Filemaker or Other Database for Web

[carlschneider]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some advice on creating some new dynamic database websites. I am a longtime user of Filemaker (I think since version 2), but I still have limited skills, and practically no CWP skills. I am exclusively Mac.

I have a couple of new websites I need to have developed for some new companies (some startups I have been working on myself). These websites will be relatively simple, basically consisting of user registration/log-in, some products, shopping cart, checkout, admin, and a few other things.

I am trying to figure out if it makes more sense to have these websites developed with Filemaker (and Lasso?) or some other database. I had a website developed a while back with all of these same functions as CWP using FileMaker and Lasso. Most of this code could probably be reused (by this same development company) to develop my new websites.

Here are the pros and cons of going with Filemaker (and Lasso) as I see it:

Pros:

1. I can use the Filemaker database and easily access the data offline. I could not access the data from other databases offline, since I am Mac only.

2. A lot, if not all, of the Admin could be done offline. I think all Admin of any other database would all have to be online, since I am Mac only.

3. Already have most needed code in Lasso, as well as FM database that could be reused.

4. I could setup and edit much of the database myself, at least in the beginning.

Cons:

1. Cost of Hosting Filemaker websites (min $40/month), much less expensive with other more-common databases.

2. Less universal

3. other unknown limits to Filemaker

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about this, as most of you have way more experience than I. I'm sure there are many other pros and cons that I haven't even thought about.

I think if I choose the correct path now, I will save a lot of headaches later. Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions.

I am using Filemaker Pro 9, and Mac OS 10.4.11.

Edited November 23, 2007 by Guest

[carlschneider]

I'm still hoping for some opinions here.

I am also hoping for some advice about possibly using MySQL as a data-source with PHP.

[Genx]

Well for one, no one really uses Lasso anymore... well i'm sure there are some people but everything has switched to more of a PHP API / FX.php orientation.

Yes its not easy, and if you wanted to learn SQL, now would probably be the time to go for it... that being said, there are less security concerns relating to FM (i.e no need to fear sql injection), your data goes straight to your FM database (though you could use ESS with FM 9) and over all I at least find it a slight bit more pleasant dealing with the FM API than with SQL... some times.

... THAT being said, MySQL and SQL platforms in general obviously have a huge following in comparison to FM so you're more likely to get help, not that the FM CWP community exists is bad, its just comparably small.

PS I happily disclaim everything above purely as opinion.