Use FileMaker® technologies to create powerful mobile data apps for iPhone®, iPod® touch, and iPad™
Apple’s FileMaker technologies make it easy to create powerful, data-driven apps for iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, and any mobile device’s web browser. In this book, leading FileMaker and iOS expert Jesse Feiler teaches you all the skills and techniques you’ll need, whether you’re a developer, knowledge worker, or manager.
Feiler thoroughly reviews each strategy for delivering mobile data using FileMaker Pro, FileMaker Server, FileMaker Go, and Bento. You’ll learn how mobile data-driven apps are different from traditional desktop-driven apps, and how to create highly usable interfaces for them. Step by step, Feiler demonstrates how to extend existing databases to mobile devices and the web, and how to create and optimize brand-new databases for iPad and iPhone.
This book brings together core principles, practical development techniques, and proven tips and shortcuts. You’ll discover the best ways to incorporate printing, touch interface elements, and location-based features into your apps; integrate data from multiple FileMaker and non-FileMaker sources; and much more.
• Use FileMaker Go apps to access FileMaker databases hosted on FileMaker Server or FileMaker Pro, or databases resident on a mobile device
• Move FileMaker Pro databases, scripts, and layouts to mobile environments
• Develop easy-to-use interfaces for mobile data apps
• Design FileMaker Go solutions for iPhone, iPad, or both
• Optimize FileMaker databases for FileMaker Go
• Integrate printing and charting features into your mobile database apps
• Use Bento to share data and synchronize libraries
• Work effectively with Bento records, fields, forms, and tables
• Build location-aware database apps for iOS mobile devices
• Import/export data from Bento, FileMaker, spreadsheets, and other sources
• Move FileMaker databases to the web with IWP, CWP, and FileMaker Server
Jesse Feiler is a developer, web designer, trainer, and author. He has worked with Apple mobile devices from Newton through iPad and has worked with FileMaker technologies since 1984. Feiler created ChamplainArts.com’s powerful iPad meeting management app MinutesMachine. His books include Using FileMaker Bento, Sams Teach Yourself Drupal in 24 Hours, The Bento Book, and FileMaker Pro 10 in Depth.
quepublishing.com
northcountryconsulting.com
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Part I: Data to Go
1 Making Data Mobile
Introducing the FileMaker Products for Mobile Computing
FileMaker
FileMaker Go
Bento
What Mobile Data Means
Introducing the Reservations Example
Entering Events
Entering Reservations
Processing Reservations
Looking at Reservations on FileMaker Pro
Looking at Reservations on FileMaker Go
FileMaker Go on iPad
FileMaker Go on iPhone
Looking at Reservations on Bento
Bento on iPad
Bento on iPhone
Looking at Reservations on a Mobile Browser
Further Steps
2 Introducing the FileMaker Architecture
Talking Databases
Using the Relational Database Vocabulary
Looking at SQL
Talking FileMaker
Working with the Interface Tools
Working with the GUI Development Tools
Talking Security
Working with the Interface Tools
Using Layout Mode
Introducing the Layout Mode Tools
How to Standardize Layout Objects
Scripts
How to Use a Script to Automatically Switch to a Mobile Layout
Working with the GUI Database Development Tools
Tables and Fields
Relationships Graph
Putting Together Layouts, Relationships, and Files
Creating a Layout
How to Create a Layout with the Layout/Report Assistant
Structuring Solutions and Sub-Solutions
Further Steps
3 Managing Data on the Move
Synchronizing, Copying, and Sharing Data
Synchronization
Copying
Sharing
Managing FileMaker Pro
Accessing Databases
Sharing Your Databases
Managing FileMaker Server
How to Manage Databases on FileMaker Server
Managing FileMaker Go
Accessing Local Databases
Accessing Shared Databases
