PyFileMaker 2.0 - Integrating FileMaker and Python

What is PyFileMaker?

PyFileMaker is a set of Python modules that makes it easy to access and modify data stored in a FileMaker Pro database. You can use it to qeury a FileMaker database, but you can also use it to add data to a FileMaker Pro database, you can even use it to delete records and execute FileMaker Pro scripts.

Requirements

In order to use PyFileMaker, you will need to have the following software installed on your computer:

Python version 2.0 or higher
The xml.parsers.expat Python module to parse XML data
FileMaker Pro 6 with the WebCampanion and XML enabled

This module was tested on Windows NT4, Windows 2000 and Windows XP. We also tested the module on MacOS 9 and MacOS X version 10.1.5 and version 10.2.

Linux and Unix type of operating systems should work without any problems.

How to install PyFileMaker

There is nothing special to configure on PyFileMaker. Just make sure the PyFileMaker directory, which contains the file FMPro.py file is somewhere in your Python path so that Python knows where to find the module.

How to setup your database

Since the PyFileMaker module relies on the FileMaker Pro Web Companion, you need to have it turned on before you can use it. I normally configure it as follows:

Open your database in FileMaker Pro
Go to File -> Sharing and make sure Web Companion is selected
Click on OK

You also might want to check the settings of the Web Companion plugin so that you know the connection parameters. I always use the standard port 591.

Where can I find more info?

About Python: www.python.org
About FileMaker Pro: www.filemaker.com
About PyFileMaker: www.yellowduck.be

Changelog

###Version 2.0

Changed the API funcion names to be more generic
Added the script function that automatically executes a script
The imageSave function can now automatically add the extension based on the image type of the image data which is being saved.

###Version 1.2a3

The clearDBParams and clearSortParams functions are now working
When using the doImg function, it now resets the database parameters and the sort parameters before returning the result.

###Version 1.2a2

Now preserves newlines in field values

###Version 1.2a1

Add support for basic http authentication and password protected databases. The function setPassword can be used for this purpose.
Fixed a bug where findall would only return 25 records.

###Version 1.1

Improved support for Macintosh OS X
Now supports images
Speed improvements thanks to switching from urllib to httplib