Programming Microsoft Access 2000 (Microsoft Programming Series)

Chapter 11

A Microsoft Access application can present separate copies, or replicas, of databases to different groups of users while managing the replicas as a single database. This capability is particularly important for high-end Access applications with many users or with a few users who need exclusive database access while others read or update the database. Database replication also adds value to projects in which branch offices or mobile workers need to share parts of a database with a complete version at headquarters. Data can be shared without the need for a constantly open connection between two points.

Since Access 2000 is the third version of Access to offer database replication, this feature is mature and highly integrated. This chapter offers an overview of replication and introduces the new replication features in Access 2000. It also explains how to manage replication using the JRO 2.1 library. The code samples will benefit those who are just starting to program replication solutions and will help those who already know how to program replication with Data Access Objects (DAO) to make the transition to ActiveX Data Objects (ADO). The JRO discussion in this chapter also extends to areas that do not explicitly relate to replication.