Data Access Page | Why use this feature?

[JK]

Over the last few years I’ve been slowly teaching myself how to develop a
database using MS Access 03. Surprisingly, I’ve become quite good at it.
However, after all this time and after developing a significant database, I
have never used the Data Access Page feature. I have hundreds of forms,
queries, etc. but not one page. I’m playing around with a test page now and I
can’t figure out what it would be used for. Why would someone create a Page
when they could just as easily create a Form? Would someone be able to
explain what a data access page should be used for or point me to an online
tutorial/explanation?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[Jack Leach]

They are used to provide data entry through a web interface. Like yourself,
I've used hundreds of forms, reports, etc, but never a DAP... I think they
might not have much use for standard setups.

Google "ms access data access page" to see some tutorials and examples.

--
Jack Leach
www.tristatemachine.com

"I haven''t failed, I''ve found ten thousand ways that don''t work."
-Thomas Edison (1847-1931)

 

[ryguy7272]

I believe MS did away with DAP in Access 2007:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HA100308321033.aspx

In my experience, DAP was kind of feeble, and it is impossible to share a
DAP with anyone who doesn't have Access installed (or I certainly never
figured out how to do it). So, your options are somewhat limited, especially
if you want to create dynamic, interactive, web pages. If this is your goal,
consider the two options below!

#1)
I've used this before:
http://www.hkvstore.com/aspreportmaker/

I think it cost $100. It works great with an MS Access back end. As the
developers states, the tool can be used with any 'ADO data source'.


#2)
If you are feeling really ambitious, you may want to try this:
http://www.microsoft.com/express/vwd/

It is totally free and very powerful!! Only one reason would prevent me
from full recommending this as a solution...it take a bit of work to get
acquainted with web development with VWD. It really depends on your appetite
for these types of things, but I would think it will take a good year or so
to get very proficient with VWD. However, you can probably find some video
tutorials online (there are many) and join some discussion groups (there are
many) and buy some books (there are many) and get up to speed with some BASIC
things in maybe a few weeks or month or so.

HTH,
Ryan--

 

[JK]

I appreciate both of your replies. I just spent the day creating a new DAP
and the I was finally able to upload it to our company Intranet Site. I am
able to view in Form format, the tblContacts table in our Access db via a
web-browser. However, it's a basic form with zero capabilities. I was able to
add one command button using the wizard and apparently with a Page, the
source code is not Visual Basic but rather a Script. I'm starting to figure
out why (and I didn't know until you told me) MS got rid of pages in their 07
release.

I appreciate the links provided; I will definitly check them out.

Thx,
JK