Claris FileMaker Developer 5 User guide

FileMaker, Inc.

5201 Patrick Henry Drive

Santa Clara, California 95054

www.filemaker.com

FileMaker and ScriptMaker are trademarks of FileMaker, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and the file folder logo is a

trademark of FileMaker, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG group.

All persons and companies listed in the examples are purely fictitious and any resemblance to existing persons and companies is

purely coincidental.

Mention of third party companies and products is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. FileMaker

assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of these products. All understandings, agreements or

warranties, if any, take place directly between the vendor and prospective users.

FileMaker

Developer

5

Developer’s Guide

For Windows and Mac

®

Contents

Chapter 1

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

Ways to use FileMaker Developer 5

1-1

Customize FileMaker database solutions

1-1

Create custom web sites

1-1

Take advantage of FileMaker support for open standards

1-1

Expand your FileMaker Pro calculations and scripts

1-1

Provide layout themes for your solutions

1-1

Use design tools and templates for UI design

1-1

Deploying your database solutions

1-2

About this guide

1-2

Installing the FileMaker Developer software package

1-2

Requirements for the FileMaker Developer Tool

1-3

Installing FileMaker Developer 5 for Windows

1-3

Installing FileMaker Developer 5 for Mac OS

1-4

Choosing Custom Install options

1-5

Installing the FileMaker ODBC driver

1-5

Installing FileMaker Pro 5

1-5

Contents of the FileMaker Developer 5 folder

1-5

FileMaker on the Web links

1-6

Developer’s Guide folder

1-6

FileMaker Trial Software folder

1-6

FileMaker Developer Tool folder

1-6

Design Tools folder

1-7

External FileMaker APIs folder

1-8

Abiding by the license agreement

1-9

Registration and customer support

1-9

About the TechInfo database

1-10

Chapter 2

Customizing your database solution

About the custom solution examples

2-1

Using the FileMaker Developer Tool

2-2

Binding your databases into a runtime database solution

2-6

Procedure for binding files

2-6

Specifying a runtime solution name and binding key

2-7

Assigning a three-character filename extension

2-8

Binding files for cross-platform solutions

2-9

Modifying bound runtime files

2-9

Displaying databases in Kiosk mode

2-9

Steps for displaying files in Kiosk mode

2-10

Closing files in Kiosk mode

2-10

Renaming your databases

2-11

Procedure for renaming files

2-11

Choosing filenames for your database solution

2-11

Removing design access to your databases

2-11

Steps for preventing database modification

2-12

Customizing the About, Help, and Scripts menus

2-12

Adding a custom script to an About menu command

2-12

Adding a custom Help script command to the

Help menu

2-13

Renaming the Scripts menu

2-14

Adding the FileMaker Pro extension to database filenames

2-15

Saving your settings in the Developer Tool

2-15

Using the Solution Options text file

2-15

Saving a set of options

2-15

Modifying the Solution Options text file

2-15

iv

Developer’s Guide

Chapter 3

Preparing files for a custom solution

About the Relational Example

3-1

General steps for preparing your solution files

3-2

Issues to consider before creating a runtime database solution

3-2

Opening files in Kiosk mode

3-3

Design tips for navigating in Kiosk mode

3-4

Emulating menu commands and window controls

3-4

Centering a database window in the Kiosk screen

3-4

Creating startup scripts

3-5

Using button image samples

3-5

Documenting your database solution

3-6

Creating an About layout

3-7

Creating a custom Help layout or file

3-8

Providing What’s This? Help (Windows)

3-9

Including printed documentation

3-9

Design tips for cross-platform solutions

3-10

Creating a consistent appearance

3-10

Simulating outline and shadow text styles

3-10

Using common character sets

3-11

Designing text layouts for cross-platform solutions

3-11

Using a common color palette

3-12

Using graphics in cross-platform solutions

3-12

Using QuickTime movies in cross-platform solutions

3-12

Showing the status bar in Windows

3-13

Using separate scripts for printing

3-13

Using the Status (CurrentPlatform) function

3-13

Creating platform-specific scripts

3-14

Protecting your runtime database solution files

3-14

Setting a default password

3-14

Your responsibilities as a developer

3-15

Testing before and after creating your solution

3-16

Converting and upgrading solution files

3-16

Importing data into an upgraded runtime

database solution

3-17

Chapter 4

Distributing FileMaker Pro runtime database solutions

Organizing your runtime database solution components

4-1

Generated DLL files for Windows runtime

database solutions

4-2

System files for Windows solutions

4-2

Solution Extras files for Mac OS solutions

4-3

FileMaker Extensions files for Mac OS solutions

4-3

Including a license agreement

4-4

Choosing the distribution method

4-4

Requirements for distributing on floppy disks

4-4

Using a custom installation program

4-5

Using a compression utility program

4-5

What your users need

4-5

Requirements for your runtime solution (Windows)

