C++Builder XE4 is available in five editions - Starter, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate and Architect. See the C++Builder product editions page  and  feature matrix for details on the differences between the editions.

C++Builder XE4 contains a number of fixes as well as enhancements in the latest version of FireMonkey FM3. The FireDAC database library is also now included in C++Builder XE4 Enterprise edition and above. For more information on the newest features in both C++Builder XE3 and XE4, be sure to visit the C++Builder What's New page and the feature matrix .

Yes, the new 64-bit Windows compiler is included in C++Builder XE4.

• C++Builder XE4  - C++Builder XE4 with FireMonkeyR enables software developers to rapidly create high performance C++ applications for Windows and Mac OS X from a single codebase.
• DB PowerStudio XE3.5 Dev edition (in Ultimate edition only)  - DB PowerStudio provides fast SQL database development, database change management, SQL profiling, and SQL tuning
• ER/Studio 9.5 Developer Edition (in Architect edition only)  - ER/Studio helps data architects discover, document, and re-use data assets and gives you the power to easily reverse-engineer, analyze, and optimize existing databases.
• InterBase XE3 Developer Edition and InterBase XE3 ToGo (in C++Builder Professional edition and above)- InterBase Developer Edition provides developers with the best cross-platform database to build and test database applications for embedded and SME applications.
• Additional Tools  - C++Builder includes a comprehensive set of additional tools to help you do more than ever before. These are generally special editions of the tools created to be bundled with C++Builder and the feature sets may differ from the full commercial versions.
  • FastReport VCL 4 RAD edition from Fast Reports so you can quickly design and generate reports
  • TeeChart Standard from Steema provides quick and easy-to-use charting components
  • CodeSite Express logging tools for building quality applications
  • AQtime Standard from SmartBear for performance profiling
  • Beyond Compare Text Compare lets you view differences between source files
  • IntraWeb from Atozed for building web applications in the same way you build C++Builder applications
• Partner Software  - C++Builder users have access to a variety of free and trial editions of tools and components from Embarcadero Technology Partners accessible online from the Embarcadero developer network.

FireDAC provides easy-to-use, high performance, multi-device enterprise database connectivity for Delphi, C++Builder and RAD Studio. With its powerful universal architecture FireDAC enables direct access from your application from your Windows and Mac (mobile in beta) applications to Oracle, SQL Server, InterBase, DB2, Firebird, SQLite, IBLite, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Anywhere, Advantage DB, Access, Informix, DataSnap and more. In addition to blazing speed and universal access, FireDAC also supports vendor specific database features as well as deployment across multiple client operating systems and device platforms.

FireDAC is available for download at no charge from http://cc.embarcadero.com/reg/rad_studio for registered users of Enterprise, Ultimate and Architect editions of C++Builder XE4.

C++Builder XE4 Professional edition users can purchase the FireDAC Client/Server Add-On Pack to add client/server and remote database connectivity to their apps. More information is available at http://www.embarcadero.com/products/rad-studio/firedac .

Yes. With C++Builder XE4, you get access to licenses for older versions - C++Builder XE3, C++Builder XE2, C++Builder XE, C++Builder 2010, C++Builder 2009, C++Builder 2007, and C++Builder 6. See the  C++Builder Previous Versions web page  for further details.

No. They are considered part of your XE4 license and are tied to your user account. They cannot be given away or sold.

Your earlier version license and the XE4 you upgrade to are considered one named user license that covers both versions. If you already own an earlier version and go to the web page and request the same version license, you will just get a re-send of your existing serial number.

Some of those earlier products are only available as Professional and Enterprise editions.

Version 2006 included some third party licensed code that we are no longer able to ship. C++Builder 5 and earlier were discontinued years ago and we don't have plans to bring them back.

That version used an earlier version of our licensing technology.

It could be a little confusing for some customers when they purchase C++Builder XE4 and receive seven different serial numbers and download links. We tried to keep it simple by just delivering the XE4 license and allowing you to request the other licenses as needed.

We can't guarantee that the older versions will be available indefinitely, so you should be sure to download your earlier version software and licenses within 180 days.

