Access 2007 and Sql Server 2008

M

Mark Olbert

Is there a trick to getting Access 2007 to create an ADP against Sql Server 2008? Whenever I try it, I get an error message saying
the New Database Wizard is designed to only work against Sql Server v6.5 (SP5) or higher...which I'm pretty sure Sql Server 2008 is.
- Mark
 
S

Sylvain Lafontaine

Why don't you use the client tools provided with SQL-Server 2008 to create
the new database? In any case, the tools provided with Access to manage a
SQL-Server are only a subset of what you can do with the tools provided with
SQL-Server itself; so you'll lose absolutely nothing.
 
M

Mark Olbert

Because (a) I'm more used to the Access interface, (b) there are a lot of conveniences in Access (e.g., exporting to various Office
formats) that aren't available (or at least I haven't found them yet) in Management Studio, (c) the development cycle in Management
Studio for queries is longer (write query to create/modify query, then run query, as opposed to just writing/modifying and then
running a query).

I could go on, but I trust you get my point? For quick and dirty things it's hard to beat Access. Even though it, too, has its
quirks.

So, let me rephrase my question: It's beginning to look like, once again, Microsoft has broken backward compatibility between Access
and Sql Server on an upgrade. If that's true I'd like to have it confirmed (so I can officially complain about it :) ).

- Mark
 
S

Sylvain Lafontaine

The big problem is that SQL-Server 2008 has been released *after* Office
2007 and as such, it wasn't possible for the development team that Access
2007 would work correctly with a version to be released later. Better safe
than sorry.

Also, maybe the problem is only with the creation of the database and not
with other functionalities. I don't know, I don't have made any
installation of SQL-Server 2008, yet.
 
T

td

I agree in spades. Access has no peer in getting something up and running. It
is quick, easy and has THE best reporting facility built-in. Nothing comes
even close.
td
 
M

Mark Olbert

No offense, but that depends totally on how Access is written and how the SqlServer team coordinates with the Access team at
Microsoft. The consistent breaking of interoperability is an architectural or design decision, not an expression of natural law :).

I can visualize a way of maintaining interoperability in the same way that Excel 2007 can read and write Excel 2003 files. Certain
functionality doesn't translate (e.g., the new datatypes in SqlServer 2008), but the vast majority does. For example, T-SQL (the
foundation of any query created in Access) hasn't changed significantly between SqlServer 2005 and 2008. Improvements yes,
enhancements yes, fundamental changes, it doesn't seem so. So why can't Access 2007 write a query that Sql Server 2008 can
understand?

No, if interoperability was broken then it was a deliberate decision (or better have been; software companies should never break
interoperability by accident :) ). Which is really annoying. If true.

Can anyone here "speak for Microsoft" about this issue?

- Mark
 
S

Sylvain Lafontaine

Oh, the situation is much more complicated than that. For example, between
SQL-Server 2000 and 2005, the notion of schema has completely changed: for
SQL-2000, the schema is simply the owner of the object while on SQL-2005, it
is a fully independant value that can be hierarchic.

Simply take a look with the SQL-Server Profiler and you will see that there
is a lot more than you think that's going under the hood. Guarantying that
SQL-Server 2008 would have remained compatible with Access 2007 (and
previous versions) would have simply be a too great risk to take for the
development team of SQL-Server 2008.
 
M

Mark Han[MSFT]

Hi Mark,

This is Mark, too. I am glad to assit you with the issue.

A good news is that I have re-produced the issue and I'm consulting the
issue with our dev team. If updating anything, I will public it.

Based on my explanation, since the SQL Server 2008 is developed after
access 2007, the design of the database wizard in access 2007 might not
support SQL Server 2008.

Besides, I do some additional research for you. Hope those helpful:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HA100307391033.aspx

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HA101679531033.aspx

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HP030839931033.aspx

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/access/HP030895001033.aspx

Best regards,
Mark Han
Microsoft Online Community Support
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=========================================================
 
M

Mark Olbert

Good point, but we'll have to agree to disgree on the conclusion. Given what I've seen done in other areas I'm quite sure
interoperability could have been maintained, if it had been a priority. Clearly it's not. Which is an annoyance that borders on
"offensive", for lack of a better term.

- Mark
 
M

Mark Olbert

Mark,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm interested to hear what the development team has to say. Frankly, if they're not instantly aware of the issue you're raising
with them I'll be shocked :).

- Mark
 
M

Mark Han[MSFT]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the update.

