creating a standalone access database

[dholwick]

I have assembled a large Access 97 database which I want to turn into a standalone file, which I will then distribute as freeware. I understand there is a Developers kit which will create a standalone file. My database has quite a bit of VBA code and many forms. Is the conversion process straightforward so that someone of limited technical ability can accomplish it? (I am not a programmer but get others to do that work) How big are the runtime files that have to be distributed with the standalone database? Thank you!

 

[John Vinson]

I have assembled a large Access 97 database which I want to turn into a standalone file, which I will then distribute as freeware. I understand there is a Developers kit which will create a standalone file. My database has quite a bit of VBA code and many forms. Is the conversion process straightforward so that someone of limited technical ability can accomplish it? (I am not a programmer but get others to do that work) How big are the runtime files that have to be distributed with the standalone database? Thank you!

You would need to purchase the Access 97 Developer's Edition - which
Microsoft no longer sells. You would need to buy it on the used
software market; be sure it's a legal copy if you'll be distributing
this database widely, since otherwise the recipients will risk the
wrath of MS's legal department.

The runtime is VERY large - 100+ MBytes - because it includes the
msaccess.exe executable and a lot of other software as well. Creating
runtimes is not trivial, especially if you try to distribute the
database to people who have some version of Access already installed.
It can be done but it can also be a real pain.