I've been developing a multi-file database on my PC, and have gotten to
the point where it's time to upload it to a server machine and start
sharing it over Filemaker Network with FM Server 7. Since I've been
developing on a stand-alone laptop, all of my file references look like
so:

file:Contacts.fp7
file:../Donors/Donors.fp7

Now that the files are on the server, they seem to find each other just
fine with the 'file:' prefix, but there is one problem. When I try to
develop on my local machine, it often finds my local files instead of
the server ones.

I see that another way of setting up file refs is to use the 'fmnet:'
prefix. That seems like a good thing to use, but what will happen when
I download the files back to my laptop for development away from the
office? Will they be able to find each other?

Can anybody tell me the proper way to set up file references in this
situation?

Thank you,
Kevin

audleman (AT) quasika (DOT) net <audleman (AT) quasika (DOT) net> wrote:

Generally, one doesn't have both hosted files AND local files in
development. If you're going to continue to develop on the hosted files,
zip or stuff all local copies and that will solve your problem.

I would also be VERY careful of developing on hosted files. There are
many reliable reports that interruptions or network conflicts during
schema changes on hosted files can result in catastrophic effects,
including but not limited to having all field definitions, all scripts,
or all data disappear from the files in question.

Run frequent server backups during development and if you DO have a
glitch, return to the most recent good version of your files.

I personally try to develop using the separation approach, where data
files are separate from interface files, and most work is done in the
interface files, which don't require any importing when they're uploaded
to the server. This way I work solely in my local copies, and upload as
needed.

That way I can work with my copy of FM set to "none" in the network
protocol, and not interact with the hosted files while I work.

Lynn Allen
--
Allen & Allen Semiotics www.semiotics.com
FSA Associate Filemaker Design & Consulting

In article <1gzwcx9.u16dyu1g7jji8N%lynn (AT) NOT-semiotics (DOT) com>, lynn@NOT-
semiotics.com says...

/agreed

There are about as many reports of people who swear by working on hosted
files because they aren't damaged and don't need to be scanned (or god
forbid) "recovered"... er "abandoned" if the local desktop crashes.

Its also key to point out that working on hosted files doesn't
necessarily mean you are working on LIVE files.

/AGREED

Of course, thats true of any any development in any situation.

/agreed

Me too. Although even with the separation approach I find you'll have to
make changes in the 'data' files fairly often especially if you make
much use of the field defintion options for validation, auto-enter, etc.

Actually unless I'm mistaken, the protocol setting in 7 now only affects
files you host (or don't host). You can open hosted files even if
protocol is set to none... you just can't host them.