FileMaker Pro 9 Bible (Paperback)

~ (Author), Dennis R. Cohen (Contributor)
Key Phrases: status area, relationships graph, script debugger, Manage Database, Set Field, Set Variable (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Refocused and completely rewritten with the needs of business users and FileMaker Pro developers in mind, FileMaker Pro 9 Bible shows you how to design an industrial-strength database, make it intuitive, and automate it with scripts and programming. From the fundamentals to data modeling to writing no-fail code, you'll find the clear, step-by-step procedures, solid techniques, and detailed explanations you need to master this powerful software and build the right solutions for your needs.

From the Back Cover

"Ray Cologon's contributions to the FileMaker developer community are unsurpassed. When Ray says something, we are all well advised to pay close attention."
— Steven H. Blackwell, FileMaker Pro expert, developer, and author

Before starting a FileMaker Pro development project, get this book

Refocused and completely rewritten with the needs of business users and FileMaker Pro developers in mind, FileMaker Pro 9 Bible shows you how to design an industrial-strength database, make it intuitive, and automate it with scripts and programming. From the fundamentals to data modeling to writing no-fail code, you'll find the clear, step-by-step procedures, solid techniques, and detailed explanations you need to master this powerful software and build the right solutions for your needs.

• Design dynamic layouts for screen and print

• Learn data modeling and examine data arrays

• Work with tables and SQL data sources, and migrate legacy data

• Manage lists, calculate summary data, and document your code

• Master scripting and the ScriptMaker

• Find out how to extend pivot data between tables

• Apply security and maintain the integrity of your data

• Create custom functions and use standards-based approaches

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (March 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470177438
• ISBN-13: 978-0470177433
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #304,361 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-have FileMaker Pro 9 book, March 27, 2008

By	Ilyse Kazar (New York City, Earth) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Whether you are a beginner or a well-seasoned professional FMP developer, the FileMaker Pro 9 Bible is a must-read book. Dr. Cologon covers an immense range of important information, and he will stretch your mind to the full range of possibilities with FileMaker Pro, all the while holding your hand and breaking it down with a remarkably effective teaching approach.

Topics range from the general (how databases fit into real life and your business needs; comparisons with other database development tools; a broad discussion of integration with existing systems and software) through the building-blocks of FileMaker solutions, and on up to state-of-the-art advice on concepts of optimization, modularization, innovative and sophisticated user-interface design, dynamic elements, logic, cutting-edge calculations, publishing your database to the Web, FileMaker's brand-new ability to integrate tightly with SQL databases via "ESS". The book also includes the special developer tools available in FileMaker Pro Advanced, and covers topics too oft skipped over in other books on the market -- backup how-to's and strategies, must-read information about good database husbandry and file recovery, etc.

In spite of handling this vast sea of facts, particulars, instructions and guidance, there is nothing about this book that is intimidating even to folks facing database development for the very first time. Cologon -- whose crystal-clear and engaging writing style is well-known to those who have read various discussion lists and forums over the years -- has organized and presented the information in a brilliant fashion that makes this book work both as a good read and as a reference tome. Information is presented in a sort of iterative fashion, covering certain areas of development (for example, creating layouts or scripts) several times over throughout the book, on increasing levels of refinement and complexity. Therefore, whatever level of experience you have under your belt, it is easy to figure out "where to jump in" when you have a question in mind, simply by scanning the table of contents. The TOC is organized the way I wish _all_ such books were designed -- its chapters and sections correlate with the kinds of tasks you need to accomplish and the series of questions that arise in your mind organically as you gain experience, rather than the menu-by-menu approach taken by so many technical books.

A word about the book's personnel:
Ray Cologon, to anyone who has looked at his demos, attended one of his Developer Conference sessions, or read the volumes of help he has offered on forums over the years, is indisputably one of the world's topmost FileMaker wizards. Among the other credits, tech editors Corn Walker and Jason DeLooze stand out similarly as geniuses in their field who, like Cologon, have contributed their patient and top-quality assistance to the broad population of FileMaker users and developers, from newbies on discussion lists to FileMaker Inc. itself. Having been so connected to the community over the years, these developers understand intimately what folks need to know and how best to present that information, and working in concert they comprise a FileMaker instruction dream-team. (I am not familiar with the other book personnel.)

Whether you are looking for your first FileMaker Pro 9 book or already have a shelf-full, whatever level of expertise you may have, I strongly recommend you click the Add To Cart button.

-- Ilyse Kazar

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Things I thought I knew about FileMaker Pro, April 18, 2008

By	C. Foster (Napa Vallley, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a full time FileMaker developer. I have been for fifteen plus years. I work alone.
Most of my clients are wineries or wine retailers with the occasional steel wholesaler and convention bureau to keep me honest. I use a lot of the advanced features of FileMaker.

I mention the above to frame my recommendation to buy this book. I bought it because Dr. Cologon's name is on it. His name may not mean anything to you, just yet, but it will after you read and use this book.

In FileMaker there are, seemingly, always several ways to accomplish your intentions. The trick is to plan your strategies in advance of doing a lot of needless or imperfect work. The way this book is laid out and the quality of the information will really advance your cause.

I decided to read "FileMaker Pro Bible 9" from page 1 to page 735 and overcome the temptation to skip over things I already knew - or thought I knew. It was worth it and not at all painful. If you read this book and know your client's business and objectives, you can't go wrong.

Having this book on the end of my desk means that I really don't work alone.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The FileMaker Gospel, April 17, 2008

By	Darren Terry (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Extremely well written and well researched, the FileMaker Pro 9 Bible is an excellent book, and Ray Cologon is an excellent writer. His depth of understanding, both of the product and of the greater database world in general, is awe-inspiring. The FileMaker Pro 9 Bible really does have something for everyone. It covers the topic of FileMaker Pro in a very comprehensive manner that is suitable both for database beginners as well as for seasoned FileMaker veterans.

Ray begins with an overview of what makes up a database, independent of the FileMaker paradigm itself. He then moves on to discuss how FileMaker fits into the database world, and then goes into detail on each aspect of the product. And he does it all with a deft touch that never confuses or intimidates the reader.

Whether you consider yourself a FileMaker Pro developer or merely use it as a tool to organize your information, this book is the essential reference for FileMaker Pro.