WebDirect: FileMaker in a Browser
BeginnerUnderstand what WebDirect is, how it works, and what the user experience looks like compared to FileMaker Pro.
What you'll learn
- How WebDirect renders FileMaker solutions in a browser
- What FileMaker features work in WebDirect and what does not
- WebDirect performance characteristics
- When to choose WebDirect vs. FileMaker Pro vs. FileMaker Go
WebDirect is FileMaker's built-in web publishing technology that runs your FileMaker solution in a standard web browser -- no client software required. The solution looks and behaves very similarly to FileMaker Pro, but it runs inside a browser window over HTTPS. Understanding what WebDirect is (and what it is not) helps you design solutions that work well in this context.
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How WebDirect works
WebDirect runs the FileMaker solution on the server and streams a rendered HTML/JavaScript representation to the browser. The browser sees HTML elements -- it does not run FileMaker code client-side. Every user interaction sends a request to the server, which updates the solution state and returns a refreshed view. This is different from a native app where logic runs on the device.
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