>>>>I am currently investigating the best way to allow OFFLINE() views by multiple users when I stumbled upon the fact that Access97 supports data replication. I am now investigating the possiblity of moving my VFP data for this app to an Access database, creting replicas on each users machine and keeping my VFP as the front end using ODBC.
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>>>>Has anyone else used data replication in Access97 before? Also, and more importantly does anyone know if this data replication functionality will make it's way into VFP6?
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>>>Could you define data replication and give an example of its use?
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Joe
>>
>>Hi Joe,
>>
>>I'll explain this in terms of Access97. You would have a master database on a server. Each user would have a replica (copy) of the database on their machine. This replica is what the user edits. At any time, when connected to the server, the user can 'replicate' their replica with the server copy. This causes their changes to be written to the server and any changes on the server (i.e. other users replicating) to be written to their replica. If more than one user edits the same record then a conflict is produced.
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>And this functionality cannot be produced with createoffline(), use..online, etc.?
>
>
>Joe
It can but data replication simplifies the whole process. The biggest problem that you have to work around with OFFLINE views is that only one user can take a view offline at a time. Rather than coding OFFLINE, USE ONLINE, TABLEUPDATE, and ensuring the DBC is copied as well you just simply choose to synchronize your replica with the server.
Colin Magee
Team Leader, Systems Development
Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
cmagee@metroland.comNever mistake having a career with having a life.