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cellis

Welcome to today's LIVE moderated chat with the C++Builder Team!
Your moderator for today's event is John Thomas of Developer Relations.
The speaker(s) present at today's C/C++ chat are:
Maurice Barnum - Debugger
Allen Bauer - R&D Manager
Lee Cantey - Compiler/MS compatibility
Chris Hesik - IDE / Debugger
David Kipping - Program Manager
David Marancik - Project Manager
Jeff Peters - RTL
Robert West - ActiveX
Jason Williams - Developer Relations
You may now begin to ask questions of the speaker(s) using /ask from your chat command line.

cellis

Before we start with the chat, our lawyers ask us to post the following message: "Forward-looking statements, if any, made during this online discussion, including, but not limited to those concerning Inprise's future financial performance, product availability dates, and the potential features of or benefits to be derived from the company's products, will involve a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual events or results may differ materially. "Factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially include, among others, the following: difficulties in integrating the operations and technology of Visigenic Software or other companies or technologies which the company may acquire, possible disruptive effects of organizational or personnel changes, shifts in customer demand, market acceptance of the companys new or enhanced products, delays in scheduled product availability dates, actions or announcements by competitors, software errors, general business conditions, and market growth rates in the client/server and Internet software markets, and other factors described in the companys S.E.C. reports on forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, and the Inprise. . ."

Tom

Where can I find more information about the Open Tools API?

abauer

While not specifically designed for C++Builder, Ray Lischner's book, Hidden Paths of Delphi covers many aspects of the Open Tools API. You could also check Code Central for other examples.

Tom

Are there any Examples for the COM-Based ToolsAPI in C++?

abauer

I currently do not know of any specific examples available, however, I do know there are several folks working on providing examples to be published in Code Central. Go to the community site for access to Code Central. I also plan on providing more examples in concert with future releases of C++Builder.

Tom

I want to compile a Pascal-File which imports DLL-Functions by number (they aren't exported by name), and I get an error (such as "not supported") - what to do?

chesik

If it doesn't work, it's probably a bug. We'll investigate. Please submit a bug on our website.

j_moshak

When debugging there is a attach to running process, is there a way to detach?

mbarnum

Sorry, but our friends at microsoft forgot to add that feature to the os. "detach" is synonymous with "terminate".

eboraas

There's been much talk of Linux support in Delphi and BCB lately... What potential strategies have you been looking at to realize this goal?

cellis

We will not be discussing future releases during today's chat. Chats will be scheduled at a later date to discuss future releases.

abauer

To see us all here together chatting go to http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=88172&a=951221

Roshan Naik

Is there anyway to enable a MIDAS server to work with CORBA client (in BCB4) just like u can do with MIDAS severs built using D4 ? I dont see the export as CORBA object menuitem in the context menu !

jkaster

We currently don't have a TCorbaClient connection for MIDAS in C++ Builder because our CORBA implementation is slightly different in C++ Builder than Delphi (improved, IMO). We are working on a solution for it, but we don't have one yet. Please monitor the borland.public.midas newsgroup or carry on conversations on it there.

derbas

Has any thought been given to releasing the remote debug module as a separate component for users of BCB Pro?

abauer

That is a good idea. What would you be willing to pay for it? We will look at it and see if there is enough demand.

dkipping

You are correct that many marketing activities happen at launch, but there is a steady stream of marketing activities throughout the life of the project. We have been remiss at communicating this via C++Builder Direct, but the CoreTeam is now evaluating content weekly to distribute via that channel. Some of the activities after launch has been promotions like Turbo Pak, pollybagging a trial version with magazines, 2 patches, and chats like this.

cellis

Please refer to www.turbopower.com for answers to the TurboPower question.

gheorghe

We lost Decision Cube components when we updated to TeeChart Pro. They (TeeChart support) says that BI should recompile the DC with the new teeChart. I really need DC and TeeChart Pro to work together. Can I get an update ?

jkaster

We currently ship the source to DecisionCube in Delphi 5 Enterprise. I don't understand why they can't rebuild the needed package. Please follow up with email to me.

derbas

The Builder Direct dates tend to show me a reduced interested in the product. For example, media datelines show that the only PR occurred during one week in February. What is Borland doing to tout the product?

dkipping

You are correct that many marketing activities happen at launch, but there is a steady stream of marketing activities throughout the life of the project. We have been remiss at communicating this via C++Builder Direct, but the CoreTeam is now evaluating content weekly to distribute via that channel. Some of the activities after launch has been promotions like Turbo Pak, pollybagging a trial version with magazines, 2 patches, and chats like this.

derbas

I've talked with several people lately about which product to use for in-house development at their respective office. In the VC vs. BCB debate, the lack of boosk and documentation tells management to point towards MS. What is being done to address this?

jwilliams

The community site is an excellent resource which supplements our on on-line documentation. We offer all of our support documentation, code examples through Code Central, and current news events.

