Question

Create a connection to Access tables without using CF Administrator

Asked by: sulzener

Is there a way to create a connection to an access db with using the CF Administrator?  I want to read/update a table without creating the Data Source in CF Admin.  Thanks, sulzener

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Asked On
2009-04-16 at 13:59:57ID24329789
Tags

ColdFusion

Topic

ColdFusion Studio

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Answers

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 14:13:44ID: 24162675

Yes, but only if you have to createObject("java", "...), do you? (Most shared hosts disable this feature).  

BUT ... Access should allow you access a table in an "external database".  Meaning you use an existing datasource to access another database.  I would suggest trying that approach first.  It is simpler and less error prone that the alternatives.  The syntax is something like this:

<cfquery name="getData" datasource="yourDatasourceName">
SELECT  *
FROM   SomeTableName IN 'c:\someOtherFolder\yourExternalDatabase.mdb'
</cfquery>

Link to a similar example (ie SELECT INTO .. rather than just a SELECT)
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Web_Development/Web_Languages-Standards/Cold_Fusion_Markup_Language/Q_24267029.html

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-16 at 15:11:13ID: 24163228

Thanks for your suggestion. I do not understand the createObject("java", "...) suggestion.  If you give me the complete syntax, I could try it  I'm trying to create a db connection to a CF site I do not have access to the Datasource, but I can upload cfm and mdb files.  Wondering if there might be a way to connect to the mdb tables.  Could you give me a few samples to try?

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 15:16:25ID: 24163276

Do you have _any_ Access sources setup already?  If you have at least one available

1) Upload the mdb database you want to read to your CF server, then
2) Try the query I posted above, substituting your datasource, table, and path to the mdb database.

I would really suggest trying that option first before resorting to the createObject("java"...) method.  (It is a bit more complicated)

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-16 at 15:40:05ID: 24163460

No, I do not have ANY sources at all because I do not have access to the Admin.  It's a free CF hosting site.  I requested that one be setup for me, but I cannot seem to get a response.  So I thought I'd post this question and see if there might be a work-around since I can post the MDB file into the same place as my CFM.  

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 15:47:19ID: 24163513

Ah, okay.  If it is a free site, they may not give you access to createObject either.  Try this to quick test to verify it first.  You should see the text  "Yes, it works" or an error if you don't have access:

<cfset str = createObject("java", "java.lang.String").init("Yes, it works")>
<cfoutput>#str#</cfoutput>

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-16 at 15:53:53ID: 24163564

Yes, it did work.

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 15:54:22ID: 24163566

Wow.  I am surprised.  Give me a minute to dig up the example.

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 15:55:02ID: 24163569

Btw, what version of CF is it - 7 or 8?

<cfdump var="#server#">

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-16 at 16:00:46ID: 24163622

PRODUCTVERSION: 8,0,1,195765

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 16:18:57ID: 24163733

Here is a simple example of a select and update.  Just change the mdb path, table name, etc..

I was lazy, so the slightly modified source is entirely from this post.  
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/419345?tstart=0 

<cfset fullPathToMDBFile = "c:\myDatabases\test.mdb">
 
<!--- UPDATE example ---->
<cfset sqlStatement = "UPDATE SomeTable SET FirstName = 'Changed by Example 2' WHERE ID = 1">
<cfscript>
  classLoader = getClass().forName("com.inzoom.jdbcado.Driver");
  dm = createObject("java","java.sql.DriverManager");
  con = dm.getConnection("jdbc:izmado:Provider=MSDASQL;DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};Dbq=#fullPathToMDBFile#;Uid=;Pwd=;");
  st = con.createStatement();
  st.Execute( sqlStatement );
  st.close();
  con.close();
</cfscript>
 
<!--- SELECT example ---->
<cfset sqlStatement = "SELECT FirstName, LastName FROM SomeTable">
<cfscript>
  classLoader = getClass().forName("com.inzoom.jdbcado.Driver");
  dm = createObject("java","java.sql.DriverManager");
  con = dm.getConnection("jdbc:izmado:Provider=MSDASQL;DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};Dbq=#fullPathToMDBFile#;Uid=;Pwd=;");
  st = con.createStatement();
  rs = st.ExecuteQuery( sqlStatement );
  query = createObject("java", "coldfusion.sql.QueryTable").init(rs);
  st.close();
  con.close();
</cfscript>
 
<cfdump var="#query#">
                                              
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Select allOpen in new window

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-16 at 19:48:48ID: 24164559

That worked.  Thank you so much.  Is there any easy way to get the full path if I only know the access table name?  I was able to figure what it is now by doing this: <cfoutput>#cgi.path_translated#</cfoutput>

I then hard coded the fullPathToMDBFile as you did.  I am wondering if the path may change and then my site will stop working?  No big deal of this is not easy.  Thanks again so much.

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 20:06:51ID: 24164611

Since you know the name of the database, just use ExpandPath to get the absolute path:

<cfset fullPathToMDBFile = ExpandPath("/mysiteroot/myscripts/myDatabase.mdb")>

You could store the value in an application variable,  so you do not have to keep setting it.  Though I would recommend switching over to a datasource as soon as you get one.  The jdbc method is not nearly as simple as cfquery ;-)  

 

by: _agx_Posted on 2009-04-16 at 20:08:22ID: 24164616

... or from the current directory:

<cfset fullPathToMDBFile = ExpandPath("./nameOfYourDatabase.mdb")>

 

by: sulzenerPosted on 2009-04-17 at 13:56:14ID: 31571208

Greatly appreciate your answer and advise.  Thanks again!

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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