FMP Books

This top-quality technical book acknowledges that relational databases intimidate many people, and explains them with extreme clarity. Having done that, they proceed to unlock a library of FileMaker wisdom: Coulombre is a FileMaker consultant with a lot of experience. The coverage in this book is full of attention to the practicalities that make database programming interesting. A section on picking surnames out of long Spanish name strings is interesting and typical, as is a section called "Dumb Portal Tricks" that explains how to use portals to make interfaces much more capable without a lot of extra effort. Throughout, the authors emphasize detail and accuracy, and never forget that most of their readers are out to make a buck as developers for hire. --David Wall

Topics covered: FileMaker Pro 5 for Windows and Mac OS computers, and explained in terms that intermediate-level developers will understand and advanced developers will appreciate. Database planning, UI design, reporting, scripting, and Web integration. The authors emphasize programmers' tricks, miscellaneous hacks, and doing a high-quality job under commercial pressures.

Product Description
Special Edition Using FileMaker Pro focuses on experienced developers who are looking for expert advice. The book provides you with in-depth techniques and helps you solve real-life problems. The book assumes a basic knowledge of FileMaker, but no knowledge of relational database theory or planning and designing a relational database. Topics covered include (all topics are taught with hands-on usage of FileMaker Pro): Understanding, planning and designing a relational database; maintaining the database; crafting a user interface; putting your database on the Web; and reporting.

This book obviously is not meant to hold your hand while you do your own coding. It encourages you to take the examples and develop further on your own. Because it is set up with this self-learning concept in mind, it never fails to let me down, and I never feel talked down to. There are plenty of tips and tricks to boot as well. There are few books that continue to inspire long after a new version of the software has been released. This is definitely one of them.


Not very Special Edition   October 11, 2003
 1 out of 4 found this review helpful

This book can't be for serious developers.

You will read to Chapter 8, Crafting the User Interface,
page 214 (out of 532) before seeing anything that's
more than "do the right thing"-type of generic advice.

It's too bad, since the applications I've downloaded
in a quest to get a handle on FileMaker are all very
attractive. This book, however is not helping me
with the simplest of tasks: how to use FileMaker Pro
to turn an Excel spreadsheet into a useful database.
Importing the data and cutting the flat Excel file is
easy to do with the help of the FileMaker Pro user
interface. Coulombre and Price point out the FileMaker
model isn't stricly relational. I"m still looking for
the "how to" join (or relate) my Christmas card history
to the address file. Having created the relationship,
this is where the FileMaker help falls off rapidly, and
you might expect this book to become useful. It doesn't.

The chapter titled "Dumb Portal Tricks" should have included some
simple, or straight-forward "how to" map a portal into the
layout.

The layout chapter could have included one example of how to
put tabs on the layouts. The authors give good reason to prefer
tabs over menus in organizing an application. I believe them.
It will have to remain on faith, lacking necessary evidence.

I'm not breaking the seal on the accompanying CD since there
is no information in the book about what to expect. The rest
of the book offers little hope the CD will be more help with
specific tasks.


Great guide for overall development   May 14, 2003
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have a pretty nice library of FileMaker books and this is my favorite. The thoughtful review of how to consider a design on paper before developing, along with hints about how to interact with clients and use diagrams gave a structure to my communications with clients that is professional and powerful. In addition to this there are amazing hints and chapters of information that I (joyfully) continue to refer to in my development practice, though I've had the book for years now. More than any other, it put me in control, and I am grateful.


A Great companion to User Manual   March 28, 2003
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

If your an intermediate user to FMP, you'll love this book. If you're an advanced user, good scripting and reporting info and good webifying Chapter. Also, good case studies and planning chapters.
But if you are new to FMP, except for the chapter on planning, you need to have a basic understanding of the program. Otherwise, it is the beginner and intermediate who will really benefit from this book.
It also contains a CD which has great examples of invoicing, billing & inventory control to great scripts and layouts. If you can only buy one book to accompany the user manual, this would be my choice at the present.


a book for real-world filemaker users   October 21, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This book is not for beginners, as it explains very briefly fundamental FM concepts. Instead, there are many very useful tips and insights on how to succesfully develop a real-world app.
I personally found the script section invaluable, this book really upgraded the way I use Filemaker.