Which Frontend?

[rahulpatel]

I'm trying to build an app for work. It's going to use access as the db as it's the easiest for me. I need to have a simple front end.

So here's my dilemma. I am not, and no-one in work is, an administrator and so unable to install apps onto work PCs. I want to be able to copy and paste the app and db (a simple inventory application) to a PC.

Are there any languages that don't have to be installed to registry etc and so can be cut and pasted to a PC and used? PCs in work use XP. I'm not particularly accomplished in any specific language although I have written a few front ends in VB (both 6 and .net).

I hope I make sense with this question and thanks for any replies.

 

[jrbarnett]

I think you need a web application, so all the user needs on their PC is a browser.

You will need a central database that everybody shares, even if you have a non web front end, because otherwise each user will have their own inventory list. In order to get this installed, you will need either to get hold of your network administrators, or whoever manages the network and does have the administrative permissions to perform installation and reconfiguration.

John

 

[rahulpatel]

Thanks for that. Basically everyone would use the same db and inventory and it would only be available on one PC. I was thinking of a web based front end but that would mean having some sort of server and I don't think that would be a go. There might be a spare PC lying around that could be used independently of any network but that would take up more space.

 

[jrbarnett]

Pretty much any modern application, whether a windows app or server based web application will need some sort of installation and configuration to set it up in the way you want to use it.
If you work in an environment with a locked down environment, then this will almost certainly need to be addressed alongside the specification of the software itself. Bear in mind that once in production, this also needs to backed up and some sort of disaster recovery procedure put in place.

At least with a web application, all the users need is a web browser; if modern technologies that require client side components (Eg Flash, Silverlight) aren't used, then it shouldn't be too difficult.

John