4-5

Requirements for your runtime solution (Mac OS)

4-5

Sharing your solution over a network

4-5

Documenting the installation procedures

4-6

Starting your runtime database solution

4-6

Recovering damaged files

4-7

Distributing updates to your runtime database solution

4-7

Chapter 5

Creating custom layout themes

Modifying a FileMaker Pro theme

5-1

Basic requirements for a theme file

5-3

Minimum required XML elements for themes

5-3

Removing elements from a theme file

5-4

XML elements for layout parts

5-4

XML elements for text

5-5

Description of XML elements and their theme attributes

5-5

Table of multi-line elements

5-5

Table of single-line elements

5-6

Valid values for theme attributes

5-7

Contents

v

Specifying default values for themes

5-9

Finding values for patterns and colors

5-9

Adding comments to your document

5-10

Checking your theme document for errors

5-10

Chapter 6

Publishing your database on the Web

Moving forward using open web standards

6-1

Custom web publishing with XML

6-1

Custom web publishing with JDBC

6-1

Custom web publishing with CDML

6-2

Instant Web Publishing

6-2

Static web publishing with HTML

6-2

Using the FileMaker Pro Web Companion

6-2

Requirements for web access

6-2

Enabling the Web Companion

6-3

Setting Web Companion configuration options

6-3

Sharing the database via the Web

6-5

Displaying a custom home page

6-5

Specifying a custom home page as the default

6-6

Using a custom home page with Instant Web Publishing

6-6

Finding valid CGI commands for linking to instant

web pages

6-6

Languages for instant web pages

6-7

Filenames for instant web pages

6-8

Monitoring your site

6-8

Using the access.log file

6-9

Using the error.log file 6-9

Using the info.log file 6-9

Using the Web Companion external functions 6-10

Exporting data to a static HTML page 6-11

Testing your site without a network connection 6-13

Setting up on a Windows machine 6-13

Setting up on a Mac OS machine 6-14

Opening password-protected databases remotely 6-15

Opening and closing databases using XML 6-15

Opening and closing databases using CDML 6-15

Using the Web Security Database 6-16

How the Web Security Database works 6-16

Installing the Web Security Database 6-17

Enabling the Web Security Database 6-17

Assigning Web Security to your databases 6-18

Protecting specific records in a database 6-20

Changing Web Security settings remotely from

the Web

6-21

Chapter 7

Using FileMaker Pro XML to deliver your data

About the XML examples 7-1

General process for custom web publishing using XML 7-2

Generating an XML document 7-2

About XML namespaces 7-3

About FileMaker Pro database error codes 7-3

Using the FMPDSORESULT grammar 7-3

Description of elements in the FMPDSORESULT

grammar

7-4

Example of XML data in the FMPDSORESULT

grammar

7-4

Using the FileMaker Pro Extended XML grammars 7-5

Description of elements in the FMPXMLRESULT

grammar

7-5

Example of XML data in the FMPXMLRESULT

grammar

7-6

Description of elements in the FMPXMLLAYOUT

grammar

7-7

Example of XML data in the FMPXMLLAYOUT

grammar

7-7

About UTF-8 encoded data 7-8

Generating FileMaker Pro CGI requests for an XML document 7-8

Request and parameter names 7-8

vi

Developer’s Guide

Requests for adding records to a portal 7-9

Requests for editing multiple records in a portal 7-9

Using style sheets with your XML document 7-10

Comparing CSS, XSLT, and JavaScript 7-11

Cascading style sheets (CSS) example 7-13

Extensible Stylesheet Language–Transformations (XSLT)

example

7-14

JavaScript scripting language example 7-16

Looking at the XML Inventory example 7-17

Chapter 8

Using Java and JDBC to deliver your data

About the JDBC examples 8-1

About JDBC 8-1

Using the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-2

About the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-2

Using a JDBC URL to connect to your database 8-2

Specifying driver properties in the URL subname 8-3

SQL supported by the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-4

Using DbOpen and DbClose pseudo procedures 8-5

Using the RecordID pseudo column 8-6

Using the ModID pseudo column 8-6

SQL statement examples 8-7

Using a character escape 8-7

FileMaker data type mapping to JDBC SQL and Java

data types

8-7

FileMaker Pro support for Unicode characters 8-7

About the FileMaker JDBC Driver interfaces and extensions 8-8

Example 1: Looking at the FileMaker Pro Explorer application 8-8

Setup requirements 8-8

Install the example and the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-9

