C++ Builder vs Delphi vs MFC

Question

I am learning MFC and find it not that easy to use.

I've heard a lot about Delphi . researching on Delphi lead me to C++ Builder.

does C++ Builder offer a serious and good alternative to C++/MFC ? is C++ Builder better than MFC ? is C++ Builder better than Delphi ? (I've heard many goood things about Delphi)

can any one give me a comparison between C++/MFC, Delphi and C++ Builder ?

Thanks for the help.

Answer 1

I'd suggest you go Delphi.

My pros for it would be

• Syntax wise it is very easy and readable. You know C++ makes you write "cryptic" and "mystic" code with strange variables and such. Hell! half of c++ is prefixed with "__"

• Performance is almost the same as a C++ application. If you don't use VCL then it should be the same. But what's Delphi without VCL.

• --Native-- applications. Which means absolutely nothing else to worry about, no frameworkss, no runtimes. (You can still build an app with runtime packages tho)

• Database connectivity is aswell one of it's strong points... very strong one

• Powerfull visual designer you can build almost all of your application's interface at design-time.

And the list can go on...

Oh and to conclude, Delphi can make everything C++/C#/C etc can. EXCEPT device drivers, so if you don't plan to write drivers for a printer or something Delphi is the way to go.

Answer 2

Delphi community is still active (Why do you think there is Delphi 2009?). Delphi comes with rich sets of components, and there are thriving third party components. Having worked on both MFC and Delphi in professional setting, I can easily say that Delphi is way better in terms of ease of development and overall quality.

Coming from C#, there are similar concepts in Delphi the Anders Hejlsberg has already thought about like TComponent, TDataSet, properties and events (which became delegates). Delphi can also be used to consume COM objects, write Web Services, write report engines for custom reports.

But wait, there's more. Check out DevExpress' ExpressQuantumGrid.