A class for easy handling of your sub-forms
On the forum, several requests, tips, or questions have been asked about displaying a message, an hourglass, or some interface elements in the foreground of a form while blurring out the rest. You can create this type of interface with sub-forms and call forms. The code can get complicated if you’re working with a multi-page form.
To simplify your work, Vincent De Lachaux has prepared a class to simplify the management of sub-forms displayed in a multi-page form. It handles loading the sub-form on the fly, controlling it from a worker, and repositioning it if the main form is resized. You can focus on your dialogues without worrying about the mechanics.
Enhancing The Journal Management
With 4D v20 R3, a new feature has been introduced to enable better journal management. This feature concerns the “Use log file” option, which can now be overridden like other backup parameters.
In this blog post, we’ll explain why this is useful and show you how to use it.
Sync Several Collections with this new Function
4D offers powerful features to work with object collections. For example, you can create a collection of cities with their associated countries and continents. Manipulating these collections with built-in functions like sort, order, and filter becomes a breeze.
4D v20 R3 introduces the new multiSort() function to simplify this process. With this function, you can now easily sort and synchronize multiple collections.
4D Write Pro – A Wizard to Create Tables with Data
Over the last few versions of 4D Write Pro, many table-related features have been added. You can easily create tables based on database data using contexts, data sources, and formulas.
This is so easy that many of just want to let your end-users use the feature as it is. But we understand this can sometimes be challenging for users who lack training in formatting data sources or formulas for various table components. To address this, we have developed a solution shipped with 4D v20 R2: the brand-new table wizard.
The wizard is available to end-users; they can take advantage of templates adapted to their use and business provided by the developer. Configuring templates includes:
- define dataclass and dataclass attributes,
- translate dataclass, dataclass attributes, and formula names,
- prepare formulas adapted to the business,
- design graphic styles.
Continue reading to find out more, and don’t forget to check out the HDI and watch the bonus video that guides you through various possibilities.
Create a standalone application with the Build4D component
A new build4D component has been available on GitHub for a few months. It empowers you to effortlessly create a compiled project or a component. Things are getting even better; this new component version will enable you to generate a single-user application, expanding the possibilities for your development workflow.
So with tool4D available since v20, integrating the application generation process into your CI (Continuous Integration) tools has become remarkably convenient.
Let’s delve into the details!
Build an Application with 4D Commands
Since several versions of 4D, different features have been added to create your own build chain. For example,
- the creation of a “.zip” folder,
- the addition of information such as the copyright on an executable or a “dll”,
- the creation of an “info.plist” file,
- and the new build4D component.
With 4D v20, two new features allow finalizing the creation of a standalone or client/server application in 4D code:
- the addition of an icon to an executable
- the generation of the deployment license file for a server (OEM license only) or a standalone application.
Data Explorer Embedded in 4D
Data Explorer allows you to view the data in your database. You can choose which fields to display, organize, filter, and sort the data.
With 4D v20, the Data Explorer can be opened in 4D instead of an external browser. Users can access the Data Explorer directly from the toolbar with just one click, saving time and improving productivity.
Evolution of Form Objects
To allow you to make the most beautiful interfaces, we continue to improve the form objects. Since 4D v19 R6, you can define a rounded border for static text and input text form objects.
With 4D v20, new possibilities are available.
- For buttons, radio buttons, and checkboxes, we have added new settings for the text and the icon.
- For radio buttons and checkboxes, the number of states for the icon has been improved to allow a better rendering for the end user.
Introducing the Latest Find and Replace Features
The “Find and Replace” feature in the code editor has existed for many years. Developers can easily and efficiently search and replace code, especially when dealing with large codebases. 4D v20 is bringing improvements that are sure to be appreciated by developers who rely on this functionality to streamline their coding workflows:
- knowing the number of occurrences to replace,
- knowing the position of the current occurrence,
- having permanent access to the Next and Previous navigation options,
- display a palette instead of a modal window to limit the number of clicks.
Meet the Improved Distinct Function
Retrieving the list of unique data elements is always helpful when manipulating data. In some cases, retrieving the number of occurrences of each value is essential. The distinct function of the Collection and Entity selection classes allows retrieving a list of unique values. With 4D v20, you can also retrieve the number of occurrences of each distinct value.
And that’s not all!
An object in the database can be used to save custom data entered by the user. So on the code side, you need to know all the possible paths to the object. The distinctPaths function has been added to the Entity selection class.
Here is everything you need to know.
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