Web Server Back End?

[kstevens]

I decided to split my database. The first step was to just split tables from forms and see what happened. Ok that worked great. But i noticed that when i hovered over the filename box while saving the back end that it said "File name or web address http://".

Can i save the backend to a webserver and get data from it with the front end running locally on computers? I read in a few places that it cant be done. But if it cant be done, then why does Access give me the option of a web address.

Access 2007, XP

[Denburt]

I am pretty sure that it could be done but I would think that it would be quite messy. Unless your are planning or in the process of a conversion to an html front end i don't think I would try to tackle an approach like this. This is just my opinion though there are others that may disagree or may know of reasons that this could actually be of some use.

[NeoPa]

Typically the database is accessible to the web server, not the web client. Is this what you're asking about?

[kstevens]

Ummm, idk, you lost me a little bit. I was wondering if the tables resided at http://www.mywebsite.com that the local clients could access the information on the tables.

[Denburt]

O.K. memory is coming back, quite a while back I worked with a large corporation my whole purpose was to clean up their web and yes since I had full administrative privileges I had no problem doing what you ask. There are a number of points to be looked at a big one here is who is hosting this site? How much control over this site do you have and do you really just want to hand out administrative permissions and let your users run free? As NeoPa stated typically users have access to view and can download things from the server but you can't change things on it add things to it. So the database would typically be accessed/updated/edited on the server by forms/pages that reside on the server. So to do what you ask really depends on the server hosting the DB and the amount of bandwidth you have available and many other conditions, this could run extremely slowly and or get very expensive.

[NeoPa]

I agree with Den.

This could possibly be implemented, but it's not designed to work easily (which is as it should be). There are various reasons why it's something to avoid. The most basic is that the web was never designed to be security controlled, whereas Access database work almost invariably is.

Getting it to work that way would not be a straightforward task.

[kstevens]

Thanks for the stop sign. I see why it wouldnt be wise. I know that this is a little off topic, but it does have to do with splitting that database.

I went ahead and split the database as a test, put both peices in the same folder (wanted to try the split bc i read that continuous development on the front while not messing with the data......).

I changed the extension to accdr, opened it, copied the front end file, renamed the extension back to accdb (so i could edit), made a backup of this file (thanks for the tip microsoft), edited, renamed the extension again (accdr) and then pasted on top of the open data base front end file (i was quite surprised that it pasted). When i tried to open the form that i edited, it was trashed, and kept locking up the database, and i couldnt fix the form. (thanks again for the tip of backing it up microsoft)

So what is the benefit of "continuous development" if i cant actually paste over the open file. Did i do something incorrectly?

Again, this forum is quite helpful, and would be proud of what "WE" have created (as long as my boss stays happy, then i am thrilled). I do appreciate every comment that has been left for me in my learning. Thanks. (If you check my subscriptions there arent that many, but i had a different username before and wasnt able to login, something went a little strange, it wouldnt let me contact any mods for help either, so i ended up creating a new username... i am scared to share my old username just for the shear silliness of some of the questions.... just beleive that i have come a long way, lol)

[NeoPa]

@kstevens
If you couldn't paste over the file then I suspect the file was open at the time. Releasing a new version while the old is actually in use, is never a good idea. If it had been allowed then you (or your user) would have suffered some serious problems anyway.

If it is important to be able to release new versions at any time, then consider designing the Front End (FE) to reside on the local PC. There would be copies on each user's PC of course, so it would never be shared.

The shortcut to open the database could include a check to run before opening that checked for a new version. If found it would copy over then open the database.
@kstevens
Please visit HELP! My ACCOUNT is DISABLED! for a possible explanation.

I can re-enable your old account if you choose, but it may suffer the same fate again if the reason still persists. If you would like me to then PM me the details.

All the best -NeoPa.