about MS Access policy

[BrightSoul]

Hi,
I developed a small application based on a .mdb database.
I don't own a copy of Microsoft Access, so I'm creating my MDBs using ADO/DAO and managing them with other tools such as Table Editor.

Now, someone I know is interested in my application and I would like to sell it to him. Can I sell my software even if my customer and me don't own Microsoft Access?
Thanks

sorry for the dumb question, I didnt come up with anything searching the internet.

[szlamany]

We do MS SQL SERVER development, so I don't know the answer to this question - but you might get more answers posting in the DATABASE DEVELOPMENT forum. There are many ACCESS questions floating around in there all the time...

[RobDog888]

I believe the runtimes associated with Access are distributable but not the ones
that allow you to display and interact with the GUI, so to speak. If your
program only uses Access as the back-end using ADO/DAO then I think your ok.

For the best understanding of MS' licensing, try a search on M$ for the exact
wording since you are going to be selling your prog.

HTH

[BrightSoul]

thanks, much appreciated

[llkhoutx]

Access is frought with program security & protection problems, but is relatively cheap. Any Access front-end and back-end mdb and/or mde is freely distributable - any GUI object created can be freely distributed. Multi Access versions also create a user problem, as you'll encounter all versions in the market and will have to maintain multiple versions of your progam. Only A2003 is readily available today. A2K, A2k2 and A2003 all handle A2K back-ends, which is some help.

However, for a runtime version, one needs Office Developer edition compatiuble with your Access version, which will generate a runtime package feely distributable. However, it's also fought with problems, especially if users have multiple versions of Access installed. Wise also has a runtime packager which is purportedly very good, but it also requires Office Developer. A runtime will install and run without and regardless of any existing version of Access on the installed PC. That make the runtime a good choice.

$2,000 should be enough for all the programs you need.

Gary Robinson has a very good book on Microsoft Access Database Protection and Secutity. He has some Access program security protection techniques which I've not seen published elsewhere.

Customers have to have a compatible version of Access or you have to provide a runtime version.