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Building a project package

4D incluye un generador de aplicaciones para crear un paquete de proyecto (versión final). Este generador simplifica el proceso de finalización y despliegue de las aplicaciones compiladas en 4D. Maneja automáticamente las funcionalidades específicas de los distintos sistemas operativos y facilita el despliegue de aplicaciones cliente-servidor.

El generador de aplicaciones le permite:

• Generar una estructura compilada, sin código interpretado,
• Generar una aplicación autónoma ejecutable, es decir, fusionada con 4D Volume Desktop, el motor de base de datos 4D,
• Generar diferentes aplicaciones a partir de la misma estructura compilada mediante un proyecto XML,
• Generar aplicaciones cliente-servidor homogéneas,
• Generar aplicaciones cliente-servidor con actualización automática de los componentes del cliente y del servidor.
• Guardar sus parámetros de generación para su uso futuro (botón Guardar los parámetros).

Las aplicaciones compiladas se basan en archivos .4dz que son de sólo lectura. Tenga en cuenta que el uso de comandos o funciones que modifican los archivos fuente (como CREATE INDEX o CREATE TABLE (SQL)) no es posible por defecto en las aplicaciones compiladas. Sin embargo, puede crear aplicaciones específicas que soporten modificaciones locales utilizando la llave XML PackProject (ver doc.4d.com).

Vista general del generador de aplicaciones

Generar un paquete de proyecto puede realizarse utilizando:

• el comando BUILD APPLICATION,
• o la Ventana Generador de aplicaciones.

Para mostrar la caja de diálogo Generar la aplicación, seleccione Diseño > Generar la aplicación... en la barra de menús.

La caja de diálogo del generador de aplicaciones incluye varias páginas a las que se puede acceder mediante pestañas:

La generación de la base sólo puede efectuarse una vez compilado el proyecto. Si selecciona este comando sin haber compilado previamente el proyecto, o si el código compilado no se corresponde con el código interpretado, aparece una caja de diálogo de advertencia que indica que el proyecto debe ser (re)compilado.

Parámetros del generador de aplicaciones

Cada parámetro de generación de la aplicación se almacena como una llave XML en el archivo proyecto de la aplicación llamada "buildApp.4DSettings", ubicado en la carpeta Settings del proyecto.

Los parámetros por defecto se utilizan la primera vez que se utiliza la caja de diálogo del Generador de aplicaciones. El contenido del archivo proyecto se actualiza, si es necesario, al hacer clic en Construir o Guardar los parámetros. Puede definir varios archivos de parámetros XML para el mismo proyecto y utilizarlos con el comando BUILD APPLICATION.

Las llaves XML ofrecen opciones adicionales a las que se muestran en la caja de diálogo del Generador de aplicaciones. La descripción de estas llaves se detalla en el manual 4D XML Keys BuildApplication.

Archivo de historial

Cuando se crea una aplicación, 4D genera un archivo de registro llamado BuildApp.log.xml en la carpeta Logs del proyecto. El archivo de historial almacena la siguiente información para cada generación:

• El inicio y el fin de la generación de objetivos,
• El nombre y la ruta de acceso completa de los archivos generados,
• La fecha y la hora de la generación,
• Todos los errores que se han producido,
• Todo problema de firma (por ejemplo, un plug-in no firmado).

La verificación de este archivo puede ayudarle a ahorrar tiempo durante los siguientes pasos de despliegue, por ejemplo, si tiene la intención de notarizar su aplicación.

Utilice el comando Get 4D file(Build application log file) para obtener la ubicación del archivo de registro.

Nombre de la aplicación y carpeta de destino

Introduzca el nombre de la aplicación en Nombre de la aplicación.

Especifique la carpeta para la aplicación generada en la Carpeta de destino. Si la carpeta especificada no existe todavía, 4D creará una carpeta Build.

Página de estructura compilada

Esta pestaña le permite generar un archivo de estructura compilado estándar y/o un componente compilado:

Generar una estructura compilada

Genera una aplicación que sólo contiene código compilado.

Esta funcionalidad crea un archivo .4dz en una carpeta Compiled Database/<project name>. Por ejemplo, si ha llamado a su aplicación "MyProject", 4D creará:

<destination>/Compiled Database/MyProject/MyProject.4dz

Un archivo .4dz es esencialmente una versión comprimida (empaquetada) de la carpeta del proyecto. Los archivos .4dz pueden ser utilizados por 4D Server, 4D Volume license (aplicaciones fusionadas) y 4D. El tamaño compacto y optimizado de los archivos .4dz hace que los paquetes de proyectos sean fáciles de desplegar.

