Category: Design and Implementation

The FileMaker command  Perform Script on Server  offers a powerful tool for speeding up performance by keeping the process local to the server. This option can greatly improve situations where significant data must be handled or where the server connection is slow.

The script command has a simple syntax and offers the option of whether or not to wait for completing the script before the user regains control of their session.

Perform Script on Server [ Specified: By name ; {script name} ; Parameter: {parameters} ; Wait for completion: off ]

Deciding on whether to select the  Wait for completion  option depends on whether the script must complete before the user can continue with their current process. For example, the script might need to prepare a list of addresses before the user can check off which addresses to select. However, in a surprising number of cases, waiting for completion is not necessary and the user experience can be improved significantly by turning  Wait for completion  off.

Server Talkback

Running a server script without  Waiting for completion  sets up an independent user session on the server to complete the script. The downside is that the user can lose control over the script process and cannot see progress during completion. Server talkback can provide a channel to communicate with the user and even provide user control over the script in process.

Server talkback sets up a channel for the server to communicate information back and forth with the user. In this approach, server talkback is achieved by sharing a session record between the user and the server that includes the information required. A method that we use works as follows:

A session record is issued to a user when they log onto the application with a UUID that can be shared with the server. This UUID is passed as a parameter to the server when the Perform Script on Server command is called. The record includes all the control and reporting fields required for the server to communicate with the user.

Javascript object notation (JSON) provides a handy mechanism to pass script parameters in this manner. The server script captures the session ID and sets up a corresponding connection to the session record. An easy way to control access to the session record is for both the user and the server to use a global field “selector” to identify the session that will be used to communicate. This global connection can be set in one or more places as required in the relationship graph. In this example, a global in the system (SYS) table has an equi-join relationship to the Session table.

Since the server and the user now both have access to the session record, data can be easily passed back and forth as needed. An absolutely fundamental requirement of this approach is to always commit session record changes as soon as they happen. This procedure will ensure that the session record is not locked and that the user’s data is refreshed right after the server commits.

Some useful functions that we have been using include: debugging server scripts by building a script trace log and transmitting it back to the user; providing progress reporting on a long batch runs and allowing the user cancel; sending commands to a star controller on the server to perform various outcomes; and reporting back API batch processes. We will dive into some of these use cases in more detail in the future.

Headline:

“Apple aims to put the customer at the center of everything we do”- Apple at WWDC18

This is something Kyo Logic and Apple have in common. We aim to provide the most user-centric services with everything we do, whether it is consulting, training, or FileMaker Development, making your business easier to run is our primary goal.

Here are some takeaways in iOS 12 that we found best upheld Apple’s promise:

Screen Time:

Smartphones have become an addiction, especially amongst the younger generation. Apple (being the number one contributor to that addiction) has begun to address this issue by implementing a new feature on iOS 12 called Screen Time. Screen Time provides you with a weekly report of how much time you have been spending on your iPhone, how often you check your iPhone, and what apps you’ve been spending the most time on.

The user-centric aspect of Screen Time is how customizable it can be. Users can:

• Set limits for the time they spend on specific apps, with warnings when you get close to your limit
• Set limits on their children’s devices remotely to help limit their usage
• Set Downtime for when apps won’t be displayed and indicate when specific apps aren’t usable
• Screen Time is Apple’s way to contribute to solving a social issue that they’ve helped create, all while keeping the user’s decisions to choose their settings in mind.

Security and Privacy:

In the tech world, people are always worried about their online presence, and whether their data is safe or not. Apple and Kyo Logic are two companies that show a similar drive to keep our user’s data safe. As per usual, Apple touched base on how up to date their security and privacy software is, but something especially interesting popped up that we found notable.

We have all seen the relentless “like” and “share” buttons on almost every website nowadays. These buttons can track and take down information from the user without even clicking them. Apple has made the stride to get rid of their user’s worry by disallowing this ability with iOS 12’s new Safari. To keep with Apple’s general theme of the conference of keeping the user at the center of everything they do, Apple has made this function optional. Every time one of these buttons is in effect, the user will have to allow access.

Apple is keeping the customer in the center of its update by thinking ahead of possible security threats, yet also allowing the user to bypass this security measure if they choose to do so.

