Special Edition Using FileMaker® 8 By Steve Lane, Scott Love, Bob Bowers Publisher: Que Pub Date: May 12, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 0-7897-3512-1 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3512-6 Pages: 912 Table of Contents | Index If you're looking for the inside scoop on the latest version of FileMaker, you've come to the right place Authors Scott Love and Steve Lane are FileMaker experts who were involved in the development of FileMaker 8, and they bring that knowledge to you in Special Edition Using FileMaker 8 Frequent tips, case studies, and thorough examples show you how to avoid mistakes and save time in developing databases with FileMaker 8 This is the comprehensive reference that every database developer needs on their shelf Special Edition Using FileMaker® 8 By Steve Lane, Scott Love, Bob Bowers Publisher: Que Pub Date: May 12, 2006 Print ISBN-10: 0-7897-3512-1 Print ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3512-6 Pages: 912 Table of Contents | Index Copyright About the Authors Acknowledgments We Want to Hear from You! Reader Services Introduction Best of Three Worlds How This Book Is Organized Who Should Use This Book Part I: Getting Started with FileMaker 8 Chapter 1 FileMaker Overview FileMaker and Its Marketplace Introduction to Database Software Overview of the FileMaker 8 Product Line FileMaker Deployment Options What's New in FileMaker Pro 8 Chapter 2 Using FileMaker Pro Getting Started Working in FileMaker Pro Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Becoming a FileMaker Pro Power User Chapter 3 Defining and Working with Fields Working Under the Hood Working with Fields Working with Field Types Assigning Field Options Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Indexing in FileMaker Chapter 4 Working with Layouts What's a Layout? Creating and Managing Layouts Working with Parts Working with Objects on a Layout Working with the Tab Control Object Working with Fields Portals Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Designing Cross-PlatformFriendly Layouts Part II: Developing Solutions with FileMaker Chapter 5 Relational Database Design Understanding Database Design Database Analysis Working with Entities and Attributes Understanding Relationships Relationship Optionality Understanding the Role of Keys in Database Design Many-to-Many Relationships: Solving the Puzzle The Basics of Process Analysis FileMaker Extra: Complex Many-to-Many Relationships Chapter 6 Working with Multiple Tables Multitable Systems in FileMaker Pro Creating a One-to-Many Relationship in FileMaker Working with Keys and Match Fields Understanding Table Context Working with Related Data Creating a Many-to-Many Relationship Relational Integrity Rapid Multitable Development Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Building a Three-Way Join Chapter 7 Working with Relationships Relationships Graphs and ERDs Relationships as Queries Creating Self-Relationships Creating Ranged Relationships Creating Cross-Product Relationships Working with Data from Distant Tables Working with Multiple Files How and When to Use Multiple Files Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Managing the Relationships Graph Chapter 8 Getting Started with Calculations Understanding How and Where Calculations Are Used Exploring the Calculation Dialog Box Essential Functions Using Conditional Functions Aggregate Functions Learning About the Environment Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Tips for Becoming a Calculation Master Chapter 9 Getting Started with Scripting Scripts in FileMaker Pro Creating Scripts Common Scripting Topics Triggering Scripts Working with Buttons on Layouts Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Creating a Script Library Chapter 10 Getting Started with Reporting Deriving Meaning from Data Working with Lists of Data Summarized Reports Delivering Reports Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Incorporating Reports into the Workflow Part III: Developer Techniques Chapter 11 Developing for Multiuser Deployment Developing for Multiple Users "Sessions" in FileMaker Pro Concurrency Audit Trails in FileMaker Pro Launch Files Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Development with a Team Chapter 12 Implementing Security Approaching Security User-Level Internal Security File-Level Access Security Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Working with Multiple Files Chapter 13 Advanced Interface Techniques User Interfaces in FileMaker Pro Navigation Multiwindow Interfaces Working with Custom Menus Showing/Hiding Layout Elements Dedicated Find Layouts Data Presentation Working with Table View Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: User Interface Heuristics Chapter 14 Advanced Calculation Techniques What's an Advanced Calculation Technique? Logical Functions Text Formatting Functions Array Functions The "Filter"-ing Functions Custom Functions GetNthRecord Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Creating a Custom Function Library Chapter 15 Advanced Scripting Techniques What Is Advanced Scripting? Script Parameters and Script Results Script Variables Window Management Techniques Go to Related Record Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Recursive Scripts Chapter 16 Advanced Portal Techniques Portals in FileMaker Pro Portal Basics "New Record Only" Relationships Horizontal Portals Using Portals to Create Calendars Selection Portals Filtered Portals Dynamic Portal Sorting Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Portals and Record Locking Chapter 17 Debugging and Troubleshooting What Is Troubleshooting? Staying Out of Trouble Planning for Trouble Troubleshooting Scripts and Calculations Troubleshooting in Specific Areas: Performance, Context, Connectivity, and Globals File Maintenance and Recovery FileMaker Extra: Other Tools of the Trade Chapter 18 Converting Systems from Previous Versions of FileMaker Pro Migration Choices Converting