5 comments about Borland C++ Builder 5.0 Professional.

1. I started out developing in C++ with Builder 3 which I also thought was a great product, and still use it on my old Sharp laptop. I also enjoy using VC, but Builder is clearly the superior product. There is one thing that concerns me though. If you are new to C++ Windows programming, beware: There has been NOTHING written to help the newcomer get started with Builder. The only book that is even available for this product, the "Developers Guide" was written aimed at those already experienced with C++ Builder. This dearth of available information is no doubt driving a lot of would be Builder users to VC. Borland really needs to take this issue seriously or their pool of users is going to continue to dwindle.



2. OK, maybe it wasn't *my* money but I won't hesitate to continue recommending to employers and clients that they procure this product for Windows software development. A number of salient points have been made about this product in other reviews here, so I'll limit comments to issues that haven't been fully addressed. The on-line help for this version of the product is separated distinctly into two different references... one for Borland interface routines, and another for Windows SDK/API. The product allows you to freely utilize from either or both as your requirements dictate; I am finding the mixing/matching approach to my current development both painless and convenient. In the past, I have not been enthusiastic about utilizing Borland Classes of C++ facilitation, but I've come to the point with this product that it's just too compelling and simple not to increasingly utilize what's offered. A case in point would be the introduction of graphics into a chosen area of the screen. In previous versions of the product, I stuck to the typical Windows methods in what amounted to fifteen or so lines of code. Using the supplied Borland TClass constructs, it now takes about four lines. I found the migration from previous versions of Borland to this one relatively painless considering that I'm making the jump from primarily C-based code to primarily C++ facilitated code purely to take advantage of the assistance Borland provides for previously tedious Windows programming. Another reviewer pointed out that if you're not already a competent Windows programmer, this product won't be the way to become one. I would continue to agree with this (in addition to the fact that this has been the case from the first day Win3.0 hit the streets... so don't take it too personally that it's not like opening up FrontPage and cranking out a web page). I enjoy that the old Resource Workshop, while still invokable as a separate program, has to some degree been incorporated into the primary IDE, so you have instant access to all of your program's forms (ie., dialog boxes etc.) in a more integrated association with your code than in the old days. I especially enjoy the inclusion of InstallShield's development process in this distribution. There are a number (ie., four CD's worth) of additional freebees (or demos) that I haven't really explored yet, but from what I've seen thus far, you're best off browsing these disks when you're connected to the web; the packages appear to attempt connections with their own home pages in a number of cases. In all, I am very highly satisfied with what I got in return for the money and I won't hesitate to continue recommending it. I'm giving it 5 stars simply because I don't really see what they could have done further short of coming here and writing my code for me.



3. For those of us coming from the MS world, C++ Builder does for C++ what Visual Basic did for Basic years ago. This is an excellent package. It's far easier to work with than Microsoft's Visual C++.

   The only problem is that there is not a lot of documentation on the market for C++ Builder. "C++ Builder How-To" by the Waite Group Press is very good, but doesn't go into enough depth.

   You won't regret getting this one.




4. C++ Builder is a pretty product. Within few minutes, you can finalize your IDE drag and dropping. Within few hours you can finish a medium sized application and even enterprise using its very powerful VCL (MFC's counterpart). Another major plus, it complies to C++ Standard. In addition, the packaged CodeGuard makes debugging memory bugs(C/C++ programmers nightmare) a pleasure. Compared to VC6, this really is a gold.

   Why just 2 stars? Compared to VC6 it has three major disadvantages that made me switch back to VC6.

   First is performance optimization. For some reasons, code produced by C++ Builder is larger than VC6. I once developed an app simpler than a competitor's. However, my app is still larger! So I had to do it again in VC6. I have also observed that my app written in VC6 runs faster and consumes less memory.

   Second Borland's VCL is written in C++ but rather in Borland's proprietary language Delphi. That means in order to examine the library's code, you have to learn another language. This also introduces some quirks you have to live by. For instance, a class property, say "Caption", does not necessary mean a variable, but rather a function that is made to look like a variable through language extensions. This means you can't be sure what does "&Caption" means unless you check the helpfile.

