The New C++Builder Product Manager
Those folks that have known me for a while know that I’m not to smart on the C++ side of things. I’m pretty much of a Delphi-head, and have never really learned a lick of C++. I’ve been long involved with the Delphi community, but haven’t really got much knowledge about what C++ developers want and need.
As the Delphi Product Manager, however, I’m often called upon to do things for the C++ side of the house. But I try to avoid it — not because I’m lazy, but because I don’t want to do more harm than good. 
But no longer! We now have a C++Builder Product Manager: Alisdair Meredith. This is great news, and a very exciting hire. Some of you may know Alisdair as a long-time TeamB member. Others might know him as a member of both the ISO C++ language committee and the BSI (British Standard Institute) panel for C++. He’ll also be CodeGear’s representative on the ANSI C++ committee He’s as passionate about C++ as I am about Delphi.
So, I welcome Alisdair, if for no other reason that I now have a guy to pass C++ questions to.
Wow, that is totally superb! Alisdair entered one of the most original/innovative entries I had ever seen back when I was running Jake’s Code Efficiency Challenge in the late nineties. He is very passionate about C++, so that is a huge plus. In addition, he really knows his stuff.
You guys at CodeGear are moving in a very good direction these days.
September 13th, 2007 at 8:55 amWhy does’nt he figure on the CODEGEAR main page as C++ product manager by the side of yours?
September 13th, 2007 at 9:46 amThis is great news! The future of C++ Builder is looking better and better these days.
September 13th, 2007 at 10:39 amIf only VCL could have a product manager too!
I’m TOTALLY serious! VCL is the best Borland/CodeGear product, not the compilers, and it has always been under the shadow of the IDE/Compiler products.
If only …!
September 13th, 2007 at 12:22 pmKA -> VCL should have stolen the thunder from IDE. After all Delphi is VCL.
September 17th, 2007 at 9:44 amGood to hear about this. C++ Builder is best for me
September 17th, 2007 at 11:28 amI’m glad too. The update 3 had backfired on me, and I’ve had a very rough time recovering from it. Hopefully in the future there will be less need for update 3’s.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:16 amI hope Alisdair can make components created with C++ Builder usable in Delphi projects.
I know the reverse is true (C++ Builder can use Delphi components) and I appreciate that feature immensely.
But the ability to use C++ components (visual and nonvisual) which leverage well-established libraries like OpenSSL and countless others would be of immense value to Delphi projects.
This is the #1 feature that will convince me to upgrade after 2007. And I bet it would help sales of both Delphi and C++.
Think about it. One big reason many don’t use Delphi is because they cannot easily leverage all the C++ libraries already deployed. Make it easy and profit.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:56 am