Today we looked into things for saving PDFs on server when using FileMaker Server for Linux.
First you need to know that whenever PDF creation fails, it seems to always return error 800. That is not helpful as the error is not about creating the file itself, but about assembling the PDF before writing it.
For example if you have a smiley 😀 in the text, you may see FileMaker on macOS ignore it. The smiley will be missing in saved PDF. But on Linux, we get an error 800 and PDF creation fails. Now you can use Text.FilterUTF16 function in our plugin to prepare all your texts and remove the emojis.
For the fonts itself, please be aware, that Linux comes with a different font list than macOS or Windows. And while you can install a Microsoft font package on Linux to get Arial, Wingdings and others, you may just relay on the font substitution done by the PDF engine in FileMaker on Linux. For example Arial will be converted to LiberationSans. Sadly font substitution doesn't work well for us and using Times or Capitals as fonts gives you error 800 again. Best may be to use PDF Standard Fonts.
We installed Jet Brains Mono font on the Linux machine by copying the font files into a new folder /usr/share/fonts/JetBrainsMono. Then we run the "fc-cache -f -v" command in Terminal to rebuild the font cache. Running "fc-list" shows the font list in Terminal. Once the font is installed and WebDirect noticed (we restarted the computer, but not sure whether it's required.), we successfully used the font for a label on a PDF created on the server.
You can use fonts on Linux for text, e.g. by evaluating TextFont ( "Hello" ; "Caladea" ). If you specify a font not available, it may fall back to the default font. Enjoy!
You may know FileMaker has the possibility to save records as PDF to a file. From time to time clients ask how to script to get the PDF into a record. We like to show you a sample script on what you can do and run this either on server (e.g. triggered from FileMaker Go) or on client.
The script takes the record ID as parameter. We switched to the target layout and the correct record based on the record ID to setup the context. That's important as on a server we need to setup context ourselves. On a client you can skip this, if you know you are on the right record already. We build a file path for the temporary PDF document named "temp.pdf". On a server with multiple scripts running at the same time, you may better use temp folder or put a new unique UUID in the file name.
Next we ask FileMaker to save current record as PDF to the given file path. If that works and we don't get an error reported, we can use the Container.ReadFile function to read the PDF file. Please note, that we have different file path in either FileMaker style or native OS style for the plugin. If the read operation works, we can try to put the new PDF document into the field. If that works, we can commit changes to disk and report back OK. Per convention we have the script either return OK or an error message, so the calling script can check the result.
Here is the final script:
# pass record ID as parameter
Set Variable [ $RecordID ; Value: Get(ScriptParameter) ]
#
# go to target layout
Go to Layout [ “Contact Details” (Contacts) ; Animation: None ]
If [ Get(LastError) ≠ 0 ]
Exit Script [ Text Result: "Failed to go to layout!" ]
End If
#
Go to Record/Request/Page [ With dialog: Off ; $RecordID ]
If [ Get(LastError) ≠ 0 ]
Exit Script [ Text Result: "Failed to go to record " & $recordID ]
End If
#
# build a path for FileMaker
Set Variable [ $name ; Value: "temp.pdf" ]
Set Variable [ $path ; Value: Get(DocumentsPath) & $name ]
For this year's Thanksgiving in America, we offer again discounted licenses for our MBS Plugins for FileMaker and Xojo.
Please use coupon code BlackFriday for our web shop to order new licenses with a 20% discount. This includes DynaPDF and LibXL.
If you have special needs, you can email us to get an invoice or Paypal payment link directly. We know some people need to wait till next week to order, so the offer is valid till Tuesday.
Second if you have purchased previously an individual MBS Xojo Plugin part from the Complete Set within the last two years, but not the whole set, we offer you an upgrade to the Complete set for the update price. Please consider to get the whole collection of 40 plugins instead of just one plugin.
