Functions Reference

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ILEMAKER FUNCTIONS REFERENCE 354
Client/server architecture
The relationship between two networked computers that share resources. The client requests
services from the server, and the server provides services to the client.
Clipboard
A temporary storage area in computer memory where FileMaker Pro places the most recent
selection you've cut or copied.
Clone
A copy of a FileMaker Pro file that contains all the field definitions, tables, layouts, scripts, and
page setup options, but none of the data.
Column
When a database file is viewed as a table, a column corresponds to a field.
Combo box
A type of drop-down list you can set up in Layout mode. In the Data tab of the Inspector, select
Include arrow to show and hide list. The list will only drop when users click the arrow, not
when they enter the field.
Commit
To save changes to a database file. Certain actions such as navigating between records,
finding, and sorting do not change the file’s modification date. Other actions, such as changing
data in a record or changing a layout do change the file’s modification date.
Consistency check
A consistency check examines a file that may have been damaged due to, for example, an
unexpected quit. FileMaker
Pro reads every file block and verifies that the internal structure of
the block is valid and the block is properly linked to other blocks in the file. (A consistency check
does not read all the data within each file block or check the schema or higher-level structures in
the file; these tasks are performed by file recovery.)
Constant
In a formula, an unchanging value. For example, a constant can be a field name, a text literal
("Total:"), or a number. The value of the constant doesn't change from record to record as the
formula is evaluated. Text constants in formulas can be up to 253 characters long.
Container data type
Pictures, movies, and documents, such as Microsoft Word files and PDF files can be inserted in
a container field. Data in container fields can be embedded in the field, stored by file reference,
or stored externally.
Context
The table occurrence from which calculations and scripts are begun, and from which a
relationship is evaluated in the relationships graph.
Convert
Opening a data file from another application, which creates a new FileMaker Pro file containing
the data.
Also refers to opening a file created with a previous version of FileMaker Pro.
Custom function
A function that is not one of the default FileMaker Pro functions. In FileMaker Pro Advanced,
you can create custom functions that can be reused anywhere in the database.