I have a split database, front end application/back end data. To further
develop and improve the front-end application, I want to work on copies of
both the front-end and the back end, to avoid disturbing the production
environment.

The development version, being a copy, will look just like the production
version. Any tips on how best to make the test version look different, so as
to lessen the chances of accidentally making changes to the wrong version?

Hi,

I always have a table tsysParametersBackEnd and a table
tsysParametersFrontEnd. You can create there a record with the field
parName = DatabaseType' and the field parType: ans store there the value
TEST or PROD. In the forms you can set a code in the ON OPEN event like:

strTypeBackEnd = nz(dlookup("parType","tsysParametersBackEnd","parName =
'DatabaseType'"),"")
strTypeFrontEnd = nz(dlookup("parType","tsysParametersFrontEnd","parName =
'DatabaseType'"),"")

if strTypeBackEnd = "TEST" or strTypeFrontEnd = "TEST" then

me.caption = me.caption & " " & strTypeFrontEnd & " connected to " &
strTypeBackEnd

end if

--
Kind regards
Noëlla


"oldblindpew" wrote:

> I have a split database, front end application/back end data. To further
> develop and improve the front-end application, I want to work on copies of
> both the front-end and the back end, to avoid disturbing the production
> environment.
>
> The development version, being a copy, will look just like the production
> version. Any tips on how best to make the test version look different, so as
> to lessen the chances of accidentally making changes to the wrong version?

On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:08:03 -0700, oldblindpew
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I have a split database, front end application/back end data. To further
>develop and improve the front-end application, I want to work on copies of
>both the front-end and the back end, to avoid disturbing the production
>environment.
>
>The development version, being a copy, will look just like the production
>version. Any tips on how best to make the test version look different, so as
>to lessen the chances of accidentally making changes to the wrong version?

I'll usually put a big bright colored label TEST VERSION on the startup or
switchboard form just for that purpose. You can delete the label or just set
its Visible property to False when you're ready to distribute.
--

John W. Vinson [MVP]

Thanks for your reply.

Is it just me, or does the Linked Table Manager seem to fall down at this
point? Knowing those links needed checking, I had already discovered the
point you raise, that just saving the front end under a different name does
not change the links to the backend. But I wasted a lot of time earlier
today trying to change the links, because all the Manager wants to do is
refresh the existing links.

There is a check box for "Always prompt for new location", but it doesn't
behave as expected. I bulldozed my way through, somehow, and got the links
changed, but it was a bumpy journey.


"Steve" wrote:

> One thing to be very aware of .....
>
> Even if you change the name of the front end, it still is linked to the same
> backend. If that is all you do and you begin changing data, the data will be
> changed in the production backend.
>
> To be safe, you need to change the name of the BE and change its location.
> Then link to this backend. Finally, make a copy of the FE and put it in a
> different folder.
>
> Steve
> (E-Mail Removed)
>
>
> "oldblindpew" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:3F5CD962-FC6E-4EDB-997A-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >I have a split database, front end application/back end data. To further
> > develop and improve the front-end application, I want to work on copies of
> > both the front-end and the back end, to avoid disturbing the production
> > environment.
> >
> > The development version, being a copy, will look just like the production
> > version. Any tips on how best to make the test version look different, so
> > as
> > to lessen the chances of accidentally making changes to the wrong version?
>
>
>

Thanks. I have in the past used a color change, but the only way I know to
do this is to modify each form, to keep myself constantly aware, whichever
form I had open, that I was in the test version of the application. This
seemed a bit tedious. I like color change, but was looking for a simpler way
of doing it.

What I've done today is to edit the Application Title that appears
constantly in the Title Bar at the top of the screen, by adding the word
"TEST". This was done via the Office Button, then Access Options, Current
Database. Now there is a constant reminder, easily done, and easily
reversible, but it doesn't really reach out and grab your attention.

O.B.P.

"PieterLinden via AccessMonster.com" wrote:

> oldblindpew wrote:
> >I have a split database, front end application/back end data. To further
> >develop and improve the front-end application, I want to work on copies of
> >both the front-end and the back end, to avoid disturbing the production
> >environment.
> >
> >The development version, being a copy, will look just like the production
> >version. Any tips on how best to make the test version look different, so as
> >to lessen the chances of accidentally making changes to the wrong version?
>
> I would probably do something like changing a background color (something
> that's not ugly, but definitely obvious) or show a label that says it's the
> test copy. Or you could have a message box pop up when the database opens.
> Something as simple as
>
> intReply=MsgBox("You are working on the DEVELOPMENT version of the database.
> If this OK?", vbYesNo)
>
> if intReply = vbNo Then
>
> --
> Message posted via http://www.accessmonster.com
>
>

In message <F7050C4F-2308-4B31-BF23-(E-Mail Removed)>,
oldblindpew <(E-Mail Removed)> writes
>Thanks. I have in the past used a color change, but the only way I know to
>do this is to modify each form, to keep myself constantly aware, whichever
>form I had open, that I was in the test version of the application. This
>seemed a bit tedious. I like color change, but was looking for a simpler way
>of doing it.

Use VBA to declare a constant and use that when designing you forms.
Then you only need to make one change, the value of your constant, to
recolour every form.



--
Bernard Peek

On Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:43:14 -0700, oldblindpew
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>There is a check box for "Always prompt for new location", but it doesn't
>behave as expected. I bulldozed my way through, somehow, and got the links
>changed, but it was a bumpy journey.

That can be a pain. I'll often simply delete all the links, use File... Get
External Data... Link, navigate to the test or production backend as
appropriate, select all, and link.
--

John W. Vinson [MVP]