Designing a Simple Database Application

[Rob Jones]

I'm an Access newkid, but a seasoned application programmer (over 25
years with Basic, C, C++, C#). I'm designing a simple Access
application that will track the membership info for my local shooting
range. The app requires one 'primary' table (contain member info) and
a lookup table for one field in the primary table (MembershipType).
This app's requirements are:

From a main menu, select one of the following:

1) Show all Members
2) Print Membership Report
3) Add/Delete/Change Member Data

I've been playing around with Access 2003 for a couple of weeks now,
and have a little idea of how Access works. However, I have a
question:

If I don't want the users to 'see' Access, but rather only 'see' what
I write for them, how do I do this? For example, I've created a Form
that functions as my MainMenu, but it seems that the only way I can
bring this up is to set this form as the default for the DB and then
run Access. I'd rather not let the users see Access, if you
understand what I mean. Can I write an Access app that does not bring
up Access?

Thanks in advance...

Rob Jones

 

[Albert D. Kallal]

I'm an Access newkid, but a seasoned application programmer (over 25
years with Basic, C, C++, C#).

The above skills are great in that you understand how to "code". The
"programming" language in ms-access is actually VBA, and it is syntax is the
same as VB6.

However, while ms-access is "simple" to do simple things, I will note that
to "really" get a handle on ms-access, it in fact has a STEEPER learning
curve then does VB6! The reason for this is that ms-acccess has a much more
complex forms object then does VB.

If I don't want the users to 'see' Access, but rather only 'see' what
I write for them, how do I do this? For example, I've created a Form
that functions as my MainMenu, but it seems that the only way I can
bring this up is to set this form as the default for the DB and then
run Access. I'd rather not let the users see Access, if you
understand what I mean. Can I write an Access app that does not bring
up Access?

You can certainly build your own UI, and for good applications, you should
this. You can build menu bars etc just like any windows application you now
have on your computer (likely, every windows application you have has some
menu bars etc). So, you can hide the ms-access interface for your users.

You can take a "quick" look at some access screen shots of mine here:, and
you can see how these screens shots show none of ms-access, but they all are
ms-access:
http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Articles/UseAbility/UserFriendly.htm

If you want to grab a tiny sample application that hides ms-access
interface, then download and run the 3rd example file here:
http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/msaccess/DownLoad.htm

The above example hides the ms-access interface complete. (the options to do
this are in tools->startup). So, take a quick look at the sample.

And, certainly feel free to ask more questions!

 

[Jeff Conrad]

To completely hide the entire Access interface you can use the code found here:

http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0019.htm

However, heed the warnings as this procedure does have some pitfalls!

I'm in complete agreement with Albert: the best thing to do is create custom menu bars and toolbars.
Instead of your program looking like an Access Application, you just make it look like a *Software
Application*.

 

[Rob Jones]

Thanks for your help, Albert. I dloaded your sample and it will help
me get going. Nice work.

Rob

 

[Rob Jones]

Thanks, Jeff. I've used that site before (Win32 networking code) but
I'd forgotten that it also had some Access stuff.

rob

 

[Jeff Conrad]

You're welcome; good luck with your project.