Exporting structure to text files

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4D v20.2

Overview

You can export your database structure elements to a set of separate files. Text-based elements, such as methods, menus, forms, settings, etc., are exported as single files in text format. Pictures are exported in their native formats. Elements of the same type are automatically grouped in specific folders.

The database structure is exported in its current state. This feature allows you to store database structure files in a source control repository (i.e., Git, Perforce, etc.) and export the database structure on a daily basis, for example. Successive changes or changes from several developers on the same file can then be compared using standard source control tools.

Requirements

Exporting the structure file is available in the following contexts only:

4D in local mode or 4D Server,
64-bit versions,
Database in interpreted mode.

How to export files

To export database structure elements to text files, you can either:

select the Export > Structure to text files... menu item in the File menu (4D Developer):

A standard folder selection dialog box is displayed, allowing you to select the folder where files will be exported. Once the dialog box is validated, the export is automatically executed.
With this menu command, the export is executed with standard options (see below). If you want to select specific elements to export, you need to use the Export structure file command.
Note: The menu item is disabled if the design environment is not available (e.g., the database is compiled or the user does not have design access rights).

or execute the Export structure file command (on 4D Developer or on 4D Server). This command provides parameters allowing you to filter elements to export. For more information, please refer to the command description.

Note: To preserve consistency between versions, 4D always exports files using English settings for language code, date and time formats, as well as number formats (decimal and grouping characters).

Description of exported files

In the export destination folder, 4D will create or use several subfolders when necessary. The following table describes each exported element:

Main folder	Subfolder (if any)	*File name or path()**	Description	Exported by the File menu
Sources
		catalog.4DCatalog	Table and field definitions (XML)	yes
		folders.json	Explorer folder definitions	yes
		menus.json	Menu definitions	yes
		settings.4DSettings	Database settings (XML)	yes
		tips.json	Defined tips	yes
		lists.json	Defined lists	yes
		filters.json	Defined filters	yes
	DatabaseMethods	<databaseMethodName>.4dm	Database methods defined in the database. One file per database method	yes
	Methods	<methodName>.4dm	Project methods defined in the database. One file per method	yes
	Forms	<formName>/form.4DForm	Project form description in JSON format	yes
		<formName>/method.4dm	Project form method	yes
		<formName>/Images/<pictureName>	Project form static pictures	yes
		<formName>/ObjectMethods/<objectName>.4dm	.4dm file for each object method	yes
	TableForms	<n>/Input/<formName>/form.4DForm	Input table form description in JSON format (n is the table number)	yes
		<n>/Input/<formName>/Images/<pictureName>	Input table form static pictures	yes
		<n>/Input/<formName>/method.4dm	Input table form method	yes
		<n>/Input/<formName>/ObjectMethods/<objectName>.4dm	.4dm file for each object method	yes
		<n>/Output/<formName>/form.4DForm	Output table form description in JSON format (n is the table number)	yes
		<n>/Output/<formName>/Images/<pictureName>	Output table form static pictures	yes
		<n>/Output/<formName>/method.4dm	Output table form method	yes
		<n>/Output/<formName>/ObjectMethods/<objectName>.4dm	.4dm file for each object method	yes
	Triggers	table_<n>.4dm	Trigger methods defined in the database. One trigger file per table	yes
Settings		BuildApp.4DSettings	BuildApp.xml file	yes
		Backup.4DSettings	Backup.xml file	yes
		directory.json	4D groups and users	yes
Resources			Copy of the Resources folder	no
	Images	<item>	Pictures from the picture library as separate files. Names of picture library items become file names. If a duplicate exists, a number is added to the name.	no
Trash	Methods	(<methodName>.4dm)	Trashed methods	no
	Forms	(<formName>.4DForm)	Trashed forms	no
userPreferences.<userName>		methodPreferences.json	Method editor preferences	no
		methodWindowPositions.json	Current user window positions	no
		preferences v15.4DPreferences	Data file path	no
Logs			Conversion log files. Conversion file names are timestamped. Conversion log files contain the same information as the Result object from the Export structure file command.	yes

(*) 4D automatically encodes characters which are forbidden at the system level for pathnames, so that no error is generated. For example, "Button/1" is encoded "Button%2F1". For a list of encoded characters, please refer to the Creation of pathnames section.

Notes:

The .4dm file extension is a text-based file format, containing the code of a 4D method. It is compliant with source control tools.
Automatic height resizing for objects associated to style sheets is disabled.
Form objects or properties that are not supported in Dynamic Forms generate errors in the conversion log file. Refer to the paragraph.