4DLink files can be used as a simple double-click or drag-and-drop shortcut for launching 4D and signing into a 4D Server automatically. The easiest way to use the 4DLink file in this roll is to place the 4DLink file on the desktop.

There are plenty of Knowledge Base entries that provide instructions on how to create or modify 4DLink files. However, to make maximum used of this quick launch and login technique, the 4DLink file needs to contain the encrypted password for those databases that require a password.

Within the 4DLink file a user password is stored encrypted in an MD5 digest string in the XML attribute "md5_password." The challenge is to get the password into the 4DLink file that is going to be placed for quick launch and login use. Only 4D can create the md5_password attribute.

The easiest way to do this is to log into the database and then quit 4D. Find the 4DLink file, make an alias (Mac) or shortcut (Win) of the file and place it on the desktop. The operative task here is to find the 4DLink file.

For the paths are:

Windows (v12 and v13):

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\4D\Favorites v13\<Local/> or <Remote/>

Mac v13:

<HD>:Users:<UserName>:Library:Application Support:4D/Favorites v13:<Local/> or <Remote/>

Mac v12:

<HD>:Users:<UserName>:Library:Preferences:4D:Favorites v12:<Local/> or <Remote/>

The double-click technique will only work if there is one copy of 4D or 4D Server on the hard drive. For those situations where there are multiple copies of 4D and/or 4D Server on the HD, alias's should be made of them as well and placed on the desktop for drag-and-drop to be used in the quick launch technique.