Newbie - external scripts and external fields?

[art_calif]

I am modifying an older (FM6) Filemaker file. It scores sailboat races and allows 25 races. Each race is a separate table (and file) and then there is another separate table (and file) to summarize and total the results of individual races. In each race there are numerous scripts and fields. I'd like to have the fields defined in the summary files and simply referenced from the files for the individual races. Is there any reason I might not want to do that? How is the best way - define in summary, redefine in each race by cross-referencing to the summary definition OR simply reference from each race script directly to the definition in the summary file?

Also, it would be quicker to modify scripts if I put all the scripts in the summary files and merely called them from the individual race files. With the scripts in the individual race files I need to edit 25 times to implement in every race. Is there any disadvantage (or difference) if I were to have each race file call the same external script as opposed to its own unique version (which would be exactly the same in every race file).

I know that I could upgrade to a later version of Filemaker and put everything into one file but I don't have the time to do that now as it would require me to completely rewriting everything as opposed to merely updating a few scripts in each file.

Any advice GREATLY appreciated!

Art

[Fitch]

Why not do all the races in one file? Just make the race number a field, so you can Find / Sort / sumarize on it.

[art_calif]

Why not do all the races in one file? Just make the race number a field, so you can Find / Sort / sumarize on it.

If I was making a new database I would certainly consider doing that. I am not. I am modifying an existing structure wherein each race file has the same 70-90 scripts and 20-30 fields.

What I want to know is if I can move some of the scripts and fields from the individual race files into the summary file without impacting how everything works. I am presuming that if I run an external script it acts just like a local script does. If the external script accesses a field entitled "race number" then when it is run in the Race01 file it will access the field "race number" in the Race01 file but when it is run in the Race02 file it will access the field "race number" in the Race 02 file. But, I don't know that for sure.

[Fitch]

When your summary file's script runs, it does so from the context of the summary file. So no, it doesn't act like a local script.

Since you can't use script parameters, you might for example use global fields in the summary file to pass data from the race files, and then run your summary file scripts. It's hard to say without knowing specifically what these scripts do.

Either way it sounds like enough restructuring that my original suggestion might be as easy or easier to implement: add a single field and do a one-time data import of each file.