Managing Bento
How to Set Up Synchronization Between a Mac and an iPad or iPhone
Further Steps
4 Working with Mobile Devices
Working with Your Fingers
What to Do Without a Keyboard
What to Do About Text
What to Do About Graphics
Integrating Without a Visible File System
Moving FileMaker Databases to Your Mobile Device
Inserting Files and File References into FileMaker Databases
Using Signature Capture
Using Multiple Files in FileMaker Solutions
Printing
How to Print with a PDF File
How to Print to a Printer for FileMaker Web Publishing
Further Steps
5 Preparing FileMaker for Mobile Use
Understanding the Mobile Difference
Working with a Limited Keyboard
Managing Your New Look-and-Feel
How to Use Autosizing to Change an Object’s Size
Working Around Menu Commands
Data Entry Without Typing
Using Auto-Enter Options
Working with Value Lists
Using Conditional Formatting
Using Self-Labeling Fields
Further Steps
6 Introducing FileMaker Server
About FileMaker Server
The FileMaker Server Product Line
FileMaker Server Versus Peer-to-Peer Database Hosting
FileMaker Server Capabilities
FileMaker Server Requirements
Installing and Deploying FileMaker Server
The Installation Process
The Deployment Process
Running FileMaker Server
Starting and Stopping FileMaker Server
Hosting Databases
Using Admin Console
FileMaker Server Overview
Administration
Configuration
Automatically Updating Plug-Ins
Preparing FileMaker Server
Preparing FileMaker Pro
Performing the Auto Update
Putting It All Together
Further Steps
Part II: FileMaker Go
7 Using FileMaker Go
About the Examples in This Chapter
Inventory
Reservations
Hosting Reservations on a Mobile Device
Starting Out by Sharing Inventory
Creating the Database
Sharing the Database with FileMaker Pro
Sharing the Database with FileMaker Server
How to Install a Database on FileMaker Server
Opening and Closing Files
Opening Files on iPhone
Opening Files on iPad
Reviewing FileMaker Go Settings
Using FileMaker Go Help
Working with a FileMaker Go Database
Working with Views
Working with Additional Commands
Working with Records
Navigating Through the Database
Managing and Editing Records
Adding a Photo to a Database
Searching for Data
Using Quick Find
Using Find Mode
Sorting Data
Further Steps
8 Optimizing FileMaker Databases for FileMaker Go
Understanding the Relationship Between FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go
Dealing with Old-Version Issues
Starting from Scratch for FileMaker Go
Refining Your Database Field Types
Reviewing Calculations
Get ( SystemPlatform )
Get ( ApplicationVersion )
Working with Preview Mode
Using Dynamic Subsummary Reporting on FileMaker Go
How to Convert a Preview Mode Layout to a Dynamic
Reporting Layout
Working with Custom Menus
Reviewing the Existing Menu Commands
Customizing Menus
How to Customize a Menu Command for FileMaker Go
Managing Script Issues
Get ( LastError )
Allow User Abort On/Off
Set Error Capture On/Off
Further Steps
9 Designing a FileMaker Go Solution
Introducing the Handheld Estimator and the Catalog
Introducing the Estimator
Introducing the Catalog
Building a Handheld Estimator for iPhone
Creating the Database
How to Set Up the Database
Building the Front Layout
How to Create a Basic iPhone Layout
Building the Back Layout
Implementing the Info Button
Setting Up Security and Default Behavior
How to Implement Customized Security
Testing and Revising the Project
Building a Catalog for iPad
Working with an Existing Database
Building the Layout Header Part
How to Create a Common Header Part
Building the List Layout
Building the Form Layout
Testing and Revising
Further Steps
10 Using Printing and Charting with FileMaker Go
Adding More Features to Reservations
How to Add a Joins Table to Reservations
How to Build an Event (or Attendee) List
Implementing Printing Features
How to Hide Interactive Elements
How to Set Moving and Sliding
Adding Charting to Your Database
Further Steps
Part III: FileMaker by Bento
