4D Doc Center : Managing the Resources folder

4D v13

Managing the Resources folder

The Resources folder of the database can be used to share custom data (pictures, files, subfolders, etc.) between the server machine and all the client machines. On the server machine, the Resources Resources folder must simply be located next to the database structure file.

All referencing mechanisms associated with the Resources folder are supported in client/server mode (.lproj folder, XLIFF, pictures and so on). For more information about this point, please refer to the 4D Design Reference manual.

Each client has a local copy of this folder. The contents of the local folder are automatically synchronized with that of the server each time the client connects.

Moreover, client machines can be dynamically "notified" during a session when the contents of the Resources folder of the server database are modified by a developer. This notification can be triggered:

either automatically by the server, two minutes after the last modification made by a client (this delay helps to avoid inopportune notification in the case where numerous files are being copied).
or manually via the Notify clients command in the action menu of the resources explorer on the client machine at the origin of the modification.
or by programming, via a NOTIFY RESOURCES FOLDER MODIFICATION command. This command is useful when the contents of the Resources folder are modified on the server machine via a stored procedure.

On the client side, the way the notification of any modifications will be handled depends on how the "Update "Resources" folder during a session" preference is set. This can also be set individually via the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command. Three choices are available: no synchronization, auto synchronization or ask. For more information, please refer to the Configuration preferences section and the description of the SET DATABASE PARAMETER command.
Lastly, each client machine can synchronize itself with the server at any time via the Update Local Resources command in the action menu of the resources explorer. For more information about the resources explorer, please refer to the 4D Design Reference manual in the Resources explorer chapter.

Compatibility Note: In previous versions of 4D Server, the transfer of custom data was carried out via a folder named "Extras" that was placed next to the structure file. This folder is now obsolete and its use is no longer recommended. It nevertheless remains supported by 4D Server in order to preserve the compatibility of existing applications.