EAP Repository version update

[jeshaw2]

I've become interested in the EA Repository that several folks have been talking about.  I'm assuming that that is the *.EAP file that appears to be in MS/Access 97 format.  I only have Access 2003 which wants to upgrade the *.EAP version from 97 to 2003.

1.)  Have I found the correct file?

2.)  Would EA be compatible with an 2003 version of the file?

3.)  Anything I should know before I start to use the Repository in Access?

I'll probably build my own front-end Access DBMS to hold my stuff and "link" to the Respsitory as a back-end DB.  That way the only change to the repository would be the version level, and my stuff will be protected from any changes made by Sparks.

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Hi Jim,

I'm using MS Access 2000 - which works OK.  I think, from memory, there weren't any file level changes between 2000 & 2003.  So, having taken a copy for protection, I'd upgrade.

Before you exit EA for the last time before the upgrade, set the Use Jet 4.0 - requires restart checkbox on the Tools|options dialog.  This will make EA use Jet 4 - which is required for MS Access 2000 or later.

Cheerz,
Paolo

[sargasso]

Here be dragons!

AFAIC Access 2k3, while not file inccmpatible with prior versions can certainly stuff .mdb files around so royally they will never be readable by anything but A2k3 regardless of the file format you use.

You can use 2k3 to look at an EAP file but do not touch it!.

I use both A97 and A2k3 on machines at home and everytime I inadvertently change something using 2k3 it renders the db useless in anything else, regardless of file backs.

bruce

[Paolo F Cantoni]

There speaketh the voice of experience...

Heed it...

Jim,

Can you get hold of an MS Access 97 or 2000?  I've (and, by the looks, so has bruce) run multiple copies...

From my experience, just looking at the DB isn't much use... You'll soon want to tweak here tweak there...  Slice and Dice.. etc.

bruce, any ideas why A2003 does this?

Paolo

BTW: saying A2003 and A2K are file compatible and having A2003 stuff things up is like saying the British and the French drive on sealed roads!

[sargasso]

any ideas why A2003 does this

yes, several ideas, but moronsoft would probably consider them libellous.

bruce

[jeshaw2]

No, I can't get an earlier version of Access and there is some difference from Access 2k and 2k3 for when I do an upgrade I get a compatibility warning message.

However, I just created a 2K3 db and linked it to an EAP as a back-end database and I'm able to read the table contents.  This is all I want to do for the present.

Is there a document resource somewhere where I can get information about these tables?  I was expecting to find something like a t-Class table but it wasn't there  

[Paolo F Cantoni]

Is there a document resource somewhere where I can get information about these tables?  I was expecting to find something like a t-Class table but it wasn't there  

Why should you be special?  Do it it the hard way - like the rest of us!
Sparx appear to believe that this process of self-education is good for our souls...

It's not that hard, but there are some gotchas and some very secret handshakes...

Paolo

[jeshaw2]

So, Repository Self education does not violate license restrictions on Reverse engineering their product?

Ok, I'm a pretty good investigator.  I'll play around a bit and see what I find.  Betcha it will raise more questions for me...  

Gosh!  If nothing else, this is a fun product to play with.

Cheers

[KP]

Jim,

The class table you are looking for is t_object with t_object.Object_Type = "Class".

Of course we would recommend that wherever possible you use the Automation Interface rather than manipulate the tables directly. The Automation Interface is fully documented in the EA help file - a search for "t_object" should find the relevant page.

Enjoy!

Neil