Windows developers take Borland to task

An open letter has been sent to Borland by a group of Windows developers who are concerned about the company's lack of updates for its C++Builder IDE. The letter, put together late last week by Paul Gustavson and signed by over 350 developers, outlines how they rely on the product, and how the company's inattention to it is affecting them.

The letter states that "Borland's lack of communication and commitment to the C++ development community over the course of the past two years has, and continues to, adversely influence decisions being made by these and other organizations, individuals and associated stakeholders." It also claims that a lack of C++ oriented presentations at recent Borland events is further evidence of neglect.

The developers are worried that the lack of information from Borland signals an intention to abandon it altogether, meaning that software under development in C++Builder will need to be moved to another platform. Many of the developers also cite Borland's Visual Component Library (VCL), part of the C++Builder package, as reducing the time needed to produce a working application, and worry that if updates end their applications will suffer.

Borland does have a more recent C++ IDE available, called C++BuilderX, released last year. This is a cross-platform product, and doesn't provide the same level of Windows-specific features as the previous product. In particular, there isn't a form designer component. Many of those signing the letter feel this is vital for quick application development.

Borland has responded to the letter saying it values user input and that it has previously solicited feedback on this very issue. In a statement to Builder UK, Jason Vokes, European product line manager said "Borland welcomes this letter from the community of developers using C++Builder. It is a very comprehensive response to a proactive request for feedback made by Borland's product management team at the 2004 Borland Conference, held in San Jose. The letter contains exactly the feedback Borland was seeking."

Borland has said that an answer to the question of C++Builder's future will be given on or before the 15th December, and that further feedback is still welcome up to that point.