Open and share your databases via the Web 8-9

Run the FileMaker Pro Explorer application 8-9

View the source code of the example 8-10

Example 2: Creating the JBuilder Inventory application 8-11

Install the example and FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-11

Set up JBuilder to use the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-11

Open and share the Inventory.fp5 database 8-11

Start a new JBuilder project 8-11

Create the data module 8-12

Design the data module 8-12

Test the data module 8-13

Generate the application 8-13

Example 3: Creating the Visual Cafe Inventory application 8-15

Install the example and the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-15

Set up Visual Cafe to use the FileMaker JDBC Driver 8-15

Open and share the inventory_db database 8-15

Create a new Visual Cafe project 8-15

Using the FileMaker Java classes 8-17

About the FileMaker Java Class Library 8-18

Looking at the Java applet examples 8-18

Chapter 9

Custom web publishing using CDML

About the CDML examples 9-1

General steps for custom web publishing using CDML 9-2

About CDML format files 9-2

Generating FileMaker Pro CGI requests using CDML 9-3

Request names 9-4

Requests for adding records to a portal 9-4

Requests for editing multiple records in a portal 9-4

Using the CDML Tool and templates 9-5

Using the Templates tab 9-6

Using the Tags tab 9-6

Customizing a format file template 9-6

Categories of CDML tags 9-8

New and modified CDML tags 9-9

New CDML tags 9-9

Contents

vii

Modified CDML tags 9-10

Using an intratag parameter 9-11

About the CDML Reference database 9-12

Creating error messages 9-13

Using an encoding parameter with a CDML replacement tag 9-14

Planning your web site 9-14

Looking at the three CDML examples 9-15

Employee Database example 9-16

Guest Book example 9-16

Shopping Cart example 9-17

Chapter 10

Writing external function plug-ins

About the plug-in examples and templates 10-1

Contents of the Template folder 10-2

Contents of the Full Example folder 10-3

Installing, enabling, and configuring FileMaker Pro plug-ins 10-4

Using external functions in a calculation 10-5

Using the Full Example plug-in’s external functions 10-5

Description of the Full Example plug-in’s

external functions

10-6

Requirements for writing an external function plug-in 10-7

Required code files 10-7

Required string resources 10-8

Required feature string syntax 10-8

Requirements for the plug-in’s main entry point 10-9

External function naming conventions 10-10

FileMaker Pro messages sent to the plug-in 10-10

The Initialization message 10-10

The Shutdown message 10-11

The Idle message 10-11

The External Function message 10-11

The Preferences message 10-12

Debugging your plug-in 10-12

Avoiding potential Mac OS resource conflicts 10-13

Providing documentation for your plug-in 10-13

Naming and registering your plug-ins 10-13

Steps for registering your external function plug-in 10-13

Revising a registered plug-in 10-14

Appendix A

Feature comparison of the runtime

application and FileMaker Pro

Application and document preferences A-2

Toolbar comparison A-3

Menu command comparison A-3

Ignored script steps A-5

Stored registry settings A-6

Appendix B

Valid names used in CGI requests for

FileMaker XML data

Generating a –find, –findall, or –findany request B-1

Examples of –find, –findall, and –findany requests B-1

Generating a –view request B-2

Examples of –view requests B-2

Generating a –new request B-2

Examples of –new requests B-2

Generating an –edit request B-3

Examples of –edit requests B-3

Generating a –delete request B-3

Examples of –delete requests B-3

Generating a –dbnames request B-3

Examples of –dbnames requests B-4

Generating a –layoutnames request B-4

Examples of –layoutnames requests B-4

Generating a –scriptnames request B-4

Examples of –scriptnames requests B-4

viii

Developer’s Guide

Generating a –dbopen request B-5

Examples of –dbopen requests B-5

Generating a –dbclose request B-5

Examples of –dbclose requests B-5

Specifying parameters for the request B-6

–db (Database) B-6

–lay (Layout) B-6

–format (Format) B-6

–recid (Record ID) B-6

–modid (Modification ID) B-7

–lop (Logical operator) B-7

–op (Comparison operator) B-7

–max (Maximum records) B-8

–skip (Skip records) B-8

–sortfield (Sort field) B-8

–sortorder (Sort order) B-8

–script (Script) B-9

–script.prefind (Script before Find) B-9

–script.presort (Script before Sort) B-9

–styletype (Style type) B-9

–stylehref (Style href) B-9

–password (Database password) B-10

field name (Name of specific field) B-10

Appendix C

FileMaker Pro values for error codes

C-1

Index

I-1

Chapter 1

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

Welcome to FileMaker Developer 5! The FileMaker

®

Developer 5

product provides the software, APIs, and tools to create custom

FileMaker Pro database solutions for work groups, web sites, or

stand-alone runtime applications.

