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                               NetLink/4D FAQs

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Q. Is 4th Dimension with NetLink/4D faster than other solutions such as
Filemaker or Butler?

A. Generally 4D (4th Dimension) with NetLink/4D is faster. The primary
reason is that most Filemaker CGIs, and the Butler CGI, use AppleScript as
an intermediate application to communicate with the database. This extra
overhead is time-consuming. AppleScript is also not threaded, which may be a
limitation in a high-volume web site which needs to handle simultaneous
connections.

Filemaker is designed to be very easy-to-use, but lacks advanced
customization and programming functionality that is often needed with
web-based systems. Setting up a Filemaker CGI is usually done with
AppleScript programming - if you're not already familiar with AppleScript,
you may find this to be a challenging task.

Butler is an SQL database engine, but doesn't have a "front-end" or
programming language (SQL commands are for updating data, but lack other
types of programming commands such as loops, conditionals, etc.), which
limits what you can do with the web. The ButlerLink CGI has a nice forms
generator, which can be useful to getting a web interface going quickly, but
lacks the depth to do more complex tasks.

NetLink/4D is written in C, and installed directly into a 4D database, so
there is not an extra "message passing" layer as with AppleScript
approaches. NetLink/4D also manages 4D's mutliprocessing architecture,
allowing multiple simultaneous connections between 4D and WebSTAR.
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Q. Why is NetLink/4D a better solution than using the ISIS System 7 Pack
Apple Event external?

A. System 7 Pack is a very good product, but requires significant
programming by the 4D developer to implement the CGI communication with
WebStar, and also to manage multiple 4D processes. NetLink/4D handles all of
this automatically, with no programming required. NetLink/4D also has
additional functionality specific to WebStar and HTML (HyperText Markup
Language), such as commands to convert PICTs to GIF or JPEG format images.
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Q. Why use NetLink/4D and WebSTAR, when I can use a TCP/IP external and
implement the web server completely in 4D?

A. WebSTAR is optimized for efficient and fast handling of the http
protocols, and takes maximum advantage of the Apple Thread Manager. WebSTAR
also performs special TCP/IP buffering and other tweaks, and provides the
best possible http performance. Implementing this functionality in 4D is
reinventing the wheel, and will usually result in less optimal performance
than the NetLink/4D/WebSTAR combination.
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Q. Do I need to be a 4D expert to use NetLink/4D?

A. No. In fact, during our beta testing, we had several testers who were new
to 4D, who were able to get 4D up-and-running in a relatively short amount
of time. 4D has a programming language that is similar to BASIC, and much of
the functionality is accessible to people who are comfortable with computer
technology. There is definitely a learning curve with 4D, and if you've not
done any programming before, be prepared to spend a few weeks learning the
basics.
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Q. Can I use NetLink/4D with 4D Server?

A. Yes, NetLink/4D works with 4D, 4D Runtime, and 4D Server. Because of the
4D commands which are typically used, you will not be able to use NetLink/4D
with 4D First.
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Q. Is NetLink/4D PowerMac Native?

A. Yes.
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Q. Is NetLink/4D compatible with both MacHTTP and WebSTAR?

A. Yes, NetLink/4D is compatible with MacHTTP, and all versions of WebSTAR.
NetLink/4D will take advantage of any new features in the more recent
versions of WebSTAR. NetLink/4D has been designed to be compatible with
future versions of WebSTAR, and take advantage of any new CGI parameters.
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Q. Can NetLink/4D be used as a pre-processor or an action with WebSTAR?

A. Yes.
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NetLink/4D is a Trademark of Foresight Technology, Inc.
4th Dimension is a trademark of ACI and ACI US, Inc.
WebSTAR is a trademark of Starnine Technologies.

© 1995 Foresight Technology, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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