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Power of objects and dot notation

September 3, 2019

Tips

With 4D v17 R5, we showed you how easy it is to manipulate an object to retrieve the attributes of a file or folder. Things have gotten even easier thanks to object notation! In this blog post, we’re providing you an HDI with a user interface to manage files and folders. This isn’t new in 4D since you could do it with classic 4D commands, but now you can do it easier and with fewer lines of code!

This tip shows you how easy it is to manipulate an object to retrieve a file’s or folder’s attributes. Even better, it shows the power you get by combining new features such as file and folder commands, object notation, and the new list box features. For example, to retrieve a collection of files and folders to display in a list box:

Form.docs:=Form.curfolder.folders().concat(Form.curfolder.files())

Database example

Try the example yourself and you’ll see it behaves just like any disk file browser. Now spend a minute to think about how you would write the code behind the list box to create this functionality. Finally, switch to the design mode and take a look at the code, you’ll be surprised by how little code is used. Doing the same without object notation and objects would require 10 times more coding. If haven’t try object notation yet, it’s time!

Discuss

Tags Files and Folders, Objects, Programming, v17 R5

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Vanessa Talbot
Vanessa Talbot
• Product Owner •Vanessa Talbot joined 4D Program team in June, 2014. As a Product Owner, she is in charge of writing the user stories then translating it to functional specifications. Her role is also to make sure that the feature implementation delivered is meeting the customer need.Since her arrival, she has worked to define key features in 4D. She has worked on most of preemptive multi-threading new features and also on a very complex subject: the new architecture for engined application. Vanessa has a degree from Telecom Saint-Etienne. She began her career at the Criminal Research Institute as a developer for the audiovisual department. She has also worked in media and medical fields as expert in technical support, production as well as documenting new features.
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