Access 2002 vs 2003

[Mick Ruthven]

Are there any significant advantages for Access 2003 over 2002?

 

[Joe Fallon]

XML support was improved significantly.

 

[Mick Ruthven]

Is there any issue in converting an Access 2002 app to Access 2003,
especially considering data access (programmed) issues? That's changed more
than once with a new version of Access and I'm wondering what version of
Access brought out the latest version of data access requirements. 2000,
2002, or 2003?

 

[Joe Fallon]

Not really.
A2003 has a new sandbox mode which you may want to explore before comitting
to it.
The code security model has changed somewhat and depending on who runs the
mdb you may need a certificate or else turn down security (not recommended.)
Check MSKB for specifics.

A2000, A2002 and A2003 all support A2000 file format.
But that also means that you can't use any of the newer features if you want
to run in all three environments.

Each has their own format that enables the new features but prevents older
versions from running them (since the old versions don't know about the new
stuff - clairvoyent programming still has a way to go!)
e.g. A2003 can use A2002 file format.
But if A2003 uses A2003 format than A2002 and A2000 cannot use the mdb.

 

[Mick Ruthven]

Is there a summary somewhere of the differences between the different
versions of Access (2000, 2002, and 2003), including the differences in file
formats that you mentioned?

When I asked about "data access (programmed) issues" between the versions, I
was referring to recommened and available methods to access the data
programatically. That changed more than once up through A97 or
A2000. I'm wondering if it changed again in A2002 and A2003?

 

[Joe Fallon]

I don't know of one.
But MS probably has some info at their site.

I use DAO - never made it to ADO as it had fewer features and wasn't any
faster.
You still can.

No ADO.Net native to this version but it has to be coming soon along with
the rest of the framework.