StevePetro

Tech support determined that I can't write a multi-threaded app server using remote data modules; is this accurate?

rwest

That shouldn't be true, no. You need to initialize OLE seperately on each thread, and you will be responsible for managing your own thread safety (we don't provide automagic concurrency support).

derbas

What is the best recommendation for reference to Delphi for dyed-in-the-wool C++ programmers. More of a Delphi-lite overview, as it were?

abauer

The Teixeira/Pacheco Book Delphi Developer's guide, or Danny Thorpe's, Delphi Component Design (which is unfortunately out of print) , and Calvert's, Delphi Unleashed, are all good references.

cellis

We will not be discussing future releases during today's chat. Chats will be scheduled at a later date to discuss future releases.

overcash

With the D5 ADO Addon we are seeing the ability to give C/S DB functionality at an upgrade price for Pro. Any conisderation to doing the same with the BDE SQL Links package like it once was?

jkaster

We've discussed it, but have made no decisions about making it an upsell.

overcash

Is patch 2 going to be it for patches to BCB4? Can we expect any fix to the output path bug?

dkipping

Part 1:
If there are any significant bugs that turn up, we will consider them seriously for a patch. At this time there doesn't look like there are any bugs that can be practically fixed in a patch and focussing our efforts on the next release.

cellis

We will not be discussing future releases during today's chat. Chats will be scheduled at a later date to discuss future releases.

Roshan Naik

Isn't there anyway to write a unified DCOM and CORBA server in BCB4 ? Or is it that for the time being we will have to write separate COM and CORBA objects exposing the same interfaces, and duplicating the functionality ?

rwest

We don't provide a COM/CORBA bridge, so you'll have to either (a) find one on the net or (b) write your own. I talked to someone in August who was successfully doing it; there were a number of hurdles (mostly having to do with inappropriate use of BSTRs), but he seemed to be able to get it working without more than a handful of sleepless nights and headaches.

RONA

How is the work going to make C++ Builder more ANSI complient?

gboutwel

I have several units that under BCB3 compiled fine, now under BCB4 they throw warning about DynamicArray being defined multiple times, I have tried several things from ngs and I can't get these to go away, they indefinitely show back-up, any ideas or recommendations?

mbarnum

What file/line are you getting this warning on? [you'll have to submit a new question to answer me.]

jthomas

We are committed to providing the most ANSI compliant compiler. As a first step we have released the Plum Hall test results for our current compiler which details our current conformance to ANSI/ISO 14882:1998. See community.borland.com for more information on this topic.

Roshan Naik

How come the code completion and parameter evaluation in BCB4 is not as accurate as in D4 and JB3 ? It is really frustrating when u have to wait for a a cuple of seconds each time to get the worng or unexpedted results from it. I think Borland should these jobs itslef and stop letting the ClassExplorer guys do it.

chesik

We use the compiler itself to help out with code insight (the ClassExplorer does NOT do this), and as far as we know it is accurate. If you have cases where it is not, please submit a bug report. We are also looking at ways to increase performance.

Roshan Naik

By the way in ANSI C++ i dont think there is any provision for properties or virtual constructors ?(correct me if i am right ) Doesnt that violate ANSI compliance ?

jthomas

You are correct. These are called Borland extensions. We added these to make the VCL work. To compile a pure ANSI module use the -A switch.

gboutwel

In regards the the DynamicArray errors. They are occuring during the link stage... The error goes like this: [Linker Warning] Public symbol 'System::DynamicArray::~DynamicArray()' defined in both module UNIT1.OBJ and UNIT1.OBJ.

mbarnum

We've never seen this, but if you submit a bug report, our linker guy would be happy to take a look at it.

derbas

Perhaps you misunderstand me. Managers believe Borland is dead/dying as a C++ supplier, because they get their feedback from walking into a bookstore and seeing how much support there is for a subject. By that criteria, VC is active, and BCB is dead. Borland needs to push more towards visibility to management for their tools.

dkipping

I assure that C++ is not dying at Borland. CB4 sales have exceeded our forecasts and has the highest sales of all the CB releases. Probably the thing going forward that will have the largest impact on C++ sales is us providing support on more platforms, specifically Linux with project Kylix. It is incredible how much interest we have gotten from the Kylix announcement. Developers who would not consider C++Builder before are evaluating it now. I would also add that we will greatly increasing our visibility with our new aggressive advertising campaign.

scarlet

I heard a rumor that the BDE is being fased out in favour of ADO. Is this true?

jkaster

BDE is not being phased out. It is a mature product with an architecture that supports object/relational databases and many other robust database operations, so we haven't needed to make many changes to it. We continue to do bug fixes on it (about 30 in BDE 5.1, I believe) and has support for various database back ends that is not yet available in ADO. BDE will be phased out when our customers stop indicating that they need it. We get MANY questions in our BDE-related newsgroups, so we still have a lot of customers relying on it.

cellis

We're almost out of questions. Please get your new questions in the queue in the next 15 minutes. Use the /ask command on your chat command line to ask questions of the speakers.

gheorghe

Is there any known bug when one shut down C++ Builder ? From time to time I will get a read fault when I close the IDE...

chesik

There aren't any known IDE shutdown crashes, although most of the time when we investigate problems like these, they end up being caused by third party components or packages. If you have a reproducable case, try uninstalling any non-Borland packages to see if the problem goes away.

