Alternative to Access and VBA

[bg_ie]

Hi there,

My company uses a very buggy and poorly designed msaccess database
which we use to store information from the components we use, to test
results. The database has been added to bit by bit over the years,
offen by students here on practice.

I'd like to present my group with the idea of replacing the database
with a well thought out alternative, but I'm unsure what software to
use to do this - in terms of forms and data storage and retrieval.

I am quite experienced with access now since I have fixed so many
problems in our current database. I am also experienced as a Perl and
C# programmer.

Some of the functions we will require from our current database is the
ability to export data to word, excel and possibly visio also as is
currently possible. Also, it would be nice if there was a possiblity
to add information to the database by component providers and in-field
testers via internet forms. This could be done via ASP. Also, I have
added Python modules which automatically add results to the database
and this works well, while using very strict data validation.

I do believe that we could implement the database in MsAccess but I
hate VBA so much. I often find myself bending over backwards to solve
rather simple tasks. I guess Python and C# have spoiled me...

Anyway, I would be interested in hearing some suggestions as to
alternatives to Access/Jet keeping in mind that we use access forms to
enter our data into the db.

Cheers,

Barry

 

[PvdG42]

Hi there,

My company uses a very buggy and poorly designed msaccess database
which we use to store information from the components we use, to test
results. The database has been added to bit by bit over the years,
offen by students here on practice.

I'd like to present my group with the idea of replacing the database
with a well thought out alternative, but I'm unsure what software to
use to do this - in terms of forms and data storage and retrieval.

I am quite experienced with access now since I have fixed so many
problems in our current database. I am also experienced as a Perl and
C# programmer.

Some of the functions we will require from our current database is the
ability to export data to word, excel and possibly visio also as is
currently possible. Also, it would be nice if there was a possiblity
to add information to the database by component providers and in-field
testers via internet forms. This could be done via ASP. Also, I have
added Python modules which automatically add results to the database
and this works well, while using very strict data validation.

I do believe that we could implement the database in MsAccess but I
hate VBA so much. I often find myself bending over backwards to solve
rather simple tasks. I guess Python and C# have spoiled me...

Anyway, I would be interested in hearing some suggestions as to
alternatives to Access/Jet keeping in mind that we use access forms to
enter our data into the db.

Cheers,

Barry

What I hear you objecting to is Access as a software development tool.
Depending on your storage requirements and the potential number of
concurrent users, you could keep Access as the database and write the
application(s) in C# using ADO.NET. It sounds like the database itself may
need to redesigned by somebody knowledgeable in relational database design,
but unless you have requirements that exceed the capacity of an Access
database, why change?
If you do want to change, SQL Server 2005 Express (free) would be a
reasonable choice.