C++ is one of the most powerful programming languages as well as one of the world’s most popular. C++ Builder is a fast and reliable IDE and compiler which allows you to work with C++ for iOS, Windows, and Android.
In 2021 and 2022 there have been many new OS releases and your apps should support these latest operating systems and the latest devices comes with these OSes. A C++ IDE and compiler are very important for beginners and professionals. Developers should consider single code for multi-OS, multi-Device applications. C++ has high standards on the Object Oriented Programming features with many pre-defined variables, methods, templates, and libraries.
High resolution screens, high resolution cameras (up to 200MP), and highly computational technologies such as AI require faster, better programming languages like C++ or Delphi to squeeze out the very last drop of performance from the machines. You should move to C++ and you should use a better C++ Compiler and IDE for all your needs this year.
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How to program C++ apps with Embarcadero C++ Builder?
C++ Builder is the easiest and fastest C and C++ IDE for building simple or professional applications on the Windows, iOS & Android operating systems. It is also easy for beginners to learn with its wide range of samples, tutorials, help files, and LSP support for code. C++ Builder comes with Rapid Application Development Studio, also known as RAD Studio, and C++ Builder is one of the most professional IDEs that work under RAD Studio. It is the oldest IDE (it began as Borland TurboC in 1990 and was later renamed Borland C++ Builder). Under the Embarcadero brand, it comes with new versions, features, updates, and support. RAD Studio’s C++ Builder version comes with the award-winning VCL framework for high-performance native Windows apps and the powerful FireMonkey (FMX) framework for cross-platform UIs. There is a free C++ Builder Community Edition for students, beginners, and startups.
Here are the features of the C++ Builder 11 version;
- Provision apps for Windows 11
- Compile for Android API 30
- Compile for M-series (Apple Silicon) processors
- Design on high-DPI 4k+ screens
- View VCL Styles in design time
- New & modernized VCL components
- Use enhanced remote desktop support to collaborate remotely
How to program C++ apps to meet CLANG standards?
In Windows application development, a native C++ compiler and IDE that supports the latest Windows features are very important. Some of the IDEs are not specifically designed for C++ development. Some IDEs are designed only for console application developments. Some are supports with few features, generally, you must install a C++ compiler with a lot of options changes, etc. In modern application development, professional developers use much stronger C++ IDE.
If the IDE development company also develops a compiler, these both together work well in integrity. Be sure that your C++ IDE comes with a CLANG-based compiler. Be sure that your IDE also supports, other C++ libraries and standards like Dinkumware standard library, MSBuild/CMake/Ninja support, and popular libraries like Boost and Eigen.
CLANG is considered to be a production-quality C, Objective-C, C++, and Objective-C++ compiler when targeting X86-32, X86-64, and ARM. It is a new C/C++ compiler standard (C++98, C++11, C++17, C++20, C++23 ..) supported by The LLVM Compiler Infrastructure Project, and has been a default compiler in recent years for most C/C++ compilers. This means that if you code for a CLANG compiler, most other IDEs, Compilers of Platforms will support your code without any changes. The latest C++17 standard is supported by most C++ compilers. More information about core language features can be found here. C++ 20 is new and needs adaptation time.
We highly recommend you start with or to move to a CLANG Enhanced compilers like Embarcadero’s C++ Builder, which supports the CLANG (C++11, C++ 17) standard and has its own C++ Compiler, IDE, GUI Designer, and more. The C++Builder Standards and Clang Enhanced Compiler features can be found here.
Embarcadero’s C++ Builder CE is a shared free C++ IDE and Compiler for the community of freelance developers, startups, students, and non-profits, C++Builder Community Edition is a full-featured IDE for building iOS and Windows apps from a single modern C++ codebase (limited commercial use license). C++Builder Community Edition includes a code editor, powerful debugging tools, built-in access to popular local databases with live data at design time, Bluetooth and IoT capabilities, and a visual UI designer with support for pixel-perfect, platform-specific styling.
