Form File Debate .per vs .4fd

With Genero form files, there are two possible syntaxes you can use

• .per - The older style syntax derived from Informix-4gl and extended upon with new Genero syntax
• .4fd - Form files produced by the GUI Form Designer in Genero Studio

Both syntaxes compile to .42f, a little known fact is that .4fd compile to .per then to .42f using the -keep argument with gsform http://www.4js.com/online_documentation/fjs-gst-manual-html/#c_gst_formdesigner_designform_012.html

One of the dilemma's for us is do we create small examples using .per or .4fd. The deciding factor for me to produce examples using .per is this...

It is easier for a Genero Studio developer to take a .per and convert it to .4fd format using the right-click on .per and select Import Text Form option, than it is for a command line developer to take a .4fd and convert it to a .per using the gsform command from the command line, particularly as they might not have Genero Studio installed. I will revisit this stance if and when an equivalent of gsform -keep is shipped with the Genero packages.