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How to start connecting my FM solution to other tools via API

Question asked by bellenaessens on Feb 8, 2019
Latest reply on Feb 8, 2019 by wimdecorte

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I have built a Filemaker solution - so far entirely with native Filemaker functions. I am now looking to expand the database's functionality by connecting it to external apps using these apps' API (I'm speaking in general as there are different apps I want to connect to).

However, I have no idea how/where to start. I don't want to outsource this as I really want to learn this, but I have no idea:

how to set up such an API connection (do I need FM extensions or plugins)?
whether I will need to learn additional coding languages, and, if so, which ones are recommended?
any other suggestions you might want to share with an API newbie?

Any pointers in the right direction would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Isabelle

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fmpdude Feb 8, 2019 4:08 AM

Absolutely!

Just create a small micro-service and you can connect FMP to anything via Java or whatever language you choose. I've written over 100 methods (aka "functions") I use externally with FileMaker. A key benefit of using a micro-service is not only that you can use all the cool, free, debugged, APIs out there, but your micro-service works with other apps as well. And, this is YOUR code, not some third party.

The best news of all is that setting up your own REST services is ridiculously easy and tutorials abound.

SparkJava is probably the easiest Java-based REST service:

1. Get an IDE like Eclipse or Intelilj

2. Create a "maven project" (you'll learn about this incredible tool).

3. Add a single "dependency" to the maven's XML file.

4. The project automatically goes out and downloads the necessary librariess.

5. Write some code!

Check out this tutorial: Spark Framework: An expressive web framework for Kotlin and Java

You can do simple GET requests or POST requests (or PUT, etc.). You can pass simple strings or binary data.

All from FileMaker.

1 person found this helpful

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NorbertWeiss_1 Feb 8, 2019 4:20 AM

How about integrating a JSON webservice. There are really many of them. Just look at FMs JSON functions and 'Insert fromURL' script step using POsT data.

Also, a Web Viewer opens a lot of possibilities, since it allows to integrate what's possible with HTML/CSS/JS today and even communicate back and forth between content of the Web Viewer and Filemaker using fmp:// URLs that call Filemaker scripts.

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wimdecorte Feb 8, 2019 4:22 AM

What you need is the "insert from URL" script step, it supports a wide range of cURL options that will let you interact with all REST (and SOAP) APIs, which is the most common form of API these days.

Check out this, to help you get going with the cURL syntax: cURL options - no need to remember the syntax

No need for plugins or other programming languages.

A good tool to have (and it's free) is Postman, which is a very nice UI tool to build the query and seeing what the resulting cURL syntax should be. Makes it easy to translate to what FM's "insert from URL" requires.

If you don't have a specific API in mind then look at some of the FM tools that use the FMS Admin API (which is REST) or the FMS Data API (REST as well). You can find good FM-based examples here: Data API / Admin API Packages/Wrappers For FM 17+

(you can disregard those wrappers that are for other programming languages).

If the APIs that you have in mind are not REST APIs, then post back with some more details.

5 people found this helpful

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wimdecorte @ fmpdude on Feb 8, 2019 4:23 AM

fmpdude wrote:

Absolutely!

Just create a small micro-service and you can connect FMP to anything

Not at this point I would say. If OP wants to get his feet wet with connecting FM to an API then a micro-service external to FM shouldn't be the first thing to try. It's an option for later.

4 people found this helpful

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4 Replies

fmpdude Feb 8, 2019 4:08 AM
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Correct Answer
Absolutely!

Just create a small micro-service and you can connect FMP to anything via Java or whatever language you choose. I've written over 100 methods (aka "functions") I use externally with FileMaker. A key benefit of using a micro-service is not only that you can use all the cool, free, debugged, APIs out there, but your micro-service works with other apps as well. And, this is YOUR code, not some third party.

The best news of all is that setting up your own REST services is ridiculously easy and tutorials abound.

SparkJava is probably the easiest Java-based REST service:

1. Get an IDE like Eclipse or Intelilj
2. Create a "maven project" (you'll learn about this incredible tool).
3. Add a single "dependency" to the maven's XML file.
4. The project automatically goes out and downloads the necessary librariess.
5. Write some code!

Check out this tutorial: Spark Framework: An expressive web framework for Kotlin and Java

You can do simple GET requests or POST requests (or PUT, etc.). You can pass simple strings or binary data.

All from FileMaker.
1 person found this helpful
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NorbertWeiss_1 Feb 8, 2019 4:20 AM
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Correct Answer
How about integrating a JSON webservice. There are really many of them. Just look at FMs JSON functions and 'Insert fromURL' script step using POsT data.
Also, a Web Viewer opens a lot of possibilities, since it allows to integrate what's possible with HTML/CSS/JS today and even communicate back and forth between content of the Web Viewer and Filemaker using fmp:// URLs that call Filemaker scripts.
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wimdecorte Feb 8, 2019 4:22 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
What you need is the "insert from URL" script step, it supports a wide range of cURL options that will let you interact with all REST (and SOAP) APIs, which is the most common form of API these days.

Check out this, to help you get going with the cURL syntax: cURL options - no need to remember the syntax

No need for plugins or other programming languages.
A good tool to have (and it's free) is Postman, which is a very nice UI tool to build the query and seeing what the resulting cURL syntax should be. Makes it easy to translate to what FM's "insert from URL" requires.

If you don't have a specific API in mind then look at some of the FM tools that use the FMS Admin API (which is REST) or the FMS Data API (REST as well). You can find good FM-based examples here: Data API / Admin API Packages/Wrappers For FM 17+
(you can disregard those wrappers that are for other programming languages).

If the APIs that you have in mind are not REST APIs, then post back with some more details.
5 people found this helpful
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wimdecorte @ fmpdude on Feb 8, 2019 4:23 AM
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fmpdude wrote:

Absolutely!

Just create a small micro-service and you can connect FMP to anything

Not at this point I would say. If OP wants to get his feet wet with connecting FM to an API then a micro-service external to FM shouldn't be the first thing to try. It's an option for later.
4 people found this helpful
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How to start connecting my FM solution to other tools via API

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