C++ Builder

C++ Builder is more similar to Visual Basic than Visual C++ is, due to the way the interface building section works. You just drag your components to the form, change the properties, and hook the methods up to code and you''re away. In that sense, you might find yourself at home with C++ Builder.

However, drag-and-drop GUIs are rarely called for in game programming, unless you''re doing a level editor or something similar. Personally I prefer Visual C++ for standard game programming tasks, but it''s just a matter of personal preference. As for whether Builder uses ActiveX controls, I think the controls that come with it are not actually ActiveX ones, but that it does support use of such components if you import them. I may be wrong about this though as I am not an ActiveX expert, nor do I ever care to be

Also, it can be a hassle getting certain headers/libraries to work with the Borland compilers, although it is usually just a case of making a few modifications or finding somewhere to download such altered versions.

Some of the components it ships with are actually ActiveX components, including some internet tools and charting/graphing components. However, most of the components are VCL components. I use C++ Builder a lot in tools programming.