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Documents

Database development is a remarkably complex area of computer technology requiring a comprehensive knowledge of database programming, interface design, business rules and software design. Every job we've done has required extensive communication and education between us and our clients.

For the past ten years Braided Matrix has been working to make the learning process easier by creating educational material. Our more general material has appeared in Dimensions Magazine and 4D Zine. 4th Quarter Developer Notes, that explain the detailed workings of our products, are available to licensed users of 4th Quarter.

All of the documents here are pertinent to the 4Q Shell, 4th Quarter Core, and the 4th Quarter Full application.

Click on a title to open the document using Adobe Acrobat. To download a PDF version to your local machine click on the link and hold down the mouse button. Select the "Save This Link As..." option and save the file in the "source" format. You will need the Adobe Acrobat PDF viewer to open or print these documents. All documents are in PDF format unless otherwise noted. Documents in html format are specially marked.

These documents range in size from 6 to 60 pages each. The average file size is 40k. Files over 250k are noted.

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4Q's Features & Benefits Tabular list of those features that make 4th Quarter unique, and how these features benefit you.	4Q Specifications Itemized list of 4Q's current functions, arranged by topic.
4Q Product Description General description of 4th Quarter and where it fits in the universe of accounting products.	4Q Customization Description of the consulting, project management, programming, training, and installation services that we provide to users of 4th Quarter.
Introduction to Multi-Currency An overview of the extensive features in 4Q's optional new multi-currency module.	4Q Custom Import/Export 4Q offers a customizable interface for the import and export of relational data. 4Q's system is built on configurable screens and generic code to provide intelligent, monitored import.

These notes accompany our training classes. We offer 3 levels of training:

• Level 100 for end users.
• Level 200 for administrators and installers.
• Level 300 for programmers and developers.

Classes are offered on an "as requested" basis.
Let us know if your interested in attending a class and we'll let you know when the next class is scheduled.

Database Design

Strategies for Complex Projects General guidelines for organizing a programming project that involves several programmers.	Working Toward Step One A method for deriving a 4D file structure from a description of required functions.
Debugging Chronicles- Chapter #1 How to improve the programming process by recognizing the common problems that plague custom applications. Chapter 1 includes the following sections: 1.1-Introduction 1.2-Understanding the Problem 1.3-Understanding the Object 1.4-Adequate Specifications 1.5-Flexible Coding 1.6-Programmer Inexperience	4D versus SQL Focusing on the difference between 4D and SQL in their ability to search the datafile.

Database Programming

Squeaky Clean — Black Box Methods with Soap Developers interested in creating and publishing their own web services need to understand the new middle-ware design requirements of a web services server. This paper recommends certain designs for web services.
Group to Group Relations A method for locating groups of records in one table with a group of records in another table. This powerful technique incorporates both the Joins and Projections in a single operation.	Implementing a Multi-Window Choice List Describes how to create a choice list that opens in a separate process so that the list of choices appear in an independent (nonmodal) window.
Managing Multiple Record Entries, Part I Managing Multiple Record Entries, Part II An essential description of the various ways that record locking can be accomplished across multiple tables.	Maintainable Code I: Naming Conventions Maintainable Code II: Clarity Maintainable Code III: Stable Code Maintainable Code IV: Modularity The basic concepts behind writing robust, maintainable code: careful design and adherence to discipline.
A Temporary Subrecord Method for Entering Related-Many Records Describes how 4th Quarter uses subrecords for temporary storage of information during data entry. This is an important alternative to the use of arrays.	Standards for Modular Programming in 4D This PDF document is a first attempt at providing standards for modular coding in 4th Dimension. Modular programming is concept that's basic to understanding and using 4th Quarter Accounting.

The following technical notes provide detailed explanations of the mechanisms of 4th Quarter Accounting Solution. They cover topics pertinent to the 4Q Shell, 4th Quarter Core, and the 4th Quarter Full application.

Each note is listed along with its table of contents. Licensee's of 4th Quarter products are given passwords enabling them to access these documents.

If you are interested in a particular document and are not currently a customer of ours, then drop us a line and we will email you the document directly.