Ways to use FileMaker Developer 5

Customize FileMaker database solutions

Use the redesigned FileMaker Developer Tool utility application to:

1 create stand-alone runtime database solutions that do not require

the FileMaker Pro application

1 customize your FileMaker Pro 5 databases to display in Kiosk

mode, without access to certain menu commands, or with special

menu access to custom Help and About <your solution> layouts

1 rename FileMaker Pro database files without losing links to related

or external files

Create custom web sites

Use the tools, API documentation, and examples provided by

FileMaker Developer 5 to create:

1 custom web sites for publishing FileMaker Pro databases on the

Internet or an intranet using FileMaker XML documents or CDML

1 FileMaker Pro database-aware Java applets for your custom web

sites, developed using the open standard FileMaker Pro JDBC

Driver or the proprietary FileMaker Java Class Library

Take advantage of FileMaker support for open standards

1 Use FileMaker Extended XML documents to exchange

FileMaker Pro data with other XML-compatible applications.

1 Use the FileMaker Pro JDBC Driver with your Rapid Application

Development (RAD) tools to create custom front-ends to your

FileMaker Pro database solutions.

1 Use the FileMaker ODBC driver with other ODBC-compatible

applications to access your FileMaker Pro database solutions from

machines that are not running FileMaker Pro.

Expand your FileMaker Pro calculations and scripts

Use the FileMaker Pro External Function Plug-in API and the C or

C++ programming language to create external function plug-ins that

extend the feature set of your FileMaker Pro database solutions (for

example, by providing calculation formulas that take advantage of

recursion and looping, or that hook into other programming

interfaces).

Provide layout themes for your solutions

Use custom FileMaker layout themes to create a consistent look for

new layouts in your database solutions.

Use design tools and templates for UI design

Use the sample buttons, interface elements, and database examples

provided by FileMaker Developer 5 as you develop the user

interface to your custom database solutions.

1-2

Developer’s Guide

Deploying your database solutions

For deploying your custom database solutions over a network, the

Internet, or an intranet, the FileMaker, Inc. product line includes

FileMaker Server 5 and FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited.

FileMaker Server 5 provides multi-protocol support for TCP/IP,

IPX/SPX (Windows) and AppleTalk (Mac OS) networks for serving

up to 125 hosted files simultaneously to FileMaker Pro 5 guests on

Windows and Mac OS machines.

FileMaker Pro 5 Unlimited includes all of the features of FileMaker

Pro 5 and also allows for an unlimited number of web guests to

access your FileMaker Pro databases. Use the included Web Server

Connector to publish your databases through six popular web

servers: Microsoft Personal Web Server and Internet Information

Server, Netscape Enterprise Server, AppleShare IP Server,

WebSTAR, and Apache on Mac OS X Server.

Note FileMaker Developer 5 includes trial versions of FileMaker

Server for Windows NT and FileMaker Server for Mac OS.

For more information, see the product pages at www.filemaker.com.

About this guide

The Developer’s Guide provides instructions and examples for using

FileMaker Developer 5.

1 Chapter 1 describes how to install the FileMaker Developer

software on Windows and Mac OS systems and provides tables that

describe the content of what is installed.

1 Chapters 2, 3, and 4 and appendix A describe how to prepare your files

and use the FileMaker Developer Tool for creating runtime database

solutions and other types of database solutions such as Kiosk mode.

1 Chapter 5 provides instructions for creating custom layout themes

to use when you create new layouts for your databases.

1 Chapters 6, 7, and 9 and appendixes B and C describe the use of

the FileMaker Pro Web Companion for custom web publishing using

XML or CDML.

1 Chapter 8 describes how to use the FileMaker JDBC Driver to

create FileMaker Pro database-aware Java applications and applets.

It also includes a section on the proprietary FileMaker Java Class

Library from the previous Developer Edition.

1 Chapter 10 provides guidelines for writing FileMaker Pro external

function plug-ins to use in FileMaker Pro field calculations and scripts.