Dieses Jahr findet die fmnext.ch Veranstaltung online statt und über mehrere Wochen verteilt mit Vorträgen online:
Medio-Ingeno AG proudly presents FMnext - Screencasts 📽
ab 17. November 2020, 17 Uhr
Anstelle des jährlichen FMnext XP Events für Entwickler, FileMaker-Enthusiasten und Interessierte veröffentlichen wir
aus bekannten Gründen an dieser Stelle wöchentlich Screencasts aus der Community zum Thema Claris FileMaker ®.
Das Programm dieses Jahr:
Episode 1 - 17.11.20 Wie erstelle ich Add-ons in FileMaker 19?
In einem 20-Minuten Video wird das Erstellen eines Add-ons sowie der Einbau in eine bestehende Lösung Schritt für Schritt erklärt.
Referent: Martin Schwarz, Medio-Ingeno AG
Episode 2 - 24.11.20 Protokollieren von Datensatz-Änderungen: einfach und schnell
Michael Jupe zeigt, wie Änderungen am Datensatz protokolliert werden können, und zwar unmerklich für die Benutzer und unaufwändig für den Programmierer.
Referent: Michael Jupe, Medio-Ingeno AG
Episode 3 - 01.12.20 Subsummary Reports erstellen und exportieren
Zwischenergebnisse darstellen kann FileMaker seit langem. Weniger bekannt ist, dass die Daten dieser Subsummary Reports exportiert werden können. Das 20-minütige Video zeigt anhand einer Muster-Datei, wie ein Subsummary Report erstellt und exportiert wird.
Referent: Markus Spieler, Medio-Ingeno AG
Episode 4 - 08.12.20 Von UFOs und Card Windows
Card Windows bewegen sich in luftiger Höhe über ein anderes Layout und keiner weiss, von welchem Planeten sie stammen. Was bei Popover-Fenster in FileMaker noch klar ist, ändert sich radikal mit der Einführung von Card Windows. Frühere Beschränkungen werden aufgehoben und plötzlich sind ganz neue Arbeitsflusse umsetzbar. Da Card Windows nun auch mit WebDirect funktionieren, sollte man die Möglichkeiten kennen. Dieses Video ist eine kleine Flugschule für UFO's, die sogenannten Card Windows.
Referent: Karsten Risseeuw, Kursiv GmbH
Episode 5 - 15.12.20 Neues aus der Monkeybread Schmiede
Referent: Christian Schmitz, Monkeybread
Alle Videos finden Sie auf der fmnext.ch Webseite.
As you may know Americans love to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year Black Friday is 27th November. About half our customers are in North America, so we are happy to offer you a discount if they buy this weekend. Our offer will go live in the next days and should be available in time.
We plan to offer coupon code BlackFriday for the web shop with 20% off for new licenses of MBS Plugins, DynaPDF and LibXL.
Updates are already offered with discount (usually 50%) compared to new purchases and and our academic prices already have a discount. If you like, you can email us to get an order link for all licenses you need or provide an invoice if needed.
As usual the discounted offer allows you to buy whatever licenses you may need in the next year. As you know that Apple Silicon is coming to a lot of clients next year, you may want to have current plugin licenses.
If you need a license from Xojo Inc. or their third-party store section, you may to check the Xojo store on the weekend. Everyone interested in a license for the next version 2020r2 featuring Apple Silicon support, should go and buy one.
For FileMaker there is still an offer available for buying one FileMaker Pro license and getting a free one to give away. This offer expires 18th December. If you or your client has an expired FileMaker license for over 6 months, you may get a discount for a welcome back offer with 25% reduced pricing. Also there may be possibilities to get a FileMaker Server for smaller companies with thee or four users.
You have a question? Please don't hesitate to contact us by email or phone. We may help to point you to the right offer.
In this article I want to introduce you the new functions from the MBS FileMaker Plugin in version 10.5.
