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.
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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