In addition, throughout this guide are pointers to web sites for

resources and information on various technologies (such as XML

and Java development tools) that you can use with your

FileMaker Pro databases.

Note For information on programming in C or C++, authoring and

using XML, creating CSS or XSL stylesheets, authoring web pages

in Dynamic HTML (including scripting such as JavaScript), and

developing Java applications and applets, see the documentation that

came with your development or authoring tool.

Double-click FileMaker on the Web (installed in the FileMaker

Developer 5 folder) to go to the FileMaker, Inc. web site for more

information.

Installing the FileMaker Developer

software package

FileMaker Developer 5 includes two CD-ROM discs: one for

installing FileMaker Pro 5 and one for installing the FileMaker

Developer Tool, external FileMaker APIs, design tools and

examples, and the FileMaker ODBC Driver.

For a description of what’s installed, see “Contents of the FileMaker

Developer 5 folder” on page 1-5.

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

1-3

Requirements for the FileMaker Developer Tool

To use the FileMaker Developer Tool application on Windows 95

(or later) or Windows NT systems, you need the following:

1 an Intel-compatible computer with a 486/33 processor

1 a hard disk

1 16 MB of RAM (16 MB RAM recommended with Windows NT)

1 a CD-ROM drive

1 database files created in or upgraded to FileMaker Pro 5

To use the FileMaker Developer Tool application on Mac OS

systems, you need the following:

1 any Power Macintosh or Mac OS-compatible computer using

System 8.1 or later

1 a hard disk

1 16 MB of RAM

1 a CD-ROM drive

1 database files created in or upgraded to FileMaker Pro 5

Note For a list of requirements that your users will need to use your

runtime database solutions on Windows and Mac OS machines, see

“What your users need” on page 4-5.

Installing FileMaker Developer 5 for Windows

To install FileMaker Developer 5 on Windows systems:

1. Close all applications.

2. Insert the FileMaker Developer CD.

3. Click the arrow for Install FileMaker Developer 5.

4. Click Yes to accept the terms of the license agreement.

See “Abiding by the license agreement” on page 1-9 for information.

5. Click Next.

6. Select the Full or Custom installation type.

For information on what is installed, see “Choosing Custom Install

options” on page 1-5 and “Contents of the FileMaker Developer 5

folder” on page 1-5.

7. Click Browse to specify a location and then click OK.

8. Click Next.

If you selected the Custom installation option, the Select Components

screen appears. If you selected the Full installation option, the

Installation Code screen appears.

Click here

to insert a check

mark and display

the amount of

space required

1-4

Developer’s Guide

9. For Custom installations, click in the column to the left of each

custom component that you want to select. Then click Next.

10. On the Installation Code screen, type your name, company, and

installation code. Then click Next.

11. Click Yes to confirm your registration information.

12. Click Finish.

Installing FileMaker Developer 5 for Mac OS

To install FileMaker Developer on Mac OS systems:

1. Close all applications.

2. On the FileMaker Developer CD, double-click Start Here.

3. Click Accept to accept the terms of the license agreement.

See “Abiding by the license agreement” on page 1-9 for information.

4. Click Print or Save As to download last-minute additional

information about the product in a Readme text file.

5. Click Continue.

6. Choose one of the following options from the pop-up menu:

1 Full Install (selected by default) to completely install the

FileMaker Developer 5 product

1 Custom Install to select different options and install individual

components of FileMaker Developer 5 (see “Choosing Custom

Install options” next)

1 Uninstall to remove the FileMaker Developer 5 folder and its

contents from your hard disk

7. If desired, specify a location for the FileMaker Developer 5 folder.

8. Click Install.

Enter your

installation

code here

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

1-5

9. Type your name, company name, and your installation code

number. Then click OK.

10. Click Restart to restart your computer.

Choosing Custom Install options

For a description of the custom installed folders, see “Contents of the

FileMaker Developer 5 folder” next.

Installing the FileMaker ODBC driver

On the FileMaker Developer CD, see the Installation Guide.pdf file

in the ODBC Installer folder for instructions on installing the

FileMaker Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver on remote

machines. Your clients can use the FileMaker ODBC driver for

accessing FileMaker Pro database files from other ODBC-compliant

applications.

Note The ODBC Driver Installation Guide contains complete

instructions for installing and using the driver on machines that don’t

have FileMaker Pro. See the FileMaker Developer license agreement

for information on distributing the FileMaker ODBC driver and the

Installation Guide.pdf with your custom database solutions.

