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NZ Macguide Issue 8
Businesses, hospitals, corporations and other organisations
have to deal with a phenomenal amount of information everyday. Most choose
to organise this information into electronic databases in order to access
this information as fast and as easily as possible.
Many prefer to use professional high-end database development
suites that not only create and manage the database files involved but also
create the interface for them, serve them on the internet and even custom
build programs exclusively for accessing them (often with encryption). This
latest version of 4D has several features that make it more accessible to
the average user.
Strengths
The most striking feature of this newest version of 4D that most impressed
me was how easy it was to quickly develop a database and get it published
to the internet. It's very very simple - create database, slap on
a default form (ie interface) then select 'Start Web Server' within 4D.
As long as anyone wanting to access your database knows your IP address
and the appropriate port settings they can access your database from anywhere
in the world. No other program is required - the 4D program itself
becomes the web server - all you have to do is have a Mac with a TCP/IP
internet connection.
Another very compelling feature of this latest version
of 4D is it's easy rapid application development abilities. Rapid Application
Development (RAD) is a method a developer can use to quickly make up a prototype
or mock up for a customer so they can test out their program requirements.
4D makes this extremely easy with its default forms, visual table/form/data
editors, and simple no code needed development environment. A big thumbs
up for 4D is it's sheer speed - the speed of the program itself is impressive
creating records, forms, with data importing and in structure development - they
all seem to go at a blazing pace. There are also a number of little features
that save you valuable time whilst developing. And don't forget 4D's cross
platform capabilities - they will ensure the database you develop on
your Mac can be deployed for Win 98, 2000 and NT.
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Weaknesses
Every program has its flaws. Some are major, some are minor. 4D is no different - it
has a few I feel are annoying. Firstly, the installation process is unnecessarily
difficult- instead of being offered an automated installation process
that copies everything to an appropriate location on your hard disc, you have
to manually copy everything to a suitable folder - the least you can expect
is a setup program that helps you install it. Also, I found it wouldn't keep
the serial number recorded in the preferences if you didn't log-in as Root
whilst installing it - a big thumbs down.
Secondly, if you want to publish your database over the
internet, you need a static domain. This usually means either a dedicated
permanent internet connection or a 4D database hosting site. Both ways might
be prohibitively expensive.
Thirdly, it has no built in support for SQL, the powerful
database language that can be used by database programs everywhere, particularly
on the web. This means that for web publishing you need a hosting site that
can publish 4D database files. This also means that you can't import or export
SQL in order to use in other database programs such as Oracle for Windows
or Microsoft Access.
Fourthly, it has limited export/import options. You can
only import/export dBase and SYLK files (common database formats that every
database program on the planet supports - this is like having a word
processor that can only import/export rich text or text files). The ability
to export as SQL would be very helpful as some free./cheap hosting web sites
on the internet will let you host SQL database files for free/cheap .
Lastly, the editing of forms used to interface the database
can be difficult. Also, short of cutting your own HTML code, you have very
little control over the web interface that publishing your database produces.
A visual web interface editor would of been nice as this would make this
process that much easier.
And no local support - what's up with that?
Requires a G3 or better processor, 800 X 600 monitor resolution,
Mac OS 9.2.1 (requires CarbonLib 1.4 or above, CarbonLib 1.6 recommended),
Mac OS v10.2.x, 64 MB RAM minimum (128 MB recommended)
Pros
- Quick and easy web publishing
- Easy RAD
- Speed
Cons
- Complicated installation process
- No SQL
- Limited import/export abilities
- No NZ support
© Parkside Media 2003
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