A
Access privileges
Permission to view and work with certain records, fields, layouts, value lists, and scripts and to perform selected activities in a file.
Account
A username and (usually) password that accesses a file with a defined level of privileges.
Active Directory
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.
Additional database folder
In addition to the default database folder and the secure database folder, FileMaker Server can also host databases in an additional database folder specified by the server administrator. The additional database folder to host encrypted and nonencrypted database files. This folder supports placing files in subfolders, but only one level down. It also supports using a container data folder.
Admin Console
The application you use to configure and administer FileMaker Server, work with hosted databases, view details about connected clients, and track statistical information.
Admin Server
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.
Administrative tasks
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.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of software application building blocks, such as classes, methods, data structures, variables, procedures, and functions.
AppleScript
macOS: A scripting language you can use to control functions of the operating system and of applications that support AppleScript (often called scriptable applications).
Assistants
Onscreen instructions that guide you step-by-step through a task.
Authentication
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.
B
Backup
A copy of a database file that can be used if the original is lost, damaged, or otherwise irretrievable.
Backup schedule
A schedule that backs up one or many hosted database files.
Block
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.
C
Cache
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.
Certificate
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
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.
Client
A user who opens a connection to a database hosted on FileMaker Server with FileMaker Go, FileMaker Pro Advanced, a web browser, or an ODBC/JDBC client application. A FileMaker client is a user using FileMaker Go or FileMaker Pro Advanced. A Web Publishing client is a user using FileMaker WebDirect, Custom Web Publishing, or the FileMaker Data API.
Client application
The application that requests data from a data source. Examples include FileMaker Pro Advanced, when it opens a database hosted by FileMaker Server, and a spreadsheet, when it requests data using SQL via ODBC or JDBC.
Clone
A copy of a FileMaker Pro Advanced file that contains all the field definitions, tables, layouts, scripts, and page setup options, but none of the data.
Concurrent Connections License
A license type based on the number of FileMaker clients allowed to be connected simultaneously to FileMaker Server.
Connector
A technology that retrieves data, updates data, or adds features to hosted databases.
Container data folder
The folder where you place the container field data, for container fields that store objects externally.
Container field
A FileMaker Pro Advanced 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.
Custom app
A file or set of files containing database tables, layouts, scripts, and associated data. A custom app performs one or more specific tasks, such as tracking customers or invoices. Sometimes called a solution.
Custom Web Publishing
A method of sharing FileMaker databases on the web using XML or PHP. You can create dynamic webpages that enable users to interact with databases hosted on FileMaker Server.
D
Database
The arrangement of tables and fields and their interrelationship in a file.
Database Encryption
A form of encryption that protects “data at rest.” For FileMaker, data at rest is a FileMaker Pro Advanced 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.
Database file
A component of a FileMaker custom app.
Database file compression
The process of removing empty fields or redundant or unnecessary data in database files to minimize the amount of disk space they require.
Database Server
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.
Database folders
On startup, FileMaker Server looks for databases to host in the default Databases folder, Secure folder, additional folders, and in subfolders one level down.
Data source
Data you want to access, for example, data in a FileMaker Pro Advanced database or in another database management system.
Data source name (DSN)
A data structure that contains the information about a specific database that an ODBC driver needs in order to connect to it.
Default database folder
The default folder used by FileMaker Server to host encrypted and nonencrypted database files.
Deployment
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.
Directory service
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.
Distinguished name (DN)
Uniquely identifies an entry in a directory tree, using a series of comma-separated attributes. In a DN, the leftmost component is the actual directory object, and the rightmost value is the directory root.
Domain name
A name that identifies a computer on the Internet.
Driver
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.
E
Email notification
A notification sent to the server administrator via email using an SMTP server.
Encryption password
The password required to open an encrypted file. For FileMaker Pro Advanced, the encryption password is required for the FileMaker Pro Advanced user who opens the file, but not for the client who opens a hosted file. FileMaker Pro Advanced is required to enable, disable, or change an encryption password.
Event Viewer
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.
Event.log
A file that records events that occur while the Database Server is running.
Extended privilege
FileMaker Pro Advanced 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 open a hosted file using FileMaker Pro Advanced, 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.
F
FileMaker Admin API
An API (application programming interface) that conforms to Representational State Transfer (REST) architecture and allows you to administer FileMaker Server.
FileMaker Data API
An API (application programming interface) that conforms to Representational State Transfer (REST) architecture and allows you to work with data from hosted solutions.
FileMaker Go
An application that lets you work with FileMaker Pro Advanced solutions (developed in FileMaker Pro Advanced) on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Clients may use FileMaker Go to open database files hosted by FileMaker Server.
FileMaker License Server
A public license server that validates FileMaker license certificates.
