What kind of consultant do I need???

[Getchi]

We would like to automate the process of assigning codes to book pages. Presently the codes are entered by hand (gasp). Our vendor uses these codes to produce a CD that contains PDFs of the book pages in a folder structure that replicates the outline structure of the book; i.e., on the CD, chapter-level elements like chapter tests would be in top-level folders; section elements like section quizzes would be in sub-folders.

I have basic Filemaker skills and will probably need to hire a consultant. Can this even be accomplished using FileMaker? If not, what type of programming skills should I look for a in a consultant? Thank you!

Example:

Chapters and sections are represented by decimals: "Chapter 2.1" means Chapter 2, Section 1

Code Pattern: codes have four positions; e.g., 01AA: Starting from the left, positions 1 and 2 stand for the chapter number; position 3 stands for the section level; position 4 stands for the section element.

Book element: Chapter 2.1 Lesson

Element Code: 02AA

Explanation: the "02" stands for Chapter 2; the first "A" stands for section 1; the second "A" stands for first element of section 2.1

Book Element: Chapter 2.1 Study Guide A

Element Code: 02AB

Explanation: the "02" stands for Chapter 2; the first "A" stands for section 1; the "B" stands for second element of section 2.1

Book Element: Chapter 2.1 Study Guide B

Element Code: 02AC

Explanation: the "A" stands for section 1; the "C" stands for third element of section 2.1

Book Element: Chapter 2.2 Lesson

Element Code: 02BA

Explanation: the "B" stands for section 2; the "A" stands for first element of section 2.2;

Book Element: Chapter 2.2 Challenge

Element Code: 02BB

Explanation: the first "B" stands for section 2; the second "B" stands for second element of section 2.2

Book Element: Chapter 2.2 Quiz

Element Code: 02BC

Explanation: the first "B" stands for section 2; the "C" stands for third element of section 2.2

Book Element: Chapter 2 Test Form A

Element Code: 02_A

Explanation: the third position is empty because Chapter Tests are not section specific; the "A" stands for first chapter-level element.

Book Element: Chapter 2 Test Form B

Element Code: 02_B

Explanation: the third position is empty because it's a Chapter Test; the "B" stands for second chapter-level element

[Fenton]

Basically you have a nested structure, with line items files branching down from top to bottom, all are one-to-many. This could be done as 1 "flat" table (or file pre-FileMaker 7). But that isn't correct; and there's no real reason to do it (unless it's already done, and you've already labelled everything; but then you wouldn't be asking the question :-). It would be best in FileMaker 7, as tables within one file. No muss, no fuss. But it could also be nested related files pre-7.

When it comes time to export you could fairly easily step through this structure and use AppleScript to make the folders, according to the data in FileMaker, and a combination of FileMaker exports and AppleScript renaming could fill up the folders with the book pages. I don't know that you really need the vendor at all, if that's all he's doing. This is quite fast. I've done with with html pages and gotten about a page a second, on my old computer; folders are even faster.

As far as getting the correct marking, most of the work would be done by variations using the Choose () function and an alphabet list. Create a test database file. Create a calculation field. Paste in this calculation.

Choose( Status(CurrentRecordNumber), "", "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G", "H", "I", "J", "K", "L", "M", "N", "O", "P", "Q", "R", "S", "T", "U", "V", "W", "X", "Y", "Z" )

Create new records. The field will be "A", "B", "C", etc.. Choose is "zero-indexed" (is that the right term?), so the 1st choice is for 0, so it's blank above ("").

Attached is a somewhat wacky file I did once, to show how to produce a Harvard outline from FileMaker (among other "Loopy" things). I had to download it from my web site, 'cause I've since converted all my v3 files on my computer to v5 (or even v7). You're a little behind the times :-] But this can be done in v3. It would be easier in 7 though.

Let me know if you want more help. Send me a private (or public) message. I've got some AppleScript folder-naming routines also.

LoopLoop.zip