The ACF Plugin: Advanced Custom Functions for Claris FileMaker
The ACF (Advanced Custom Functions) Plugin introduces a revolutionary programming concept to Claris FileMaker. This structured programming language boasts a variety of features designed to streamline and simplify the development of functionalities within your FileMaker solution. It is easy to learn too.
Key Features and Functionalities:
- Direct Access and Integration: Seamlessly access FileMaker variables, fields, built-in functions, other custom functions, and plugin commands directly within the ACF environment.
- Enhanced SQL Functions: These functions allow for more efficient database interactions, enabling you to work with result sets in arrays, thus eliminating the need for output parsing. Variable integration in queries further simplifies the query-building process.
- MySQL Functions: Offering similar capabilities to standard SQL functions, these are tailored for MySQL database operations.
- JSON and XML Data Handling: Easily produce and parse documents in JSON and XML formats, enhancing data manipulation and integration.
- Direct File Access: Comprehensive file management functions include opening, reading, writing, listing files, creating directories, and file selection dialogues.
- HTTP(S) Functions: Simplify your work with APIs through intuitive GET and POST functions, especially useful in conjunction with XML/JSON data types.
- Array Operations: Efficiently manage and manipulate arrays within your FileMaker solutions.
Plugin Compiler and Runtime System:
- The ACF Plugin features a built-in compiler that transforms your source code into a binary format, which is then automatically loaded for execution.
- Pre-compiled binaries in BASE64 format can also be loaded.
- The ‘ACF_Run’ plugin-function executes your custom functions seamlessly.
Exploring the Language Structure:
- To gain insights into the ACF language structure, we highly recommend reviewing the numerous programming examples provided in our reference manual.
Function Management:
- Your custom functions are stored in text files, with each “package” contained in a separate file. These files can host multiple functions.
- While you can edit these files in any text editor, we have developed syntax color extensions for TextMate on Mac and NotePad++ on Windows, enhancing your coding experience.
Download the Plugin:
- Ready to explore the ACF Plugin? Visit our download page to get started.