Incluir las carpetas asociadas

Cuando se marca esta opción, todas las carpetas relacionadas con el proyecto se copian en la carpeta Build como carpetas Components y Resources. Para más información sobre estas carpetas, consulte la descripción de la arquitectura del proyecto.

Generar un componente

Genera un componente compilado a partir de la estructura.

Un componente es un proyecto estándar 4D en el que se han desarrollado funcionalidades específicas. Una vez configurado e instalado el componente en otra base 4D (el proyecto de aplicación local), sus funcionalidades son accesibles desde el proyecto local.

Si ha llamado a su aplicación, MiComponente, 4D creará una carpeta Components que contiene la carpeta MiComponente.4dbase:

<destination>/Components/MyComponent.4dbase/MyComponent.4DZ.

La carpeta MyComponent.4dbase contiene:

• archivo MyComponent.4DZ
• Una carpeta Resources: todos los resources asociados se copian automáticamente en esta carpeta. Los otros componentes y/o carpetas de plugins no se copian (un componente no puede utilizar plugins u otros componentes).

Página Application

Esta pestaña le permite crear una versión autónoma y monopuesto de su aplicación:

Crear una aplicación autónoma

Al marcar la opción Crear una aplicación autónoma y hacer clic en Generar se creará una aplicación autónoma (con doble clic) directamente desde su proyecto de aplicación.

Los siguientes elementos son necesarios para la creación:

• 4D Volume Desktop (el motor de la base de datos 4D),
• una licencia apropiada

En Windows, esta función crea un archivo ejecutable (.exe). En macOS, se encarga de la creación de paquetes de software.

El principio consiste en fusionar un archivo de estructura compilado con 4D Volume Desktop. Las funcionalidades ofrecidas por el archivo 4D Volume Desktop están relacionadas con la oferta de productos a la que se ha suscrito. Para más información sobre este punto, consulte la documentación de ventas y la Tienda 4D.

Puede definir un archivo de datos por defecto o permitir a los usuarios crear y utilizar su propio archivo de datos (ver la sección Gestión de archivos de datos en las aplicaciones finales).

Es posible automatizar la actualización de las aplicaciones monopuesto fusionadas mediante una secuencia de comandos de lenguaje (ver Actualización automática de aplicaciones servidor o monopuesto.

Ubicación de 4D Volume Desktop

Para crear una aplicación autónoma, primero debe designar la carpeta que contiene el archivo 4D Volume Desktop:

• Windows - la carpeta contiene los archivos 4D Volume Desktop.4DE, 4D Volume Desktop.RSR, así como varios archivos y carpetas necesarios para su funcionamiento. Estos elementos deben colocarse al mismo nivel que la carpeta seleccionada.
• macOS - 4D Volume Desktop se entrega en forma de un paquete de software estructurado que contiene varios archivos y carpetas genéricos.

Para seleccionar la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop, haga clic en el botón [...]. Aparece una caja de diálogo que le permite designar la carpeta de 4D Volume Desktop (Windows) o el paquete (macOS).

Una vez seleccionada la carpeta, se muestra su ruta completa y, si realmente contiene 4D Volume Desktop, se activa la opción de generación de una aplicación ejecutable.

El número de versión de 4D Volume Desktop debe coincidir con el número de versión de 4D Developer Edition. Por ejemplo, si utiliza 4D Developer v18, debe seleccionar un 4D Volume Desktop v18.

Modo de enlace de datos

Esta opción permite elegir el modo de enlace entre la aplicación fusionada y el archivo de datos local. Hay dos modos de enlazar disponibles:

• Por nombre de la aplicación (por defecto) - La aplicación 4D abre automáticamente el archivo de datos abierto más recientemente correspondiente al archivo de estructura. Esto le permite mover el paquete de aplicaciones libremente en el disco. Esta opción debería usarse generalmente para aplicaciones fusionadas, a menos que necesite específicamente duplicar su aplicación.

• Por ruta de la aplicación - La aplicación 4D fusionada analizará el archivo lastDataPath.xml de la aplicación e intentará abrir el archivo de datos con un atributo "executablePath" que coincida con la ruta completa de la aplicación. Si se encuentra una entrada de este tipo, se abre su correspondiente archivo de datos (definido a través de su atributo "dataFilePath"). En caso contrario, se abre el último archivo de datos abierto (modo por defecto).

Para más información sobre el modo de vinculación de datos, consulte la sección Último archivo de datos abierto.

Archivos generados

Al hacer clic en el botón Generar, 4D crea automáticamente una carpeta Final Application en la carpeta de destino definida. Dentro de la carpeta Final Application hay una subcarpeta con el nombre de la aplicación especificada.

