Using this book for Filemaker version 8
I'm developing a database for a local community library using Filemaker version 8. I found this book in a second hand bookstore and this is the most useful book of three books I use. The other two are "Using Filemaker 8" and "Functions and scripts".
This book is on Fimaker 6, so a lot of material is absolete (or incorrect) in version 8, but still the basic functions and concepts are very well structured and presented. Especially I like the description of functions -- when we use them and when we don't. You may buy it for $0.50 or $9 at amazon.com. It is a steel.
Still useful after all this time
Even though this book was written for an earlier version of FileMaker, I am glad to have it in my library as a reference. It is readable and many of the principles described apply to any database, regardless of version.
The writing style won me over. I could pick a quote from nearly any section of the book, but I'll choose one from early on: "Every time you wait in line to get grocery money out of an ATM, you are waiting to access a database."
It could have been written: "Every time you get money out of an ATM, you are accessing a database." Dull! The example was made immediate by including the
"grocery money" and the "wait in line" parts of the experience.
The style includes humor, of course: "...if you had a degree in mathematics or were, yourself, a robot..." (p. 10, talking about creating unique IDs for your database).
I started at Chapter 0 and worked my way through the entire book. Even with my background, which was not that of a beginner, I learned something from nearly every page.
The most helpful chapters to me have been:
Chapter 15: Designing, Estimating, Planning, Developing, and Managing FileMaker Projects
Chapter 5: Developing Relational Databases
Chapter 12: FileMaker at the Center: Emulating or Integrating FileMaker Pro with Other Software (an eye-opener to me).
The chapters I refer to most often (after 15 and 5) are:
Chapter 14: FileMaker Pro Development Conventions
Chapter 7: ScriptMaker
Appendix A: Useful FileMaker Tips and Tricks
These are the chapters that have tattered the book.
Great Reference!
Databases have always been difficult for me, even after 20 years in network design. FileMaker seemed to be the answer - power, clean design - everything a non-database person would love. But there is a learning curve, even with a great program like FileMaker.
Needing additional assistance, I turned to Chris' "The Book of FileMaker 6" because it was a) thick, meaning lots of information, and b) it came with a CD of examples.
After spending some time with his book, I can heartily recommend it as a "must-have" for anyone using FileMaker - beginner to pro. The book is well laid out, lacks the usual techno-jargon that crams other books and causes many reader's eyes to glaze over, and contains wonderful examples that allow even a new user to get working quickly.
Having written many articles and step guides myself, I can appreciate the work it took for Chris to put this book together. The examples, both those in the book and on CD, are useful, straightforward, and practical.
Bottom line - if you use FileMaker, you need this book...
Helpful, but not in script writing
Though it does give elaborate a bit on most ins-and-outs of Filemaker Pro 6, it doesn't go much into scrip wrtiting: a few lines, a few examples, not much 'general' syntax, and all its parameters. Anybody knows of a book that just teach you about (Filemaker Pro 6) scripts and scripwriting?
Perfect experience on reading book of FileMaker 6
The Book of FileMaker 6 is the first book that I have asked friend to buy and Fedex for me. It's an excellent text book that I've ever had to lead me through my simple database development. Although English is not my native language, I found that the book is written in a very simple way and easily for understanding.
Another wonderful thing is that the book is covered entire feild on FileMaker 6. For example, the FileMaker Developer, FileMaker Server, FileMaker Mobile and FileMaker Pro etc. You'll find it very useful once you have it. I do looking forward to see the book of FileMaker 7 thatis going to be written by Chirs Kubica.
(42 reviews)
