Turbo C++ is an IDE and compiler developed by Borland for C and C++ programming. It was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Though outdated now, it played a significant role in programming education.
Key Features:
- IDE & Compiler: It combined writing, compiling, and debugging in one tool.
- Debugger: Allowed users to step through code and inspect variables.
- Libraries: Included libraries like
<conio.h>
for console input/output and <graphics.h>
for simple graphics programming. - DOS-Based: Primarily ran on DOS systems.
Modern Context:
Though now outdated, Turbo C++ is still used in some educational environments. It doesn’t support modern C++ features like templates and STL. Modern alternatives like GCC, Visual Studio, and Code::Blocks are recommended for current development.
Alternatives:
If you’re learning C or C++, there are more modern compilers and IDEs available today:
- GCC (GNU Compiler Collection): One of the most popular open-source compilers for C and C++.
- Microsoft Visual Studio: A powerful IDE with a modern C++ compiler and many advanced features.
- Code::Blocks: A free, open-source IDE that supports C and C++ programming.
- Clang: A modern C/C++/Objective-C compiler that provides great error messages and diagnostic tools.