FileMaker Pro 5.5 is the latest release of the well-established relational database from Apple subsidiary FileMaker.

While previous versions met personal data retrieval needs, version 5.5 is designed to attract enterprise customers as well. Most of the new features and enhancements focus on improved connectivity, either with other external data sources via Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), or over the internet.

This new release of FileMaker provides a number of important updates for improving connectivity with other data types, as well as the ability to display data effectively on the internet. Although there is little change to the application's features for creating and editing databases, these new additions should extend the product's flexibility.

The most significant additions focus on data sharing, both online and across different database platforms. Improved support for ODBC and the addition of an Execute SQL command should prove attractive to potential enterprise customers.

Execute SQL enables SQL commands to be carried out from within a FileMaker script. This provides a means of managing data stored in any ODBC-compatible format in conjunction with FileMaker.

In terms of everyday database use, FileMaker 5.5 retains the same basic layout and functionality as previous versions of the product. However, there are a number of minor improvements to FileMaker's design tools, such as better validation tools for data input.

The number of characters entered into a text, number, date or time field can now be checked against criteria specific to that field, reducing the risk of input errors.

Improvements to FileMaker's web publishing capabilities are also evident in version 5.5. The Instant Web Publishing (IWP) feature, introduced in version 5.0, enables publication of database records in HTML Table format.

The relevant records or database tables have to be exported, then published via an FTP client to a website as static data. Version 5.5 features a multithreaded HTTP Server, based on the HTTP 1.1 standard, which could offer significant performance improvements. However, online help information for using features such as IWP could be improved in places.

For applications that require dynamic data updates online, FileMaker also provides a Web Companion feature. This acts as a web server and CGI application, handling the transfer of information between a local FileMaker database and a web page displaying the records.

Using Web Companion, FileMaker databases can be used for collecting visitor information in a website form, for example. The Web Companion also offers record-by-record access privileges based on user login details.

This level of control has also been added to local databases; previous versions of FileMaker only supported file-level access control. However, static data that has been exported through the IWP feature does not support this low level of access control. Client IP address filtering is the only means of limiting access to records exported through IWP.

FileMaker 5.5 places a heavy emphasis on cross-platform support, and currently supports Windows 98, NT and 2000, as well as Mac OS X and OS 9. There is a portable client available for Palm OS handhelds, and plans for a Pocket PC release next year.

Versions of the FileMaker Server product for Windows 2000 Server and Red Hat Linux are also due soon.

Summary

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