programmatically converting csv file to fp7

[HoodSmack]

I am not a filemaker user or developer, however we have a client who wishes to receive data in Filemaker format so I have to find out which product I need to purchase. All I need to do is take a csv file and convert it. Nothing else really. I am doing this in C#.

The main question is - do i need to purchase Developer 7, or can i get by with the runtime available with FP7? I downloaded the trial version of FP7 to try and work with the runtime, fumbled my way thru attempting some scripts, but to no success. Someone's advice on the right product will enable me to get a purchase order written out.

The next question, time permitting, is - what would be the best method to do this? Any tips would be great for this Filemaker illiterate (but not for long hopefully!)

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Lee Smith]

Hi HoodSmack and welcome to the Forum.

I'm a little confuse by your reference to C#, and I'm not quite sure what your question is. But since you are not familiar with FileMaker, let me try and clear up some of your questions about the FileMaker as I read into your Posts.

FileMaker Pro (AKA The Standard Edition) will do what you have described. The file that you downloaded is a complete working Standard Edition of FileMaker that has a 30 day trial period. Other than that, there is no difference between it and what you would purchase. One thing to keep in mind though is that there a vast difference between the current version (i.e. v7) and earlier versions of FileMaker Pro (i.e. versions 5, 5.5 and 6), so be sure that whatever you purchase is one that is compatible with your clients.

FileMaker Pro Developer is a package of tools that are directed at the developer market, but the FileMaker Program in it is the Standard Edition. However it does contain both a Mac and a Windows versions. One of the tools in in the package is the one that allows you to bundle a Standalone Solution.

Standalone Solutions are nothing more than a solution that is tied to a Limited version of FileMaker. The FileMaker itself has been stripped of many of its' abilities and functions.

I hope this clears up your question, but if not, please let us know.

HTH

Lee

[Fenton]

As Lee says, all you need is regular FileMaker (unless you really want to get into it), the same version as the client has. But my question is why the client even needs this?

FileMaker can easily open a .csv file and convert it to FileMaker. If it's the field (column) names that he wants, there's an option, during opening, to use the 1st row of the data as the FileMaker fields. It may be you need to modify your .csv to include the names, if that's what he wants; but that's still just changes to the .csv text file.

It wouldn't hurt to have FileMaker (you might actually like it). It's not that expensive. But you're just going to be doing the same thing he'd be doing, opening the .csv file. Hopefully he's a good client, making this worth your while :-)

[HoodSmack]

Thank you both for a quick reply. I don't think I may have explained myself very well - apologies. Appreciate your comments and they are helpful.

I am coding this in the c# language. I added a reference to the runtime library for my project and attempted to work with the interfaces provided. I am only getting errors however when I instantiate a new ApplicationClass.

Perhaps I should have posted this on the Developer Discussion instead since I am asking more of a developer question.

I hear you Fenton about the client need. Probably the large amount of money they pay us is a driving factor to meet their needs. Thanks again for your input.

[SailHawaii]

I believe the runtime in FM 7.0 will accomplish what you need. In the help files for FM 7.0 search for activex... you will find docs on the runtime lib and possibly the reason for your errors.

Try VB instead of C#