VB.NET / Access 2000 App

[Guest]

I have a sweet application developed in MS Access 2000, but need to
re-develop it in VB.NET to completely hide Access and make it a wee bit more
user-friendly.

I've developed MS Access/VB 5 applications in the past, but this VB.NET is a
whole new beast. How does one gain simple access to the database - other
than that butt-ugly Data Grid? I've been using Wrox's Beginning VB.NET, but
could sure use some suggestions on better reference materials.

Thnaks in advance for advice and kindness!

 

[Jonathan Allen]

Over the long term, you're best bet is learning SQL (inserts, updates) and
the DataReader. I have yet to see a data-bound control that wasn't more
hassle than it was worth.

 

[Terry Burns]

I've had to stay with and struggle using the DataGrid on more than a few
dozen occasions, but there are third party controls which I'm told are
pretty good. the OP should do a search on this.

I think Cor has used one or two, so he may have some comments on this.

Cheers

 

[ML]

The Infragistics controls are great, the grid is excellent.

 

[Guest]

I can't find reference in VS.Net to the DataReader. Is it like Infragistics
- something extra you have to buy?

It seems quite odd that developers are forced to purchase third party
solutions to what VS.Net can't do by itself. (Or have I completely
misunderstood?)

 

[barry]

the DataReader is part of ADO.NET

I can't find reference in VS.Net to the DataReader. Is it like Infragistics
- something extra you have to buy?

It seems quite odd that developers are forced to purchase third party
solutions to what VS.Net can't do by itself. (Or have I completely
misunderstood?)

 

[John]

well vb 2005 is slightly better.

I can't find reference in VS.Net to the DataReader. Is it like
Infragistics
- something extra you have to buy?

It seems quite odd that developers are forced to purchase third party
solutions to what VS.Net can't do by itself. (Or have I completely
misunderstood?)

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Roy,

Why use a datagrid when you can use nice controls which you can bind to a
datatable as you want to do it real nice?

You can use for that the labels, textbox, combobox, datetimepicker etc etc.
(Not all).

Here a little sample what has in fact everything in it beside the getting it
from and updating it to the database

\\\needs a combobox and a textbox on a form
Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, _
ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
'This beneath you normally will get using a dataadapter
Dim ds As New DataSet
Dim dt As New DataTable
ds.Tables.Add(dt)
dt.Columns.Add("Id")
dt.Columns.Add("City")
dt.LoadDataRow(New Object() {"1", "Amsterdam"}, True)
dt.LoadDataRow(New Object() {"2", "London"}, True)
dt.LoadDataRow(New Object() {"3", "Paris"}, True)

'Here start the sample
ComboBox1.DataSource = ds.Tables(0)
'This above tells what table is used from the dataset
ComboBox1.DisplayMember = "Id"
'This tells what is displayed in the combobox
Dim cma As CurrencyManager _
= DirectCast(BindingContext(ds.Tables(0)), CurrencyManager)
'this keeps track of the current rows in the table
TextBox1.DataBindings.Add(New Binding("Text", ds.Tables(0), "City"))
'this tells what field of the dataset is used in the textbox.Text
End Sub
///

I hope this helps,

Cor

 

[John]

Hi Roy

This is from experience of a similar situation. vb 2003 is not that easy
specially due to a steep learning curve and even when you know it there is a
lot of coding. It just eats into man-hours. What I would strongly suggest is
to wait till vs2005 (expected around sept at the moment). If you can't wait
then start playing with vs2005 beta 2 to learn which you would have to do
anyway with vs2003. Then may be there is another ctp in a couple of months
which is stable enough to be used for actual development.

Regards

 

[Guest]

Precisely what I needed to know!!!

Can you recommend a book to help me learn this in more detail? I found a
book published by Wrox - Beginning VB.Net Databases - that seems to be a
fairly good primer, but my application is fairly advanced.

 

[Guest]

That's a good idea, but unfortunately, I can't afford to upgrade any further
at this time!

I maintain my software levels myself, doing some programming to keep my
hands busy so that one day I can get a job programming again!

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Roy

It seems that for AdoNet the book from David Sceppa is the Bible.

Cor