4th Dimension (software)

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4D Programming Language
Designed byLaurent Ribardière
Developer4D SAS
First appeared1984; 40 years ago (1984) (dev) 1987; 37 years ago (1987) (official)[1]
Stable release
v18 R5 / 19 January 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-19)
Preview release
v18 R6 Beta
Implementation languageC, C++
PlatformCross-Platform
OSWindows, macOS
LicenseProprietary
Filename extensions4DB, 4DC
File formatsInterpreted, Compiled
Websiteus.4d.com
4D
Original author(s)Laurent Ribardière
Developer(s)4D SAS
Initial release1984; 40 years ago (1984) (ss) 1987; 37 years ago (1987) (v1)
Stable release
v18 R5 / 19 January 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-19)[2]
Preview release
v18 R6 Beta
Written inC++, C
Operating systemWindows, Mac OS
TypeRAD RDBMS IDE Language GUI Designer Web Server
LicenseProprietary
Websiteus.4d.com
4D Server
Original author(s)Laurent Ribardière
Developer(s)4D SAS
Initial release1993; 31 years ago (1993) (v1)
Stable release
v18 R5 / 19 January 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-19)[2]
Preview release
v18 R6 Beta
Written inC++, C
Operating systemWindows, Mac OS
TypeRDBMS Web Server Application Server SQL Server Database Server Language
LicenseProprietary
Websiteus.4d.com

4D (4th Dimension, or Silver Surfer, as it was known during early development) is a relational database management system and integrated development environment developed by Laurent Ribardière.[3] 4D was created in 1984[4] and had a slightly delayed public release for Macintosh in 1987[5][6][7] with its own programming language.[1]

The 4D product line has since expanded to an SQL back-end, integrated compiler, integration of PHP, and several productivity plug-ins and interfaces. Some of the plug-ins created by 4D include 4D Write (a word processor), 4D View (somewhat like a spreadsheet, but with extra functionality) and 4D Internet Commands (which allowed for the addition of Internet-related functionality to a database). There are also over 100 third-party plugins, free and commercial.

4D can also be used as a web server, to run compiled database applications.

Today, 4D is published by the French company 4D SAS and has a sales, distribution and support presence in most major markets, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and France being the primary markets. The product is localized in more than a dozen languages.

  1. ^ a b "High-End Mac Database Offers Own Programming Language". InfoWorld. 16 March 1987.
  2. ^ a b "4D Product Lifecycle". 4D. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  3. ^ "4D People - 4D". 4d.com. 19 June 2018.
  4. ^ "A History of Innovation". 4d.com. 19 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Overdue Apple Server Goes to Market". ComputerWorld. 26 January 1987.
  6. ^ "New Database Software Program Moves Macintosh Into The Big Leagues". chicagotribune.com.
  7. ^ "Seeking 4th Dimension? Take Heart, It's Now In Town". chicagotribune.com.