4D Insider

Cross-platform developer tool for cross-referencing, documenting, reusing and managing application code and objects.

4D Components

4D Insider now supports the development of 4D Components. Components can contain tables, forms, methods, etc. which can be encrypted for distribution to others. Encryption comes in two levels, Private and Protected. Private Components can not be viewed or altered in 4D's Design Environment. This level of protection allows for the creation of 4D code that can be distributed for sale or to protect modification from others. Protected encryption of 4D Components allows for the viewing of the component within the Design environment, but without the ability to modify the objects. lastly, 4D Components can be saved with no encryption allowing full viewing and modification. This lack of security is referred to as a Public Component .

4D Libraries

4D Insider supports the development of modular, re-usable code enabling you to organise design objects into components and groups. Libraries and groups can be exchanged regardless of their platform of origin.

Using libraries, you can maintain a copy of a set of objects. These objects are reusable later in other databases. When you copy an object to a library, 4D Insider also copies any dependent objects. For example, if you copy a method, 4D Insider copies all methods that it calls and the commands, variables, and other objects that method uses.

Groups

Using groups, you can reorganise objects according to their function this can help simplify structures viewed within 4D Insider. When grouping objects together, they move into a folder with the same name as the group. You can use groups to:

• organise objects within the database
• Make it easier to copy objects associated with a particular aspect of your database's functionality
• Create as many levels of subgroups as needed
• Group objects with their dependencies. In this case, the group created by 4D Insider contains the selected objects and the objects that they use.

4D Insider treats objects in groups as it does all other objects. You can perform any operation on grouped objects. In the case of a selection where you have applied a filter, the group will display only those objects corresponding to the filter.

Creating New Databases

In addition to opening an existing database locally, 4D Insider enables you to create a new, empty database and copy objects into it from other 4D databases or Insider libraries. Once created, the new database can be used with either 4D or with 4D Server.

Working With Development Servers

4D Insider can also access databases operating in a multi-user development environment using 4D Server. You can open a structure over the network and take advantage of all 4D Insider features.

Project managers can maintain a 4D Server database holding all base modules, routines, and methods that are common, standard, and/or reusable. Programmers can then use 4D Insider to access these routines via the network and copy them very easily into their current project, regardless of the development platform. This way, a centralised code server can be created, maintained, and updated for your group or entire company.

Creating A 4D Database from A SQL Description File

4D Insider can parse a SQL description file generated by a CASE tool, and create a 4D database matching the SQL description. The generated 4D database contains the tables, typed fields, and relations between the tables.

Cross-Platform Management

4D Insider transparently manages cross-platform requirements. Libraries created on one platform can be used on another platform. 4D Insider also includes a feature for rescaling form objects. 4D Insider lets you rescale multiple forms, enabling you to modify a group of forms or to make global changes. 4D Insider allows you to open Windows and Mac OS 4D servers concurrently. Using this feature, you can copy objects easily between different databases on different platforms.

Generating Documentation

To facilitate development by multiple programmers, 4D Insider allows you to document objects contained in a structure or library. This documentation is saved in the structure of the database. You can use this documentation with both single-user 4D and 4D Server.

• You can enter up to 32,000 characters in the documentation window.
• You have complete control over documentation font, font size, and text style.
• The documentation modification date is consistently maintained.
• You can generate complete printed documentation containing a description of the database structure or set of libraries.

Features

4D Insider transparently manages cross-platform requirements. Libraries created on one platform can be used on another platform. 4D Insider also includes a feature for rescaling form objects. 4D Insider lets you rescale multiple forms, enabling you to modify a group of forms or to make global changes. 4D Insider allows you to open Windows and Mac OS 4D servers concurrently. Using this feature, you can copy objects easily between different databases on different platforms.

• 4D Insider generates a complete dictionary of all objects used in an application and their interdependencies.
• Provides global search and replace of object names and variables.
• Cross-referencing and documentation tools providing the ability to add documentation to database objects.
• Code management system allowing you to create new applications easily from previously created components by moving table definitions, forms, and methods between applications while retaining all object properties and relationships
• Structure generator that creates a 4D structure from SQL files generated by CASE tools.
• Localisation manager allowing you to easily localize your application into different languages.
• Ability to copy objects and procedures into libraries for easy code sharing and maintenance.
• Multiple developer control.

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