Installing FileMaker Pro 5

See the printed FileMaker Pro 5 Getting Started Guide for

instructions on installing the FileMaker Pro 5 software and for

information on the minimum hardware and software requirements

you need for using FileMaker Pro 5.

Contents of the FileMaker Developer 5

folder

The installer for FileMaker Developer 5 installs all folders and files

into the FileMaker Developer 5 folder. The following tables describe

the contents of the FileMaker Developer 5 folder when you choose

the complete installation option.

Choose this Custom

Install option To install these folders

FileMaker Developer Tool FileMaker Developer Tool (Windows or Mac)

Design Examples Design Tools

External FileMaker APIs XML

CDML

External Function Plug-in

Java Class Library

FileMaker JDBC Driver

Developer Info Developer’s Guide (contains this guide in PDF

format)

FMI (FileMaker, Inc.)

FileMaker Developer on the Web shortcut/alias

Trial Software FileMaker Server 5 (Windows NT or Mac)

Enter your

i

nstallation

code here

1-6

Developer’s Guide

FileMaker on the Web links

Double-click FileMaker on the Web to open the

Go_FileMaker_Developer.html page in your browser. Then, click

the link to go to the web site. There you will find product information

and support, as well as helpful links to other resources.

Developer’s Guide folder

This folder contains the PDF (Portable Document Format) version of

this printed Developer’s Guide, which you can open in Adobe

Acrobat Reader.

FileMaker Trial Software folder

For the latest versions of FileMaker trial software, visit the

FileMaker, Inc. web site at www.filemaker.com or double-click

FileMaker on the Web.

FileMaker Developer Tool folder

Contents of the FMI folder Description

Go_FileMaker_Developer.html HTML file containing an HREF link to

the FileMaker Developer web site

FMI Logo.gif Image file for the

Go_FileMaker_Developer web page

Th

e

Fil

e

M

a

k

er

D

eve

l

oper 5

f

o

ld

er

contains these files and folders:

FileMaker on the Web

Developer’s Guide

FileMaker Trial Software

FMI

FileMaker Developer Tool

Design Tools

External FileMaker APIs

Contents of the FileMaker

Trial Software folder Description

FileMaker Server 5 Installer for a trial version of the FileMaker

Server 5 software for deploying databases

over a network:

Fms5trial.exe (Windows NT) or FileMaker

Server 5 Trial.sea (Mac OS)

Contents of the FileMaker

Developer Tool folder

(Windows) Description

FileMaker Developer Tool.exe Application file (Windows)

Runtime Files folder Contains the System folder of files for

distribution with the runtime application

System folder Data import filters: CWorks.imp, DBF.imp,

Excel.imp

Graphic import filters:

Fmbmp32.flt

Fmcgm32.flt

Fmdrw32.flt

Fmmac32.flt

Fmpcx32.flt

Fmpic32.flt

Fmsld32.flt

Fmtiff32.flt

Fmwmf32.flt

Spelling dictionaries:

Claddon.clr, Ukenglsh.mpr, Usenglsh.mpr,

and User.upr

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

1-7

Design Tools folder

The Design Tools folder contains three folders:

1 Interface Elements folder

1 Artwork Sampler folder

1 Examples folder

Contents of the FileMaker

Developer Tool folder (Mac OS) Description

FileMaker Developer Tool Application file (Mac OS)

Runtime Files Contains the FileMaker Extensions and

Solution Extras folders (described

below) for distribution with the runtime

application

FileMaker Extensions Data import filters:

ClarisWorks, DBF, Excel

Spelling dictionaries: Claddon.clr,

Ukenglsh.mpr, Usenglsh.mpr, User.upr

Solution Extras Contains the Claris and Extensions

folders

Claris Claris XTND System

Claris Translators folder, which

contains:

EPSF PFLT, MacPaint 2.0, and TIFF

graphic import filters

Extensions Microsoft OLE Automation

Microsoft OLE Extension

Microsoft OLE Library

XTND Power Enabler

Contents of the Interface

Elements folder Description

Interface Elements 11 database files containing sample buttons,

layouts, and interface elements that you can use

to construct dialog boxes in your

FileMaker Pro databases

Contents of the

Artwork Sampler folder Description

Artwork Sampler Database file containing over 2,000 pieces of

graphic art samples that can be incorporated into

your databases as banners, buttons, background

art, and general clip art

Contents of the

Examples folder Description

Calendar Navigator Database file that demonstrates how to

incorporate calendars into FileMaker Pro

databases

Conditional Value Lists Database files that provide instructions and an

example for creating value lists that are

conditional upon other related value lists.

