One writer asked for some comparison between FileMaker and 4th Dimension
(4-D).
4-D is "more" in a number of ways, as compared to FileMaker:
More expensive
More "difficult" to learn
More flexible/powerful
More functional, as a true relational database development app.
More multi-platform: FileMaker Pro 2.1 was both a Mac and
Windows program, with compatible files and screens;
FileMaker 3.0 is Mac only;
4-D is both Mac and Windows
4-D is in the same class as Paradox, FoxPro, dBase in terms of
of being BOTH a high-end (mostly visual) development platform
for designing and developing major database applications AND
a relatively friendly and flexible database program ready to
create tables, read tables, establish complex table
relationships, insure data integrity, create nice data-entry forms
(screens) and handle data reporting.
On the other hand, FileMaker 3.0 is very easy for first-time users to
master (or at least to master the major elements), and adds a component
for Newton (the Mac hand-held/pen-based computer) using Newton 2.0
operating system, allowing users to have data-recording and data-entry
capabilities on the Newton that download to a major database application
on a desktop without having to go through any programming (code writing).
Rick Feldman
feldmanr@external.umass.edu
rfeldman@quartet.com