Borland Software Monday introduced a new software development environment and application lifecycle management (ALM) suite for the C++ language (define), which some research firms say will boast the largest degree of developers for the next couple of years.

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.


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