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FileMaker 2026 Released

The Philosophy of FileMaker

A blog by John Mark Osborne in Affiliate Blogs

  • Entries

    182

  • Comments

    3

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    22,040

Entries in this blog

FileMaker vs Web

One of the most common FileMaker fallacies is a web browser client will save money. I hear it almost weekly from the people who contact me directly. I get it. Everyone wants to save money. But, just because a web browser is free doesn't mean it saves you money. This article will consider specific points about why a FileMaker client provides a better experience for the user than a web browser at the same price. View the full article

Scripting Primer

What is FileMaker Pro scripting? It can be defined as automation, a macro and even a programming language. FileMaker Pro scripting has elements of all these definitions. The original purpose of scripting was to automate the mundane task of printing a report. Since it repeats most of the items under the menus, it can also be considered a macro language. Yet, it is so much more! With logical branching, it can even be considered a programming language. The FileMaker Pro Script Workspace is a beauti

Scripting Primer

What is FileMaker Pro scripting? It can be defined as automation, a macro and even a programming language. FileMaker Pro scripting has elements of all these definitions. The original purpose of scripting was to automate the mundane task of printing a report. Since it repeats most of the items under the menus, it can also be considered a macro language. Yet, it is so much more! With logical branching, it can even be considered a programming language. The FileMaker Pro Script Workspace is a beauti

Finding FileMaker Talent

Recruiting FileMaker talent isn't always as easy it may seem. Productive Computing tells you how they succeed in growing talent out of college graduates. With short presentations of the capabilities of FileMaker and discussions about their company, Marc Larochelle is able get graduating students at a local university interested in a career in FileMaker. "There’s really nothing more rewarding than seeing the next generation of FileMaker developers come alive with the same enthusiasm and inspirati

KISS

In the last few years, I've subscribed to the KISS methodology (Keep It Simple Stupid). Call it wisdom or humility, I'm not sure which. All I know is, after over two decades in the FileMaker market, I've discovered the simplest solution is most often best for my clients. It costs less and performs better, in most cases. I know all the tricks, having practically wrote the book on the subject, but there is a time and a place for complex methods. What I'm here to convince you is, choose complicated

KISS

In the last few years, I've subscribed to the KISS methodology (Keep It Simple Stupid). Call it wisdom or humility, I'm not sure which. All I know is, after over two decades in the FileMaker market, I've discovered the simplest solution is most often best for my clients. It costs less and performs better, in most cases. I know all the tricks, having practically wrote the book on the subject, but there is a time and a place for complex methods. What I'm here to convince you is, choose complicated

Ultimate Find

When I first started teaching FileMaker scripting, I went through the entire list of script steps and provided a simple example of each one. By the end of the third day, we had covered every script step but with no depth. More questions remained than were answered. That’s when I decided to focus on the most important steps. Instead of spending valuable time teaching scripts steps most people would never use in real life scenarios, I decided to concentrate on steps that are used over and over and

Ultimate Find

When I first started teaching FileMaker scripting, I went through the entire list of script steps and provided a simple example of each one. By the end of the third day, we had covered every script step but with no depth. More questions remained than were answered. That’s when I decided to focus on the most important steps. Instead of spending valuable time teaching scripts steps most people would never use in real life scenarios, I decided to concentrate on steps that are used over and over and

Robust FileMaker Design

Have you ever inherited a system built by someone else, changed a field’s name and everything stopped working? The issue, hardcoded names used in indirection, makes the system fragile. FileMaker provides developers many methods to add flexibility using indirection. However when these instances of indirection are not treated properly they will raise all sorts of problems. In this article we will discuss good practices regarding indirection that will help you build a dynamic and robust FileMaker s

Robust FileMaker Design

Have you ever inherited a system built by someone else, changed a field’s name and everything stopped working? The issue, hardcoded names used in indirection, makes the system fragile. FileMaker provides developers many methods to add flexibility using indirection. However when these instances of indirection are not treated properly they will raise all sorts of problems. In this article we will discuss good practices regarding indirection that will help you build a dynamic and robust FileMaker s

Phone Filter Part Two

This is part 2 of the phone filtering solution. If you haven't read then it's a good idea to start there. Even if you are familiar with filtering phone numbers already and just want to read about the recursive version, it's still best to read part 1 to familiarize yourself with the approach. And, you never know, you might find a nugget of truth! View the full article

Phone Filter Part Two

This is part 2 of the phone filtering solution. If you haven't read part 1 then it's a good idea to start there. Even if you are familiar with filtering phone numbers already and just want to read about the recursive version, it's still best to read part 1 to familiarize yourself with the approach. And, you never know, you might find a nugget of truth! View the full article

Phone Filter (Part 1)

Phone formatting is one of my favorite techniques because it teaches so many important concepts. The interaction between a complex formula, auto-entry and validation is fascinating to me. There are so many possibilities, as well as potential hazards, when combining different components. When you get the hang of it, there is nothing like the feeling of weaving a new ability through the union of multiple features. View the full article

Phone Filter Part One

Phone formatting is one of my favorite techniques because it teaches so many important concepts. The interaction between a complex formula, auto-entry and validation is fascinating to me. There are so many possibilities, as well as potential hazards, when combining different components. When you get the hang of it, there is nothing like the feeling of weaving a new ability through the union of multiple features. View the full article

Phone Filter Part One

Phone formatting is one of my favorite techniques because it teaches so many important concepts. The interaction between a complex formula, auto-entry and validation is fascinating to me. There are so many possibilities, as well as potential hazards, when combining different components. When you get the hang of it, there is nothing like the feeling of weaving a new ability through the union of multiple features. View the full article

Trigger Tightrope

Script Triggers are one of the most fascinating features in FileMaker. Triggers augment existing features like auto-enter and validation as well as introduce completely new functionality not available through button driven scripting alone. The ability to define a script to execute based on a defined event fills so many gaps, their power can never be underestimated. There is no doubt amazing features can be created using Script Triggers. With the power of FileMaker scripting firing behind the sce

Field Forestry

It’s easier to type in all your fields at one sitting and never enter Manage Database again. However, most people can’t plan a solution that extensively and frankly, it really isn’t necessary. FileMaker is very forgiving and will let you add, change or delete fields and automatically update all references or even warn you if the field is used somewhere like in a relationship. With that said, it is still ideal to enter the bulk of your fields in one sitting, especially if your requirements docume

To Separate or Not

Professional developers pay attention to the number of files in their FileMaker solutions because it’s a crucial factor in good database design. Most developers utilize the standard single file structure because it makes development easier. On larger multifaceted projects, a developer might use several files for separate areas of the company. A smaller set of developers like to use the separation model to avoid issues with updates to their solutions and other benefits that will be explored. It’s

To Separate or Not

Professional developers pay attention to the number of files in their FileMaker solutions because it’s a crucial factor in good database design. Most developers utilize the standard single file structure because it makes development easier. On larger multifaceted projects, a developer might use several files for separate areas of the company. A smaller set of developers like to use the separation model to avoid issues with updates to their solutions and other benefits that will be explored. It’s

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