Front End Back End??? How To

[gouldish]

Can some one tell me how to create a front end and back end for my data base? How does it work? How do I set it up? How do I set it up for other users on a network?

 

[SiJP]

You may like to read the following posts regarding this topic:

thread702-435306

 

[Garridon]

If you go to Tools>Database Utilities>Database Splitter, you can use the wizard to split the database. Basically, it puts all the tables into the back end and all the other objects in the front end. That way, if you need to make a change to the database, it doesn't affect the data.

When you move it to a network, you'll need to change the links because they'll be pointed to your development computer. To do that, Tools>Database Utilities>Linked Table Manager. Check "Always Prompt for a New Location" so you can change the paths.

For other users on a network, I put the front end into a folder they can access; the backend is in a different folder. You can also put the front end on their desktop as well, with it linked to the backend on the network.

 

[BSman]

I'm answering two of your questions here. First, you can easily split the database yourself. I usually do it once I've got the initial design of the tables in reasonably decent shape. By that time I usually have some forms, possibly reports and modules.

Just copy your mdb file and name one myapp.mdb and the data something like myappData.mdb. It's a good idea to put myappData.mdb in a separate subdirectory (I call it "Data" usually) under the myApp directory and put the application in a subdirectory called "FrontEnd". Then delete everything from myappData.mdb EXCEPT the tables. Compact the database.

In the application (front end) database, myapp.mdb, delete the tables, then use Get External Data from the file menu and select "link". Link to myappData.mdb and select all tables to link to. As mentioned, when you put this on a network server (for multiple users or so you can make updates to the application and others can use it), you need to change the links using the Tools, Link manager. You might also want to create an mde file of the application and just put that on the network server so users are less able to mess around with your application. (The mde version does not keep the VBA source code and limits the ability to change forms, etc.)

Now the real reason I am replying to this question:

Here's an answer to a different question you asked (about date problems with different OSes). I tried posting it three times and it never would post my answer, so here it is:

I don't know why it works under one OS and not the other, but here's a solution I recently worked up for an application where I wanted to print results based on months.

Build in your query an additional column like this (I'm assuming ThisDate is the date column for each record):

ThisMonth: CDate(CStr(Year([ThisDate)) & "/" & CStr(Month([ThisDate])))

You can then set up controls on your form for the user to enter the starting (StartMonth) and ending (EndMonth) months (use the input format as mm/yyyy). Access will automatically make the full dates the first of each month for both the starting and ending months and for ThisMonth in the query.

Then just make your criteria: where ThisMonth BETWEEN me.StartMonth AND me.EndMonth


What's also nice about building the query this way is you can also a grouping query using it where the query groups on ThisMonth and just sums or whatever is needed for the appropriate columns.