Access 97 or Access 2000 1

[lgvelez]

I'm curious ... the very large company that I am working for has many, many Access 97 databases. They have made a corporate decision not to move to Office 2000 (and Access 2000). I realize that it might be a conversion nightmare, but none of these databases have much if any VBA coding. I am looking into changing companies, but am wondering where the corporate world and the consulting worlds are sitting now as to which version of Access is being used the most. What will be the reaction to the new version of Office due to come out later this year? My program learning concentration has been with Access 2000. I am just passing through my mid 50's, and don't want to take the time to flounder in the wrong area. Thanks.
Laura Velez
lauravelez@home.com

 

[Terpsfan]

Most places are still using Access 97. It usually takes at least a full year after a new version to be offered for the public to start using it. If your company is as big as you say it is and has as many databases as you say, I'm surprised they don't consolidate some of these databases and use a much more robust Microsoft database, SQL Server. The real strength of Access isn't as a stand-alone database, but as a front-end to more powerful databases, such as SQL Server, Oracle, Informix, etc. I've used Access for almost 4 years, but now I'm learning that SQL Server with a Visual Basic or Access front end is the route to take. The great thing about Access is that the table data can be exported to just about any other database format known to man, because of ODBC drivers.

 

[lgvelez]

My company was bought by a major German company about 3 years ago, and the database of record is actually SAP. I guess that could be a good system but the programmers they have working for us are not very good. About 2 years ago, the Quality Department attempted to make one Access database that would encompass all of the smaller databases (which were mostly in either Excel or dBase). I am database administrator of that particular database. Now, other groups are starting to develop their own Access databases, to cover their specific uses (again). This company is very territorial and proprietary about their recordkeeping. An additional internet front end is being developed for my big database, which will co-exist with the Access frontend. The ultimate plans are for the back end to be moved to SQL Server. And, yes, I am currently working on learning that ... an obvious addition to my MS database talents. Other than the DAO / ADO differences, are there may programming differences between 97 and 2000?
Laura Velez
lauravelez@home.com

 

[Terpsfan]

There aren't many major differences with Access 97. Here are a few I've observed. In Access 2000 you can create what's called an Access Data Project, which uses the Microsoft Data Engine. The Microsoft Data Engine has a look and feel of SQL Server. Microsoft says that ADO is now the preferred data access type, so if you are going to use Access 2000, learn ADO. Another difference is the ability to create Internet data pages with a wizard that are essentially forms to tables. This allows people who don't have Access on their computer, but have Internet Explorer, to be able to access data or input data on a form as long as they have access to the database on the intranet.

 

[lgvelez]

Thank you for your observations. I guess I will concentrate mostly on Access 97, in spite of MS's waning support. Way back when you were first learning VBA, did you find one particular training source most helpful? I have found myself at work doing mostly database maintenance and information mining, and almost no development. I will have to do that on my own. I am MS certified in the NT4 area, so have a full network at home, and can install SQL Server 7 here.
Laura Velez
lauravelez@home.com