Stand Alone App

[zero]

I have created an FMP Solution which I think would be helpful to a niche group, but I'm afraid that this niche group may not all have a copy of FileMaker Pro, so I want to make it self-contained if possible.

I am assuming that the term "runtime", which I've seen in these posts, means a self-contained application(?) Assuming I am correct on this point, then my question is whether I need ANY programming skills (because I have none) in order to take this FMP Solution that I've created and make it into a self-contained, stand-alone application that I may distribute freely to others?

FYI - I am using FMP 5.5 on a Mac G4.

Thanks for any advice...

[Lee Smith]

The biggest hurdle will be that you have to have the Developer edition of FileMaker. If you have that, then let us know.

Lee

)

[zero]

Not quite yet. But based on what I find out from this site, I will be buying (or not) Developer 6, which I think I saw on FMP's site.

[Chuck]

FileMaker Developer is required to create runtime solutions, but if you're going to distribute a solution you've created, simply binding it with Developer will probably not be enough. Keep in mind that you are using this system because you built it (which tells me you have more programming skills than you give yourself credit for). You know the ins and outs of the system and how to do everything. Someone else coming to it for the first time is not going to be as familiar as you are with it.

If you want to publish this product in order to make income with it, I will probably need to improve it so that it can be used by those familiar with the industry with little or no training. All operations will probably need to be scripted, even going to other layouts and records.

Take a look at some of the solutions built with FileMaker that are for sale and you'll see that the successful ones script everything, protecting the user from having to learn anything about FileMaker.

Of course, you may already have your system to this state, in which case, hey, just get Developer and bind the thing.

Chuck

[SteveB]

If you're dealing with Windows, it also makes some sense to obtain an installer so the user can just stick a CD into his drive and have your solution installed without the user having to do anything. You might also want to look at doing a kiosk, which is generally much easier on users (altho more work for you).

[danjacoby]

Additionally, if you want your solution to be cross-platform, you need to bind your solution two or three different ways -- once on a Windows computer, once on a Mac using OSX, and if you want it available to Mac owners who don't yet have OSX, once on a Mac running an older OS.

Yeah, you're creating an application, and you need different versions of the application for different operating systems.

[fabravo]

I have the mac version of the Developer tool... I need to create PC runtimes... how? Can I get the PC tool somewhere or do I need to by the whole package for Windows?