JavaScript & the WebViewer, with Jeremy Brown of Integrating Magic

In July the Claris Beyond Meetup welcomed back Jeremy Brown, of Integrating Magic, for further discussion about using JavaScript with FileMaker. By turning our attention to that one object, Jeremy showed how we can realize the full potential of it, the quirks of it, and the in-practice use of it. In our discussion, we reviewed three things:

• All that we can do with the web viewer – a quick review of all the possibilities. Not just different widgets we can build but the interactions we can achieve with any widget.
• How the web viewer works and its quirks.
• Tips on how to use it in a real application, including storing of the code and practical ideas for placement in your app.

Participants in the call were able to vote on their areas of interest, which helped to guide the conversation and the details. Some options were:

• Send data in
• Push data out
• Update any one
• Use as a UI
• Use as a calc
• Handle large code
• Run on any platform
• Develop & preview in real time
• Trigger functions from FileMaker
• Handle large data sets

Look into the JavaScript Learning Path

As Jeremy was going through the process of learning JavaScript a few years ago, he started by studying the entire language. As he realized he was using the same JavaScript over and over, he began the creation of the JS Learning Path.

FileMaker developers can feel overwhelmed about what’s in the JS language. FileMaker developers feel like they have to learn all of the language to have any chance of being able to use it in FileMaker. Luckily that isn’t the case. With just a little bit of time, study, and the correct path, you can learn what in the JS language will help you right away build great solutions to problems.

Jeremy Brown

The JS Learning Path will take you through five key areas:

• Performing Actions
• Manipulate Data
• Load & Retrieve Data
• Update the UI
• Design the UI

Learn about JavaScript and more in the Claris Beyond YouTube channel

Enjoy the full presentation in the Claris Beyond YouTube channel.

Discover the world of integrations

The Claris Beyond Meetup has its own YouTube channel and more videos will be posted there as each meeting takes place. We also have a Portage Bay channel where you can explore connectors for Claris Connect as well as other Claris FileMaker topics. Subscribe to each and further your knowledge of how to expand the capabilities of the FileMaker platform.

Join the Claris Beyond Meetup

The Claris Beyond group is open to all experience levels and we encourage people to bring questions, problems, and share innovative solutions. Our user group’s specific focus will be on topics related to external integrations with FileMaker, such as Claris Connect, REST API integration, or integration via a third-party tool or application.

We meet through Zoom on the third Wednesday of each month, for an hour to an hour and a half, starting at 12pm Pacific (2pm CT / 3pm ET / 9pm BST). Meetings are a mixture of leader-led discussions, group Q&A, and guest speaker presentations.

Share your thoughts

How are you using JavaScript and web viewers in your development work? Can we assist with a web viewer integration with your Claris FileMaker database? Send us your details. We’d love to help. You can also schedule a call through Calendly through the button at the upper right of our website.