The gsform command

The gsform tool is used at the command line to compile and import forms, convert .4fd files, extract localized strings, and keep a copy of the .per file created during compilation.

The Genero Studio form definition file (.4fd) can also be compiled from the operating system command line, using the tool gsform, which is located in the $GSTDIR/bin (or, if you are on a Mac, $GSTDIR/Contents/MacOS) directory. The gsform tool executable file should not be moved to another directory.

Use gsform if you want to:

compile a 4fd file from the command line
import a per file into Genero Studio Form Designer format
convert 4fd files in the old Genero Studio format to the new 4fd format
extract localized strings
keep a copy of the per file created during compilation

gsform Syntax

gsform [options] file1[4fd] file2[4fd] ...

where fileN is a Genero Studio form file, with or without the extension being specified.

You can specify a single command, with or without options. Not all options work with all commands.
You can specify options without any commands.
You can omit commands and options completely. To compile a form, for example, you can simply enter: gsform formname.

Table 1. gsform - Help and version information
Option	Description
`-h`	Display help.
`-V`	Display version information.

Examples:

gsform -h shows help.
gsform -V displays the version.

Table 2. gsform - Commands
Option	Description
`-m`	Extracts localized messages. See Localizing your form. See the Localized Strings topic in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide for more information.
`-c`	Converts old format .4fd files to new format. Old format `filename`.4fd files are backed up as `filename`.bak; new format files are saved as `filename`.4fd. If the backup fails, the conversion is aborted.
`-clean`	Cleans orphan settings.
`-import`	Imports a .per file as a Genero Studio .4fd file.

Examples:

gsform -m myfile.4fd extracts localized messages.
gsform -c myfile.4fd converts the form file to a new format.
gsform -clean myfile.4fd cleans to orphan settings.
gsform -import myfile.per imports a .per file.

Table 3. gsform options
Option	Parameter	Description
`-keep`		Keep the intermediate .per file. By default, intermediate .per files are deleted. The compilation process uses temporary .per files. This option avoids the temporary files deletion so that the file can be read. This can be useful in cases where there are unexpected (internal) errors. Important: Form Designer and gsform do not allow compilation when .per files and .4fd files with the same filename are present in the same directory.
`-dbname`	`DBNAME`	Specify the database to use for form compilation. If your form file uses a database, it is strongly recommended that you provide the database name using this option to reduce computation time.
`-i`		Ignore and overwrite existing .per file.
`-importTextAsLabel`		Convert text strings into labels during a text form import.
`-saveWCSettings`		Save web component settings files during text form import.
`-M`		Display all compilation messages. See the Compiling Programs topic of the Genero Business Development Language User Guide for additional information.
`-W`	`WARNINGS`	Display warning messages. Adding the parameter all displays all messages.
`-wcDir`	`WEBCOMPONENTS_DIR`	Specify the WebComponents directory path.
`-ag-templatePath`		Specify which Application Generator template directory used to load the Application Generator settings (file types, properties).
`-translate`	`LOCALE`	Specify the locale for translating the error messages. The available locales are: `en_US` (US English), the default `zh_CH` (simplified Chinese characters) `zh_TW` (traditional Chinese characters) Note: The `-translate` argument affects error messages only. To extract localized strings, use the `-m` argument.
`-make`		Compile only the .4fd files that have changed.

Examples:

gsform -M -W all myfile.4fd compiles with warnings and errors displayed in the output.
gsform -keep myfile.4fd keeps the .per file generated during the form file compilation.
gsform -M -translate zh_CH myfile.4fd specifies that the error messages will be translated into simplified Chinese.