   Third, VCL is not as good in low level. For instance you are force to use your main application thread for all access to VCL objects, which include WIN32 controls. Also, you can't flush the message stack. Things you can do easily with MFC




5. I'm a self-taught novice programmer, so these comments are not geared towards for the experts.

   Borland's C++ Builder is light years ahead of MS Visual C++ (which is an extremely painful programming environment). C++ Builder is like Visual Basic for C++. It's really easy to learn, and I've been able to get results very quickly.

   The only problem with C++ Builder is the lack of documentation. Borland is obviously not the market leader, consequently it's harder to find helpful, intelligent C++ Builder books than it is to find books for VB, Access, VC, ASP, SQL or other programming languages.

   Several reference books that are essential: Charlie Calvert's C++ Builder Unleashed by Sams (unfortunately only up until version 4). And for non-visual reference, the C++ Builder complete reference by Osborne.

No comments about Microsoft Visual C++ for 16-bit Windows Based Development Version 4.2 (4.1 & 1.52).

No comments about Visual Cafe Standard Ed. 4.0.

5 comments about Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2005 Upgrade [OLD VERSION].

1. By far more superior than Visual Basic, Visual C++ and Visual Studio 2000. Much more along the lines of a development tool built for developers not for marketing the product. I have coded in both C# and VB using this tool and found it to be the most far superior of any other development tool I have used.



2. Useful, adds important new features.
   Highly recommended.



3. I've been using the product for several months now for both web and winforms development, professional and personal. I run it on a three year old Dell laptop, with an Athlon 4 processor. It has occasionally been slow, especially when I was working on a half million line winforms application I'd ported from VB6. That said, I had far fewer speed problems than some collegues, my laptop having 1 Gb RAM, and them only 500Mb.
   I find this version of Visual Studio lacks many of the bugs and glitches of 2003, and I really like the enhancements to ASP.NET development such as Master Pages, Generics, and the ability to use Atlas/AJAX components as web controls.
   All in all this is a fantastic step forward for the developer, just make sure you have as much RAM as possible. A Service Pack in the near future would probably be helpful too.



4. On paper, Visual Studio 2005 looks great. Even when initially installed on your PC, it's an amazing product. It's breadth of helpful tools will turn your head. But, when put to the test of real-world development, Visual Studio stumbles terribly, then falls to its' knees. VS 2005, even with SP1, is just not ready for real-world development. Let me give a few examples.
   
   The user interface becomes maddeningly slow on any project with more than a few hundred lines of code. If you have split your development up into multiple projects, you end up having to 'unload' them (i.e. - not having them compile) in order to be productive. The IDE will go 'out to lunch' for up to a minute for no apparent reason. There's no indication or feed back of what it is doing other than pegging your hard disk light and freezing up the IDE.
   
   Text input is such a basic element for any development tool, so it is amazing that Visual Studio develops a disturbing keyboard stutter at the most inopportune and unpredictable times. When you are deep in the middle of a development cycle: typing code, compiling, running, and debugging, suddenly each keypress will take 3-5 seconds to appear on the screen. You are stopped dead in your tracks. Going forward is impossible. Everyone hoped Service Pack 1 would fix the slowness of text input, but it hasn't.
   
   You have to ask yourself, "what good is an IDE that doesn't allow you to input code?" And everyone knows that the answer is, "none". Some of the suggested work-arounds include: closing all the form designers (if they are even working), turning off the navigation bar, or restart the application. But the only one that actually works is restarting Visual Studio 2005. Since it can take up to a minute and a half to start an Enterprise scale project, it's just not a viable solution (you are going to be restarting *often*).
   
   Microsoft really needs to re-evaluate their management of this product. Such deep flaws in the design of their premiere development tool does not instill the kind of confidence a developer demands of their tools when developing a professional application. Development tools are bought by the people that intend to produce products *for* Microsoft's operating systems. Without these products, the operating system becomes meaningless, because there would be nothing useful for end-users to do. Why has Microsoft crippled one of the most important legs of their business, and why can't they fix it?
   
   It appears that they have abandoned VS 2005 and are putting all their efforts into their next release. It's rather convenient for them. In order to get a version of Visual Studio that is actually useful, you'll need to pony up another $800. Now that's a business model I'd like to get into: produce a deeply flawed product, then charge more for the fix.
   
