Access is a feature-rich database package that comes with the MS Office suite. There are many questions and confusion around this platform, so we may try to list a few things users need to know about MS Access.
Why MS Access?
At first, we will have a look at the major advantages of using MS Access.
Quick DB with ease to create
MS Access is identified as an effective tool to build bespoke systems and applications with databases as the central function. It comes with many customizable wizards to help speed up the creation of database applications, and there is much functionality to be used out of the box. For expert programmers, we can find that the time of development is significantly reduced with MS Access compared to developing with other similar platforms. This is a significant advantage in the time-critical application development market. Time-saving can be directly translated to cost-saving.
User-friendly applications with a comprehensive VBA programming language
You may see that you can build a basic database on MS Access all by yourself with minimal technical skills. However, with the skills of an expert VBA, you can turn this primary DB into a fully-featured application. There are thousands of examples of how we can use the programming codes on the client systems to offer a flexible, user-friendly interface and automate the process. You can bring in any features from buttons to open the screen to toggle between them. Even the most complicated operations like calculating the tax figures to automatically sending emails and alerts while certain milestones are crossed. The end-result of application development on MS Access is a system that can fit exactly around the way how your business works.
MS Access offers an adaptable and flexible system
Once you have the system in place, it is much easier and quicker to amend the change onto Access. If you want to add new features to your system, integrate it to something, or creating some new features, Access is perfect for all these to be a perfect real-life business ecosystem. Your system can change as your business needs, and objectives change without costing you a big fortune and without any time delay.
MS Access is there around for quite some time
MS Access came out in 1994, and since then, it has been there with many major changes and additions over time. It always remained a part of the Microsoft Office suite, and it is also not going anywhere soon. Those businesses which had chosen Access back in the 1990s are still using the same thing with modifications. So, if you are looking for a stable system that can ensure longevity, MS Access is a good choice to make. For other such choices in enterprise database management, you may consult with RemoteDBA.com experts.
Preventing MS Access data corruption
While there are many benefits of using MS Access, as we discussed above, one major concern people have about Access is that the indication of the corrupt state. The users who attempt to open the database while this flag is set may receive a message, and the database needs to be repaired before it can be used further. If the users do not have any permission to perform repair, there can be significant downtime before the database can be erected. So, let us discuss some tips to minimize the possibility of data loss in Access DB.
Split the database
The most primary things to do for preventing possible corruption of MS Access DB is to split it into:
- Front-end, and
- Back-end
In this split, the front-end may contain all the queries, forms, reports etc., whereas the backend consists of the data tables. The front-end copy can be put on the user computers, and the back end with data tables can be stored on a shared network folder. Considering the amount of info taken across your network to your computer each time you open a report of forms, it can significantly reduce the impact on your local computers. So, by reducing the amount of data you have to move back and forth through the network, you can reduce corruption chances. If you face corruption problems within the Access databases on the network drive, then splitting the DB is an important solution you can plan for.
Do not have the connections open
It applies to both users and programmers. For programmers, it is important to ensure that you close all the connections instantly after usage. Leaving such connections open may increase the chances of having unexpected connection drops. When you have to leave the connection open, the only instance is when it is used inside the loop. For such cases, you may open the connection at the start of the loop and close it once the loop is finished. One thing important is to ensure that it is closed for all cases, including the exceptions.
Correct exit the DB
Make sure you close the database applications properly. Complete your tasks and close the application by going to the File-Exit menu or any alternative exit options. Leaving the application connected may also have the same impact as we have seen in leaving the connections open.
Do not use cheap hardware.
Remember that a corruption flag must be set for packet loss between the user computer and database files. MS Access application tends to die even when it detects the slightest symptoms of trouble on the network. So, ensure that you do not use any cheap built-in NICs, which comes by default on some PCs. Instead, you may try to use high-quality, branded network cards. This same case applies to the cheap hubs used. Try to match the good equipment brands across the network to avoid the chance of failure. Even though you may not fully prevent all the possibilities of MS Access corruption, you can successfully hold back 98% of the troubles if you follow these tips genuinely. Follow these and implement a solid schedule for automated data backup to minimize the chances of significant data loss.
