Suggestions on Developement Package Needed

LandLocked · June 22nd, 2010, 08:38 AM

I am in a situation where I occasionally do some programming to allow users to get info from a SQL Server database. Right now I am using Access as a front end and have extensive code written in VBA. I also use this same front end to change data in the database. I am the only one that does so, but want to keep the way the data is entered pristine and also simple in case I âwin the lotteryâ and someone else takes over. There is also some AutoCad VBA code involved to produce .dwf files for a viewer.

The problem I have is that when the AutoCad version is updated, I need to change the library and the viewer also gets updated. Then the newest version of my Access frontend application will crash when opened by a user with an older version of the dwf viewer. One thing I will be looking at is changing over to .pdf instead of .dwf files. AutoCad seems to be doing a better job with them now.

I think it is time to move away from Access and go to a web based application, but I do not know much about it. My boss is willing to buy the needed developer package and resource books and since I was able to learn VBA programming on my own and there is no firm deadline for converting the application, I think a little friendly advice from you fine folks is what I need.

So I am looking for suggestions on what developer package and resource books to get. All the data is in a single SQL Server database including the path for the .dwf files. I want a web based application to view and edit the data, include a viewer for .pdf files, and be able to call on AutoCad to produce .pdf files.

It seems that Visual Studio will meet those requirements, but I am not sure. And then there are a number of levels of Visual Studio to choose from.

Any and all advice is welcome.

gbianchi · June 22nd, 2010, 08:48 AM

Hi...
Visual studio will let you do what you are asking. Why you want to go from a desktop app to a web app is an issue you will need to think about (do you really need a web based solution??).
There is a lot of book from you can pick up, Imar has some of the best about asp.net. Apart from that, is all depends on how to handle the installation for the user (why you are updating constantly the Autocad library make me ask why your process need such update).
VS has some develop versions, but with the basic one you will probably be fine (not the free one, the most basic one).

LandLocked · June 22nd, 2010, 10:30 AM

Thanks Gonzalo,

I can see the application expanding to include information desired from those in remote locations. Some of us get our computer apps updated regularly and others do not. I have a glitch right now that came from either an Access or an SQL server update that does not allow me to delete records from a table through my application like I used to be able to. And when I am given an AutoCad file saved in the latest revision, I must also have the latest revision of AutoCad, which means a change to the library, otherwise the VBA code will not run the latest edition of AutoCad. But then, as I said, the updated VBA application can’t be opened by users with an older viewer. I figure the desktop apps are a problem that can be avoided by going web based.

Thanks for the recommendation of the basic version of Visual Studio.

Anyone else have suggestions?