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From: rad@genco.bungi.com (Bob Daniel)
Newsgroups: comp.databases,comp.sys.mac.programmer,comp.sys.mac.apps
Subject: Re: Is 4d (Fourth Dimension) on Mac better than ALL?
Keywords: Oracle 4d Fourth Dimension
Message-ID: <174@genco.bungi.com>
Date: 28 Dec 90 23:49:24 GMT
References: <19464@netcom.UUCP>
Reply-To: rad@genco.bungi.com (Bob Daniel)
Followup-To: comp.databases
Organization: Gentry & Assoc. Excelsior Springs, MO
Lines: 47

In article <19464@netcom.UUCP> lpendley@netcom.UUCP (Lou Pendley) writes:
>the struggle between Oracle and Ingres and Informix continues onward.  what 
>i would like to pose to this forum, is does Fourth Dimension on the Mac have
>'almost' everything the other database systems have, and more, to include:
>
>a) graphical user interface
4D has by far the best design tools of any other db for Mac. 

>b) procedural language
YES!!!! It even allows pointers and you can write external code resources in
C, Pascal, etc.

>c) graphical data types, blobs (lookout Steve McQueen)
YES!!!! Picture fields

>d) complete security
There is user level of security to grant access to certain layouts, files, etc.

>e) compile to binaries
There is now a compiler that improves performance and allows running your
application in stand alone form without a runtime.

>f) links to other database vendors, Oracle, Ingres, Informix
There is supposedly a 4D package that is available from Oracle that will allow
4D to link to an Oracle database. I haven't seen it yet.  You should probably
contact Oracle instead Acius.

>a) not SQL standard
Not a major loss unless you need to tie into other platforms.  4D's disadvantage
however is that you can't do complex queriers w/out writing a procedure as you
can do with SQL.

>b) not Client/Server architecture.
But is multiuser

>c) does it run under A/UX, apples Unix port
I heard it does as a Mac application.  There is not an A/UX version.

>d) currently not portable to other O/S
No, and probably won't ever be.


4D is a good choice if you intend to keep your database on Mac.  If you have
the need to go across platforms, Oracle would be the logical choice.

If your going to Mac Expo in January, be sure to check out the Acius booth.
They have some slick new products including 4D Calc and 4D Write.