Get List of All Accounts

[jscooper]

Maybe I'm just not seeing it, but it doesn't look like there's a script step or function that returns a list of all accounts in a database, regardless of whether or not they're currently logged in. I was hoping for something akin to LayoutNames(fileName) -- like AccountNames(filename), or maybe a Get function.

[Fenton]

Nope. I looked also. I believe they considered that it would be a security risk. And I can't see what it would really be used for.

What were you wanting to do with it?

[jscooper]

I wanted to give some users to ability to mess with accounts/permissions on a limited basis. I have the menus disabled in a solution and I was hoping to have an "Admin" layout to allow basic adding/removing of accounts without opening up the whole solution with a full access password. I can still do it, but I can't use a menu to select from a list of existing accounts when editing/deleting. Oh well, I think I can make it work anyway using an accounts table; it would just be nice to be able to grab the names from the actual existing accounts in case they ever DO get changed in the normal Define Accounts dialog or in case anything happens to the table. Thanks.

[Fenton]

One thing I've done is to set up a single table (or file in may case, as this was a multi-file converted solution; where it's almost mandatory to handle accounts via scripts). If you give them the ability, via scripts, to add and delete accounts, and change passwords, then they don't have to do it manually; and you have more control over what happens.

The scripts aren't very difficult. Here's an example file:

http://www.fmforums.com/threads/download.php?Number=112911

[Steven H. Blackwell]

The Database Design Report returns a list of all Accounts and information about them.

Steven

[Lexan]

I'm in trouble just like You and I'm angry like you because these are informations you can easily get through a DDR report, so why FMPro7 can't do it with a design function? Security...?

My problem arose when I tried to create an interface in order to add/change/delete accounts into all the db files (often we need to separate our solution in two, three or more .fp7 files...)

Not all the customer of mine have got a PDC or AD or a something else.

Well, let me suppose there is no way to know how to get a list of all current accounts of a given files.

So,

Q1: How to verify there is not an account name into a file?

A1: Two ways. First way: try to add with a script command a new account. If you get an error the account exists! Second way: create an Account Management Interface (*) in order to manage your accounts.

This way you can easily maintain a list off all account names.

Q2: How to avoid the creation of an account if it does exist into a file?

A2: Look at A1!

Q3: How to modify an existing account name properties?

A3: No ways! Simply delete it (a script command) and immediately after re-create it with the new options! I suggest this user to logout from the FM Solution before you do this!!!

(*) take a look at Matt Petrowsky article: "538.Multi-System Deployment" at ISOFilemaker.com

Any other and better solution are welcome!

/Stefano

[pjdodd]

There is no scriptable way of pulling the current acccounts and or privilege sets in to a list - the security risk is too great, or perhaps filemaker are ****ing lazy.....discuss.

Like Fenton, I set up a separate table and fields to control users, passwords etc (called Admin, how original!)....and have only highest level users access this table and alter users and passwords. By controlling the accounts via scripts and a table you can also monitor who was added when, what privilieges they have and all that jazz. Im not sure about having such information in a seperate file, I prefer to keep it in the main database.

The only pains are having to think ahead to define what privilege sets are needed, and testing all the functions.

[Rushhour]

Hi Fenton,

can i take a look at that file...? its not there anymore..

Thanks a lot..

Kelvin

[Fenton]

A lot of sample files got disconnected when we moved to the new forum engine a few months ago. Here's a post with links that work:

http://fmforums.com/forum/showtopic.php?tid/112882/post/112911/hl/+Fenton/#112911

here are the files (2 slightly different techniques; both small files):

http://fmforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attid/5192/

http://fmforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attid/5193/

[Rushhour]

Thanks fenton.

But it prompt me for username n password..?

may i have it..

Thanks

Kelvin

[Fenton]

There is a text file in the download that tells you the passwords. They are slightly different for the 2 files, and I don't know which you've downloaded (or both). It would not be a good Account creation example if it didn't have some security.

Account gPW files:

Master Account: Dev

PW: open

Account PW creation files:

Master Account: Fenton Jones

PW: open

[Rushhour]

Hi Fenton

thanks.. i will play with it..

Kelvin =)

[Rushhour]

Hi Fenton really thanks for the file.

In my 'AdminCheck' layout, i wish to do just like your gstaff. But i can't put any buttons in my list table, how you actually do it?

Hope you can help me out..

Thanks a lot~

Kelvin

Overseas_Travel_Report_FMP.zip

[Fenton]

You can't put buttons in a Table View row. You must view as List. Which means you have to arrange the fields and labels in Layout mode so they look good. Then you can put a button in a row. But I don't really see what a button in a row has to do with Accounts and logins.

[Rushhour]

Hi Fenton

oh thanks a lot

Kelvin =)