This is a concept shown by Fabrice Nordmann at this years Pause on Error London.
Having seen how he uses this, I have used it in a couple of solutions and found that it does make moving data around really easy and saves on creating lots of variables, so cuts down development time as well.
One of FileMaker’s great strengths in the ability to convert a standard layout into a web page. Instant Web Publishing is a great way to get a database driven web site up and running if you have no knowledge on how to build a web site and connect it to a database.
That’s easy I hear you say. If you have two fields on a layout, enter data into the first field and the second field has a drop down menu with only the values that relate to the first field.
We have all done this, the drop down menu shows related values from a relationship which is based on the first field.
Enter find Mode, enter a value into field 1 and the drop down menu still shows the expected values. All good.
When you have a database system that is designed to work on multiple sites you have a couple of options; remotely host the solution on Citrix or Terminal services, or have it local to each site and synchronize the data.
If you have ever tried writing an XSLT to import data into filemaker, you will know that it is not very easy, unless you know XSLT in detail.
Integrating your FileMaker database with a third party system can be complex and painful. However if they publish a WSDL (Web Services Description Language) then things become a lot easier. The integration is basically a two way conversation using XML, and is made very easy with the Web Services Plugin from Beezwax.
Re-Write or Correct…
The age old question when you are asked to take over developing an existing solution for a client who was un-happy with the state of the solution.
Automated server based scripts for Importing or Exporting are a great way of moving time consuming jobs away from users. Whether it is exporting a report from a complex find or generating records overnight to save the users time during the day, there are two very important things to remember.
Script triggers are your best friend and worst enemy. They are great when they trigger as required but not always so good when you don’t want the scripts to run.
