BorlandTalk.com Borland discussion newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  How much longer will BCB be useable Goto page 1, 2  Next          BorlandTalk.com Forum Index -> C++ Builder (Non-Technical) View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Chris W Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:05 pm    Post subject: How much longer will BCB be useable I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5. Both applications are in a pretty static state with very few feature changes and all known bugs fixed. Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. -- Chris W Bring Back the HP 15C http://hp15c.org Not getting the gifts you want? The Wish Zone can help. http://thewishzone.com Back to top Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:25 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Start your rewriting yesterday. Quote: I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5. Both applications are in a pretty static state with very few feature changes and all known bugs fixed. Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. Back to top Frank Gruber Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 3:48 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Quote: Start your rewriting yesterday. Disagree. Start rewriting if it is clear what happens to WinAPI and .NET Frank. Back to top Zambhala Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 4:01 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable DOS programs are still usable. Win32-based programs should be usable for decades. I can't believe MS would ever end-of-life it and make users choose which platform they are going to translate to. Too many would choose wrong. Back to top Gord Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 4:05 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable IMO, a long long long time. Longhorn isn't scheduled until 2006 which means it won't be here until 2007. (Look at XP SP2 - first it was the first half of 2004, then the summer of 2004, now they are saying September. Also look at the scheduling delays for XP64). Longhorn is a long way off. Plus, even when longhorn comes, it will still support Win32 for a long time. The only thing is that you won't be able to take advantage of various advances which get implemented, but your program will run. Chris W wrote: Quote: Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. Back to top I R T Guest Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:51 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Chris W <1qazse4XYZ (AT) cox (DOT) net.removeXYZ> writes: Quote: I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5. Both applications are in a pretty static state with very few feature changes and all known bugs fixed. Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. They should work with Longhorn. After that is anybody's guess. So assuming longhorn is released late 2005 ( optimistic ) and remains mainstream for around 4 years, you should be ok till 2009. Back to top Pavel Vozenilek Guest Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2004 8:30 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable <Donut> wrote: Quote: I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5.... Start your rewriting yesterday. Don't start until you estimate cost of rewriting against its benefits. /Pavel Back to top Colin B Maharaj Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 1:24 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable 1. When Microsoft no longer supports the Win32 API. 2. When customers are demanding a slower but more secure .NET executable in their servers. 3. When it is no longer possible to call a particular API in a future OS, which is near impossible. Right now I can call almost any API function in windows 2000, in my BCB 3.0 Pro environment, at least the APIs that I have studies and need. e.g. the Messenger API. Chris W wrote: Quote: I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5. Both applications are in a pretty static state with very few feature changes and all known bugs fixed. Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. Back to top Andrue Cope [TeamB] Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 8:05 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Chris W wrote: Quote: Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? At least five years. Maybe double that. DOS applications still run under Windows and I'd say now that there's more Windows applications and more world dependance on them than there ever was on DOS. MS are not going to pull the plug on Win32 any time soon. -- Andrue Cope [TeamB] [Bicester, Uk] http://info.borland.com/newsgroups/guide.html Back to top john blackburn Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 9:07 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Colin B Maharaj wrote: Quote: 1. When Microsoft no longer supports the Win32 API. If they do that then they will be doing the best marketing job for Linux imaginable. Back to top Graham Reeds Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 9:36 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Quote: 1. When Microsoft no longer supports the Win32 API. If they do that then they will be doing the best marketing job for Linux imaginable. You seem to forget when they finally do turn off the support for Win32, .NET will be so ingrained that only the oldest apps will break, and so it won't have too much impact anyway. G. Back to top Alisdair Meredith (TeamB) Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 10:24 am    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Chris W wrote: Quote: I have two fairly large applications I wrote in C++ Builder 5. Both applications are in a pretty static state with very few feature changes and all known bugs fixed. Assuming there will be no more C++ builder revisions, how long will it be before I will have to rewrite these applications because they will no longer work on some future version of windows? I know this is just speculation, so speculate away. Microsoft traditionally do a great job of retaining back compatibility in new Operating Systems. You can find many examples in Raymond Chen's blog where they find bugs in applications, and patch the new OS to replicate precisely those bugs (often by detecting when the broken app is running, rather than keeping the ongoing buggy behaviour for future generations!) http://weblogs.asp.net/oldnewthing/category/2282.aspx On the other hand, how 'current' do you feel an application developed for Win3.1 would be today? It will run, but it will not look right. At some point, you need to make the move for marketing reasons. This may be even truer for Longhorn than recent OSes, as there is going to be a new 'user experience', or GUI to you and me <g> This will probably be the most radical (visual) change since Win05 introduced a new shell, and old applications may start to feel dated more quickly than we are used to. OTOH, there will also be a lag while Lognhorn reaches market maturity, so you probably have 12-18 months after shipping before you look like you're not keeping up to date. (Even actively maintained projects don't feel it, if the user perception is the GUI is out of date) On current projections, that probably gives you most of the decade to adjust <g> Although that is for the shipping product, not to start the work!!! Hopefully Borland will have a C++/VCL solution for us long before then, but I expected a solution long ago as well, so no promises! If you can wait, I don't think the issue is urgent for another year or so yet. If you have other pressures pushing the switch (eg such a large codebase you know porting will takes years anyway) I would be looking around now, and pushing Borland directly for support, or at least information. AlisdairM(TeamB) Back to top Randall Parker Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 5:15 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable When Microsoft does finally turn off support for Win32 I'll be so disgusted that I'll move to one of the Mars colonies. Graham Reeds wrote: Quote: 1. When Microsoft no longer supports the Win32 API. If they do that then they will be doing the best marketing job for Linux imaginable. You seem to forget when they finally do turn off the support for Win32, .NET will be so ingrained that only the oldest apps will break, and so it won't have too much impact anyway. G. Back to top john blackburn Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 5:23 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Randall Parker wrote: Quote: When Microsoft does finally turn off support for Win32 I'll be so disgusted that I'll move to one of the Mars colonies. Graham Reeds wrote: 1. When Microsoft no longer supports the Win32 API. If they do that then they will be doing the best marketing job for Linux imaginable. You seem to forget when they finally do turn off the support for Win32, .NET will be so ingrained that only the oldest apps will break, and so it won't have too much impact anyway. G. Yeah well, if they insist that .Net is everywhere we'll all need Cray Supercomputers to run Word ! Back to top Colin B Maharaj Guest Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 11:19 pm    Post subject: Re: How much longer will BCB be useable Quote: DOS applications still run under Windows and I'd say now that there's more Windows applications and more world dependance on them than there ever was on DOS. MS are not going to pull the plug on Win32 any time soon. What is interesting is when NT came into the picture, my old DOS terminal Emulator I wrote years ago did not work 'cause direct Port I/O was no longer allowed. When Win2000 came - to my surprise - my terminal emulator could work again. Seems that MS smartened up and allowed DOS apps to use the common serial port / io port. e.g. 0x3f8, etc.... Windows will be around for a while - BUT In my experience (and my memory serves me) when computers are changed out because it stopped working, the new PC you get, usually have a new OS, or new version of Windows. If this trend keeps up, PCs will continue to bundle windows, and it will be the versions of windows that MS wants to sell. Maybe then in the next 6 years, 90% of all desktops would have "Windows 2KDecade Home Edition" (whatever) and would have native .NET support and you may have to go through a lot of trouble to 'turn on' win32 support - also DOS and 16bit may no longer be supported - period. Thus PC trends and longivity, will be the most significant influence on O/S change out and O/S change implies API change. But when you read my first point who knows what the dickens is going to happen - after all WinXP 'probably' still supports DOS and Win16 apps (???). BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR MICROSOFT - TELL THIS TRINI HE IS WRONG!! (boy my fingers are tired.....) Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         BorlandTalk.com Forum Index -> C++ Builder (Non-Technical) All times are GMT Goto page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2   Jump to: Select a forum C++ Builder Newsgroups----------------C++ BuilderC++ Builder (ActiveX)C++ Builder (Announcements)C++ Builder (Command Line Tools)C++ Builder DatabasesC++ Builder Databases (ADO)C++ Builder Databases (Desktop)C++ Builder Databases (InterBase Express)C++ Builder Databases (Multi-Tier)C++ Builder Databases (SQL Servers)C++ Builder (Graphics)C++ Builder (IDE)C++ Builder (Internet)C++ Builder (Internet Socket)C++ Builder (Internet Web)C++ Builder (Jobs)C++ Builder (Language)C++ Builder (Language C++)C++ Builder (Compatibility with MFC)C++ Builder (Native API)C++ Builder (Non-Technical)C++ Builder (Students)C++ Builder (Third Party Tools)C++ Builder (Upgrade)C++ Builder (VCL)C++ Builder (VCL Components Usage)C++ Builder (VCL Components Development)C++ Builder (VCL Usage)C++ Builder (WinAPI)C++ Builder Installation Delphi Newsgroups----------------Delphi (General)Delphi ActiveX Controls UsageDelphi ActiveX Controls DevelopmentDelphi As400Delphi DatabasesDelphi Databases (ADO)Delphi Databases (dbExpress)Delphi Databases (Desktop)Delphi Databases (InterBase Express)Delphi Databases (Multi-Tier)Delphi Databases (SQL Servers)Delphi DeploymentDelphi GraphicsDelphi IDEDelphi InternationalizationDelphi InternetDelphi Internet Isapi-WebBrokerDelphi Internet WebSnapDelphi Internet WinsockDelphi JobsDelphi Language BASMDelphi Language ObjectPascalDelphi Model Driven Architecture (General)Delphi Model Driven Architecture (Third Party)Delphi MultimediaDelphi Native APIDelphi Non-TechnicalDelphi ObjectPascalDelphi OLE AutomationDelphi OO designDelphi OpenToolsAPIDelphi Reporting-ChartingDelphi RTLDelphi StudentsDelphi TeamSourceDelphi Thirdparty ToolsDelphi Thirdparty Tools (General)Delphi Thirdparty Tools (IntraWeb)Delphi Thirdparty Tools (RaveReports)Delphi UpgradeDelphi VCLDelphi VCL ComponentsDelphi VCL Components UsingDelphi VCL Components WritingDelphi WebServices SOAPDelphi WinAPIDelphi XMLDelphi Installationcomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.misccomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.usagecomp.lang.pascal.delphi.components.writingcomp.lang.pascal.delphi.databasescomp.lang.pascal.delphi.misccomp.sources.delphi JBuilder Newsgroups----------------JBuilderJBuilder AnnouncementsJBuilder Applet IssuesJBuilder As400JBuilder CompilerJBuilder CORBA/RMIJBuilder DatabasesJBuilder DB SwingJBuilder DebuggerJBuilder DeploymentJBuilder DocumentationJBuilder EnterpriseJBuilder HandheldJBuilder IDEJBuilder JavaJBuilder JavaAPIJBuilder Java LanguageJBuilder Java SwingJBuilder Java BeansJBuilder Java Beans UsageJBuilder Java Beans DevelopmentJBuilder JBCLJBuilder JDataStoreJBuilder JobsJBuilder LinuxJBuilder MacintoshJBuilder & MobileSetJBuilder MultiLingual AppsJBuilder Non-TechnicalJBuilder OpenToolsJBuilder Servlets (JSP)JBuilder StudentsJBuilder Team DevelopmentJBuilder Thirdparty ToolsJBuilder UpgradeJBuilder Installation InterBase Newsgroups----------------InterBaseInterBase Bug DiscussionInterBase GeneralInterBase IBConsoleInterBase OpenSourceInterBase ReplicationInterBase SQLInterBase ThirdpartyInterBase Installation Miscellaneous Borland Newsgroups----------------AppCenterAppServerEnteraVisiBroker  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.