   Microsoft needs to fix the product that they have already released, not the next one that they want to sell. If you are just developing a small in-house app, or creating something with a couple of thousand lines of code, then you're probably okay buying VS 2005, but if you are trying to produce a large, Enterprise-sized, commercial-quality application be warned: you are going to face some serious challenges from this product.



5. In Visual Studio Express (free from Microsoft), you can try out the development environment and work with C#, Visual J+, Visual Basic, and C++. That is a great introduction and is all many people will need. Professional IT people developers, and serious students working in development will benefit from the industry-standard full edition.
   
   Moving to the full Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition is well worth the money for the improvements in functionality. Here you get SQL Server Developer Edition (all the funtionality of Enterprise Edition, but license limited to development purposes). This includes Integration Services (import and transform data), Analysis Services (multidimensional processing), and Reporting Services (advanced intractive reports), all three omitted from Express Editions, as well as the full SQL 2005 database engine. It is fair to note that SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition can be purchased as stand-alone software for under $50, an incredible bargain, but that obviously is not the full Visual Studio package for developing applications.
   
   In addition, the full Visual Studio supports Visual Studio Tools for Office (VISTO - now a free download), for programming solutions for Microsoft Office applications, and supports adding third party plug-in software, while the Express Edition does not. Just remember to budget for books and training, and to make time to use the online education from Microsoft. The VS interface does not put everything in the menus. You need to know when and where to right-click, and how the myriad components relate to each other. And plan for the next upgrade too, probably coming in 2008 per the Microsoft web site.

5 comments about Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Professional 2002.

1. I have been using Visual Studio for a long time (VB for 10 years, VC++ for 5 years). This is the best yet. Sure, the .NET platform is slow in taking off, but it is a MAJOR improvement and will take a while. The new IDE is used by ALL the languages and is fantastic. The debugging tools are an order of magnitude better. The online documentation is essential (make sure you load the whole thing, you will usually need it). Even the IntelliSense is improved. For VB long-timers, this version is probably a bigger improvement than any others, including the transitions of 16-to-32-bit and from interpreted to compiled. Software productivity is almost certain to explored -- once it catches on. The hype is real, but it will take time. This is what it was like before the Web took off -- the people in the know just "knew" it would happen, it is just a matter of time. Be on the front of the wave.



2. This studio is leagues beyond the last. Microsoft is easing the burden of developers by simplifying distributed application development using .NET. Sure, for instance, you can go in and manually write the low level COM interface connectors if you prefer to have the "stick shift" control and specific performance attributes etc., or you can rely on the built in functionality of .NET and speed the development process.

   It seems that with this platform there is a bit of a learning curve even for the most experienced developers because of the great differences. But the online help is dynamic and useful when you get stuck on something.

   Visual Basic is not Visual Basic now. They seemed to have completely renovated the way VB works.

   The Common language Runtime (CLR) makes it possible to create solutions by interweaving any of the languages included with the studio. I believe there is a way to import 3rd party or future MS designed languages as well. So if one language is better at a specific task, then you can switch to it.

   The integrated development environment (IDE) is meant to maximize developer productivity. In using it, I haven't experienced the contrary. I must mention that I do like the flexibility of working on web applications in .NET. You can use a grid layout like a form builder, or the flow layout like a web page editor.

   I noticed a couple of funny things so far, but not worth mentioning. It takes some getting used to, but this is certainly worth it.




3. If you do pure C/C++ programming without COM, VB or C#, you won't see much of an improvement. Code profiling for performance measurements is gone, which was available in MSVC 6 (Microsoft Visual C++ 6). So if you get this software, you should get something like Rational Quantify for performance testing.

   C# and .NET are the biggest additions to this environment over previous versions.

   Our development environment went through a few upgrade pains. The VS .NET 2003 version fixed many usability problems found in VS .NET 2002. The UI is much better than MSVC 6.0. As with most compiler upgrades, certain C/C++ language features changed, which took us a little time to resolve (e.g. , __FILE__ and a few other things). I recommend a phase in approach when migrating to this new environment. Don't jump into this environment.

   If you want to do real C/C++ programming, you need at least the professional edition. The Visual C++ .NET 2003 Standard edition doesn't do optimization, but the professional environment does do optimization. Sadly, you can't get just the C/C++ compiler. Fortunately, there are more optimization options in this compiler, and it has buffer security checks, which I have found useful a couple of times.

