New object: an easy way to initialize an object
Discover New object, the new command of 4D to initialize an object. This command allows you to either create an empty object or create it with some initial properties and values. OB SET is now becoming unnecessary in several situations, New object is enough.
New object also allows to re-initialize an temporary object in a loop or simply directly pass an object as a parameter to a 4D command requesting an object as parameter, as Get database measures or GRAPH commands for instance.
This new command changes your way to write 4D code in many situations. New object creates an object and returns a reference to it. It allows more flexibility in your code. This command is the first of a series of new features related to objects … Stay tuned !
Create your own interface for 4D Write Pro
You want to quickly create a menu bar to manage your 4D Write Pro areas? You want to create your own contextual menu for your end-users ? You would like to create a color mosaic to change the document background? So this feature is made for you – and better, you do not even need to write a single line of code…
We added standard actions to handle 4D Write Pro areas. They can be defined at design phase or by programming. More than 80+ actions are available and to name just some of them: Font style (bold, italic, underline), Font color, Background color, Text alignment (left, center, right, justify…), Borders (style, color, width, radius…), Spellchecker actions…
Something important to notice, when assigned to interface objects, standard actions automatically handle the activation/disabling of the object depending on the context. Easy!
4D v16 R3 beta test starts today!
I am pleased to announce that the beta testing of 4D v16 R3 starts today! So what are the new features available in 4D v16 R3 beta?
New perspectives using standard actions
LR presents the new Cache Manager at 4D Summit 2016
Cache management is actually a key element of the database management, Laurent Ribardière presents at 4D Summit Portland 2016 the new cache manager he implemented in the 4D v16 64-bit version.
Before watching the technical presentation with details about the implementation, we recommend to start with these two blog posts, describing the feature benefit itself:
Search by linking array attribute query arguments
Object fields, introduced with 4D v15, allows to store and index unstructured data. This could be a common set of data, like first name, last name, birthday. It could be different data in each record, such as a shop that will need different attributes for shoes (size, color), computers (CPU, memory), printers (color, ink), a list of values or all in any combination.
Here is a real User Story from a 4D customer :
“My badge application manages the access rights for each person to a building and for a time slot. This information is stored in a database as an array of objects ( e.g.: {access right, building, time slot} ). I want to be able to look for people who have access to a building during a time slot.”
4D provides several ways to query for data, using index and so extremely fast.
New rendering engine for Web Area
4D is updating its internal component for embedded Web Area objects for the most up-to-date and well-maintained existing rendering engine. As we want to durably support the state of the art in HTML and JavaScript technology, we are changing to Blink (also used in Google Chrome) for the Web Area for all 4D 64-bit versions.
Customize highlight color upon listbox row selection
A new step is reached to provide our developers with a fully customizable listbox object, entirely adaptable to user need. A new option is available in the listboxes that will allow to improve final interfaces: this option is called “Hide selection highlight”.
With just one click this option can be activated. Once activated, the system highlight will be completely invisible.
Take Control of the Cache Manager
4D v16 introduced a new fully optimized cache manager for the 64-bit product line. 4D v16 R2 is giving power to our advanced 4D developers to take control by themselves!
The cache manager internal algorithm is based on a priority concept associated to each object type to store in the cache memory. By default, the cache manager algorithm assigns a higher priority value for an index than for records. And recently used objects (records or indexes) have a higher priority to remain in the cache than objects that have not been used in the last two days, etc…
4D v16 R2 beta test starts today!
I am pleased to announce that the beta testing of 4D v16 R2 starts today!
4D v16 R2 delivers the final version of Altura-free 4D Developer Edition Windows 64-bit as well as great improvements, among other things, as listed below:
- Better integration into the enterprise with Virtual Machine Snapshots Support
- More control and higher flexibility for the developer: Cache Manager priority control, new programmatic possibilities for list boxes, search in array in objects using linked arguments,…
- Improved user experience: horizontal ruler in 4D Write Pro, cross table in Quick Report 64-bit editor as well as a revisited Find in Design dialog.
4D v16 is now available!
Thanks to its new features and advanced core technologies, 4D v16 enables you to create and run scalable, rapid, flexible and engaging applications, easily adaptable to changes in business needs. It helps you speed up development and cut complexity, so you can focus on your priorities and seize new opportunities. You can check the complete list of 4D new features. Some of the 4D v16 key advantages are summarized here after.
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