ACC95: What's New for Developers in MS Access 95

• Microsoft Access version 7.0

SUMMARY

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

Microsoft Access version 7.0 has many enhancements for developers, such as replication, performance analysis, new form design features, improved OLE support, and Visual Basic for Applications. This article lists the new product features by the following categories:

• Database Category Innovation
• Forms Design Improvements
• Distributing Solutions
• OLE Support
• Microsoft Windows 95 Support
• Language/Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

MORE INFORMATION

Database Category Innovation

Briefcase Replication:

Microsoft Access 7.0 introduces Briefcase Replication. Using the Windows 95 Briefcase, users work with replicated copies of databases, and then synchronize changes with the master database. In addition, changes made by the developer in the Design Master can be propagated to other replicas through Briefcase. Developers can use data access objects (DAO) to gain programmatic access to replication.

Table Analyzer Wizard:

The Table Analyzer Wizard in Microsoft Access 7.0 can intelligently decipher flat file data from a wide variety of data formats and create a relational database that stores the original data but avoids the problems of non-relational data. The wizard makes recommendations that users can accept or customize. It then splits the original table into a set of related tables.

Performance Analyzer Wizard:

The Performance Analyzer Wizard in Microsoft Access 7.0 examines databases and recommends changes to improve application performance. For example, the wizard might suggest a new index or relationship or a different data type. Suggested changes can be completed automatically by the wizard or manually by the developer.

Forms Design Improvements

AutoFormat Command:

Consistent with the other Microsoft Office applications, developers using Microsoft Access 7.0 can use the AutoFormat command for forms and reports to quickly deliver great looking results. Developers can save new designs as AutoFormat templates and then apply those templates to other forms and reports.

Button Face Customization:

Users and developers can define their own custom button faces for toolbar buttons. They can then use these custom buttons on the standard Microsoft Access 7.0 toolbars or on customized toolbars.

Changing Control Types:

Microsoft Access 7.0 enables users to change control types on their forms and reports instantly while maintaining all existing properties. For example, by using the right mouse button to click a list box control, users can point to Change To on the menu that appears, and then change (morph) the list box into a combo box.

ControlTipText Property:

Developers can easily add their own screen tips to controls on forms to communicate the functionality of the control. When the user moves the pointer over a control that has its ControlTipText property set, text explaining the control is displayed in a small text box underneath the control.

Custom Shortcut Menus:

Developers can add their own shortcut menus to controls on forms.

Default Control Types:

Microsoft Access 7.0 enables developers to define a default control type for each field in their database. Microsoft Access then uses that control type whenever the field is placed on a form. For example, a field could be set to always appear as a combo box; when that field is dragged onto a form, a combo box is created for it.

Improved Form and Report Wizards:

The second generation Form and Report Wizards are better at anticipating users' needs. For example, the Form Wizard automatically uses check boxes for Yes/No fields and text edit regions for memo fields.

MultiSelect Property with List Boxes:

Native list box controls in Microsoft Access 7.0 can be either single select or multiple select.

Filter By Form and Filter By Selection:

Microsoft Access 7.0 introduces a new way for a user to find information by using a form or datasheet to formulate the query. All tables, queries, and forms have a Filter By Form mode in which users type the information they are seeking. Microsoft Access 7.0 then builds the underlying query to deliver just that data in Form view.

Import/Export Wizard:

Users no longer need to figure out how data is structured to bring it into Microsoft Access 7.0. The new wizard analyzes the target data and enables the user to decide how it should be imported into the database. Depending on the type of file being imported, users can define data types and indexes at the time of import.

Improved List Box/Combo Box Performance:

List boxes and combo boxes are now much faster at locating the desired information.

Multiple Instances of Forms:

Developers can programmatically create multiple instances of the same form, enabling better branching within applications. Each form maintains its own underlying recordset and can update data independent of other forms. This allows for applications where, for example, a user is working with one customer form and needs to pull up additional customer forms. The user can then switch freely between forms while Microsoft Access 7.0 maintains the working environment correctly for each form.

Distributing Solutions

Improved Setup Wizard:

The Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit for Windows 95 includes an improved Setup Wizard for distributing applications. The resulting applications have a professional Windows setup and do not require users to purchase a separate copy of Microsoft Access 7.0.

Database Splitter Wizard:

The Database Splitter Wizard separates a Microsoft Access 7.0 application from its tables and creates a new shared database containing the tables for a multiuser application. This wizard automates a lengthy process that previously developers had to complete manually.

Hidden Objects:

Developers can "unclutter" their applications by hiding objects in the Database Explorer. There is a new global option on the Tools menu to show hidden objects.

Replication Manager:

The Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit includes a redistributable Replication Manager, which is a graphical tool used to design, schedule, and control complex replication scenarios.

