Filemaker is one of the most popular cross-platform relational database management systems created by Apple Inc. It allows application developers, regardless of their programming language abilities, to build functional and tightly integrated database applications that they can deploy on their client’s hardware and mobile devices like iPhones, iPads, etc.
For example, if you were to create an invoicing application that keeps track of your clients and generates bills based on their services, Filemaker would handle all the database parts.
Through Filemaker’s script programming language known as AppleScript, a common scripting language for Mac OS X computers, it is to automate tasks commonly performed by users, managing data stored in the relational databases.
In other words; when you install a Filemaker Database Solution, it can perform complex calculations, reference data from any number of sources, and store information inside its built-in tables just like a typical relational database software, but its unique point lies in its tight integration with Mac OS X allowing anyone without any professional knowledge or training to create powerful applications that give your company an edge over its competitors.
Different types of Filemaker database developers?
A Filemaker database Developer can be categorized into three groups, namely Front-end, Middleware, and Back-end, depending on the level of access to a client’s proprietary data. Depending on their levels, various skillsets are required from each group, as discussed below:
Front-End – This is the most common type of FileMaker developers specializing in creating customized interfaces for end-users to interact with the application they built using FileMaker Pro. This would be done through simple drag & drop activities inside FileMaker Pro’s visual design mode to build user forms which would help you organize related fields together so that your clients can use it without any technical knowledge. For example; when you create an application in FileMaker which saves customer information like Name, Email, Phone number, etc. and later require end-users to add/update such data, you would use such forms to do such activities after creating them using the visual form design mode in FileMaker Pro.
Middleware – This is a type of FileMaker developer who specializes in developing back-end subroutines that are responsible for processing clients’ data requests before they are given access to the front-end FileMaker developer’s customized user interface. For example, when you need your clients to search through any records stored inside your relational database solution, it is these subroutines built by Middleware FileMaker developers that would be responsible for providing results to front-end developers based on the data they are searching for. For example, let’s say your company is providing house cleaning services to customers who use your application to send requests to clean their houses; it would be Middleware FileMaker developers that will trigger the execution of this function when a customer makes such a request via your customized user interface developed by Front-End FileMaker development team.
Back-End – This type of FileMaker developer specializes in developing functionalities that deal with databases at their core level. These are complex yet very important roles because apart from maintaining the integrity of data being stored, these are also required to develop reports, maintain database structure, etc.
