C++Builder

1. Go to http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/freecompiler/cppc55steps.html and click on "STEP 1".
   
   
   
   
2. A new window will pop-up that asks you to log in. You can close the original browser window if you want to. Unless you've done this before, you probably don't have anything to put here so click the "NEW USER" button.
   
   
   
   
3. Now you'll have to fill out a silly registration form so they'll know who to contact if the safety of the world has been compromised by software compiled using C++Builder. I can't recommend you to put fake information here, but also realize that this is a secure page and they'll never actually call or write you (if they do, you can always sue them for unsolicited commercial shit).
   
   If you don't you will be bombarded with Borland spam, I'd suggest you uncheck all the boxes at the bottom of this page. But make sure you type in a valid email address so that you can complete the registration and get your free goody. Email address hosted by free web services (Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.) are valid.
   
   After filling out the form click the "CONTINUE" button at the bottom.
   
   
   
   
4. The next page is a bunch of checkboxes. I'd suggest checking "C++Builder" in the first section, "Other" in the second, "Beginning Developer" in the third, and "Do not publish my email address even if ..." in the fourth. Click "SUBMIT" after you have done this.
   
   
   
   
5. At this point you'll be told to wait for an email and you should.
   
   
   
   
6. An email will come under the name "Borland Community", address "mailbot@borland.com", and subject "Your Borland Community Account Activation Code". Make sure your email client doesn't delete it thinking it's spam :).
   Open it up and look around mid-rift. There will be a URL.
   
   
   
   Go to this location with your web browser (or click on it if your email client supports that).
   
   
7. The site will verify your activation code and you'll get a page that's practically empty that simply welcomes you to the Borland Community. Don't click on the link they give you, just close that window.
   
   
   
   
8. Go back to http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/freecompiler/cppc55steps.html and click on "STEP 1" again.
   
   
   
   
9. A new window will pop up like last time. Unlike last time you won't get the comfortable login page to use your newly created login id and password. It'll show you the silly registration form again. Bear with it. Type in your password, scroll down to the end of the page and click submit.
   
   
   
   
10. Again you'll see the crap with all the checkboxes. Everything will be how you set it last time so just scroll down to the bottom and click "SUBMIT".
    
    
    
    
11. Now you'll see something new. This page has a terms of agreement on it. Basically by allowing you to download their compiler, you're allowing them to ask you about your experience with it. Don't worry, if they actually call you or contact you, simply tell them to stop bothering and never call/email you again (they'll be required by law to do so ... at least in the USA).
    
    Make sure the option "I hereby consent" is selected and click "SUBMIT".
    
    
    
    
12. Geez, time to fill out a survey. It's some work just for a free compiler, huh? If you feel overwhelmed, you can just use the following answers to check off/fill in:
    
    
    1. Borland C++ 5.x
    2. Borland C++Builder / Borland C++
    3. Download
    4. no plans now
    5. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000
    6. Other
    7. None
    8. None
    9. None
    10. Beginner
    11. None
    
    After you've filled in all the fields, click the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom.
    
    
    
    
13. The license agreement page is next. This is a doozy if you want to read the whole thing. When you're finished reading or not reading, click the "I Agree" button at the bottom.
    
    
    
    
14. You've finished! Now you can download the compiler. You'll be provided with a page that has a simple, raw URL to the file on their FTP site. The file is "freecommandLinetools.exe" and it's 8,726.6k in size. You can download it directly from their or use your own download manager.
    
    
    
    

1. Follow the Obtainment instructions from above.
   
   
2. Run the file freecommandLinetools.exe after downloading it.
   
   
   
   
3. The first dialog is simply a splash page. Click "Next".
   
   
   
   
4. The next dialog has you type in the path where the compiler will be installed. Make sure it is "C:\Borland\BCC55" and click "Finish".
   
   
   
   
5. Since you shouldn't already have that folder on your computer (duh), it'll make sure you want to create it. Just click "Yes".
   
   
   
   
6. Let it unpack everything.
   
   
   
   
7. It'll pop up a window with a CIA-like message. Just click "Ok" to close it.
   
   
   
   
8. Create a text file called bcc32.cfg in C:\Borland\BCC55\bin\ with the following lines:
   
   -I"C:\Borland\BCC55\include"
-L"C:\Borland\BCC55\lib"
   
   
9. Create a text file called ilink32.cfg in C:\Borland\BCC55\bin\ with the following lines:
   
   -L"C:\Borland\BCC55\lib"
   
   
10. Open up the file C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT. Insert the following line at the beginning of it:
    
    PATH=C:\Borland\BCC55\bin;%PATH%
    
    
11. Restart your computer.
    
    
12. Open up a console window and type the following:
    
    bcc32 ? [enter]
    
    You should get the following output:
    
    Borland C++ 5.5.1 for Win32 Copyright (c) 1993, 2000 Borland
Error E2194: Could not find file '?.cpp'
    
    Yay! It is successfully installed!