Headless 4D applications
As a 4D developer, you may have already encountered a need to develop applications without a graphical user interface (GUI), otherwise known as a headless applications. Previously in 4D, this wasn’t entirely possible to do …. until 4D v18! In this blog post, we’ll go through some of the newly available capabilities so you can make your applications “headless”!
Why create headless applications? There are several use cases such as simulating Windows behavior on macOS, or having the Windows service behavior without using the service manager, and so on. But above all, it opens new opportunities such as developing bots with 4D.
Project databases: From binary to text-based
4D v17 R5 marked the start of beta testing for a new type of 4D database: project databases. In 4D v18, we’re thrilled to announce that project databases are now in final release. It’s time to take advantage of the power of the 4D development platform combined with the versatility of a lightweight and distributed format!
Project databases: More than a collaboration solution
Dreaming of a way of to work collaboratively? A way to work wherever you are in the world, with team members in different locations, and no one has to question where to find the latest version of a file or project? A different way to test new features and roll them back if they don’t work out, while being able to choose a restore point from which you want to roll back instead of running a full file backup. Your dreams are becoming a reality, these scenarios are now possible thanks to 4D v18 and project databases!
4D v18 beta starts today
Beta testing for 4D v18, our most spectacular release yet, is starting today! And we couldn’t be more thrilled to share all the novelties we’ve prepared for you. More than +90 advances, including major enhancements to existing features, as well as new ones that were designed to ease your development journey and take your applications to new heights. And in case you want to have an overall idea on this release full potential, we’ve put together this extensive library of examples (HDIs).
Buckle up and let’s discover some of what 4D v18 Beta has to offer:
- Project database – Version control: a solution for collaborative programming. Enabling you to store your code in a source control system (e.g., Github, Perforce, etc.) in plain text files.
- Built-in encryption: protection at its finest with built-in data encryption on a per-table basis.
- 4D for iOS: a product fully integrated into 4D to extend your business applications to mobile with ease.
- ORDA: enhanced commands, enhanced performance … and then there is remote datastore.
- 4D language: extra 4D commands to enlarge your programming capabilities.
- 4D Write Pro: Style Sheets. Tables. Toolbar. Word Export. And much more.
- 4D View Pro: Ribbon Toolbar. Excel import/export. And the list goes on.
- And much more (see below).
How to notarize your merged 4D application
With Catalina (macOS 10.15), it’s highly recommended that you notarize applications distributed over a public network. A significant number of developers transfer their applications using a connected storage device or via file sharing, notarization isn’t required in these cases where the user already trusts the developer. The purpose of notarization is to assure users that the application isn’t malicious and is only required for applications downloaded from a website.
If you use our built-in signature feature when building your applications with 4D v18, your application is ready to be notarized. This process is conducted outside of 4D. It involves adding an electronic signature to your application and submitting your signed application to an automated inspection service. Here’s everything you need to know:
4D v18: The story behind the logo design
When it comes to major product releases, 4D pays close attention to the color of the logo for each one. Since 4D v18, one of 4D’s most revolutionary releases is just around the corner, we’ve decided to reveal the story behind the choices made not only for the logo color but also for modifications to the shape of the icons! Here’s everything you need to know about 4D v18’s logo color, as told by creative designer: Julien Banon.
Get your macOS applications ready for notarization with 4D
Catalina (macOS 10.15) is now available and Apple has announced that the notarization of software distributed outside of the App Store has become a requirement. This may raise a few questions: what if my 4D application isn’t notarized? Will I be able to notarize it? How? Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered and this blog post provides the answers.
Our most spectacular major release yet, coming soon!
Less than a month to go before one of 4D’s most sensational releases goes beta! 4D v18, a major product release bursting with upgrades, enhancements, and exciting new features to make your coding a breeze.
4D for iOS: What you need to know about iOS 13
iOS 13, first launched at the Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC 2019), to be released today, September 19. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to announce that some of the features Apple has unveiled for their latest iOS, will be available in 4D for iOS with the release of the v18! Here’s everything you need to know about the advances we have in store for you:
4D Write Pro: More simple, more powerful
A shout out to everyone using 4D Write Pro and letting us know your thoughts about the product. This lets us better understand your needs and difficulties. Thanks to this input, we’ve realized that some commands have become unnecessary, complex to use, and/or difficult to learn. Sometimes it could be the smallest things that make learning a challenge. For example, if you just want to insert some text in the footer, you first need to create an empty range! Why so complicated? Good question!
Thus, many commands that previously only used ranges have been extended in order to manage almost any kind of target (ranges, elements, sections, documents, etc.). Code is now easier to write and read. If you need to insert text … in a document, a footer, a range, (wherever!) … just use it as the target and you’re off and running.
And that’s not all! Six commands have been renamed with shorter names, so they’re easier to remember.
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