File Format

[Guest]

Are there any disadvantages to having an
Access 2003 File in "Access 2000 file format"?

What are the advantages of using the
Access 2002 - 2003 file format???

TIA - Bob

 

[Rick Brandt]

Are there any disadvantages to having an
Access 2003 File in "Access 2000 file format"?

What are the advantages of using the
Access 2002 - 2003 file format???

TIA - Bob

Interesting question. Since upgrading to the newer format has the rather
large "Con" of limiting potential users to those with 2002 or higher one
would think that there would be at least one tangible "Pro" to using the
newer format. I have not heard that there is one though.

 

[Douglas J Steele]

Take a look at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnacc2k2/html/odc_acformat.asp

While it was written for Access 2002, it applies to Access 2003 as well.

 

[Dirk Goldgar]

Interesting question. Since upgrading to the newer format has the
rather large "Con" of limiting potential users to those with 2002 or
higher one would think that there would be at least one tangible
"Pro" to using the newer format. I have not heard that there is one
though.

One would be that -- IIRC -- you can't make an MDE from A2003 unless the
file is in the 2002-2003 format.

 

[Guest]

I'm not sure there is a major difference between these
2 File Formats..I've been using Access 2003 for at least
6 months, & it doesn't "seem as stable" as Access 2000.

Thank you - Bob

 

[Rick Brandt]

One would be that -- IIRC -- you can't make an MDE from A2003 unless
the file is in the 2002-2003 format.

Yes, but that is more of a "restriction" than an "advantage".

 

[Larry Linson]

Yes, but that is more of a "restriction" than an "advantage".

Wouldn't that depend on a lot of factors: whether you are using the runtime,
which developer extensions version you have, etc.?

Larry

 

[Rick Brandt]

Wouldn't that depend on a lot of factors: whether you are using the runtime,
which developer extensions version you have, etc.?

What I am curious about is the following scenario...

Developer with A2K3 having users who all have A2K3. Besides the MDE issue, is
there any reason to use the 2002/2003 file format over the 2000? The format is
different (presumably) for a reason. What is the reason and what is the
benefit?

 

[DS]

What I am curious about is the following scenario...

Developer with A2K3 having users who all have A2K3. Besides the MDE issue, is
there any reason to use the 2002/2003 file format over the 2000? The format is
different (presumably) for a reason. What is the reason and what is the
benefit?

I developed my database with Access 2002, in a 2000 file format. Am I
looking for trouble if I convert to Access 2003 with a 2003 file format?
Should I convert to the 2002 file formst with Access 2002 before I go
to 2003? I thought I was going to run on machines with Access 2000, but
that is no longer an issue.
Thanks
DS

 

[Larry Linson]

Developer with A2K3 having users who
all have A2K3. Besides the MDE issue, is
there any reason to use the 2002/2003 file
format over the 2000? The format is
different (presumably) for a reason. What
is the reason and what is the benefit?

The Access 2000 format does not (at least, not necessarily) support new
features introduced in 2002 or 2003 .There were more changes from 2000 to
2002 than from 2002 to 2003. One enhancement that I use was added in Access
2002... OpenArgs for Reports, something I had wanted for a long time.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

 

[John Vinson]

I'm not sure there is a major difference between these
2 File Formats..I've been using Access 2003 for at least
6 months, & it doesn't "seem as stable" as Access 2000.

Thank you - Bob

Well, that may be the case for you - but I have found the opposite.
A2003 defaults to using A2000 *file format* for its databases; you can
convert to 2002/2003 format if you wish (and you get a few new
features by doing so, mainly having to do with web interaction).

But in my hands, 2000 was slower, bloated databases faster, and was
more prone to unexplained corruption.

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Guest]

John - Thank you.

My Boss thinks that the "complaints' I have made against Access 2003 are
because I have left the File Format as Access 2000.

So...when using Access 2003..which File Format do you prefer...my existing
databases are not using web interaction.

TIA - Bob

 

[John Vinson]

John - Thank you.

My Boss thinks that the "complaints' I have made against Access 2003 are
because I have left the File Format as Access 2000.

So...when using Access 2003..which File Format do you prefer...my existing
databases are not using web interaction.

I haven't seen any major differences; perhaps try both for a while.
I'd avoid converting back and forth repeatedly though.

The fact that Microsoft chose to make 2000 the default format suggests
that they expect it to work satisfactorily - are you having specific
problems? If you're getting frequent corruption requiring Compact &
Repair, check out Tony's corruption FAQ:

http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/corrupmdbs.htm

John W. Vinson[MVP]

 

[Guest]

John - Thanks again.

It just seems that Access 2003 "isn't as good".

I have times when it takes "forever" to get into a module
for coding.

The "Security blocks" are also "annoying."

Bob

 

[Larry Linson]

"Bob Barnes" wrote

It just seems that Access 2003 "isn't as good".

I have times when it takes "forever"
to get into a module for coding.

I haven't noticed this, but haven't used Access 2000 on this P3 700MHz
notebook for some time. In fact, I rarely use it at all -- I've got it
installed on an old P2 450MHz machine so I can test, if need be.

The "Security blocks" are also "annoying."

You can set security to Minimum to avoid that... but that's no lower than
you've had in the past, anyway. IMNSHO, adding that "security enhancement"
was the worst change Microsoft made to Access 2003 because it is almost
impossible for an individual to get the certificate and corporations don't
want to bother with employee's Access databases -- they have certificates
for "important, enterprise apps not desktop databases".

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

 

[Guest]

Larry - i am a Contract Programmer, & one of my BIG Company Clients does indeed
set security to Minimum to avoid that.

However, another BIG Company Client I have refuses to let that setting take
effect.
Any Comments you can add on that would help me approach their IT Management
to "recommend" they let Minimum Security be set.

TIA - Bob