Learn FileMaker Pro 19: The Comprehensive Guide to Building Custom Databases

by Mark Conway Munro

Overview

Discover how easy it is to create multi-user, cross-platform custom solutions with FileMaker Pro, the relational database platform published by Apple subsidiary Claris International, Inc. Meticulously rewritten with clearer lessons, more real-world examples and updated to include feature changes introduced in recent versions, this book makes it easier to get started planning, building and deploying a custom database solution.

The material is presented in an easy to follow manner with each chapter building on the last. After an initial review of the user environment and application basics, it begins a deep exploration of the integrated development environment that seamlessly combines the full stack of data table schema, business logic and interface layers into one visual programming experience. This book includes everything needed to get started building custom databases and contains advanced material that seasoned professionals will appreciate.

Written by a professional developer with decades of real-world experience, Learn FileMaker Pro 19 is your comprehensive learning and reference guide. Join millions of users and developers worldwide in achieving a new level of workflow efficiency with FileMaker Pro.

What You’ll Learn

• Discover interface and feature changes in FileMaker 17-19
• Create and maintain healthy files
• Plan and create custom tables, fields, relationships
• Write calculations using built-in and custom functions
• Build recursive and repeating formulas
• Discover advanced features using cURL, JSON, SQL, ODBC and FM URL

• Manipulate data files in the computer directory with scripts
• Deploy solutions to a server and share with desktop, iOS and web clients

Who This Book Is For

Casual programmers, full time consultants, and IT professionals

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781484266793
Publisher:	Apress
Publication date:	02/25/2021
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	753
Sales rank:	462,551
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mark Conway Munro is a software developer and the author of AppleScript: Developer Reference (2010, Wiley) and Learn FileMaker Pro 16 (2017, Apress). After a 1988 introduction to FileMaker, Mark began using AppleScript and FileMaker for information management and process automation tasks. In 1994, Mark founded Write Track Media, a computer consultancy firm that develops custom database and workflow automation solutions. Mark builds time-saving custom systems for a diverse list of clients across industries, including education, entertainment, finance, news, publishing, and manufacturing. Understanding the virtue of using technology to free human focus from repetitive tasks so they can pursue a higher level of productivity, Mark is unwavering in his commitment to developing the highest quality workflow management solutions.

Table of Contents

PART I Using FileMaker

Pages

01 Introducing FileMaker

Product family changes

App now includes version number

Mention file compatibility across recent versions and how to convert older formats

Maybe combine with Chapter 2 if I can compress the two enough

16

02 Exploring the Application

Launch window changes

26

03 Exploring a Database Window

16

04 Working with Records

38

05 Transferring Data

New Import Dailog

20

PART II Defining Database Structures

0

06 Working with Database Files

36

07 Working with Tables

Mention Add-on tables (refer to layout/portals)

16

08 Defining Fields

 

Default Fields

32

09 Connecting Tables with Relationships

30

10 Managing Containers

10

11 Managing Value Lists

Fix typo on conditional value list and clarify greatly

16

PART III — Writing Formulas and Functions

0

12 Writing Formulas

34

13 Exploring Built in Functions

One chapter to replace the previous function reference chapters

Focus on specific examples

Accessing machine/enviorment values (Get Functions)

Using Logical Functions (Case, Choose, Let, Self, GetNth, While, etc.)

Using Aggregate Functions (Count, List, Sum,

Manipulating Text (Filter, FilterValues, Left, Right, Middle, GetValues, Length, Substitute, Sort, unique, etc.)

Formatting Text in formulas (mention layout vs formula)

Manipulating Dates

Numeric (Rounding, Fomratting (layout vs formula)

40

14 Manipulating JSON Objects

Expand examples

15

15 Creating Custom Functions

Expand examples

Set Recursion

Changes to limits for non-tail recursion

20

16 Introducing ExecuteSQL

Fix three typos from last book

22

PART IV — Designing Interfaces

0

17 Introducing Layout Mode

18

18 Getting Started with Layouts

40

19 Exploring Layout Palettes

Integrated Palette

Field Palette changes

Object Palette changes

30

20 Creating Layout Objects

Portals, add on tables

Portals, master-detail layout

72

21 Manipulating Objects

Select objects in group

Move objects with shift+arrow key (10+ larger increment)

20

22 Using Themes and Styles

12

23 Customizing Menus

Menus can now be copy-pasted within and between files

24

PART V — Automating Tasks with Scripts

0

24 Introduction to Scripting

28

25 Common Scripting Tasks

Maybe expand examples and mention new script steps

Create directories

Create-Delete-Read-Write-Rename-Etc Files

44

26 Debugging Scripts

8

27 Using Script Triggers

14

28 Extending Features with Plug-ins

4

PART VI — Sharing Databases on a Network

0

29 Introducing Network Sharing

FileMakerURL now version specific

30

30 Securing Database Access

New Interface, features

28

31 Advanced Sharing and Analysis

16

Estimate Page Total

 

775