September 26, 2011

FileMaker Variables

Me: Hmm... I need to store some information while I'm looping through records, but I don't want to act on this info until after I'm done looping. A local variable should do the trick.

FileMaker: wats a variable?

Me: Um. It's a symbol that can store values for a... wait, what? For serious?

FileMaker: oooh! I can store things! i haz fields for storing things!

Me: You mean columns?

FileMaker: no fields. fields r for storing things.

Me: Okay fine, fields. But fields are meant to hold data specific to the given record. I want to store information that isn't directly related to any record, and only for the duration of the script.

FileMaker: um um ummmm... oh! i noe! global field! :D

Me: Come again?

FileMaker: field haz same value for all records. u set value in dis record, and u get same value inn dat recorde.

Me: Really? All I'm looking for is a simple temporary place to store a value. Instead, you want me to go into the database schema (kicking everyone out of the DB), add in a new column. and update every record. All for what essentially acts as a global variable that will only be used by my one script? Are you kidding me?

FileMaker: *beaming* im so smrt!

Me: *facepalm*


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Yes, newer versions of FileMaker understand variables. But this is what I get to work with, and it won't be changing any time soon. It's a little sad that FileMaker went the route of "global fields" before going for variables >.>

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