Swift and The Apple Learning Community:

As any FileMaker user could tell you, coding is the language of technology and the future. Apple has been spreading the idea of how learnable the ability to code is through the implementation of Swift and Swift Playground. Both technologies have been out for a couple of years now, but Apple is pushing to get the public involved in coding for free.

Apps like Swift Playground make learning how to code very easy, and especially fun for inexperienced coders. Apple says, “We think everyone should have the opportunity to create something that can change the world. So we’ve designed a program that lets anyone learn, write, and teach code.”(Apple)

This entire movement falls under Apple’s overarching goal of the Apple Learning Community. Apple is pushing to get coding classes in all schools, enabling the next generation to create mind-blowing and groundbreaking apps that could change the world. For even more information on the Apple, Learning Community click here.

With the release of iOS 12, Apple includes an entire learning community with abilities of the public to become teachers and students to spread valuable knowledge.

By creating an available source of valuable education, and catering towards our youth, Apple has been continually showing us how customer-driven they are both for-profit and the betterment of society.

iOS 12 Beta

If you would like to access the Beta of iOS 12, click here, and help Apple make it their best release yet!

Work Cited:

iCrackUriDevice. “LIVE: Apple WWDC 2018 – IOS 12 & MORE – Video Stream (June 2018 Keynote)!” YouTube, YouTube, 4 June 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=61U4_ygZolo

“Everyone Can Code.” Apple, Apple.inc, www.apple.com/everyone-can-code/.

Introduction to FileMaker and SQL

Are you looking for a way to take your FileMaker Database to the next level? Harnessing the power of SQL in FileMaker can help you streamline and easily access more of your data.

What is SQL and what are the benefits?

SQL is an abbreviation for structured query language and is a standardized programming language best used for managing a relational database. SQL also allows you to perform various operations on data and is used by developers to write data integration scripts and setting up and running analytical queries.

When using SQL in FileMaker you can there are many different benefits such as:

• • Quickly obtaining data for use in scripts
  • Versatility: Summarize, Join, Union, Find Within
  • Requires no persistent structures
  • Potentially very fast
  • Completely programmable

Well, this all sounds great but how do you get SQL to run in FileMaker?

With the latest versions of FileMaker, you can utilize the ExecuteSQL() function right within FileMaker which will allow you to perform select queries. SQL works well with Let functions and is often used to store data in global variables. Both simple or complex arguments can be entered into an SQL statement.

Additional FileMaker and SQL Recourses:

• Sams Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes
• FileMaker SQL Reference
• Greg Lane SQL Tutorial

Conclusion

SQL is a great way to utilize your data in FileMaker. Whether writing simple or complex arguments you will be able to quickly use the ExecuteSQL() function in FileMaker to perform queries.

If you would like to harness the power of your data in FileMaker but do not want to do the heavy lifting contact us today.

Norwalk, Sept. 1, 2017… Kyo Logic has launched their newly revamped website. The new site will include updated information about the services offered by Kyo Logic as well as a better understanding of the company’s value proposition and client benefits. The revamped site will have blog posts and press releases that are updated monthly for up to date industry news on custom software development and FileMaker.

The new site has enhanced functionality and a clean and streamlined design that puts a focus on the Kyo Logic mission to provide easy to use custom software to streamline client’s businesses. The new site will be launched September 1^st and be compatible across all platforms.

“A website redesign is more than a fresh coat of paint, it’s an entirely new opportunity to engage with our clients in a deeper and more meaningful way. As someone who is client facing, there’s a lot to be excited about with this update” said Stoddard Horn, Sales Associate at Kyo Logic.

Kyo Logic’s new site will be updated regularly with new services, FileMaker news, and industry standards. We encourage visitors to leave feedback and sign up for our monthly newsletters for all the latest updates.

About the Kyo Logic:

Kyo Logic is located in Southern Connecticut and was started in 2002 with a goal to change the way you think about FileMaker Pro development projects. We create custom apps and integrated mobile solutions for clients across all business sectors.

With Certified Platinum level skills and thousands of hours of real-world production experience, we can build the powerful, customized and integrated software solutions you need. Our team leverages these advantages even further by providing our clients with shorter development times and lower overall project costs. We are able to do this because of our commitment to efficiency and our decades of combined experience. We also have a deep understanding of FileMaker and its power, functionality and flexibility, so we can bring the very best solutions to the table.

We extend our services to webinars, speaking engagements, educational opportunities, and workshops. We use each event as an opportunity become a better development partner.