Si ha especificado "MyProject" como nombre de la aplicación, encontrará los siguientes archivos en esta subcarpeta (MyProject):

• Windows

  • MyProject.exe - Su ejecutable y un MyProject.rsr (los recursos de la aplicación)
  • Las carpetas 4D Extensions y Resources, varias librerías (DLL), la carpeta Native Components y SASL Plugins - Archivos necesarios para el funcionamiento de la aplicación
  • Una carpeta Database - Incluye una carpeta Resources y un archivo MyProject.4DZ. Constituyen la estructura compilada del proyecto, así como también la carpeta Resources. Nota: esta carpeta también contiene la carpeta Default Data, si se ha definido (ver Gestión de archivos de datos en las aplicaciones finales.
  • (Opcional) Carpeta de componentes y/o carpeta Plugins - Contiene todos los componentes y/o archivos de plugins incluidos en el proyecto. Para más información sobre este punto, consulte la sección Plugins y componentes.
  • Carpeta Licenses - Un archivo XML de números de licencia integrados en la aplicación. Para obtener más información sobre este punto, consulte la sección Licencias y certificados.
  • Elementos adicionales añadidos a la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop, si los hay (ver Personalizar la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop).

  Todos estos elementos deben estar en la misma carpeta para que el ejecutable funcione.

• macOS

  • Un paquete de software llamado MyProject.app que contiene su aplicación y todos los elementos necesarios para su funcionamiento, incluyendo los plug-ins, componentes y licencias. Para más información sobre la integración de plug-ins y componentes, consulte la sección Plugins y componentes. Para obtener más información sobre la integración de licencias, consulte la sección Licencias y certificados. Nota: en macOS, el comando Archivo aplicación del lenguaje 4D devuelve la ruta del archivo NombreApplication (situado en la carpeta Contents:macOS del paquete de software) y no la del archivo .comp (carpeta Contents:Resources del paquete de software).

Personalizar la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop

Cuando se construye una aplicación independiente, 4D copia el contenido de la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop en la carpeta Destination > Final Application. A continuación, podrá personalizar el contenido de la carpeta 4D Volume Desktop original según sus necesidades. Puede, por ejemplo:

• Instalar una versión de 4D Volume Desktop correspondiente a un lenguaje específico;
• Añadir una carpeta PlugIns personalizada;
• Personaliza el contenido de la carpeta Resources.

En macOS, 4D Volume Desktop se ofrece en forma de paquete de software. Para modificarlo, primero hay que mostrar su contenido (Control+clic en el icono).

Ubicación de los archivos web

Si su aplicación ejecutable se utiliza como servidor web, los archivos y los archivos y carpetas requeridos por el servidor deben instalarse en ubicaciones específicas. Estos elementos son los siguientes:

• archivos cert.pem y key.pem (opcional): etos archivos se utilizan para las conexiones TLS y por los comandos de encriptación de datos,
• carpeta raíz web por defecto.

Los elementos deben ser instalados:

• En Windows: en la subcarpeta Final Application\MyProject\Database.
• En macOS: junto al paquete de software MyProject.app.

Página Cliente/Servidor

On this tab, you can build customized client-server applications that are homogenous, cross-platform and with an automatic update option.

What is a Client/Server application?

A client/server application comes from the combination of three items:

• A compiled 4D project,
• The 4D Server application,
• The 4D Volume Desktop application (macOS and/or Windows).

Once built, a client/server application is composed of two customized parts: the Server portion (unique) and the Client portion (to install on each client machine).

If you want to deploy a client/server application in an heterogeneous environment (client applications running on Intel/AMD and Apple Silicon machines), it is recommended to compile the project for all processors on a macOS machine, so that all client applications will run natively.

Also, the client/server application is customized and its handling simplified:

• To launch the server portion, the user simply double-clicks on the server application. The project file does not need to be selected.
• To launch the client portion, the user simply double-clicks the client application, which connects directly to the server application. You do not need to choose a server in a connection dialog box. The client targets the server either using its name, when the client and server are on the same sub-network, or using its IP address, which is set using the IPAddress XML key in the buildapp.4DSettings file. If the connection fails, specific alternative mechanisms can be implemented. You can "force" the display of the standard connection dialog box by holding down the Option (macOS) or Alt (Windows) key while launching the client application. Only the client portion can connect to the corresponding server portion. If a user tries to connect to the server portion using a standard 4D application, an error message is returned and connection is impossible.
• A client/server application can be set so that the client portion can be updated automatically over the network. You only need to create and distribute an initial version of the client application, subsequent updates are handled using the automatic update mechanism.
• It is also possible to automate the update of the server part through the use of a sequence of language commands (SET UPDATE FOLDER and RESTART 4D.

