Client has a run-time version of an app developed with FMP v. 3.02.
Individual databases open in v. 7 and will convert as run-time. However,
one component asks to merge all relational databases into one file (ala
MS Access) or to maintain individual databases as is in prior versions
of FMP. This component holds a 'key,' which prohibits conversion to 7.

Obviously need access to source to be able to modify
forms/views/reports. Client has a remote possibility of securing the
source databases.

Question #1: Is there a decompiler of the run time version?

Question #2: Assuming no to 1, is there a hack to copy run-time form
into a new FMP database and then be able to edit the form in design
view. This kind of hack works successfully with password protected Excel
spreadsheets. JTOL

Question #4: Can a v.3.02 run-time database be set up as a hosting file,
making it fully networkable? Currently only 3 users, so the FM server is
not needed. However, would the FM server enhance the chances of hosting
the app over the network? JTOL

Question #5: Is there a link within FMP scripts with MS Outlook's
contact information fields. There is no problem linking to OL or to
Word, but looking to enter data only once in either OL or FMP!

Same will be posted on FMP forums.

TIA,

Fred
FCTC
remove_fctc_spam (AT) optonline (DOT) net

In article <_2mgd.7666$UC4.4429186 (AT) news4 (DOT) srv.hcvlny.cv.net>, "Fred"
<remove_fctc_spam (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote:

The runtime application is simply a cutdown version of FileMaker itself
and there's no need to "decompile" it (which would be illegal anyway).

The runtime data files aren't "compiled" anyway. They are normal
FileMaker files that have been 'coded' to run the runtime application
when double-clicked. They will still open in a normal copy of FileMaker
and are fully changeable ... unless the developer has set the
preferences / security options to disallow you to do that, in which
case you need to talk to the original developer.

BUT you need to be aware that opening older runtime data files in
FileMaker 7 will cause them to be converted to the new format and
they'll no longer work with the old runtime application.




No.

You might be able to create a new data file that uses relationship
links to the other files, but you're probably better off again talking
to the original developer.




No. Runtime applications are a cutdown version of FileMaker without the
networking or design functions. So the runtime application can not be
used to network files or to make any changes to the data files.

BUT since the data files are normal FileMaker files you *should* be
able to use FileMaker (for limited files and users) or FileMaker Server
to host the files for you on a network ... but I've never tried this.

The other problem is that the database system may not have been
designed to work across a network (eg. global fields work differently
than expected). Again, you'll need to talk to the original developer.




I don't use Outlook (or Windows), but if there's no "problem linking to
Outlook" then why not enter the data in FileMaker? FileMaker does have
a (semi-flakey) Send Mail script command that can be used to create
emails for a record or group of records that works with many of the big
name email applications.

The other way is to use a specific email plug-in that allows FileMaker
to send and/or receive emails itself.



Helpful Harry
Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

"Fred" <remove_fctc_spam (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote

There isn't really a need for one - you can open a runtime in a full version
of FM anyway.
If you have the master password, you can open it in the relevant version of
FileMaker (in this case, 3 or 4) and change whatever you wish. If you do not
have the master password, then you will have to talk to the original
developer about obtaining the password.
I believe that FMP 3 run-times were networkable under certain
circumstances - however, that was not the intent of the runtime licence, so
the correct method would be to open the file in a full version of FM as
hosted file, then use Open | Hosts to connect to that file.

And in this circumstance, I don't believe that using Server will have a
significant effect either way.
There is no direct link with FM 3.0. However, Outlook can export its
Contacts as a text file, which you can parse into FileMaker as a batch
process.

Now, the corollary of all of the above - this is true if you have full
copies of FM 3 or 4 - if you only have later versions, then there also needs
to be a conversion process at some stage.

Webko