Simplified cross-platform client/server application building on Windows
The release of Silicon Macs had a great impact on the way 4D compiles applications. Before v19, 4D was compiling only for Intel architecture, using the same code on Mac and Windows. But Silicon Macs use a new architecture, and as such 4D needs to compile specifically for Silicon. It affects cross-platform client/server application building.
As long as you build your server on Mac, it’s not much of an issue, as you can compile for both Intel and Silicon platforms. But on Windows, it’s not possible to compile for Silicon Macs. Our current recommendation is to compile the project on Mac for both architectures, and then copy it on a Windows machine before building the server. Unfortunately, for big projects with a lot of data, the copy can take some time.
Need a magic wand? Here are computed class properties!
A magic show awaits you with ORDA’s computed attributes!
It is often helpful or even essential that databases be adapted in a flexible and evolving way to users and their businesses in the computer world. The control of accessible data is also a recurrent and sensitive subject. From this point of view, developers use methods and formulas that are sometimes complex to give or restrict access to information, depending on the context or the access rights of the users.
Let’s take a simple example. In your application, you sometimes need to display a list of people. One of the columns displays their full names, but in your database, you have a first name field and a last name field. Currently, you write a formula in the list box column, and you have to manage the sorting on the column yourself. Wouldn’t it be great to have a computed field where you can define its calculation formula and sorting method, and have all the business logic inside the class and not in each interface?
Well, starting with 4D v19 R3, 4D provides a solution to this, with computed attributes.
Webcam support in Web Areas
With COVID-19, the remote office has become a new standard, and video conferencing is becoming commonplace for professionals. As a result, more and more professionals have started weaving video conferencing features into their applications. To allow you to display video conferencing from different sources like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others, we now support audio and video streams in web areas!
4D for iOS: Custom Input Controls
Until now, custom formatters allowed you to match text or images to the contents of a field, such as replacing true/false with an image or 1, 2 with text labels. 4D v19 R3 allows you to create action input controls available from actions forms, such as creating a choice list with predefined text. And even better, this list can be dynamically filled using a datasource such as a list of employers. Let’s delve into the details!
4D Write Pro – Continuous Section Breaks
Starting with 4D v19 R3, 4D Write Pro supports continuous section breaks.
A continuous section break creates a section in its own right but without causing a page break.
This allows, among other things, to have different numbers of columns on the same page!
Stop press! Accessing parameters not being passed is … possible
A method or function can have optional parameters. Sometimes the function is called with two parameters, and other times with three parameters. We’ve all dreamed of accessing the parameters without counting the parameters, checking if the parameter has been passed, or simply not having to check if the variable associated with the parameter has been initialized. This could make the code much simpler, and much more readable, without all the “If” or “Count parameters” lines.
Well, dream no more, and switch to 4D v19 R3! Managing method and function parameters has never been easier.
Full support of BLOB in ORDA
Many of you have already taken the leap and started using ORDA. To ease your coding experience, we are glad to announce that Blobs are now fully supported in ORDA, like any other type. After the first step in 4D v19 R2, with the support of the Blobs in objects, 4D v19 R3 brings the support of Blobs in ORDA.
4D for Mobile: What’s new in v19 R3
We are pleased to announce that a new version of 4D is available with new features for 4D for iOS and 4D for Android.
WHAT’s in it?
For both 4D for iOS and 4D for Android:
- A new feature of 4D allows you to add computed attributes to an entity. These new attributes can also be used in the list and detail forms of your mobile application.
For 4D for iOS only:
- You can create action input controls of type choice list. The choice list can be a predefined list in a JSON or a dynamic list filled using a data source.
- In your actions and input controls, you can use computed attributes to simplify your code.
For 4D for Android only:
- The N to one relation is available, so you can display relative data in a list, and decide which field(s) from the related table to publish in your app
- You can test and debug the generated application on your device.
Several blog posts detailing the different features are listed in this post.
4D v19 R3 Beta Starts Today
We’re pleased to announce the launch of beta testing for 4D v19 R3! One of the richest feature releases we have shipped so far!
Without further ado, let’s take a look and see what this feature release has in store for you:
- Your business logic will love 4D’s new Computed Attributes in ORDA, Classes, iOS, and Android.
- 4D for iOS with features allowing to interact with native Apple apps and build even more advanced UI’s.
- As for 4D for Android, we’re giving you a way to test your Android app on a real device before releasing it to users.
- 4D Write Pro is shipped with an image setting dialog, the possibility to have different numbers of columns on the same page with continuous section breaks, and additional options to manage formula visibility.
- Out-of-the-box security boost with the support of the bcrypt algorithm for passwords. What’s best, there’s nothing to change in the code. Everything is automatic.
- More news for dark mode enthusiasts. After giving end-users a choice between dark and light mode for the appearance of their applications, it is now the turn of developers to choose between these modes during development on macOS.
- And more (see below)!
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