In 2024, forms built with Claris FileMaker, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Adobe Acrobat can be extended with open-source PHP technologies to enable securable asynchronous data interactions with SQL databases or REST APIs.
Forms can use calculations and native functions to assemble and send query parameters to PHP scripts in order to look-up information, or execute Create-Read-Update-Delete transactions, or call stored procedures, or interact with REST APIs, and then return filtered query results as single values or as JSON, XML, FDF, or HTML arrays, refreshing related form calculations in the process.
On-demand 2-way data exchanges, triggered as authenticated users insert, update, select, or click form fields or elements, progressively querying, filtering, calculating, and processing SQL or REST API interaction results in real-time.
Each type of form provides different features, capabilities, and advantages. Any type can interact with any mixture of databases or APIs in any sequence.
PHP is a popular general purpose server scripting language, currently used on approximately 75% of websites globally. PHP Data Objects and cURL code libraries provide comparatively simple, securable, injection-resistant methods for efficiently interacting with SQL databases or REST APIs. PHP is open-source technology, so there are no licensing costs, transaction fees, or subscriptions required to own and use reliable industrial strength code.
Claris FileMaker forms can perform calculations that dynamically generate and execute webhooks that use PHP, PDO, and cURL to interact with SQL databases or REST APIs in real-time. FileMaker provides advanced programmable data process controls, ideal for building multi-user interfaces that can be securely shared with up to 500 users connecting via Windows or Mac desktop application, WebDirect forms, or FileMaker Data API.
Adobe Acrobat forms can be used as programmable interaction runtimes. Any document can be converted to PDF and extended with PHP, PDO, and cURL to send query parameters to databases or APIs, filter, and return results to designated form fields in real-time. More securable than HTML forms, Acrobat PDF forms are not susceptible to XSS, CSRF, or session attacks, and can be password protected, encrypted, flattened, or digitally signed.