Year in Review: Top Five Features From 2023

2023 has had four product releases loaded with the many features you requested. 

Despite the difficulty of packing many impressive features into just five selections, we’ve compiled a list of the most notable features in 2023 based on user engagement:

#5 – Simplify Variable Declarations & Assignments in a Single Line

4D v20 R3 enables developers to declare and initialize variables in a single line, effortlessly eliminating repetitive code. This feature simplifies your development process, producing cleaner and more efficient code. For that, you have two options: let the compiler determine the variable type from the value automatically or explicitly specify it for complex types. More about this feature.

#4 – 4D and Microsoft 365 access

Continuing the trend of integrating OAuth 2.0 authentication, 4D extends its capabilities to facilitate access to Microsoft 365 API, enabling interactions with emails via IMAP, SMTP, or POP3 transporters. This feature, introduced in 4D v19 R3, provides a straightforward method to request authentication tokens from the Microsoft identity platform. More about this feature

#3 – A Tool for 4D Code Execution in CLI

4D v20 introduced a new application called ‘tool4d’. an application tailored for automating the build process within your development chain. This dedicated tool enables headless script execution through the Command Line Interface, enhancing efficiency and flexibility in development. More about this feature

#2 – Introducing Qodly Studio

Qodly Studio seamlessly integrates into 4D, allowing 4D Server to host your application as a desktop and web application effortlessly. No additional installations or support are required for your clientele.

Your 4D desktop application can seamlessly transition into a web application. Qodly Studio is currently accessible starting from 4D v20 R2, requiring a silver (or higher) partner license and will continue to evolve with additional features in future Feature Releases. More about this feature

#1 – The Top Feature of 2023: Enhanced Error Management

The top feature of 2023 is a feature brought with 4D v20 R2: the ability to throw errors in your 4D code.

This feature operates similarly to any other 4D error, enabling you to trigger an error dialog or handle it through an ON ERR CALL method. The key to unlocking this functionality lies in the new throw command.

By harnessing the power of throwing errors, you can elevate the level of user feedback you provide within your interfaces. As errors are detected in real-time, you can promptly deliver comprehensive and precise information to end users. This enhanced feedback empowers users to better understand the nature of the error and take appropriate actions, resulting in an improved overall user experience. Additionally, you can implement more effective error logging; capturing detailed error information at the point of occurrence can gather valuable insights for debugging and troubleshooting purposes. More about this feature

Conclusion

While these five features stand out, we understand that your preferences might differ. Feel free to share your personal favorites on the 4D forums.

Looking forward to hearing about the features that resonated most with you