jmacklin
asked on
Running a VB Application Remotely
Hello,
I currently have a vb client/server application. The server side has the MSAccess database and the client side has the vb application and required dll's. Since there are several client that must run the program, I must install the client software on each machine. I would like to be able to run everything from the server (i.e. put the vb application on the server). How do I do this and will this reduce/eliminate the installation currently required on the client machines? Thank you.
I currently have a vb client/server application. The server side has the MSAccess database and the client side has the vb application and required dll's. Since there are several client that must run the program, I must install the client software on each machine. I would like to be able to run everything from the server (i.e. put the vb application on the server). How do I do this and will this reduce/eliminate the installation currently required on the client machines? Thank you.
Barca
http://www.able-consulting.com/ADO_Conn.htm#MSRemoteAccess
You really can't. All the DLLs and dependencies must be installed and registered on the client (like MDAC, DAO, ADO).
You can "run " the program from the server as long as all dependencies have been installed on the client.
InstallShield does some nice things--you can make a network install package.
Brett
You can "run " the program from the server as long as all dependencies have been installed on the client.
InstallShield does some nice things--you can make a network install package.
Brett
I had never really work with that, but I'm sure it's possible. Look at DCOM. But the main exe will have to be on each client, only the dll's will be on a remote server.
Ya, but to utilize DCOM, the application has to be coded to take advantage of it. I was under the impression this was an existing appplication that they were trying to deploy....
Brett
Brett
In that case maybe using SOAP to build a web service will require less code transformation?
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnxpwst2/html/wsrbuildanddeploy2.asp
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnxpwst2/html/wsrbuildanddeploy2.asp
ASKER
I was hoping to host everything on the server. I know of some programs that appear to work like this such as SourceSafe. However, I am not sure what they required on the client side. I was hoping to keep the client requirements as minimal as possible since the program must be accessible to many users. Unfortunately, web services are not possible for various reasons established by the requestor. I am stuck using VB6 and MSAccess.
Sourcesafe is a client only application, the only thing that exist on the "server" is files, no application.
ASKER
I agree; however, in the institutions that I have worked it has not been installed on the client machine (i.e. no setup.exe was ever run on the client machine to install SourceSafe). Rather, a shortcut was made to the exe that resided on the server. This is what I would like to accomplish.
Chimo, there IS a source safe server that you can run as well.....
jmacklin, that's weird source safe will run on a client without an initial install and just a shortcut--you should verify your statement and let us know how it's done--I've never seen it happen.
Brett
jmacklin, that's weird source safe will run on a client without an initial install and just a shortcut--you should verify your statement and let us know how it's done--I've never seen it happen.
Brett
ASKER
The shortcut has the path to the server. I know it works because I use it everyday. In fact I just installed Windows 2000 a week ago and to get access to the files on SourceSafe I just browsed to the server and copied a shortcut to the exe on my desktop. It has worked in this fashon for 5 years at the institution where i work.
I would like to obtain the same functionality for the application I am writing.
I would like to obtain the same functionality for the application I am writing.
Ya, but does your W2k install have MS office or Visual Studio installed as well?
ASKER
It has both. Does this mean then that I only need to create an install for the required support files? Then after I run this install on each client machine I can create a shortcut to the exe on the server and it will work?
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ASKER
Thanks Brett
ASKER
Did you get your points arbert?
Yeppers :) Thanks :)
ok!
now
you NEED the vb runtime files on each machine that wants to run a vb app.
a trick is that you can HIDE the runtime files and place them in the same placem the APP.PATH!
but then be vvvvvvvvvv.carefull about the whole ocx/oca crap that comes with it...
'cause then you are IMMEDIATELY exposing yourself to trouble inthe runtime, which causes RUNTIME-ERRORS, one of thé sh!ttiest things EVA!!!
otherwise just try this and see... otherwise blame it on MICROSOFT!
Just say that it is there database engine in ADO that is causing the problem, an dthey need to update it sometime...
should work though!
usually does with/for me, the whole hidden thing...
now
you NEED the vb runtime files on each machine that wants to run a vb app.
a trick is that you can HIDE the runtime files and place them in the same placem the APP.PATH!
but then be vvvvvvvvvv.carefull about the whole ocx/oca crap that comes with it...
'cause then you are IMMEDIATELY exposing yourself to trouble inthe runtime, which causes RUNTIME-ERRORS, one of thé sh!ttiest things EVA!!!
otherwise just try this and see... otherwise blame it on MICROSOFT!
Just say that it is there database engine in ADO that is causing the problem, an dthey need to update it sometime...
should work though!
usually does with/for me, the whole hidden thing...