splitting database

[Guest]

i have a database where many users enter data into a form. sometimes when i
want to make design changes to a report or the form i have to make everyone
get out. if i split the database it puts all the tables into another
database. i dont understand the advantage of splitting the database. is
there a way that i can work on the reports or form in design view while the
users are entering data?

 

[Guest]

You just answered your own question. If you split your database, then you
can work on a copy of the front end while users are entering data using the
production copy. Then when you are ready to deliver the new version, you
only have to get the users out for a short period of time while you update
the production copy with the changes from your development copy with no loss
of data and minimal down time.

If you don't see the advantages of split databases, then you have not done
much reading and haven't had a whole lot of experience with Access. Not only
is it important to split the data into a backend and put the backend data on
a shared folder, you should also have each user have his own copy of the
front end on their desktops.

There are more reasons to do that than I have time to go into right now. Do
yourself a favor, and do some research on how and why to configure an Access
application.

 

[David C. Holley]

One of the advantages is that you can have multiple front end versions
out there - last release, new release and developement for example.
There's also the benefit that if you're saving past version of the front
end, you can roll back to it if an unexpected problem occurrs. To answer
the developement question, YES. Its just a matter of modifying the
object in your development version and then releasing that version as
the current.

 

[Allen Browne]

Yes, splitting the database means you are all sharing the same data file
(stored in a shared location), but each person has their own local copy of
the front end that attaches to the shared data. Since you have your own
copy, you can then modify the reports on your copy, test it, even mess it
all up and restore a backup, without disturbing the other users who are
using their own copies.

For basic information on splitting see:
http://allenbrowne.com/ser-01.html

The question then arises as to how to distribute your changes to the other
users one you have tested and completed them. Tony Toews has a utility you
can use to keep everyone's front end up to date. See:
http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/autofe.htm