Do I Need to Read this Chapter?


In this and the following chapters, I'm going to give three separate overviews ”one for developers, one for database administrators (DBAs), and one for IT managers because the people in each of these categories will approach the chapter in a different way. Developers will want to find ways to use the startup options to protect the database, DBAs need to understand how startup options will affect the database, and IT managers should be aware of how the startup options might affect their companies' business.

Overview for the Developer

It's difficult enough for a programmer to provide a system that works according to users' requirements. When the end users take it on themselves to alter the database, however, certain issues arise:

  • Who has the latest version of the database?

  • What has changed?

  • How do we integrate those changes with our latest modifications?

Turning off the startup options manually or with VBA code will assist in reducing these development issues. If you also set the AllowBypassKey property to False with VBA code, users will find it difficult to view the database container, change toolbars , or skip the startup display form and the AutoExec macro.

Because the impact of changing these settings will change the way that you work with your database, you should become conversant with how to turn these options on and off manually and with VBA code.

For those programmers who are looking for something simple that will add value to their databases, you can import a demonstration form into your database that will immediately allow you to view and switch all the startup options. This form is very helpful, as some startup options will remove the menu options that allow you to undo your changes.

Overview for the Database Administrator

Understanding the startup options is vital if you're to administer Microsoft Access databases. At some stage you, the developer, or your users are going to change the startup options. Once that happens, you'll need to work out how to navigate to all the objects in the database with those new options in place. More importantly, you can easily change the options manually or by using the startup options demonstration form. This form will help you make appropriate changes to the startup options so that users will be hard-pressed to use the customization features that are available to the developer.

Overview for the IT Manager

If you have any concerns about users modifying your database objects and data or avoiding the user interface that you intended them to use, then this chapter is important. You should discuss the startup options with your developer and even adopt a standard group of startup options that you apply to all your databases. When you are considering if there is any risk with your developers providing you with software that has unwanted and undocumented security, the only risky startup option is if the developer has set the AllowBypassKey property to False by using VBA code. In this case, you may have difficulty opening and editing the database objects. This problem may arise if the relationship between your developer and your company goes sour.




Real World Microsoft Access Database Protection and Security
Real World Microsoft Access Database Protection and Security
ISBN: 1590591267
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 176

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