4th Dimension offers a line of developer products allowing for the creation and deployment of database backed applications. Like it's primary rivals FileMaker Pro and MS Access, 4D targets small to mid-range implementations and offers packages both for stand-alone developers (4D Standard) and the creation and deployment of multi-user applications (4D Server). Created applications can be either interpreted or compiled, depending on the chosen runtime engine, and multiple versions of the required 4D Runtime engine are available (all but the most basic 4D Runtime, which itself is included free with 4D, require separate licensing agreements).

In addition to its own built-in database functionality, 4D can be used as a development tool to create front-end applications for existing databases. ODBC data sources can be accessed from 4D apps, and separate 4D for Oracle and 4D for OCI plug-ins provide access to Oracle DBs.

4D's cross platform runtime engine compatibility allows developers to create a single code base that can then run on both Windows and Macintosh machines. 4D Standard is targeted primarily to individual developers looking to test new applications and or distribute in a small, controlled environment. 4D Server offers additional features such as a built-in Web server, allowing for the embedding of 4D 4GL tags within HTML pages, (providing for database access without requiring separate CGI scripting); and the ability to serve data from 4D data tables as an ODBC source for external applications.

The 4D product line is immediately available. Visit the 4D Web site for further information.