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What DB to use?

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mwa

mwa

Programmer
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I have the need to develop a small windows based db application. It would be like a filing system tracker. It would be used to enter the location/description of paper files and the filing cabinet where the file is stored. Really that is it.This app would be installed on one computer and used by one person.

My question is, should I use access or MSDE?

I'm leaning towards access, but I'm confused about deploying the application. Does MSAccess need to be installed on the pc in order for the application to use an access mdb? Once I set up the mdb, and write the app, how do I include the mdb to be installed on the pc?

Are there any tutorials on this?

Or would MSDE be a better option?

Let me know if this is not enough info... Thanks in advance...

mwa
<><
 
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If that's all you need it for, another viable option would be just using an XML file (of course, that depends on how secure the data needs to be).

MSDE: way too much overhead to use it for such a simple application.

Access: you don't need Access installed on the client machine to run a program with an Access file. So this is a viable option...unless you want to be able to access the database on the client machine...in which case they will need Access installed.

XML: If the data doesn't need to be locked down, storing the data within an XML file might be the easiest way to go. You don't need any other application (like MSDE or Access), and you can alter the data on the client if need be.

But for sure, imo, MSDE would be overkill.

hth

D'Arcy
 
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I was thinking about XML (or txt) file also, but I wasn't sure if that would be any good. There will be probably 2 tables (maybe 3) that could have 2500 - 3000 records by the time they are done entering the initial data. I was thinking there might be some issues with the number of records.

I think I will probably go with Access. It seems to be the simplest to me. But, what about my last question:
Once I set up the mdb, and write the app, how do I include the mdb to be installed on the pc?
Click to expand...
Are there any online tutorails that cover this subject?

mwa
<><
 
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Well, all you have to do is make sure that your application knows where to expect the mdb file; and ensure that you place the mdb file in that location.

If you're looking for code examples, your best bet is to Google it and see if you can get some code samples (I'm in the SQL Server world...been a while since I've used Access for an app).

D
 
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I googled earlier but couldn't find anything specific to mdb's... I'm in the sql server world also, but sql is not an option for this project... I'll keep searching... Thanks...

mwa
<><
 
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just include the access file in the setup project and the do this in the code somewhere

Code: 
databsepath = application.startuppath & "\mine.mdb"
[\code]

[quote]
Access: you don't need Access installed on the client machine to run a program with an Access file. So this is a viable option...unless you want to be able to access the database on the client machine...in which case they will need Access installed.
[/quote]

that is completely correct, but MS insists that the client has a lincense for access, something to do with money. They do not ask that for MSDE.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

[b]If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540[/b]
[i]There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting[/i]
 
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Alright... Now I'm confused... If I want to use Access mdb as database, It will work if the client has a license for MSAccess, but does not need MSAccess installed? How is this possible? How do you go about getting a license for Access (other than purhcasing MSAccess)?

Is this documented somewhere?

mwa
<><
 
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(other than purhcasing MSAccess)?
Click to expand...

yep


Is this documented somewhere?
Click to expand...

if you have the patience, it's somewhere in the fineprint in the license agreement, we all pretend to have read.


Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting
 
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So in other words, I'm better off using MSDE... Even though there is more overhead required by it compared to Access.

Is it possible to only start the MSDE Service as needed by the application so that MSDE is not running all the time? This would be the only app using MSDE, and it seems to be waste to have it running when not in use.

mwa
<><
 
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I would try XML first, and if that doesn't work you can still use the same datasets and then go for access or MSDE if the licensing is really a problem.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting
 
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I guess I'll try the XML route...

Thanks for your help and clarifications...

mwa
<><
 
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Are you sure that using the JET engine requires a license? Apps are deployed all over using it with no mention of the user requiring a license. Maybe they're all doing it illegaly? You can download the engine for free from MS.

I was pretty sure that if you've already paid for a development program (particularly if it's a Visual Studio product) then you're allowed to make programs that use the JET engine. But maybe I'm wrong!
 
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microsoft suplies a viewer for free also so you can look at the data, but you may not change the data for that you need a license. I don't know how strict they are in this. I don't think they really bother because they know if you need something better then you will pay for it. As long as you don't do it for commercial purposes they won't really care but if you want to sell your code and make lots of money out of it they will care. So the choise is up to you. BTW I didn't read the license agreement either but somebody who did told me. It's like using PDF everybody does it and nobody pays but adobe makes all the costs to develop it and they never intended for it to be free, they gave acrobat reader for free so people would buy acrobat. You see free things don't pay the employees.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting
 
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Woah woah WOAH!

First, check this link. The response is from a Microsoft MVP, and it supports what I believe to be the case: you do NOT need a license for Access to distribute an MDB file


Furthermore, MSDE actually is MORE of a license headache, as you can only distribute it if you have a valid vs.net license OR the client machine has a valid office license OR blah blah blah...

So XML: free, no worries. Access file: you don't need a license to distribute the mdb file. MSDE: license for sure.

Hope this clears it up

D'Arcy
 
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You actually made me read the license agreement, shame on you.
microsoft said:
Alternative License Grant for Storage/Network Use. As an alternative to the rights granted in the previous section, You may install a copy of the Software Product on one storage Device, such as a network server, and allow individuals within Your business or enterprise to access and use the Software Product from other Devices over a private network, provided that You acquire and dedicate a license for the storage Device upon which the Software Product is installed and each separate Device from which the Software Product is accessed and used. A license for the Software Product may not be used concurrently on different Devices.
Click to expand...

so you do need it as I understand it. but I'm no legal expert.

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting
 
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Yeah, but its saying the Software Product, which would be Access itself.

So if I had an Access database on a server and I wanted to remotely access it using Access, then I'd have to have a license for the application for the terminal that I was connecting to the server.

But the actual mdb file is not the software product, the Access application is.

That's how I read it anyway...does it specify elsewhere what the term "software product" encompasses?

D
 
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By reading the license excerpt, I tend to agree with jfrost... It does seem that they are talking about MSAccess itself, not the .mdb files. the .mdb file is just storing the data. The vb application is what will be manipulating the data, not Access.


mwa
<><
 
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I asked elsewhere and everybody seems to agree that you can use. So go ahead. Sorry for giving the wrong information.

Is it finished yet?

Christiaan Baes
Belgium

If you want to get an answer read this FAQ faq796-2540
There's no such thing as a winnable war - Sting
 
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That's OK. I'm just glad to have some clarification...

Is what finished? The app? I'm just starting it... I wanted to get the db squared away first...

mwa
<><
 
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