Push notification with data synchronisation
As of 4D v18 R4, you can send notifications to your application users. Now with 4D v18 R6, you can start data synchronization with a push notification.
This could be useful, for example, in the case of delivery tracking applications. First, the delivery information is updated in the database, then a notification is sent to the customer. The notification contains a request to synchronize the data, so when the customer consults the record on their smartphone, the data is up to date.
More features in the 4D Write Pro interface widget
The 4D Write Pro toolbar and sidebar continue to grow with more functionalities to help you create documents even faster and easier.
With 4D v18 R6, you can :
- increment or decrement text
- copy/paste the ruler
- change the background color of a paragraph
- change the style of a word (uppercase, lowercase, etc.)
More enhancements to the 4D debugger!
4D v18 R6 comes with new features in the code editor to make things easier for you when writing code.
The same goes for the debugger. We know debugging an application can be difficult, that’s why we never stop working to help make your experience better. This time, we’ve added some options and additional information that will make it easier to trace and analyze your code.
Keep reading to see what’s in store for you:
Code editor: Write more code in less time!
With 4D 18 R4, we announced the availability of the suggested functions for classes (4D and data model). With 4D v18 R6, we’ve got more great news to simplify and facilitate the writing of code in the editor: The prototype of a function and a short description are displayed in the code editor!
Speed up your development process and avoid typos. Now, information about class functions is displayed in the code editor, helping you to write more in less time while making sure that you’re on the right track!
Let’s find out more!
6 practical examples on how to use macros
4D 18 R5 introduced form macros. They can be incredibly useful, for example, by providing an ideal way to save time on repetitive tasks. In this blog post, we’ll show you some basic examples to learn more about how macros work and the possibilities they offer. All of the following examples are available on GitHub.
A new command to open a Form in the Form Editor
4D v18 R5 provides a new 4D command to open a form in the form editor. This can be especially useful for analysis or introspection tools.
4D Write Pro: soft-hyphens made easy
With 4D v18 R5, we’ve simplified the insertion of soft-hyphens by providing new standard actions, as well as new buttons in the 4D Write Pro Interface widgets.
Automate repetitive tasks and more with form macros!
If you’re a fan of macros in the code editor, then 4D v18 R5 has some good news for you … because now macros are also available in the form editor!
Let me start by telling you how useful macros can be for you. Have you ever needed to use formatting or naming rules in your application, then apply them to each new form? Or maybe you’ve had to work on existing forms created by someone else, and always need to do the exact same checks and analyses before getting started. If you’ve ever encountered one of these scenarios, then 4D v18 R5 is for you because it gives you the ability to create macros and save time on predictable, repetitive tasks.
Coder-friendly syntax for class functions and methods
Using $1, $2, and $n variables in your code not only makes the code less readable, it can also increase confusion since the human brain can find it difficult to remember what these variables correspond to. The solution is to create a variable with an understandable name and assign it the value of $1, $2, or $n.
4D v18 R5 has good news, you can now name your parameters when declaring:
- a project method,
- a trigger
- a database method
- a form method
- a constructor of a class
- a function of a class.
Let’s see how!
Preview your CSS directly in the form editor!
In 4D v18 R5, you can preview the final CSS rendering in the form editor WITHOUT running your dialog. Yes, you heard that right. Standardizing and reviving your forms has never been easier!
If you haven’t yet heard about CSS in 4D, now’s the perfect time to learn more! Introduced in 4D v18 for project applications, this concept includes enhanced and quick style sheets based on CSS. I recommend taking a look at this blog post.
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