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I have developed a Access DB that has a lot of forms and macros - so much so that I'd like to make it be a standalone app and sell it. I am not an experienced developer - I know enough to make me dangerous, and I don't know any languages well enough to start from scratch. Anyone have any suggestions on how to create this application so that potential buyers do not have to purchase MS Access just to use it?
Best thing that you can do is to keep the table and structures that you have, and use any of the VS languages to build a front-end for it. There is nothing that will convert your forms. Reports might transfer into SQL Server, though
Ok this may sound like a stupid question, but when you say VS, do you mean Visual Studio? Which version(s) would you recommend that I get, because I think this program needs to have a database but I also obviously need a front end. I also am concerned that the express versions may not provide what I need. Right now I have a basic understanding of Visual Basic and all forms and macros were created by the Access graphical user interface (I didn't go in and write my own code). I also would consider finding an experienced developer to partner with me in this given the right circumstances. What would be the pros and cons of trying to do it myself in Visual Studio vs. finding a pro to do most of the hard stuff for me (other than the obvious legal differences)? I take no offense in the fact I am a novice. I probably should have given the background first: the software is a program I designed to help make me more organized as a music/worship leader at my church. I use queries to find songs I would most likely like to use. I also am in the process of adding features that allows the importing and exporting of song lyrics, and managing people information. I would like to be able to manage images, videos, and sheet music storage (in PDF or text) format so that all resources for a worship leader is searchable and at their fingertips. This would allow the worship leader to put together a program and when they are finished, the program would send an email to all participants. I would like to provide it as a relatively low cost, 1-time purchase alternative to the subscription services that are out there. With all that said, is it possible to create all of that with Visual studio? (In particular, drag and drop functionality would be wonderful, even though it's not necessary) Hope that makes sense?
Sure. VS is Visual Studio 2008 (or 2010 in a few months). Both have free versions right now, in your choice of languages. All allow what you want.