Part II: Introduction to Database Design

IN THIS PART Chapter 5 Creating a Database Chapter 6 The Interface: Layout Mode Chapter 7 The Structure: The Manage Database Dialog Chapter 8 The Processes: FileMaker Scripting

An essential part of your journey of discovery with FileMaker Pro involves designing and creating a new database from first principles. In this second part of the FileMaker Pro 10 Bible, I invite you to roll up your sleeves and work through the creation of an example Inventory System that will allow you to see procedures in context and to acquire many of the basic skills and techniques you'll need as you begin to work with FileMaker.

In the development of the example solution featured here, you'll start with a completely fresh and empty database file, adding structure and features progressively until, after several chapters, you'll have the basis of a simple working solution. Throughout subsequent chapters and parts of the book, I will refer back to the example commenced here, showing how you can use more complex features and advanced techniques to extend and enhance what you have created.

I invite you to follow along with the practical experience of creating the example as described. However, the book's Web site provides copies of the completed example file from each chapter, so you can download and compare (or simply work directly with) the example file I've provided, if you prefer.