To use a file on another computer, must I copy it first?

[Guest]

Let's assume I get two computers networking perfectly. Computer A has a data
base that is added to and updated by a program on that computer. Can a copy
of the same program in computer B (with file path changed as necessary)
access computer A's data base without having to copy that data base?

To help you answer the question --- The program brackets all reads and
writes to the data base with opens and closes.

Thanks!

Don P.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Let's assume I get two computers networking perfectly. Computer A has a data
base that is added to and updated by a program on that computer. Can a copy
of the same program in computer B (with file path changed as necessary)
access computer A's data base without having to copy that data base?

To help you answer the question --- The program brackets all reads and
writes to the data base with opens and closes.

Don,

the answer is a clear yes in all normal cases.

One possible exception is that two programs cannot modify the
same file at the same time unless they are specifically designed
to do so. (Access can do it, for example, but other Office
programs cannot.)

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

:
..> One possible exception is that two programs cannot modify the

same file at the same time unless they are specifically designed
to do so. (Access can do it, for example, but other Office
programs cannot.)

Hans-Georg

Then let me put it another way. Can two people, using the same program from
two networked computers, add to or update a single, common data base when
both people are operating at once? In other words, does Windows "lock" by
record, as opposed to locking by file?

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

"Hans-Georg Michna" wrote:

Then let me put it another way. Can two people, using the same program from
two networked computers, add to or update a single, common data base when
both people are operating at once? In other words, does Windows "lock" by
record, as opposed to locking by file?

Don,

I perceive this as the same question, so the answer would still
be the same.

Yes, the Microsoft Access database program can do this. Other
Office programs cannot. They will show a warning to the second
user trying to access the same file and will offer to open a
copy while the original is open by another user.

In other words, it depends on the program. Some programs,
typically database programs, have this special capability,
others don't.

Hans-Georg

 

[Guest]

Don,

I perceive this as the same question, so the answer would still
be the same.

Yes, the Microsoft Access database program can do this. Other
Office programs cannot. They will show a warning to the second
user trying to access the same file and will offer to open a
copy while the original is open by another user.

In other words, it depends on the program. Some programs,
typically database programs, have this special capability,
others don't.

Hans-Georg

Ah, well, it took me two times around to see the crux, but it hinges on
"open by another user." In my case, until the shared program is ready to
read or write into the data base, it does not open it, and immediately upon
reading or writing it closes, thus unless by pure cooincidence both users
"hit the button" at the same time, no conflict should arise. And if a
conflict does occasionally arise, a warning from Windows is easily tolerated.

Thank you, Hans-Georg, for your help.

 

[Hans-Georg Michna]

Ah, well, it took me two times around to see the crux, but it hinges on
"open by another user." In my case, until the shared program is ready to
read or write into the data base, it does not open it, and immediately upon
reading or writing it closes, thus unless by pure cooincidence both users
"hit the button" at the same time, no conflict should arise. And if a
conflict does occasionally arise, a warning from Windows is easily tolerated.

Don,

in the Office programs other than Access, when somebody opens a
document, it is open for writing, even if the user doesn't
write. This means that the second user, trying to open the
document already gets a warning that he can open the document
only for reading.

If the first user knew he doesn't want to change the document
and were conscientious enough to open the document only for
reading (i.e. open a copy of the document), then the second user
could open it for writing.

I recommend to test this quickly with a program like Word or
Excel. I'm not even sure whether the latest version of Office
has any additional features in this respect.

I'm off now and may not be able to reply until Monday. But I
guess we're through the problem.

Hans-Georg