I am doing a little research into the possibility of scaling an MS-Access 

application so that remote users can view and modify data via the 

Internet.  



Current system overview:  front-end component (MDB) of application 

contains all forms, reports, and code modules; data retrieved using SQL in 

code modules and no queries objects exist in front-end component.  Front-

end implemented using an object-oriented approach with a logical 3-tier 

design; code has been separated in user, business, and data objects.  Many 

forms have two or more list controls that are dependent on each other; 

these lists are used to ?filter? the records user will see (ex. select 

client from client list, then get a list of clients projects, select 

client project, etc.).  No forms or no controls on forms are bound to data 

in back-end component (MDB).  Back-end component contains only tables; it 

will be upsized to MS-SQL Server. 



Questions:



1)	Non-Microsoft material I have read says DAPs are really only 

useful for intranet applications; MS materials say DAPs work well for 

Intranet applications too.  Has anyone used DAPs for an Intranet 

application and does it work well at allowing users retrieve and update 

data across the Internet?  If so, does your application require ?going 

across the wire? often for data as mine would to populate dependent lists 

based on what a user selects from the top (independent) list?   



2)	If you are using DAPs across the Internet, are you using controls 

bound to the back-end database?  How is the performance?  Is it a lot of 

data that is bound or a little?  If you are not using bound controls, I am 

assuming you are using ?objects? of some kind.  If so, how are passing 

data across the wire (XML, strings, ADO recordsets, etc.)?   



3)	If you have used DAPs successfully, in your ?honest opinion? would 

you say it would probably be wiser for your next Internet application to 

look at using something else like ASP instead?  (I am a big MS fan myself, 

but, I have not met anyone using DAPs or considering them?unless you are 

like me and don?t know much about ASP either at this time).



If you have any other comments related to DAPs (like a good resource 

book/document) that you feel may be useful, I would appreciate them as 

well.



Frank Vega

VISS, Inc.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my inquiry on Data Access Pages 

(DAPS).  I received 2-4 responses and the insight you shared on your 

experience was very helpful and saved me from doing quite a bit on 

research time.



Thanks Again!!!!

Frank Vega

VISS, Inc.