MBS Plugin Dev Highlights

Like many other FileMaker developers, I have gone through my fair share of plugins over the years of FM development. Some extend FM functions, some enhance the debugging process, while others are multipurpose tools for FM development. One multi-tool in particular is the MonkeyBread Software Plugin, which adds over 3700 functions that greatly extend the default FileMaker functionality. These functions range from additional libraries, SQL Connectivity, extending PDF capabilities, barcodes… the list goes on. I have been using the MBS plugin for quite some time, but the most recent iterations add some notable features, thus this blog post of my 3 most used MBS plugin functions.

First, there’s syntax coloring. For as long as I can remember, syntax coloring in FileMaker has been one of the most requested features by developers. In FileMaker 14, some syntax coloring was added to the new-and-improved Script Workspace, but the MBS plugin enhances the coloring within the Script Workspace and extends that to calculations and the debugger.

In version 5.4, they added the functionality to search within both the Script Workspace and relationship graph. After years of developing with other IDEs, this was another long sought feature for the FileMaker platform. The plugin adds a small search field in the top-right of the Script Workspace window. When text is entered, each line of the script containing that search value is highlighted. There is one small limitation in that the search is limited to the viewable area in side the Script Workspace. For example, if a defined variable calculation extends the width of the viewable workspace, the MBS search will not “see” that text. The search within the relationship graph performs in similar fashion. When text is entered the search field, located at the bottom-right of the window, it not only auto-completes based on the existing table names, but also navigates to the table in question.

Last, and most certainly not least, is the “Copy Script Text” button, located at the top-right of the Script Workspace. This button takes the viewable contents of the current script in the Script Workspace and copies it as text to the OS clipboard. From there, you can do with it as you wish. For me, I use it to paste the script into another script editor like TextMate or TextWrangler, which allows for more complex searching, editing, or what have you. It’s especially helpful when searching through a number of cascading scripts. 

There you have it. My 3 most used features of the MBS plugin. The plugin has innumerable uses, so I encourage you to give it a whirl and share your thoughts!

~Joe Ranne

FileMaker 14 Release

On May 12th, FileMaker released the latest version of their database platform. FileMaker Pro, Server, and Go have all been updated to version 14.  

Some of the notable new features we’re excited about are: 

Significant enhancements to the script programming environment, called the “Script Workspace.” You now have the option to write scripts almost entirely from the keyboard. Similar to a number of other programming environments, the script editor now supports color hinting, auto-completion, and line numbers. You can also have multiple scripts open and switch back and forth by an automatically maintained tab interface. This new interface also incorporates the functionality to search for and edit scripts on the fly, as well as a new calculation dialog that incorporates auto-complete and the ability to search for calculations.

FileMaker’s WebDirect technology is now officially supported on mobile browsers, including Safari for iOS and Chrome for Android. Performance has been improved by as much as 25% and the number of supported browser connections increased to 100.

A new layout object, called the Button Bar, is now available to streamline the creation of navigation functionality. The new button bar has a great looking interface for assigning and customizing up to 140 button icons to use in a solution.

New top and bottom navigation parts allow you to scroll up and down on a page while the navigation remains static, hovering above the layout.

Both FileMaker Pro and FileMaker Go 14 will now attempt to reestablish a server connection if the device goes to sleep or briefly loses internet connectivity. This reconnect feature should be very helpful, in particular for some of our clients who have company-wide policies for  computers going to sleep after a period of idle time.

We’re anxious to dig into some of these new features, especially the Script Workspace. For more information on FileMaker 14 and other new features, check out the official FM14 web page for more details.

~ Joe