Is there an example on how to program C++ apps for iOS app development?
C++ Builder greets you with a Welcome Screen. You can create a new project by using File->New menu on the top. By using this menu. You can create a new MultiDevice Application in C++ Builder with FireMonkey framework or a new Windows VCL Application in C++ Builder with VCL framework or you can create a Console Application in C++. There are more options to develop more professional static, dynamic libraries.
When you create a project this will create a Project source code file and a Unit which has a visual window. Your project will have .bpr, .cpp, PCH.h files, this project also includes two more .cpp and .h units. You can start designing your app with this ready-made unit as launching point, adding your own code by modifying these Unit files and its .h header. You can add more Units with new .cpp and .h files in your project..
Here are the full steps to develop iOS apps on Windows, but this is also a good example for Windows 32bits / 64bits apps and Android 32bits apps
Download the free C++ Builder / C++ Builder Community Edition to develop an iOS C++ app on Windows
C++ Builder CE is the easiest and fastest Windows 10 development C & C++ IDE tool to develop simple or professional applications on iOS. It is also easy for beginners to learn with its wide range of samples, tutorials, help files and LSP support. C++ Builder comes with Rapid Application Development Studio, also knowns as RAD Studio, and C++ Builder is one of the most professional IDEs that work under RAD Studio.
You can download the free C++ Builder Community Edition here: https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/starter.Professional developers can use the Professional, Architect or Enterprise versions of C++ Builder. Please visit https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder.
Install RAD Studio / C++ Builder with iOS platform support
Run RAD Studio Installer and during installation be sure that C++ Builder iOS Enterprise is checked as below. See Additional Options tab, select Samples and Help or any other options needed, then press Apply.
If you forget to install iOS support don’t worry, RAD Studio / C++ Builder allows you to install these packages from the IDE. Just run RAD Studio / C++ Builder go to Tools -> Manage Platforms … then check C++ Builder iOS Enterprise option. See Additional Options tab, select Samples and Help or any other options needed, then press Apply. This will Install the latest iOS development packages for the C++ Builder.
Create a new C++ multi-device project to allow your C++ app to run cross-platform
If you download C++ Builder Community Edition (or RAD Studio CE version) or any Professional, Architect, Enterprise versions of C++ Builder. Install it on your windows computer and run RAD Studio or C++ Builder.
1. Choose File->New-> “Multi Device Application- C++ Builder” menu
2. Select Blank Application to develop application with a blank form UI. You can add many UI components on it later.
3. Save all Unit File and Project file to a folder by using File -> Save Project As .. menu. For example: Folder name can be MyIOSApp and Unit file name MyIOSApp_Unit1.cpp and the project name MyIOSProject_Project1
In the C++ Builder project window, change your platform to iOS
On the right side there is Project window which lists platforms for this project. Multi-Device projects can be compiled for Windows, iOS or Android, the default is Windows 32-bit. To see these OS platforms, click the > icon on the left of Target Platforms section. This will show platforms, then double click to activate iOS Device 64-bit. After this all compilations will be done for the iOS platform. Anytime, you can back to Windows or Android and you can compile your project for that platform too.
Add the UI items you want to use in your C++ app to your form’s design
In C++ Builder, you can add your UI elements (also called as components) by dragging them from your Palette Window. There are many visual and non visual components for the C++ Builder. For example,
- Add Button (TButton) and Memo (TMemo) components to your Form (TForm) design by dragging these components from your Palette Window.
- You can set Style selector to iOS and View selector to an iOS Device.
- Double Click to Button1 on your Form Design. This will create OnClick() event of this Button which is Button1Click() event, a method runs when clicked. Here is a form example that we create as an iOS application.
Add your C++ code to develop iOS apps on Windows
Note that you can easily switch between UI Form Design and Code Area by using use F12 key. Or you can also use tabs below the IDE. You can easily switch between .cpp, or .h header code and Design.
