Starting Zim IDE

ZimIDE at a Glance

The Zim Integrated Development Environment (ZimIDE) is a comprehensive tool designed for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for Zim database applications. It enhances and integrates the functionalities of three previously separate development components for Zim applications:

• Zim Painter
• Zim Development Center
• Data Dictionary Browser

ZIM Corporation is dedicated to the ongoing development and enhancement of ZimIDE and the Zim language, ensuring continuous evolution with new features and improvements.

General Features

• Local and remote application development
• Multiuser application development
• Design and edit forms and displays in both GUI and TUI applications
• Supports all Zim 9.50 platforms (Windows, Linux, iOS, Android)
• Connect to multiple databases simultaneously
• Browse the entire data dictionary through the Tree View Tab Page

Graphical User Interface Designer

New user interface objects for Zim 9.50:

• Grid Control (from Zim 7.x)
• Tab Control and Tab Page (managed automatically by the client, no extra Zim code required)
• Tool Strip

New attributes for form fields:

• Anchoring
• Docking
• The Attributes Tab Page can be configured to be always visible
• Create and edit multiple objects simultaneously
• Modern tabbed development interface: Each Form, Display, Window, Menu, and Document stays open in its own tab page

Document Editor

Designed as an embedded specialized editor for Zim application programs and other documents:

• Syntax highlighting customized for the Zim language
• Region expanding and contracting

Database Viewer Tab Page

Simultaneously browse every database currently connected to the development environment in a single tab page.

Starting Zim IDE

1. Starting Zim IDE from Zim Thin Client

You can invoke Zim IDE directly from Zim Thin Client or Zim QT (available in Zim 9.00):

• Initialization: Zim IDE will initialize using the database connection from your current Zim Thin Client or Zim QT session.

2. Starting Zim IDE Directly

From the Zim installation directory:

• Execute or double-click on the file ZimIDE.exe.

Alternatively, you can use shortcuts:

• Desktop shortcut
• Quick Launch toolbar
• Start menu: Start → (All) Programs → ZIM → Zim 9.00 (or Zim 7.21) → Zim IDE

When starting directly, you’ll need to provide all necessary connection information since it’s not using an existing session.