XL - Working with Excel
Let's start with the innovations in the XL topic. With our plugin you can create and edit Excel documents via FileMaker scripts. Also in this release we have new features that extend the functionality of this topic. With the new function XL.CopyColumn you can copy the values of a column of a table into another column. This copying process is not limited to the worksheet or book. You can also copy columns between different books and sheets. These must then be defined in the parameters.
You can use the XL.Sheet.AddDataValidation function to perform data validation for a specific area of a table. For example, you can specify that a column may not be empty or the values are in a range. These data validations can then be removed with XL.Sheet.RemoveDataValidations. This functions works for xlsx files.
The last but not least new function in the component is the XL.Sheet.CellReadValue function. With this function you reads a value from a cell. Depending on the content we return a number, a boolean, a text or a timestamp. Empty, blank or error cells will return an empty value.
CSV Matrix
Another new function is the Matrix.CSVSplit function. With this function we can convert a Comma Separate Value Text into a matrix. For example, if you have the data of a FileMaker database as a CSV file, you can use this function to easily write the data into a matrix and work with it.
We had ListDialog functions for years and a few people over the years asked for a filter feature. We got that implemented for next version of MBS FileMaker Plugin:
To support that we have 4 new functions to enable filter and set the filter text:
Let us show you how to use Matrix.CSVSplit function for a custom CSV import. For example you may have a text file and read it with our Text.ReadTextFile function. Here it is important to know the text encoding to expect. Usually nowadays everyone uses UTF-8 except if you get data from ancient database systems with some Latin 1 or Windows ANSI encoding. Once you have some text, you may want to normalize line endings with Text.ReplaceNewline function.
Next you call Matrix.CSVSplit function to split the CSV text. We can pass the semicolon as delimiter. If you don't specify one, we auto detect whether it is comma, semicolon or tab character. But you can pass any delimiter you like here, e.g. # character. Once import is done, we can use Matrix.Height and Matrix.Width functions to query the size of the matrix we got. First row is the name of the fields. You may use the fields listed in the CSV later or bring your own field list for the insert operation later. And as we don't like to insert the field names, we remove first row with Matrix.RemoveRow function.
The magic to do inserts into your table is done with our Matrix.InsertRecords function. It creates internally an SQL statement to for insert operations. Then it walks over the matrix and runs SQL statement to insert records. If everything is fine, the function returns OK. Finally we can release the matrix object with the Matrix.Release function. You can see the SQL statement by calling FM.ExecuteSQL.LastSQL function.
Here is the sample script:
# native file path
Set Variable [ $path ; Value: "/Users/cs/Desktop/test.csv" ]
Set Variable [ $r ; Value: MBS("Matrix.Release"; $matrix) ]
For next plugin version we already got an improvement: While plugin version 10.5 can only do text fields in FileMaker, the next version will detect field type and convert data if needed.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
MBS Plugin in version 10.5 is available and you can try our bracket highlighting for macOS:
For macOS we added a new feature to the calculation dialog to highlight matching brackets. If you put the cursor on a square, curly or regular bracket, the plugin looks for the matching bracket and provides a blue background for both. This usually ignores quoted text, except if your selection is within quoted text. Then we look for brackets in this text to help with e.g. SQL commands.
Our MBS FileMaker Plugin in version 10.5 added newer WindowsML functions for Machine Learning on Windows 10.
Adding those did break compatibility to Windows 7 by referencing newer functions introduced in Windows 8.
If you need Windows 7 or as server version alias Windows Server 2008 R2 support, please get the plugin here: MBSFMPlugin105-Windows7.zip.
As those Windows versions are unsupported, nobody should use or need them anymore.
In future, we may only provide Windows 7 compatibly plugins on request as current FileMaker Pro doesn't even run on Windows 7 anymore.
