On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 23:19:58 -0800, "Squirrel" <wi*****@covad.net> wrote:
I've developed an Access 2002 database which will be deployed with the
backend on
a server and frontend on the users' PCs. I've now been advised that new
employees will
be given laptops with Access 2003 installed and that the server software
will not be
updated. Also some of the users are using Access 2000 and some Access 2002.
My question is - will this work? There is a lack of IT support in this
department - they've
contracted with me to build a database - but I have no control over their
use of different
versions of Access. If it's going to be a complete mess it'd be great to
know that before
starting the install. I'd appreciate any advice anyone can offer as to what
I should expect.
Thank you.
Linda
1. It doesn't matter what version of Access is on the server or even if any
version is installed at all. The server is just hosting a shared file, and
it's the client machines that care what format it's in.
2. Access 2003 will handle Access 2000 format files just fine. You can leave
the front-end in Access 2000 format, or upgrade it as you prefer. In any
case, the links to back-end tables in Access 2000 will work fine.
Now, the only issue you might have is with the front-end, not the back-end.
Sometimes, code written with one version will only work on another version
after you unselect and reselect some references, and decompile. It's possible
you'll have to maintain at least 3 distributions of the front-end, one for the
Access 200, one for 2002, and one for 2003. You should do all development
work in the oldest version in use, so you know it doesn't rely on any newer
features not available in older versions.
That said, if you can strongly encourage them to dump Access 2000, my
experience is that reliability of VBA code will be improved. I don't have any
experience with 2003 to compare, but 2002 has proven basically stable.