4D Deployment Options

Find the Deployment Option that is right for you

There are several different options for deploying and distributing your 4D application. Each has its advantages, which are explained below.

Benefits

I am a developer who needs to...	You will need:
Distribute applications for testing purposes, internal company use, as a hobby, to a few friends, etc.	4D Runtime
Distribute applications to a few clients, small businesses, external work groups, etc.	4D Runtime Classic
Distribute applications to a vertical market, a large number of clients, as a merged (double-clickable) application, etc.	4D Engine
Distribute multi-user server applications to vertical markets, anyone who needs a client-server solution, etc.	4D Server Application

There is one additional deployment option, the 4D OEM Partnership. See additional information below.

4D Runtime

4D Runtime is included with both 4D and 4D Developer and allows for the unlimited distribution of an interpreted 4D application. 4D Runtime is excellent for testing purposes, internal distribution, and distribution in cases where a high level of security is not necessary. To deploy an application cross-platform using 4D Runtime, copies of 4D in both Mac and Windows are required.

Something to note. When an application is distributed using 4D Runtime three files are distributed: 4D Runtime, the database structure file and the data file.

4D Runtime Classic

4D Runtime Classic is purchased separately and licensed on a per deployment basis. It can deploy interpreted or compiled databases but does not create merged files so it cannot be used to produce double-clickable applications. However because it can be compiled it is faster and more secure than an application distributed with 4D Runtime.

It can also be distributed with the Web Extension License allowing for distribution of multi-user applications that can be run on both the Mac and Windows platforms. To run cross-platform, the application must be distributed with the proper platform version of 4D Runtime Classic.

4D Engine

4D Engine is a professional tool and is the fastest and most secure way to distribute 4D applications. The compiled application reduces the 4D code to machine level language to produce speed improvements 10 to 100 times over. 4D Engine will merge your database into a double-clickable application. A Web Extension License can be included within the compiled database.

4D Engine is licensed through an annual distribution that can be used for any combination of Mac or Windows distribution. For more information on this click here. To distribute your application on both Macintosh and Windows the application needs to be merged on the target platform.

Please note: For both 4D Runtime Classic and 4D Engine the Web Extension License can be included within the compiled database, however a separate Web Extension License must be purchased for each individual copy distributed.

4D Server Application

4D Server Application is necessary to distribute client-server versions of 4D. 4D Server Application can run any compiled applications and quickly scales a compiled single-user 4D application to a multi-user client-server application. An application distributed with 4D Server Application will come with 2 clients, which can be extended simply by purchasing a client expansion pack. It also only allows the creation of new data files but cannot create new structures.

The 4D Server Application is purchased on a case by case bases and must be purchased for the platform the server will be run on. All client connections are platform independent however so they can run in any combination of Mac or Windows necessary.

This version of 4D Server is for deployment of compiled 4D databases only.

4D OEM Partnership

4D OEM Partners are licensed to use 4D software to develop and deploy their own Customised software programs. It is the ideal solution for 4D developers who want to sell their own vertical market solutions in either the multi-user or standalone mode.

Check out the Vertical Market Center, it will help you get started and tell you what you need to consider once your product is successful. For more information on 4D’s OEM Program email oemsales@4duk.com

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