4th Dimension (Software)
Encyclopedia
4th Dimension is a relational database management system
and IDE
developed by Laurent Ribardière. 4D was created in 1984.
The 4D product line has since expanded to an SQL
front-end, integrated compiler and several productivity plug-ins and interfaces. Some of the plug-ins created by 4D themselves include 4D Write (a word processor), 4D Draw (to draw shapes), 4D View (somewhat like a spreadsheet, but with extra functionality) and 4D Internet Commands (which let you add all sorts of Internet related functionality to a database). There are also over 100 third-party plugins, free and commercial.
These days, one of the popular applications of 4D is as a web server. Having a web server and a compiled application running as one gives developers the ability to create efficient, dynamic web sites with a high level of adaptability, and security.
Today, 4D is published by the French
company 4D SAS and has a sales, distribution and support presence in most major markets, with the US, UK and France being the primary markets. The product is localized in more than a dozen languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic, Korean and Persian.
(Computer Integrated Manufacturing). A number of Apple personnel became 4D experts, notably Lance McAndrew in Apple's Cupertino headquarters and Andrew O'Donoghue in Apple's Irish
based European manufacturing headquarters, where a 4th Dimension application managed the entire European Service Center administration. This support by Apple undoubtedly helped the product to mature and gain traction in a difficult marketplace.
Over the next few years 4th Dimension's installed base grew and the publisher ACI, established a US based subsidiary ACIUS, initially led by Guy Kawasaki
.
In 1993, 4D Server, the client/server version of 4th Dimension was introduced and since 1995, 4D has supported both the Microsoft Windows
and Apple Macintosh operating systems.
Relational database management system
A relational database management system is a database management system that is based on the relational model as introduced by E. F. Codd. Most popular databases currently in use are based on the relational database model....
and IDE
Integrated development environment
An integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development...
developed by Laurent Ribardière. 4D was created in 1984.
The 4D product line has since expanded to an SQL
SQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
front-end, integrated compiler and several productivity plug-ins and interfaces. Some of the plug-ins created by 4D themselves include 4D Write (a word processor), 4D Draw (to draw shapes), 4D View (somewhat like a spreadsheet, but with extra functionality) and 4D Internet Commands (which let you add all sorts of Internet related functionality to a database). There are also over 100 third-party plugins, free and commercial.
These days, one of the popular applications of 4D is as a web server. Having a web server and a compiled application running as one gives developers the ability to create efficient, dynamic web sites with a high level of adaptability, and security.
Today, 4D is published by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
company 4D SAS and has a sales, distribution and support presence in most major markets, with the US, UK and France being the primary markets. The product is localized in more than a dozen languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Hebrew, Arabic, Korean and Persian.
History
Silver Surfer as it was known during early development was developed by Laurent Ribardière in 1984. Following negotiations with Ribardiere it was planned that Apple Inc. (formerly Apple Computer Inc) would publish the software but Apple canceled the plan, reputedly due to pressure from other potential database publishers who claimed that if Apple had their own 'brand' database, 3rd party products would be disadvantaged in the marketplace. Apple was keen at the time to ensure well known software publishers supported the Macintosh platform and as a result, the project reverted to Laurent Ribardière, who partnered with the well known French businesswoman, Marylene Delbourg-Delphis, to publish 4th Dimension. Although independently published, Apple supported the new venture and used 4D extensively throughout the organization for diverse projects from fitness center management to CIMComputer Integrated Manufacturing
Computer-integrated manufacturing is the manufacturing approach of using computers to control the entire production process. This integration allows individual processes to exchange information with each other and initiate actions...
(Computer Integrated Manufacturing). A number of Apple personnel became 4D experts, notably Lance McAndrew in Apple's Cupertino headquarters and Andrew O'Donoghue in Apple's Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
based European manufacturing headquarters, where a 4th Dimension application managed the entire European Service Center administration. This support by Apple undoubtedly helped the product to mature and gain traction in a difficult marketplace.
Over the next few years 4th Dimension's installed base grew and the publisher ACI, established a US based subsidiary ACIUS, initially led by Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, bestselling author, and Apple Fellow. He was one of the Apple employees originally responsible for marketing the Macintosh in 1984. He is currently a Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures, and has been involved in the rumor reporting...
.
In 1993, 4D Server, the client/server version of 4th Dimension was introduced and since 1995, 4D has supported both the Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Apple Macintosh operating systems.