First Post

[gtag]

I'm new to FMP and as I design my first database I am wondering if it is possible for FMP to build new databases based on user input. Let me explain. Say I am making a database for fantasy surfing. I want my friends to be able to participate in my database so I want to build it so each person can begin their own team database based on a few simple radio buttons asking what type of things they will want to track, what computer they are on, etc. Is this doable? Like a splashpage kind of thing that creates databases based on user input.

[Vaughan]

"... I am wondering if it is possible for FMP to build new databases based on user input."

The smart-arse answer is "that's what FileMaker Pro already does" and that's true, but it's not helpful to you.

FMP could be used to create a database that offers user customisable configuration (which is a limited but achievable version of what you are asking for). Somebody has to create the database and work out how to make all of the stuff customisable and the user-selectable options work, which means working through all of the options and combinations and building them in, then making them selectable. But it's a heck of a lot of work, and not a project for beginners

It's achievable to end up with a fantasy surfing database with customisable features, but not achievable to have a database that, with the selection of a few radio buttons, could be a fantasy surfing database for one person and an invoicing and customer management system for another.

Something to remember is that customisable features add complexity, and the more customisable it is, the more complex it becomes. I have seen systems that bent over backwards to have ultimate customisability, and ended up falling over because of it. They become maintenance nightmares.

If it's your first database then set your goals on getting a basic fantasy surfing database built. Save the customising and group collaboration for version 2.

BTW I have no idea what a fantasy surfing database is.

[gtag]

OK. this is very helpful. My plan is to build a database and then build something that allows someone to select from various things in order to set up a new database preconfigured for the selections that one makes. For example, mens vs womens - by selecting one or the other, the databse would be preconfigured to have all players already entered in a table with all stats attached. I would also be interested in allowing users to define certain kinds of ratings for each person so that filemaker can make its own predictions based on the variable surrounding each contest. Since its all just math, I assume there are ways to program filemaker for that kind of thing?