Data Control, DAO and newer Access Version -- Help 1

[Hap007]

Hi,

Some History:
I did a lot of VB programming with VB 2 and VB 3.
I wrote (for free) a very nice app for my local church.

I then moved into MS Access and MS SQL programming, but I kept getting the newer versions of Vb, 4,5,6 and dot net but just did not use them. So, I did not keep up with all the supporting controls

So, now I need to upgrade the Church VB app to VB6

The problem:
The code is using the DataControl from Microsoft VB3 which only seems to support early versions of Access (97 format)

The only new data control I can seem to find in VB 6 is ADO.

The aftermarket companies only seem to want to sell controls for VB.net

So, did microsoft ever release a data control for Access formats greater than 97? If so, is it still available? Does anyone know where I can get this update?

Does anyone know of aftermarket companies that still sell components for VB 6.

I know ADO seems to be the way to go, but for this app I need DAO and the ability to use newer versions of access and or SQL from a data control and DAO.

Thanks,
Hap...

Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Out of interest why do you need to use DAO?

If you have to use it you can set a reference to the Microsoft DAO 3.x Object Library and use it in the code rather than using a DataControl of any kind.

Hope this helps

HarleyQuinn
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[Hap007]

Hi Harley,

Thanks for the reply

I have been away from Visual Basic for quite some time.

The forms in the app rely on the older datacontrol. Probably 4 data controls on each form.

I am just trying to recompile using newer version of access and VB.

Can I replace the datacontols with Coded DAO recordsets without much work?

Why wouldn't newer versions of access be supported?

If this were a paid project or a new project, I would go with ADO, but it is not, so I am trying to upgrade with the least amount of work.

Note: This app has run in 2 churches for over 10 years without a single problem, so the existing code is pretty well tested.

Thanks,
Hap...

Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Hap,

I'm going to be honest, I've never used DAO DataControls so I might not be the best to comment on the conversion to recordsets (but if it's like converting ADO DataControls to ADO recordsets then it's not too difficult at all).

Sorry that's not a lot of help.

Cheers

HarleyQuinn
---------------------------------
Get the most out of Tek-Tips, read FAQ222-2244 before posting.

 

[macleod1021]

I'm in the same boat with HarleyQuinn...I haven't used DAO DataControls. However, I'd recommend switching to ADO any way. It may take you a little bit of extra time, but it will save you a lot in the future when they upgrade again. ADO seems to be the way Microsoft is pointing (for now).

 

[Hap007]

Hi,

Thanks, but for this project it is just not an option.

Here is a simple question.

1) Open a new VB 6 application
2) On the toolbar, is about 15 controls, 1 is the stock, standard data control.
3) Why will the default data control on the default VB6 toolbar not allow you to select any MS Access database except an Access 97 database?

Is there an update somewhere?

Thanks,
Hap...


Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Just done a nit of digging and it looks like if you install the latest VB service pack (6) and the lastest version of MDAC I'm pretty sure that you should be able to use the Data Control with later version of Access. (thread222-936347)

Hope this helps

HarleyQuinn
---------------------------------
Get the most out of Tek-Tips, read FAQ222-2244 before posting.

 

[comaboy]

This sounds like a configuration problem. Access 2000 comes up my connect drop-down.

Do you have Access 2000 or later and the latest version of MDAC installed on you're devopment machine?

 

[Hap007]

Hi Harley,

Thanks.

Silly me thinking that my original MS VB6 CD would have the latest code.

I just did something similar and downloaded the latest service pack from msdn and that solved my problem.

FYI, I would advise anyone who has not done so, to go to msdn and download all the service packs, 5 and 6 for VB 6 and burn to CD and place with their original VB CD.
Who knows how long MS will have it avaliable on their web site.

Harley, star to you. This will save me a lot of grief.

Thanks again,
Hap...

Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[strongm]

>Who knows how long MS will have it avaliable on their web site.

A fair number of years - the VB6 runtimes are included in Longhorn/Vista which means support continues for the full lifetime of Longhorn/Vista which means the service packs should stay available for the same timeframe ...

 

[Hap007]

Hi,

I hope you are correct, but.....

I kept purchasing VB updates from MS, but did not do much with those until last month.

Being that VB.net is the most recent MS platform, most 3rd party vendors are now selling tools/components for that version.

So, try to get some info or an earlier release of a product can be tough.

For instance, I used DataWidgets from Sheridan.
Well, sheridan nolonger exists, bought out by someone else, so a simple $120 control I bought 8 years ago is no longer available unless I pay large fee for a .net version, that I do not need at this time.

I had 5 or 6 controls and packages I bought from several vendors who no longer exist or sell the componet bundled.

So, I estimate that to reuse some of my code, written with VB2 and VB3 where I may have spent 300 or 400 dollars will now cost me close to 3000 to upgrade(Note I am only interested in upgraded version) Yet, if I had taken the time to upgrade or download the updates several years ago my cost would have been nill.

So, I was just offering a free bit of advice based on my nightmare over the last month.

Thanks,
Hap...

Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[strongm]

I wasn't referring to 3rd party addins or controls. I was directly responding to your comments and advice about VB6 service packs on the MS websites.

 

[BobRodes]

Case study in why not to use 3rd party controls.

 

[Hap007]

I know, I know, I know, but....

I have been developing for a long time.

The IT industry has grown so much in the last 20 years.

Back then, you could know every language; COBOL, Basic, RPG asembler.

Now a days, there is a new language almost every month, no one can know every thing about all products, so you narrow in and become an expert in fewer languages, hoping you pick the right few.

I am a consultant and I get paid to get the job done. If I want to re write a procedure or learn a new tool, I normally do it on my own time. There is no correct or perfect way to solve any IT problem any more, just many choices. So, If my experience does not fit a clients needs, then I must pass the opportunity. That is normally best for me and the client.

I got away from VB development and regret that. But I just disovered that even someone like Microsoft offers much more support for their newest technology. I have been a member of MSDN for 8 years. I do not know how I would survive without the ability to go back to older versions of software. My company is called First Choice. There use to be an old DOS program called First Choice (No relationship) I get at least 5 calls or emails a week from users looking for that old DOS program when their computers crash. Well, the courts go after Microsoft every day, and what is on their web site one day may just disappear the next day if some judge deems that a piece of that software violates some law. So word to the wise, if it is important to you, make a backup copy now, because who knows if you will be able to tomorrow.

Bottom line, if you got it, great!

I was just trying to offer a friendly suggestion, I did not mean to step on any ones toes.

So, big thanks to all, and have a Great Weekend,
Hap...


Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121