#1.1 - Data Dictionary (4Q Full) Describes all tables and fields in the Full version of 4Q. #1.2 - Data Dictionary (4Q Core) Describes all tables and fields in the Core version of 4Q.	#2 - Procedure Call Tracing What is Procedure Call Tracing? When to use Call Tracing How to use Call Tracing How Call Tracing Works Exceptions
#3 - Naming Conventions What are naming conventions? When to use naming conventions Naming conventions are used in 4th Quarter	#4 - Sample Code Presenting the Search Screen Search Screen Form Method Code to Perform the Search Other Supporting Methods
#5 - List Management Screens What are the List Management Screens? Designer List Management the Account and Transaction Lists Management Screens the Data Transfer User Area - a Review the Record Transfer Lists Screen User List Management Screen and Storage Mechanism	#6 - Use of the Menu Bars The Menu Bars Menu Bar Library Adding Menu Bars Moving Menu Bars into 4th Quarter from Other Applications Exception: Menu Bar #1 Recording Menu Bar Changes
#7 - Password Protection of Accounting Functions What is password protection? How 4D Groups are assigned. The Required Groups: Design, Administration, Restricted, Payable, Cash Withdrawal. How the Administrator manages password protection. Example: potential users How to add or modify password access. Groups assigned to menu items. Groups assigned to procedures.	#8 - The Quit Loop What is the Quit Loop? Quitting Gracefully Interprocess Messaging Determining Which Processes to Message How Processes Respond Getting Messages Handling Exceptions the _SYQuitLoop Procedure
#9 - Handling Multiple Processes in 4Q What are Multiple Processes? Performance and Multiple Processes How Processes Use Memory How 4th Quarter Handles Multiple Processes Protected Processes The Control Screen and the User/Runtime Process 4th Quarter's System Process Procedures Procedures for User Area Processes Interprocess Messaging Menu Structure	#10 - Resizing the Output Screen What is Output Screen Resizing? When Output Screen Resizing is Used How Output Screen Resizing Works The .SYSetWindSize Procedure How to Use Output Screen Resizing
#11 - Version Numbering and Version Control Version Numbering What is Version Control? Using the Version Control Application How to Update the Structure Notes	#12 - Assigning ID's and Updating Counters What are ID's and Counters? When to Use ID's The ID_Number File Assigning ID's The .SYIncrmntSeqNm Procedure The Procedure_Lock File Resetting Counters Creating Your Own Counters
#13 - List Dictionary 4th Quarter Lists List Dictionary	#14 - Modifying 4Q Procedures Using Patching What is Procedure Patching? When to use Patching How to use Patching Combining Pre- and Post-Patching Initializing the Pre- and Post-Patch Tables Multi-programmer Patching Summary
#15 - Types of Transaction Records What Are Transaction Types? The Different Types of Input Layouts List of Types How Transaction Types Work Using Existing Types and Defining New Ones Where to Record Your Custom Types Why Define Types? Utilities	#16 - Using 4D Insider Libraries What are 4D Insider Libraries? Using Libraries for Code Management Setting up 4D Insider How to Use Libraries How Libraries Work Tips Summary
#17 - Invoice Transactions What are Invoice Transactions? The Role of Invoice Transactions in Customization Invoice Layout Procedure The Invoice Entry Sequence Summary	#18 - Application Version Numbering Multiple Applications, Multiple Versions Where Versions are Stored Uses of Version Numbers The "vers" Resource Summary
#19 - Managing Transactions Accounting Transactions Linking Transactions to Other Objects Transaction and Account Updating Creating Transactions Using Arrays Creating Transaction Components Using Subrecords Modifying Transactions Deleting Transactions Procedures List	#20 - Default Accounts What are Default Accounts? How Default Accounts are Used When Default Accounts are Created How to Modify Default Accounts When to use Default Accounts How Default Accounts Work Summary Appendix I: Creating Default GL Accounts Appendix II: Common Used Default Accounts
#21 - Inventory Accounts What are Inventory Accounts? How Inventory Accounts are Used Custom Inventory Accounts Default Inventory Accounts and GL Accounts Modifying Inventory Accounting	#22 - Replacing Boolean Fields Problems with Boolean Fields Replacements and Extensions Database Updating Procedure Consequences of the Change Testing Boolean Alternatives
#23 - Assigning Accounts The Use of Accounts General Ledger Accounts and Accounts Creating Accounts Updating Accounts Deleting Accounts	#24 - Messaging What are Messages? When to use Local IP Messaging When to use Global Semaphores How to Use 4Q's Local Messaging How to Use 4Q's Global Semaphores Other Methods
#25 - Merging Applications with 4Q Introduction Creating the Combined Code Base Rearranging Tables Joining Structures Combining Code - Supporting Items Combining Code - Methods & Variables Combining Forms Compiling Other Code Elements	#26- Installing an Alternate Control Screen Introduction Integrating Control Screens The 4Q Control Screen 4Q Hooks for Installing an Alternate Control Screen Summary Methods
#27 - System Module Methods System Module Methods by Function Alphabetical List of Methods	#28 - Updating a 4Q Structure File The problem of updating a 4Q structure file When to update the structure The new DB Field List function The "4Q Structure Changes" document Using BBEdit to find structure changes Performing the update Altering 4D Insider Even 4Q Core users need to update 4Q Full tables Summary
#29 - Product Serialization What is Serialization? Serialization Supports Modules Serialization in Source Code Versions The Database User Table Entering New Serial Numbers	#30 - Custom Checks What Are Custom Checks? Printing Custom Checks Installing the SuperReport Plug-in Creating a Custom Check in SuperReports Required Variables Admin Default Setting Notes
#31 - Custom Import / Export 4Q's Data Transfer System Automatic I/O Functions Adding to the I/O List Setting Up a New I/O Structure Using the New I/O Form Importing Related Table Data

4Q Product Description for Developers General description of the product that includes information on the 4Q certified developer program.

4Q Developer Policy Discusses benefits and requirements for certified 4Q developers.

If you have questions about these documents or would like to know more about using these documents please email us directly.

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