which way to publish?

[saralee]

Hi, I'm wondering which way to publish my FM database. I need to test if all my scrips developed in my client side would work in the web-based interface. I tried IWP (instant web publishing) but seemed like some functions did not work.

I have a button in one layout which would trigger another window (layout) to open, but it is not doing it via IWP. I heard there are servers and CWP options too. Which one should I try? BTW, I'm not working on the server PC. Our office did purchase FMPro Server which comes with the Server Console. Do I need to use that? since it includes the PHP web assistant function which I guess might help with opening multiple windows.

I'm just confused about server, client and web publishing in general!

Thanks a lot!

[Matthew F]

With Instant Web Publishing you should be able to create buttons that change layouts or go to related records. If you open the related script (Scripts > Manage Scripts...) you can toggle the 'Show Compatiblity' field to read Web Publishing. This will dim the steps that don't work with IWP and give you an idea of where the problem is coming from.

Filemaker Server comes with something called 'PHP site assistant' that allows you to setup web pages easily. However, all of the templates just interact with 'flat files', i.e. they will not display related records such as in a portal. If you're going to use IWP with a server, then you will need Filemaker Server Advanced.

[saralee]

Hi mfero,

Thanks for your useful information : I just wonder if there is a way to change the left side pane (with search, browse features etc) in the published web interface. Obviously IWP produces a standard web interface.

Also, I found out my portal in the web interface still does not work properly. For example, the button I created does not open up a new window as what it does in my client side. I don't know if this is implementable at all in the web interface. Please advice.

I also installed the FM Server Advanced in my PC, so now I'm a bit more confused about the web publishing part. Once I uploaded my database in the server, I'm able to access it via a localhost URL. Am I still doing Instant Web Publishing in the server end? Seems that there is no other options, but I still would like to tweet the interface (to change the left side pane)? Will I be able to do that?

Hope it makes sense. Thanks a lot!

[Steven H. Blackwell]

I just wonder if there is a way to change the left side pane (with search, browse features etc) in the published web interface. Obviously IWP produces a standard web interface.

Lock and Hide the Status Area in the startup script of the FileMaker Pro file. But then you have to construct UI elements for all the items supplied in the default, particularly exiting the IWP window.

You might want to consult the IWP documentation that comes with the Server product.

Steven

[Matthew F]

I also installed the FM Server Advanced in my PC, so now I'm a bit more confused about the web publishing part. Once I uploaded my database in the server, I'm able to access it via a localhost URL. Am I still doing Instant Web Publishing in the server end?

It is possible for the same machine to host files with FM server software and to access them as a client. The server is a daemon that runs in the background but does not have an interface for directly accessing your data. However, you can access them with FMPro software with the 'Open Remote...' dialogue and specifying your computer's IP address on your local network. I assume the same holds true if you are using FMServer Advanced and access the files via IWP using a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, as the client. In that case you specify either 'localhost:' or your local IP address, followed by the port number.

All that being said, its generally not advisable to be using the same machine as both the server and a client. The server ought to be a dedicated machine, meaning it is not advisable to do any other activity on it at all. This is particularly true if your database is mission critical or if you're a professional setting up a system for others. However, in practice FM server seems to tolerate a localhost client without any difficulty, which is useful for testing. In my opinion, other activities on the computer, particularly those that might run the risk of a system freeze or requiring a restart, are more dangerous.

[Matthew F]

...my portal in the web interface still does not work properly. For example, the button I created does not open up a new window as what it does in my client side.

A portal not working correctly and a button not working correctly sounds like two different problems. You didn't say what's wrong with the portal. Is your button performing the 'go to related records' script step? I believe this should work with IWP, but I don't remember whether the 'show in new window' option is supported. Does the button show the related record in the same window?

[saralee]

Thank you for the detailed explanation!

Regarding the button issue, the button runs "show related records" script, and it shows the record in the same window. But when I first created it in FM Pro, the button opens up related record in a separate window.

Regarding my portal issue, my portal is designed to show part of data in another related table, including fields like babyID, babyFirstName, babyLastName, babyBirthdate in tblBabies. In FM Pro, I set babyID as an auto-enter field, and birthDate is a calendar field, but when I publish it in the web interface, the babyID field cannot be automatically generated upon creation, and there is no calendar option shown up for the birthDate field. Any ideas about what is going on?

Thanks a lot! :

[Matthew F]

...when I publish it in the web interface, the babyID field cannot be automatically generated upon creation...

As a workaround you could probably create new records with a button linked to a script that automates the serial number creation by going to the field of interest and using a 'Set Field' step with the following calculation:

GetNextSerialValue ( Get(FileName) ; Get ( ActiveFieldName ) )

You can then auto increment the serial number with the 'Set Next Serial Value' step.

[saralee]

Thanks! I have figured the issue out.. I discovered that once I enter the info in other fields after the ID fields, the ID will be automatically generated. The web interface behaves differently from the development interface in FM Pro...