Build server application

Check this option to generate the server part of your application during the building phase. You must designate the location on your disk of the 4D Server application to be used. This 4D Server must correspond to the current platform (which will also be the platform of the server application).

Ubicación de 4D Server

Click on the [...] button and use the Browse for folder dialog box to locate the 4D Server application. In macOS, you must select the 4D Server package directly.

Versión actual

Used to indicate the current version number for the application generated. You may then accept or reject connections by client applications according to their version number. El intervalo de compatibilidad de las aplicaciones del cliente y del servidor se define mediante el uso de llaves XML específicas).

Data linking mode

This option lets you choose the linking mode between the merged application and the local data file. Two data linking modes are available:

• By application name (default) - The 4D application automatically opens the most recently opened data file corresponding to the structure file. This allows you to move the application package freely on the disk. This option should generally be used for merged applications, unless you specifically need to duplicate your application.

• By application path - The merged 4D application will parse the application's lastDataPath.xml file and try to open the data file with an "executablePath" attribute that matches the application's full path. If such an entry is found, its corresponding data file (defined through its "dataFilePath" attribute) is opened. Otherwise, the last opened data file is opened (default mode).

For more information about the data linking mode, refer to the Last data file opened section.

Build client application

Checking this option generates the client part of your application during the building phase.

You can check this option:

• along with the Build server application option to build matching server and client parts for the current platform and (optionally) include the automatic update archive files,
• without selecting the Build server application option, usually to build the update archive file to be selected from the "concurrent" platform when building the server part.

4D Volume Desktop Location

Designates the location on your disk of the 4D Volume Desktop application to be used to build the client part of your application.

The 4D Volume Desktop version number must match the 4D Developer Edition version number. Por ejemplo, si utiliza 4D v19, debe seleccionar un 4D Volume Desktop v19.

The 4D Volume Desktop must correspond to the current platform (which will also be the platform of the client application). If you want to build a client application for the "concurrent" platform, you must carry out an additional build operation using a 4D application running on that platform.

If you want the client application to connect to the server using a specific address (other than the server name published on the sub-network), you must use the IPAddress XML key in the buildapp.4DSettings file. Para más información sobre este archivo, consulte la descripción del comando BUILD APPLICATION. You can also implement specific mechanisms in the event of a connection failure. The different scenarios proposed are described in the Management of connections by client applications paragraph.

Copy of client applications inside the server application

The options of this area set up the mechanism for updating the client part(s) of your client/server applications using the network each time a new version of the application is generated. These options are only enabled when the Build client application option is checked.

• Allow automatic update of Windows client application - Check this option to build a .4darchive file that can be sent to your client applications on the Windows platform in case of update.
• Allow automatic update of Macintosh client application - Check this option to build a .4darchive file that can be sent to your client applications on the Macintosh platform in case of update.

The .4darchive is copied at the following location:

<ApplicationName>_Build/Client Server executable/Upgrade4DClient/

Selecting client archive for the concurrent platform

You can check the Allow automatic update... option for client applications running on the concurrent platform. This option is only enabled if:

• the Build server application option is checked,
• the Allow automatic update... option for client applications running on the current platform is checked.

This feature requires that you click on the [...] button and designate the location on your disk of the file to use for the update. The file to select depends on the current server platform:

Current server platform	Archivo requerido	Detalles
macOS	Windows 4D Volume Desktop or Windows client update archive	By default, you select the 4D Volume Desktop application for Windows. To select a .4darchive file previously built on Windows, press Shift while clicking on [...]
Windows	macOS client update archive	Select a signed .4darchive file previously built on macOS

You can build specific a .4darchive file on the concurrent platform by selecting only the Build client application and the appropriate Allow automatic update... option.

Displaying update notification

The client application update notification is carried out automatically following the server application update.

It works as follows: when a new version of the client/server application is built using the application builder, the new client portion is copied as a compressed file in the Upgrade4DClient subfolder of the ApplicationName Server folder (in macOS, these folders are included in the server package). If you have followed the process for generating a cross-platform client application, a .4darchive update file is available for each platform:

To trigger client application update notifications, simply replace the old version of the server application with the new one and then execute it. The rest of the process is automatic.

On the client side, when the “old” client application tries to connect to the updated server application, a dialog box is displayed on the client machine, indicating that a new version is available. The user can either update their version or cancel the dialog box.

