Startup Form in DB Options vs in Autoexec

[Vita]

I have noticed that some people use Autoexec to open their main navigation form instead of the default form option in the DB settings.
What are the pros and cons of using each option?


I know you can use Autoexec for more than opening the form so that can be a pro but is there a reason why you wouldn't set the default form in the DB options and then use autoexec for other things?
Does one open before the other?

[moke123]

This should answer some of your question.

[isladogs]

Expanding on moke's example, see https://isladogs.co.uk/autoexec-myths/index.html

[Vita]

This should answer some of your question.

Ah so the DB form setting loads the form first.
I wonder if there are any other pros or cons. Probably not.
Thanks!

[Vita]

Expanding on moke's example, see https://isladogs.co.uk/autoexec-myths/index.html

Oh! This is great information! Thank you!

[Micron]

Looks to me like the best method is to use autoexec to run code (run code is not in the unsafe list) and that's all.
It's what I've done for many years now. I've never worked in or for a place that allowed shared Windows logins, so I didn't use password management. Instead I looked up the user's Windows login id in a table. Not there? Not getting in. The autoexec ran that code.

[Vita]

Looks to me like the best method is to use autoexec to run code (run code is not in the unsafe list) and that's all.
It's what I've done for many years now. I've never worked in or for a place that allowed shared Windows logins, so I didn't use password management. Instead I looked up the user's Windows login id in a table. Not there? Not getting in. The autoexec ran that code.

Speaking of password management. What would you recommend as the best kind of security for an Access DB? Currently I have an old DB that uses user level security but I learned that can be a headache to remove.
I need 3 levels of users essentially. Regular users, Data Entry users, and Admins. I want to make it into an MDE too since the older version is just an MDB with user level security.

[Micron]

Old security using mdw file? Can't be used in upgraded versions AFAIK. I'd probably import all objects into a new accdb and start over. Methinks a user table with a UserLevel field (PK values from tblLevels) is the way to go.tblLevels Level field values would be numeric, but not 1,2,3 ... more like 2,4,6 (or some larger progression). Level titles (e.g. UserRO, UserEdit or less flexible as in User, Supervision, Admin - whatever works) with the least rights having the lowest number. When opening a form, it's easy to use comparison operators such as >, <, = to control permissions for forms/reports. You might allow additions where level is greater than 2 (read only) but less than 6 because admins can administer but not play with data - stuff like that.

Security is a large topic. You should visit site via post 3 link and look for info.

EDIT - not 1,2,3 because with values like 3,6,9 you will be able to insert new levels without having to move things around if new levels fit somewhere between the min and max.

[Vita]

Old security using mdw file? Can't be used in upgraded versions AFAIK. I'd probably import all objects into a new accdb and start over. Methinks a user table with a UserLevel field (PK values from tblLevels) is the way to go.tblLevels Level field values would be numeric, but not 1,2,3 ... more like 2,4,6 (or some larger progression). Level titles (e.g. UserRO, UserEdit or less flexible as in User, Supervision, Admin - whatever works) with the least rights having the lowest number. When opening a form, it's easy to use comparison operators such as >, <, = to control permissions for forms/reports. You might allow additions where level is greater than 2 (read only) but less than 6 because admins can administer but not play with data - stuff like that.

Security is a large topic. You should visit site via post 3 link and look for info.

EDIT - not 1,2,3 because with values like 3,6,9 you will be able to insert new levels without having to move things around if new levels fit somewhere between the min and max.

Yea I couldn't upgrade it but whatever I make will need to be backwards compatible with Access 2000 so it wont be a accdb. I think I get what you're saying but wouldn't that be writing a lot of extra comparisons into functions?
Maybe it would be better on login to set a global variable true and check if that variable is true elsewhere. Even then it seems like a lot more work than the built in user level security. I don't need anything super complicated just a simple read only, read and write, and admin aka read write and edit. Its for an inventory tool so most users will just use it to search inventory but there is the entry team that needs to add or remove inventory. Then there's admins such as myself.

Would it make sense to just develop the database and then as a last step, clone it, add the built in user level security, and then make it into a MDE?

3rd post link as in Isladogs website?

[isladogs]

There are a lot of security related articles on my website.
Use the Site Search feature: Website Search (isladogs.co.uk)

[Micron]

whatever I make will need to be backwards compatible with Access 2000

Why is that if you were to import tables into e.g. a 365 back end and the rest into a 365 front end? Yes, you'd have to replace what the mdw did with code.

[Vita]

There are a lot of security related articles on my website.
Use the Site Search feature: Website Search (isladogs.co.uk)

I will check it out. I need to spend more time on your site. Thanks for putting so much effort into teaching materials!

[Vita]

Why is that if you were to import tables into e.g. a 365 back end and the rest into a 365 front end? Yes, you'd have to replace what the mdw did with code.

Half our company still has Access 2000 so my boss requested it. It part of the agreement so that I get to update it from the mess that it is now.

[isladogs]

I will check it out. I need to spend more time on your site. Thanks for putting so much effort into teaching materials!

You're welcome. Several new or updated articles are added each week