4D 21 Beta Starts Today

Beta testing for 4D 21 starts today—enabling you to run semantic vector queries directly in ORDA, use AI tool calling to expose 4D methods inside AI conversations with structured responses, and maintain 4D Remote sessions uninterrupted across network changes. If you’ve ever needed smarter queries, tighter AI integration, or more resilient client connections—this release delivers.

 

• Semantic Queries in ORDA: Add meaning-based filtering to your data. Combine vector similarity with classic ORDA logic for smarter, context-aware queries.

• AI Tool Calling + Structured Responses: Let AI call your application’s functions and return results in structured JSON—ready for automation, validation, and integration.

• Seamless Network Switching (QUIC): Maintain active sessions across changing networks. 4D Remote now auto-reconnects with no loss of context.

• ORDA Lifecycle Events: Apply business rules at every stage of entity operations—validate, log, sync, and react with precise control.

• 4D Qodly Pro Embedded in Forms: Merge classic and web UIs. Display Qodly Pro pages inside 4D forms with shared sessions and no extra licenses.

• Built-in i18n for Qodly Pro: Add multilingual support with real-time language switching, fallback handling, and native RTL support.

• Component Editing in Host Projects: Edit component code, forms, and constants directly in the host—no more context switching.

• HTTP Response Rules at the Server Level: Define headers, CORS, redirects, and access control directly in 4D—no reverse proxy required.

• And that’s just the beginning — There’s much more to discover! 

Download 4D 21 Beta now (Exclusive to 4D Partners)

AI Integration

SEMANTIC QUERIES

Use semantic queries in ORDA to compare a record’s vector field against a reference vector and combine the similarity result with your classic ORDA filters—all inside the same query grammar you already know. Use a simple parameter object with a required vector and optional attributes such as the similarity metric (which defaults to cosine) and a similarity threshold.

AI Tool Calling and Response Format

Use AI tool calling and response formats to extend 4D AIKit with the ability to integrate business-specific functions directly into AI-driven conversations. Generate structured JSON or schema-compliant responses directly from the AI model, integrating live business data securely without retraining or manual formatting.

 Network Switching

Seamless Network Switching

QUIC maintain now uninterrupted 4D Remote sessions when switching between networks or adapters. Preserve execution context automatically and update client IP addresses in real time across logs, session attributes, and the Administration window.

 ORDA

New Entity Lifecycle Events

Use the full set of ORDA lifecycle events—validateSave, saving, afterSave, validateDrop, dropping, afterDrop—to validate input before persistence, apply logic during operations, and trigger integrations after completion. Centralize rules at the entity or attribute level and in ORDA projects remove the need for legacy triggers.

4D Qodly Pro

Sharing Sessions AND INTERACTIONS Between Client/Server applications and 4D Qodly Pro

Use embedded Qodly Pro pages inside classic 4D forms to share the same 4D Remote session and license. Pass initialization data, preserve authentication, and enable two-way sync: call 4D functions via $4d from Qodly pages and update Qodly sources from forms using WA SET CONTEXT.

Built-in Internationalization (i18n)

Assign translation keys and locales in Qodly Pro to provide real-time multilingual interfaces. Supported languages are defined as locales in the new Localization section, where translation keys and values can be managed and bound to components. Language choice is handled by the built-in UserLanguage QodlySource, applying the user’s selection in real time.

Qodly page Events Report

Use the Qodly Page Events Report to view all declared events—standard actions, navigation, class functions, or dialog actions—in execution order.

CANVAS ZOOM CONTROLS

Use new zoom controls in the Qodly Pro page editor to zoom in, zoom out, or reset the view with toolbar buttons, mouse wheel, or shortcuts.

Automatic Qodly Studio Setup

Use the new setup wizard when launching Qodly Studio for the first time from 4D Design mode to automatically enable REST, scalable sessions, and web server ports.

 4D Component

TOWARDS SEAMLESS COMPONENT INTEGRATION

Use in-place editing to view and modify component methods, classes, forms, constants, and plug-ins directly in the host project—no separate windows or broken focus. Create and initialize new components with namespace, files, and structure in one flow.

OPTIONAL COMPONENT MANAGEMENT

Declare required components using the Add Dependency dialog—4D 21 no longer includes standard components and automatically fetches and installs them on demand.

4D NetKit

Custom URLs for Authentication Outcomes

Configure authenticationPage and authenticationErrorPage with full URLs instead of static files. Redirect authentication outcomes to dynamic pages hosted in Qodly Pro, your own server, or third-party services.

OpenID with State and Nonce Handling

Use OpenID with automatic state and nonce handling. Track context across redirects with state, and guard against replay attacks with nonce. NetKit manages both parameters internally—no extra code needed.

 HTTP Server

custom http response rules

Configure HTTP response headers at the server level using HTTPRules.json or settings.rules. Define rules by URL pattern—strip headers, inject security policies, block paths, redirect assets, or set explicit status codes.

 Security

Secure TCP communications with built-in TLS/SSL support

Use the TLS option in 4D.TCPConnection.new() to establish encrypted TCP sessions with TLS 1.3.

Use Windows Certificate Store Instead of Local Files

Use the storeCertificateName parameter in HTTPRequest and HTTPAgent to pull certificates directly from the Windows keychain.

Unified Session Management for REST and 4DACTION

Inspect all active web sessions—REST, SOAP, or 4DACTION—in real time. Label sessions with Session.setPrivilege() to trace users, actions, and licenses. Sessions are thread-safe and auto-optimized for high-load performance.

Core Library and Dependency Upgrades

Use updated libraries—Xerces, libldap, ICU, Chromium (CEF), OpenSSL, libZip, LZMA, ZLib, Libuv, BoringSSL, and PDFWriter—for stronger security and modern platform support.

4D Language

Hexadecimal String to Number Conversion

Use the enhanced String command to convert hexadecimal strings directly into numbers.

New String Trim Functions

Use the new trim, trimStart, and trimEnd commands to remove whitespace or characters from strings.

 Licenses

AUTOMATIC RETRIEVAL OF partner DEVELOPER LICENSEs 

Automatically fetch and activate your partner developer license when it changes—4D checks your Partner Program account via 4D Motor and registers the license without manual input.