4D is a multi-purpose programming language and environment primarily designed for building database applications. It is recognized for its capability to integrate data management with business logic and user interface development, allowing developers to create enterprise-level applications efficiently. The name "4D" refers to the platform's four dimensions: data, development, deployment, and integration.
4D was first released in the 1980s by the French company 4D S.A., which initially focused on providing a robust database management system. The language combined relational database capabilities with an object-oriented programming environment, a relatively unique feature at that time, allowing developers to work with data-driven applications seamlessly.
Over the years, 4D has undergone multiple updates, enhancing its capabilities and adapting to the changing technology landscape. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the focus shifted to web integration and client-server architectures. The introduction of 4D WebStarter allowed developers to create web applications using the same code base.
Today, 4D is actively maintained and has a dedicated user community. The platform has embraced modern programming practices and technologies, including cloud computing and mobile application development, placing it in competition with other systems designed for cross-platform deployment. Its current versions, such as 4D v18, increasingly embrace web technologies and provide tools for REST APIs, enhancing its relevance in contemporary software ecosystems.
4D supports object-oriented programming principles, allowing developers to create classes and objects. This encapsulation of data and behavior promotes better organization and reuse of code.
Class Person
var name
var age
End Class
var john = new Person
john.name := "John Doe"
john.age := 30
4D includes numerous built-in commands for database manipulation, making it easy to perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations.
// Create a record
CREATE RECORD([Persons])
[Persons]Name := "Alice"
[Persons]Age := 25
4D is event-driven, making it easy to define actions that respond to user interactions, such as button clicks or menu selections.
// Button click event handler
On Click([Button])
ALERT("Button clicked!")
End On Click
4D provides native SQL support, allowing developers to run SQL queries directly against the database.
var result := SQL("SELECT * FROM Persons WHERE Age > 20")
Developers can create rich UIs directly within the 4D environment, utilizing a drag-and-drop interface for layout design.
// Example of adding a button to a form programmatically
Add Button([Form]; "Submit")
The 4D language includes powerful scripting capabilities that provide extensive control over the application flow.
If (john.age > 18)
ALERT("Adult")
Else
ALERT("Minor")
End If
4D applications can run on both macOS and Windows, ensuring wide accessibility for end-users.
4D supports the creation of web applications through integrated web server capabilities, utilizing HTML and JavaScript alongside 4D’s own language.
// Example of sending a web response
$httpResponse := "Welcome to 4D Web!"
5D allows developers to create REST APIs very easily, which is essential for modern application integration and interoperability.
// Define a REST endpoint
REST.POST("/api/persons"; PersonData)
4D provides integrated debugging tools that facilitate the identification and resolution of issues within the code.
4D comes with an integrated development environment that combines code editing, database management, and UI design. It provides tools to design forms, reports, and manage data structures all within one interface.
Building a project in 4D involves creating and defining the structure of your database model, writing code for handling data and user interactions, and defining the UI. Once completed, you can run applications directly within the IDE or deploy them to the 4D server.
4D uses an interpreter for its scripting language, allowing immediate execution of scripts without the need for a separate compilation step. This streamlined approach facilitates rapid application development.
4D is primarily used for developing database-centric applications in industries like finance, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. It is particularly favored for creating internal business applications, such as CRM, ERP, and inventory management systems. The platform's capability to handle large datasets and perform complex transactions makes it suitable for enterprise-level solutions.
When comparing 4D to other programming languages, some notable points arise:
C# and Java: Like these languages, 4D supports object-oriented programming and is geared towards enterprise applications. However, 4D offers built-in database functionalities that facilitate faster application development.
Python and Ruby: While Python and Ruby are known for their simplicity and readability, 4D is highly specialized for database applications, which might require more setup in Python or Ruby.
PHP and JavaScript: Both PHP and JavaScript are commonly used for web development, similar to 4D's functions. However, 4D allows true application development within a singular environment rather than relying on multiple frameworks.
C++ and Go: These languages excel in performance for system-level programming. In contrast, 4D focuses on rapid application development for database-driven applications, often sacrificing low-level performance for ease of use.
Perl and R: These languages excel in text manipulation and data analysis, while 4D focuses on full application development lifecycle, including UI management and seamless database integration.
While source-to-source translation tools specific to 4D are limited, developers can utilize general transformation and adaptation strategies to port 4D applications to other languages by:
Existing source-to-source translation tools may not specifically target 4D, but general-purpose tools like transpilers can help convert code to more widely used languages, albeit with manual adjustments needed for business logic and database integration.