Includes Cities.fp5 and Countries.fp5 databases.

Creating Dynamic Buttons Database file that demonstrates how to create

multi-state buttons (for example, a “depressed”

and a “non-depressed” button)

Kiosk Solution Example Example of related database files customized to

display in Kiosk mode

Relational Example Example of a relational FileMaker Pro database

Runtime Solution Example Example of a runtime database solution,

including an “About” layout, a sample Help

layout, and a sample license file

1-8

Developer’s Guide

External FileMaker APIs folder

The External FileMaker APIs folder contains five folders:

1 XML folder

1 FileMaker JDBC Driver folder

1 CDML folder

1 External Function Plug-in folder

1 Java Class Library folder

Contents of the

XML folder Description

XML ReadMe Text file

Documentation Folder containing the XML Document Type Definitions

(DTDs) for the FileMaker XML grammars:

fmpdsoresult_dtd.htm

fmpxmllayout_dtd.htm

fmpxmlresult_dtd.htm

Inventory Example Example of the inventory.fp5 database published on the

Web using XML, the W3C DOM, and JavaScript

Files include : inventory.fp5, default.htm,

detail_view.htm, add_record.htm, find.htm, Filemaker.gif

and FMP.js (JavaScript library for the example)

For information on this example, see chapter 7, “Using

FileMaker Pro XML to deliver your data.”

Simple Examples Three examples of the People.fp5 database published on

the Web using XML with CSS, XSL, and JavaScript

Files include: default.htm, Filemaker.gif, FMP.js,

people.fp5, people_form.css, people_form.xsl, and

people_form.htm.

For information about these examples, see chapter 7,

“Using FileMaker Pro XML to deliver your data.”

Contents of the

FileMaker JDBC

Driver folder Description

JDBC ReadMe Text file

fmpjdbc12.jar FileMaker JDBC Driver packaged as a Java archive file

Documentation HTML files that describe the FileMaker JDBC Driver API

Examples Three folders of example files for creating

FileMaker Pro database-aware Java applications using

the FileMaker JDBC Driver: Visual Cafe 4.0 Expert

Edition, JBuilder 3.0 Professional, and a developer- tool-

independent example called FileMaker Explorer

For information about these examples, see chapter 8,

“Using Java and JDBC to deliver your data.”

Contents of the

CDML folder Description

CDML Examples Folder containing three folders of example files:

guest_book folder, employee_database folder, and

shopping _cart folder

For information about these examples, see chapter 9,

“Custom web publishing using CDML.”

Web Tools Folder containing the CDML Reference.fp5 and

CDML Tool.fp5 databases and the CDML Templates

folder

CDML Tool.fp5 Database file for adding CDML tags to your databases

CDML Reference.fp5 Database file containing descriptions of the CDML tags

CDML Templates Folder containing nine CDML format files for different

types of interaction with a database

Introducing FileMaker Developer 5

1-9

Abiding by the license agreement

The FileMaker Developer license agreement allows you royalty-free

distribution of an unlimited number of FileMaker Pro runtime

database solutions. However, there are several terms and conditions

in the license agreement you must abide by, including the following:

1 You must provide all of the end-user technical support.

1 You must distribute a license agreement with your bundled

solution. A sample license agreement is included in the Runtime

Solution Example folder:

FileMaker Developer 5 > Design Tools > Examples > Runtime Solution

Example > Sample Solution License.txt

1 You must provide an “About” layout that includes your name,

address, and the telephone number for your technical support. For

more information, see “Creating an About layout” on page 3-7.

Any end users to whom you distribute the OBDC driver will also be

subject to the ODBC driver software license agreement provided

with the ODBC driver.

Note You must read and agree to the terms and conditions of the

FileMaker Developer license agreement, available through the

FileMaker Developer installer, before using the FileMaker

Developer software.

Registration and customer support

Please complete and mail the registration card for your FileMaker

product, or register online at www.filemaker.com/register. In

FileMaker Pro, you can choose Help menu > FileMaker on the Web for

a link to the FileMaker, Inc. support pages and the online registration

form.

For information about technical support and customer service, see:

www.filemaker.com (North American customers)

www.filemaker.com/intl (customers outside of North America)

At the web site you will find the FileMaker, Inc. Service Directory,

which provides the service options available to North American

customers, links to FileMaker, Inc. international sites, answers to

frequently asked questions, and access to extensive software

libraries used by technical support staff.

