I am aware that multiple PCs with Access installed can access an mdb/mde
file even when the application is not split. If the runtime application is
on
the server, what happens?
The ms-access runtime is really just a normal windows desktop software
application. In fact, the ms-access runtime is in fact no different from the
full version of ms-access. Your question seems to hint that you somehow
think the runtime system is different from ms-access. (it is not, the only
things changed is that the design tools have been disabled) Make no mistake
here, the runtime IS ms-access!!. So, really, you are asking what if you
install Excel on the server. Or, what happens if you install word on the
server? Well, from a desktop pc point of view...not much happens. I doubt
that your company ever consider installed word on the server? I mean, how
can the other users use this application? (now, if you are talking about
remote desktop, then perhaps your question might make sense?).
I mean, you can most certainly put a few word documents on the server. But,
I would think that users would have word installed on each pc. The same
concept goes for the runtime, or full version of ms-access (or Excel, or
whatever for that matter!).
And, in fact, in any multiple user applications that YOU write, then YOU
SHOULD do the same idea. Be it Word, Excel, or some application that you
create with ms-access, that mde should be installed on EACH workstation
(and, you are using a mde for the application part..right?).
Just because you start developing software, that does not mean you throw out
all the ideas of installing Word, or Excel, or YOUR mde application on each
workstation. Perhaps I am not understanding the question here (feel free to
expand the question). It is very possible that the people asking you this
question don't understand the difference between a file with data in it, and
something that is an actual software application that you write with
code/forms etc.
A software application is typically something that has code, and has a
interface that interacts with the user. These applications (word, Excel, or
you cool application you just wrote) is generally installed on a pc. So,
when you have a split database, the back end file is simply a document file
that the front end (software part) opens. Again, you do this with Excel,
Word etc. The same concepts apply here to ms-access runtime. So, it is
important to note that ms-access can store both code, and data. ALSO ALLOWS
you to write, and create software. So, Word, Excel, or your applcation
obialrey will have two parts:
Applation part
+
data file parrt, or so called docment file part when speaking of word
etc.
The main idea or concpet I trying to expalin here is that you as a general
rule install your appcitons on your pc. So, you install word on your pc. So,
you install Excel on your pc. So, you install ms-access on yoru pc. Now, if
you happen to be a deveoper, and crate an applciaton with ms-acces (or VB,
or c++, or vb.net), then once again, you should isntall that appction on
each workaton. I don't think this approach should be changed at all here
just because you purchased Word, but actually wrote your own appction here?
(why should that make a difference!!).
However, just like Word, or Excel, if you want to share the data part, then
you are freee to put the data partio on a file share and let others use that
file. In the case of Word, Excel, or YOUR cool appcion, you never did need
to isntall word, or Excel on the swerver. Remember, that data file is just a
dump plain old file..and the server has no knowledge that word, or excel, or
your cool appction is going to open that file. So, you are free to place
word docuemnts on the sewrver. You are free to place Excel docuemnts on the
server. All the server is doing here is dishing out files to users. So, be
it word, Excedl, or your cool appction, no one is suggesting that you
install these appctions on the soerve.
I am willing to bet that your IT deparment as a genarl rule does install the
software on each pc, and they likey should continue this time horned aprach
that they been donig since windows came out.