Files Pre-Conversion Tasks Post-Conversion Tasks Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Converting Web-Enabled Databases Part IV: Data Integration and Publishing Chapter 19 Importing Data into FileMaker Pro Working with External Data Flat-File Data Sources Importing Multiple Files from a Folder Importing Photos from a Digital Camera Importing from an ODBC Data Source Importing from an XML Data Source Using a Script to Import Data Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Exploiting the FileMaker-to-FileMaker Import Chapter 20 Exporting Data from FileMaker Getting Out What You Put In The Basic Mechanics of Exporting Export File Formats Formatting Exported Data Exporting Related Fields Exporting Grouped Data Exporting to Fixed-Width Formats Working with Large Fields and Container Fields Scripted Exports Accessing FileMaker Data Using ODBC and JDBC Using FileMaker Pro as an ODBC Client Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Accessing FileMaker Data via JDBC Chapter 21 Instant Web Publishing An Overview of Instant Web Publishing Enabling and Configuring IWP Designing for IWP Deployment Using an IWP Solution Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Building Your Own Next and Previous Page Buttons Chapter 22 FileMaker and Web Services About Web Services FileMaker and XML Transforming XML XML Import: Understanding Web Services Working with Web Services Using FileMaker as a Web Services Source Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Write Your Own Web Services Chapter 23 Custom Web Publishing About Custom Web Publishing Custom Web Publishing Versus Instant Web Publishing Custom Web Publishing Versus XML Export Getting Your Databases Ready for Custom Web Publishing Setting Up the Server-Side Components for CWP Publishing FileMaker Data as XML Using XSLT with Custom Web Publishing Building Web Applications with XSLT-CWP Other Custom Web Publishing Commands and Parameters About the FileMaker XSLT Extensions About Sessions Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: About the Custom Web Publishing Tools Part V: Deploying a FileMaker Solution Chapter 24 Deploying and Extending FileMaker FileMaker Deployment Options Single User Peer-to-Peer Hosting FileMaker Server Web Publishing ODBC/JDBC Citrix/Terminal Services Runtime Solutions Deploying to Handheld Devices Customized Deployment Options Plug-ins Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: The Limits of Customization Chapter 25 FileMaker Server and Server Advanced About FileMaker Server Installing FileMaker Server Running FileMaker Server Using the Server Administration Tool Configuring and Administering FileMaker Server Using the SAT Managing Clients Managing Databases Administration from the Command Line Working with External Services Automatically Updating Plug-ins Scheduled Tasks Monitoring FileMaker Server Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Best Practices Checklist Chapter 26 FileMaker Mobile FileMaker Mobile 8 Overview Using FileMaker Mobile on Your Handheld Device Synchronizing with a FileMaker Database Troubleshooting FileMaker Extra: Publishing Related Data Chapter 27 Documenting Your FileMaker Solutions Why Is Documentation Important? Developing Naming Conventions Using Comments Effectively Documenting the Relationships Graph Using the Database Design Report Using Third-Party Documentation Tools Putting the Finishing Touches on Your Documentation Final Thoughts on Documentation FileMaker Extra: Soliant Development Standards Index Copyright SPECIAL EDITION USING FILEMAKERđ 8 Copyright â 2006 by Que Publishing All rights reserved No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions Nor is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2006920311 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: May 2006 09 08 07 06 4 3 2 1 Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized Que Publishing cannot attest to the accuracy of this information Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark FileMaker is a registered trademark of FileMaker, Inc FileMaker Pro 8 controls, overview of headers/footers layout elements, showing/hiding 2nd multi-window interfaces dialog windows 2nd expanding windows hiding windows marquee titles tool/functions palettes uses of native user interface prototype layouts/menus security plans tabbed interfaces, example of Table view user messages as scheduled tasks user navigation scripts user-level internal security extended privileges custom privileges default privileges privilege sets conditional privileges data access, controlling data validation warning override privileges export privileges FileMaker Server disconnects layout use/development menu commands access passwords, setting printing privileges run script privileges value list access user accounts Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Z] validating data FileMaker Pro override privileges, security fields calculation formulas condition failures troubleshooting 2nd Validation dialog Validation tab Define Database dialog, Member of Value List box Options dialog Value from Last Visited Record option (field auto-entry options) value indexes value lists access privileges, security defining editing IWP many-to-many relationships organizational chart examples "other" values portals, applying to relational integrity selection portals versus sorting table context three-way join tables Value Lists command, Edit Value List dialog ValueCount functions 2nd ValueListItems functions variables (scripts) $$layoutName, creating back buttons $$navHistory, creating back buttons dynamic file paths global variables globally stored fields versus naming scope script statements user session data uses for local variables accessing across files Let statements, accessing from within scope script statements uses for naming scope Set Variable script steps viewing verifying processes, script logs version control, naming conventions vertical dividers (reports) -view command View