4D History: A Brief Overview
What is 4D?
4D is a French software company that specializes in developing and publishing relational database management systems (RDBMS) and 4th Dimension (4D) is their flagship product. 4D is a powerful database management system that allows developers to create custom applications, including desktop, mobile, and web applications.
The Early Years (1980s)
The history of 4D began in the early 1980s when Laurent Ribardière, a French computer scientist, founded the company ACI (Applications Conseils Informatiques) in 1984. Ribardière's vision was to create a database management system that could handle large amounts of data efficiently and easily.
The First Version of 4D (1987)
In 1987, the first version of 4D was released. It was a relational database management system that ran on the Macintosh platform. The initial version of 4D was simple, but it laid the foundation for the development of more advanced features in subsequent versions.
The Golden Years (1990s)
The 1990s were a period of rapid growth and innovation for 4D. The company released several new versions of the software, each with significant improvements and new features.
4D v3 (1991)
In 1991, 4D v3 was released, which introduced a new graphical user interface (GUI) and support for client-server architecture. This version marked a significant milestone in the development of 4D, as it made the software more user-friendly and scalable.
4D v4 (1993)
4D v4 was released in 1993, which included support for Windows and improved performance. This version further solidified 4D's position as a leading database management system.
The Modern Era (2000s)
In the 2000s, 4D continued to evolve and adapt to changing technology trends.
4D v11 (2004)
In 2004, 4D v11 was released, which introduced a new SQL engine and support for Unicode. This version marked a significant improvement in performance and functionality.
4D v12 (2007)
4D v12 was released in 2007, which included a new interface and improved support for web development. This version further expanded 4D's capabilities and made it a more attractive option for developers.
Today (2020s)
Today, 4D is a widely used database management system, with thousands of applications built on top of it. The company continues to innovate and release new versions of the software, with a focus on modern technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
In conclusion, 4D's history is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. From its humble beginnings in the 1980s to its current status as a leading database management system, 4D has come a long way.
