4th Dimension v16

Starting with 4D v15, 4th Dimension has been undergoing a transition to a fully 64 bit architecture, a transition that is essentially complete with the latest new version of 4D. With the recently released 4D v16, the cache manager has been re-written to improve performance with large caches and large data files and the 4D language joins the database server, SQL server, and web server in implementing pre-emptive multi-tasking.

That's a fair amount of technical jargon, but to put it simply 4D v16 is the fastest performing version of 4D so far and is leading the way in taking maximum advantage of modern hardware and operating systems.

In addition to significant performance improvements, 4D v16 introduces a number of other exciting new capabilities:

Programming language improvements - including a much faster Replace String function, enhancements to the frequently used Distinct Values command, and numerous others.

VMWare vSphere integration - 4D now communicates with VMWare vSphere to insure your database is in a stable state when snapshots are saved. 

Listbox improvements include over 20 new getter and setter selectors to allow the developer even greater control of 4D's primary interface for display data in lists.

The 64 bit Quick Report editor now allows creation of cross tab style reports directly by the end user of the 4D database. 

v16 builds on the new Object field type introduced in 4D v15, a powerful new field type that allows 'schema-less' data management in 4D.

All in all, 4D v16, especially with its varied performance enhancements, looks to be a solid new release of 4th Dimension. Portage Bay will be upgrading our 4D based vertical market case managment software, VIMS, to v16 in the next couple of months.

-John Newhoff

FileMaker 15 Released

Today FileMaker Inc. released FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Server 15. This is the first release since they announced a new annual release schedule last year, so presumably we’ll see FileMaker 16 approximately a year from now.

FileMaker 15 has a number of interesting new features. I’ve picked out a few features that seem most useful and highlighted them below.

‘In App’ Software Updates
You no longer have to download an updater to keep FileMaker 15 current. The app will simply prompt you to perform the update similar to the way app updates work on an iPhone.

Script Undo
The script workspace now allows multiple levels of undo and redo. This will make it easier to change your mind and undo the last 5 minutes worth scripting changes.

Security Improvements
A number of areas in FileMaker have been updated to allow you to work more effectively with 3rd party SSL certificates to enhance the security of your applications.

iBeacon Support
A new script step enables FileMaker to access iBeacon information in the nearby bluetooth environment. This could allow your FileMaker app to do all kinds of interesting things based on its proximity to an iBeacon. Examples might include automatically displaying the contents of a container that you are nearby or displaying additional information about a product that you are standing in front of.

Truncate Table
This won’t necessarily be useful to all people, but the new Truncate Table script step will be very useful in some situations. In my brief testing, the 'Delete All Records' script step cleared out a table with 117,000 records in 5 minutes and 10 seconds. The new 'Truncate Table' script step did it in 14 seconds.
~ John Newhoff