February 10, 2011 at 3:01 am
HI all,
I'm very happy in my SQL world with all the tools MS give me.
Just sometimes somebody wants a small DB app developing, usually asap, usually for just a few people, usually fairly simple (a dozen 'screens' or so). In the past I have always defaulted to using Access - because its easy. But having a proper web app development environment would seem to make sense and overcome some of the limitations of Access. I played with VB .Net 2.0 a few years back but didn't stick at it long enough to get productive.
So the question is; what would you recommend?
Cheers
Allen
February 10, 2011 at 3:17 am
Hey Allen,
It is always advisable to go with Sql Server, even for a small database also.
Access is strictly not advisable if the data is confidential you want to store because sql injection is possible in access.
February 10, 2011 at 3:30 am
Hi,
I've been there. Believe me: SQL. For any size of application. It really pays off in Web environment as well as in local Windows applications. Throw in SQL Express and shazam.
The real difference is the database programmability, that you don't find in Access. Procedures, Functions, Triggers and so... real development accelerators 🙂
DV
February 10, 2011 at 3:36 am
Thanks - I was probably not very clear, I just use Access if I need a front end. The back end is always SQL. A lot of my DBs are Data Warehouse type setups where they do not have a traditional front end (data is loaded and processed batch using SSIS & SSRS).
Just sometimes I get asked for a desktop type app, something to keep track of widgets for the companies widget department, they want simple data entry screens and selection screens (and screens with grids).
Cheers
Allen
February 10, 2011 at 3:45 am
Oh...
In this case Access is for sure an alternative. I use the SQL Server Reporting Services to create readonly interfaces (grids) from data. When a more elaborated interface is needed, a very simple path is a Visual Studio ASP.NET MVC project. With very few code you can produce very nice database interfaces.
DV
February 10, 2011 at 3:54 am
Thsts all depend on new application requirement. If you feel client you can keep client happy with using SQL Server Reporting Services front end that is wonderfull and will avoid all hassle of coding new application.
But like few year back i have to create web application front end using ASP.NET for our lcient, because they are expecting parameter behaviour which is not possible using SSRS.
February 10, 2011 at 11:59 am
Access, as a front end, has always caused problems as a straight .mdb linked database. At least, it has for me. The connection is always slow (not SQL Server's fault) and security is iffy at best. You can't kick people out of Access if the database gets corrupted and, if you're using group security, it can be difficult at times to tell who is really in the Access database.
Also, the people in Access can do all sorts of funky things like try to Repair and Compact the database while others are in it...
Using an Access .adp for the front end is better, but not entirely optimal. I don't know if it's just our version that we're about to lose support for, or what, but I do know that when we upgraded SQL Server and the Office tools didn't keep pace, it made the interface cranky.
So, whatever you decide, make sure you test it thoroughly and account for future software changes when you make that choice. Because you'll be stuck with your decision for quite a while, unless you have unlimited technology budget funds.
February 10, 2011 at 12:09 pm
If you want to stick with something similar enough to Access to be easy to learn, but more robust, secure, et al, go with VB.NET. That'll give you good client-server apps.
If you want to move into web pages for the interface, go with C#.
Those aren't hard-fast-rules, those are my opinions.
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February 11, 2011 at 4:16 am
I almost forgot to add my favorite Access activity. Creating new tables in Access that aren't in SQL Server (without telling anyone), than getting upset when another user deletes that table and expecting the DBAs to have a backup from SQL.
September 20, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I have been looking for something in a Visual Studio-type product as a way to convert an existing MS Access Front End to a SQL Server back end with nearly 100 users on multiple sites.
I like the rapid application development tools that Access provides and can still be used by people who are using Office 2003. But the world is changing. A Web front end is going to provide a more uniform response time and no need to update the front end at each work site. I expect to use SharePoint to do the authentication that is provided by Active Directory (so that the application does not have to authenticate users).
I have not been able to find a set of tools that will let me have the forms with drop down boxes, command buttons, text displays and waterfall displays that are easily added and customized for Access. But I have not found anything suitable in my search so far; I have experience using Visual Studio. I've tried several ASP.NET tutorials and usually can make them function but cannot find a way to mimic the simple functionality of MS Access to display, update and add to the data in a SQL Server database.
What do you recommend?
September 21, 2012 at 6:44 am
pvanitallie (9/20/2012)
I have been looking for something in a Visual Studio-type product as a way to convert an existing MS Access Front End to a SQL Server back end with nearly 10 users on multiple sites.I like the rapid application development tools that Access provides and can still be used by people who are using Office 2003. But the world is changing. A Web front end is going to provide a more uniform response time and no need to update the front end at each work site. I expect to use SharePoint to do the authentication that is provided by Active Directory (so that the application does not have to authenticate users).
