Differences Between Turbo C and Turbo C Plus: A Comprehensive Guide

When it comes to C programming, especially in the early days of software development, two prominent names often surfaced: Turbo C and Turbo C Plus. While both are historical tools for C/C development, they differ significantly in features, compatibility, and modernization. This article aims to provide a detailed comparison between these two versions, helping developers to understand their differences and choose the right one for their needs.

Language Support

The primary difference between Turbo C and Turbo C Plus lies in the language support they offer. Turbo C is primarily designed to support the C programming language, whereas Turbo C Plus supports both C and C .

Turbo C:
Primarily supports the C programming language. It offers a basic set of features for C programming, including a simple editor, debugger, and compiler.
Turbo C Plus:
Supports both C and C programming languages. It includes additional features for C programming, such as classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and templates. This makes Turbo C Plus more versatile for modern programming needs.

Development Environment

Both Turbo C and Turbo C Plus were developed by Borland, but they serve different purposes and have different development histories.

Turbo C:
Borland developed Turbo C, which was primarily used in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed for DOS environments.
Turbo C Plus:
Turbo C Plus was released later and offered enhancements over Turbo C. It still uses a DOS environment but introduces a more modern approach to programming, including support for object-oriented programming.

Compatibility and Modernization

The compatibility of these tools is another significant difference. Turbo C is designed for DOS environments and lacks support for modern programming constructs. On the other hand, Turbo C Plus, while still based on DOS, introduces a more modern approach to programming with support for object-oriented programming.

Compatibility:
Turbo C is best suited for DOS environments and older operating systems. Turbo C Plus, while also using DOS, offers a more modern C framework that supports object-oriented programming, making it more versatile for modern programming needs.
Modernization:
Turbo C Plus is more modernized, supporting C constructs that Turbo C lacks, such as classes, inheritance, and templates. This makes Turbo C Plus a better choice for developers who need to work with C or modern C features.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while both Turbo C and Turbo C Plus are historical tools for C and C programming, there are clear differences in their support for languages, features, and modernization. Turbo C is focused on C programming, while Turbo C Plus extends that functionality to support C features, making it more versatile for modern programming needs.

It’s important to note that these tools are considered outdated for current software development practices. However, they can still be valuable for learning and understanding the evolution of C and C programming. If you are using either version, it might be worth considering updating to a more modern development environment like Visual C through the Visual Studio Installer. This will allow you to learn newer C standards such as C89, C90, C99, C11, C17, and even the upcoming C20.

Keywords: Turbo C, Turbo C Plus, C Programming, C