MDE vs MDB

[raffie77]

Hello people,



I have a question

I have a frontend and a backend database
both backend (BE) and Frontend (FE) are MDB

I have hide all tables in BE and FE and in menu tools > startup I have almost unticked everything so people cant'úse F11 to go to the main database but if people startup the database and holding the Shift key, then they see the main database but everything is hidden, to see the hidden tables they need to go menu tools > options and tick "show hidden tables" and I found a way to disable the shift key during startup (I think bypass shift key or something) but I'm not doing that. and I have a MDW file, so people don't need to put they're username and password but they can't go to any design view because of the MDW.

I have compiled the mdb to mde but I dont see a big difference.

is creating a mde interesting for me? what are the benefits of this?

Ralph

[Bob Fitz]

Hi

The use of MDE will stop any one from making design changes, including you, so make sure you keep a copy of the MDB file from which the MDE is made so that you are able to develop the db further when needed. I always distribute the FE as MDE.

Take a look at:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ac...005239302.aspx

[raffie77]

Hi

The use of MDE will stop any one from making design changes, including you, so make sure you keep a copy of the MDB file from which the MDE is made so that you are able to develop the db further when needed. I always distribute the FE as MDE.

Take a look at:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ac...005239302.aspx

ok thanks for the quick reply,
but that part is coverd with the MDW file,
users can open the database but I disalowed the design view
if I want to go to designview then I need to open a shortcut that opens my mdb with /wrkgrp ......mdw file.

if that is all then I don't need to make a MDE file right?
or are there any other benefits to make MDE files?

Ralph

[Bob Fitz]

Hi Ralph

mde are also smaller and run faster than mdb.

I know nothing about mdw files, so I can not help with any comparisons to them.

[RuralGuy]

@Ralph,
Just so you know, the User Level Security (ULS) that involves the MDW file is not particularly secure if that is an issue for you. Creating an MDE absolutely strips any source code from the MDB file, which is why Bob *strongly* suggested keeping an MDB in a safe place.

[raffie77]

@Ralph,
Just so you know, the User Level Security (ULS) that involves the MDW file is not particularly secure if that is an issue for you. Creating an MDE absolutely strips any source code from the MDB file, which is why Bob *strongly* suggested keeping an MDB in a safe place.

Hey RuralGuy
Thanks for explaining, I understand the MDE "Rules"
My Biggest concern is this:

even if I make a MDE file,
people can open the database when holding the shift key.
go to the tables, open the source table
ctrl+A and hit the Delete button and BAM records gone.
easy as that
This database is made for a big company with I think 300 users
there are allways let's say unpleasant people you know the "Aholes"
who gets a kick out of it to mess up things.

I have tested to make a MDE file and open it with the shift key and I see the tables and the regular menu's (the one I disabled in the startup menu)

I haven't tested if I can delete a record in a table, I can test that tomorrow.
but that darn shiftkey is bugging me, it's to easy.

maybe I am doing something wrong
I did this:

• in the MDB I go to startup and disabled everything
• so the MDB has the same effect
• create a MDE file

am I missing something or do I need to do more?


Ralph

[Bob Fitz]

Hi Ralph

This link mat be of interest if you want to disable Shift Bypass:
http://www.databasedev.co.uk/disable_shift_bypass.html

I'm sure I have seen code on the web that can be used in one db to change the setting of the Allow Shift ByPass property in a second db though. If your users are that knowledgeable and/or that malicious I think you would need to use a different back end db. I have only ever used Access as the Back end, so I could be wrong, but I'm sure that's the advice I've seen in other posts by people with more knowledge and experience.

[raffie77]

Hi Ralph

This link mat be of interest if you want to disable Shift Bypass:
http://www.databasedev.co.uk/disable_shift_bypass.html

I'm sure I have seen code on the web that can be used in one db to change the setting of the Allow Shift ByPass property in a second db though. If your users are that knowledgeable and/or that malicious I think you would need to use a different back end db. I have only ever used Access as the Back end, so I could be wrong, but I'm sure that's the advice I've seen in other posts by people with more knowledge and experience.

Hi Bob
thanks for the reply, I'll take a look at that
I think that this is te solution

Thanks,

ralph

[boblarson]

mde are also smaller and run faster than mdb.

The second part of that statement (about running faster) is not always true as we have found out with our Citrix Environment. For some reason the mdbs run faster for us in that environment, even though logically they should not.