FM and Database

Report · Oct 29, 2008

is it possible to connect FM with a Database, so that I have not to export anything from the DB, but just open the document with the link to DB and print my pdf?
Are there some plug in that do this? Which?
Thanks.

Report · Oct 29, 2008

Hi Carlo,

FrameScript (http://www.framescript.com) can link to a database with ODBC and pull data into FrameMaker. You would have to write a script to do this that would query the database, return the data, format the document, and save the PDF.

Rick Quatro
rick at frameexpert dot com
585-659-8267

Report · Oct 29, 2008

Carlo,

The PatternStream product from Finite Mattes allows for a direct
connection to a database as well.

You seem to be considering a "pull" technology, rather than a "push"
one. However, in a properly configured application, there would be
very little difference and you could have a simple, single push-button
approach with either one. This may provide you with more options
depending upon the scope and required resources for your work.

Report · Oct 30, 2008

Thanks Rick and Arnis,
I'll look to both the solutions!

Report · Oct 30, 2008

Carlo,

These are two flavors of the same solution...

FrameScript is published by Finite Matters, which has incorporated it and other mainstream technologies into its PatternStream product.
The end result is that it is a very workable solution, and can easily scale to match different integration needs.

Cheers,
Art

Report · Nov 03, 2008

Hi all

Rick, I hate to mention this but FrameScript simply won't work on UNIX. The flip side (just so you know I'm not displaying my normal bias) is that UNIX keyboard macros don't work in a PC environment so anyone like me who's in a mixed UNIX/PC environment is reduced to Rube Goldberg and pulling out our hair for even simple stuff. Gack.

We may look at PatternStream when we add record tracking but another solution is a Client Plug-in to call your own dbase. In our case, this may be the best solution (for dbases, not simple macros) as our department can access Oracle 'free' and we'd have to pay for PatternStream.

And in the meantime, here's another item on my Frame wish list. Macros that work on both PC and UNIX....

David Blyth (the UNIX and VI dinosaur)
Staff Technical Writer
QUALCOMM - Standard Disclaimers Apply

Only 149,999,949 more years of Ruling The Earth to go
---------------------------------------------------------------

Report · Nov 03, 2008

David,

You might want to have a look at Miramo from Datazone
(http://www.miramo.com ) . It was developed in the Unix environment
initially and works in the PC environment as well. Note: it's a push
technology, not a pull.

Report · Nov 03, 2008

Hi David,

It's true that FrameScript won't work with UNIX FrameMaker, but if you are in a mixed UNIX/PC environment, you may be able to develop a workflow where you can pull your data into PC FrameMaker and then do further edits on the UNIX side. As far as I know, Patternstream is also a PC-only solution.

Rick

Report · Nov 05, 2008

Hi Arnis and Rick;

Yes, Miramo would also be considered if appropriate. Also Decoto X-Hive.

Rick, yes I'm in a mixed UNIX/PC environment but (I bet you saw that word coming 😉 most engineers likely to mod the doc are on UNIX so that's where most of the workflow needs to stay. We can probably incorporate a few Framescript macros for TWs on the PC side. The table tools (for example) are pretty good and don't impact engineers.

I can't help but wonder if QUALCOMM's QCT division is in a bizarre environment vis-a-vis the rest of the industry or what. There just seem to be so many worms under the FrameMaker rocks....

David Blyth (the UNIX and VI dinosaur)
Staff Technical Writer
QUALCOMM - Standard Disclaimers Apply

Only 149,999,949 more years of Ruling The Earth to go
-----------------------------------------------------

Report · Nov 05, 2008

Hi David,

X-Hive (nowadays owned by EMC) is a great XML database engine and Docato is also good.

We have been using X-Hive XML-DB and Frame in many customer cases together with our Indox XML CMS application.

Martti

Report · Nov 06, 2008

Hi Martti;

"Our Indox"? Don't know a thing about it. So what can you tell me about it? Or maybe you can ref me to a URL....

Gracias!

David Blyth (the UNIX and VI dinosaur)
Staff Technical Writer
QUALCOMM - Standard Disclaimers Apply

Only 149,999,949 more years of Ruling The Earth to go
--------------------------------------------------------------

Report · Nov 07, 2008

Hi David,

Since you asked..;)

Our company, Index Information Technologies, has been working with SGML and XML the past 14 years. We are a system integrator/consultant/SW development house that builds documentation systems for customers using structured text.

Indox is an application we have developed over the past years. Since our website's (www.index.fi) english translations are being updated (still..) and I'd imagine that finnish portion might cause reading problems.., here are the some of the new things:

Overall

- supports also DITA
- Connector supports DITA Open Toolkit
- supported databases: X-Hive, (eXist) and SQL Server 2005

Indox Connector

- connector between DB/filesystem and an XML editor
- .NET-based modular architecture
- front-end connection via COM interop
- back-end connection via SOAP, REST, filesystem..
- database browser
- check-in / check-out / open / save..
- supports versioning and ACL
- Xlink resolver
- edit documents through links (conref/xref)
- resolve links for publishing through editor/pipeline
- link editor (conref/xref)
- fetches external entities (eg. graphics) from database or file system
- supports embedded graphics (SVG or base-64 encoded binary data)
- pipelined server/client-side XSL-transformation engine
- configurable parameter passing between editor and transformation
- doctype, system id, static/dynamic variables..
- supports also local transformations within the instance loaded in editor
- available for PTC/Arbortext, FrameMaker and x4o

If you want to know more, drop me an email: martti(dot)poutanen(at)index.fi

BR, Martti