As options, IWP layout design restrictions View Detail links, building View setting (Custom Privileges dialog) viewing layouts list view layouts plug-in names/version numbers portal rows, troubleshooting records detail records (reports) layouts, troubleshooting master records via related records related child data in multiple tables subsummary reports table context Views tab, Layout Setup dialog Visual Display of Quantitative Information, The Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Z] Web pages, linking to IWP files Web publishing errors (IWP application logs) instant Web publishing, Access via Instant Web Publishing extended privilege solution deployment XML Web publishing, Access via Instant Web Publishing extended privilege XSLT Web publishing, Access via Instant Web Publishing extended privilege Web Publishing Engine [See WPE (Web Publishing Engine).] web servers CWP, configuring for WPE installation Web services Amazon.com accessing HTTP requests importing data to FileMaker defining FileMaker as source SOAP types of URL writing web-enabled databases, converting to FileMaker Pro 7 websites (database-driven) WeekEndingFriday functions wildcards IP addresses searches WindowNames functions 2nd Windows desktops DSN, configuring for FileMaker access ODBC Data Source Administrator servers, Mac plug-ins windows building desktops positioning windows screen size troubleshooting window content management positioning windows screen size window content window desktop size WindowNames functions pop-up windows, troubleshooting positioning troubleshooting Windows Event Viewer (FileMaker Server) windowshades, table occurrences WKS file format (exporting data) 2nd Word (MS), formatting as DDR word indexes WordCount functions workflows, incorporating into reports WPAC (Web Publishing Administration Console) FileMaker Server Published Databases page General Settings page Publishing Engine Configuration page WPE (Web Publishing Engine) accessing, troubleshooting configuration administrative access database sessions development/production modes FileMaker Server connections mail servers saving changes XML access XSLT access CWP URL searches exact match searches multiple criteria searches numerical comparison searches specific record searches table searches FileMaker Server, connecting to identifiers installation multiple find requests passcodes search results, specifying sort order stylesheet caching URL, troubleshooting spaces in XML publishing XSL parameters XSLT writing calculations 2nd 3rd code plug-ins Web services Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Z] x cross-product operators, portals red x (Import field mapping indicator) xDBC [See ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity); JDBC.] XML (extensible markup language) -find command -lop command -sortfield command -sortorder command Amazon XML data, transforming to FMPXMLRESULT XML CWP 2nd data, exporting DDR defining development tools, troubleshooting XML stylesheets FileMaker data, exporting as FMPDSORESULT grammar FMPXMLRESULT grammar importing Amazon.com XML data to FileMaker importing XML data to FileMaker troubleshooting XML imports XML data importing to FileMaker importing, troubleshooting processing instructions programming tips rules of solution conversion stylesheets, troubleshooting transformations Amazon XML, transforming to FMPXMLRESULT XML FileMaker data, exporting as XML XML data, importing to FileMaker XSL stylesheets Web services WPE configuration XML data, importing to FileMaker XSL importing XML data to FileMaker looping constructs parse errors remote stylesheets XML declarations xsl:choose statements xsl:output statements xsl:stylesheet statements xsl:template statements XML export versus CWP XML Web Publishing, Access via XML Web Publishing extended privilege XMpl_Add functions XMpl_Append functions XMpl_NumToWords functions XMpl_StartScript functions XMpl_UserFormatNumber functions xor operators XP (Extreme Programming) XSL (extensible stylesheet language) extensions, CWP parameters parse errors, troubleshooting programming tips stylesheets Amazon XML data, transforming to FMPXMLRESULT XML FileMaker data, exporting as XML looping constructs remote stylesheets XML data, importing to FileMaker XML declarations xsl:choose statements xsl:output statements xsl:stylesheet statements xsl:template statements subsummary reporting XML data importing to FileMaker xsl:choose statements xsl:output statements xsl:stylesheet statements xsl:template statements XSLT (extensible stylesheet language transformations) CWP axes building Delete links building Deletion Confirmation pages building Deletion Response pages building HTML-formatted search result stylesheets building HTML-formatted search result stylesheets, URL format building Next/Previous links building View Detail links building/editing records configuring for embedding query parameters in stylesheets stylesheet placement tokens, extracting from requests tokens, sharing data between stylesheets XSL extensions XSLT processors query strings Site Assistant solution conversion URL formats WPE configuration XSLT Web Publishing, Access via XSLT Web Publishing extended privilege Index [SYMBOL] [A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M] [N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Z] Zoom icons (Status Area) .. .Special Edition Using FileMaker 8 By Steve Lane, Scott Love, Bob Bowers Publisher: Que Pub Date: May 12, 2006 Print ISBN- 10: 0- 789 7-3512-1 Print ISBN- 13: 9 78- 0- 789 7-3512-6 Pages: 912... Getting Started with FileMaker 8 Chapter 1 FileMaker Overview FileMaker and Its Marketplace Introduction to Database Software Overview of the FileMaker 8 Product Line FileMaker Deployment Options What's New in FileMaker Pro 8. .. contributing editor for FileMaker Advisor magazine and has coauthored three other books: Advanced FileMaker Pro 5.5 Techniques for Developers, Advanced FileMaker Pro 6 Web Development, and Special Edition Using FileMaker Pro 7