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JSON: Beyond the Basics

CodeWave · 2025 · Matt Navarre · 47 slides

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Slide 1: JSON: Beyond the Basics Fresh Takes, Dashboards JSON-LD, AI Integration

Slide 1JSON: Beyond the Basics Fresh Takes, Dashboards JSON-LD, AI Integration

  • Matt Navarre / Mateo Navarre
  • Navarre Training
Slide 2: Who am I?

Slide 2Who am I?

  • Passionate trainer, Expert developer
  • Certified in FM versions 7-current
  • Founded 3 companies
  • FBA Awards, conferences, podcasts, meetups, blog, YouTube
  • Moved to Greece in 2022
Slide 3: Classes and More

Slide 3Classes and More

  • FileMaker Champion Series Class
  • 1. Foundations / Best Practices
  • 2. Intermediate / Developer
  • 3. Expert / AI
  • Claris Talk AI Podcast with Cris Ippolite
  • Free classes in partnership with Claris
  • More info at www.navarre.training
Slide 4: Agenda

Slide 4Agenda

  • Slides ~ 15 minutes
  • Live demos ~ 25 minutes
  • Q&A ~ 15 minutes
  • How do YOU use JSON?
Slide 5: JSON

Slide 5JSON

Slide 6
Slide 7
Slide 8
Slide 9: Douglas Crockford

Slide 9Douglas Crockford

Codified & Popularized JSON

Slide 10: What is JSON?

Slide 10What is JSON?

  • JavaScript Object Notation
  • Structured text formatting
  • “Light weight data interchange format”
  • Human Readable
  • Like XML, but it doesn’t suck™
Slide 11: What is JSON?

Slide 11What is JSON?

  • Hierarchical (nested structure)
  • VERY FLEXIBLE
  • FileMaker-y
  • Since Version 16
  • May 9th, 2017
  • 2.902 days ago
Slide 12: Why use JSON?

Slide 12Why use JSON?

  • Simpler
  • Once you are comfortable using it
  • Just like Case ( )
  • And Let ( )
  • Better
  • Flexible
  • Bulletproof
Slide 13: It Matters

Slide 13It Matters

“Reusability, clarity, portability, and modern FM features are all tied to structured data”

Slide 14: Where to use JSON?

Slide 14Where to use JSON?

  • Scripts
  • Passing params in, processing params, sending JSON out
  • ButtonBars & Layout Calculations
  • Calculated Fields
  • Nearly everywhere you use the Calc dialog
Slide 15: When to use JSON?

Slide 15When to use JSON?

  • Here
  • Today
  • Now
  • Always
Slide 16: The basics… …a very quick review

Slide 16The basics… …a very quick review

Slide 17: Punctuation

Slide 17Punctuation

  • FileMaker ( ) [ ] ;
  • JSON { } , :
Slide 18: Functions

Slide 18Functions

  • JSONGetElement ( )
  • Two arguments: Name and Value
  • JSONSetElement ( )
  • Four arguments – existing json, name, value, data type
  • Ability to add or modify existing data
Slide 19: Functions

Slide 19Functions

  • JSONFormatElements ( )
  • Makes it easier to read, but adds characters
  • Rarely, it will break valid JSON (can’t reproduce this today though)
  • JSONDelete Elements ( )
  • Cleans existing JSON, including dot notation
Slide 20: Functions

Slide 20Functions

  • JSONListKeys ( )
  • Returns the names (keys) of name/value pair
  • JSONListValues ( )
  • Returns the values of a name/value pair
  • JSONMakeArray ()
  • Newest function. Converts a List into an Array.
Slide 21: String, Number, Boolean

Slide 21String, Number, Boolean

Slide 22: To start: Passing Parameters

Slide 22To start: Passing Parameters

  • I always use it - even for a single param
  • Because some day, there will likely be a 2nd param
Slide 23: If Data Viewer is your friend…

