PDF FileMaker Pro 14 The Missing Manual Susan Prosser Stuart Gripman 9781491917480 Books
Download As PDF : FileMaker Pro 14 The Missing Manual Susan Prosser Stuart Gripman 9781491917480 Books
You don’t need a technical background to build powerful databases with FileMaker Pro 14. This crystal-clear, objective guide shows you how to create a database that lets you do almost anything with your data so you can quickly achieve your goals. Whether you’re creating catalogs, managing inventory and billing, or planning a wedding, you’ll learn how to customize your database to run on a PC, Mac, web browser, or iOS device.
The important stuff you need to know
- Dive into relational data. Solve problems quickly by connecting and combining data from different tables.
- Create professional documents. Publish reports, charts, invoices, catalogs, and other documents with ease.
- Access data anywhere. Use FileMaker Go on your iPad or iPhone—or share data on the Web.
- Harness processing power. Use new calculation and scripting tools to crunch numbers, search text, and automate tasks.
- Run your database on a secure server. Learn the high-level features of FileMaker Pro Advanced.
- Keep your data safe. Set privileges and allow data sharing with FileMaker’s streamlined security features.
PDF FileMaker Pro 14 The Missing Manual Susan Prosser Stuart Gripman 9781491917480 Books
"I thought there was quite a bit missing from this "Missing Manual" despite the fact that it's over 900 pages. Having said that, I should also make clear that I'm coming from a different place than most readers. I've built relational databases for over 30 years in environments other than FileMaker so I stumbled in some cases trying to unlearn things. In any case, there are a few things I'd like to point out which might help those using this book:
- The authors speak of using Entity Relationship Diagrams in Filemaker (although they do make reference in a note on page 200 that the diagram you'll be creating is, in the most technical sense, a real ER diagram). For those of us who have deep knowledge of ER diagrams please DO NOT pass over that distinction. If you think of the Relationship Graph in FileMaker as an ER diagram, it will cause you all sorts of problems. FileMaker's relationship graph is, from my perspective, a visual representation of data relationships but also interface design and process logic.
- If you want to get a better grasp of Relational Databases in FileMaker, I recommend Cris Ippolite's FileMaker tutorial series found at lynda.com. I also found that the book FileMaker Pro 10 by Ray Cologon (although 4 versions back) had a better discussion of the relationship graph.
- The Missing Manual book has a very light discussion of the Anchor Buoy approach on pages 619-620. Anchor Buoy is an approach specific to FileMaker that you won't find in any other database environment (that I know of) but it is an important one for FileMaker. The authors make a brief suggestion to search the Web for the terms anchor buoy, FileMaker data model, or FileMaker Relationships graph. Definitely DO THAT and, as the book suggests, join the FileMaker Community and look at the white papers there. Do NOT depend on this book for an understanding of Anchor Buoy.
- The FileMaker Community also has a video presentation posted from the last DevCon: Data Modeling Beyond Anchor Buoy - presented by Jason Young.. Highly recommend viewing that if you want to expand your knowledge in this area.
- The discussion of the Execute SQL script step on 535 is accurate as far as it goes but also incomplete. It gives the impression that the Execute SQL is only used with ODBC data sources but I've several highly experienced FileMaker developer friends who praise its use with native FileMaker tables as well. One of the advantages is that Execute SQL allows you to link data within FileMaker without having to create a FileMaker relationship to do so.
- I also didn't see any discussion of Virtual Lists. You can find discussion of FileMaker Virtual Lists at a number of places on the internet, but you could start here: http://mightydata.com/virtual-list-in-3-easy-steps/
- The book discusses FileMaker runtime solutions without making any note of FileMaker's plan to deprecate Runtime Solutions for future versions. Granted, the deprecation isn't absolutely certain (probably 95%+, though) so I can understand the book continuing to touch on runtime solutions. However, to not even mention FileMaker's intent to deprecate such solutions seems to be disingenuous at best.
I would have given this book 2 stars or less if I was just looking at the relational database aspects of it and the book's stance on FileMaker runtimes.
However, the book does have a lot of very useful guidance and I recognize my perspective is that of a deeply-experienced database developer (although still relatively new to FileMaker) looking at complex application development. For those who simply want to learn to use FileMaker and/or do fairly simple development, this book provides a good companion to the official FileMaker documentation and training.
These latter factors are the ones which have, in the end, persuaded me to give it a 3-star rating rather than a lower rating. Just be aware of some of the limitations listed above."
