Oracle --> FMP 8 (importing schemas)

[Gwen]

Hello. I am collaborating with an associate who uses an Oracle database. I currently have FMP 8 running on OSX. I would like to set up a new FMP database that uses the same schemas as the Oracle database. My questions are:

1. Do I need to be running FMP 8 Advanced in order to import database schemas?

2. Can someone recommend a format that Oracle can export to and FMP (Advanced) can import?

Thank you,

Gwen

[TimD]

If you upgrade to FMP 9, you can add the tables in the Oracle database as external SQL sources (ESS). From there, you can access the data in Oracle without needing to import it. And if you do want to import the data, you can copy the schema of the tables -- just select the ESS tablse in the list of tables, and paste them back in -- and FMP will create FileMaker tables for you.

-- Tim

[Gwen]

Dear Tim,

Thanks so much for your response.

Can you clarify what are the requirements on the Oracle side to make this work? My colleague already has an Oracle database in place. Would she need to add to or otherwise modify database structures, or is it only necessary for me to have FMP 9 to import the SQL schemas?

Thank you.

Gwen

[TimD]

Gwen --

On the Oracle side, you'll need to be running Oracle 9g or 10g. On the FileMaker side you'll need to be running FileMaker 9. That combo should allow you to easily access the data in Oracle from FileMaker.

Hope this helps!

-- Tim