Multi-platform Document Management

4D Write, like 4D and 4D Server, is a multi-platform program. So, a database created under Mac OS, and that uses 4D Write, can be run under Windows with no modifications, and vice versa. This is possible only if you use the corresponding versions of the software. However, multi-platform management of 4D databases and 4D Write documents means that certain principles related to existing differences between Mac OS and Windows operating systems need to be taken into account.

The following table indicates the file equivalents of 4D Write documents on Mac OS and Windows.

(*) These types are used by the WR OPEN DOCUMENT and WR SAVE DOCUMENT commands only.

The following rules must be acknowledged:

• Under Mac OS, 4D Write uses the type and creator to recognize documents. For example, type 4WR7, creator 4DW7 = 4D Write document.
  The complete access path includes the disk name, folder names, and document name, each separated by a colon (:). For example, MyDisk:Folder1:Folder2:Mydatabase.
• Under Windows, 4D Write uses the file name extension to recognize documents. For example, .4W7 = 4D Write document. The complete access path includes the disk letter, directory names, and document name, each separated by a backslash (\). For example, D:\Directory1\Directory2\Mydatabase.
• A 4D Write document created under Mac OS and copied onto Windows can be opened directly, provided that it has been saved with its file name extension. For example, the MyDoc document saved as MyDoc.4W7, copied onto a PC volume, can be opened with no further handling.
• A 4D Write document created under Windows and copied onto Mac OS or Power Macintosh can be opened with no further handling.

To share templates between Mac OS and Windows clients, regardless of the server platform, the procedure is transparent for users.

The name of the template file will be AreaName_.4WT.

Templates are saved in the database folder with 4D and 4D Server (if templates are saved on the server, which is the default option).
If, with 4D Server, you decided to store templates locally (on client machines) using the WR SET AREA PROPERTY command, they are saved:

• On Mac OS, in the folder Library:Application Support:4D:4D Write Templates:DatabaseName
• On Windows, in the folder Documents and settings\UserName\Application data\4D\4D Write Templates\DatabaseName