In 4D 20 R9, we introduced the ability to edit and debug component methods and classes directly from a host project. Start with 4D 21, we’re now going further by making 4D Explorer the central hub for editing both project and component code. What’s for you: work better, work faster, with your components.
As a developer, you often need to quickly fix, extend, or test a component while working in a host project. Until now, this required multiple reloads, making the process slow and repetitive.
With this evolution, the 4D Explorer becomes the central hub for editing both project and component code, ensuring that:
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You can open an editable component in a dedicated tab.
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All methods and classes (public or private) of that component are accessible.
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Standard code editor actions (open, edit, duplicate, delete, move to trash, restore, run, etc.) are now supported directly.
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Even documentation and properties of component items are editable without leaving the Explorer.
Key Enhancements
Here are some highlights of what’s now possible:
1. Component Tabs in Explorer
Each component can be opened in its own tab inside the Explorer. From there, you have access to all methods, classes, and form methods of that component. This makes navigating and switching between project code and component code seamless.
2. Full Method & Class Management
Once a component is opened in a dedicated tab of the 4D Explorer, developers have full access to its contents. From the Methods tab, they can browse all project methods, whether public or private, and open them directly in the standard code editor with a simple double-click. Similarly, all component classes are available, giving access not only to public but also to private classes. Double-clicking on a class or a class function instantly opens the corresponding code in the editor, ensuring a seamless workflow. This direct navigation makes it easy to explore, edit, and test component logic without leaving the host project. However, it is important to note that the Form tab is not yet accessible when working with components.
3. CREATE COMPONENTS DIRECTLY FROM THE HOST
A new and powerful capability is the possibility to create a fresh component directly within the host project using the menu File > New > Component…. This eliminates extra setup steps and makes it easier than ever to modularize and share functionality while staying entirely inside your development environment. Once created, the component can be managed from the Dependency Manager, where you can also define whether its path should be stored as relative or absolute, following the rules explained in the documentation.
Conclusion
This new feature greatly improves the developer experience by making it possible to create, edit, and debug component methods and classes directly from the host project, without the need to constantly restart or reopen 4D. It saves time, simplifies the workflow, and offers more flexibility when working with components. And this is only the beginning. More features will be added in the future to complete and further enhance this capability.