FileMaker® Pro 10 Bible

Chapter 12. Calculation Wizardry

IN THIS CHAPTER

Building compound calculation expressions

Understanding order of operations and Boolean constructs

Using variables in different contexts

Processing, parsing, and formatting text

Calculating with dates and times

Working with summaries and arrays

Dealing with Layers of Abstraction

Working with different kinds of calculations

Employing global calculations

Making use of environment and meta-data

Extending your code with Custom Functions

Keeping track of what you've done

In Chapter 7, I introduce you to the Specify Calculation dialog and demonstrate a few aspects of its utility and capability. However, if you have the impression that calculation is mainly about numbers, I have some surprises in store for you. Calculating in FileMaker is about getting the computer to work things out, but not necessarily just with numbers. In fact, calculations are great for people who aren't all that impressed with numbers. A bit of clear thinking will go a very long way, and the computer can do the rest!

Like scripting, calculations are integral to structuring and automating your solution. You can use calculations to determine access, control displays, and implement a variety of other features in your solution, as demonstrated in this chapter.

With FileMaker, a little work upfront can save you a lot of work later on. Calculations are one of the most extreme examples of this principle. Set one up, and it will keep chugging away producing results for thousands or even ...