[AccessD] Scheduling an mdb to run using AT

Mon May 12 21:14:08 CDT 2003

Drew - thanks for that explanation. So if this code were in vb instead of vba then I could look at building an NT service OCX and add my system as a service.

OK - but for an mdb I may as well us AT?

Kath

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Drew Wutka 
  To: 'accessd at databaseadvisors.com' 
  Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 7:23 AM
  Subject: RE: [AccessD] Scheduling an mdb to run using AT

  Pure VB codes almost exactly the same as VBA.  The syntax is identical, there are just a few minor changes in functions (such as AddressOf is a default ability in VB, and Eval is only available in VBA).

  As far as the NT Service OCX, let me explain....

  A service is something that runs on your machine whether you are logged onto it or not.  (Once Windows has loaded it's device driver's, etc., then it starts the services).  In 9x, services are just a registry entry (HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunService) (That may be RunAsService...don't remember, and it's not on NT machines, which is what I am using now...)  Any program can be placed there in the registry, and it is run by windows as soon as it comes up....regardless of whether a desktop is loaded or not.

  Now, an NT service is similar, however, it's not a normal registry entry.  Services is part of the Administrative control panel.  (Control Panel --> Administrative Tools).  That lists every service running on your machine.  From that panel, you can start and stop services, you can set whether they can interact with the desktop, or what NT account is used to run the service as.  Pretty flexible.  However, to 'build' an NT service, requires callback capability, since the system has to 'holler' at the service to start or stop, etc.  The NT service OCX (ActiveX control) provides that callback capability to VB.

  Drew
    -----Original Message-----
    From: Software Design & Solutions Pty Ltd. [mailto:SDSSoftware at Optusnet.com.au]
    Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 3:46 AM
    To: accessd at databaseadvisors.com
    Subject: Re: [AccessD] Scheduling an mdb to run using AT

    Hi drew - this is an mdb - the basic process it performs is to log on to an external system, read in some data, manipulate that data and export it out to an external txt file.

    I have done it in vba only because I do not know pure vb (and don't own it). There's no requirement to change it as it does the job - just need it automated. They are running Windows NT. You lost me on the NT service OCX. What is that?

    Rgds
    Kath
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Drew Wutka 
      To: 'AccessD at databaseadvisors.com ' 
      Sent: Friday, May 09, 2003 5:25 PM
      Subject: RE: [AccessD] Scheduling an mdb to run using AT

      What are you trying to run.  Is it just a data routine, or is it running
      reports?  If it's just a data routine, I personally recommend using the NT
      service OCX, which allows a VB .exe to run as an NT service.  Much easier to
      deal with, shows up in the list of services, the ocx has an easy method to
      dump information in the event viewer, etc.

      Running reports can be done this way too, but it needs to use Automation.  

      >From what I understand, VB.Net has the NT Service capability built in.

      Drew

      -----Original Message-----
      From: Software Design & Solutions Pty Ltd.
      To: AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
      Sent: 5/8/03 10:08 PM
      Subject: [AccessD] Scheduling an mdb to run using AT

      Have any of you had much experience with scheduling applications to run
      (ie. mdb files) using the AT command?

      I am trying to get a job to run overnight for a client using the
      following syntax:

      at 14:26 /interactive /Every:M,T,W,Th,F cmd /c D:\Prices\Priceload.bat

      where the files Priceload.bat contains the following:
        _____  

      @ECHO OFF
      REM Daily Price File Load
      TITLE GBST PRICE LOAD

      M:
      cd \Price
      echo ENTER PRICE FOLDER
      ntsleep 2 > nul

      Call Price.mdb

        _____  

      I then get the message 'M:\Price\Price.mdb file not found'.

      Because it is real PITN to keep mucking around with this syntax in DOS,
      I am also having a play with some shareware(?) the client had called
      WINAT. It seems good, but when I use it at my client site to edit the
      paremeters of the AT command, extra characters appear at the end of the
      command, so I am not sure whether the command will work or not.
      Characters are things like pipes and @symbols. 

      So my question for anyone using AT is: do you have any tips to share?
      What is the most reliable way you have found to schedule an mdb to run?

      TIA
      Kath

      Kath Pelletti
      Software Design & Solutions Pty Ltd.
      Ph: 9505-6714
      Fax: 9505-6430
      SDSSoftware at Optusnet.com.au <mailto:SDSSoftware at Optusnet.com.au> 
       <<ATT11462.txt>> 
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