Feedback 01: Intel(R) C++ Composer XE 2011 - Inconsistent naming

[SergeyKostrov]

After using Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9 for some time I'd like to provide a feedback.
I hope that my feedback will help to solve some problems related to naming Intel software products.

Please take a look at different names of the same software product:

[ Visual Studio 2005 ] -> When a Visual Studio 2005 starts ( in a splash dialog box )

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9

[ Visual Studio 2005 ] -> In 'About Microsoft Visual Studio' dialog box of the Visual Studio 2005

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9
Integration for Microsoft Visual Studio* 2005,
Version 12.1.1109.2005, Copyright 2002-2012 Intel Corporation

[ Visual Studio 2005 ] -> Tools -> Options -> Intel C++ -> Compilers:

Intel C++ Compiler XE on IA-32, version 12.1.3 Package ID: w_ccompxe_2011.9.300

[ Visual Studio 2005 ] -> < Some ICC converted project > -> < Right Click > ->

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 -> Select Build Components:

< Edit Box > Default Suite version:

Intel Composer XE 2011 Update 9 Build 300

[ Visual Studio 2005 ] -> < Build for ICC converted project > ->

Intel C++ Compiler XE 12.1.3.300 [IA-32]

[ Html Docs ] ->

Intel{R} C++ Compiler XE 12.1 Documentation
Intel C++ Compiler XE 12.1 User and Reference Guides

[ Install folders ] -> ..\\"Composer XE" & ..\\"Composer XE 2011 SP1"

[ icl.exe ] -> Properties -> Version ->

File version: 12.1.0.3
Description: Intel C/C++ Compiler

Other version information ->
File version: 12.1.3
Product version: 12.1.3

[ Windows XP ] -> Start -> Programs -> Intel Parallel Studio XE 2011 ->

Command Prompt: Parallel Studio XE with Intel Compiler XE v12.1 Update 3
Documentation: C++ Compiler XE 12.1 Update 3 Documentation
Getting Started Tutorials: C++ Compiler XE 12.1 Update 3 Tutorial
Intel Compiler XE: Using VS2005
Parallel Studio XE 2011 with VS2005 ( shortcut )

[ Windows XP ] -> Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs:

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9 for Windows

Version: 2011.9.300 [EDITED] Changed from '2001' to '2011'

[ Windows Registry ] ->

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Intel\\IDE\\C++\\121
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Intel Corporation\\ComposerXE2011\\12.1.3.300
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Intel Corporation\\ComposerXE2011-OpenMP\\12.1.3.300

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Intel\\IDE\\C++\\121
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Intel\\IDE\\C++\\Compiler XE 12.1 ->

Display String: Intel C++ Composer XE 2011
ProductVersion: 12.1
Release: Update 9

If you make a master list of all expressions with a key word 'Intel' you will get a list of names:

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9
Intel C++
Intel C++ Compiler XE on IA-32
Intel C++ Composer XE 2011
Intel Composer XE 2011 Update 9 Build 300
Intel C++ Compiler XE 12.1.3.300 [IA-32]
Intel{R} C++ Compiler XE 12.1 Documentation
Intel C++ Compiler XE 12.1 User and Reference Guides
Intel C/C++ Compiler
Intel Parallel Studio XE 2011
Parallel Studio XE with Intel Compiler XE v12.1 Update 3
Intel Compiler XE
Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9 for Windows

and all of the above is for one software product. (!!!)

Another inconsistencies:

Update 9
Update 3
File version: 12.1.0.3
File version: 12.1.3
Product version: 12.1.3
ProductVersion: 12.1
A macro: /D "INTEL_SUITE_VERSION=PE121_300"
Take a look at internal Intel C++ compiler macros

Best regards,
Sergey

[Om_S_Intel · Accepted solution]

Thanks for feedback. I submitted a report to development team on this.

Om

[SergeyKostrov]

I've done one correction:

...

Intel C++ Composer XE 2011 Update 9 for Windows

Version: 2011.9.300 [EDITED] Changed from '2001' to '2011'
...

[dpeterc]

I think confusing naming scheme in Intel Composer XE can only be matched by Intel processor names.
Designed by marketing people to remove any information about the actual product and version, content and capabilites.

When I download the product, I see

Intel C++ Composer XE for Linux*

Version 2011 (Update 10 Eng/Jp) 19 Apr 2012

The download file is named
l_ccompxe_2011.10.319.tgz

And when I check which compiler have I just installed:
icc --version
I get a reply:
icc (ICC) 12.1.4 20120410

So you changed whole product line names to indicate product release year (did I get this right?), but then release 2011 product in 2012, and then you rename it again, once it is installed?

[SergeyKostrov]

Quoting dpeterc

I think confusing naming scheme in Intel Composer XE can only be matched by Intel processor names.
Designed by marketing people to remove any information about the actual product and version, content and capabilites...

These naming inconsistencies did not appear in a couple of days or weeks. It is a clear that this is "accumulated problem" over
the course of many years!

[Om_S_Intel]

The issue resolved in 16.0.