Permission to view and work with certain records, fields, layouts, value lists, and scripts and to perform selected activities in a file.

A username and (usually) password that accesses a file with a defined level of privileges.

In Windows, the distributed directory service that is included with modern Microsoft Windows Server operating systems. Active Directory provides centralized, secure management of a network.

The application you use to configure and administer FileMaker Server, work with hosted databases, view details about connected clients, and track statistical information.

The FileMaker Server software component that manages the deployment of the other FileMaker Server components and displays Admin Console on client computers for configuring FileMaker Server.

Procedures performed regularly by the administrator to keep FileMaker Server running efficiently and insure data integrity in hosted databases. For example, running regularly scheduled database backups is a typical administrative task.

A group of hosted databases that a group administrator can manage, according to the privileges granted by the FileMaker server administrator to the group administrator.

A set of software application building blocks, such as classes, methods, data structures, variables, procedures, and functions.

macOS: A scripting language you can use to control functions of the operating system and of applications that support AppleScript (often called scriptable applications).

Onscreen instructions that guide you step-by-step through a task.

The process of checking the validity of an account and password (if one is defined) before assigning privileges and allowing access to a system or a database file.

A copy of a database file that can be used if the original is lost, damaged, or otherwise irretrievable.

A string of data elements recorded or transmitted as an individual unit. A block is often the smallest unit of data a program reads from or writes to the hard disk.

An area of RAM reserved by a program to store frequently used data, providing faster access than if the data had to be read from the hard disk. A larger cache size increases FileMaker Server performance.

Certificates are digital keys issued to other entities (organizations or individuals) that allow them to prove their identity to others. Signed server certificates and client certificates are issued by a trusted certificate authority (CA). The certificate authority's main purpose is to verify the identity of entities and issue digital certificates that identify those entities.

CLI is the command line interface. Using the FileMaker Server CLI, an administrator can enter fmsadmin commands to administer FileMaker Server. In the CLI, use the fmsadmin help command to see Help pages on the CLI commands.

A user who opens a connection to a database hosted on FileMaker Server with FileMaker Go, FileMaker Pro, a web browser, or an ODBC/JDBC client application. A FileMaker client is a user using FileMaker Go or FileMaker Pro. A Web Publishing client is a user using FileMaker WebDirect, Custom Web Publishing, or the FileMaker Data API.

The application that requests data from a data source. Examples include FileMaker Pro, when it accesses a database hosted by FileMaker Server, and a spreadsheet, when it requests data using SQL via ODBC or JDBC.

A file that records statistical information about how FileMaker Server is performing with each FileMaker client and Web Publishing Engine client.

A copy of a FileMaker Pro file that contains all the field definitions, tables, layouts, scripts, and page setup options, but none of the data.

The folder where you place the container field data, for container fields that store objects externally.

A FileMaker Pro field that can store pictures, movies, and documents such as Microsoft Word files and PDF files. Data in container fields can be embedded in the field, stored by file reference, or stored externally.

A method of sharing FileMaker databases on the web using XML or PHP. You can create dynamic web pages that enable users to interact with databases hosted on FileMaker Server.

The arrangement of tables and fields and their interrelationship in a file.

A form of encryption that protects “data at rest.” For FileMaker, data at rest is a FileMaker Pro database file, and its temporary files, while it is being stored on disk (and not open). An encrypted database is protected from unauthorized access with an encryption password. FileMaker Pro Advanced is required to encrypt database files. Encrypted database files can be decrypted or re-encrypted as needed.

A component of a FileMaker solution.

The process of removing empty fields or redundant or unnecessary data in database files to minimize the amount of disk space they require.

The component of FileMaker Server that hosts databases. In a multiple-machine deployment, the machine running the Database Server is called the master machine. Database files are stored on the master machine’s hard disk.

On startup, FileMaker Server looks for databases to host in the default Databases folder, additional folders, and in subfolders one level down.

Data you want to access, for example, data in a FileMaker Pro database or in another database management system.

A data structure that contains the information about a specific database that an ODBC driver needs in order to connect to it.

The process and result of installing and configuring FileMaker Server components on one or more machines. In a multiple-machine deployment, components are deployed across more than one machine and work together as a unit.

