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The Top 3 CLANG Based C++ IDE Choices Right Now

The Top 3 CLANG Based C++ IDE Choices Right Now

1. Embarcadero RAD Studio, C++ Builder 11.1 With CLANG & Embarcadero Compilers

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C++ Builder is the easiest and fastest C and C++ IDE for building simple or professional applications on the Windows, macOS, iOS & Android operating systems. It is also easy for beginners to learn with its wide range of samples, tutorials, help files, and LSP support for code. C++ Builder comes with Rapid Application Development Studio, also known as RAD Studio, and C++ Builder is one of the most professional IDE’s that work under RAD Studio. It is the oldest IDE (it began as Borland TurboC in 1990 and was later renamed Borland C++ Builder). Under the Embarcadero brand, it comes with new versions, features, updates, and support. RAD Studio’s C++ Builder version comes with the award-winning VCL framework for high-performance native Windows apps and the powerful FireMonkey (FMX) framework for cross-platform UIs. There is a free C++ Builder Community Edition for students, beginners, and startups.

Learn more about one of the main features of C++ Builder 11.1 which is the Clangd compiler in this article.

The Top 3 CLANG Based C++ IDE Choices Right Now an image of the RAD Studio C++ IDE
RAD Studio 111 Welcome Screen

In 2021, Embarcadero announced the General Availability of RAD Studio 11. This release introduces several new features, enhancements, and quality updates in key areas including:   

  • Provision apps for Windows 11
  • Compile for Android API 30
  • Compile for macOS M-series (Apple Silicon) processors
  • Design on high-DPI 4k+ screens
  • View VCL Styles in design time
  • New & modernized VCL components  
  • Use enhanced remote desktop support to collaborate remotely 

On March 2022, Embarcadero was pleased to announce the release of RAD Studio 11 Alexandria Release 1, also known as RAD Studio 11.1, along with Delphi 11.1 and C++Builder 11.1.

Embarcadero’s C++ Builder CE is a shared free C++ IDE and Compiler for the community of freelance developers, startups, students, and non-profits, C++Builder Community Edition is a full-featured IDE for building iOS and Windows apps from a single modern C++ codebase (limited commercial use license). C++Builder Community Edition includes a code editor, powerful debugging tools, built-in access to popular local databases with live data at design time, Bluetooth and IoT capabilities, and a visual UI designer with support for pixel-perfect, platform-specific styling.

Here are the features of the C++ Builder CE version;

  • Build Windows and iOS C++ Applications 10x Faster with Less Code.
  • C++Builder Community Edition provides you with an integrated toolchain and professional-level developer tools from Day 1
  • Featuring Clang-enhanced compiler, Dinkumware standard library, MSBuild/CMake/Ninja support, and popular libraries like Boost and Eigen.
  • Develop Windows and iOS applications with a single codebase and responsive UI
  • Enjoy the award winning Visual Designer using the C++Builder VCL and FireMonkey frameworks for maximum productivity
  • Built-in Debugging Tools that allow you to debug on any device
  • Build database apps with local/embedded capabilities
  • Hundreds of included components to enhance your app and reduce development cycles
  • Direct access to InterBase, SQLite, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, DB2, SQL Anywhere, Advantage DB, Firebird, Access, Informix, MongoDB, and more.
  • Licensed for use until your individual revenue from C++Builder applications or company revenue reaches $5,000 US or your development team expands to more than 5 developers

You can download the free C++ Builder Community Edition here: https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/starter.

Professional developers can use the Professional, Architect or Enterprise versions of C++ Builder. Please visit https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder.

We’ve also compiled a number of reasons why we think Dev-C++ is a good choice as an open-source text editor and IDE for Windows 11.

See What’s New in RAD Studio 11

Download RAD Studio 11 Now

2. Visual C++ Compiler (Visual Studio 2022) Community Edition / Professional / Enterprise

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Visual Studio 2022 by Microsoft is another great IDE with CLANG C++ Compiler. Developers may get best-in-class tools and services for any developer, any app, and any platform. Whether you’re using Visual Studio for the first time or you’ve been using it for years, there’s a lot to like in our current version!