• If the user clicks OK, the new version is downloaded to the client machine over the network. Once the download is complete, the old client application is closed and the new version is launched and connects to the server. The old version of the application is then placed in the machine’s recycle bin.
• If the user clicks Cancel, the update is cancelled; if the old version of the client application is not in the range of versions accepted by the server (please refer to the following paragraph), the application is closed and connection is impossible. Otherwise (by default), the connection is established.

Forcing automatic updates

In some cases, you may want to prevent client applications from being able to cancel the update download. For example, if you used a new version of the 4D Server source application, the new version of the client application must absolutely be installed on each client machine.

To force the update, simply exclude the current version number of client applications (X-1 and earlier) in the version number range compatible with the server application. In this case, the update mechanism will not allow non-updated client applications to connect. Por ejemplo, si la nueva versión de la aplicación cliente-servidor es 6, puede estipular que toda aplicación cliente con un número de versión inferior a 6 no podrá conectarse.

The current version number is set on the Client/Server page of the Build Application dialog box. The intervals of authorized numbers are set in the application project using specific XML keys.

En caso de error

If 4D cannot carry out the update of the client application, the client machine displays the following error message: “The update of the client application failed. The application is now going to quit.”

There are many possible causes for this error. When you get this message, it is advisable to check the following parameters first off:

• Pathnames - Check the validity of the pathnames set in the application project via the Application builder dialog box or via XML keys (for example ClientMacFolderToWin). More particularly, check the pathnames to the versions of 4D Volume Desktop.
• Read/write privileges - On the client machine, check that the current user has write access rights for the client application update.

Archivos generados

Once a client/server application is built, you will find a new folder in the destination folder named Client Server executable. This folder contains two subfolders, <ApplicationName>Client and <ApplicationName>Server.

These folders are not generated if an error occurs. In this case, open the log file in order to find out the cause of the error.

The <ApplicationName>Client folder contains the client portion of the application corresponding to the execution platform of the application builder. This folder must be installed on each client machine. The <ApplicationName>Server folder contains the server portion of the application.

The contents of these folders vary depending on the current platform:

• Windows - Each folder contains the application executable file, named <ApplicationName>Client.exe for the client part and <ApplicationName>Server.exe for the server part as well as the corresponding .rsr files. The folders also contain various files and folders necessary for the applications to work and customized items that may be in the original 4D Volume Desktop and 4D Server folders.

• macOS - Each folder contains only the application package, named <ApplicationName> Client for the client part and <ApplicationName> Server for the server part. Each package contains all the necessary items for the application to work. Under macOS, launch a package by double-clicking it.

  The macOS packages built contain the same items as the Windows subfolders. Puede visualizar su contenido (Control+clic en el icono) para poder modificarlo.

If you checked the “Allow automatic update of client application” option, an additional subfolder called Upgrade4DClient is added in the <ApplicationName>Server folder/package. This subfolder contains the client application in macOS and/or Windows format as a compressed file. This file is used during the automatic client application update.

Ubicación de los archivos web

If the server and/or client part of your double-clickable application is used as a Web server, the files and folders required by the server must be installed in specific locations. These items are the following:

• cert.pem and key.pem files (optional): These files are used for SSL connections and by data encryption commands,
• Default Web root folder (WebFolder).

Items must be installed:

• en Windows

  • Server application - in the Client Server executable\ <ApplicationName>Server\Server Database subfolder.
  • Client application - in the Client Server executable\ <ApplicationName>Client subfolder.

• en macOS

  • Server application - next to the <ApplicationName>Server software package.
  • Client application - next to the <ApplicationName>Client software package.

Embedding a single-user client application

4D allows you to embed a compiled structure in the Client application. This feature can be used, for example, to provide users with a "portal" application, that gives access to different server applications thanks to the OPEN DATABASE command executing a .4dlink file.

To enable this feature, add the DatabaseToEmbedInClientWinFolder and/or DatabaseToEmbedInClientMacFolder keys in the buildApp settings file. When one of these keys is present, the client application building process generates a single-user application: the compiled structure, instead of the EnginedServer.4Dlink file, is placed in the "Database" folder.

• If a default data folder exists in the single-user application, a licence is embedded.
• If no default data folder exists in the single-user application, it will be executed without data file and without licence.