11 Using Bento and Bento Libraries
Working with a Personal Database
Talking Bento
Database
Libraries
Records
Fields
Collections
Smart Collections
Working with the Bento Window on Mac
Working with Bento on iPhone
Working with Bento on iPad
Working with Libraries
Working with Libraries on Mac OS X
Working with Libraries on iPhone
Working with Libraries on iPad
Further Steps
12 Using Bento Records, Fields, Forms, and Tables
Taking Advantage of Bento’s Built-In Tools for Mobility
Looking at Fields
Using Bento Field Types
Editing Fields on Mac OS X
Editing Fields on iPad
Editing Fields on iPhone
How to Add a New Field with Bento for iPhone
Introducing the View Types on Mac OS X
Using Table Views
Using Grid Views
Using Form Views
Using Split Views
Working with Views on Bento for iPhone
Working with Views on Bento for iPad
Working with Related Data
Further Steps
13 Working with Location and Media Fields
Introducing Location Fields
Reviewing Geolocation Basics
Finding Your Location: The Operating System Side
Creating Location Fields
Using Location Fields
Working with Location Fields in Forms,Tables, and Grid Views on Mac OS X
Working with Location Fields with Bento for iPad or iPhone
Looking at Media Fields
Further Steps
14 Importing and Exporting Bento and FileMaker Data
Sharing Data with FileMaker and Bento
Importing and Exporting Records in Bento and FileMaker
How To Import Data into Bento
Exporting Data from Bento for Mac
How to Export Data from Bento
Importing Data into FileMaker Pro
How To Import Data into FileMaker Pro
How to Export Data from FileMaker Pro
Importing and Exporting Data with Bento Templates with Bento for Mac
Further Steps
Part IV: FileMaker Web Publishing: Instant Web Publishing (IWP) and Custom Web
Publishing (CWP)
15 Deploying FileMaker/IWP with FileMaker Server Advanced
An Overview of Instant Web Publishing
The IWP Story So Far
Getting Started with IWP
Enabling and Configuring IWP
Configuring FileMaker Pro for IWP
Configuring FileMaker Server Advanced for IWP
Sharing and Securing Files via IWP
Designing for IWP Deployment on iPad
Constraints of IWP
Scripting for IWP
Layout Design
Container Fields
Application Flow
Using an IWP Solution
Browse Mode
Edit Mode
Find Mode
Further Steps
16 Deploying FileMaker/CWP with FileMaker Server
Preparing for Custom Web Publishing (CWP) with PHP
Getting Your Databases Ready for Custom Web Publishing with PHP
Getting FileMaker Server Ready for Custom Web Publishing with PHP
Placing Files on the Web Server
Using the PHP Site Assistant
Building the Site with the PHP Site Assistant
Further Steps
A Using a Wireless Keyboard
Pairing and Connecting Bluetooth Devices
FileMaker Go External Keyboard Conventions
Pairing a Bluetooth Keyboard with an iOS Device
Unpairing a Bluetooth Keyboard from a Computer
Index
About the Author :
Jesse Feiler is a developer,web designer, trainer, and author.He has worked with mobile devices starting with Apple’s Newton and continuing with the iOS products (iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad). His books include Using FileMaker Bento (Sams/Pearson), Sams Teach Yourself Drupal in 24 Hours (Sams/Pearson), Get Rich with Apps! Your Guide to Reaching More Customers and Making Money NOW (McGraw-Hill), Database-Driven Web Sites (Harcourt), How to Do Everything with Web 2.0 Mashups (McGraw-Hill), iWork ‘09
For Dummies (Wiley), The Bento Book (Sams/Pearson), and FileMaker Pro in Depth (Sams/Pearson). He has developed software on a range of platforms ranging from Mac OS X, iOS,Windows, and mainframe computers. His clients represent a variety of organizations, including nonprofits and governments, production management, publishing, and banking. He is the author of MinutesMachine, the meeting management software for iPad.There are more details at champlainarts.com. A native of Washington, DC, he has lived in New York City and currently lives in Plattsburgh, NY. He can be reached at northcountryconsulting.com.
