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Tuesday, August 2 FTS | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Vendor Demo
| Time | Session Name | Track  |
Level |
PreCon Sessions (Included in Gold Package or separately for $149 each)
 8:00 a.m. |
Server Best Practices | Session - PreCon | General |
Rick Colcock (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Performance and reliability are essential for business critical tools in any environment. Databases that are used by many people in an organization must be available when needed, and they must allow the user to perform his or her task as efficiently as possible. When working with FileMaker Pro databases, this generally means FileMaker Server must be properly installed, configured, used, and maintained in order to provide high availability to all users. In this session we will discuss how to properly install, configure, and maintain a FileMaker Server.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Server
What You Will Learn
- Make informed decisions about picking a platform for FileMaker Server
- Make informed decisions about picking hardware for FileMaker Server
- Make informed decisions about configuring your FileMaker Server environment
- Make informed decisions about maintaining a healthy FileMaker Server environment
| 8:00 a.m. |
Starting From Scratch: How to Plan Your New Solution | Session - PreCon | Beginner |
Martha Zink (MightyData, LLC)
Session Description You have the work, now what? How do you get off the ground running? This session aims to help put a framework around pre-development. Starting from scratch provides developers with many freedoms, but a good blueprint is important for success! Topics explored will include asking customers and users the right questions, knowing FileMaker's capabilities and connectivity, and strategies designed to make for smooth development. Houses aren't built without a plan, and a database shouldn't be either!
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Learn ways to translate what the customer wants to what the database will/can do
- Discuss common technical questions that will affect development
- Create a suggested pre-development checklist
- Learn about tools and techniques to make development organized and easier
| 10:30 a.m. |
Building a Relational Database in FileMaker Pro - Part 1 | Session - PreCon | Beginner |
Jerry Robin (FMPtraining)
Session Description This is Part 1 of a 2-part (4-hour) session. We strongly recommend that you attend both sessions. In Part 1 we will introduce you to the theory and practice of building a simple relational database in FileMaker Pro. We'll begin with some basic relational design theory and terminology, and show you how to plan the structure of your database. We'll diagram one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many relationships, then show you how to build relationships on the FileMaker relationships graph. You'll learn how to define key fields and you'll see how easy it is to create and use portals to display information from a related table, or even from multiple related tables. And finally, you'll understand the concept of "context", which is fundamental to almost every aspect of FileMaker development, from scripting to calculations to reporting.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Relational design terminology
- How to set up various types of relationships
- How "context" affects everything
- Creating and using portals
| 10:30 a.m. |
Introduction to ODBC, JDBC, and SQL for FileMaker Developers | Session - PreCon | Intermediate |
Greg Lane (Skeleton Key)
Session Description FileMaker 11 includes new and improved ODBC-related features for sharing data with other applications and database systems. This session is intended for any FileMaker developer who needs to gain a fundamental understanding of ODBC, JDBC, SQL, and ESS and how these technologies can be used to make your organization's data more valuable. We'll unravel the acronyms and demonstrate practical examples of how to access information in other database systems from FileMaker. Learn the pros and cons of each of the different ODBC-related capabilities FileMaker 11 has to offer.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
- FileMaker Server Advanced
- ODBC
- JDBC
- SQL
- Mac OS X
- Windows
What You Will Learn
- Learn the fundamentals of ODBC, JDBC, SQL, and ESS and when each of the technologies can be used
- Specific examples that show how to configure and use each of FileMaker's ODBC technologies, including the new FileMaker ODBC drivers
- How to use each of the basic SQL statements
- Discover what's new in all of the ODBC-related features in FileMaker 11 including important changes you need to know before upgrading
| 1:30 p.m. |
Building a Relational Database in FileMaker Pro - Part 2 | Session - PreCon | Beginner |
Jerry Robin (FMPtraining)
Session Description This is Part 2 of a 2-part (4-hour) session. Recommended prerequisite: Part 1 of this session or some prior experience with the fundamentals of relational design in FileMaker Pro. In Part 2 of this 2-part session, we will introduce some more advanced relational design concepts. We'll show you how to create multiple Table Occurrences from the same Base Table. We'll discuss Referential Integrity, cascading deletes, multiple-predicate relationships and Cartesian Joins. To help you keep your relationships clear, we'll discuss some Table Occurrence naming conventions and we'll introduce you to the concept of Anchor-Buoy design, which allows even very complex graphs to be highly readable and easy to manage.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Creating Multiple Table Occurrences (TOs) from the same Base Table
- Referential integrity and cascading deletes
- Basics of Anchor-Buoy design
- Multiple-predicate relationships
| 1:30 p.m. |
Core Elements of PHP for FileMaker | Session - PreCon | Intermediate |
Anders Monsen (MightyData, LLC)
Session Description This session introduces people with FileMaker Pro knowledge to the concepts of PHP and how to get started building PHP pages that connect to their FileMaker Pro databases. You will learn about web server requirements and some basics of the PHP syntax - how to create and manipulate variables; how to create and manipulate PHP arrays; and how to create If, If-Else and Loop constructs in PHP. The core of the session will cover all the aspects of CRUD - create, read, update, and delete - and how each is performed via the PHP API.
