How to create a simple “TimeStamp” class in 4D
by guest author Tiran Behrouz, 4D developer (Vancouver, Canada)
The introduction of ORDA in 4D v17 was a game-changer. Now with the introduction of classes in 4D v18 R3, we will witness a paradigm shift in 4D programming. We can now take advantage of object-oriented programming concepts such as polymorphism, composition, and inheritance to write our own class libraries. In this video, I demonstrate how to code a simple TimeStamp class using 4D and ORDA.
4D Write Pro interface widget: Import & Export
You asked for a way to import and export different document formats via the 4D Write Pro widget and once again, 4D listened!
In addition to the 4D commands that already allow you to import and export documents in different formats, such as export .docx format with 4D v17 R4 and PDF format with 4D v18 R4. Now, 4D Write Pro can import and export different document formats via the widget from the toolbar and sidebar.
Dynamically grant user permissions
Following the ability to use your own end user management system and the SET USER ALIAS command, you might be wondering how you can manage end user permissions without creating multiple 4D user accounts. Keep reading because this feature release has the answer!
4D Write Pro – More control when using formulas
As a 4D Write Pro user, you’ve most likely used expressions (or more recently, formulas) to automatically fill in certain parts of your documents. These formulas can return “raw” text or images. In the case of text, they may contain line breaks. The question is how should these line breaks be handled when they are processed inside 4D Write Pro documents? This blog post provides the answers … keep reading!
4D Write Pro – Direct export to PDF!
What if I told you that with 4D v18 R4 you can export 4D Write Pro documents directly to PDF format (on both macOS and Windows), without needing to install any printer drivers or additional software? Now you can … and that’s not all! You’re also able to set several options for both the form and the content. Keep reading to learn more!
Access form object values by programming
An increasing number of developers are using the Form command to link their form objects and many of you require easy programming access to the values of those objects. So, to help you access the value of a form object, regardless of its variable or expression, we’ve added two new commands: OBJECT Get value and OBJECT SET VALUE.
Let’s see how to use them!
ORDA Classes to handle your data model
In a previous blog post, we introduced you to the world of ORDA data model classes. Now it’s time to get our hands dirty and learn more!
You already know that ORDA‘s structure (datastore, dataclass, entity, entity selection) is made up of objects. But they’re not just objects, they’re strongly-typed objects linked to specific ORDA classes. This means that you can write functions to hide the complexity of your data’s physical implementation.
4D v18 R4 Beta Starts Today
4D is pleased to announce the launch of beta testing for 4D v18 R4.
4D v18 R4 is one of the best Feature Releases ever delivered! I’m so thrilled to share all of the advances we’ve added to the ever-growing list of 4D features.
Without further ado, let’s get a sneak peek at the 20+ new functionalities waiting for you:
- ORDA classes make their first appearance to enable business-oriented code so you can hide complexity, reduce errors, and speed up the development process.
- A CryptoKey class is available to protect the confidentiality of your data, as well as verify the integrity of messages and the authenticity of senders.
- The 4D developer toolkit is bursting with additional features including a new declaration syntax for intuitive autocompletion, easy access by code to the values of form objects, and the ease of developing and debugging server code in project applications … just to name a few.
- More exciting features are included with 4D for iOS for even more engaging apps, more UI possibilities, and more control over access to your app.
- You asked for it, you got it! 4D Write Pro can import and export different document formats via the widget, as well as direct export to PDF while supporting hyperlinks, image size optimization, and more.
- You no longer need a 4D View Pro license to use pro list box features. They’re now FREE!
- 4D View Pro also has a whole new set of commands to give you further control over your documents.
- To make things even better (and simpler), 4D v18 R4 creates new projects by default, while developers – if they choose to do so – can continue to create binary databases via a simple setting.
- And much more (see below).
4D v18 R3 is Here
I’m thrilled to announce that 4D v18 R3 is now available!
4D v18 R3 is one of the most jam-packed feature-releases ever delivered. It also marks the beginning of a very important step in the world of 4D programming with the addition of object-oriented programming.
To whet your appetite, here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store for you:
- The 4D language has taken a giant leap with the introduction of classes which allow you to write modular, reusable, and easily maintainable code.
- ORDA is brimming with new advances as well: for example, you don’t need to restart your database in order to have an up-to-date datastore when the structure is updated. Additionally, a single line of code is all you need to select rows for an entity selection.
- 4D Server’s monitoring set has been enhanced with an additional feature so you can get all operations executing beyond a specified time and other useful information.
- The development possibilities have been expanded even further with additional standard actions for the 4D Write Pro interface.
- 4D for iOS provides you 40+ ready-to-use templates. You only need a single click to download them directly from the project editor and get started making the perfect custom app for your needs.
- Run multiple web servers in a single 4D instance, take advantage of new method and components documentation, use an offscreen web area on a headless server, explore the advances we’ve brought to XPath, more options to customize 4D View Pro worksheets, this is all just a glimpse of what’s available in 4D v18 R3 for you.
Use 4D Write Pro documents as input forms
Do you want to avoid users accidentally modifying a particular 4D Write Pro document (fully or partially)? Are you interested in keeping some parts of a document untouched (e.g., giving users the ability to fill in fields in a non-disclosure agreement while ensuring that none of the information in the document is altered or changed in any way)? If you’re nodding your head, then keep reading! 4D v18 R3 lets you keep parts of your documents protected, or in other words: “non-editable“.
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