Slide 23If Data Viewer is your friend…

Slide 24: … Then ChatGPT is your secret lover

Slide 24… Then ChatGPT is your secret lover

Slide 25: Four Use Cases

Slide 25Four Use Cases

Let’s slow down…

Slide 26: A JSON Field in ~Every Table Preferences & Session Data Dashboard Data JSON-LD & AI

Slide 26A JSON Field in ~Every Table Preferences & Session Data Dashboard Data JSON-LD & AI

Slide 27: 1. A JSON Field in Most Tables

Slide 271. A JSON Field in Most Tables

Slide 28: JSON Field (stored text field)

Slide 28JSON Field (stored text field)

  • Main Benefits
  • Write any data needed without having to change schema
  • Including calculations
  • Replace multiple unstirred calc fields
  • Display any data
  • Use a layout calculation or Button Bar
  • Get any element
  • Doesn’t need to be indexed (no direct searches)
Slide 29: JSON Field – Uses

Slide 29JSON Field – Uses

  • Store metadata about the record
  • Record creation details beyond date & user
  • Container data, resolution, image size
  • Log data
  • A local list of record edits
  • Record access, data quality warnings, etc.
Slide 30: JSON Field – Uses

Slide 30JSON Field – Uses

  • Temporary fields
  • Example: A special event where you need 5 fields for a month
  • No need to pollute the schema
  • On Creation
  • Track Lots of extra data
  • Lower field count
Slide 31: JSON Field – Uses

Slide 31JSON Field – Uses

  • Temporary fields
  • Example: A special event where you need 5 fields for a month
  • No need to pollute the schema
  • Delete unused fields – with no risk
  • Append data in JSON field with JSONSetElement ( )
  • Delete offending fields
  • Celebrate
Slide 32: JSON Field – Notes

Slide 32JSON Field – Notes

  • Enter {} in the field upon record creation
  • To avoid ? Error when reading
  • Only use in tables where there is a high chance of use
  • Or just create the field when it’s needed
  • Not directly searchable
  • Should have values set only by script
Slide 33: Meta- data (On Create)

Slide 33Meta- data (On Create)

Slide 34
Slide 35: Temp Data / Delete Fields

Slide 35Temp Data / Delete Fields

Slide 36
Slide 37: JSON Field Demo

Slide 37JSON Field Demo

Slide 38: 2. Preferences (global) Session Data

Slide 382. Preferences (global) Session Data

Slide 39: Preferences & Session Data

Slide 39Preferences & Session Data

  • Main Benefits
  • A single global text field in Dashboard or Globals table
  • Extremely easy to access the JSON
  • Replaces numerous $$variables
  • Replaces numerous Global Fields in Prefs or Dashboard table
  • Holds structured values, like IDs and field data for a record
  • JSONDeleteElement ( ) useful to clean up a branch
Slide 40: 3. Dashboard Data

Slide 403. Dashboard Data

Slide 41: Dashboard Data

Slide 41Dashboard Data

  • Main Benefits
  • Uses same Single JSON Field (as defined above)
  • Write values with a script to control when data loads
  • Which is much faster
  • Holds structured values
  • invoice.rec_count ; invoice.sold ; invoice.due
  • Holds list of values in JSON Array
Slide 42: Dashboard Data Demo

Slide 42Dashboard Data Demo

Slide 43: 4. JSON-LD For Semantic Search And Generative AI

Slide 434. JSON-LD For Semantic Search And Generative AI

Slide 44: JSON-LD & AI

Slide 44JSON-LD & AI

  • Main Benefits
  • Structured data using schema.org
  • Greatly improves results for both semantic and generative AI
  • Enforces good readability and clear JSON
Slide 45: Sample

Slide 45Sample

{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Person",
"name": "Matt Navarre",
"job_title": "Trainer",
"company_name":"Navarre Training" }
}
Slide 46: JSON-LD Demo

Slide 46JSON-LD Demo

Slide 47: Thank You!

Slide 47Thank You!

  • Contact information:
  • www.navarre.training
  • matt@navarre.training
  • Claris Talk AI on YouTube and podcast platforms