John W. Colby
jcolby at colbyconsulting.com
Mon Feb 24 20:58:10 CST 2003
Well, I just designed my first bound form, bound to a table in SQL Server. Used a data grid to display the data and a button to load the data into the grid. Total time (following the instructions in help) ~ 1/2 hour. Not bad I think. I already had about 1/2 of my billing app data in SQL Server. So the first attempt to crawl was a smashing success. This is completely different from how I've done things in the past. They do have a pretty nice SQL builder. Not as nice as Access' but I have never seen one as nice as Access'. It reminds me of the one in SQL Server in fact. Maybe it is? OK, so I won't have a complete port of the db with three tiers and a matching web interface by tomorrow. How about a bound form of a single simple table by tomorrow? ;-) I must admit though, I like it so far. It is waaaay different from Access, but it is also light-years closer to Access than the old VB was I think. Not that I was ever an expert in the old VB, I will admit. I am startled at how easy it is to connect to data out in the SQL Server. All you need to know is the name of the machine with SQL Server running (and authorization on that machine / SQL Server). Setting up the connections to the database and table within the db is all wizard driven. Couldn't be much easier than that, unless you count Access' ADP environment. I think getting connected in .net may even have been easier. I haven't found a table builder interface similar to Access' though. I suspect that you have to go direct to SQL Server's enterprise manager and build them there. Or use an Access ADP to build them. OMG, I just discovered that (of course) the form is not a child doc to the environment. This is VB after all. I clicked on the button in the task bar and it popped up right over my email message. I was expecting to be transported back to the .net environment and see the form there. Since the form exists in design view in the .net environment, that means that I can see it in design view and form view at the same time. Yes I know, I'm easily amazed. More tomorrow. John W. Colby Colby Consulting www.ColbyConsulting.com ---------------------------------------------------- Is email taking over your day? Manage your time with eMailBoss. Try it free! http://www.eMailBoss.com