CODEWITHSUNDEEP
ms-access
Arnie
Arnie

Reputation: 1

Can records be "locked" in a Microsoft Access application

I would like to design a database application using Microsoft Access. Before I start there are some important features I want to make sure are available in Access.

  1. In a multi-user environment can the database be accessed simultaneously by different users such that only individual records are locked/unlocked as necessary?

  2. Does Access need to be "opened" or can a "front end" be designed so the user only sees menus, menu bars, tabs, data screens, etc?

  3. Can the database design features be locked so the user cannot change any database features?

Thank you for your help. AF

Upvotes: 0

Views: 466

Answers (3)

P M Jugwunth
P M Jugwunth

Reputation: 1

In response to the third of your initial questions please note that Microsoft Access offers the facility to convert an Access database to an executable file (having file extension "accde" where your forms, reports, code and macros are protected to a substantial extent. However the level of protection offered with regard to tables is low in that the same are directly accessible even in an accde. MS Access also offers the runtime version free of charge and does not restrict its deployment to as many users as you may require. It no longer offers user-level security. This feature has been replaced with an encrypted password feature. Thus you will have to insert your own design and code to impose access restrictions on different categories of users. Alternatively, to use the user level security feature, one has to develop his application in an earlier version of Access in which this feature was available and thereafter use a recent version to convert it. I am uncertain whether MS Access 2013 will entertain such a database but understand that MS 2010 will though it will not offer that feature when you create a new database inside it.

Upvotes: 0

ThatRickGuy
ThatRickGuy

Reputation: 402

You can get SQL Express for free, it's a stripped down version of SQL Server. It will handle multiple user access significantly better and not come with the bloat/performance degredation issues that Access brings along.

There will be a slightly higher learning curve, but if you're looking to get your foot into the development world's door, you'll be much better off learning how to work with SQL Server than Access.

Upvotes: -1

Jacob
Jacob

Reputation: 43269

  • Yes, certain records can be locked. For Example, if you work with an ADO Recordset:

    recordset.Open Source, ActiveConnection, CursorType, LockType, Options

LockType defines the locking-mechanism used for the selected Query Source. More Information on that: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms675544%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

  • Usually you split your Database into an frontend and backend. The back-end only contains only the tables, the rest goes in to the frontend. The backend tables are then linked to the frontend. Here is a link explaining how to do that: http://www.fmsinc.com/MicrosoftAccess/DatabaseSplitter/

  • In the frontend file can be compiled, so that the frontend users cannot edit sources.

Upvotes: 4

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