Nickenich, Germany - (November 17th, 2020) -- MonkeyBread Software today is pleased to announce MBS FileMaker Plugin 10.5 for macOS, iOS, Linux and Windows, the latest update to their product that is easily the most powerful plugin currently available for FileMaker Pro. As the leading database management solution for Windows, macOS, iOS and the web, the FileMaker Pro Integrated Development Environment supports a plugin architecture that can easily extend the feature set of the application. MBS FileMaker Plugin 10.5 has been updated and now includes over 6400 different functions, and the versatile plugin has gained more new functions:
If you are interested in Machine Learning, please check our new WindowsML functions for Windows. Beside the CoreML function on macOS, we now can do similar things on Windows like detecting the primary object of a picture.
For macOS we added a new feature to the calculation dialog to highlight matching brackets. If you put the cursor on a square, curly or regular bracket, the plugin looks for the matching bracket and provides a blue background for both. This usually ignores quoted text, except if your selection is within quoted text. Then we look for brackets in this text to help with e.g. SQL commands. For the inspector we got a zoom button to increase control sizes to 125%. Read them easier, although you may need to scroll with the mouse.
DynaPDF got updated and now supports more ZUGFeRD 2.1 and Factur-X variants. The new DynaPDF.InsertBarcode function helps to place vector graphics barcodes on the PDF pages. We added a lot of new JSON based functions for DynaPDF to query content of documents like information on fonts, fields, bookmarks or annotations. For DynaPDF.Print we now support collate and copies options in the print dialog.
This version embraces JSON, so check the new JSON functions like Files.ListAsJSON to list files in a directory or CUPS functions to list printers and jobs.
We got a lot of new ReleaseAll functions to help cleanup objects. Use Matrix.CSVSplit to split CSV into a matrix object, check TextView functions to handle selection, use new list functions to find duplicate entries.
On macOS you can query app memory usage with SystemInfo.AppUsageStatistics function including how much memory FileMaker uses right now. The SystemInfo.CPULoad function tells you how much CPU is used currently.
Finally we updated CURL library to version 7.73.0, DynaPDF to 4.0.44.123, freetype to 2.10.4, LibXL to 3.9.2, OpenSSL to 1.1.1h, SQLAPI to 5.1.3b3 and Xcode to version 12.1.
17. November 2020 - Monkeybread Software veröffentlicht heute das MBS FileMaker Plugin für FileMaker in Version 10.5, mit inzwischen über 6400 Funktionen eines der größten FileMaker Plugins überhaupt. Hier einige der Neuerungen:
Wenn Sie sich für Maschinelles Lernen interessieren, schauen Sie sich bitte unsere neuen WindowsML Funktionen für Windows an. Neben der CoreML Funktion auf MacOS können wir jetzt unter Windows ähnliche Dinge tun, wie z.B. das primäre Objekt eines Bildes erkennen.
Für macOS haben wir dem Berechnungsdialog eine neue Funktion hinzugefügt, um passende Klammern hervorzuheben. Wenn Sie den Cursor auf eine eckige, geschweifte oder normale Klammer setzen, sucht das Plugin nach der passenden Klammer und stellt für beide einen blauen Hintergrund zur Verfügung. Dies ignoriert normalerweise zitierten Text, außer wenn sich Ihre Auswahl innerhalb des zitierten Textes befindet. Dann suchen wir nach Klammern in diesem Text, um z.B. bei SQL-Befehlen zu helfen. Für den Inspektor haben wir einen Zoom-Button, um die Kontrollgrößen auf 125% zu erhöhen. Dies erleichtert das Lesen, auch wenn Sie eventuell mit der Maus scrollen müssen.
Für unsere XL Funktionen haben wir eine neue XL.CopyColumn Funktion zum Kopieren von Spalten in einem Blatt eingebaut. Unsere neue XL.Sheet.CellReadValue Funktion kann einen Wert aus einer Zelle auslesen und ihn abhängig vom Zelltyp als Wert zurückgeben. Mit den neuen Funktionen XL.Sheet.AddDataValidation und XL.Sheet.RemoveDataValidations können Sie die Datenvalidierung konfigurieren.
