لطفا منتظر باشید ...
FileMaker 7: Highlights of New Features
Since version 5, FileMaker upgrades have conspicuously followed two themes: Theyve made an already-friendly interface cleaner and easier to use, and theyve expanded FileMakers ability to work in different environments and with different types of data. Version 7 continues confidently down these paths.But the new version does more than simply extend an existing success story. It is in many ways a radically different applicationrewritten from the ground up to streamline tasks, improve user and developer efficiency, and support growth into larger markets and more sophisticated implementations.
New file format
No major improvement comes without some cost, even though that cost may just be transitional. In order to provide a better file and relationship structure, as well as make FileMaker more compatible with ODBC/JDBC database systems, FileMaker Pro 7 uses a new file format, incompatible with those that came before it. It does not read older versions. A .fp7 file cant be read in an older version, and there is no way to resave it in one of the earlier formats. There is no going back.Because the old and new formats are completely incompatible, when you upgrade to version 7, you make a commitment to change, not just for yourself but for your organization and/or clients. Dont upgrade to FileMaker 7 if your database needs to be accessible on a computer that does not meet FileMaker 7s system requirements.Upgrading a file to FileMaker 7 is usually painless. When you open a database created in earlier versions, FileMaker 7 alerts you that it needs to convert the file, and gives you the opportunity to save a copy of it in the old format. It then goes through a sequence of update steps. Scripts and calculations are updated automatically to the new format, but complex databases with many file references and calculations may require tweaking after the conversion. See Chapter 15, "Migrating to Version 7" for details about converting databases from earlier versions.
New database structure
If you are a long-time FileMaker user, youll experience your first learning curve in years. FileMaker 7 offers a completely new structuremore like a standard ODBC database than the FileMaker of yore. Instead of making separate files and relating them individually, you can now create entire integrated data structures. These structures are referred to as databases. Databases contain related tables, similar to the database files of earlier versions. This structure is comparable to an Excel workbook, which can contain an unlimited number of spreadsheets (Figure 1.1).
Figure 1.1. A single window controls all of the tables, field definitions, and relationships.
Chapter 15, we detail the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.
Redesigned relationships
Creating relationships between tables in FileMaker 7 is done with a new graphical interface, a single place for managing all aspects of relatingtables (Figure 1.2). The Relationships graph shows all of the files related to the current file. Lines between tables indicate related fields, and operators indicate the nature of the relationship (= indicates a match field, for example).
Figure 1.2. All of the relationships for a database are illustrated in the new Relationships graph.
[View full size image]
New field types and options
FileMaker 7 adds a new field type called TimeStamp. A TimeStamp field records the Date and Time of the creation or modification of a record. This field can replace the multiple fields with status functions that were required to do the same thing in previous versions.Three simple changes have fine-tuned previous field definition options. You can more precisely define how and when Validation and Auto Enter options (including Serial Numbers) occur. Global fields, once a unique field type, are now defined in the Storage options for a field. This change lifts the previous limitations on the field types that can be defined globally. For example, you can now create global calculation fields. Expanded indexing options give you precise control over how a field is indexed, helping to keep file sizes small.
New functions
Calculations have been completely reconsidered. The expanded and enhanced functions answer the requests of numerous FileMaker developers to streamline processes and make them more precise. One global change is that the constituent parts of a formula are now separated with semicolons, not commas, which is more consistent with other scripting languages, as well as the syntax for SQL statements.Another exciting new option is the ability to define a parameter with a function and in a script, and to pass that parameter to another script. Because you can use script parameters to assign a variable that can change relative to the situation (like automatically having a script update a string of text based on the current date), youll only have to write one script when before you would have to create several for different situations.Specific other changes include:Get functionsFileMaker 7 introduces Get functions, an entirely new class of calculation functions that replaces the Status functions of earlier versions.GetAs functionsThe new GetAs functions, replacing the GetTextAs functions, allow you, for example, to use the data in a number field as part of a text calculation.TextStyle functionsFileMaker 7 adds a marvelous new function capacity: the ability to change the text style (bold, italic, typeface) of parts of a fields contents with a script or calculation.Let, Evaluate, and Quote functionsThese three new functions will have a big impact. The Let function permits you to create local variables in calculations. No longer do you have to create a cumbersome global field before you can set a variable.With the Evaluate function, you can enter a formula in a field and use the result in another calculation. This allows you to put parts of calculations in a field so that they can be modified without having to change field definitions.The Quote function can be used with the Evaluate function to return part of a text field without evaluating it.
New script steps
Any time new script steps are added to the FileMaker collection, its cause for rejoicing, The new script steps expand the number of things a developer can do to and with field contents.Highlights include:Commit/Revert Record instead of Exit Record/RequestUntil FileMaker 7, there was no easy way for a user to discard changes made to a record. Using the new Commit/Revert Record command (which replaces the old Exit Record/ Request), with one click, a user can save or discard changes, then exit the record. This is a critical step for Web scripts, when you cant exit a record by using the Enter/Return key.Set Selection chooses a portion of a fieldWith the new Set Selection script step, not only can you go to a specific field on a layout, but you can automatically select any part of the fields contents.Export Field Contents eases content exportExporting the contents of a single field to a text file is now one script step away. This is especially handy for databases with long text fields. It also allows you to export data from a global field without getting an infinite number of duplications.Send Mail includes BCCThe Send Mail script step now includes the option to send blind carbon copies, so that recipients do not see the names of other recipients.New window control stepsNew script steps in FileMaker 7 give you the ability to display layouts in new windows and give much more precise control over window positions, names, and sizes.New account control stepsA new set of script steps makes it easy to let users manage their own accounts without giving them access to the entire security setup.
ODBC/JDBC queries
Access to and from SQL databases has been totally rewritten and redesigned in FileMaker 7. Queries are less complicated to make and are easier to store in scripts for later use. In addition, FileMaker has added an Oracle plug-in for both Mac and Windows users, and made it easier to develop applications with Java-based database implemen tations. However, one change will make Macintosh users less than happy. As of this writing, only Windows-based databases can be used by ODBC applications as direct data sources.
Refined accounts and privileges
The previous security method of passwords and groups has been completely updated. In FileMaker 7, security is handled by creating usernames and passwords. Each username is assigned a Privilege Set, which determines what level of access that user has. This new security system allows virtually complete control over user actions, including scripts, menu commands, and editing functions, and has been extended to Web-based databases as well. See Chapter 16, "Multiuser Files on a Network" for more details.
Web publishing
The integration of FileMaker with the World Wide Web has always been one of its greatest strengths. Instant Web Publishing (IWP) in FileMaker 7 continues the evolution from add-on function to full-blown Web hosting while maintaining FileMakers admirable simplicity. You can make your database available to others with a browser, and it will function as if they were using FileMaker itself. Most scripts will run as they do when you run the application, and layouts will appear just as they do in FileMaker.Chapter 17, "Instant Web Publishing" for more information about the new capabilities.