Software with a client-server architecture that is used to store information about your organization.The primary function of a directory service is to centralize the storage of information and respond quickly to queries.

Uniquely identifies an entry in a directory tree, using a series of comma-separated attributes. In a DN, the left-most component is the actual directory object, and the right-most value is the directory root.

A name that identifies a computer on the Internet.

The ODBC or JDBC driver translates SQL queries into commands that a DBMS can understand. It processes ODBC/JDBC calls, submits SQL requests to the data source, and returns the data back to the driver manager, which then routes it to the requesting application.

Windows: An administrative tool that comes with the Windows operating system and displays events stored in various log files. FileMaker Server reports its events to the Application log, and these events can be viewed using Event Viewer.

A file that records events that occur while the Database Server is running.

FileMaker Pro data sharing permissions that determine the data sharing options that are permitted by a privilege set for a file. A privilege set may allow users to access a hosted file using FileMaker Pro, use a database as an ODBC/JDBC data source, or access data published on the web. For example, the Access via FileMaker WebDirect extended privilege determines whether the privilege set allows accessing the file from a web browser.

An API (application programming interface) that conforms to Representational State Transfer (REST) architecture and allows you to work with data from hosted solutions.

An application that lets you work with FileMaker Pro solutions (developed in FileMaker Pro) on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Clients may use FileMaker Go to access database files hosted by FileMaker Server.

An application for creating and modifying database files. Clients use FileMaker Pro to access database files hosted by FileMaker Server.

An application that enables database developers to build custom FileMaker solutions for use on the web or in workgroups, and to create royalty-free runtime applications and custom FileMaker plug-ins.

One or more instructions (script steps) that you create in FileMaker Pro to automate repetitive or difficult tasks. FileMaker Server can run a FileMaker script in a Script schedule or Script Sequence schedule.

The FileMaker Script Engine is the FileMaker Server component that runs FileMaker scripts and third-party plug-ins.

The account under which FileMaker Server runs on the master machine. During installation, you specify either the default account (Local System on Windows or fmserver on macOS) or an existing account on the master machine.

A web application for accessing layouts from database files in a web browser. Web clients use FileMaker WebDirect to access layouts from database files hosted by FileMaker Server.

A FileMaker Server user who is delegated the authority to perform database administration tasks in Admin Console by the server administrator. The group administrator manages the databases associated with a specific administrator group and is not allowed access to the configuration sections of Admin Console. See Server administrator.

An HTML page that lists the hosted databases associated with an administrator group. Group Launch Center indicates whether the hosted database can be opened by a FileMaker client or in FileMaker WebDirect.

A directory entry that associates a name with a file on a file system. To improve backup performance, if the Database Server finds that a hosted file is identical to the most recent backup file, the Database Server creates a hard link to the most recent backup file instead of creating an additional backup copy of the file. ReFS volumes don’t support hard links, so FileMaker Server creates a full copy of the database.

Windows: A power conservation mode that saves energy on an idle system. If the computer running FileMaker Server hibernates, all client activity is suspended. Hibernation will not occur on the server machine if there are clients connected to hosted databases.

A file opened by FileMaker Server for clients to use on a computer network. One or more clients can access and change information simultaneously in hosted databases.

For IPv4, a four-part number, usually formatted as 12.34.56.78, that uniquely identifies a computer on the internet; for IPv6, an eight-part number, usually formatted as [2001:0DB8:85A3:08D3:1319:8A2E:0370:7334], that uniquely identifies a computer on the internet. FileMaker Server supports IPv4 and IPv6 address formats.

A Java API that uses SQL statements to access data from, and exchange data with, many database management systems. The JDBC driver communicates between your Java applet and the FileMaker Pro or FileMaker Server data source.

A JAR (Java Archive) file that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a database and delivers the requested data to the client application.

This protocol, which runs over TCP/IP, makes it possible for system administrators to centrally manage users, groups, devices, and other data.

Each computer in a FileMaker Server deployment is assigned a machine role as either a master or a worker. In a single-machine deployment, the one machine acts as both the master and the worker machine.

