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