ODBC connection to FM v. 4.0...

[snokke]

Hi

I’d like to make a ODBC connection to my FM db. Because I’d like to make SQL queries to it.

The problem is that our company’s FM version is 4, and I have heard that an ODBC conn. requires version 5 or a expansive plug-in. What to do what to do…?

Can I upgrade the server version to 5 and let the clients remain at version 4 (can they still upgrade the db then?)?

Plzzzzz help me

/Grodan

[Kurt Knippel]

FMP 4 does not really implement ODBC into the application itself.

Your options are a plugin (of which there are several) or upgrading to FMP 5.

Given that FMP 5 now supports ODBC, I would assume that development of the plugins for ODBC connectivity has basically ceased, making them not a good idea in the long run. However they are actually pretty inexpensive.

Upgrading to FMP 5 (both server and clients) is the best solution, but will likely be the most expensive option. FMP 5.x uses a new file format and is not backwardly compatible with FMP 4. You will need to upgrade both clients and server.

[John May - Point In Space]

Note that most users have had poor performance results when using ODBC to connect to Filemaker. I'd suggest using a native interface like Web Companion or Lasso instead.

- John