compiling modules as dll's

[Jesper]

It seems there're several MDE crackers emerging that can reverse engineer or
at least change an MDE to an MDB.
I was thinking - is it possible and more secure to compile my standard
modules/classes to dll's with VB6, and then use them with the Access
database? is it possible and if so does it hurt the execution speed?

Thanks.
Jesper.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi, Jesper.

is it possible and more secure to compile my standard modules/classes to
dll's with VB6, and then use them with the Access database?

It's possible, and it's less secure, because:

1.) There are VB decompilers available, but no MDE decompilers; and
2.) The functions in the DLL must be exposed in order for Access to be able
to link to them at runtime. It's possible to hide from snoopers most (if
not all) of the equivalent functions in Access modules.

does it hurt the execution speed?

You'll need to test the speed of your database application with and without
the DLL, but I suspect that the difference in speeds would be
indistinguishable to the average user.

The biggest drawback to DLL's being distributed with any application is
commonly described by the term known as "DLL Hell." If you distribute
DLL's, make sure that your customers have purchased a tech support contract
from you, because you don't want to be troubleshooting and fixing the
associated problems for free.

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

 

[Jesper]

is it possible and more secure to compile my standard modules/classes to

It's possible, and it's less secure, because:

1.) There are VB decompilers available, but no MDE decompilers; and
2.) The functions in the DLL must be exposed in order for Access to be
able to link to them at runtime. It's possible to hide from snoopers most
(if not all) of the equivalent functions in Access modules.


You'll need to test the speed of your database application with and
without the DLL, but I suspect that the difference in speeds would be
indistinguishable to the average user.

The biggest drawback to DLL's being distributed with any application is
commonly described by the term known as "DLL Hell." If you distribute
DLL's, make sure that your customers have purchased a tech support
contract from you, because you don't want to be troubleshooting and fixing
the associated problems for free.

That settles it, I'll just go with the mde.
Thanks very much.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi, Jesper.

That settles it, I'll just go with the mde.
Thanks very much.

My choice, too. You're very welcome.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.