Using Access Instead of VB.Net

[Bill]

I am developing an app for computers that might range
between Windows 98 and on up to current OSs. I started
with VB.Net and Access. What concerns me is the amount
of files that must be loaded on a user's computer
(i.e. .net framework, jet, mdac, IE6, etc.). I am
looking for something simpler that will not require .NET
framework and 50-60 megs of file space. I can just
foresee installation headaches for fairly non-computer
literate users.

The program is basically database lookups and queries for
the end user. What basic requirements are there in
distribtuing a Microsoft Access 2002 app? Also, can a
2002 database application be distributed without the user
actually having Access on their system?

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

Users must have Access installed to run an Access application. There is a
royalty-free runtime version of Access that comes with Office Developer that
can be packaged along with your application so that users without Access can
run it.

Other than that, to distribute an Access application, you give them a copy
of the MDB. If you're using any other files (ActiveX controls, INI files,
etc.), you need to distribute them as well.

 

[Bill]

Thanks for you reply. Other than the mdb file and any
runtime files associated with microsoft access, what else
is required to be on the user's computer, such as jet?

 

[Gary Miller]

The access runtime package includes jet. Beware, after A97
the runtime installation package is not much smaller than
the 50M you are experiencing with NET. I think that the
later versions may want to install IE as well for some
strange reason and as I recall some installs have exceeded
80M. There are some third party installation packages which
can strip some of the fluff out and deal with multiple OS's
and more importantly, conflicting installed Office versions
much better, although you still need to have the Developer
Edition.

--

Gary Miller
Gary Miller Computer Services
Sisters, OR
________________________