4D Write Pro now supports virtual structures!

Understanding end user needs and creating user-friendly interfaces are high priorities for every application developers.

And as you may know, the 4D language lets you alias table and field names in order to make them more readable for end users. This allows easier translating and readability in standard dialogs (query, sort, and formula editors), but also filtering out any table or fields that should be kept away from end users sight. 

During 4D Summit 2018, we had requests to extend this feature to 4D Write Pro. Well, we listened and it’s now available with 4D v17 R4!

Example: 4D Write Pro and  virtual structures

Aliasing (aka creating a virtual structure) tables and fields is done with the commands SET TABLE TITLES and SET FIELD TITLES.

Once you have “virtualized” your tables and fields, your application’s end users will be very happy to see all the expressions inserted into the 4D Write Pro documents in their own language. French speakers would certainly prefer to see “[Clients]Code Postal” rather than “[Customers]Zip_Code”. And English speakers would prefer to see “Zip Code” rather than “Zip_code”!

Even better, the formula editor also supports the virtual structure. When your users insert their own expressions, they’ll use familiar field names, not the internal ones. Since 4D automatically sets the user interface based on the system settings, the formula editor will be displayed in their own language …

Note: Don’t forget to use the optional “*” parameter if you plan to use the formula editor!

… even if the structure was created in a different language (in the example below, the structure is created in English).

More information can be found in the documentation.