在 2006 年,Borland 发布了 Turbo Explorer 系列,包括 Turbo Delphi、Turbo C++ 和 Turbo .NET,这些产品虽有一些使用限制,但都是免费的,之前我一直认为他们是供学生和业余爱好者使用,但昨天看了 Turbo FAQs 发现,原来这些产品是可以用于商业开发的:
Q: Can I use the Turbo Explorer Edition for commercial development?
A: Yes. Explorer Edition can be used for developing software for both personal and commercial use.
注意了一下 Turbo 的网站,发现网站的 Copyright 信息仍是 Borland,同时在 CodeGear 的网站也没有发现 Turbo 的直接链接,难道 Turbo 现在不属于 Embarcadero?加之对 Turbo 未来是否有新版本感兴趣,所以 email 问了一下 Delphi 的 的产品经理 Nick Hodges,Nick 很快有了回信,如下:
Yes, all the Delphi products are part of Embarcadero now.
The Turbo line of products as you know them are not currently being advanced. Once the standalone versions of Delphi and C++Builder were released, the Turbo products were pretty much superceded. If you are looking for an update to Turbo Delphi, then Delphi 2009 is that.
We are looking at a new Turbo strategy that will be very language-centric and low priced.
大致意思是说所有 Delphi 产品现在都属于 Embarcadero,包括 Turbo 在内,Turbo 是否有新版本无明确答案,但他们也在为 Turbo 系列找寻新的产品策略。