old database - how does it work

[Jen0dorf]

Hi

Would appreciate some advice, in my retirement am helping update/create an access database of our local cemetery.

Ok the Local history society have an existing database written in Access 2000.

Essentially the database contains two tables and even if I select show all relationships none are shown. One table contains 32000 records and another 17000. ( One shows Graves the other memorials)

The original database will only work on win 95/2000 systems hence they need an update.

I can see no way that the Database can display a linked form to draw data from both tables There are two forms but each just displays information from it's own table. But somehow it does.
The original Database was in some way compiled to run from a cd/executable. the Database is called via an executable which displays a search form which some ways calls up the mdb file. If I enter a search item then information is displayed from both tables.

The cd contains the following files

Search.exe
Cemetery.mdb
Excel9.olb
Dao360.dll
Interop. Access.dll
Interop.DAO.dll
Interop.office.dll
Interop.VBIDe.dll
MSACC9.olb
MS09.dll
VBE6EXT.olb



Would greatly appreciate some explanation of what this executable is doing and how this database works

thanks

Ian

[ranman256]

If you have ms Access, then all you need is the mdb file.
If not , I dont see anything here that can run the mdb as an exe.
You must have an app that opens the mdb for access. (not shown here)

But you may have the access runtime installed, this would do it.
dbl-click on the mdb and if it opens, then you have runtime.
if nothing happens but windows asking what to do with this program, then you have a small problem.

[June7]

Does the mdb have any queries, forms, reports, code? If not, then the db is split and there is another file functioning as frontend and the mdb only has the tables as backend. The Search.exe is obviously by the extension an executable but what exactly it does is a guess.

An mdb file can open under Windows7 and Access 2010, not sure about Windows8/10. The restriction to 95/2000 might have something to do with the Search.exe or that users have only Access Runtime installed.

Try opening the mdb on a Windows7 and full install of Access 2010. If you want to provide db for analysis, follow instructions at bottom of my post.

[Jen0dorf]

HI thanks for the prompt response

I've attached a screen shot of the cd directory,

You run it using the search executable and that seems to open and manipulate the mdb file.

I have sort of decided that the database needs re-writing and am looking at building the relationship between the three tables I feel are necessary, I suspect the main problem will be importing the 35000 records! but that is a problem for the future. I thought my best approach was to decide how the existing database works before re designing the proverbial wall!

To give an idea UK cemeteries work like this:

you have a plot and within that plot graves. So the plot is not unique and neither is the grave number as you can have red 1 and blue 1 and each plot can have multiple people in it.

you then have the deceased name and particulars that are again not unique -

Finaly you can have a memorial which can be on several graves and a grave can have multiple memorials.

All these variables are handled by this database or some clever front end

thanks for the advice

Ian

[Jen0dorf]

Hi

senior moment

took a screen dump of what you see when you execute the executable

might help
thanks

Ian

[June7]

There is no need to import the records. Build queries, forms, reports in another Access file that links to the tables.

However, if you jump straight to Access 2013 in an upgrade, converting the mdb to accdb could get complicated. http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/o...a-4e0d79c78ed9

The db also has 1 query and 2 forms and zilch code (macro or VBA) so apparently all manipulation is managed by the exe.

Replicating the code in the Search.exe will be a major undertaking because you can't deconstruct the code of an exe. So unless you can get the raw files (VB6 project, C++ ?) used to compile the exe to use as a guide for VBA coding, you will be writing original code from scratch. Need understanding of relational database principles, Access functionality, programming concepts, VBA language/syntax and/or macro construction.

What is in the subfolder?

[ranman256]

Your app can be done completely in Access w/o the exe,
and easily redesigned the way you need.

[Jen0dorf]

Hi

thanks for the advice, the sub folder just contains a copy of open office.

It's nice to have my basic knowledge confirmed it that all the linking is done by the exe and not access.

So I guess I'll use the existing tables to build a new database or consider starting from scratch.

I know they are not happy about some aspects of the search in that it does not show doule burials and from my research I think this is because of the table structure.

So of I go up the learning curve

thanks a lot

Ian