Renaming files and updating internal links - V5/6

[NYPoke]

Background: We run a v5.5 Server, v6 Clients on a Windows Server/Network. We have 200+ files on 3 Servers.

We take copies of our financial files (about 15-20) each week and each month. Our managers & accounting department use these files to track our data on a weekly & monthly basis.

Wish List: I would like to automate the process of Renaming the files & Updating the Internal Links.

At this point, we come in Monday morning (or the 1st of the month), and use the FileMaker Developer Tool to perform this process. The files are large, and at this point, I move them to my machine, rename them & move them back to a special folder on the Server.

This process requires some time (30-40 minutes), but mostly it requires me to be here early Monday morning (ack), or to get hounded when I come in.

I do not see anything in the FileMaker Developer scripts to handle this. We have a copy of Dialog Magic from New Millenium, but at this point, their DM-RenameFile process does not appear to update links. Will check further into it.

Anybody every try this (& hopefully with success)?

[SteveB]

Look at Wilsonware's WinBatch, which can automate virtually anything. web page

[NYPoke]

Well, this is some impressive scripting. But, our main problem is not renaming the files (I can do that easily). The problem is how to keep the links/relationships intact in the process. Only way I know to do that is with the FileMaker Developer Tool - manually.

So, if File1 and File2 connect relationships, field references and what not. They need to be valid with File1 becomes FileOneA, and File2 becomes FileTwoB.

When File1 name changes, File2 needs to update its references, and vice versa.

[SteveB]

Thats right...you need to run Developer. But you can automate the entire process using WinBatch. I've done something similar...I use Developer to create a runtime, create new folders, save the last version(s) in to old folders, etc. all automatically. WinBatch will enable you to popup and control Developer dialogs.

Steve

[NYPoke]

"WinBatch will enable you to popup and control Developer dialogs."

I will take a look at it. Maybe I haven't made the connection yet. You ran the complete process without manual intervention?

I'm impressed. I'll look into it further tomorrow.

Thank You

[SteveB]

Yes, it does the whole thing without intervention. WinBatch has a whole bunch of extenders that come with the product. One of the extenders, called Control Mananger Extender, along with a tool also supplied, called Roboscripter, will enable you to control dialogs. Their customer/tech support is superb (unlike Filemaker's). I use WinBatch as a more powerful Windows analog to Applescript.

On their web site, there is a list of extenders and what each one does.

Steve

[NYPoke]

"Their customer/tech support is superb (unlike Filemaker's). "

That's funny. I needed a good laugh to finish the day.

[NYPoke]

Worked great. Took me about 30 minutes to download & get the basics going. I spent a little longer yesterday, figuring out how to drag&drop with the mouse. But, I have the files into the Developer Tool now, with the Rename button clicked.

Just working on how to effectively rename the bunch, then I should be set.

Thanks for the help.

[SteveB]

I'd suggest you take a good look at doing more than you've planned with just the developer tool. I use WinBatch for a popup calendar, dialogs, interface to MS Word, emailing, zipping, PDF, etc.

Steve

[NYPoke]

Most certainly. Some of my limitations come from the number of users we have (not sure of the exact count). But, we have 13 offices in 8 states, plus a good sized corporate staff.

The costs of putting a version on each station is high, but doable if it is really useful. Actually installing it is another subject.

I will definitely look at Server side stuff, and some limited Accounting uses. If I find enough use for it across the company, I will pitch it to management.

[SteveB]

You can purchase the compiler version which will enable you to put .EXEs on all the users machines at no cost beyond the compiler.

Steve

[NYPoke]

Well, that's just too cool.

I'll make sure they send you a comission check.

Our Server is overloaded & we are trying to complete an Accounting System integration. When I get a breather, I'll see what kind of things we can do with it. It looks like a way to avoid Plug-Ins, but I could be wrong.

BTW, are you an old C programmer?

I noticed the similarities of this scripting to C, not as close as Java/Java Script but still there. Plus, not many people quote Mr. Kernighan

[SteveB]

No, I'm an old Fortran programmer. WinBatch has a syntax that is far easier to deal with than C. To me it looks more like Fortran or old Basic. Its got a great debugger, and very useful documentation.

You can even have WinBatch migrate .exes across the network onto user's machines. I've literally saved thousands over buying plugins.

Steve

[DykstrL]

Man! I haven't heard anyone mention Fortran in ages! That was the first programming language I learned. Waaaaaay back in the 70's. Glad to see there's some other oldsters out there. You made my day, Steve! Thanx.

[SteveB]

Surprisingly, it's still in use...I think Microsoft markets a Fortran compiler.

Steve

[NYPoke]

I'm pretty sure the Engineering dudes (& dudettes) still use Fortran quite a bit.

My first computer class was in Fortran (Spring of '82). Had 2 classes with it I think. We used PL/1 for our Alogrythms classes (where I learned serious coding). We had a couple Assembly classes. I loved Assembly. I took one Ada Class as well, just covering the language.

In 1984, I took a Data Structures class that used C. After a couple more classes, I wound up coding in it for the next 12-13 years, along with SQL/Oracle/Informix & the like. Been a while, but I can pretty much still do it in my sleep.

Anyway, I have my script working (THANK YOU). I pick up a group of FileMaker Files from an Explore Window, move them into Developer with the Mouse and Rename each file (that was an adventure).

Still have to select the final destination, but that should be the easy part. Had to use the Control Manager Extender, but finally got it.

(The Developer Tool doesn't have its Buttons & List Box named very well. Took me a day or two to pick it apart.)

[SteveB]

I also wrote in PL 1, Pascal and a little Cobol.

When you're ready for really interfacing WinBatch to Filemaker, let me know.

Steve