Can anyone comment on how Filemaker Pro compares to Microsoft Access for small business applications development. I'm interested in feedback from expert developers who have developed on BOTH platforms;
These are my perceptions (and I don't know Filemaker, but have seen it for a couple of hours):
(a) You have little control of the data structures; they're implied in the form design; a bit like Lotus Notes.
(b) The programming language is a bit 'macro-y';
(c) My observations and instinct tell me its not as "powerful" as Access for advanced development.
I'm not looking for a full blown evaluation; just some observations; My situation is that I need to look at an existing Filemaker small business application, which may need some substancial modification, and determine whether its worth retaining on that platform, or re-developing in Access. [For budget reasons the client may refuse a re-write, and I may have to decide whether I walk away from the job; first impressions of the existing system is that its not crash hot; contains little or no doco, and the original developer has disappeared into Neverland; the usual stuff).
Observations and opinions from those with practical experience on both systems would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Steve Lewy
Solutions Developer
steve@lewycomputing.com.au
(dont cut corners or you'll go round in circles)
These are my perceptions (and I don't know Filemaker, but have seen it for a couple of hours):
(a) You have little control of the data structures; they're implied in the form design; a bit like Lotus Notes.
(b) The programming language is a bit 'macro-y';
(c) My observations and instinct tell me its not as "powerful" as Access for advanced development.
I'm not looking for a full blown evaluation; just some observations; My situation is that I need to look at an existing Filemaker small business application, which may need some substancial modification, and determine whether its worth retaining on that platform, or re-developing in Access. [For budget reasons the client may refuse a re-write, and I may have to decide whether I walk away from the job; first impressions of the existing system is that its not crash hot; contains little or no doco, and the original developer has disappeared into Neverland; the usual stuff).
Observations and opinions from those with practical experience on both systems would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Steve Lewy
Solutions Developer
steve@lewycomputing.com.au
(dont cut corners or you'll go round in circles)