Can I do this?

[Gula]

We are planning on buying filemaker 7 developer version.

But before we do that, is it possible to write a standalone application in developer version, like one could write with VB for example?

I mean will we still need filemaker installed on each machine to run that standalone application, or it can exist on its own?

[EddyB]

Hi Gula,

You can create standalone applications with Developer. This means that you do not need FM on the machine running the application, it can exist on it's own. The only thing to note is that it is a STANDALONE solution, it is not a networked solution. It is single-user only.

Alhough, saying this it is also worth noting that a runtime solution created with Developer can be hosted using FM Server, but then each machine would need it's own copy of FM to access the shared application.

Hope this helps!

Ed.

[Gula]

yes, helps, thank you

Now, I assume you know pretty well FileMaker and some other databases, like SQLServer or Oracle. if you were to start completely new project, not large, but in future may grow, what would you choose?

Why I'm asking is that I have worked with FileMaker Pro version, and was disappointed in the beginning, because I was so used to SQL and relationships, later I got used to it and found FileMaker had it own nice features. Then we built a huge online project using CDML and now CDML is not supported.

If I was to use PHP, as I understand, I still couldn't use SQL - that doesn't excite me.

Do you think it is better to go with some other database?

[EddyB]

Hi Gula,

This is all down to personal preference really. Being in a Fm forum, I suspect nearly everyone here will recommend FM, including me!

I use SQL for some projects, for example a message forum similar to this one. But my first choice for user databases is FileMaker all the way.

Ed

[Fenton]

First, I'll say first off that I ain't no web expert, though I have built a few CDML sites.

There are a couple misunderstandings. PHP works with SQL, it's common as dirt (though I have no idea how to do it :-)

PHP also works with FileMaker. There is a special class, FX.php, written for it, available at http://www.iviking.org.

Not only that, the author, Chris Hansen, has teamed up with web guy Steven Knight to make an extension to either Go Live or Dreamweaver which will allow almost "point-and-click" construction of PHP-FM web pages. It's not done yet, but you can see the movie at: http://www.fmwebschool.com/fxphp.htm

Also, FileMaker Server 7 Advanced (Web) will include a CDML to XSL converter (not ready 'till summer). That may be all you'd need.