Based on the reply from our dev team, I would like to explain the following
for you.
SQL Server 2008 is not completely supported in Access 2007. Access 2007
only fully supports through SQL Server 2005. You won't be able to create
new SQL databases from Access on a SQL Server 2008 machine. Similarly, you
cannot design against SQL Server 2008. You should still be able to
manipulate data existing on a SQL Server 2008 machine.

Besides, the issue might be fixed later. If anything updated, we will
public it.

Hope the above explanation address your concern.

Best regards,
Mark Han
Microsoft Online Community Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
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When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
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M

Mark Olbert

Mark,

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, it does confirm my suspicions.

However, it doesn't address the underlying issue of why interoperability between Access and SqlServer breaks every time there's a
new Sql release.

Is there a way I can post a complaint about that somewhere where the SqlServer and Access development teams will read it? It's
really annoying for my workflow.

- Mark

p.s. I'd love to know why interoperability isn't maintained. Do you know if that's ever been discussed on any kind of blog
maintained by the Sql or Access teams?
 
M

Mark Han[MSFT]

Hi Mark,

I completely understand your concerns. We welcome you to send feedback to
us. That will help us better provide our service and improve the product:
Please send the feedback via this https://connect.microsoft.com/sql.

Generally, once receiving your feedback, our dev team will send an email to
you to further explanation.

Thanks for choosing Microsoft.

Best regards,
Mark Han
Microsoft Online Community Support
===========================================================
Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your
comments and suggestions about how we can improve the
support we provide to you. Please feel free to let my manager
know what you think of the level of service provided. You can
send feedback directly to my manager at: (e-mail address removed).
===========================================================
Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/managednewsgroups/default.aspx#notif
ications.

Note: The MSDN Managed Newsgroup support offering is for
non-urgent issues where an initial response from the community
or a Microsoft Support Engineer within 1 business day is acceptable.
Please note that each follow up response may take approximately
2 business days as the support professional working with you may
need further investigation to reach the most efficient resolution.
The offering is not appropriate for situations
that require urgent, real-time or phone-based interactions or complex
project analysis and dump analysis issues. Issues of this nature are best
handled working with a dedicated Microsoft Support Engineer by
contacting Microsoft Customer Support Services (CSS) at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/support/default.aspx.
============================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
=========================================================
 
M

Mark Olbert

Thanks. In entering my complaint, I realized it's probably something that should be sent to the Access team, rather than the SS
team. Yes, it involves the interoperation of the two products...but I suspect the problem is more in how Access is designed.

How do I send the Access team feedback?

- Mark
 
M

Mark Han[MSFT]

Hi Mark,

There is the Microsoft connect web address:
https://connect.microsoft.com/default.aspx. We welcome you to send the
feedback by that.

Besides, based on my experience, the issue you meet now might be fixed by
SP2. If anything updated, we will public it.

Have a nice day.

Best regards,
Mark Han
Microsoft Online Community Support
=========================================================
Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your
comments and suggestions about how we can improve the
support we provide to you. Please feel free to let my manager
know what you think of the level of service provided. You can
send feedback directly to my manager at: (e-mail address removed).
=========================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
=========================================================
 
M

Mark Olbert

Besides, based on my experience, the issue you meet now might be fixed by
SP2. If anything updated, we will public it.

Boy, I sure hope so!

Thanks for the link, Mark.

- Mark
 
M

Mark Han[MSFT]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the reply.

I would like to ensure that you have been 100% satisfied with our service.
Satisfied customer is our first priority.

Your time and efforts are really appreciated. It is my pleasure working
with you. Hope you are Very Delighted with our Overall services.

Thanks again for choosing Microsoft. I am looking forward to our next
cooperation.

Mark Han
Microsoft Online Community Support
=========================================================
Delighting our customers is our #1 priority. We welcome your
comments and suggestions about how we can improve the
support we provide to you. Please feel free to let my manager
know what you think of the level of service provided. You can
send feedback directly to my manager at: (e-mail address removed).
=========================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
=========================================================
 
M

Merlyn Group, Inc.

Hi Mark,

I have been asked to be part of the Beta testing for MS Office 2007 SP2.
Please send me an email outlining the issues and I will be certain to include
it with my dialog with the MS Access team. (If you would like.)
--
Happy Coding,

Don

Merlyn Group, Inc.
 
A

a a r o n . k e m p f

Sylvain;

this is not an excuse, it is an outrage.

Microsoft is the same company that shipped 'Access 2000' and 'SQL
2000' as NOT WORKING TOGETHER WITHOUT A SPECIAL PATCH.

I just think that it's time that MS starts aiming higher.

YES YOU CAN deliver bug free, error free software.
 

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