Runtime version

[SBTBILL]

Just wondering does Access have a way to generate a distributable version that doesn't require the receipent to have Access?

What kind of line would be used to open a DBF in shared mode?

Has anybody ever converted a Visual FoxPro screen to an Access screen?

Bill Couture
http:\\

http://www.sbtbill.com

 

[lameid]

Access itself does not have the ability to complie to an executeable. However Microsoft does have tools for making runtimes... I think for Access 2003 it is Visual Stuido Developer Extensions for Microsoft Office. It basically gives you a distributable runtime only version of Access that you can distribute. The runtime itself is hefty (measures in the tens of MB) plus the size of your application and data files.

As for DBF's I think you can link to them... You may have to download an ODBC driver to do it. I think MS removed it from native support in Access at some point.

As for Foxpro... I know almost nothing. I recommend searching the forum or starting a new thread.

 

[Binnit]

lameid - or anyone else...
I am just in the process of obtaining the Developer extensions to use with A2003, hopefully you can clarify the following:-

Do you still need to issue a front & backend style application or does it all become rolled in to one "Runtime" version?.

Once the "Runtime" is created does it carry out all the functions etc exactly the same as if it were a full mdb?

Can the "runtime" be "crashed" or edited in any way?
Thanks

Happiness is...not getting what you want but wanting what you have already got

 

[Remou]

Runtimes do not work in the same way as the full version. You can simulated the runtime environment with the /runtime command line switch. As far as I recall, there is a list of files that should be distributed with the 'short' and the 'long' runtime versions.

 

[Binnit]

Remou
Now I'm confused, I thought the whole idea of creating a runtime version was to easily deploy the full functionality of a mdb application but without the need for an Access install.

Have I got the wrong end of the stick here?

I need to make sure we are getting what we think we are getting before we purchase.
Thanks

Happiness is...not getting what you want but wanting what you have already got

 

[lameid]

The runtime version of Access can be distributed royalty free.

The Package allows you to package the runtime Access install, database file(s) and other files with your 'appliction'. You could use a unified file or a backend and frontend. I recommend the split approach if for no other reason recover purposes.

What the runtime itself does NOT allow is the designing, changing or making of new objects through the user interface. This does not however mean your MDB or other Access files have been secured, only that whoever has the file needs Access to change it. If you want it secure, you'll have to take another approach.

Like Remou posted if your start Access with the runtime switch, Access will behave as though it is the runtime version. In this way you can try it out and see how your application will behave.

 

[Hap007]

Dear Remou,

If you buy the Office developer extensions and configure your setup correctly, then when your setup is run, it will check to see if MS Access exists and if it does, will only install your Access MDB or MDE or ADE files.

If your install determines that MS Access does not exist, it will install an almost complete copy of MS Access and all the necessary runtime functions.

The one major difference, when this version of Access is run, you will not be able to change Forms, Reports, Code, etc..

Hope This Helps,
Hap...


Access Developer

http://www.fcs-software.com/fcsaccessdev.html

Access based Add-on Solutions
Access Consultants forum

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=1121

 

[Binnit]

Thanks for the helpful posts, I have also found the following which I am studying carefully.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa167800(office.11).aspx

I have tried one of my dbs in the test runtime environment and as yet cannot detect any loss of functionality.

Happiness is...not getting what you want but wanting what you have already got