I am the newest newbie when it comes to Filemaker. We purchased Pro 8 to help us manage our client list. My first job is to compare our list of clients to the OFAC terrorist list. I have created a database listing our client's last names "client" and the terrorist last name "terrorist". I need to write a script that compares the first 4 letters of each client name to the first 4 letters of all terrorist names and output something that will show me any matches.

I've been looking for a website or book that will help me understand script writing, but I'm not having much luck. I understand what I need to do, I just don't understand which functions, script steps, etc to use and how to use them. #1-can anyone point me to a resource that will basically train me to use this program and can someone point me in the right direction for this script?

There's probably someone on here with a cleaner way of doing it, but if i was tackling it (the novice that I am) I would do it as attached.

P.S I have only run this on the first 4 characters as specified. You may want to tweak it to further narrow down the match after??

p.s admin is the login (no password)

test.zip

Edited November 23, 200520 yr by Guest

I would probably do it similar to the modified attachment, which requires fewer fields and could be considerably faster, depending on the number of terrorist records.

testv2.zip

kiwiora, I'm trying to understand your script so I can start to write my own. What does /*terrorist::tname4*/ designate or do? I understand SetField to mean we are changing the contents to whatever that above does.

chance in browse mode but, in find mode, set only for the search !

Queue - Where does your script make the search? I'm really trying to understand here and I'm having a terrible time. I need specific help. How do I tell the program to compare client record 1 to terrorist record 1-999, then tell it to compare client record 2 to terrorist record 1-999. My database name is sdn222 and the two fields are client and terrorist.

I'm sorry to sound so stupid, but I really can't figure out how to make either of these work.

Edited December 2, 200520 yr by Guest

GinTx,

Queue's solution runs a script that uses the power of relationhips instead of doing a find. Basically the script runs through every record in your terror list. If there is a match in the client table, it goes onto the next record to check. If there in not a match it omits the record. When it finishes running through the whole list, you will have a list left with those that match your criteria.

The two tables are being related by a match field key that has the first 4 letters of the names.

Hope this clears it up.

So, do we catch many terrorists with this sophisticated scheme?

Actually, it doesn't clear it up. The script didn't work, either one. On Queue's script, I put in a name that I knew would match to test the script, I got the answer that there were no matches.

My problem lies in that I don't know how to edit the scripts because I don't know what they do. For example, on Queue's script, where does it designate the first 4 letters? I see that nowhere. And, I never got an answer to my question about what /*terrorist::tname4*/ does. I cannot tell it what field to do that to if I don't know what it does.

I really don't want to sound ungrateful here, because I'm very grateful for the help. I just can't input my part of the scripts if I don't know what I'm supposed to edit and what I'm supposed to leave alone. I'm at the point where I will pay someone to write a script for me that will work. If anyone wants the job, let me know.

My problem lies in that I don't know how to edit the scripts because I don't know what they do.

Why do you want to edit ? It seems to do his job !

For example, on Queue's script, where does it designate the first 4 letters? I see that nowhere.

Queue didn't designate the first 4 letters in the script; he did in the "Define Database", that you can reach from:

File-->Define-->Database...-->Fields.

Cname4 make the calc for the first 4 chars of the Client name; Tname4 make the calc for the first 4 chars of the Terrorist name

BTW: If your DB is really only of 2 fields, you can import those names into Queue DB, so you'll better try it !

Why dont you post a copy of your fiel with dummy information in it so we can take a look at it to help you. There is some miscommunication going on here.

We need to fully understand what exactly you are looking for to help you best.

Ok I think I understand what you have done -- but is it possible to make this script look at a text file or just one field that I could cut and past the OFAC list in. makes updating the list very easy??

Is there a way just to make a Pass or Fail script if the name appears? No need for a report

I have attached the OFAC list so you can see what I am talking about.

sdnlist.zip