Now for 4D v11!
Wouldn't it be great if you could store multiple types of data in one place? For example, say you want to store a bunch of preferences together.
"What about BLOBs?" you ask. BLOBs are OK. But BLOBs are a pain to manage, because you have to either retrieve the data in the same order you put it in, or you have to somehow manage a table of offsets to the data within the BLOB.
ObjectTools to the rescue
ObjectTools is a plugin that gives you a full suite of commands for managing an object. An object is like a BLOB, but instead of accessing the data by offset, you access each data item by name.
What can you store in an object? Any data type 4D has. What's more, you can directly access array elements within an object, remove individual items, and much more.
A million and one uses
ObjectTools is the kind of tool that is of such general utility that its uses are virtually unlimited. Some common uses include:
- Passing parameters in interprocess messaging systems
- Dramatically reducing usage of variables and tables by putting related data into objects
- Creating associative arrays
Licensing
There are two types of ObjectTools licenses:
- Deployment - For deploying a single 4D database, running with 4D standalone or 4D Server, with unlimited 4D Clients
- OEM - For deploying a single 4D database which is packaged with a 4D runtime and distributed as a double-clickable application
ObjectTools licenses do not require yearly renewals.
