4D_Pack Introduction

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4D Pack v16

The 4D_Pack plug-in provides 4D developers with additional routines.

4D_Pack command names have the “AP” prefix in order to avoid any confusion with 4D commands. They also use the uppercase/lowercase convention depending on whether they are commands or functions.

Compatibility Note (4D Pack v16): 4D Pack routines have been progressively integrated into 4D itself, or removed gradually as they become obsolete or unnecessary. Today, the 4D Pack plug-in contains only a very small number of routines and will no longer evolve. Starting with version 16 of 4D Pack, all the routines of this plug-in are deprecated and their use is no longer recommended.

Installation

You install the 4D_Pack plug-in just like any 4D plug-in: you must put it in the Plugins folder located either next to the executable application or next to the structure file of the database. For more information, please refer to the Installing plugins or components section in the Design Reference manual.

The 4D Pack plug-in bundle contains both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the product.

Commands removed from 4D Pack

Due to changes in technology and continuous integration of new features 4D, 4D Pack commands have been removed from successive versions. This section lists the commands that were removed as well as their recommended alternatives.

Commands removed from 4D Pack v16

Commands removed	Replaced with (if applicable)
_o_AP Save BMP 8 bits	4D commands of the "Pictures" theme.
_o_AP FCLOSE, _o_AP fopen, _o_AP FPRINT, _o_AP fread	Obsolete features
_o_AP Get file MD5 digest	Generate digest
_o_AP ShellExecute	LAUNCH EXTERNAL PROCESS

Commands removed from 4D Pack v14

Command removed	Replaced with (if applicable)
AP AVAILABLE MEMORY	GET MEMORY STATISTICS
AP CLOSE HELP, AP HELP INDEX, AP HELP ON HELP, AP HELP ON KEY	Obsolete commands - The Windows Help application (WinHlp32.exe) is no longer integrated in Windows starting with Windows Vista.
AP Create method, AP Modify method	`METHOD SET CODE("myMeth";vCode;) METHOD SET ATTRIBUTE("myMeth";vInvisible;2;v4DAction;3;vWebService;4;vWSDL;5;vExported;7;vSQL;8; vRemote;1024;vFolderName;)`
AP Does method exist	`METHOD GET NAMES($arrNames;"myMeth") $exists:=(Size of array($arrNames)>0) // -> True if method exists`
AP Get picture type	Commands of the "Pictures" theme
AP Get templates	Obsolete command
_AP External clock, AP SET CLOCK	TimePicker Widget (4D v14)
AP Rect Dragger	SET DRAG ICON
AP Timestamp to GMT	`$laDate:=String(Curent date;ISO Date GMT;Current time) // returns, e.g. "2013-05-06T12:19:23Z"`
AP GET PARAM, AP SET PARAM	Obsolete commands - Secondary parameters managed by these commands are no longer maintained.

Commands removed from 4D Pack v11

AP PICT DRAGGER -> Use the integrated drag and drop functions of 4D (MouseDown, MouseX and MouseY System Variables in the case of “click” type events)
AP PICT UPDATER and %AP Pict displayer -> Use a picture field
AP Read Picture BLOB -> Use BLOB TO PICTURE
AP Read Picture File - > Use READ PICTURE FILE
AP Save GIF -> Use CONVERT PICTURE + WRITE PICTURE FILE
AP SET PICT MODE -> Use SET FORMAT
AP Select document -> Use Select document
AP Set palette -> Use Select RGB Color
AP Sublaunch -> Use LAUNCH EXTERNAL PROCESS
AP PrintDefault -> Use AP BLOB to print settings + AP Print settings to BLOB
AP Text to PrintRec -> Use AP BLOB to print settings + AP Print settings to BLOB
AP PrintRec to text -> Use AP BLOB to print settings + AP Print settings to BLOB
AP PrValidate -> Use AP BLOB to print settings + AP Print settings to BLOB
AP Toolbar installed -> Use Tool bar height (returns 0 if toolbar is hidden)
AP SET WEB FILTERS -> Use SET DATABASE PARAMETER and Get database parameter
AP ShellExecute (Mac OS) --> Use LAUNCH EXTERNAL PROCESS
AP Add table and fields -> Use 4D SQL engine
AP Create relation -> No alternative solution currently