Chapter 4 

Using the cdml_format_files folder

FileMaker Pro 6 introduces a new feature to protect the source code and structure of your CDML 

format files: the cdml_format_files folder.

Located at the root level of the FileMaker Pro folder, the cdml_format_files folder provides a way 

to protect your format files (files that are specified using the 

 format

 parameter) when publishing 

databases using Custom Web Publishing. 

Unlike the FileMaker Pro Web folder, the cdml_format_files folder cannot be accessed directly by 

the FileMaker Pro HTTP server. Instead, the Web Companion searches this folder for CDML 

format files during CGI requests. The Web Companion will forward the results of a search or other 

action that references a CDML format file located in this folder, but it will deny any attempts to 

view the source code information of files located within it. 

Protecting your CDML format files

The easiest way to protect one or more CDML files in an existing solution is to copy the entire 

directory into the cdml_format_files folder and then delete the CDML format files from their 

original locations within the Web folder. No modifications to the content of the solution are 

necessary. Copying the entire folder will leave duplicate copies of static content, such as image files 

and standard HTML pages, in the cdml_format_files folder. This will make it easier for you to 

maintain your solution, and your site will function normally, but you should be aware that the Web 

Companion will only access static content from within the Web folder.

For Windows development, we recommend managing your CDML format files together with other 

related files in a development directory, either in a separate development folder that is not published 

to the web or in the appropriate sub folder under the cdml_format_files folder. By using a 

development directory, you can edit your files and preserve the file references used in relative links 

typically managed by HTML authoring environments. You can then separately publish the public 

files into the appropriate sub folder of the Web folder when ready for web users to see, and if 

needed publish the CDML format files into the appropriate sub folder of the cdml_format_files 

folder.

For Mac OS development, you can manage your files in the same way using a development 

directory as described above. Another option is to manage the CDML files in the cdml_format 

folder, and use aliases within the cdml_format_files sub folders to point back to the corresponding 

sub folder in the Web folder. This will typically resolve any broken link/missing image problems 

when working in HTML authoring environments. For example, you can have an alias in the 

cdml_format_files copy of the site named  images  which points back to the images folder in the 

Web folder, rather than copying the entire images sub folder under the cdml_format_files folder.

Important

 For better security, we do not recommend placing aliases to locations outside of the Web 

folder within the cdml_format_files folder or Web folder.