The earlier versions are available in English, French, German and Japanese. For versions 2007 and later, there is a single download and you choose the language at install time. For version 6, there is a separate download for each localized version.

EmbarcaderoR RAD Studio XE4 is the multi-device and multi-language solution for developing across iOS, Windows, and Mac with a single codebase and script-free Intel/ARM native performance. Visual development and built-in enterprise class database support enable you to rapidly prototype and deliver your business applications on multiple devices and databases with a single development effort. RAD Studio uniquely supports both native and HTML5 UI options for flexible multi-channel solutions.

If you want to go beyond Windows application development with additional development tools and a complete set of database tools, Embarcadero All-Access is the solution for you.

Embarcadero All-Access provides all the application development and database tools you need - when you need them - across all major platforms, frameworks, and programming languages. It's the single, cost-effective toolbox solution for developers, architects, performance testers, and DBAs.

All-Access provides you with industry-leading database tools, including DBArtisanR, Rapid SQL R, ER/StudioR, and many more. It also provides powerful application development tools, including DelphiR, JBuilderR, C++BuilderR, the InterBaseR database, and more.

You can view pricing and purchase C++Builder from one of our valuable partners or our online Embarcadero Shop site. See  http://www.embarcadero.com/products/how_to_buy.php  for more information.

Support and Maintenance can be purchased at the time you purchase your C++Builder product or upgrade. The support and maintenance agreement gives you a year of upgrades (including major version releases) and a specified number of support incidents. See the Support dropdown menu item of our web site for additional information.

Updates and additional software for C++Builder users are available on the registered users download page at  http://cc.embarcadero.com/reg/c_builder . More major new feature upgrades are available only to users with current Maintenance agreements. Notifications for those upgrades are delivered via email and the upgrades can be downloaded via the Maintenance Portal web site by following the instructions in the email.

C++Builder is available in English, French, German and Japanese. The installer lets you choose any combination of languages and it's easy to switch between languages in the IDE.

C++Builder XE4 is available with multiple licensing options including:

• Individual named user licenses delivered via electronic software delivery (ESD) as a download and serial number. Discounted 5-packs and 10-packs are also available.
• Network Named and Concurrent user licenses managed using Embarcadero AppWave which provides the additional flexibility of managing licenses on a license server plus software provisioning
• Network licenses managed by Flexera FlexNet are available on a special request basis
• Academic individual licenses for students and educators as well as volume licenses for classroom use

The Academic edition can be used only for learning in an academic or classroom environment. Educational institutions cannot use the academic version to produce software for use within their institution. Academic products do not qualify for upgrade pricing to commercial licenses.

• Special discounted upgrades are available for C++Builder XE3 users to upgrade to C++Builder XE4 at the same edition level (i.e. Enterprise to Enterprise, Ultimate to Ultimate)
• Professional edition upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2010-XE3 versions of C++Builder.
• Enterprise edition upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2010-XE3 versions of C++Builder; Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate or Architect editions.
• Ultimate edition upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2010-XE3 versions of C++Builder; Enterprise, Ultimate or Architect editions.
• Architect edition upgrade eligibility - Upgrade pricing is available to registered owners of 2010-XE3 versions of C++Builder; Enterprise, Ultimate or Architect editions.

Academic products do not qualify for upgrade pricing.

InterBase XE3 Developer Edition is InterBase XE3 Server licensed for up to 20 users and 80 logical connections. The InterBase software is automatically installed with a default install of C++Builder XE4 and licensed with your C++Builder XE4 serial number. An InterBase ToGo developer license is also included in your C++Builder XE4 license. You can deploy InterBase on a server for testing purposes using the deployment testing serial number included as part of your C++Builder XE4 order delivery email. This is not available for AppWave Network license users.

When you're ready to deploy applications using InterBase, Embarcadero offers a variety of editions (Desktop, Server and To-Go) and a variety of licensing options (flexible server licensing, multi-packs and OEM licensing). Contact Embarcadero Sales or partners for more information. See the license terms in the C++Builder license.rtf file for additional licensing details.

The open source project is  http://sourceforge.net/projects/radstudioverins/ . The repository for the open source code is available from the "Code" tab when you're logged in to SourceForge web site or at  https://radstudioverins.svn.sourceforge.net/svnroot/radstudioverins/trunk/ .

