Java applets have been included to demonstrate a Java front end to FileMaker Pro. The enclosed "Demo" folder contains files that demonstrate how Java can be used to create forms and layouts from any open FileMaker Pro database ("Lasso Java Client")*, and a sample Java-based chat forum ("CoffeeHouse").
The "Examples" folder contains commented examples to describe how to create custom Java applets. This includes a Java applet that provides details about the structure and contents of all open FileMaker Pro databases ("DB Info"), and another Java applet that allows you to view the contents of a database containing Lasso tag information ("LassoTagsBrowser").
For Java developers, the provided set of Java Classes ("LassoProxy" source code) can be used to create applets and applications to serve as dynamic front-ends to FileMaker Pro. This sample source code is commented to assist Java developers with understanding how the LassoProxy code operates. See the Lasso User Guide for more details on how Lasso can be used with Java.
JAVA ENABLE YOUR FILEMAKER PRO DATABASE WEB PAGE
Because this technology is rapidly evolving, Blue World Communications, Inc. will distribute the latest available demonstrations or examples of how Java can be used with Lasso on the Lasso Web site. Visit the Lasso Solutions Web page for more information:
http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/solutions/
Blue World will continue to supplement these files that will be announced on the Blue World Web site, or on the Lasso Talk mailing list (http://www.blueworld.com/lists/lasso/).
INSTALL JAVA EXAMPLES
To run these Java demonstrations you will need to install a Web browser that is compatible with Java and any required files that are designated by that browser in order to run Java. Then use the following guidelines to get started:
1) Obtain and install "Internet Foundation Classes" (aka MacIFC) a file that is provided by Netscape. The Netscape installer places a file named "ifc_10.zip" into a folder named "ifc" inside the Java-compliant browser you select during installation. The "ifc_10.zip" file does not need to be unzipped (but leave it in the "IFC" folder). Also, confirm that you have the file "java_301" in the Netscape preferences folder within the system folder (delete older copies of this file, i.e. "java_30"). Also obtain the Text Encoding converter extension from Apple Computer. This extension comes with Apple Runtime Java and version 8 of Macintosh System software (Mac OS 8).
The most current installer for MacIFC can be downloaded from the following location:
http://home.netscape.com/eng/ifc/download.html
When the installation is complete, make certain to restart Netscape.
To verify that your copy of the IFC files were installed correctly and are the most current version, go to the following location at the Netscape web site:
http://home.netscape.com/eng/ifc/verify.html
2) Place the "LassoJavaClient," "DBInfo," "LassoTagsBrowser," or "CoffeeHouse" folders at the root level of your Web serving folder (remove any extraneous version names). The Java Class files are stored in a zipped archive and are sent to the browser as such. Do not unzip the files that are contained within these folders.
3) There are no specific databases used with the "LassoJavaClient" or "DBInfo." Open any FileMaker Pro database, or several databases, since the idea here is to have Java interact with these database(s). "LassoJavaClient" mimics the FileMaker Pro application to create custom forms to add or search the database. While "DBInfo" reads the databases and provides a list of database names, layouts, fields, and values. For the other two sets of files, open the databases that are provided in the "LassoTagsBrowser" or "CoffeeHouse" folders .
o To begin the "LassoJavaClient" demonstration open the file:
The demonstration will take a few minutes to begin. When it is ready you will be presented with a "Getting Started" dialog, at which point you can click "OK." Any FileMaker Pro database that is open on the server is available to LassoJavaClient. Select the database to be used on the upper right and then the layout the fields are to be found on in the square rectangle just below that. The fields will appear in a palette that can be dragged to the layout. From here you can continue to explore the other FileMaker database activities.
o To begin the "CoffeeHouse" demonstration open the file:
This demonstration allows for multiple people to interact in an online chat room using FileMaker Pro databases.
o To begin the "DBInfo" example open the file:
http://your_server_name/DBInfo/DBInfo.html
Any FileMaker Pro database that is open on the server is available to LassoJavaClient or DBInfo. Select the database, layout, and field names to see the values for the various records in the database.
o To begin the "LassoTagsBrowser" example open the file:
4) To get a better understanding on how these Java applets operate, open the two "Example" files with a text editor to view the source. The code is commented to assist with the development of other Java applets.
To use the Lasso CGI version with these Java examples/demos, create an action for "Lasso.acgi" in your Web server, or edit the HTML files to change the action to "Lasso.acgi." Refer to the Lasso User Guide in the section "Creating/Editing Format Files" for more information. Also, create an alias of "Lasso.acgi" and place it the folder which contains the applet you are using (in this case, either the "LassoJavaClient" or "CoffeeHouse" folder). Rename the alias as "Lasso.acgi" (remove the alias part of the name).
Note: If you are unable to get the Java files to load with your browser, try putting a second (unzipped) copy of the "ifc_10.zip" into the "Classes" folder which is inside the "Java" folder in your System Folder. The "Java" folder is at the root level of your System Folder and would have been installed into your System folder by Netscape when you installed the Java options.
