Turboprops v Turbofans
As an interested pax I do hope this isn't a dumb question, however...
What are the advantages of turboprops over turbofans as a means of powering certain commercial aircraft? The propellor was obviously appropriate (if not essential) during the days of piston powered engines, but why do we still utilise propellors attached to what are effectively small jet engines in the form of a turbo-prop?
Is it not possible to develop small turbofan engines that would have equal if not greater efficency and performance and are suitable for using on smaller commercial aircraft?
Having travelled on a range of turboprop and turbofan engined aircraft, in terms of overall noise and vibration turbofanned aircraft seem to produce significantly less amounts of these, but there must be some advantage to using turboprops. Thoughts please, and apologies again if I have missed something blindingly obvious here!