I have not been able to find a set of tools that will let me have the forms with drop down boxes, command buttons, text displays and waterfall displays that are easily added and customized for Access. But I have not found anything suitable in my search so far; I have experience using Visual Studio. I've tried several ASP.NET tutorials and usually can make them function but cannot find a way to mimic the simple functionality of MS Access to display, update and add to the data in a SQL Server database.
What do you recommend?
IMHO (and to anyone who reads this who knows anything different, please feel free to correct me), you're already there. You're not going to find anything else.
AFAIK, MS Access is the only tool that has that ability to develop your front end that simply and easily. You're not going to be able to do it any other way, unless you understand web front-end development.
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September 21, 2012 at 7:46 am
Brandie Tarvin (2/11/2011)
I almost forgot to add my favorite Access activity. Creating new tables in Access that aren't in SQL Server (without telling anyone), than getting upset when another user deletes that table and expecting the DBAs to have a backup from SQL.
You can create an access db and make a "distributable" to get away from these problems. I havent done it in at least 8 years but I'm pretty sure it was well locked down.
.accde This is the file name extension for Office Access 2007 files that are compiled into an "execute only" file. This format takes the place of the .mde file name extension that is used in earlier versions of Access.
An .accde file is a "locked-down" version of the original .accdb file. If the .accdb file contains any Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code, only the compiled code is included in the .accde file. As a result, the VBA code cannot be viewed or modified by the user. Also, users working with .accde files cannot make design changes to forms or reports. You create .accde files from .accdb files by doing the following:
In Office Access 2007, open the database that you want to save as an .accde file.
On the Database Tools tab, in the Database Tools group, click Make ACCDE. Button image
In the Save As dialog box, browse to the folder in which you want to save the file, type a name for the file in the File name box, and then click Save.
September 21, 2012 at 8:04 am
MysteryJimbo (9/21/2012)
Brandie Tarvin (2/11/2011)
I almost forgot to add my favorite Access activity. Creating new tables in Access that aren't in SQL Server (without telling anyone), than getting upset when another user deletes that table and expecting the DBAs to have a backup from SQL.You can create an access db and make a "distributable" to get away from these problems. I havent done it in at least 8 years but I'm pretty sure it was well locked down.
.accde This is the file name extension for Office Access 2007 files that are compiled into an "execute only" file. This format takes the place of the .mde file name extension that is used in earlier versions of Access.
An .accde file is a "locked-down" version of the original .accdb file. If the .accdb file contains any Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code, only the compiled code is included in the .accde file. As a result, the VBA code cannot be viewed or modified by the user. Also, users working with .accde files cannot make design changes to forms or reports. You create .accde files from .accdb files by doing the following:
In Office Access 2007, open the database that you want to save as an .accde file.
On the Database Tools tab, in the Database Tools group, click Make ACCDE. Button image
In the Save As dialog box, browse to the folder in which you want to save the file, type a name for the file in the File name box, and then click Save.
The key words there being Access 2007. I've been working with 2000 & 2003 for various compatability reasons.
September 21, 2012 at 8:06 am
8 years ago was pre 2007. They were .mde files then
September 21, 2012 at 8:07 am
Ray K (9/21/2012)
pvanitallie (9/20/2012)
I have been looking for something in a Visual Studio-type product as a way to convert an existing MS Access Front End to a SQL Server back end with nearly 10 users on multiple sites.I like the rapid application development tools that Access provides and can still be used by people who are using Office 2003. But the world is changing. A Web front end is going to provide a more uniform response time and no need to update the front end at each work site. I expect to use SharePoint to do the authentication that is provided by Active Directory (so that the application does not have to authenticate users).
I have not been able to find a set of tools that will let me have the forms with drop down boxes, command buttons, text displays and waterfall displays that are easily added and customized for Access. But I have not found anything suitable in my search so far; I have experience using Visual Studio. I've tried several ASP.NET tutorials and usually can make them function but cannot find a way to mimic the simple functionality of MS Access to display, update and add to the data in a SQL Server database.
What do you recommend?
IMHO (and to anyone who reads this who knows anything different, please feel free to correct me), you're already there. You're not going to find anything else.
I don't know. Doesn't Visual Studio have those tools? Our devs use it all the time to work on our Access .adp file. They code using VB script, VB.NET, and C#.NET.
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