When is the ACF plugin useful

When is the ACF plugin Useful

FileMaker is an excellent tool for creating custom database applications with well-designed layouts backed by a relational database. It offers a scripting language for data processing and implementing business logic. So, how does the ACF plugin come into play in this context, especially when FileMaker already has Custom Functions?

The scripting feature in FileMaker serves the purpose of automating steps that would otherwise be executed manually. For instance, if you need to create a new record in a table, a script will navigate to the relevant layout, add a new record, set the required fields, and then return to the original layout. These scripts also support looping, conditional operations via the "IF..." construct, resembling a natural language to some extent. However, one drawback is that these scripts often involve interacting with modal windows to set parameters for each script step.

This has both positive and negative sides:

Simplicity for Beginners: For those new to programming, they don't need to remember script step parameters; the properties window makes it clear.
Code Transparency: Programmers accustomed to working with text-based source code in other languages appreciate the transparency of each line, enabling them to understand intricate details just by looking. Copying and pasting details between lines is more straightforward in text-based source code.

When it comes to implementing algorithms, such as extracting statistics from a solution or adding a modulo-10 control digit to an invoice number, parsing data files (e.g., OCR or Cremul files), generating EDIFACT or EHF format files, or even inserting records in related tables, the ACF language provided by the ACF plugin proves to be faster and more straightforward. You'll find numerous examples in the "Programming Examples" chapter of this manual. Some of these examples are lengthy, but you don't need to understand every detail to use them. They provide syntax and some ready-to-use examples, all drawn from real-world solutions.

In the ACF plugin, tasks like inserting records in related tables become simpler, as you don't need to switch to related table layouts for insertion. You can achieve this with a straightforward SQL query. FileMaker's built-in SQL script (i.e., ExecuteSQL) only supports SELECT, while the plugin's SQL capabilities extend to INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, in addition to SELECT.

Feel free to explore the "Programming Examples" section, which showcases various real-world scenarios. You'll discover that you can use many of these examples directly or adapt them to your needs.

Happy reading! Also, check out the demo chapter for information on how to access the plugin. Until October 31, 2023, a free license is available. Afterward, you can request a demo license tailored to your organization or inquire about pricing, which is quite reasonable.