Guide: Getting Started with FileMaker Integration

This guide provides a complete walkthrough for connecting the CWP Snippets plugin to a FileMaker database, using the included demo file as a starting point.

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Section 1: The Demo Database & Server Setup

The plugin comes with a FileMaker demo file that is used by the included Sample and Template snippets. This allows you to test the connection and see working examples out of the box.

1. Get the Demo File: Navigate to Snippets > Demo Setup in your WordPress admin. This page contains links to download the CWP Snippets.fmp12 demo file and view its default login credentials.
2. Host the Database on FileMaker Server: For the plugin to connect, you must upload the demo file to your FileMaker Server.
3. Enable the Data API: Log in to your FileMaker Server Admin Console and ensure that the FileMaker Data API is enabled. This is required for all communication with the plugin.

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Section 2: Configuring the Demo Connection

Once the demo database is hosted, you need to tell the plugin how to connect to it.

1. Navigate to Demo Setup: In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Snippets > Demo Setup.
2. Enter Credentials: You will see fields for Host, Database, Username, and Password.
3. Fill and Save: Enter the connection details for your hosted demo database and save the settings.
4. Confirm Connection: The plugin will immediately test the connection. You should see a success message confirming it is working. If you see an error, double-check your credentials and server settings before proceeding.

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Section 3: Understanding Templates (The Developer Library)

The Template snippets are your direct access to the FileMaker Data API. Think of them as a reference library for developers.

• What they are: Each Template corresponds to a single function in the plugin's FileMaker integration class (e.g., getRecords, createRecord, editRecord). They are simple, raw calls to the API.
• How to use them: Navigate to Snippets > All Snippets and select the "Template" filter. Choose a template like getRecords and click Preview.
• What you will see: The preview will show a "Success!!" message and the raw, unformatted array of data that FileMaker returns. This is extremely useful for developers to see the exact field names and data structure available from the database.

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Section 4: Understanding Samples (The Working Examples)

The Sample snippets are fully-functional examples that show what you can build with the plugin. They take the raw data (like that seen in the Templates) and turn it into a user-facing application.

• What they are: Samples are complete pages with PHP logic, HTML structure, and CSS styling. The included samples (Contact List, Contact Details, Contact Add Edit) work together to form a mini-application.
• How to use them: Navigate to Snippets > All Snippets and select the "Sample" filter. Choose the Contact List sample and click Preview.
• What you will see: Instead of a raw data array, you will see a fully styled webpage displaying a list of contacts from the demo database, complete with links for viewing details or adding new records. The Samples are the best way to understand the power of the plugin in a real-world context.

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Section 5: Connecting to Your Live Database

When you are ready to work with your own production FileMaker database, follow these steps:

1. Configure Live Settings: Navigate to Snippets > Settings. This page is for your live, production-ready credentials. Fill in the Host, Database, Username, and Password for your own database and save.

2. Modify Your Snippet: To switch any snippet from the demo to your live database, you simply change the constants used to connect. Open the snippet and find the connection line.

   • Change From (Demo): $fm = new fmCWP(FM_HOST_DEMO, FM_DATABASE_DEMO, FM_LAYOUT_DEMO, FM_USER_DEMO, FM_PASSWORD_DEMO);

   • Change To (Live): $fm = new fmCWP(FM_HOST, FM_DATABASE, FM_LAYOUT, FM_USER, FM_PASSWORD);

By removing the _DEMO suffix from the constants, the snippet will now use the credentials you saved on the main Settings page. It's recommended to use the Template snippets as a starting point for your own code by copying them to the Snippet category and then changing the connection constants.