As of version 1.0.5 there is the addition of a runtime version of BaseElements that is available for download. This version has also been packaged with a single BindKey that means when there is an updated version available you only need to download the updated files not the entire run-time application.

Background

The FMP runtime process generates the entire runtime application for you. It creates, for example on the Mac, a "BaseElements.app" application, plus it packages all of the DDR files with a special BindKey that links them to the application.

Whichever version that BaseElements is at, the runtime application is at the version number of the copy of FileMaker Pro Advanced that it was generated with. What this means is that if we update BE from 1.0.5 to 1.1.0 for example, but FMPA stays at v8.5 then you don't need to download the entire application again. Just download the updated runtime BaseElements files and replace your existing ones.

Also when FileMaker releases the next update to version 8.5 (presumably to 8.5v2) then we can create a new runtime application that uses the 8.5v2 version as it's engine and automatically take advantage of any fixes or new features in that update. All without updating BaseElements, or without you losing your data files.

How does it work?

If you want to use the runtime, then the first time you download, make sure you grab the full download. Unzip it and copy to wherever you want and use as normal.

When there is an update to FMP or FMPA, we will release a matching BaseElements runtime update for the current release, including a new application download. In this case, you only need to download the application files again, and literally replace your old app files with the new ones. All of your data remains safe.

When there is a BaseElements update, then you only need to download the updated BaseElements files. Move the old "*.BAS" files out of the folder if you want to import your data from them. Copy in the new "*.BAS" files from the download. Once that's done you can import from the old files if you want, or just continue to the use the new files and do a new DDR import..

If you've got any queries, don't hesitate to contact us, we're always happy to help out.