FileMaker Pro Advanced
An application for creating and modifying database files. Clients use FileMaker Pro Advanced to open database files hosted by FileMaker Server. FileMaker Pro Advanced enables database developers to build custom apps for use on the web or in workgroups, and to create royalty-free runtime applications and custom FileMaker plug-ins.
FileMaker script
One or more instructions (script steps) that you create in FileMaker Pro Advanced to automate repetitive or difficult tasks. FileMaker Server can run a FileMaker script in a Script schedule or Script Sequence schedule.
FileMaker Script Engine (FMSE)
The FileMaker Script Engine is the FileMaker Server component that runs FileMaker scripts and third-party plug-ins.
FileMaker Server user account
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.
FileMaker WebDirect
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.
G, H
Hard link
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.
Hibernate
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.
Hosted database
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.
I, J, K
IP (Internet Protocol) address
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.
JDBC
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 Advanced or FileMaker Server data source.
JDBC client driver
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.
L
License certificate
A purchase agreement, as an encrypted file, that grants the user the right to install and use specified FileMaker licensed products.
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
This protocol, which runs over TCP/IP, makes it possible for system administrators to centrally manage users, groups, devices, and other data.
Local notification
A notification sent to the server administrator via the web browser that's on the same machine where Admin Console is running. Local notifications appear even when Admin Console is not in the foreground.
M
Machine roles
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.
Master
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.
N
Network protocol
A set of rules that governs how computers exchange messages on a network. Common protocols include TCP/IP, HTTP, and HTTPS.
O, P, Q
OAuth
An authorization framework that enables third-party applications to authenticate users without the users sharing their credentials with the third party.
ODBC
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).
ODBC client driver
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.
Open Directory
Apple’s standards-based directory and network authentication services architecture for macOS.
PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor)
An open-source programming language primarily used in server-side application software to create dynamic webpages. FileMaker Server lets you publish data from FileMaker Pro Advanced databases on customized web pages created with PHP.
Plug-in
Software that extends the capabilities of an application in a specific way.
Post-processing script
A system script that runs after a FileMaker script in a Script Sequence schedule.
Pre-processing script
A system script that runs before a FileMaker script in a Script Sequence schedule.
Privilege set
A defined set of permissions that determines a level of access to a database file.
Progressive backup
A copy of a database file created by FileMaker Server applying only the changes that have occurred during the save interval.
Progressive downloading
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.
R
Relationships graph
In FileMaker Pro Advanced, 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.
Runtime solution file
A database file that has been created with FileMaker Pro Advanced in which data can be added, deleted, and changed, but in which database fields and layouts cannot be altered.
S
Save interval
A setting that controls how often the progressive backup changes are written to a timestamped copy.
Scheduled backup
A copy of a database file created by a backup schedule.
Schedules
You can create schedules to back up hosted databases or run scripts.
Schedule settings file
The file that contains information required to create schedules.
Script client
A client created by the FileMaker Script Engine when a FileMaker script (or script sequence that includes a FileMaker script) runs as a scheduled task or when the Perform Script on Server script step is used to run a FileMaker script.
Script schedule
A schedule that runs a system script, a FileMaker script, or a script sequence.
Script sequence
A schedule that combines a FileMaker script with an optional pre-processing system script and an optional post-processing system script.
Secure database folder
A folder used by FileMaker Server to host database files that are required to be both password protected and encrypted.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A protocol to encrypt and authenticate communications on the Internet. Used by the HTTPS access method.
Server administrator
The server administrator is responsible for installing and configuring FileMaker Server as well as managing the FileMaker Pro Advanced databases and solutions that are hosted on FileMaker Server.
Service
Windows: a process that runs in the background and performs functions to support other programs. FileMaker Server runs as a service in Windows.
Sleep
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.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
A standard server-to-server protocol for transferring email messages. FileMaker Server uses this protocol to send email notifications.
Solution
See custom app.
SQL
A structured programming query language that controls and interacts with a DBMS.
T
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
The basic communication protocol that is the foundation of the Internet.
U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Upload
To transfer data or files from one computer to a remote computer—for example, to use the Upload to FileMaker Server command in FileMaker Pro Advanced to transfer a database to FileMaker Server.
User license
A license type based on the number of users allowed to be connected simultaneously to FileMaker Server.
Web Publishing Core
A software component of the Web Publishing Engine that processes requests for data and converts data from the Database Server into XML.
Web Publishing Engine
The Web Publishing Engine provides the Custom Web Publishing services and FileMaker WebDirect services for databases hosted by FileMaker Server.
Web 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.
Web Server Module
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.
Worker
A machine in a FileMaker Server deployment that runs the Web Publishing Engine to host FileMaker WebDirect solutions.
XML (Extensible Markup Language)
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.