Products & Technologies
- PHP API
- FileMaker Server
- Apache
- IIS
What You Will Learn
- Enabling your FileMaker Pro database for PHP access
- Basic PHP terms and how these relate to FileMaker Pro
- CRUD - Create, Read, Update, Delete via PHP
- Forms, how to send them and how to read them
| 3:45 p.m. |
Calculation Essentials for Powerful Database Solutions | Session - PreCon | Intermediate |
Alexei Folger (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Calculations are, along with scripting, the most essential part of most FileMaker solutions. It's safe to say that all solutions contain calculation fields. But beyond this, calculations are used throughout FileMaker solutions for things such as field auto-entry and validation options, tooltips, filtered portals, conditional formatting and scripts, among others. This session will include a discussion of the types of functions; use of the on-line Help to gain understanding of the proper syntax, expected inputs, and the results returned by specific functions; an overview of the diversity of uses of calculations throughout a database, and a very brief mention of the use of custom functions. This session assumes participants have a basic understanding of the concept of calculated data and at least a passing familiarity with the FileMaker calculation dialog box. We will build several calculations from the ground up in the course of covering various functions and their use in practical context, giving participants a more concrete and in-depth understanding of how, where and why to use calculations to greatest effect.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Understand the different types of calculation functions, and which are most common and useful.
- Be able to create calculations.
- Understand how to learn the proper syntax, expected inputs, and results returned by calculation functions.
- Understand the the places calculations are used throughout a database and some contexts in which they add significant power.
FileMaker Training Series (Included in Gold Package or separately $99 each)
| 10:00 a.m. |
Introduction to the FTS Track (No Fee Required) | Session - FTS | General |
Cristoffer Ippolite (iSolutions, Inc.)
Session Description This session will be open to all DevCon attendees and is designed to discuss the FileMaker Training Series (FTS) track and various topics covered in the particular sessions. Attendees will be introduced to the sessions and also how they may help you prepare for FileMaker Certification. This session is ideal for anyone attending the FTS Track or for those interested in enhancing their skills and learning directly from FileMaker Authorized Trainers.
