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Earlier versions of FileMaker Pro and ODBC

FileMaker Pro has had the opportunity to connect and use ODBC earlier version 7. Using the step to execute SQL scripts, you can specify an ODBC DSN (Database Source Name) and execute any SQL statement that can be built with the calculation of FileMaker Pro, which could include data field.

Limitations of this feature are:

Communication is one way.You must be proficient in SQL. It shouldbe done through a script.

In the databases I created in FileMaker Pro 7, in which synchronization of data with a MySQL database is needed, I had to delete all data from each table in MySQL before restocking with real-time data from the FileMaker database.

FileMaker Pro 9 and ODBC

In FileMaker Pro 9, ODBC connections are treated as a data source external FileMaker Pro, formerly known as reference files. The data source acts like a reference toanother database tables FileMaker Pro files can be added to the relationship graph layout can be created by record results from MySQL one (or any other instance of ODBC database) table. Calculations can be made within a table data source. You can also add calculated fields and summary tables for use in FileMaker Pro

With a layout, you can add, delete or modify records as if they were outside in an array of FileMaker Pro N. SQL required. No script needed.In theory, you can create a database FileMaker Pro-based exclusively on data from all tables without MySQL tables defined in the file in FileMaker Pro

You can now use FileMaker Pro as a front-end friendly to any MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, Access or any ODBC capable database. The only thing that can not be done in FileMaker Pro is the creation of tables and fields.

What is ODBC?

ODBC stands for Open Database Connectivity is a standard protocol for communicationwith databases. It allows users to set up a DSN or the source database, which can be used from any ODBC application to know a particular computer to send requests and receive data from a data source specified. It is a little "how to have a link or an alias on the desktop with links to a file server, except the connection is a source of data but instead of a file server, connects to a database.

By creating a DSN, you assign an arbitrary name, or a link that will be recognized bycomputer as a pointer to a server and database. The scope of a CSP May be limited to a particular computer user or computer system. A data source can be used on multiple computers. If the connectivity database is needed on several computers, you must configure a DSN on each computer.

Overview on configuring ODBC FileMaker Pro 9

There are 4 basic steps of FileMaker Pro 9 to work with other databases.

Installing ODBCDriver.Set source of data for the DSN DSN.Add FileMaker Pro database.Add the table (s) to the curve of the report.

Each of these steps is detailed below.

Install the MySQL ODBC driver for Mac OS X

There are a number of MySQL ODBC driver is available for Mac OS X, many of whom have installed the package simple. I only managed to get one to work correctly with FileMaker Pro: Actual ODBC Driver for OpenSource database. It comes with a price tag of $ 30.

MySQL.com is a free, open-source driver available, but do not get it to work properly because of FileMaker, apparently due to a bug in Mac OS X 's iODBC Driver Manager. If you are interested in the details, I submitted a bug report. It is hoped, will have a work around soon.

Both drivers come with an easy to use standard OS X installer package. Download, double click, click Next twice, andwere made.

Configuring DSN

Once the driver installed, you can create a DSN using the Mac OS X ODBC Administrator program is in Applications / Utilities / ODBC Administrator. FileMaker Pro 9 supports only sources of data system and not in support of user data sources. Then you must add a data source name:

Select the User DSN tab.Click block and authentication to enable changes.Click Add.Choose the appropriate driver (probably "real Open SourceDatabases). Continue.Enter Click on a name for the data source. This can be anything that makes sense for you, but if two or more computers are configured to use the same source, the names will continue to be identical.Click and enter the server database address.Enter MySQL MySQL database server login continue.Click information and click the down arrow next to the field of database and select the database that would link this DSN. If a MySQL database server list appears in this dropYou know Ending a successful connection has been made.Click or Continue if you want to check the settings and test the connection.

Using the data source from FileMaker

In database FileMaker Pro, follow these steps:

Open the Manage external data sources via File-> Manage-> external data sources … item.Click News … menu to add a source.Enter given a name, choose ODBC, then click Specify … button.c data source DSNrecently created and click OK.If you want to enter a username and password to the MySQL server, or you can leave set to require registration by users. Since you can use calculations to specify the credentials of user, you can easily adapt the authentication process, including FileMaker Pro user is username and password for the database server MySQL. Maintaining synchronized between the databases of users is a subject worthy of its own article.

Add a table of the relationshipChart

The rest of the process is very simple. When you go to the chart report and click the Add Table button, you will see the new data source in the Data Sources menu. Select and add the table you want, as you would with any FileMaker database. You can then include in a report, create new layouts with it and add calculation and summary fields in the fields.