Build automation is the act of scripting or automating a wide variety of tasks that software developers do in their day-to-day activities including things like compiling and packaging applications. In older versions of 4D the options for build automation were quite limited because external control of 4D was difficult. The 4DLINK file feature, introduced in 4D v11 SQL, offers far greater flexibility and provides the bridge between 4D code and external scripting.

This Technical Note introduces the concept of build automation in a 4D context using a combination of shell scripts and 4D technologies, like the 4DLINK file feature, to make it all possible. A sample database is included that works on both Windows and Mac OS X.

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