Using cURL within FileMaker Pro
While FileMaker’s script step Insert from URL does allow for basic communication with web services, it is, by no means, comprehensive enough to provide all the features necessary. What’s really needed is the full cURL library.
This open source tool has been available for over 15 years and is baked into a ton of software packages, including FileMaker itself. However, it’s really only exposed within plug-ins such as Base Elements and the MBS plug-in.
So, in order to fully understand what going on, it’s best to start with the source. And, that’s understanding cURL itself and how options are managed and how you set and parse HTTP headers.
This video walks through the process of using cURL within the context of a plug-in. Once you understand how to set and control settings through the plug-in, you’re off to the races and working with any web service you can think of.
Comments
curl man
Hi Matt,
I had trouble with the man curl using
which man
pman () {
man -t "${1}" | open -f -a /Applications/Preview.app/
}
I know you stated that pman () { was part of a utility you were using, but using just
man -t "${1}" | open -f -a /Applications/Preview.app/
didn't work either.
When I finally figured out that I need to change it to
man -t curl | open -f -a /Applications/Preview.app/
which seems to work.
Lee
curl man
I should have added that I only posted this modification to help others whom might need it.
Very helpful
Thanks Matt. Very helpful video and answered a lot of questions that I had. It is also very timely as I am about to try and communicate with a REST API via filemaker (uncharted territory for me). You mentioned there are other videos in the library on this topic. Any in particular you would recommend?
Understanding
Matt.
You are a wizard at FileMaker... no doubt about it. However your explanations are far too confusing to someone like me! The series on the Brian Dunning website was so over my head I actually had to give it a miss. I’m feeling it’s time to cancel my subscription!... Is it just me?
Glad I'm Not Alone
It's not just you. Many times there's not enough to understand how we got from A to Z. I'm wondering the same thing. Time to say goodbye?
Seriously---
IMHO -- If you are having trouble understanding something, or you wanted to provide some constructive criticism, I think you are better served reaching out to Matt and his team directly instead of posting something on his public page for everyone else to read. It might even prompt a video that we could all benefit from instead of veiled threats of "maybe its time to leave"
So many different skill levels
Hi Michael and others,
The content I provide is hopefully the type of content which will help other developers and users get to where they want to be with their FileMaker development efforts.
When I start to record a video, my goal is around 30 minutes. However, there are times when it obviously stretches to more. I realize the content I cover weekly may not always be applicable to all developers. For those videos, I'm hopeful that just knowing what can be done will be helpful down the road.
I've long considered doing some more basic and intermediate levels of instruction. Not to say that you're at that level. But, given the details included in understanding how to use REST, JSON, JavaScript, regular expressions and other development technologies, there's really no way around having to explain how they fit into the world of FileMaker development. It's just part of where the world (and FileMaker) has moved - towards deeper and deeper technology integration. I can't even imagine what it would take to understand machine learning and AI!
So, should I start a FileMaker Basics series? While this Custom Function database is a database from scratch, it has some critical technologies within it, if you ever wanted to connect your FileMaker database to the outside world.
I've always had an open offer to any of my subscribers to send in email requesting what they'd like to have me cover. That offer still stands.
If there are projects you are working on or problems you're trying to solve, then be as descriptive as possible and send it on in to editor@filemakermagazine.com. I'll do whatever I can to show how it can be done within FileMaker.
-- Matt Petrowsky - ISO FileMaker Magazine Editor
My .02 Cents
They are over my head as well for sho! But watching them twice and actually mimicking what he does (in Sublime or VIM) helps. I often end up doing web searches on things he does not go deep into. There are fundamentals that he discusses but sometimes we must dive off into the willy ol'google machine and seek more depth to actually understand the entire concept he is presenting. Curious what topics you would like to know more on....?
HOW TO EDIT YOUR .BASH_PROFILE
You may find this interesting to supplement Matts great tips and gives you more info on how to modify your Bash Profile so you can easily call upon this pman magic.
https://natelandau.com/my-mac-osx-bash_profile/
I added the function in "Make Terminal Better" section.
Great videos Matt! I I love that you are bringing in all kinds of information from different levels/platforms of the digital universe.