4GLlike

4GL-like is an informal term used to describe programming languages or development tools that embody the aims of fourth-generation languages: providing higher-level abstractions that let developers specify what a result should be, rather than detailing how to compute it. This framing emphasizes productivity and expressive power over low-level control.

Such tools tend to be declarative or domain-specific, support rapid application development, and automate much boilerplate. They emphasize data modeling, reporting, forms, and business logic, often with built-in user interfaces and database integration.

In practice, 4GL-like systems include SQL-based query and reporting environments, business intelligence and data-analysis platforms, and low-code or model-driven development tools. The term is informal, and different vendors describe their products as 4GLs or 4GL-like to signal higher productivity and domain focus.

Advantages include shorter development cycles, easier maintenance, and closer alignment with business requirements. Limitations can include reduced control over performance and behavior, dependency on the vendor's platform, and a learning curve for specialized DSLs or visual design tools.

The concept sits alongside the broader category of fourth-generation languages and domain-specific languages, reflecting a historical trend toward higher abstraction in software engineering.