Читать книгу Beginning Programming All-in-One For Dummies - Wallace Wang - Страница 77

Programming languages, such as C++, are general-purpose languages because they can literally be used to create any type of program from operating systems and word processors to antivirus utilities and video games. However, in the business world, the most common type of custom programs needed are those that store and retrieve data, such as invoices, inventory, customer information, and so on.

Although it’s possible to write a database program in C++, that essentially doubles the amount of work you need to do. You have to write your program’s UI and commands for manipulating data and write commands to store and retrieve data, essentially creating a database program from scratch.

Instead of rewriting (and testing) your own database program, it’s much easier just to customize an existing database program. Many database programs include their own programming language. By using a database programming language, you just have to customize the appearance of the database program by designing a UI along with commands for manipulating data. The database program does all the work of storing, retrieving, and rearranging the actual data so you can focus on what your program should do with data and not with the technical details for how it should store data.

One of the most popular Windows database programs, Microsoft Access, offers the VBA scripting language. Of course, Microsoft Access runs only on the Windows operating system, so if you need to create database applications that run on both Windows and macOS, you can choose Claris FileMaker (www.claris.com/filemaker).

Like Microsoft Access, FileMaker offers a scripting language: ScriptMaker. Best of all, you can create stand-alone versions of your FileMaker databases and sell them to anyone who uses macOS or Windows.

Many specialized database programs, such as medical office management programs or multilevel marketing programs, have been created using FileMaker.