Database Reference
In-Depth Information
new variable as it's created. For example, the first time you use the Set Variable script step to
set a
$customerID
variable,
$customerID
appears in the Data Viewer, along with its type
and value. Global variables will remain visible even after a script has exited and the Debug-
ger window is closed.
The Current tab almost always shows you just what you need to see while you debug. It can
be a huge timesaver, pointing out everything your script is using and what it's doing with
data, so you don't have to run calculations in your head or scramble around different layouts.
Open it early and often.
Figure 13-7. As you step through your script in the Script Debugger, the Data Viewer keeps its list
of fields up to date. A little black dot appears next to any fields referenced in the current script step.
You can take note of their values before moving on.
The Watch Tab
The second tab in the Data Viewer, called Watch, shows the same kind of information as the
Current tab, but you get to configure it yourself. Instead of magically showing the fields and
variables your script is using, it shows the fields and variables you tell it to show, whether
they are being evaluated in the Debugger or not. And it can show the result of arbitrary cal-
culation expressions as well. You can see a sample Watch list in
Figure 13-8
.
To add an item to the Watch list, click the Add button; it's the one with a single green plus
sign. When you do, FileMaker shows you the Edit Expression dialog box (
Figure 13-9
). This
