I decided I wanted to try and fill a noticeable gap in information for beginners trying to get started with developing MS Access Web Apps.  As such, this is my first posting, well sort of, on the subject.  In this posting, I simply wanted to try and centralize good resources on the subject.

 

Stating Point

First things first, let cover some minimal terminology.

 

What is the difference between Web Databases and Web Apps?

Don’t these terms mean the same thing?  No, actually they don’t!  Roger Carlson recently wrote an article entitled: “Access Web Databases: 2010 vs. 2013” explaining in detail the differences.  The gist of it is that a Web Database is an Access 2010 SharePoint based database and a Web App is an Access 2013 SQL Azure database.  Microsoft abandoned the SharePoint driven web databases as of Access 2013 and has switched it over of SQL Azure.  These technologies are not interchangeable.  If you have a choice, be sure to develop a Web App, since Web Databases are already obsolete!

 

What is a Hybrid Database?

So a standard Web Database or Web App is entirely stored and run through your server/web browser.  On the other hand, a Hybrid Database stores the data (your database back-end) on a server, but the Front-End (the GUI) remains on the client’s computer.

Why would anyone want to setup things in this manner?  I have one word for you, VBA!  Although Web Databases and Web Apps offer the beauty of being accessible worldwide, they do not support any VBA.  Web Databases and Web Apps are limited to the use of Macro for any form of  ‘programming’ (I use that term very loosely in this context).  Sadly, Macros are simply too limited to enable many features, so by keeping the database Front-End on the user’s computer, and thus running it through Access (rather than a web interface which is limited to HTML and javascript), you can continue to enjoy and benefit from the power of VBA.  Basically the best of both worlds.

For more information on this, see my article entitled: “How to ‘Hybridize’ your MS Access Database In Office 365 Azure Database“.

 

Web Resources

Below are a few links to get you initiated with Web Apps.  I am trying to only list the good ones worth checking (filtering out the garbage since real good information on the subject appears to be hard to locate).

How to: Create and customize a web app in Access 2013
Concepts (Access 2013 custom web app)
Access Web App Primer

 

Books

Access 2013 Inside & Out by Jeff Conrad
Professional Access 2013 Programming by Teresa Hennig, Ben Clothier, George Hepworth, Dagi (Doug) Yudovich

 

If you have other valuable sources of information on the subject and care to share, please send my an e-mail though the contact page with the link and I will be sure to check it out and add it here if appropriate and no string attached to accessing the material(s).