FileMaker Resuscitates Database Market with Pro 10 - A Closer Look at FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced
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Whether you are a first-time user or intimately familiar with previous
versions, FileMaker attempts to keep things as simple as possible. The product
is installed via a wizard and doesn’t require any special considerations, except
that Apple’s Bonjour file-sharing service must be installed for the product to
function; luckily a copy of that piece of software is included and auto-installs.
When launched for the first time, users will be presented with a splash
screen that aims to keep everything as simple as possible. New users will
appreciate the introductory video tutorials, visual product tours and in-depth
“how to” examples. All of which strive to eliminate the need for a manual or
printed reference material. If new users are willing to invest the time, the
included training/tutorials/examples could potentially save countless hours for
first-time users and even teach old pros a few tricks about the updated
product.
While the product does offer some 30 example applications, users probably will
look to those applications only as examples on how to do certain tasks. The
real magic of FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced starts with the database itself, not
the various forms, menus and lookups. Users will want to approach creating a
new database from a “data dictionary” point of view; basically, a user will
create an empty database and then define tables, fields, keys and so on. Then
users will go on to create relationships between the various tables by linking
fields together.
Creation of a new database is surprisingly easy. When defining fields, it is
a simple matter to add validation rules, default values and so on. That ties
all of the basic requirements of data entry to the field and not so much the
entry form that will be created later. To speed up the creation of fields in a
table, FileMaker only offers very basic elements when adding a new field—such
as field name, type and a comment. Users can only add the other elemental field
properties after creating the initial entry. Luckily, that’s quite simple—all
it takes is a double click on the newly born field to add or change all of the
properties associated with a field.
Creating additional tables is easy as well; all it takes is another click to
add another table. Most users will appreciate the functionality behind linking
tables. Here, two fields from separate tables can be linked to create a
relationship between those tables, FileMaker offers a graphical representation
of those links and auto-creates all of the necessary logic behind that
relationship. Users can add validation rules and other aspects to the relationship
and also define lookups that will populate one field with the data of another
during the record selection process. Relationships include one-to-many,
many-to-one, one-to-one and so on.
While many of those features are rather pedestrian in the world of advanced
databases, what’s important to recognize with FileMaker Pro 10 is the
auto-creation of the logic behind each field and the ability to create data
validation rules at the field level. That alone will save hours of manual
programming or scripting when it comes to creating entry and edit forms. It’s
features like those that make the product foolproof for most newbies and also
save time for seasoned coders, who no longer have to worry about the little
things when it comes to database and field validation rules.
While creating and designing the relational database is the foundation of
any FileMaker application, it’s only one step in the process. Users will also
need to create ways to input, access and use the data. To do so, they will turn
to FileMaker’s Layout design tools. Layouts are a representation of the data
and are available as a record table, record list or record detail (form) views.
Those familiar with other databases (and rapid application development tools)
may find FileMaker’s approach a little confusing, since a record table, record
list and a record detail are all part of the same layout. Other products
usually treat those three elements as separate entities, a concept that many
find more desirable. That said, FileMaker diehards have come to love the layout
structure offered by the product. It all comes down to a matter of taste.
All layout elements can be quickly populated with fields and designed with
simple click and drag options. Users can also embed scripts or access
additional field properties with a right click. The options offered on a field
are extensive, and, in almost all cases, users will not have to write a single
line of code or script entry to accomplish any given task.
The idea is to “paint” the forms and tables and have the logic behind them
controlled by the properties associated with fields. All in all, it works very
well for both the novice and the expert. FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced makes it
very easy for end users and developers looking to create robust databases.
While the product is unique in the way it accomplishes that task, the end result
remains the same—an easy-to-use database.
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