.mdb and .ldb files

[e_x]

Hi, forgive my ignorance, but I've tried to find out as much as possible
about .mdb and .ldb files and still couldn't understand.

Previously, with my old web host, I can always see these 2 files in the
database through my ftp.

However, with my present webhost, the .ldb file has disappeared. I have
tried uploading the .ldb file again and again, but it always disappears.

Q1. Is my database still password protected without this .ldb file? Is it a
security issue without the .ldb file?

Q2. I know that the .ldb file automatically creates and deletes itself, but
why was it always there in my old webhost's server? Was it a folder rights
issue?

I will appreciate if someone can clear it for me.

Thank you.

 

[Sylvain Lafontaine]

The ldb is the locking file for Access: it is used when your mdb is accessed
by more than one person (or more than one connection) in a read/write
configuration. (For exclusive access or a read-only access to your mdb
file, I don't remember is Access is still creating a ldb file.). It has
nothing to do with the security. The security is done via a .MDW file (or
by compiling your file to a MDE format, if you only want to protect your
code but not the datas).

You should never ftp this file and don't worry about it's absence if your
web site is operating correctly. It's probably because your file is in
Read-Only or in Exclusive access mode of because no current connection was
open at that time.

S. L.

 

[John Vinson]

Hi, forgive my ignorance, but I've tried to find out as much as possible
about .mdb and .ldb files and still couldn't understand.

Previously, with my old web host, I can always see these 2 files in the
database through my ftp.

However, with my present webhost, the .ldb file has disappeared. I have
tried uploading the .ldb file again and again, but it always disappears.

This is by design.

Q1. Is my database still password protected without this .ldb file? Is it a
security issue without the .ldb file?

Yes. The password information is NOT stored in the .ldb file; the .ldb
file just keeps track of who currently has the database open. If
nobody has it open at the moment there's no need for the file. The
password information is stored in a .mdw workgroup file, which may or
may not be kept in the same folder as the .mdb file.

Q2. I know that the .ldb file automatically creates and deletes itself, but
why was it always there in my old webhost's server? Was it a folder rights
issue?

Probably.

John W. Vinson[MVP]
Join the online Access Chats
Tuesday 11am EDT - Thursday 3:30pm EDT
http://community.compuserve.com/msdevapps

 

[e_x]

Thanks for all your replies.

This is by design.


Yes. The password information is NOT stored in the .ldb file; the .ldb
file just keeps track of who currently has the database open. If
nobody has it open at the moment there's no need for the file. The
password information is stored in a .mdw workgroup file, which may or
may not be kept in the same folder as the .mdb file.


Probably.

John W. Vinson[MVP]
Join the online Access Chats
Tuesday 11am EDT - Thursday 3:30pm EDT
http://community.compuserve.com/msdevapps

 

[Tony Toews]

the .ldb
file just keeps track of who currently has the database open.

Actually Jet also keeps phantom locks on the LDB to track what
page/record is being locked.

I think ACC: Microsoft Jet Utilities Available [Q176670]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=176670 has some detailed info on
"phantom locks" in the "Understanding Microsoft Jet Locking" white
paper,

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
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