, is no longer marketed by Borland.
See also
External links
- Borland International Inc. archive: Turbo C++ 4.5
- Borland Japan Online archives: TC++4.0J for DOS, TC++5.0J for Windows
- Borland Software Corporation archives: Turbo C++ Suite, Turbo C++ 2006