Step 5) User Environment

Prerequisites
About the 4th Dimension Environments
The User Environment
Learning Resources

Prerequisites

About the 4th Dimension Environments

You perform these operations on databases that have been created in the Design environment. The Design environment is the environment in which you create a database. You design its structure by creating tables and fields to store data, forms for data entry and reports, and other features such as a password system.

You can also use the Design environment to create a custom application. A custom application has its own menu bars, entry screens, and editors. By creating menus and menu bars in the Design environment, you can design an application that suites your needs exactly and includes only the features you want. A custom application can be used in 4th Dimension’s Custom Menus environment or deployed on 4D Server and 4D Client.

Using the 4th Dimension language, you can include some or all of the functions of the User environment in a custom application. For example, a custom application can include menu commands that display the User environment’s Quick Reports and Labels eidotrs.

The User Environment

The User environment is the environment in which you enter and manage data. You use the User environment to:

Add, modify, and delete records
Search for a specific record or group of records
Create labels, reports, and graphs that use the information in your database
Import and export data between 4th Dimension and other applications
Choose a log file
Execute methods that enable you to perform more than one operation simultaneously, also known as multi-tasking

Multi-tasking is discussed later under Processes.

In a 4th Dimension database, you store information in tables. Ideally, each table stores a different type of information. For example, a Contacts database might have one table that stores information about people, and another table that stores information about companies.

In the User environment and custom applications, you use forms to enter and manage data. Each table in your database has an input formand and an output form.

An input form displays one record at a time. You use an input form to enter, view and modify information in a single record.

An output form displays several records as a list. You use output forms to brows e through records, select and sort records, and print a selection of records. You can also enter and modify records directly in an output form. In the User environment and custom applications, the output form is sometimes called the List form. When you are working with a List form, you can display an individual record in its Detail form by double-clicking on a record.

You can switch from one table to another and change the input and output forms with which you work.

Learning Resources

4D User Reference
The definitive guide for how to use everything in the User Environment. Although this version is for 4D 6.7, all the information is still applicable.

4D 2003 Upgrade Guide
Discusses the differences in 4D 2003 since 4D 6.8. Chapter 3 (p. 73) discusses the XML enhancements to the Import and Export dialogs.

4D 2003 Quick Report Reference
A thorough description of the new interface and commands available in the new Quick Report editor. Replaces the Quick Report reference in the 4D User Reference manual (chapter 8).

4D QuickStart Guide
Good introduction to creating a simple database and performing basic operations with the User Environment.

4D 6.8 Getting Started
Chapters 6 and 7. Describes some techniques not covered in the 4D manuals, and provides many good examples.

4D Press: Jumpstart 4D
Chapter 4 describes the User environment.

Additional info can be obtained by performing a search using 4D's Knowledgebase.