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Rating: 
Summary: This book is that it is definitely not a "Dummies" book.
Review: The book has twenty-three chapters and 478 pages. The book includes a CD ROM with trial versions of FMP 4.1, FMP Server and Home Page 3.0 along with some sample programs. The contents is divided into two parts. Part 1 is "Database Systems: Design and Management" and Part 2 is "FileMaker Pro 4.1 Examined." Part one has five chapters (61 pages) that discuss some database history and theory. This information is interesting, but really does not help learning, developing with or using FileMaker Pro. For those who have read other third party FileMaker Pro books, the Part 1 may be of value filling in some information holes. However, for those people wanting detailed information on database theory, there are whole books devoted just to that. Part 1 contains an overview rather than detailed explanations. Part 2 is where discussion of FileMaker Pro starts. While most of the information found in other books is included, there are a couple of chapters with information I have not seen elsewhere. Chapter 14 is "Object Linking and Embedding." for those wishing to know more about OLE. This is a good review for those using Macintosh computer who wish to port their programs to Windows. Chapter 16 is "FileMaker Pro and AppleScript" and provides a good overview of AppleScript. This chapter is good for those who develop on the Windows platform and want to port to the Macintosh platform. For the Macintosh (and Windows) people who want to know more about FileMaker Pro for Windows, Chapter 17 is devoted to FileMaker Pro and Windows 95/98. Want to know about the Window 95 Registry? Several pages discuss this. While Chapter 21 is titled "Binding FileMaker Pro Files," there is really little information on the Developer Edition program. In fact, it is not even mentioned although the screen shots are from the binder of the Developer Edition. One is left with the impression that binding is a part of regular FileMaker Pro 4.1, which is not. There are also many tricks with the Developer Edition that could have been covered, such as creating a kiosk mode program with the binder and then using it with regular FileMaker Pro. Chapter 22 briefly discusses external functions and APIs and Chapter 23 briefly discusses FileMaker Pro and Java. Plug ins provide a very powerful addition to FileMaker Pro, however, developing these in C/C++ is well beyond the average database developer. There is a point where a developer may wish to use a plug in developed by someone else. This is in the realm of the doable for the average developer, however it is still much harder development than other areas FileMaker Pro. The same goes for Java. To effectively develop Java programs for use with FileMaker Pro, one needs to be proficient with Java. While a bit easier than C/C++, Java is still beyond most database developers. My overall impression of this book is that it is definitely not a "Dummies" book and is aimed at someone who is competent with FileMaker Pro basics and wants to learn more. There are also many important issues and features concerning FileMaker Pro 4.1 and the Developer Edition that are not discussed in the book. With the title being "A Developer's Guide," one would expect much more information on the Developer Edition. Since I have not seen any third party books that discuss the Developer Edition in any detail, I think this could have been an excellent chance to fill a void with information. Should you purchase the book? If you have at least one other FileMaker after market book, then you may find this book provides information not found elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: CD-ROM not useful to experts
Review: The included disc is of limited use to readers who already own File Maker Pro. Aside from the demo version of the application, the only other substantive content is a set of example files. These files are pre-fabbed databases for inventory, employee information, etc. They are servicable, but the key problem is that they all locked out. You cannot open their layouts or view their scripts to see how they were made. As a result, the instructional potential of the book is severely limited. Further, the book is so preoccupied with promoting FMP that it never discusses FMPs limitations-an important consideration when creating real world solutions. There really isn't a great advanced FMP programming book out there. O'Reilly, are you listening?
Rating: 
Summary: Lacks depth and clear writing
Review: This book tries too hard to be everything for everyone. It assumes that you have already worked with previous versions of FileMaker. If you find sentences like, "When creating the label layout the format is the same as before but wehn the dialog box 'Specify Label Contents' appears it will be noted that this is very much different from what had previously been used." to be clear, crisp prose, then this is the book for you. This text is merely marginally better than the actual software manuals ... lacking important index entries like "printing", "reports", etc. My suggestion ... find a better text.
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