Adding & Removing License Keys

In a nutshell

Programmer keys (Developer, Engine, OEM) can only be installed into interpreted databases. These keys are physically written in the 4D structure file and stay there until they are removed.

NOTEInterpreted structure files with installed Programmer Keys can safely be compiled; installed plug-in keys will be transferred to the compiled structure file.

End-User keys (Server Expansion, Runtime) should be installed into interpreted or compiled databases depending on their kind. These keys are physically written in the Escape folder, inside the 4D folder of the machine on which they are installed.

WARNINGAn error message saying that the kind of key is not applicable will be issued when attempting to install keys into a database that is not appropriate, e.g. programmer key into a compiled database.

Online activation of keys takes place when a key is first installed on a new machine. During activation, hardware identifiers of the machine are stored on EscapeTech's activation server. User privacy is never put at risk in any stage of the activation procedure.

Demo mode is invoked when attempting to use the plug-in without a suitable license key. Demo mode will let the plug-in work for 30 minutes before restarting 4D.

The Escape License Manager (ELM) dialog

The ELM dialog lets review and modify all installed license keys of all Escape plug-ins, as well as obtain the computer's Machine ID (needed when ordering pre-activated license keys).

The ELM can be perused in both single-user and client/server.

To invoke the ELM dialog:

• In single-user: keep down CapsLock and Shift when launching the database.
• In client/server: click the Licenses... button on the QLM floating palette.

NOTEThe QLM palette opens when the server starts up and auto-closes after 30 seconds of idle time to reduce screen clutter. To bring it up again, bring 4D Server to the front, press CapsLock and hold down the Shift key for 3 seconds.

Adding a key in single-user

There are two, ultimately converging, ways for doing this. No matter which you choose, the procedure is the same:

1. A- Invoke the ELM and click the Add button on the Catalog page, or
2. B- Start using the database and wait for the plug-in to ask for a suitable key.

Assuming you chose B, the first call to a plug-in method will cause the following alert to appear:

Click Demo if you don't have a license key, to use the plug-in in Demo mode. If you do have a license key, click Install key to launch the wizard and install it.

Step 1: Key entry

Carefully copy and paste all lines of the license key from your delivery email into the entry area.

When done, click Next to decode and validate the key.

Step 2: Validation

The key has been decoded and validated, and its details are now displayed. Make sure you are installing the right one.

If this is not the right key, click Back to correct the mistake.

Click Next to activate the key and finalize the installation (an internet connection is required for activation).

Step 3: Finish

The license key has been installed and you are seeing the Catalog tab of the dialog.

To install another key, click Add.

When done, click Done to close the dialog.

Obtaining pre-activated license keys

The third tab of the ELM window shows the Machine ID of the computer.

The MachineID is a hardware-based identifier for creating license keys that work only on this specific machine.

Such keys are pre-activated, i.e. they do not require online activation, so they can be used on computers that are not allowed to access the internet.

To obtain pre-activated license keys for your machine, take note of your computer's Machine ID and send it to us.

Adding & removing keys in client/server

In client/server the administration of license keys is done exclusively from the ELM dialog, which can be invoked by clicking Licenses... on the QLM palette. If the QLM palette is not visible, press CapsLock and hold down Shift for 3 seconds.

To start adding a key, click Add in the Catalog page of the ELM dialog.

Disabling the QLM palette on 4D Server

The opening of the QLM paletter on startup can be controlled via a configuration file, QLMConfig.json, saved in the Resources folder of the host database.

The configuration JSON file may contain a single boolean property named OpenLauncher.

To disable the opening of the QLM palette during startup, set that property to false:

{ "OpenLauncher": false }

Where is licensing information stored?

Programmer keys (Developer, Engine, OEM) are stored in the structure file. The keys remain unaltered as the structure undergoes compilation, merging with 4D Volume, renaming, or even compacting.

End-user keys (Runtime, Server Expansion) are stored in a .QLC file that resides in the Escape folder inside the 4D folder of the machine (in c/s this refers to the server machine). The name of the .QLC file is based on the name of the database (using only the letters, not the numbers or other characters).