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Preview the FTS track sessions
- Introductions to the track speakers
- Housekeeping announcements
- Q&A on FTS Track
| 10:30 a.m. |
FTS: Data Modeling | Session - FTS | Intermediate |
Rosemary Tietge (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Understanding traditional methods for modeling a relational database is extremely valuable to the FileMaker developer. Entities, Attributes and Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD) are tried and true concepts for building powerful applications from real-world scenarios. But how do we as FileMaker developers take a conceptual model and turn it into such an application? In this session, we'll explore the process of creating an ERD. We'll then look at the rich set of tools FileMaker provides for translating the diagram into an effective solution. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Product Line
What You Will Learn
- Building a conceptual data model
- How relationships work in FileMaker
- Entity Relationship Diagram vs. the Table Occurrence Graph
- Using the Anchor-Buoy approach to understanding context
| 1:30 p.m. |
FTS: Calculations | Session - FTS | Intermediate |
Alexei Folger (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description Calculations are, along with scripting, the most essential part of most FileMaker solutions. It's safe to say that all solutions contain calculation fields. But beyond this, calculations are used throughout FileMaker solutions for things such as field auto-entry and validation options, tooltips, filtered portals, conditional formatting and scripts, among others. Because calculation formulas are used so pervasively throughout FileMaker Pro, mastering calculations is one of the crucial steps to becoming a proficient developer. This session will pay particular attention to this diversity of uses. This session assumes participants have a basic understanding of the concept of calculated data and at least a passing familiarity with the FileMaker calculation dialog box. We will build several calculations from the ground up in the course of covering various functions and their use in practical context, giving participants a more concrete and in-depth understanding of how, where and why to use calculations to greatest effect. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Understand the different types of calculation functions, and which are most common and useful.
- Be able to create calculations.
- Understand the the places calculations are used throughout a database and some contexts in which they add significant power.
- Understand the basics of how to use custom functions and why they are useful.
| 3:45 p.m. |
FTS: Scripting | Session - FTS | Intermediate |
Matthew O'Dell (FileMaker, Inc.)
Session Description One of the most important and powerful tools in FileMaker Pro is the Manage Scripts feature, which allows you to create scripted routines that can then be triggered in a variety of ways. Scripts can serve a wide range of purposes, including automating everything from simple navigation tasks to complex reporting and workflow needs. Despite their variety of purposes, there are common design patterns-sequences or arrangements of script steps-that serve as the building blocks for script after script. This session will cover some of these basic design patterns such as interacting with the user, finding data, error trapping, navigating to related records, and looping over a set of records. By focusing on these common patterns, you will learn the building blocks necessary for creating scripts in your own database solutions. Note: An additional fee is required for all FTS sessions. Attendees will receive one DVD of the FTS materials for one or more sessions (includes modules, videos, exercise and demo files).
Products & Technologies
- FileMaker Pro
What You Will Learn
- Learn common scripting patterns
- Create scripts that interact with users, perform finds, and manipulate data
- Use loops to perform iterative tasks
- Set up layout and object level script triggers
Special Meetings
| 3:30 p.m. |
DevCon Orientation | Session - General | General |
FileMaker Developer Relations Team (FileMaker, Inc.)
Attending DevCon for the first time? Meet the FileMaker Developer Relations team who will provide guidance in choosing the sessions that are right for you, recommend events you won't want to miss, and give you tips on how to get the most out of DevCon.
| 3:45 p.m. |
Latin America Business Meeting | Special Meeting - Special Meeting | General |
Julie Sigfrinius (FileMaker, Inc.)
In this session, we will provide an update on the growth of the Latin American region and successes of FileMaker. Attendees will get an overview of how they can become further connected to the FileMaker Latin America community and events. The following guest speakers will share their vision about this market, their challenges and evolution: Sandra Garibay,FM Databases (Mexico) - "From Independent Programmer to Software Development Company: Pros and Cons". Challenges, vision changes and critical decisions that comes when starting a new software company vs. an independent developer. Claudio Heidemann, Implement Systems (Brazil) - "The Advantages of a Distributor in Brazil". A developer working with the channel to conquer sales opportunities in the region and the evolution of FileMaker in Brazil.
Evening Events
| 6:30 p.m. |
Opening Keynote | Session - General | General |
Executive Staff (FileMaker, Inc.)
FileMaker executives will showcase FileMaker products and technologies for today and beyond.
| 8:00 p.m. |
Welcome Reception | Networking - Event | General |
Hosted by FileMaker, Inc.
The Welcome Reception is the perfect way to top your first day at DevCon. Join FileMaker staff for great food and beverages. Visit the exhibitors showcasing their new FileMaker products and services. This is a great opportunity to meet other developers from around the world and set the tone for your DevCon 2011 experience.