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!
Type ahead made easy
If you’re interested in the user interface, you may have already used the On before keystroke and On after keystroke events. You’ll certainly be happy to know that the handling of these events has been greatly enhanced with 4D v18 R5. In addition, a new command has been created to determine if there is ongoing input when the On before keystroke event is generated. Let’s find out more!
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.
New declaration syntax for an intuitive autocompletion
Have you ever wondered about 4D’s autocompletion feature or asked yourself why 4D suggests all functions used in the code? Since an object is a very generic type, 4D only knows what it’s really storing at runtime. However, that doesn’t help much when you’re writing your code.
4D now offers a new, alternative syntax which will greatly enhance autocompletion when declaring your variables.
Project by default. Binary on demand
Projects were introduced in 4D v17 R5. An architecture representing a giant evolution for 4D applications, projects opened the 4D world to source control tools, collaborative programming, code sharing, modularity, and much more! To make things even better (and simpler), 4D v18 R4 creates new projects by default, while developers – if they choose to do so – can continue to create binary databases via a simple setting.
Take control of your work area
Want to adapt your application’s interface to your end user’s system preferences? Want to make sure your application’s interface isn’t obscured by the macOS dock or menu, or by the Windows taskbar? In this blog post, we’ll show you how!
Project databases: New possibilities with the Form Editor
With the introduction of project databases, we’ve also modified the interface of some 4D dialogs. In this blog post, we’ll present some of the changes we’ve made to the form editor.
Code Editor: Say hello to Comment blocks
Adding a block of comments at the beginning of a method is useful for adding a note about what a method does, as well as a list of input/output parameters. And having a few lines of human-readable text within a complicated section of code can be convenient to help you and others recall the purpose of this particular section of code. Beginning with 4D v18, your programming experience is enhanced with the addition of comment blocks!
On resize… On resize… On resize…
Wondering how to create a nice and dynamic user interface? Typically when a form is resized, the form objects whose horizontal sizing or vertical sizing properties are set to move or grow, are automatically resized. In some cases (e.g., finer user interface management), developers choose to manage form object size and position by programming. To do so, they check the “on resized” event which is triggered within the form method. But what happens when the form contains one or more subforms? On many levels? This blog post gives you the answers!
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