FileMaker announced today that FileMaker 5.5 Developer would be available on October 1. FileMaker Developer is targeted to corporate and independent developers, as well as workgroup database administrators, deploying specialized FileMaker Pro databases for use within enterprise workgroups.
In addition to the features found in FileMaker, the developer release also includes:
Database Design Report for documenting the structure (including fields, scripts, relationships, layouts and database passwords) of FileMaker Pro database solutions. Developers can choose to view and navigate the time and date stamped report as a FileMaker Pro database or in XML format. Using the Database Design Report, orphan links and redundant objects of past and present FileMaker solutions can now be easily located. Script Debugger for the systematic testing of scripts within a FileMaker solution. By inserting breakpoints (pauses) in the script, Developers can step through each script, line by line and view and compare the anticipated results. Developer Tool has been updated to assist in creating both standalone database applications and Kiosk mode solutions that support FileMaker Pro 5.5 features. Developers can also customize and secure cross-platform FileMaker Pro royalty-free runtime solutions. The Developer Tool offers customization tools, such as the ability to rename database filenames while preserving links to files and scripts. Three new Plug-in Samples with Source Code have been added to Developer 5.5 to provide guidelines to developers for creating FileMaker Pro Plug-ins, which extend the basic functionality of FileMaker Pro solutions. Updated ODBC Drivers Merant 3.5 on Mac Classic and Merant 3.7 on Windows; Oracle (Mac and Windows); Microsoft SQL Server (Windows); Text (Mac and Windows) are now available within FileMaker Developer 5.5 to connect to the latest versions of standard corporate data sources. New Mac OS X support, providing pre-emptive multi-tasking, memory protection, PDF support and the Aqua interface. In addition to Mac OS X, FileMaker Developer 5.5 also supports Mac 8.1 through 9.1, and Windows 2000, NT, Me, 98 and 95. FileMaker Developer 5.5 will be available starting October 1, for US$499 from the
FileMaker store. Licensed users (based in North America) of FileMaker Pro 4.0 Developer Edition or FileMaker Developer 5.0 are eligible for a $100 or mail-in rebate (this offer is good until December 31, 2002, and cannot be used in combination with any other offers). Individual copies of FileMaker Developer 5.5 may be purchased from authorized FileMaker resellers.