Microsoft Access 2021 Advanced: Distributing Your Application

Name: Microsoft Access 2021 Advanced: Distributing Your Application
Author: John Varan

Learn about the different types of distributed applications and how to create one

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Course: On-Demand

Hello, my name is John Varon, and in these lessons, you will learn about distributing your application. In this lesson, I will show you what a distributed application is. A distributed application, sometimes called a distributed application architecture, is a system that runs on more than one computer. Technically speaking, a simple client -server architecture, such as a standard website, would be considered a distributed application. However, in common usage, the term is really used when there is either more than one server, or more than one client, or both. When there is more than one server, it is known as a distributed server architecture. A common example of this are the various cloud storage services. Each cloud service consists of multiple servers, sometimes located all around the world. Distributed servers can be useful when the requirements mandate large amounts of storage or processing power. When there is more than one client, it is known as a distributed client architecture. This is when multiple users are connecting to a central server. An example of this are MMOs, or Massively Multiplayer Online Games. The most obvious benefit of multiple clients is the ability for multiple users to be able to use the system at the same time. Many systems, however, use a combined distributed architecture. This is where there are multiple servers and multiple clients at the same time. An approach like this combines the benefits of both distributed servers and distributed clients. The trade -off is higher cost and greater complexity, but often the benefits more than outweigh the extra costs. When we look at Microsoft Access 2021 specifically, it doesn't really have a distributed architecture. There is no client or server or anything similar. It was designed to be installed and used by a single user. However, that doesn't mean we can't find workarounds for it. First, we'll look at distributed clients. This is something mostly handled by the operating system, which is usually Windows. But there is an option in Microsoft Access that you have to be aware of. In the File menu, under Options, look in the Client Settings section. The option for Default Open Mode should be set to Shared, right here. This is usually the default setting, but if it is set to Exclusive, that means only one user at a time can open this file. Once the Open Mode is set to Shared, then the Access database file can be placed on a network shared folder or drive, and multiple users can all use the file. The users will still need to have Microsoft Access 2021 installed on their own computers, though. Then, for the server side, there is no such thing as a Microsoft Access server, but we can mimic some aspects of it, though not all. The split database concept is one way to do a distributed server. Each database file, in that case, the one for the front end and the one for the back end, can be thought of as two separate servers. If needed, this concept can also be expanded so that the database is split into more than two parts. Another way is to use another database system, which is a true server, such as Microsoft SQL Server, and then link Access tables to it using the External Data Source feature. This will offload much of the processing required for querying those tables to the database server. The downside of this is, of course, that these tables will be read -only to the Microsoft Access side. Thanks for watching. Stay tuned for the next lesson, where I will show you about distributed users.

Advanced Provider : John Varan 4 Lessons · 21m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Distributed applications are simply applications that run in multiple places. Distributed applications can come in the form of distributed servers, distributed clients, or distributed users. By understanding the pros and cons of each type of distributed application, along with when it is best to use them, you will be able to better discern which type best suits your needs. This course will build on your understanding of end users by exploring distributed users, how they can affect your database application, and how to work with them.

In this course, you will learn about the different kinds of distributed applications and the conditions that dictate which is best to use. We will also create two different distributed applications from the same single database, to better understand the differences between them. By the end of this course, you will be able to split databases based on different requirements and criteria to better understand the different objectives that can be achieved by distributing your database application.

What You'll Learn

Identify the different types of distributed applications and the conditions that dictate when each is best used
Work with distributed users and understand how they can affect your database application
Create a distributed database based on user roles
Create a distributed database based on interface and data
Split databases according to different requirements and criteria
Apply best practices for working with different types of split databases

Key Takeaways

Distributed applications are applications that run in multiple places and can take the form of distributed servers, distributed clients, or distributed users.
Understanding the pros and cons of each type of distributed application helps you discern which type best suits your needs.
The course builds on understanding end users by exploring distributed users and how to work with them.
Two different distributed applications are created from the same single database to illustrate the differences between them.
Databases can be split based on different requirements and criteria to achieve different objectives when distributing a database application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn about the different kinds of distributed applications and the conditions that dictate which is best to use, how to work with distributed users, and best practices for working with different types of split databases.

What topics does this course cover?

The course covers what a distributed application is, distributed users, creating a distributed database based on user roles, and creating a distributed database based on interface and data.

Does this course include hands-on examples?

Yes. The course creates two different distributed applications from the same single database to better illustrate the differences between them.

Who is this course best suited for?

It is an advanced Microsoft Access 2021 course that builds on an existing understanding of end users, exploring distributed users and how they affect your database application.

What will I be able to do by the end of the course?

By the end, you will be able to split databases based on different requirements and criteria to better understand the different objectives that can be achieved by distributing your database application.