search a database

[LVA]

I've been reading about getting started with CDML on TechInfo Knowledge Base and I've managed to get the quick test to work.

But what I really need to know is if using CDML I will be able to search a filemaker database on the web. The user would have some filters on the webpage to search and after he entered the submit button there would be a report webpage with the information he asked for.

Is this possible to be done using CDML ? If not , does someone know how to do it using something else ?

I use windows, Filemaker 5.5 and 6.

[Unable]

For working examples of CDML you might try searching the Sample Files forum. There are three or four samples at least which members have posted.

[Anatoli]

Searching is very simple in CDML

[Steve T.]

Hi, Luiza! Just about anything you do in FMP, you can do via CDML (just about) but there are some things you should be aware of...

(1) IP address limitation. I keep forgetting what it is but it's something like 10 IP's in a 12-hour period or something so if you're serving to the internet, you'll either need FMP Unlimited or FMP 4.x which does not have the IP limit.

(2) Security. There are a number of security issues to educate yourself about if you will be storing any confidential information. I think most folks on this forum use the Web Security database FileMaker provides but some users will tell you it is less than perfect.

(3) Limited. FMP web publishing is awesome and I highly recommend it but advanced users have to supplement CDML with JavaScript or other types of coding to get what they want. As Anatoli says, basic FMP searches, edits, and whatnot are easy and can be done entirely w/CDML. SEARCH page > SEARCH RESULTS page > DETAIL page Also, information from your db has to pass through the web companion (WC). This means you cannot display data from your db on your first web page without workarounds. In the typical S > SR > D example I mentioned above, the SEARCH page only has INPUT boxes. I hear folks also have trouble with value lists from relational databases but there's probably more info about that in the posts.

As to using anything else, yeah, you can use PHP, LASSO, et al. but I'd recommend starting w/CDML since it is easiest and does not require any additional installations or purchases. If you are acquainted w/HTML tags you should have no trouble w/CDML. If you have no coding experience, it may take some time to learn (staring at some simple HTML source code may help you decide if you're up to it). If you are an advanced developer, you may find it insufficient for all you needs and will have to use other products to supplement it.

Hope this helps you get started. --ST