Why doesn't a simple "Hello World"-style program compile with Turbo C++?

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I have started learning C++ for my programming class. I have downloaded this "Hello World" program:

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() 
{
    cout << "Hello, World!";
    return 0;
}

but Turbo C++ complains:

Error D:\HELLO.CPP 1: Unable to open include file 'IOSTREAM'
Error D:\HELLO.CPP 2: Declaration syntax error
Error D:\HELLO.CPP 6: Undefined symbol 'cout'

What's wrong with this very simple program? How can I correct these errors?

turbo-c++ c++-faq c++
3 Answers

"Turbo C++" can mean numerous compilers. When asking this question, it is important to include the version number.

  • Borland Turbo C++ up to version 3.1 were pure MS DOS compilers in the classic blue background IDE. These were released roughly somewhere between 1989 to 1992, long before C++ had become standardized, which happened in the year 1998. And so they used a pre-standard dialect of C++.

    Most notably they used the #include <iostream.h> syntax rather than the standard #include <iostream>, but also didn't cover a whole lot of C++ features such as namespaces, templates etc. The template library STL was not part of the standard yet, so everything related to that library was pretty different from what later became standard.

  • Later in the 90s, Borland released several DOS/Windows compilers with better conformance. Up to version 5 somewhere they still struggled with complete conformance to C++98, although these Windows versions were fairly close to it.

  • In the late 90s, they dropped the name "Turbo C++" in favour for Borland C++ Builder, which was not just an IDE but a complete RAD tool based on Delphi. These compilers were fully compliant with C++98 and later C++03.

  • Around 2005, Borland dropped compilers as part of their product line. The compilers became "Codegear", which later became Embarcadero. Somewhere around then, they released a free version of Borland Builder that they named "Turbo C++". This version was fully conforming to C++03.

  • Nowadays these compilers are called Embarcadero C++ Builder. I believe they currently support up to C++11 with some C++14. More info here.

Needless to say, as a student you should not use anything but modern compilers. Using MS DOS compilers from 1991 when learning C++ in the year 2018 is simply madness. Not only is it counter-productive, it is directly harmful and will make you a bad C++ programmer. If your school is forcing you to use Turbo C++ 3.1 or older, then your school is bad and your teachers are severely incompetent. Please link this post to them and their principal.

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