Modify frontend backend

[Rick]

I have finally taken the plunge and followed MVP's
recommendation to split the database to avoid data
corruption and provide better performance. The
configuration is now:

S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb
S:\Data\Company_be.mdb
S:\Security\System.mdw

(the above noted files all reside on the server)

Users have a copy of the Company_fe.mdb on their
workstations. We are using Tony's Auto FE Updater utility
to update the workstations with the most recent version of
the front-end from S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb

I am a little apprehensive about updates even though I
have read all I can in the newsgroup and in text books.

Questions:

1. To add fields to tables or to add new tables I am
opening S:\Data\Company_be.mdb exclusively; making the
modifications; closing the backend; opening the front-end
on S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb; and setting up a link to
any new tables.

Q1. Am I following correct procedure to make changes to
the backend?

Q2. To modify the front-end is it safe for me to open the
frontend at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb and modify this
copy on the server while others are using the database or
should I be making any modifications on a copy of the
frontend on my workstation and overwrite the server
version at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb with the latest
revised copy off my workstation once all the modifications
have been made and tested?

TIA

 

[Joan Wild]

Hi Rick

S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb
S:\Data\Company_be.mdb
S:\Security\System.mdw

Questions:

1. To add fields to tables or to add new tables I am
opening S:\Data\Company_be.mdb exclusively; making the
modifications; closing the backend; opening the front-end
on S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb; and setting up a link to
any new tables.

Q1. Am I following correct procedure to make changes to
the backend?

Yes, but I would add 'compact the database' after 'making the
modifications'. In addition I would open the front-end, set up any new
links, refresh the links using the Linked Table Manager, and then compact
it. Refreshing the links and compacting are important if you added any
fields and/or added/modified indexes.

Q2. To modify the front-end is it safe for me to open the
frontend at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb and modify this
copy on the server while others are using the database or
should I be making any modifications on a copy of the
frontend on my workstation and overwrite the server
version at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb with the latest
revised copy off my workstation once all the modifications
have been made and tested?

It's probably safe, but you wouldn't want to have a network glitch while
you're working on it. Also what if the network goes down, you can't work on
it.
You may find it easier/safer to work on your copy on your workstation. I'd
also suggest you have a copy of the backend on your computer while you are
modifying the frontend and testing things. You shouldn't be doing that sort
of thing while connected to live data.

 

[Rick]

Hi Joan:

Thank you for the informative response. Your comments are
appreciated and most useful to me; as always.

Rick

 

[Tony Toews]

1. To add fields to tables or to add new tables I am
opening S:\Data\Company_be.mdb exclusively; making the
modifications; closing the backend; opening the front-end
on S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb; and setting up a link to
any new tables.

Q1. Am I following correct procedure to make changes to
the backend?
Yes.

Q2. To modify the front-end is it safe for me to open the
frontend at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb and modify this
copy on the server while others are using the database or
should I be making any modifications on a copy of the
frontend on my workstation and overwrite the server
version at S:\Database\Company_fe.mdb with the latest
revised copy off my workstation once all the modifications
have been made and tested?

You should make the changes on your own system and only copy them up
once you're satisfied with them.

The problem with making the changes on the server is that the Auto FE
Updater will copy down the FE while you're in the middle of making
changes. This could cause the users much grief if you are in the
middle of something. Assuming that the file, after being copied down,
isn't corrupted.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Rick]

Tony:

Thanks for the additional info. Our network specialist
struggled a little with configuring Auto FE on Friday but
had it working by the end of the day. Auto FE is a great
addition to the simplify the process.

Rick

 

[Tony Toews]

Thanks for the additional info. Our network specialist
struggled a little with configuring Auto FE on Friday but
had it working by the end of the day. Auto FE is a great
addition to the simplify the process.

Would you ask your network specialist to email me with the problems or
questions they had? I imagine better documentation would help.

Thanks, Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Rick]

Hi Tony:

Users have noticed when using the icon on their
desktop "Tracking" supplied by Auto FE they loose the
ability to click on a window icon on the start toolbar to
switch back and forth between forms.

For example if they opened the contacts form in the past;
minimized the window; and then opened the companies form
the start toolbar would display icons as follows: start
contacts companies. Now they just get one icon
Company_fe.

I have played around with choosing show status bar
without success. Any suggestions?

Regards,

Rick

 

[Tony Toews]

Users have noticed when using the icon on their
desktop "Tracking" supplied by Auto FE they loose the
ability to click on a window icon on the start toolbar to
switch back and forth between forms.

This is very likely caused by the CommandLine=/runtime in the INI
file. Try removing that line.

Any suggestions for the utility? Or irritants?

Tony


--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm