Is it worth it to get the add-in that allows me to use Python istead of VBA?

[Jennifer Murphy]

I read that there is an add-in that will all Access code to be written in Python. But there were some caveats.



Is it worth it to get the add-in? If so, what's the best way to proceed?

[Welshgasman]

You do not say what those caveats are?

Personally, I would stick with VBA if I was still using Access seriously.

[davegri]

I read that there is an add-in that will all Access code to be written in Python. But there were some caveats.

Is it worth it to get the add-in? If so, what's the best way to proceed?

Python add-ins allow you to interact with Access tables and queries, the database. It does not interact with Access forms or reports.
Most of the add-ins work in conjunction with Excel VBA, as Excel has only one main object to work with, the workbook sheet.

Python has several add-ins for creating and managing its own forms and reports. If developing with these, it would be much easier to use SQlite as the database rather than Access.

[Jennifer Murphy]

Python add-ins allow you to interact with Access tables and queries, the database. It does not interact with Access forms or reports.
Most of the add-ins work in conjunction with Excel VBA, as Excel has only one main object to work with, the workbook sheet.

Yes, that sounds like what it said.

Python has several add-ins for creating and managing its own forms and reports. If developing with these, it would be much easier to use SQlite as the database rather than Access.

Here's a comparison of SQLite to Access:

https://tableplus.com/blog/2018/11/sqlite-vs-access.html

And here's a comparison of SQLite to MSQL:

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/differ...ql-and-sqlite/

When it says that MySQL requires a server, does it mean a physical server that I own and operate, or can it be something on AWS or similar?

[madpiet]

That's a super loaded question. What did you want to do with Python? What problems are you trying to solve?

Python can do tons of things, but without knowing what problems you are trying to solve, it's impossible to answer.

[Jennifer Murphy]

That's a super loaded question. What did you want to do with Python? What problems are you trying to solve?

Python can do tons of things, but without knowing what problems you are trying to solve, it's impossible to answer.

Hey, loaded questions are more fun, No? I hate VBA. It's an ancient, error-prone excuse for a programming language. I don't know Python, but from what I've read it's an excellent, modern programming language. If it could be used instead of VBA in Access, Excel, or Word, I would think productivity would be increased.

ymmv

[madpiet]

You never answered my question. What do you want to do with Python?
If you want to do data manipulation - cleaning, etc, then absolutely Python is better. If you want to do automation, then I'd say VBA (as old as it is) is better. But if you want to do data cleaning, why not use PowerQuery?

[Jennifer Murphy]

You never answered my question. What do you want to do with Python?

Hmmm... Really? Maybe you never read my post! ����

I wanted to know if is better as a programming language than VBA (it's hard to imagine that it is not) and is it worth the hassle to get it up and running for Access code?

[madpiet]

You mean this? "I read that there is an add-in that will all[ow] Access code to be written in Python.? Maybe you didn't read your own post.

It helps if you're specific. Do what exactly? Replace VBA entirely? I doubt it. DAO is as old as the hills, but it works very well for "Access" sized databases. Which part of Access are you trying to automate/script with Python? Summarizing data/reporting? Normalizing/restructuring? Automation like sending e-mails?

I can read just fine, thank you. "better" depends on what you are trying to do. Is C better than Python? Well, yes, if you're writing operating systems. Is it better if you're doing high-level stuff, like data manipulation? Perhaps not.

[Welshgasman]

Hey, loaded question are more fun? I hate VBA. It's an ancient, error-prone excuse for a programming language. I don't know Python, but from what I've read it's an excellent, modern programming language. If it could be used instead of VBA in Access, Excel, or Word, I would think productivity would be increased.

ymmv

Seems to support a lot of systems?, just like COBOL.
New is not always better.

If you wanted to put your DB on the web, then Python could come in handy to interface with the data. You would create your own forms in Python.

[NoellaG]

Hi, if you want to use Python, I don't see why you would want Access tables as the front-end. In this case SQL Server express, PostgreSQL, or other free SQL databases are much better than Access tables.
IMO the only reason for using Access tables is if you want rapid development using one program, so Access forms/reports on Access tables and, in this case, VBA would be the best development language.

[Jennifer Murphy]

Hi, if you want to use Python, I don't see why you would want Access tables as the front-end. In this case SQL Server express, PostgreSQL, or other free SQL databases are much better than Access tables.
IMO the only reason for using Access tables is if you want rapid development using one program, so Access forms/reports on Access tables and, in this case, VBA would be the best development language.

Interesting. The only reason I chose Access is because I already have an Office 365 subscription, so I already have Access and it's free.

I have looked into other databases from time to time, especially ones that allow me the option of having multiple users access the database. Is there a database that is better than Access (pretty low standard), is well supported (user forum), and doesn't cost a fortune? It would be nice if it is free, but I am happy to pay for quality and support.

[madpiet]

PostGRES is free, SQL Server developer is free... MySQL is free.

[Welshgasman]

Access can have multiple users on the database?
Just cannot be directly on the cloud/web without some cost.

[madpiet]

I didn't think you can even run Access FE/BE over a WAN. Definitely not over the internet. Not suitable as a database server at all.