Forum Moderators: mack
I would like to learn how to create dynamic web pages that are connected to Filemaker Pro 7 databases. I am so overwhelmed by the current software options and spaghetti-like configurations that are available. How does everybody do it? It can't be rocket science, or is it?
Perhaps someone could explain how they connect their databases, as in what software is used, what language was learned, what tags must be inserted into html pages, etc. What were the steps that you took to connect your first database to the web?
Both are fine databases for desktop and local use, but they can't handle the constant in and out of web traffic.
For web traffic you'll need something sturdy like mySQL or PostGreSQL, both of which are free for individual users.
I think FMP7 has support finally for ODBC, in which case I would create a DataSource name and just use that in your query string. You can probably do it through Dreamweaver as well.
First, Filemaker Pro 7 cannot serve anything to the web. That functionality is ONLY available with Filemaker Server 7 (and Advanced) which is not yet released. Once it is available, you should arrive ready with knowledge of XSLT which you can start learning with Filemaker Pro 7. If you read anything about CDML, forget about it -- CDML is officially dead with FMPro 7. It was disheartening at first, because I had surpassed familiarity with CDML and was almost reaching something like knowledge. :) Since Filemaker Server 7 is doing it's web thing in a new way you'll be learning with the rest of us -- I don't have a website with answers to point you to, yet.
txbakers, I have been the lone voice of dissent at my workplace over serving Filemaker databases over the web for years but Filemaker Server 7 Advanced really does look like it's going to be an full fledged web server. For someone familiar with Filemaker I can say it looks like it's finally getting the teeth it needs to compete. I would still hesitate using it for enterprise-scale solutions, but even then it's built to be load-balanced across multiple machines out-of-the-box. I'm now questioning every pat answer I used to have about Filemaker because of the new release and I'd encourage you to do the same. :)
Wow, I just realized how pro-Filemaker I sound. Hmm... here's some negative -- the "replace field contents" script step with nested substitute functions is all screwed up and lost me about ten hours of my life pulling my hair out before I finally realized it was a bug. It ain't all perfect but it was the impetus to finally figure out XSLT. :)
I should have mentioned that I would be using this for a very low-traffic, private website. Also, the main goal of the database would be to store images and related information, so I would have to have a way for users to upload images and their related information.
Any ideas? How is this done with SQL databases, as I understand that they do not have container fields.
I'm now questioning every pat answer I used to have about Filemaker
Everything I've seen with Filemaker has been amateur at best and garbage at worst.
It was a great little database for the Mac about 15 years ago and hasn't changed much since.
Why mess with scripts and a whole bunch of proprietary fluff when you can get a real SQL database for a download, and it works with standard languages.
As you might read, I have no love for filemaker. 8)
How is this done with SQL databases, as I understand that they do not have container fields.
Yes they do, they are called BLOB fields - Binary Large Objects. All the real databases have them.
It's not a good idea to store these in the DB anyway - just store the path to the image and leave the image in a directory somewhee.
For uploading there are several options - for ASP I use ASP Upload component, there might be something for phP as well.
It was a great little database for the Mac about 15 years ago and hasn't changed much since.As you might read, I have no love for filemaker. 8)
:) Filemaker has always been junky and slow. CDML was, at best, a functioning hack to get Filemaker on the web. (Even as late as Filemaker 6, the app still didn't technically connect to the web on it's own -- a separate app had to be downloaded and run every time you rebooted your server.) The last version couldn't even handle multiple users or provide any kind of real data security.
That being said, and acknowledging that you and I were in complete agreement about the useless-ness of Filemaker just two months ago, Filemaker 7 is a complete rebuild work looking at. SQL is definitely the standard and has the largest support community it's just not the only option out there. That's my 4 cents, I'll shut up now. :)
