I have a fairly large Filemaker solution built on FMP 5.5. I would like to upgrade it to at least FMP 8 to be able to run it on an OS X Server 10.5.

I am specifically interested in how I should proceed with replacing all the deprecated 'Today' functions (which are used heavily in my database). As far as I understand, this function is obsolete and should be replaced by 'Get(CurrentDate)'. Is this true? Can I just replace the function 1:1? Is there a simple way to go through all the scripts to do this?

I am also interested in other tips and tricks related to upgrading. So, please do share or point me to a source.

The "Today" function could also be stored, which can present a problem.

During the conversion FMP will create a new field "Today" if it finds any occurrences of the "Today" function. The referencing field is also adjusted to refer to the newly created field.

You could take action now or after conversion, it shouldn't matter a great deal.

There a lots of other references to migrating existing solutions - have a good look around the board - in particular watch out for file references.

I migrated a 40 file system 2 years ago, but it took me 3 months trialing and planning as I was in a live system - I was bug fixing for the next year!

I would download the white papers available at FileMakerinc.com

Here is a Tech Article to get you started Link

HTH

Lee

This is FileMaker's PDF re: conversion. There were others (the migration foundations big PDF,* but I cannot find its link on the publicly accessible FileMaker site; it is on the TechNet White Papers area).

http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/documentation/fm8_converting_databases.pdf

*Specifically this big PDF has other people's articles on migration. Ilyse Kazar's article on record-locking is a must read; and cannot be found anywhere else, I don't believe.

Overall, FileMaker's support site looks good, but is difficult to find older technical info.

[P.S. FileMaker's TechNet association (or whatever it is; mailing list forum) is $99/year. There is some addition stuff you can get, including trial versions of pre-release software. Say no more -]

Edited December 11, 200817 yr by Guest
trial versions

Overall, FileMaker's support site looks good, but is difficult to find older technical info.

Couldnt agree with you more...

Here is the link to the migration tech brief.

http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/pdf/techbrief_fm8_migrtn_found.pdf

Pg. 74 starts the "Record Ownership" section.

The PDF was in the link I posted.