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Explore the technologies used to build and maintain applications. Read the guides, test your understanding with exercises and follow the development of FileMaker and Claris from their beginnings.
Technology in practice
From choosing how to render a website to restoring a database and deploying an application. Practical steps, examples and pitfalls to understand before you begin.
Guides found: 6 of 6
FileMaker REST API integration: fmrest privileges, sessions, creating records, error handling and duplicate prevention. An example connecting a form to a CRM.
Read and practiseCompare Laravel, Django and ASP.NET Core for business systems. Backend selection criteria, an example ordering process and questions to ask your developer.
Read and practiseHow to design a PostgreSQL database for a business, choose indexes and verify a backup. Practical examples of data constraints, pg_dump and PITR.
Read and practisePlanning offline PWA functionality: service workers, caching, queued changes and data conflicts. A field service application example and offline tests.
Read and practiseChoosing a rendering approach in React: SSR, SSG and SPA in practice. Check metadata, indexing, hosting costs and tests before launch.
Read and practisePreparing a VPS or dedicated server with Ubuntu and Docker: SSH, ports, containers, updates, backups and a tested deployment and rollback plan.
Read and practiseBring the topics together in one plan
Choose your goal and read the guides in the suggested order. Each guide includes tasks and questions to test your understanding.
From the public side and rendering to the backend and working without the Internet.
You will assign a rendering method to the offer pages and user panel.
You will describe the rules, integrations and criteria for selecting a framework.
You will describe local saving, synchronization and conflict handling.
Outcome: You will prepare an outline of the application divided into public content, server rules and offline tasks.
From a consistent data model to backend processes and information exchange with FileMaker.
You will describe the relationships, constraints, and requirements for reproduction.
You will separate the transaction, the queued task and the retry of the operation.
You will define the API contract, scope of access and error control.
Outcome: You will prepare a data flow plan with control over authorizations, integrity and retry operations.
From hosting requirements and data backups to a controlled server deployment.
You will determine which functions can run statically and which require a server.
You will select a copy that meets the company's requirements and determine an attempt to restore the application.
You will control access, services, data durability and return to the previous version.
Outcome: You will prepare a deployment plan with rollback testing, port controls, and how to roll back updates.
The product, the company and successive generations of applications
FileMaker launched before Claris was founded. Explore the origins of the product, the development of the brand and the platform’s key changes. The timeline follows the historical dates of these events.
From the FileMaker launch in 1985 to business applications. Explore the product’s origins and the distinction between FileMaker’s history and the history of Claris.
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Claris was founded in 1987. We explain its relationship with Apple, its later connection with FileMaker and the significance of the name that returned in 2019.
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In 1992, FileMaker became available on Windows. How did support for both platforms change business application design and development?
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FileMaker Pro 3 in 1995 marked an important stage in data relationships. See how the change helped build coherent systems instead of separate sets of records.
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Why does the name FileMaker, Inc. appear in older materials? Explore the period that began in 1998 and its significance when reading the archives.
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FileMaker Pro 7 introduced multiple tables in one file and the fp7 format. Explore what this change meant for extending systems and migrating older databases.
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The launch of FileMaker Go in 2010 began the platform’s mobile era. Explore working with databases on iPhone and iPad and planning offline scenarios.
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Explore the significance of FileMaker 12: a new file format, layout themes, improved container fields and application design for computers and mobile devices.
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FileMaker 13 introduced WebDirect. Explore how browser access changed application sharing and how it differs from a public website.
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The first generation of FileMaker Cloud used AWS infrastructure. Explore the 2016 stage and how it differs from the later service managed by Claris.
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FileMaker 16 expanded web service integrations with JSON, cURL and a trial Data API. Explore the significance of this change for connecting systems.
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FileMaker 17 reorganised developer tools and took Data API beyond the trial stage. Explore what these changes meant for professional application development.
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The historical context of the Claris brand’s return and its relationship with the FileMaker platform. An updated Platinum Interactive archive article.
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How did the launch of Claris Connect in March 2020 change FileMaker integrations? The history of automation, connectors and data flow between applications.
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The FileMaker 19 release on 20 May 2020: JavaScript integration, Core ML and add-on development. We explain what these changes meant for business applications.
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In November 2020, Claris described FileMaker Server for CentOS Linux. What changed in hosting, and why should this release be distinguished from Ubuntu support?
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What did FileMaker 19.3 bring in June 2021? Native Apple silicon support, Ubuntu for Server and WebView2 on Windows changed the deployment environment.
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How did Claris Studio develop in 2022? Forms, data views and platform integration, with context on the later announcement that the service would end.
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Why were transactions in FileMaker 19.6 important for business systems? A historical overview of the 2022 changes and a practical order example.
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FileMaker 2023 launched on 25 April 2023. Explore the significance of changes to scalability, operation auditing and the naming of platform releases.
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FileMaker 2024 introduced AI tools and semantic search. Explore the significance of the 4 June 2024 release and the principles for implementing these features.
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The FileMaker 2025 release on 8 July: developments in RAG, natural-language queries and shared platform access. We explain the capabilities and limitations.
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What did FileMaker 2026 bring on 9 June? Developer tools, data context for AI, and optional Remote Backup and Standby Server.
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On 27 August 2026, Claris announced that Studio would end on 15 March 2027. Learn how to prepare the migration of forms, data and business processes.
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Older posts retain their URLs and original publication dates. They describe the technology of their time; check the vendor’s documentation for current requirements.