Want that app 'to go'? RAD Studio dev tool now supports Android, iOS

RAD Studio XE5 for C++ and Delphi now works with Android and iOS, in addition to Windows and Mac OS X

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Embarcadero has updated its RAD Studio and Delphi Studio with the ability to create mobile apps

Embracing the growing market for mobile applications, Embarcadero Technologies has updated its flagship RAD Studio so developers can use the IDE (integrated development environment) to write C++ or Delphi programs for both Android and iOS devices.

Over 85 percent of Windows desktop developers have received requests to develop mobile applications, Embarcadero found in a commissioned survey of 1,300 programmers.

With the addition to these mobile platforms, RAD Studio XE5 the IDE provides a way to write native, CPU executable code for Android, iOS, Windows and Apple OS X from a single console, according to Embarcadero.

Because RAD Studio encompasses these widely used platforms, a developer can maintain a single code base for a program that needs to be available on two or more of these platforms. It also could allow enterprises to create apps for their workers' favorite personal devices -- the trend known as BYOD (bring your own device).

In addition to being able to compile programs to mobile platforms, RAD Studio XE5 features a number of tools to ease the coding process for writing portable applications.

It comes with a REST (representational state transfer) client to connect an app to REST-based services provided by social networks, payment services and other mobile backend services.

The package also comes with a collection of ready-to-use Android interface controls and can connect with lightweight databases often used for mobile applications, namely IBLite and SQLite.

RAD Studio XE5 provides the ability to write programs in either C++ or Delphi. Embarcadero also offers editions of the IDE devoted to each language on its own, C++Builder XE5 and Delphi XE5.

Embarcadero will hold a Web seminar on September 12 to further explain the new features of Rad Studio XE5.

Joab Jackson covers enterprise software and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Joab on Twitter at @Joab_Jackson. Joab's e-mail address is Joab_Jackson@idg.com