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Questions & Answers

Below, you will find some common questions about the 4D family of products. These are general questions. If you are looking for specific technical questions, go to our Technical FAQ page.

• What is 4th Dimension?
• When is 4th Dimension the best solution?
• What are the advantages of 4th Dimension?
• What is 4D Engine?
• What is 4D Runtime?
• What is 4D Runtime Classic?
• When should I use 4D Runtime, 4D Runtime Classic or 4D Engine?
• What plug-ins are available for 4D?

What is 4th Dimension?

4th Dimension from 4D is a family of rapid application development applications and plug-ins designed to run on Windows and Macintosh personal computers. 4th Dimension applications can run interpreted or compiled to native code, in single-user or multi-user modes with up to hundreds of users, on any combination of Windows 95 or NT and Macintosh computers. 4th Dimension is also a very productive front-ending tool for SQL databases, and provides the easiest way available to provide access to databases from a web browser.

4th Dimension has been on the market for over ten years, and is in use at businesses ranging from very small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and large government agencies.

When is 4th Dimension the best solution?

A 4D developer can develop solutions for almost any situation where a microcomputer-based database or database front-end is appropriate. 4th Dimension is a very versatile and scalable application development solution for database-centered applications. These applications can range from standalone double-clickable applications up to client/server solutions with hundreds of users, and all with the same code.

4th Dimension is also an excellent application for making SQL front ends, in which case a 4D solution can scale almost without limit.

4th Dimension provides generous rapid application development tools for small developers and corporate developers, and an excellent web database publishing solution. 4D's diverse range of plug-ins leverages the 4D environment as a solution in a very wide range of fields.

What are the advantages of 4th Dimension?

4th Dimension's programming model is unique in many ways. Its single greatest advantage is that single-user and multi-user applications can be developed using the one single code source. There is no need for a developer to distinguish between single-user and multi-user code unless he wants to.

4th Dimension boasts a very productive rapid application development environment, including:

• the most sophisticated debugger available in any commercial programming environment;
• a full range of form and window design options and controls, with a form design wizard allowing the developer to develop a sophisticated modern user interface;
• the ability to mix common and highly automatic behaviors with medium- or low-level code;
• code and plug-in updates on client/server systems are automatically distributed to clients without intervention;
• support for multiple simultaneous users and developers;
• a generous structured and aggressively multi-threaded programming language; automatic or fully programmed database publishing to web browsers, easier than with any other tool;
• easy development of front-ends for SQL databases; and a large range of plug-ins from both 4D and many third parties, supporting extra user interface features (including word processing, spreadsheet and drawing applications, either embedded in forms or in separate windows); support for other plug-in formats (including Visual Basic and Active-X controls and web browser plug-ins); support for various Internet technologies (such as ftp serving and email) and utility commands for the 4D programming language.

What is 4D Engine?

4D Engine is a separate option for 4D Compiler that permits Compiler to create standalone double-clickable applications.

What is 4D Runtime?

4D Runtime is a free product which can run interpreted (not compiled) 4D databases for single users. This allows the unlimited distribution of single-user versions of a 4D application.

What is 4D Runtime Classic?

4D Runtime Classic is a licensable product that can run compiled 4D databases for single users.

When should I use Runtime Vs Runtime Classic Vs Engine?

All of these applications allow you to distribute a single-user version of your database for people who don't own 4th Dimension.

4D Runtime is a great way of distributing a 4D application that runs adequately in interpreted mode, since it is free, but will not run a compiled application.

4D Runtime Classic is the only way to deploy a single-user compiled database (other than 4th Dimension itself) for non-4D Partners, so if you are not an 4D Partner and you want to distribute a compiled version of your application, this is your only option.

4D Engine (available only to 4D Partners) and 4D Runtime Classic both do essentially the same thing, which is to permit you to distribute a compiled database to people that don't have 4th Dimension. Choosing between the two will therefore probably come down to how many copies of your application you wish to distribute. Contact 4D Sales at sales@4D.com, or phone 1-800-785-3303 or fax 408-557-4645, for more information.

What plug-ins are available for 4D?

There are a very large number of plug-ins available for 4th Dimension, from full-featured word processors, spreadsheets and drawing applications, to internet utilities, ActiveX control support and many others. 4D sales (sales@4D.com, or phone 1-800-785-3303 or fax 408-557-4645) can help you with plug-ins available from 4D. The best catalog of third-party plug-ins available is currently at 4D Today.

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