Roshan Naik

It would be extreeeeeeeeeemely nice if the integrated editor supported mouse wheel scrolling. Any plans ?

jthomas

The C++Builder 4 IDE does support the mouse wheel.

Roshan Naik

There is only one book available(to my knowlegdege) on BCB4 which luckily covers some advanced topics. But since it covers so many topics it gives them all a pretty superficial treatment. For exmaple there is so litle documentation/ tutorials availab

jwilliams

We are currently working on getting more books published, however, there are several other resources, C++ Builder Users Journal, cbuildermag.com, and the community site.

derbas

In the early release of BCB, it was often recommended not to use runtime packages. Are these problems finally fixed? (I've been using mostly compiled EXEs as a result).

mbarnum

With one exception, runtime package support should be fine in bcb4. the exception: if you build a dll/ocx/package that uses runtime packages and it is dynamically loaded by a delphi-4.02 application that uses runtime packages, that delphi app needs to use the Sharemem unit.

Roshan Naik

Why cant we make the inspector windows stay on top .... or dock them ?

chesik

There is a stay on top option. Look under Tools|Debugger Options|General.
As far as docking, we made a decision to not allow docking of IDE windows which disappear automatically (inspectors and the CPU view both go away when your debug session ends), though we may reconsider this for a future release.

overcash

On the mouse wheel question, older versions of the intellimouse would not support all aplications. Updating the mouse driver usually results in getting mouse support in all apps including BCB.

mkoker

Have you given any thought to a service-fee program to help fund bug fixes in between releases ?

jthomas

There have many discussions in Developer Support on the feasability of maintenance programs. No final decisions have been made on this but ultimately it comes down to customers who are willing to pay for this support.

derbas

My penultimate question: is there a POSSIBILITY that the VCL will be redone in C++, or is it forever Delphi?

abauer

In order for us to better leverage our resources and provide a high degree of interoperability between Delphi and C++Builder, there are no current plans to rewrite the VCL. C++Builder does play a large role in influencing the technical direction of VCL since the same team works with both products.

gheorghe

Do you consider syncronizing the C++ Builder and Delphi products (release at the same time, same level )?

dkipping

This is a subject that is being discussed but no decision has been made.

jthomas

I am not sure why your mouse wheel does not work in the IDE. I know that some people have had issues with early versions of the IntelliMouse.

gboutwel

I'm programming under Win98. I lock-up (blue screen) whenever I have the Environment Option to minimize the IDE on run. Is there a work around for that?

chesik

I haven't heard of this problem. I can't really speculate what would cause this, though I strongly recommend using NT if possible. ?Perhaps check your video drivers?

RONA

Do you plan to make VCL data components architecture more similar to one of DataExpress from JBuilder?

jkaster

We did make some changes to the database VCL components in Delphi 5 to support more abstraction of connections, and also discussed making them more interface based. As we look at producing cross-platform versions of Delphi and C++ Builder, we're also evaluating other desirable architectural changes, but I don't have any specifics to say at this time. What is it specifically that you like about DataExpress that you would like to see in the VCL?

EdB

Is TD32 still a viable debugging tool for Cbuilder 4 projects. I used it up until CB4 successfully, but I had trouble using it debugging CB4 generated dlls. Sometimes it seems easier than the CB4 integrated debugger. (Perhaps from habit)

chesik

We are no longer actively supporting TD32 -- over the last few releases, we've augmented the IDE debugger's feature set so that TD32 should no longer be needed. That said, in most cases, our debug info format has not changed that dramatically, and TD32 will still work in most situations (except it may not demangle names correctly as the mangling scheme has changed a bit since the last official release of TD32.)

cellis

We will no longer be accepting new questions for the speaker(s). We will continue to answer the questions that have already been accepted.

Roshan Naik

I tried deriving a class from TPaintBox using protected derivation. I had a new comstructor in the derived class that simply passed the single parameter to the parent the parent class TPaintBox. THe TpaintBox has a virtual constructor and so it didn

mbarnum

Your question got cut off. You'll need to rephrase it more tersely. :)

scarlet

The CPU window does not automatically go away after debug. That is actually a current bug, AFAIK.

chesik

It should go away. If you have specific steps which cause it to not go away, please submit them via the bug reporting page (include any non-default IDE settings you use -- esp. desktop saving and debugger options used)

cellis

Thank you for joining us today!
The auditorium will be unhushed shortly so that you can resume general chat.
Please watch the community Web site for announcements regarding future C/C++ chats.
Hope to see you here again!

cellis

The next moderated chat is scheduled for Wed., Nov 17th. We'll be talking about ActiveX technology. Please join us then!