Contents of the

External Function

Plug-in folder Description

Full Example Folder containing example source code files, a

compiled plug-in, and a Read Me-Full Example text

file in either the Visual C++ folder (Windows) or

CodeWarrior Pro folder (Mac OS and Windows)

For information about the example, see chapter 10,

“Writing external function plug-ins.”

Template Folder containing a Read Me-EFP Template text file

and template files for the FileMaker Pro External

Function Plug-in API in either the Visual C++ folder

(Windows) or CodeWarrior Pro folder (Mac OS and

Windows)

For information about these templates, see chapter 10,

“Writing external function plug-ins.”

Contents of the

Java Class Library

folder Description

Java Documentation Image files and HTML files that describe the

FileMaker Java API

Java Examples Folders containing two Java applets created using the

FileMaker Java API:

FMBanner

FMMemoPad

For information about these examples, see “Using the

FileMaker Java classes” on page 8-17.

1-10

Developer’s Guide

If you do not have access to the Web, please refer to the Technical

Support and Customer Service sheet included in the software box.

North American customers can also call 1-800-965-9090 to learn

about the service options available.

About the TechInfo database

The TechInfo database is a great resource for technical information

about FileMaker, Inc. products. This FileMaker Pro database serves

as a front-line resource for the company’s support technicians as they

field customer inquiries. It collects Q&As, tips, FAQs, bug reports,

update notes, press releases, templates, and a host of other material

valuable for the support professional.

The TechInfo database is available on the product support pages on

the FileMaker, Inc. web site at www.filemaker.com.

Chapter 2

Customizing your database solution

FileMaker Developer 5 provides a utility application called the

FileMaker Developer Tool that lets you:

1 bind your database files into a stand-alone runtime database

solution that does not require FileMaker Pro in order to be used on a

computer

1 rename all of your database files and automatically update the

internal links to related files and scripts

1 display your database files in Kiosk mode

1 add a script to the Help menu that displays a custom Help layout

or file from any layout in the database solution

1 add a custom script to an About menu command so you can display

a special layout screen about your solution

1 change the name of the Scripts menu

1 permanently prevent users from modifying the design or structure

of your databases by removing access to certain menu commands

1 add or remove the FileMaker Pro filename extension to your files

For information about what you need to prepare your database files

before using the Developer Tool, see chapter 3, “Preparing files for

a custom solution.”

About the custom solution examples

FileMaker Developer includes two examples of database solutions

that have been customized using the Developer Tool:

1 Runtime Solution Example—database files that were bound into a

stand-alone runtime database solution named “Posters Electronic

Catalog”

1 Kiosk Solution Example—a runtime database solution for the

World Class Burger Company that displays in Kiosk mode

These examples are installed along with the FileMaker Developer

Tool into the FileMaker Developer 5 folder inside the Design Tools

folder. If they’re not there, then you’ll need to install them from the

Developer CD (see “Installing the FileMaker Developer software

package” on page 1-2).

FileMaker Developer 5 > Design Tools > Examples

Primary file of the Runtime Solution Example

2-2

Developer’s Guide

Using the FileMaker Developer Tool

Use the Developer Tool to create a new set of files, customize them,

and enclose them inside a new solution folder.

Note Database files from earlier versions of FileMaker Pro must be

opened and saved in FileMaker Pro 5 before you can use them with

the Developer Tool.

To use the FileMaker Developer Tool:

1. Close all of your database files that you are going to customize.

2. If necessary, install the FileMaker Developer Tool.

(See “Installing the FileMaker Developer software package” on

page 1-2.)

FileMaker Developer 5 > FileMaker Developer Tool

3. Double-click the file icon to start the FileMaker Developer

Tool application.

4. Click Next.

5. On the Customize Your Solution screen, select one or more

options in the list. What you select determines which screen the

Developer Tool displays next.

Select this

option

To create a copy of your

database files and do this

Create a stand-alone

runtime solution

Create a runtime database solution that includes a

FileMaker Pro runtime application and the bound

database files. The following menu commands become

unavailable in the runtime application: Define Fields,

Define Value Lists, Define Relationships, Access Privileges,

Layout Mode, and ScriptMaker.

However, these commands can still be accessed by

opening the runtime file in FileMaker Pro unless you

select Permanently prevent modification of database

structure below (with the exception of Define Value Lists,

which is always available).

Open solution in

Kiosk Mode

Create a solution that displays your databases on a full

screen without the menu bar or window controls.

Rename files and

update internal links

Create a database solution with new filenames. When you

change the filenames, all of the internal reference links

(filespecs) to related files and scripts are automatically

updated.

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