If you did 3rd part of Step 4, now, you can modify inside of Button1Click() as given example below,
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 |
#include <fmx.h> #pragma hdrstop #include "Unit1.h" //--------------------------------------------------------------------------- #pragma package(smart_init) #pragma resource "*.fmx" TForm1 *Form1; //--------------------------------------------------------------------------- __fastcall TForm1::TForm1(TComponent* Owner) : TForm(Owner) { } //--------------------------------------------------------------------------- void __fastcall TForm1::Button1Click(TObject *Sender) { UnicodeString ustr; ustr.printf(L"Hello, Pi is %8.3f",M_PI); Memo1->Lines->Add(ustr); } |
This example above is a modern “Hello World” example for iOS which runs with C++ Builder. Modern applications have a GUI. Note that VCL projects are Windows only. FireMonkey projects are Multi Device (multi-platform) applications that you can compile and run on Windows, MacOS, iOS and Android.
Install PA Server to enable a connection between your Windows PC and a Mac
The Platform Assistant server (named paserver) is a command-line application that can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You install the Platform Assistant on a remote system, in the same network as your development system, to let RAD Studio interact with that remote system, so that you can develop cross-platform (multi-device) applications for macOS, iOS, Linux, or Win64 (this last from a Win32 development system). The Platform Assistant allows you to develop multi-device applications and to debug applications remotely.
The Platform Assistant needs to be running and connected to the IDE in order for you to do the following:
- Run and debug multi-device applications remotely (Win64, macOS, iOS, Linux).
- Deploy multi-device applications (Win64, macOS, iOS, Linux).
- Add to RAD Studio a local copy of a macOS or iOS SDK, which is a prerequisite for developing Delphi or C++ applications for macOS, iOS or iOS Simulator (Delphi only).
Installing PA Server on Mac:
Here is the latest official link that explains how to install PA Server on a Mac device,
https://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Alexandria/en/Installing_the_Platform_Assistant_on_a_Mac
Running PA Server on Mac:
Here is the latest official link that explains how to run PA Server on Mac device,
https://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Alexandria/en/Running_the_Platform_Assistant_on_a_Mac
Installing the PAServer Manager on a Mac:
Here is the latest official link that explains how to install PA Server Manager on Mac device,
https://docwiki.embarcadero.com/RADStudio/Alexandria/en/Installing_the_PAServer_Manager_on_a_Mac
Acquiring Permission to Support Debugging on a Mac:
Here is the latest official link that explains how to acquire permissions to support debugging on a Mac device,
More about PA Server:
If you need to know more about PA Server for different Operating Systems please check this official page
Create a connection profile and compile your C++ app
If you installed PA Server successfully press F9 to run click Run with Debugging.
In the first time, it will as for the Connection Profile name for the PA Server. Give a name and then Enter your remote machine IP and passwords as below,
For the general usage in C++ Builder;
1. Run project by hitting F9 or click Run with Debugging.
2. If there is error, please check your code and act on any highlighted error lines.
3. If all is fine then save all project.
If you are a beginner “Hello World” examples are good to understand features of that programming language. It is good to understand how to edit text, how to write in its format, how to compile and link, how to debug and execute, and how to deploy or release the finished program. If you still have problem during these steps or you want to learn more about iOS development, follow this official link
C++ Builder is the easiest and fastest C and C++ IDE for building simple or professional applications on the Windows, MacOS, iOS & Android operating systems. It is also easy for beginners to learn with its wide range of samples, tutorials, help files, and LSP support for code. RAD Studio’s C++ Builder version comes with the award-winning VCL framework for high-performance native Windows apps and the powerful FireMonkey (FMX) framework for cross-platform UIs.
There is a free C++ Builder Community Edition for students, beginners, and startups; it can be downloaded from here. For professional developers, there are Professional, Architect, or Enterprise versions of C++ Builder and there is a trial version you can download from here.
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