Single User Deployment in 4th Dimension 2003
The 4th Dimension development environment is a deep and flexible one for
creating standalone applications. As such, there are a number of deployment
options available to meet the needs of the wide variety of developers who
utilize 4th Dimension. By offering different choices, we can ensure that
all those in the 4th Dimension development community can be confident that
their specific deployment needs will be met.
The strengths that separate 4th Dimension from most other RAD (Rapid Application
Development) environments are its abilities to be both a powerful development
tool and an award winning, industrial-strength database. Most RAD environments
either don’t include a built-in database or the database that is included
is only a limited file manager. In most cases, developers want to primarily
use the database engine. However, there are situations in which developers
want to build applications with either limited or no database access. An
example of such is the eBay Web Services Client example database provided
by 4D, Inc. In addition, 4th Dimension 2003 offers an optional Compiler
(available as part of the 4th Dimension Developer Edition), which gives
developers an option that provides increased performance and reliable code
security when compiling their applications to machine code. Applications
created using 4th Dimension can be compiled to run on most flavors of Windows,
Mac OS X and Mac OS 9. Finally, to meet the needs of those developers who
want to create "double-clickable" applications where the compiled
application and 4D Engine are merged, 4th Dimension offers 4D Engine in
a number of editions.
Deployment Options:
4D Plug-ins
| Engine Flavor |
# Seats |
Sponsored Message |
Database Functionality |
Cost |
| 4D Engine Light |
Unlimited |
Yes |
Full database functionality for read-only databases and the ability
to add up to a maximum of 50 records per table |
Bundled with 4D Developer Edition for the specific platform |
| 4D Engine Sponsored Edition |
Unlimited |
Yes |
Standard 4D Database Engine Functionality |
$999 (Includes both Macintosh and Windows Platforms) |
| 4D Engine Professional Edition |
1000 |
No |
Standard 4D Database Engine Functionality |
$2499 (Includes both Macintosh and Windows Platforms) |
- Non-compiled (Interpreted)
Solutions
An unlimited distribution license for uncompiled applications is included
with 4th Dimension Standard Edition. With environments such as FileMaker
Pro, additional products such as FileMaker Pro Developer Edition must be
purchased before distribution of uncompiled applications is allowed. With
4th Dimension Standard Edition, applications have unlimited distribution
for the platform purchased. Developers concerned about code security can
secure their code by encoding their methods in 4th Dimension’s advanced
component architecture. However, this option is not recommended for commercial
applications as these types of applications benefit from the speed and security
capabilities that the compiler offers.
- Compiled Solutions
- a. Limited Deployment
For deployment of standalone applications in small volumes, 4D Runtime
Classic is the ideal solution. 4D Runtime Classic allows compiled 4th
Dimension applications to be deployed on a seat-by-seat basis. As the
applications are compiled, they benefit from high-performance levels
as well as code that remains secure as the application logic is encoded
to machine code, making it almost impossible to reverse-engineer. For
mass deployments or to make applications double-clickable, we recommend
looking at the 4D Engine based deployment options below.
- b. Mass Deployment
4D Engine offers the best options for deploying compiled, double-clickable
applications. Each of the 4D Engine options supports the merging of
a compiled application to produce a professional, double-clickable
application. After applications are compiled, the resultant applications
not only benefit from maximum performance levels, but can also be distributed
free of the worry that they could be reverse-engineered. 4D Engine
comes in three different editions to ensure that developers have the
maximum flexibility in choosing an option that suits their business
needs.
- 4D Engine Light Edition
A license for 4D Engine Light Edition is included with 4th Dimension
Developer Edition. 4D Engine Light applications have unlimited
distribution for the platform purchased. 4D Engine Light applications
display a 4th Dimension sponsorship message when a user quits the
application. 4D Engine Light is ideal for those applications that
require limited database activity or read-only databases such as
catalogs.
- Read-Only Databases
Many companies want to distribute catalogs on CDs. 4D Engine
Light offers such companies an economical way of distributing
their products. All that needs to be purchased is the 4th Dimension
Developer Edition for the required distribution platform. There
is no limit on the volume of distribution and there is no time
limit on the distribution license.
- Limited Database Applications
Some applications require limited or no database capabilities.
An example is the eBay Web Services Client example database
distributed by 4D, Inc. 4D Engine Light is the perfect way
to distribute such applications. All that needs to be purchased
is the 4th Dimension Developer Edition for the required distribution
platform. Applications have unlimited distribution for the
platform purchased. In addition, there is no time limit on
the distribution license.
- 4D Engine Sponsored Edition
4D Engine Sponsored Edition is designed for low-cost applications
that require the power of a full database engine. 4D Engine Sponsored
Edition offers a cross-platform engine (Windows and Macintosh)
that allows the resultant compiled and merged application to have
unlimited distribution. A platform specific 4D Developer
Edition
2003 is required to compile for each platform you wish to distribute
on. A
4th Dimension sponsorship message is displayed when a user quits
the application.
- 4D Engine Professional Edition
4D Engine Professional Edition is designed for professional applications
that require the power of a full database engine. 4D Engine Professional
Edition offers a cross-platform engine (Windows and Macintosh)
that allows the resultant compiled and merged application to be
distributed up to 1000 seats. A platform specific 4D Developer
Edition
2003 is required to compile for each platform you wish to distribute
on. Additional 1000-seat purchases can
be made as needed. There is no time limit on the distribution of
the seats.
- 4D Engine OEM
Developers who distribute professional database applications with
volumes that are much higher than 1000 seats should contact their
local 4D office. In the U.S. and Canada, the OEM sales staff can
be contacted at oemsales@4d.com.
4D Plug-Ins
4D enriches its award winning development environment with a number of
specialized plug-ins that offer deep, add-on functionality. Plug-ins are
available for adding on integrated word processing (4D Write), integrated
spreadsheet and grid tool functionality (4D View) and integrated drawing
capabilities (4D Draw).
There are three different deployment options for these plug-ins.
- Single Seats - Single seats can be purchased to be
used with 4D Runtime Classic.
- Sponsored Editions - Sponsored editions of these plug-ins
can be purchased, which will only work with 4D Engine Sponsored editions.
Sponsored editions have unlimited distribution.
- Professional Editions - Professional editions can
be purchased, which can run with all flavors of 4D Engine, but are limited
to 1000-seat deployments.
| Plug-in Flavor |
# Seats |
Works With |
Cost |
| 4D Write Sponsored Edition |
Unlimited |
4D Engine Sponsored Edition |
$499 |
| 4D View Sponsored Edition |
Unlimited |
4D Engine Sponsored Edition |
$499 |
| 4D Draw Sponsored Edition |
Unlimited |
4D Engine Sponsored Edition |
$499 |
| 4D Write Professional Edition |
1000 |
4D Engine Professional Edition |
$1299 |
| 4D View Professional Edition |
1000 |
4D Engine Professional Edition |
$1299 |
| 4D Draw Professional Edition |
1000 |
4D Engine Professional Edition |
$1299 |
| 4D RSS Feeds