Developer’s Guide

Contents
Chapter 1
Getting started
About FileMaker Developer 7
Using the FileMaker Developer documentation 7
Where to find PDF documentation 8
Registration and customer support 8
About the license key 9
Abiding by the license agreement 9
About the TechInfo database 9
Chapter 2
Using FileMaker Developer features
Creating Database Design Reports 11
Using the Script Debugger 12
Using the File Maintenance feature 14
Using custom functions 14
Creating custom functions 15
Editing custom functions 16
Deleting custom functions 16
Duplicating custom functions 16
Chapter 3
Using the Developer Utilities
Overview of preparing your solution files 17
Modifying database solution files 18
Creating an error log 20
Considerations for a runtime database solution 20
Checking file references 21
Binding files for both platforms 22
Binding databases into runtime database solutions 22
Choosing filenames for runtime database solutions 23
Assigning three-character filename extensions 23
Setting the binding key 25
Modifying bound runtime files 25
Saving and reusing Developer Utilities settings 25
Modifying a set of solution settings 26
Converting and upgrading solution files 26
Importing data into upgraded runtime solutions 26
Removing full access privileges from databases 27
Chapter 4
Distributing runtime database solutions
Organizing solution components 29
Mac OS X runtime application package 29
DLL files for Windows runtime solutions 30
Extensions folder for Windows solutions 30
Choosing a distribution method 30
Reducing solution size 30
Using a custom installation program 31
Using a compression utility program 31
Sharing solutions over a network 31