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FileMaker Pro 14 The Missing Manual Susan Prosser Stuart Gripman 9781491917480 Books Reviews :
FileMaker Pro 14 The Missing Manual Susan Prosser Stuart Gripman 9781491917480 Books Reviews
- I thought there was quite a bit missing from this "Missing Manual" despite the fact that it's over 900 pages. Having said that, I should also make clear that I'm coming from a different place than most readers. I've built relational databases for over 30 years in environments other than FileMaker so I stumbled in some cases trying to unlearn things. In any case, there are a few things I'd like to point out which might help those using this book
- The authors speak of using Entity Relationship Diagrams in Filemaker (although they do make reference in a note on page 200 that the diagram you'll be creating is, in the most technical sense, a real ER diagram). For those of us who have deep knowledge of ER diagrams please DO NOT pass over that distinction. If you think of the Relationship Graph in FileMaker as an ER diagram, it will cause you all sorts of problems. FileMaker's relationship graph is, from my perspective, a visual representation of data relationships but also interface design and process logic.
- If you want to get a better grasp of Relational Databases in FileMaker, I recommend Cris Ippolite's FileMaker tutorial series found at lynda.com. I also found that the book FileMaker Pro 10 by Ray Cologon (although 4 versions back) had a better discussion of the relationship graph.
- The Missing Manual book has a very light discussion of the Anchor Buoy approach on pages 619-620. Anchor Buoy is an approach specific to FileMaker that you won't find in any other database environment (that I know of) but it is an important one for FileMaker. The authors make a brief suggestion to search the Web for the terms anchor buoy, FileMaker data model, or FileMaker Relationships graph. Definitely DO THAT and, as the book suggests, join the FileMaker Community and look at the white papers there. Do NOT depend on this book for an understanding of Anchor Buoy.
- The FileMaker Community also has a video presentation posted from the last DevCon Data Modeling Beyond Anchor Buoy - presented by Jason Young.. Highly recommend viewing that if you want to expand your knowledge in this area.
- The discussion of the Execute SQL script step on 535 is accurate as far as it goes but also incomplete. It gives the impression that the Execute SQL is only used with ODBC data sources but I've several highly experienced FileMaker developer friends who praise its use with native FileMaker tables as well. One of the advantages is that Execute SQL allows you to link data within FileMaker without having to create a FileMaker relationship to do so.
- I also didn't see any discussion of Virtual Lists. You can find discussion of FileMaker Virtual Lists at a number of places on the internet, but you could start here http//mightydata.com/virtual-list-in-3-easy-steps/
- The book discusses FileMaker runtime solutions without making any note of FileMaker's plan to deprecate Runtime Solutions for future versions. Granted, the deprecation isn't absolutely certain (probably 95%+, though) so I can understand the book continuing to touch on runtime solutions. However, to not even mention FileMaker's intent to deprecate such solutions seems to be disingenuous at best.
I would have given this book 2 stars or less if I was just looking at the relational database aspects of it and the book's stance on FileMaker runtimes.
However, the book does have a lot of very useful guidance and I recognize my perspective is that of a deeply-experienced database developer (although still relatively new to FileMaker) looking at complex application development. For those who simply want to learn to use FileMaker and/or do fairly simple development, this book provides a good companion to the official FileMaker documentation and training.
These latter factors are the ones which have, in the end, persuaded me to give it a 3-star rating rather than a lower rating. Just be aware of some of the limitations listed above. - I have both the print and version of this manual. The print version is so heavy and thick that it's hard to lay it open on a desk to view while you work, and a pain to lug around; and the many in-text references to other parts of the manual are very confusing. With the version (I use it on iPad next to my laptop), it's just a flat screen, of course, and the in-text references are links that easily pop back and forth. If you need to carry the "missing manual" around with you, by all means get the version.
- This manual is very useful for people new to FM Pro and veterans, like me. I have their missing manual for FM Pro 8, and this one goes well beyond that earlier effort. Bravo It is much better than other FM Pro manuals in my opinion.
- I am an experienced FileMaker user (current release is version 15). This book sits on my reference shelf. When I need to know the subtle details of some FileMaker process, this is my GoTo source. This book is not, and is not meant to be, a tutorial for a beginning FileMaker user. These folks should look elsewhere for their FileMaker tutorials. The fact that this book is for Filemaker Pro 14 and we are currently at FileMaker 15 make no practical difference to me. The differences between 14 and 15 are so minor that the value of the book as a reference is not degraded.
I have argued elsewhere that calling the latest FileMaker release a version 15 was marketing hype. The differences are so subtle that the release should have been a free upgrade to 14. - Great way to learn FM Pro, and also a decent reference for beginner to intermediate developers and users
- The only problem with these sorts of manuals is finding the specific piece of information, that is, knowing what the calls it. I need to know what I am doing wrong in creating a data base that causes only some of the entries (imported from Excel) to appear. Clearly I'm over my head, but it would be really fine if the manual took into account that not everyone has the same skills or the experiences.
- Great resource - waiting on the newest version.
- Like most of the Missing manual books this is a good reference to the FM 14. Of course I buy it and they come out with FM 15 a few weeks later.