See the  Supported Versions List  for the latest information by version.

Yes. You can create a single application and deploy to Windows and Mac OS X.

The DataSnap Mobile Connector feature generates connectivity code that you can incorporate into mobile applications for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone 7. You develop your mobile applications using the standard development tools and languages for each platform such as Objective C with the Xcode IDE for iOS, Java for Android and Blackberry, or Silverlight for Windows Phone 7. You then use the DataSnap Mobile Connector code to provide connectivity to your native C++Builder or Delphi DataSnap server.

Because of the use of Unicode as the default string type, Windows 98, 95, and ME will not run applications produced with C++Builder 2009 or later. These operating systems do not support Unicode strings, and Microsoft has dropped support for them. Applications built with C++Builder XE4, XE3, XE2, XE, 2010 and 2009 and VCL will run on Windows 2000 or later. Applications built with C++Builder XE4, XE3 and VCL will run on Windows XP and later. Applications built with C++Builder XE4, XE3, and XE2 and FireMonkey will run on Windows XP and later.

• 1 GB RAM (2 GB+ recommended)
• 3-20 GB free hard disk space depending on edition and configuration
• DVD-ROM drive (if installing from a Media Kit DVD)
• Basic GPU - Any vendor DirectX 9.0 class or better (Pixel Shader Level 2)
• IntelR PentiumR or compatible, 1.6 GHz minimum (2GHz+ recommended)
• 1024x768 or higher-resolution monitor
• Mouse or other pointing device
• MicrosoftR Windows 8 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• MicrosoftR Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• MicrosoftR Windows VistaT SP2 (32-bit and 64-bit) requires administrator rights
• MicrosoftR Windows ServerR 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit)

The C++Builder 64-bit information page at http://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/64-bit has videos, information, resources and tips on creating 64-bit applications with C++Builder.

To install, you will need to have the following installed on your system:

• The Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or higher
• The Microsoft Visual J# 2.0 Redistributable Package
• Windows Internet ExplorerR 6.0 or higher
• MSXML 6

The installer will install the prerequisite software if you don't already have it installed.

Most existing code will work fine using the new default UnicodeString. Code that does byte level manipulation of string data, or that carries data in string variables probably needs to be examined and perhaps updated to account for the new character sizes inherent in Unicode string data. For more information, see the documentation and Embarcadero Developer Network for information about moving existing code to Unicode.

Yes. When you first run the product, a small application will open and ask you to register the product. Once that is done, and your product key is validated, then your product will be registered and installed.

Yes, you should be able to do so, depending on the installed components required by your projects. C++Builder XE4 uses the MSBuild system for the build engine, and thus requires a new project file if you are upgrading from version 2007 or earlier. However, the IDE will seamlessly update your projects to the new format.

Some of the functionality of the IDE requires these software packages.

No. Applications produced with C++Builder XE4 do not require any .NET runtime support. The product produces pure native Windows applications.

The ER/Studio Developer Edition data modeling and visualization in C++Builder Architect is a subset of the full ER/Studio. C++Builder Architect doesn't include metadata import/export capabilities or access to ER/Studio team repository servers. It includes limited reporting functionality (HTML only). The ER/Studio functionality in C++Builder Architect supports a specific set of databases in line with those supported by dbExpress, while the full ER/Studio products offer flexible configurations for those databases and more.

Yes, C++Builder XE4 coexists nicely with earlier versions of RAD Studio, C++Builder and Delphi.

EmbarcaderoR C++BuilderR XE4 is the multi-device, standards-based app development solution for Windows and Mac using a single C++ codebase. Code once and create an app that runs on 32-bit and 64-bit PCs and tablets. You manage one codebase, one team, and one schedule, but support multiple platforms without sacrificing performance. Your true native app runs directly on the device with full access to all underlying capabilities, giving you better performance, tighter security and ultimately a better user experience. C++Builder gets your multi-device solution to markets and users fast with a C++ app that delights your users.

What makes C++Builder the best choice for you? We've outlined a few key characteristics in the table below.