On the heels of launching FileMaker 8.5, I received the following via email just a couple of days ago:
FileMaker is pleased to announce the start of a public beta preview of the FileMaker Application Programming Interface (API) for PHP, the leading scripting language for the web, available now at http://www.filemaker.com/phpbeta.
About the FileMaker API for PHP Beta
The FileMaker API for PHP is an interface that allows FileMaker data and data definitions stored on FileMaker Server 8 Advanced to be accessed via the PHP programming language.The FileMaker API for PHP makes it easy to leverage existing FileMaker databases by exposing to PHP FileMaker layouts and portals. This means the developer does not need to understand the entire FileMaker database structure, just the structure of the portal or layout they wish to access for their web site. The PHP developer has access through the API to the full FileMaker XML interface if needed but in many cases a simple PHP API command will be all that is required.
The API installer includes version 5.1.2 of PHP, the FileMaker API for PHP and all necessary libraries and extensions. Also included is a simple database and installation instructions. A link to our online forum for beta previewers is now available at www.filemaker.com/phpbeta so that FileMaker API for PHP users can exchange information and code with each other.
The FileMaker API for PHP is available at no cost during the beta period. It can be downloaded at http://www.filemaker.com/phpbeta.
The FileMaker API for PHP requires FileMaker Server 8 Advanced (8.0v4). The FileMaker API for PHP runs on Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server with the Apache web server, and Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 with the IIS web server.
Interested developers who do not already have FileMaker Server 8 Advanced can get a copy by joining the FileMaker Solutions Alliance (FSA) program. FSA membership comes with everything needed to develop and test FileMaker-based web solutions, including the development license version of FileMaker Server 8 Advanced, and a copy of FileMaker Pro 8.5.
Because the software is currently in beta, FileMaker does not recommend the software for use in mission-critical Web sites nor will it provide support, but we are seeking user feedback through a discussion board dedicated to the new program, and have published a web page for reporting bugs and submitting feature requests.
Sincerely,
- FileMaker, Inc.
WHAT?
Just yesterday I was reading a forum post how a user was lambasting previous versions of FileMaker for being a three-legged dog in a horse race, which urked me, but I knew what he was talking about. FM has, to their credit, done a lot of good work with the product line and I’m anxious to see the future.
This is a pretty progressive move from FM and one I’m delighted to see. Combined with the web-viewer, Flash graphics and reporting, possible data-scrubbing, and FileMaker’s general data prowess, the game of information management with 8.5 becomes much, much more interesting. Did I say I still haven’t purchased 8.5? The verdict is still out for me and I have too many projects to finish before upgrading to 8.5.
I’ll post more once I get my hands on the software. Now, it’s starting to get interestin…
UPDATE
As if on cue, FileMakerAdvisor put up an interesting and solid article on getting up and running with FileMaker and PHP using the new FileMaker technology and methodology. You can read it here.
3 Comments
ummm.. perhaps you were “irked”, which is a natural reaction, as opposed to “urked” which was named after a TV character, and as yet has not made it into the official oxford dictionary.
Just put up my first IWP on line. It is still a demo but can match and better any of the competition such as foresind.com
Above is our corporate web site done in PHP http://www.woodtech.net
This directory called Mid-Canada Forestry Resources is still a beta and not open to the public. If you desire I can send you the access codes,
If it were not for these three problems I would not need PHP.
1) Non-browezer navigation controls
2) URL does not work if computer using pop-ups
? Not sure if the new web site (portal) in 8.5 will work off the server.
3)Email is being handled by our server company (Robo-mail)
(NOT SURE HOW EFFECTIVE CONNECTING TO OWN EMAIL ADDRESS WILL WORK on the Server
Question: What are you refering to above as flash-graphics?
We are trying to develop our own website with IWP so we can integrate our print magazine with our on-line directory.
Will this API still allow us to change page layout, ad in flash ads and pop in jpeg or PDF Magazine pages?
I mentioned that you can use Flash graphics in an HTML web viewer and update the database it is being served from quite easily. You can read a nice and lengthy article about it and download a sample technique file from FileMaker Advisor over at: http://filemakeradvisor.com/doc/18162
As for your question, I wouldn’t necessarily consider this an API. This is just using Flash graphics inside a web viewer control. But because the web viewer is just a standard web page, you could by all means insert PDF graphics and JPEGS. Remember, the HTML web viewer is displaying standard HTML pages. It’s basically a browser in FileMaker. What you choose to do with that browser is up to you.