Borland C++ Builder 6.0 Professional Full System may be the best C++ compiler out there, but mainly because of the monopolistic IT-world we live in today, there is a lack of fair competition in the programming aspect of this world.
Inspite of this powerfull domination by MS, Borland managed to provide an excellent programming tool and also managed to adhere to most C++ rules as layed out by its ruling body. In any case, a lot more than MS did. All this mumbo jumbo about monopolies and power aside, this product deserves a place among the greatest achievements of the Borland Corp.
One very good aspect of bcb, is that it has a very intuitive and simple interface. It is based on the DELPHI (VCL) interface. If you open DELPHI, JBuilder or Kylix, you'll be amazed at the similarities. This makes it easy to use all these products witout sacrificing too much time learning the interface.
The bcb compiler is very fast, and I feel that the bcb6 version is even faster than bcb5's.
I have worked for some time with VC++ and VFox Pro and I must say that what strikes me the most is the time it takes to master the simple and redundant stuff in these MS products. By the time you can start programming, you spent too long trying to learn the interface.
One thing that is definitely not a strong point for the competition is its connectivity to other (verndors) Database products. Bcb provides, with a little tweaking, excellent connectivity to Oracle and other brands of SQLs.
But the truth remains in the power and the sad thing is that most employers do not look for bcb programmers, but for VC++-ers. Which is sad.
Many companies provide SDK's for their products, beit hardware or software interfaces, without sample code for bcb. The time spent decifering DELPHI code or even VC++ is not worth it.
But BCB remains a good product. I bought bcb after using many MS products (VC++ and MS-VFP) and I must say that if it weren't for the time I spend decifering DELPHI or VC++ code, I would give bcb a 101%, instead of a 95%. In my book VC++ gets a 70% rating.
So, if you like programming and want to learn fast and build programs you can be proud of for their maintainability and extendability, get Borland's C++ Builder.