Access and VBWhich One Should You Use for

Database Application Development?

A Presentation for the

Application Developer Issues SIG

of the North Texas PC User Group

by Larry Linson.

© Copyright 2001 by L.M. Linson, all rights reserved

Our “assignment”

Strengths and Weaknesses When to use VB – When Access Why we prefer one over the other

Discuss:

What is Access?

A Database Management System (DBMS)

A Database Development Tool– Standalone Applications

– Multi-user Applications

– Client Application to Server Databases

What is Visual Basic? An Application Generator with

Database Capabilities A Database Development Tool

– Standalone Applications

– Multi-user Applications

– Client Application to Server Databases

– Enterprise Distributed Applications

Databases for Both Jet Database Engine (.MDB)

– Included MSDE (stripped-down SQL Server)

– Included, “Optimized for five users” SQL Server Developer Edition

– Comes with Office SR-1 Server Databases, various

– via ODBC or ADO data providers or RDO

Creating an Application

Point and Click a User Interface Use Bound or Unbound Controls Add Code

– To make it work

– To make it work smoothly Test, Fix, and Release

So Far, More . . .

Similaritiesthan

Differences

Strengths of Access User-friendly Query Builder Native Bound Controls Some More-Capable Native Controls

– ComboBox with AutoExpand and Multiple Fields

Richer DB Event Model– BeforeUpdate, BeforeInsert, AfterUpdate

Access Reporting Auto-Keys Macro Capability

Strengths of VB

Close control over User Interface Smaller memory, disk footprint Compile to machine executable Better for COM Components More Custom Controls available Better known and accepted

Weaknesses?

Both are strong, just different

( IMNSHO,of course )

Database ContinuumAccess Visual Basic

RAD Jet DBs Straight Client-Server Enterprise

Normal Business DB Complex UISimple UI

Mixed Calculation IntensiveData Intensive

(Know Both) You Know VBYou Know Access

Size and PolishTime and Effort (Balance)

Client says “VB”Client says “Access”

Why I * Use Access

Apps in the Access Zone Apps in the Overlap Zone I know Access better Clients come to me for Access *

* mostly

The Future

Jet is “in maintenance” No more ADO development for Jet Licensing model changes XML Everywhere VB’s future = VB.NET Access XP < > Access.NET Crystal Ball is CLOUDY