Learning Curve?

[honkyinc]

Hello, everyone!

I have yet to purchase FM Dev, but I have seen what it can do and would like to use it to develop some solutions for a business my friend is starting. I have a strong background in web programming (most notably in PHP and Perl), and would like to get your opinions on how steep the learning curve is for FM Dev?

Would it be worth it for me to try to learn FM Dev to make a couple solutions, or what?

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks!

[kenneth2k1]

Hi

FM has one of the smallest learning curves relative to other db programs. What type of databases will you be building and for what purpose? Once you answer this question, we can tell you how difficult it will be. You may not need Developer per se. I think the learning curve may bend depending how complex or simple your solutions will be.

Fortunately, this forum is filled with intelligent and experienced men that have dealt with just about every aspect of FM. Heads come together here.

Ken

[honkyinc]

I'm really not sure what 'type' of database this is going to require, though I know that it will have to be interchangeable with MS SQL Server/Access.

It's going to be a 'customer tracking' system that will need track these things (and, of course, record them into a database):

1. Customer Information

2. Customer's Dog Information

3. Customer's Dog's Vaccination Records

4. Customer Invoicing

5. Schedule of sorts

I don't think the solution will have to deal with the company's payroll, as I believe she is outsourcing that solution.

Both 1 & 2 require all the usual data (Name, age, sex, address, etc. and breed and other dog-type info for 2).

3 will be linked to 2 as far as queries go, and there are really only three types of vaccinations that dogs need for this business.

4 is just billing for clients.

5 is scheduling consultations, interviews, etc.

Thank you all for all of your help! )

[SteveB]

Developer itself really doesn't have a learning curve, but FM does. If you've never written software before, it will require concentrated effort. If you have some experience, it will be fairly easy...even pleasurable. You might want to look at the templates on the Filemaker web site (especially Frameworks) since its rarely worth time to reinvent the wheel.

[falkaholic]

FM isn't too hard to learn, but database design is. I would recommend getting a basic book on it. That will help you more then you'd think. Most of the problems ppl have (weither they know it or not) is on the design; not FM itself.

[kenneth2k1]

True, design theory is good to know. I think paramount is just sitting down, writing down all the fields you will need (not to mention and ER diagram), all the functions you will need, and where you would like them. Then you wont just pile crap wherever there is room on a layout (which is how I started out).

[SteveB]

One of the best books is Special Edition 'Using Filemaker Pro 5' by Rich Columbre for relational techniques. For scripting, try Scriptology which was written for v4 but still has relevance.

[CobaltSky]

In addition, you'll find quite a bit of useful information (not to mention discussion) online. Apart from the Forum (and other less well known ones), you might like to pay a visit to some other key sites such as:

FileMaker Today:

http://www.filemakertoday.com/

Databasepros"

http://www.databasepros.com/index.html

LayoutMode:

http://www.layoutmode.com/index.html

ISO Productions:

http://www.filemakerworld.com/

FMPro.org:

http://www.fmpro.org/