Startup Properties:

Microsoft Access 7.0 has startup properties that control how a database is opened, eliminating the need for Autoexec macros. Application icons, titles, menu, toolbar defaults, and system hotkeys can all be controlled.

Windows 95 Help Compiler:

The Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit contains a new help compiler which runs in Windows 95 and is fully compatible with the new Windows 95 Help system.

OLE Support

Bundled OLE Controls:

Microsoft Access 7.0 includes an 32-bit OLE calendar control that can be used to select dates quickly without requiring any code. Users drop this control onto a form and then can select dates. Changes made to data using the calendar control are then stored in the underlying table. The Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit also includes an enhanced data outline control, spinner control, tab control, rich text format (RTF) control, and other 32-bit OLE controls.

Databound OLE Controls:

Microsoft Access 7.0 supports databound OLE controls and visual data- binding. This means that a single drag-and-drop operation can connect a data field to an OLE control. With no code required, the OLE control can then update data from the underlying table.

Object Browser:

Microsoft Access 7.0 includes an Object Browser that enables developers to quickly explore an object's hierarchy to find the information that they are looking for. The Object Browser can also be used to insert precise object references into code without the developer having to type them.

OLE Automation Server and Controller:

In order to automate common database tasks, Microsoft Access 7.0 can drive (or be driven from) any application that supports OLE Automation, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visual Basic, and Microsoft Project. This means that developers will gain programmatic control of Microsoft Access 7.0 components like the reporting engine from outside Microsoft Access 7.0.

Microsoft Windows 95 Support

Thirty-two-bit Application:

Microsoft Access 7.0 is fully 32-bit and uses the multithreading capabilities of Windows 95. The Microsoft Jet database engine operates in its own thread, as do Microsoft Access 7.0 and modules written in Visual Basic for Applications.

Database Window:

Microsoft Access 7.0 has a new Database window that looks and acts like Windows 95 Explorer. Views in the Database window include Large Icons, Small Icons, List, and Details. Users familiar with Microsoft Windows 95 will find the Microsoft Access Database window consistent and comfortable.

Database Properties:

Microsoft Access 7.0 exposes a variety of database properties that can be used to locate databases through the Windows 95 Find File feature. Developers and users can define custom properties that are exposed to the Windows 95 Find File feature as well.

Long File Names:

Microsoft Access 7.0 supports long file names and UNC (universal naming convention) paths.

Windows 95 Shortcuts:

Microsoft Access 7.0 users can create shortcuts to their database objects by dragging an object to the Windows 95 Desktop. Double-clicking the shortcut opens the database and the object.

Windows 95 Special Effects:

Microsoft Access 7.0 supports the following control special effects from Windows 95: Sunken, Raised, Etched, Chiseled, Shadowed, and Flat.

Windows 95 Look and Feel:

Microsoft Access 7.0 makes use of new Windows 95 controls, such as tab dialog boxes, option group buttons, and new-style check boxes throughout the product.

Language/Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Visual Basic for Applications:

Visual Basic for Applications is the new development environment in Microsoft Access 7.0. Visual Basic for Applications provides a consistent language for building solutions across Microsoft Office. Code written in Microsoft Access 7.0 can be used in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Visual Basic, or Microsoft Project with no changes. A complete, two-volume Visual Basic for Applications reference is included with the Microsoft Access Developer's Toolkit.

Visual Basic for Applications - Code Editor:

Visual Basic for Applications provides an improved program editor, including color-coded syntax, a line continuation character, and full module view, which makes viewing and printing of code easier in Microsoft Access 7.0.

Visual Basic for Applications - Improved Debug Window:

The integrated development environment in Microsoft Access 7.0 makes debugging easier by providing a persistent Debug window that is available at the time the code is running. Developers can use this window to inspect variables, among other things, while their code is running. There is also a Call Stack button, which shows all currently running procedures. Clicking a running procedure brings up a Code Editing window for that module.

Conditional Compilation:

Developers can set compilation flags in their code to control the resulting application's behavior. This enables developers to create debug and retail compilations of their application by setting flags in their code.

Named Parameters:

Developers can name parameters for functions enabling cleaner, more intuitive code viewing.

Optional Arguments:

Arguments for functions can be declared as optional, enabling more flexible functions.

Parameter Arrays:

Functions can be defined as having arrays for their parameters. This allows developers increased flexibility when calling particular functions.

Custom Form Properties and Methods:

Visual Basic for Applications enables developers to declare public functions and properties so that form or report code is callable from other modules.

REFERENCES

The contents of this article are also available in Prodenh.exe from the Microsoft Software Library. For information on how to obtain Prodenh.exe, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: