4D

4D is a relational DBMS that is integrated with an IDE and a proprietary programming language. It allows users to create custom graphical interfaces to work with their database, which can then be run on Windows or Mac OS systems to edit a locally stored database file. 4D can also run as a server so that multiple clients can manage a single database. The latest version of 4D includes "4D for iOS Preview" which creates a customizable iOS app for viewing database contents.

History

4D was originally developed under the name "Silver Surfer" in the 1980s as a DBMS for the Macintosh platform.

Checkpoints

Consistent Blocking

By default, 4D creates a log file with the ".journal" extension when a data file is created. Every modification to the data file since the last backup is recorded in the log file. If the database file is corrupted, 4D will restore the most recent backup and replay the changes in the log. When a new backup is created, the log file is cleared. Backups can be triggered manually or on a schedule. By default, the database will backup every Sunday at 00:00:00, and only the three most recent backups are kept. The database cannot be edited while a backup is running.

Data Model

Relational

Query Interface

Custom API SQL

4D Logo
Website

https://4d.com

Tech Docs

https://doc.4d.com

Developer

Laurent Ribardière

Country of Origin

FR

Start Year

1984

Former Name

4th Dimension, Silver Surfer

Project Type

Commercial

Operating Systems

iOS, OS X, Windows

Licenses

Proprietary

Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4th_Dimension_(software)