The basic scenario is:

1. In the Build application dialog box, select the "Build compiled structure" option to produce a .4DZ or .4DC for the application to be used in single-user mode.
2. In the buildApp.4DSettings file of the client-server application, use following xml key(s) to indicate the path to the folder containing the compiled single user application:
   • DatabaseToEmbedInClientWinFolder
   • DatabaseToEmbedInClientMacFolder
3. Build the client-server application. This will have following effects:
   • the whole folder of the single user application is copied inside the "Database" folder of the merged client
   • the EnginedServer.4Dlink file of the "Database" folder is not generated
   • the .4DC, .4DZ, .4DIndy files of the single user application copy are renamed using the name of the merged client
   • the PublishName key is not copied in the info.plist of the merged client
   • if the single-user application does not have a "Default data" folder, the merged client will run with no data.

Automatic update 4D Server features (Current version number, SET UPDATE FOLDER command...) work with single-user application as with standard remote application. At connection, the single-user application compares its CurrentVers key to the 4D Server version range. If outside the range, the updated client application is downloaded from the server and the Updater launches the local update process.

Customizing client and/or server cache folder names

Client and server cache folders are used to store shared elements such as resources or components. They are required to manage exchanges between server and remote clients. Client/server applications use default pathnames for both client and server system cache folders.

In some specific cases, you might need to customize the names of these folders to implement specific architectures (see below). 4D provides you with the ClientServerSystemFolderName and ServerStructureFolderName keys to be set in the buildApp settings file.

Carpeta de caché cliente

Customizing the client-side cache folder name can be useful when your client application is used to connect to several merged servers which are similar but use different data sets. In this case, to save multiple unnecessary downloads of identical local resources, you can use the same custom local cache folder.

• Default configuration (for each connection to a server, a specific cache folder is downloaded/updated):

• Using the ClientServerSystemFolderName key (a single cache folder is used for all servers):

Carpeta de caché del servidor

Customizing the server-side cache folder name is useful when you run several identical server applications built with different 4D versions on the same computer. If you want each server to use its own set of resources, you need to customize the server cache folder.

• Default configuration (same server applications share the same cache folder):

• Using the ServerStructureFolderName key (a dedicated cache folder is used for each server application):

Plugins & components page

On this tab, you set each plug-in and each component that you will use in your stand-alone or client/server application.

The page lists the elements loaded by the current 4D application:

• Active column - Indicates that the items will be integrated into the application package built. All the items are checked by default. To exclude a plug-in or a component, deselect the check box next to it.

• Plugins and components column - Displays the name of the plug-in/component.

• ID column - Displays the plug-in/component's identification number (if any).

• Type column - Indicates the type of item: plug-in or component.

If you want to integrate other plug-ins or components into the executable application, you just need to place them in a PlugIns or Components folder next to the 4D Volume Desktop application or next to the 4D Server application. The mechanism for copying the contents of the source application folder (see Customizing the 4D Volume Desktop folder) can be used to integrate any type of file into the executable application.

If there is a conflict between two different versions of the same plug-in (one loaded by 4D and the other located in the source application folder), priority goes to the plug-in installed in the 4D Volume Desktop/4D Server folder. However, if there are two instances of the same component, the application will not open.

The use of plug-ins and/or components in a deployment version requires the necessary license numbers.

Licenses & Certificate page

The Licences & Certificate page can be used to:

• designate the license number(s) that you want to integrate into your single-user stand-alone application
• sign the application by means of a certificate in macOS.

Licencias

This tab displays the list of available deployment licenses that you can integrate into your application. By default, the list is empty. You must explicitly add your 4D Developer Professional license as well as each 4D Desktop Volume license to be used in the application built. You can add another 4D Developer Professional number and its associated licenses other than the one currently being used.

To remove or add a license, use the [+] and [-] buttons at the bottom of the window.

When you click on the [+] button, an open file dialog box appears displaying by default the contents of the Licenses folder of your machine. For more information about the location of this folder, refer to the Get 4D folder command.

You must designate the files that contain your Developer license as well as those containing your deployment licenses. These files were generated or updated when the 4D Developer Professional license and the 4D Desktop Volume licenses were purchased.

Once you have selected a file, the list will indicate the characteristics of the license that it contains.

• License # - Product license number
• License - Name of the product
• Expiration date - Expiration date of the license (if any)
• Path - Location on disk

If a license is not valid, a message will warn you.

You can designate as many valid files as you want. When building an executable application, 4D will use the most appropriate license available.

Dedicated "R" licenses are required to build applications based upon "R-release" versions (license numbers for "R" products start with "R-4DDP").

After the application is built, a new deployment license file is automatically included in the Licenses folder next to the executable application (Windows) or in the package (macOS).

OS X signing certificate

The application builder can sign merged 4D applications under macOS (single-user applications, 4D Server and client parts under macOS). Signing an application authorizes it to be executed using the Gatekeeper functionality of macOS when the "Mac App Store and identified Developers" option is selected (see "About Gatekeeper" below).

