Saving Data from a VB program

[SimonFinn]

Hi

I have developed a piece of software in VB and have currently been saving the Users data in an Access database.

I would like to make my program independent of access, so that the program will run if access is not installed on the users machine.

What options do i have, ive been thinking of just using a text file. But i like the ease of an SQL database as i have used ADO thoughout.

Any suggestions?

Thanks Si

 

[petevick]

But Access does not have to be installed for you to use an Access file, the P&D wizard will collate the files required so that your db can be used an a system that does not have Office installed on it.

 

[tb]

>currently been saving the Users data in an Access database.

What user data are your storing ??

> SQL database as i have used ADO thoughout.

Why don't you just add it in a table in the DB that you are using?

Am I missing the point? Give more info!




"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy." - Spike Milligan

 

[SimonFinn]

Hi Guys

Petevic: I remember (possibly wrongly) that people had problems with this conflicting with versions of Access that they were currently using. Also is there any licencing issues with this when i put my software on the market or is access considered as a development tool?

tb: The data is hundreds many lines of variable data that needs to be stored so that the user can save a project and return to it later. When i mentioned ADO i was just wondering if i cant use access is there any other ADO database that i could use?

I hope i havent confused the issue

 

[petevick]

You are not distributing, or using Access, but MS Jet drivers, which, as far as I am aware, have no distribution restrictions. As far as conflictions go, as long as you use the latest Jet drivers (v4.0 I believe) then I can't see that conflicts would be an issue, maybe others could clarify that point.

Pete Vickerstaff - Hedra Software

http://www.hedrasoftware.co.uk

 

[SimonFinn]

Thanks Pete,

I'll investigate into keeping the access database.

Cheers Si

 

[DugzDMan]

Using the latest Jet Driver should work. Like petevick said, you're not distributing any Access items. You're simply including Access functionality in your program. Nothing else will have it (at least not by installing your program).

As far as the database ADO is Active-X Data Objects. That's the control you are using to connect VB to your db. This being said, you can connect to pretty well any any DB that has an ODBC driver (SQL Server, Teradata, Oracle, Sybase, etc.). If you are wanting each user to keep the info locally, I'd recommend an Access database. I'm assuming that the DB will only be for info on that machine, correct? If it will be a network accessed db with multiple users, then I'd recommend something else. For single user, local info, Access does just fine.

 

[SimonFinn]

The only thing is that i will have to distribute a .mde file, as i would have to include an Access object to create it using code on a machine that does not have access installed.

Is it ok to distribute this file?

Currently it will only be single user/local info. I may occasionally have users that need network access but this will be no more than 2-3 users so well within access's limits.

Cheers Si

 

[DugzDMan]

I would think you are still fine, but you might want to check the MS site, just to make sure. Are you doing this for work or personal? I just ask because were I work, we can send these issues to legal and they'll look up what kind of licenses and such we would have to get to do projects. Maybe you can do the same.

 

[petevick]

An MDE file is a complied MDB file that would have forms, reports, code within in, you still need Access installed to run it an MDE file. Quote from Access help file - "When you save a database as an .mde file, Microsoft Access removes all editable source code, compiles all modules, and compacts the database".

Do you mean that you want to distribute a database file with all the tables built and ready for a user to populate it, if so then all you need to include is the .mdb file.

Pete Vickerstaff - Hedra Software

http://www.hedrasoftware.co.uk

 

[SimonFinn]

I am setting up a small company to market this project, So I will take a look at EULA to make sure.

Sorry yep, an mdb rather than an mde.

Thanks for your help guys

Cheers Si

 

[DugzDMan]

If you're just using an mdb file, then you should be fine, but I'd still check, just to be certain.


Good Luck!