The machine in a FileMaker Server deployment that runs the Database Server and manages all worker machines. The master communicates with the workers to handle database requests from users and to monitor the status and activity of all components.

A set of rules that governs how computers exchange messages on a network. Common protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and HTTPS.

An authorization framework that enables third-party applications to authenticate users without the users sharing their credentials with the third party.

An API that uses SQL statements to access data from, and exchange data with, many database management systems. FileMaker Server can share data as a data source via ODBC. FileMaker Server can also interact with data from other applications (as an ODBC client application).

A DLL (Windows) or shared library (macOS) that sends an SQL query to access data stored in a data source and delivers the requested data to the client application.

Apple’s standards-based directory and network authentication services architecture for macOS.

An open-source programming language primarily used in server-side application software to create dynamic web pages. FileMaker Server lets you publish data from FileMaker Pro databases on customized web pages created with PHP.

Software that extends the capabilities of an application in a specific way.

A system-level script that runs after a FileMaker script in a Script Sequence scheduled task.

A system-level script that runs before a FileMaker script in a Script Sequence scheduled task.

In a standby server configuration, the primary server is the production server, the server that is hosting databases for clients.

A defined set of permissions that determines a level of access to a database file.

A copy of a database file created by FileMaker Server applying only the changes that have occurred during the save interval.

Downloading of an audio, video, or PDF file stored in an interactive container field where the user may start using the file even if the entire file has not yet been downloaded.

In FileMaker Pro, you can see the occurrences of tables both in the current file and from any external, related database files. In this relationships graph, you join tables and change relationships between fields in different tables.

A database file that has been created with FileMaker Pro Advanced software in which data can be added, deleted, and changed, but in which database fields and layouts cannot be altered.

The Save interval is a setting that controls how often the progressive backup changes are written to a timestamped copy.

A copy of a database file created by a scheduled task.

You can create schedules to back up hosted databases, run scripts, and send messages to clients.

The file that contains information required to create schedules and groups.

A scheduled task that combines a FileMaker script with an optional pre-processing system-level script and an optional post-processing system-level script.

A protocol to encrypt and authenticate communications on the Internet. Used by the HTTPS access method.

The server administrator is responsible for installing and configuring FileMaker Server as well as managing the FileMaker Pro databases and solutions that are hosted on FileMaker Server. The server administrator for FileMaker Server can also delegate database management tasks to the group administrator. See Group administrator.

Windows: a process that runs in the background and performs functions to support other programs. FileMaker Server runs as a service in Windows.

A feature of the operating system that saves energy on an inactive computer. If the computer running FileMaker Server sleeps, all client activity is suspended.

A standard server-to-server protocol for transferring email messages. FileMaker Server uses this protocol to send email notifications.

A structured programming query language that controls and interacts with a DBMS.

A standalone server is a server that is not defined to be in a standby server configuration.

In a standby server configuration, the standby server is a redundant FileMaker Server installation that can be brought online to replace the primary server. Changes to the primary server are automatically applied to the standby server as well. The standby server does not host databases for clients, but is ready to replace the primary server when needed.

A file that records statistical information about how FileMaker Server is performing.

The basic communication protocol that is the foundation of the Internet.

To transfer data or files from one computer to a remote computer. For example, to use the Upload to FileMaker Server option in FileMaker Pro to transfer a database to the FileMaker Server.

A license type based on the number of FileMaker clients allowed to be connected simultaneously to FileMaker Server.

A software component of the Web Publishing Engine that processes requests for data and converts data from the Database Server into XML.

The Web Publishing Engine provides the Custom Web Publishing services and FileMaker WebDirect services for databases hosted by FileMaker Server.

The software responsible for responding to HTTP or HTTPS requests from users on the web. Required in a FileMaker Server deployment for publishing databases on the web.

A FileMaker Server software component installed on the web server machine. The Web Server Module enables the Web Publishing Engine to connect to the web server.

A machine in a FileMaker Server deployment that runs the Web Publishing Engine to host FileMaker WebDirect solutions.

Instead of being a rigid file format, XML is a language for defining agreed-upon formats that groups can use for exchanging data. Many organizations and businesses use XML to transfer product information, transactions, inventory, and other business data.