   The HTML editor doesn't create 100% valid strict HTML 4.01, but it's a better HTML editor than MSVC 6. It also makes it easier to edit basic CSS.

   I haven't used all of the nifty features of this environment, but it's a decent improvement over MSVC 6. It's way better than MetroWerks CodeWarrior 5, at least with regards to price (current CodeWarrior version is 8.0, but 5.0 had some stability issues when I used it). I can't compare it very well to Eclipse, since I haven't used it that often (I like Eclipse, which is freely available at http://www.eclipse.org/). CygWin is a little difficult to use at times, but the price is right (free).

   Overall I recommend Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Professional. If you're a casual C/C++ programmer, look elsewhere. This will probably be too pricey for you. If you're a professional programmer, you should consider getting this software. If you're a professional Windows programmer, you need this software because this is the future of Windows programming.




4. Absolutely fantastic - best programming experience out of anything else I've used. Surely beats the pants of any java IDE.



5. I ordered this software from zuouw, and he informed me that it was actually an academic version. I was unaware of this. I thought from the ad that it was the professional version. This person actually refunded my money. I wish everyone in america upheld the business ethics that zuouw upholds. This was a very pleasant experience for me due to the fact that zuouw is a very ethical human being.
   Thank you very much zuouw
   Billy

No comments about MSDN 2008.

5 comments about FileMaker Pro 7 (Mac).

1. This Filemaker is the best version yet! Highly recommended!



2. I have been using Filemaker 7 for Mac for 2 motnhs now. I am so happy with all the improvements they have made. Hands down this is the best database program (Mac or PC) ever made. A must buy!



3. The improvements made over version 6 are monumental! A must have for database users and users of previous versions! A+++++



4. I'm a database professional, one of the few MySQL Certified Professionals in the country. I've been familiar with dBase, InfoFile, Clarion, Microsoft Access, FoxPro, Oracle, SQL Server and PostgreSQL, most since their earliest incarnations.
   
   I've been tinkering with FileMaker since version 3 (1995). It never seemed much more than an oh-so-slightly souped-up version of the database in ClarisWorks/AppleWorks.
   
   I've always evaluated FileMaker's time-limited downloads, but was never impressed.
   
   But version 7 is a quantum leap, highly matured. If you want a replacement for the buggy and unstable Microsoft Access, here it is.
   
   On a note, I bought a copy of FileMaker 7 on eBay. When I registered it, FileMaker told me that it was a pirated copy, which diminished my opinion of that online service.
   
   I believe that if "a software is good enough to use, it's good enough to pay for". On a shoestring budget, I needed to find the best price, and it was here on Amazon.



5. FileMaker Pro 7 (and it's new version 8) have one leg up on Microsoft Access: the are cross-platform. You can use FileMaker on Macs and PCs. Microsoft doesn't make an Access for Mac, either stand-alone or bundled with Office.
   
   If you don't know how to use Access, if you don't know too much about relational database management systems, FileMaker is probably for you. It's much easier to use than Access. But if you have invested the time to learn Access enough to do the basics - create tables, complex queries, and forms, and to produce useful reports - stick with Access.
   
   Switching to FileMaker means learning a whole new system, and once you do, you will not be any more productive than you already are.

No comments about Delphi 2007 for WIN32 R2 Prof New DVD.

1 comments about Borland Delphi 5 Enterprise (New user).

1. This is the best developers solution for making fast working, cool looking and useable applications. For averyone who likes Pascal Language Delphi 5 Enterprice edition will show the real windows programing world. That's cool :)

2 comments about Mastering PHP 5.0 (5 Disc Value Pack) Includes: FrontPage 2003 + Dreamweaver MX 2004.

1. Mastering PHP 5.0 (5 Disc Value Pack) is the worst buy of my life. I thought this was the worst setup and e-learning course I have ever had. I have taken over 6 e-learning classes so I know what I'm talking about! 1 star!



2. This is a very Unclear step by step cd/cds. It will tell you how to use code but does not tell you what they are. The cd labels are very cheap. No disk 1 or disk to Just disks with labels.
   
   Instructions are enough to go to sleep with
   
   I would not recommend this product due to the unrealistic nature of the teaching, if you would like to call it that.