Let's take a couple of the new FileMaker 10 functions as an example of how the
FileMaker Server version is relevant. If we go to the file that is opened on 10
and hosted on 10 and go have a look at our field definition, what we have here
are three calculation fields that are using some of FileMaker 10's new
functions, like the code function, the character function and the get documents
path listing. So when we input something in these particular text fields, we
know the script trigger will run but these calculations evaluate properly. So
now what will happen if we go to the file that is opened in 10 but hosted on
FileMaker Server 9? If we input some text in here, we already know that the
script trigger will work but we see that the functions themselves also work. In
this case because the functions are executed by the client. However, if we now
force FileMaker Server to evaluate that calculation, and we can do that by
making a change to the calculation itself, by making a change to the
calculation, we are forcing FileMaker Server to re-evaluate this calculation. If
we commit our changes, then we see that FileMaker Server does not know what to
do with this new function. And the same thing of course applies when we go have
a look at the file and open in FileMaker 9. So although this file is hosted on
FileMaker Server 10, it is opened in 9. When we go into the field definition, we
see that FileMaker 9 has no way of knowing what that function is all about. It
just says Function Missing. And the same applies with scripts. If we are using
scripts with unique FileMaker 10 features, when we open them in 9 we'll have big
unknowns. So when this script fires on FileMaker 9, if it runs in FileMaker 9,
then these unknowns will be skipped. This may cause problems with incomplete
data records or worse, changing data in existing records instead of creating new
records or maybe even worse still, deleting records that you didn't want deleted.
In conclusion, there are potential issues when mixing and matching Pro and Server
versions so be very conservative about using new features in mixed environments
like this. The best practice is to use a checking routine with the gets
application version in your files so that only users with the correct version of
FileMaker Pro get access.
FileMaker Server 10
Wim Decorte
US$ 99.95
6.5 hours - 97 Movies
Win Vista XP 2000,ME. Mac OS X
Ground / 2 day / Next Day
33950
800 In Stock
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