FMP Books

Chris' material shows a sensitivity to the novice as well as moving the experienced user through a more and more sophisticated understanding of the power of FileMaker Pro's many features and functions. What stood out for me was that he also showed a sensitivity to the processes of needs analysis, software requirements, documentation and project management. While the 'The Book of FileMaker 6' is thick and these topics were not developed completely, he nevertheless covers their importance and the available software tools that can help create truly professional FileMaker solutions. Later on, I suggest that a full review of this section alone is worth merit since it introduces the topic so well. Kudos to him for doing that.

Chris starts the book at Day One, opening FileMaker Pro. He then takes us through a whirlwind tour of the product, its basic functions and features. In case you need to refer to a hard copy version of the FileMaker on-line help, Chris has included virtually all of it in printed form with matching screen shots. Insert a few post-it notes and you start to have a well-referenced tome for all of your development staff. I have looked hard for a product to complement the training that we provide to our clients and require our developers to take. Chris Kubica's Book of FileMaker Pro 6 is it.

While Chris' book has a lot of breadth, I was delighted to find it also has significant depth. His review of relationships and portals for example, not only provides a good solid insight into how relationships work and how portals are used, he also peels off another layer of the onion, revealing more sophisticated uses of both. His example (files are included on the CD) of how to add quantities in a portal without using the keyboard are inspired and the hidden portal trick is lucidly explained. Both techniques are valuable to any developer . His chapter on security and the availability of his 'Darn Good Security' model (again on the CD and downloadable from his site) can become a login technique for any system that has sensitive information.

The author took the time to collaborate with a lot of other developers to bring all the pieces together. As such, the material presented is cogently covered by experts in that particular area. The reader is the beneficiary of the real world wisdom gained by those who have traveled down the road perhaps further than most. The chapters on AppleScript and ActiveX, again surprised me with the depth of their coverage at introducing a novice or even intermediate FileMaker user to technologies which extend FileMaker Pro's functionality.

Chris took the time to thoughtfully explain some of the naming conventions and best practices that he's adopted to make his solutions easy to work with, easy to maintain and easier to bring other developers on board to provide support. This is a favourite topic of mine and what I liked about Chris' approach was his perpsective that FileMaker at any time can be called upon to work with other environments, such as the Web, ODBC - JDBC, XML and of course with plug-ins. His naming conventions conform to this perspective and therefore make his applications more amenable to use with these environments with little or no change.

Of course, when discussing scripts, it is an excellent time to introduce the reader to FileMaker Developer, a powerful development tool which allows the user to 'step through' scripts step-by-step by using the Script Debugger. Chris covers this off beautifully. And FileMaker Inc. feels so strongly about the benefit of this tool in improving developer performance that they now include it in the membership fee to the FileMaker Solutions Alliance. If you are serious about developing FileMaker solutions, you need to use FileMaker Developer. On top of that, Chris notes the several tools that have been developed to analyze your solutions and particularly the scripts you've created. The first is the Database Design Report built into FileMaker Developer and then some third party products that round out any developers toolkit including The Analyzer from Waves in Motion, MetaDataMagic from New Millenium Communications, Brushfire from Chaparral Software and Autoscript.fm Pro.

The entire section on Designing, Estimating, Developing and Managing FileMaker Projects would act as a great study book for individuals who want to upgrade their skills and broaden their capabilities as an all round FileMaker developer.

Conclusion

I really want to revisit the many topics after I've had more time to play with the example files, looked up the resources, and read some of the reference material. FileMaker Server, FileMaker Mobile, ODBC and SQL, Web publishing and then the plethora of solutions that Chris refers to (some of which I'm actively pursuing for a solution I'm working on right now!) are all reasons why this book deserves not only to be purchased and read, but to have a more complete reference site that allows you to access more and more of the material he recommends.

About the Reviewer

James Hea is the President of DataWorksPro Inc, the founder of the FileMaker User and Developer Group of Eastern Ontario (FUDGEO), an authorized trainer for CoreSolutions, a software developer, consultant and project manager. For more reviews on FileMaker publications, visit www.filemakerreview.com


An Excellent Resource!   November 10, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I've been an advocate of FileMaker since version 2.1 back in 1994. I've read the books, watched the videos, and practiced to create better databases. The Book of FileMaker 6 is probably the most complete reference I've read to date. The chapters are arranged in progression starting at the very beginning with "What is a database?". Don't let that fool you into thinking this is a beginner's tome. The latter chapters will test your true knowledge of FileMaker. If you are an experienced user feel free to skip over the early part of the book. But I wouldn't, as it is chocked full of tidbits and quips that correct any misconceptions or misinformation you may have acquired previously. I like the fact that the FileMaker application and The Book of FileMaker 6 covers both platforms. I'm a Mac user, but have to create databases that run seamlessly on Windows.
Through the course of The Book of FileMaker 6, and its accompaning CD, you are guided through creating a sample business database. Step-by-step instructions for the novice explain the basics of field definitions, setup, layout, creating records, entering data, and creating and printing reports. As you progress the chapters get more involved and demonstrate the powerful relationships created with FileMaker and how you can use that to your advantage. Jump in where you feel comfortable, you can't help but better your FileMaker skills. The CD contains hundreds of royalty free examples and tutorials that follow the book. The author encourages you to use them, change them, make money off of the them. He wants you to suceed!. The CD is organized so that each chapter of the book has a matching folder of additional information on the CD. You can read, learn and follow along at the same time. The book finishes with chapters on using FileMaker on the Internet with FileMaker Server, going portable with FileMaker Mobile and incorporating FileMaker with other external software.
I was particularly interested in the chapters on using FileMaker Server and learning more about how to use XML, ActiveX and AppleScript. The Book goes a long way toward aiding that understanding. Now I have to put to use what I've learned.
The authors writing style is comfortable in that you can grasp the meaning of the ideas without feeling like you are buried reading an instruction manual.


If you can only afford one FM book - make it this one   November 10, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I have been developing in Filemaker since version 3, but do so in isolation from other developers. So books are important to keep up to date and benefit from other's experience. I have a library of 10 or more Filemaker books, some specialising in particular areas, like web delivery. But if you only have time, space, or money for one general-purpose Filemaker book, then there is no question it should be this one.

I never have time to read a 'Lesson 1' style book - I am more likely to read a single chapter of interest, or use it as a reference. This book suits that role well. It will give you good knowledge of basic-intermediate development skills, and gives strong treatment to some more difficult subjects, like plug-ins and interfacing to other programs. If you are planning to work on web-delivery, this will get you started, but you should also get Advanced Filemaker Pro 6 Web Development (Bowers/Lane)


A must for all   September 23, 2003
 3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Great book and well thought out. Will appeal to novice thru expert. Touches on all major points relating to Filemaker and will be a great reference tool.

Lots of example databases which back up the book.