DynaPDF wurde aktualisiert und unterstützt nun mehr ZUGFeRD 2.1 und Factur-X Varianten. Die neue DynaPDF.InsertBarcode Funktion hilft beim Platzieren von Vektorgrafik-Barcodes auf den PDF Seiten. Wir haben viele neue JSON-basierte Funktionen für DynaPDF hinzugefügt, um den Inhalt von Dokumenten wie Informationen zu Schriftarten, Feldern, Lesezeichen oder Anmerkungen abzufragen. Für DynaPDF.Print unterstützen wir jetzt die Optionen zum Sortieren und Kopieren im Druckdialog.
Diese Version bring viele neue JSON Funktionen. Probieren Sie die neuen JSON Funktionen wie Files.ListAsJSON zum Auflisten von Dateien in einem Verzeichnis oder CUPS Funktionen zum Auflisten von Druckern und Aufträgen.
Wir haben eine Menge neuer ReleaseAll Funktionen eingebaut, die beim Bereinigen von Objekten helfen. Verwenden Sie Matrix.CSVSplit, um CSV Text in ein Matrixobjekt aufzuteilen. Probieren Sie TextView Funktionen für die Textauswahl in einem Textbereich zu steuern und verwenden Sie neue Listenfunktionen, um doppelte Einträge zu finden.
Unter MacOS können Sie mit der Funktion SystemInfo.AppUsageStatistics die Speichernutzung von Anwendungen abfragen, einschließlich der Abfrage, wie viel Speicher FileMaker im Moment verwendet. Die Funktion SystemInfo.CPULoad zeigt Ihnen an, wie stark die CPU derzeit verwendet wird.
Schließlich haben wir die CURL-Bibliothek auf Version 7.73.0 aktualisiert, DynaPDF auf 4.0.44.123, freetype auf 2.10.4, LibXL auf 3.9.2, OpenSSL auf 1.1.1h, SQLAPI auf 5.1.3b3 und Xcode auf Version 12.1 aktualisiert.
Vom 17. bis 19. Juni 2021 findet die elfte deutschsprachige FileMaker Konferenz in Malbun, Liechtenstein statt. Aktuell läuft die Frühbucherphase bis 28. Februar mit vergünstigten Tickets.
Die Veranstalter vom Verein FM Konferenz erwarten auch 2020 rund 120 Entwickler, Anwender, IT-Fachleute und Entscheidungsträger aus Wirtschaft, Bildung und Verwaltung. Rund um über 20 Fachvorträge und Workshops wird es viel Zeit zum Vernetzen in den gemeinsamen Pausen und beim Abendprogramm geben.
Für den Deutschsprachigen Raum ist diese Konferenz das Treffen des Jahres. Hier finden Sie vom Anfänger bis zum Profi Kontakte zu anderen Entwicklern. Lernen Sie was es neues gibt, nehmen Sie Impulse mit für die eigene Arbeit und erfahren Sie mehr zu FileMaker von deutschsprachigen Experten!
Die MBS Plugin Schulung vorher findet voraussichtlich am statt (im gleichen Hotel).
Bitte planen Sie wenigstens einen extra Tag ein für ihren Besuch in Liechtenstein, damit Sie die Natur in dem schönen Tal geniessen können. Den Aufstieg auf den Sareis können Sie bequem zu Fuß vom Hotel aus starten und die Turnastraße hinauf spazieren bis zum Restaurant am Gipfel. Oder alternativ die Seilbahn nehmen.
Hoffen wir, dass sich im Frühjahr die Corona Lage verbessert und die Konferenz stattfinden kann.
Further down, change void* buffer variable to _SIMPLE_STRING _buffer = nullptr;, so the _buffer variable has a type.
In MachOLoaded.cpp comment out all corecrypto includes.