• Check the Sign application option to include certification in the application builder procedure for OS X. 4D will check the availability of elements required for certification when the build occurs:

This option is displayed under both Windows and macOS, but it is only taken into account for macOS versions.

• Name of certificate - Enter the name of your developer certificate validated by Apple in this entry area. The certificate name is usually the name of the certificate in the Keychain Access utility (part in red in the following example):

To obtain a developer certificate from Apple, Inc., you can use the commands of the Keychain Access menu or go here: http://developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Security/Conceptual/CodeSigningGuide/Procedures/Procedures.html.

This certificate requires the presence of the Apple codesign utility, which is provided by default and usually located in the “/usr/bin/” folder. If an error occurs, make sure that this utility is present on your disk.

• Generate self-signed certificate - runs the "Certificate Assistant" that allows you to generate a self-signed certificate. If you do not have an Apple developer certificate, you need to provide a self-signed certificate. With this certificate, no alert message is displayed if the application is deployed internally. If the application is deployed externally (i.e. through http or email), at launch macOS displays an alert message that the application's developer is unidentified. The user can "force" the opening of the application.

  In the "Certificate Assistant", be sure to select the appropriate options:

4D recommends to subscribe to the Apple Developer Program to get access to Developer Certificates that are necessary to notarize applications (see below).

Sobre Gatekeeper

Gatekeeper is a security feature of OS X that controls the execution of applications downloaded from the Internet. If a downloaded application does not come from the Apple Store or is not signed, it is rejected and cannot be launched.

The Sign application option of the 4D application builder lets you generate applications that are compatible with this option by default.

Sobre la notarización

Application notarization is highly recommended by Apple as of macOS 10.14.5 (Mojave) and 10.15 (Catalina), since non-notarized applications deployed via the internet are blocked by default.

In 4D v18, the built-in signing features have been updated to meet all of Apple's requirements to allow using the Apple notary service. The notarization itself must be conducted by the developer and is independent from 4D (note also that it requires installing Xcode). Please refer to this 4D blog post that provides a step-by-step description of the notarization process.

For more information on the notarization concept, please refer to this page on the Apple developer website.

Customizing application icons

4D associates a default icon with stand-alone, server, and client applications, however you can customize the icon for each application.

• macOs - When building a double-clickable application, 4D handles the customizing of the icon. In order to do this, you must create an icon file (icns type), prior to building the application file, and place it next to the project folder.

Apple, Inc. provides a specific tool for building icns icon files (for more information, please refer to Apple documentation).

Your icon file must have the same name as the project file and include the *.icns* extension. 4D automatically takes this file into account when building the double-clickable application (the *.icns* file is renamed *ApplicationName.icns* and copied into the Resources folder; the *CFBundleFileIcon* entry of the *info.plist* file is updated).

• Windows - When building a double-clickable application, 4D handles the customizing of its icon. In order to do this, you must create an icon file (.ico extension), prior to building the application file, and place it next to the project folder.

  Your icon file must have the same name as the project file and include the .ico extension. 4D automatically takes this file into account when building the double-clickable application.

You can also set specific XML keys in the buildApp.4DSettings file to designate each icon to use. The following keys are available:

• RuntimeVLIconWinPath
• RuntimeVLIconMacPath
• ServerIconWinPath
• ServerIconMacPath
• ClientMacIconForMacPath
• ClientWinIconForMacPath
• ClientMacIconForWinPath
• ClientWinIconForWinPath

Management of data file(s)

Opening the data file

When a user launches a merged application or an update (single-user or client/server applications), 4D tries to select a valid data file. Several locations are examined by the application successively.

The opening sequence for launching a merged application is:

1. 4D tries to open the last data file opened, as described below (not applicable during initial launch).
2. If not found, 4D tries to open the data file in a default data folder next to the .4DZ file in read-only mode.
3. If not found, 4D tries to open the standard default data file (same name and same location as the .4DZ file).
4. If not found, 4D displays a standard "Open data file" dialog box.

Last data file opened

Path of last data file

Any standalone or server applications built with 4D stores the path of the last data file opened in the application's user preferences folder.

The location of the application's user preferences folder corresponds to the path returned by the following statement:

userPrefs:=Get 4D folder(Active 4D Folder)

The data file path is stored in a dedicated file, named lastDataPath.xml.

Thanks to this architecture, when you provide an update of your application, the local user data file (last data file used) is opened automatically at first launch.

This mechanism is usually suitable for standard deployments. However, for specific needs, for example if you duplicate your merged applications, you might want to change the way that the data file is linked to the application (described below).

Configuring the data linking mode

With your compiled applications, 4D automatically uses the last data file opened. By default, the path of the data file is stored in the application's user preferences folder and is linked to the application name.

This may be unsuitable if you want to duplicate a merged application intended to use different data files. Duplicated applications actually share the application's user preferences folder and thus, always use the same data file -- even if the data file is renamed, because the last file used for the application is opened.

4D therefore lets you link the data file path to the application path. In this case, the data file will be linked using a specific path and will not just be the last file opened. You therefore link your data by application path.

This mode allows you to duplicate your merged applications without breaking the link to the data file. However, with this option, if the application package is moved on the disk, the user will be prompted for a data file, since the application path will no longer match the "executablePath" attribute (after a user has selected a data file, the lastDataPath.xml file is updated accordingly).

Duplication when data linked by application name:

Duplication when data linked by application path:

You can select the data linking mode during the build application process. Puede:

• Use the Application page or Client/Server page of the Build Application dialog box.
• Use the LastDataPathLookup XML key (single-user application or server application).

Defining a default data folder

4D allows you to define a default data file at the application building stage. When the application is launched for the first time, if no local data file is found (see opening sequence described above), the default data file is automatically opened silently in read-only mode by 4D. This gives you better control over data file creation and/or opening when launching a merged application for the first time.

More specifically, the following cases are covered:

• Avoiding the display of the 4D "Open Data File" dialog box when launching a new or updated merged application. You can detect, for example at startup, that the default data file has been opened and thus execute your own code and/or dialogs to create or select a local data file.
• Allowing the distribution of merged applications with read-only data (for demo applications, for instance).

To define and use a default data file:

• You provide a default data file (named "Default.4DD") and store it in a default folder (named "Default Data") inside the application project folder. This file must be provided along with all other necessary files, depending on the project configuration: index (.4DIndx), external Blobs, journal, etc. It is your responsibility to provide a valid default data file. Note however that since a default data file is opened in read-only mode, it is recommended to uncheck the "Use Log File" option in the original structure file before creating the data file.
• When the application is built, the default data folder is integrated into the merged application. All files within this default data folder are also embedded.

The following graphic illustrates this feature:

When the default data file is detected at first launch, it is silently opened in read-only mode, thus allowing you to execute any custom operations that do not modify the data file itself.

Management of client connection(s)

The management of connections by client applications covers the mechanisms by which a merged client application connects to the target server, once it is in its production environment.

Escenario de conexión

The connection procedure for merged client applications supports cases where the dedicated server is not available. The startup scenario for a 4D client application is the following:

• The client application tries to connect to the server using the discovery service (based upon the server name, broadcasted on the same subnet).
  OR
  If valid connection information is stored in the "EnginedServer.4DLink" file within the client application, the client application tries to connect to the specified server address.
• If this fails, the client application tries to connect to the server using information stored in the application's user preferences folder ("lastServer.xml" file, see last step).
• If this fails, the client application displays a connection error dialog box.
  • If the user clicks on the Select... button (when allowed by the 4D developer at the build step, see below), the standard "Server connection" dialog box is displayed.
  • If the user clicks on the Quit button, the client application quits.
• If the connection is successful, the client application saves this connection information in the application's user preferences folder for future use.

Storing the last server path

The last used and validated server path is automatically saved in a file named "lastServer.xml" in the application's user preferences folder. This folder is stored at the following location:

userPrefs:=Get 4D folder(Active 4D Folder)

This mechanism addresses the case where the primary targeted server is temporary unavailable for some reason (maintenance mode for example). When this case occurs for the first time, the server selection dialog box is displayed (if allowed, see below) and the user can manually select an alternate server, whose path is then saved if the connection is successful. Any subsequent unavailability would be handled automatically through the "lastServer.xml" path information.

• When client applications cannot permanently benefit from the discovery service, for example because of the network configuration, it is recommended that the developer provide a host name at build time using the IPAddress key in the "BuildApp.4DSettings" file. The mechanism addresses cases of temporary unavailability.
• Pressing the Alt/Option key at startup to display the server selection dialog box is still supported in all cases.

Availability of the server selection dialog box in case of error

You can choose whether or not to display the standard server selection dialog box on merged client applications when the server cannot be reached. The configuration depends on the value of the ServerSelectionAllowed XML key on the machine where the application was built:

• Display of an error message with no access possible to the server selection dialog box. Funcionamiento por defecto. The application can only quit.
  ServerSelectionAllowed: False or key omitted

• Display of an error message with access to the server selection dialog box possible. The user can access the server selection window by clicking on the Select... button.
  ServerSelectionAllowed: True