[WinMac] Re: Claris FileMaker & ODBC
Ilyse Kazar(kazar[at]macconnect.com)
Sat, 14 Nov 1998 09:11:51 -0500
David K. McKnight wrote:
>I have a somewhat related question. Does anyone on the list have
>experience in using ODBC drivers or the ODBC plug-in that would allow
>a FileMaker user to access an Access database? We have a mixed
>platform department, and the Office 95 users are using Access for
>which there is no Mac-compatible version.
>
>I know reports can be run into an Excel spreadsheet, and that could be
>pulled into FileMaker, but it seems there ought to be a better way.
>FileMaker 4.1 is supposed to be completely ODBC compatible, but I
>thought it was strange they didn't offer a driver for Access, which so
>many PC users are using since it comes with Office. I mentioned this
>to the folks at FileMaker, and they said, "you have a point there."
I don't have first-hand experience with this but can report the buzzword
from a couple of FileMaker lists I follow (addictively):
Forget 4.1. It's an expensive upgrade and *the only* new feature it
sports beyond the free 4.0v2 update is this ODBC _query & import-only_
capability (yes, with a limited set of drivers to boot).
There is a very highly-touted plug-in, meanwhile, that has full SQL
query/update/insert/delete capabilities, is xplat, and from what I have
read is easier to automate and thus make transparent to the end-user.
Here is a clip from the latest annoucement, FYI:
<<The SQL/ODBC Plugin for Filemaker Pro, available for download at
http://www.profdata.nl/ allows FileMaker Pro 4.0 to act as a front end to
another database supported by installed ODBC drivers. All standard SQL-92
commands are supported, thus allowing users to connect to ODBC
datasources,
to search, retrieve and update data in ODBC datasources and to create and
modify data and/or tables.
FileMaker Pro 4.0 users with knowledge of SQL commands can use calculation
fields and FileMaker Pro scripts to transparently connect FileMaker Pro
databases to SQL environments. In doing so, FileMaker Pro is turned into a
client to many widely used databases such as Oracle, Informix, Sybase,
Butler and others.
<snip>
The Windows version of the plugin is developed by Professional Data
Management (PDM), the MacOS version by Rumora Automatisering en Advies
(RAA). Both versions are fully compatible with one another, although
programmers should keep in mind that there are some minor differences
between the versions. Carl Digger, head of PDM development and writer of
the
Windows version: "Differences between the versions are mainly a
consequence
of the fact that there sometimes is a difference between ODBC drivers for
MacOS and for Windows. For example, most ODBC drivers we tested use a
single
quote for enclosing text values, but some use a double quote".
Branko Rumora of RAA, author of the MacOS version: "Another difference is
a
result of the different way in which the respective platforms manage their
memory. So, on MacOS, when Filemaker Pro is assigned a low amount of
memory,
the plugin, requiring some memory of its own, will report an out-of-memory
error. This can be prevented by assigning the recommended amount of memory
to Filemaker Pro (6,600K)".
Other plugins currently under development by PDM and RAA include a Graph
Plugin that will allow users to directly create graphs from data in any
field in a FileMaker Pro database, a cross-platform Toolbox plugin that
will
allow users to call a script when manipulating or exiting a field or at a
scheduled time and a Serial Plugin that will allow users to send and
receive
data from serial ports. A beta version of the Serial Plugin for MacOS is
already available for download at http://www.xs4all.nl/~bane.
The SQL/ODBC Plugin version 1.1 is available on a "try before you buy"
basis. The plugin can be downloaded and tried out to see if it suits the
needs of the user. After registration users can keep the original version;
reinstallation is not necessary.
Pricing:
Single user, single platform $ 75
5 user $ 300
10 user $ 500
20 user $ 850
site license $ 2000
site license cross platform $ 3000
All prices are in US Dollars.
For more information:
Macintosh version:
Rumora Automatisering en Advies
Buiksloterdijk 212-214
1025 WD Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel. +3120 4940804
Fax +3120 4940805
e-mail: bane@xs4all.nl
Windows version:
Professional Data Management
Het Duin 6
3823 WZ Amersfoort
The Netherlands
Tel. +3133 4566183
Fax +3133 4566184
e-mail: info@profdata.nl
http://www.profdata.nl/
>>
For some other interesting xplat FMP 4.x plug-ins, visit www.troi.com
(standard disclaimer: no affiliation ... just a satisfied customer ...
blah blah)
kazar
------------------------------------------------
datatude
Ilyse Kazar Anne Verrinder
Tel: 212-260-6976 Tel: 908-534-9552
kazar@macconnect.com annev@eclipse.net
* Windows-MacOS Cooperation List *
* FAQ: <http://www.darryl.com/winmacfaq/> *
* Archives: <http://www.darryl.com/winmac/> *
* Subscribe: <mailto:winmac-on@xerxes.frit.utexas.edu> *
* Subscribe Digest: <mailto:winmac-digest@xerxes.frit.utexas.edu> *
* Unsubscribe: <mailto:winmac-off@xerxes.frit.utexas.edu> *
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2
on Sat Nov 14 1998 - 06:10:05 PST
|