Simultaneous users in single MDB?

S

Sara

I have need to create a very simple read-only application for running
pre-defined reports. Multiple users, many remote, but with network access.

Given that there will be no data editing, is there still a reason to split
the data from the front end?

Even if the front end is split apart from the data, can multiple users
simultaneouly use a single front-end MDB that resides on a network without
problem, given that it will be read-only?
 
C

CyberTaz

Hi Sara-

Splitting the file is going to allow all users access to the same tables
without having to provide a duplicate copy for each user. That also prevents
the users from modifying the table structures as well & you don't have to
constantly replace the user copies with updated versions. Any data changes
made in the backend are immediately available to the users, so the reports
will always be up-to-date.

Distributing the front end from a server is possible, but as I understand
your intent it may be as good or better to provide each user with a front end
on their own systems.

Hope this is useful |:>)
 
S

Steve Schapel

Sara,

Even though it is read-only, by which you mean the users can't
enter/edit data, the processing of the reports, which presumably are
based on queries, means there is data processing going on. As such,
with multiple users, each user should have their own copy of the
frontend application. In the case of the remote users, their copy of
the frontend should be located on the server, so they are running the
application remotely over the network, rather than running the
application locally with connection to the backend over the network.
 
S

Sara

Thanks Steve, Joseph and CyberTaz for your responses.

Steve, when you say "each user should have their own front end" - is that
because it is not physically possible for more than one user to open an MDB
file at the same time, or that it's preferable not to? Unfortunately I don't
have a network to test this out on right now.

Thanks -
Sara
 
S

Steve Schapel

Sara,

It's physically possible for the same frontend to be opened
simultaneously by multiple users, but preferable not to. It affects
performance, dramatically increases the risk of data corruption, and
there are other reasons as well.
 
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