In Diagnostics.cpp we comment out _simple.h and libc_private.h includes. We could have put above definitions into a _simple.h file instead of course. Further down we change abort_report_np to have extern "C" in front to avoid link error.
In Closure.cpp we comment out corecrypto includes and System/machine/cpu_capabilities.h include. In hashBootAndFileInfo further below we change the #if to #if 0 to disable the block.
Finally build it and run it in terminal: dyld_shared_cache_util -extract ~/Desktop /System/Library/dyld/dyld_shared_cache_x86_64
For all you out there, here is my copy with modifications and the built command-line tool (x86_64 + arm64). No warranties as I have no idea whether the commented out code has side effects: dyld_shared_cache_util-dyld-733.8.zip
Yesterday Apple released macOS Big Sur to the public. As far as we see our software seems to work just fine. If you have an issue, please contact us soon.
As usual we recommend to wait with the update for another .1 or .2 release and only put it on production computers once you verified all your software works.
For Apple Silicon, our software should run fine in Rosetta for now. We will provide updated plugins and applications over the next months based on request. But first we wait for Claris Inc. and Xojo Inc. to update their host applications.
We already have a few Big Sur specific functions coming in the plugins and if you need something, please let us know.
PS: If your license has expired maintenance, feel free to order an update to extend it. If you need a new license for our plugins (or Xojo), you can get a trial now and order the license around Black Friday.
Recently a client asked if we can help with memory leaks in WebViewer in FileMaker. I suggested to try our custom Webviewer via plugin functions. See WebView.Create, which works on Windows, too.
Trying that, we saw also memory leaks with the plugin functions. So we checked our plugin functions and found a couple of places, where our plugin would not free references correctly. That is fixed for next version.
Please try to use WebView.Create, do something with the WebViewer like loading a website there and later call WebView.Close to remove the WebViewer. Let us know if you still find a way, where we leak memory or any problem you may find with next plugin.
The November/December (18.6) issue of xDev Magazine is now available. Here's a quick preview of what's inside:
Writing Better Code by Christian Schmitz
This is a great collection of programming tips, from how to write comments, limiting the scope of variables, handling errors, advice on method length, and much more.
OOP Listbox (Part 4) by Markus Winter
What Markus had planned to write changed when the folks at Xojo surprised him with a new listbox feature: customizable headers. Now he updates his project.
Get Ready for Git by Justin Elliott
Using a version control system can be intimidating, but in this guide for Xojo developers, Justin takes you step-by-step into the world of Git and makes it painless.
MapKit (Part 7) by Markus Winter
This time Markus shows us how to use customized annotation views in Apple's MapKit in Xojo.
Toolbar Quick Tip by Markus Winter
Did you know that if you create a subclass a Toolbar you can no longer add buttons to it in the IDE? Fortunately, Markus found a solution to this odd problem.
PLUS: Creating PDFs with Xojo, Xojo 2020 Release 1.2, SQLite 3.31.1, Best of the Web, and more!
Today we looked into things for saving PDFs on server when using FileMaker Server for Linux.
For this year's Thanksgiving in America, we offer again discounted licenses for our MBS Plugins for FileMaker and Xojo.
Dieses Jahr findet die fmnext.ch Veranstaltung online statt und über mehrere Wochen verteilt mit Vorträgen online:
In this article I want to introduce you the new functions from the MBS FileMaker Plugin in version 10.5.
Noch sieben Monate bis zur FileMaker Konferenz 2021 in Malbun (Liechtenstein) und zur MBS Plugin Schulung Schulung am Mittwoch vorher.
On macOS Big Sur we can load libiodbc, libiconv and other open source libraries just fine, but where are they?
Yesterday Apple released macOS Big Sur to the public. As far as we see our software seems to work just fine. If you have an issue, please contact us soon.
The November/December (18.6) issue of xDev Magazine is now available. Here's a quick preview of what's inside: