Database in VB 6 Question 1

[ARYankee]

I have created a parts search database in Access 2000. I want to share it with my friends but not all of them have Access so I have turned to creating it in VB 6. My question is should I just rebuild the database from scratch in VB 6 or should I use the Access database already built? Now I'm a true newbie with all this so go easy. Plus I know I'm using older software but this is what I have to work with.

Thanks.

 

[gmmastros]

VB6 does not have a database component like Access does. You can connect to various databases using VB6, but there's nothing built-in to do.

To connect to an Access database, you should do a little research on DAO or ADO. Both of these are similar technologies that allows you to connect to a database using VB6.

You can use an Access database with VB6. On your friends computer, you may need to install the drivers for it. You do this by installing MDAC. This is a free download from Microsoft. You can download it from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=5793

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
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"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[ARYankee]

Excellent! Thanks for the info. I have been doing as much searching as I can to figure this out. So I just need to link it to the Access database that I have already built...... Will the data in the Access db be able to still be manipulated? All I need to do is get them to download MDAC and they will be able to run my program to search for parts? Sorry..... I'm really new at this and trying to self teach/learn all this.

 

[gmmastros]

The data in the Access database can be manipulated anyway you want.

Just to be clear... Downloading and installing MDAC will not allow your friends to open up Access. It will not install Access 2000 or any other version of Access. It WILL allow you to write a VB6 application that connects to an Access database to manipulate the data.

All I need to do is get them to download MDAC and they will be able to run my program to search for parts?

If your program is written in VB6, then yes. They would need to download and install MDAC (which may already be on their computers), they would also need the VB6 executable that you create and a copy of the Access database. If you decide to use other types of controls in VB6, then you may need to install those controls on other computers too.


-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[ARYankee]

Just to be clear... Downloading and installing MDAC will not allow your friends to open up Access. It will not install Access 2000 or any other version of Access. It WILL allow you to write a VB6 application that connects to an Access database to manipulate the data.

Yes I knew that. Sorry to have misled you there.

All I plan on doing is creating a program where they can search parts by 3 different criteria individually or use all 3 to narrow it down. Plus they can add or correct any data in the db.

I really appreciate the help. Thank you.

 

[gmmastros]

You're welcome.

-George
Microsoft SQL Server MVP
My Blogs
SQLCop
"The great things about standards is that there are so many to choose from." - Fortune Cookie Wisdom

 

[MajP]

If you can get a copy of Access 2007 then you can save your database as an installable run time version . This capability is free in 2007/10.

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=4438

 

[ARYankee]

Now I didn't know that! I guess I will just have to buy 2010 and do that instead. Thanks.