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4D v16.3

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This page contains various options to configure generic parameters for the 4D database.

Design

This area contains the Display toolbar option. When it is checked, the 4D toolbar is displayed in the Design environment.

General

You use this area to set various options concerning database startup and operation.

You use this menu to select the default startup mode for the database: Design or Application. Unless otherwise specified, 4D opens by default in the Design environment if a password access system has not be activated.

Note: You can choose whether to open the database in compiled or interpreted in the opening dialog box (see Opening a local database).

Activate Automatic Comments

This option, associated with the area just below it, lets you activate and set the automatic comment system in your database. These parameters are described in Using comments.

Compatibility Note: Beginning with version 12 of 4D, any comments placed in the header of a method using the // characters are displayed as help tips when this method is referenced in another method (see ). This function, which is especially useful for documenting user methods, is not compatible with comments placed in the Explorer. If you want to use method headers for documentation areas, then do not activate the automatic comments.

CPU Priority

Compatibility note: This setting is now obsolete. The "CPU Priorities" area is only displayed for compatibility reasons in converted databases where a custom value has previously been set. When the area is displayed, in most cases we recommend clicking on the Factory settings button in order to reinitialize these parameters and remove them from the dialog box.

The CPU Priorities area lets you optimize 4D application performances by modifying the frequency with which 4D applications must “switch back” to other applications.

In fact, 4D “bunks” with the machine’s operating system that hosts it as well as possibly hosting other applications. Since the architecture of systems on which 4D is run is not designed to multi-task, the system hands off to an application who then switches back to the system and so on. When an application switches back to the system, it indicates the time limit that it wishes to leave other applications.

Depending on your working environment and your specific needs, you can set the priority thermometer allocated to 4D with respect to other applications operating on the same machine. For a similar database, it is possible to set the priority for 4D (local mode), 4D Server and 4D in remote mode separately. These settings are stored in the structure file.

By default, the values correspond to “average” settings (cursor located in the center of the thermometer). The default values result in a machine time consumption equal to about 20%. In some cases this percentage may not be sufficient; if, for example, you attribute a dedicated machine to your 4D Server, it would be a pity to set aside 80% of machine time to a system that will do nothing else... In this case, it is most likely that raising the “4D Server” cursor priority will improve performance. Conversely, in other cases, it will be a good idea to decrease priority in order to force 4D to leave time for other applications.

Notes:

You can find out and set each setting through programming using the Get database parameter and SET DATABASE PARAMETER commands.
Warning: Modifying the value of these cursors inappropriately can lead to the deterioration of application performances.

4D v16.3

General page

General page

Design

General

Startup Environment

Activate Automatic Comments

CPU Priority