Program change deployment

pinkandthebrain · January 21st, 2004, 10:26 PM

I have a number of users accessing an 'adp' file with a SQL 2000 database. Upon opening the 'adp' file, I check if they are accessing the most recent version, as changes are requested on a weekly basis. I would like to automate the 'adp' file copy as follows:
1) Copy the new 'adp' version to a Directory on their C: drive (replaces old version)
2) Open that new version
How do I go about accomplishing this?

sal · January 22nd, 2004, 10:20 AM

Easy. Put a small vb compiled script on their desktop and run it after the check. This file would do a file copy. Put a file on the network that they wouldcopy. To make things easier, make sure you use a file dsn.
Lookup the filecopy sintax in vb help or access help.

Sal

pinkandthebrain · January 23rd, 2004, 02:32 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'm not familiar with vb script but so far have come up with the following:
   OPTION EXPLICIT
   CONST SOURCE_PATH = "T:\Current Program\"
   CONST DEST_PATH = "C:\TestScript\"
   CONST FILE_EXT = ".adp"
   Dim fso : Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
   If Not fso.FolderExists(DEST_PATH) Then
          fso.CreateFolder DEST_PATH
   End If
   fso.CopyFile SOURCE_PATH & âTestâ & FILE_EXT, _
                DEST_PATH & âTestâ & FILE_EXT, True

How do I invoke the VB Script file from within the Access Data Project?
I assume I would have to close the 'adp', run the Script, reopen the 'adp'.

pinkandthebrain · February 16th, 2004, 07:39 PM

Decided to add code for a shortcut. I then inform the user of the change and exit Access.

sal · February 16th, 2004, 11:19 PM

That is the idea. You can create an executable in VB that does this file copy for you.
From the splash screen of the .adp, you check for the correct version. This can be a field in the database or a file in the network, your choice. Database will be best.

If the database is a different version, you invoke the executable and close the .adp. The firts thing that the executable does is inform the user that there is a new version and prompt with a message box. This allows the adp to close in time for the file copy.
The executable then does the file copy and informs the user that the upgrade was done. Also tells the user that she/he can re-open the .adp, mdb, mde, ade.

You can put this executable on the network, but remember that if you have 1000 users, the file will give you a sharing violation some time. I ussually put this file in the C: drive of the users machine, and I change it as needed in case I need the file to do more than just a file copy.

Have fun.

Sal