Here’s a high-level recap of what’s new, all-up:

  • Develop: Stay focused and productive with improved performance, instant code cleanup, and better search results.
  • Collaborate: Enjoy natural collaboration through a Git-first workflow, real-time editing and debugging, and code reviews right in Visual Studio.
  • Debug: Highlight and navigate to specific values, optimize memory use, and take automatic snapshots of your application’s execution.
The Top 3 CLANG Based C++ IDE Choices Right Now Visual Studio IDE image
Captured from the VS Official Video httpswwwyoutubecomwatchv=iC3CJcYxkl0

For a complete list of everything that’s new in this version, see the release notes. And, for more info about what’s new in the 17.1 release, see the Visual Studio 2022 is available now blog post. For more details about the Visual Studio and its versions please check their official page here

3. VS Code With GNU C and C++ IDE plus Compiler (GCC, g++)

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Visual Studio Code (also called VS Code) is the most popular free IDE, published by Microsoft. We can say it is a free version IDE for beginners, students and for some professional usage. It can be used with MinGW Linux Simulation (with GNU C/C++ Compiler) to develop C++ applications running on the command console. It is the most well-known open-source code editor for a wide variety of languages, and it can act as an IDE with the right extensions. This developer-environment tool also offers multiplatform support and is excellent for developers seeking customization and a high degree of flexibility. However, Visual Studio Code is built in Electron and can consumer more resources than other native IDEs.
Visual Studio Code can be downloaded from https://code.visualstudio.com/.

The Top 3 CLANG Based C++ IDE Choices Right Now An image of the Visual Studio Code IDE

Here are some of Visual Studio Code’s popular features:

  • It is free to use
  • Easy to use and develop
  • It is lightweight
  • Auto code completion
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Command line area
  • Debugger
  • Themes and extensions
  • Deployment tools
  • Git support

GNU GCC is another powerful C/C++ compiler originally written as the compiler for the Unix, Linux and GNU operating system. The GNU system was developed to be 100% free software, and it is efficient with both 32-bit and 64-bit operations. This compiler can be used on Windows using MinGW or CygWin Linux Simulators.

Note that VS Code IDE, Eclipse and many IDE’s supports GNU C/C++ Compilers. Compiled executable files need a small dll to run independently on Windows. It is mostly compatible with CLANG standards. GNU C/C++ is powerful on backend programming, unfortunately not much friendly with Windows and hard to use GUI and other peripherals of windows. That means, it is not useful for modern applications with Modern GUIs.

GCC Compiler can be used by Visual Studio Code, Dev C++, Code Blocks, and can be directly used with Command Prompt or PowerShell.
It is available on the official product page https://gcc.gnu.org/.

Get to know the basic features of Visual Studio C++ as well as the rich collection of String operations in this article.

Download and Install The Latest C++ Builder or RAD Studio IDE Now !

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You can download the free C++ Builder Community Edition here: https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder/starter.

Professional developers can use the Professional, Architect or Enterprise versions of C++ Builder. Please visit https://www.embarcadero.com/products/cbuilder.

The latest new posts, more examples and tutorials can be found at this dynamic C++ link for blogs.embarcadero.com and on the dedicated C++ site LearnCPlusPlus.org which is a great totally free resource packed full of articles where you can easily improve and expand your C++ programming knowledge and skills.


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About author

Dr. Yilmaz Yoru has 35+ years of coding with more than 30+ programming languages, mostly C++ on Windows, Android, Mac-OS, iOS, Linux, and some other operating systems. He graduated and received his MSc and PhD degrees from the Department of Mechanical Engineering of Eskisehir Osmangazi University. He is the founder and CEO of ESENJA LLC Company. His interests are Programming, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Artificial Intelligence, 2D & 3D Designs, and high-end innovations.

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