64 bit dataprovider for Access database files

Question

Hi all

As there will be both 32 and 64 bit versions of Access 2010, do you think
Microsoft will provide a means of using Access database files from 64 bit VB
2010 programs? At present I understand the only method is to set the target CPU
to x86 in the advanced compiler settings so that the program will run in the
WOW 32 bit environment in which either oledb or the ACE 2007 Office System Driver
can be used to read/write data to Access database files.

We have over 2,000 users of our VB suite of programs which use Access
databases. The databases are single user but, as this is a CAD application,
we now want to take advantage of the 64 bit version of Windows 7. Some users
often need to modify database reports, etc and this is one reason why Access is
better for us than SQL Server Compact Edition. Moreover while SQL Server
Compact Edition is billed as an “embedded database engine for Windows desktop
applications” it doesn’t seem to be receiving much enthusiastic support from
Microsoft or developers.

If a 64 bit dataprovider can be developed for the SQL Server Compact Edition
".sdf" file format I would have thought a 64 bit dataprovider would also be
feasible for the Access database file format. Or am I missing something?

Many thanks
Roger

Answer 1

If there is a 64-bit provider I would suspect it would be ACE OLEDB. Jet is obsolete.

Unfortunately I can't confirm or deny whether it will be the case. Office 2010 is currently in beta.

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Paul ~~~~ Microsoft MVP (Visual Basic)

Answer 2

Hi Paul

Many thanks for the reply. I guessed ACE would be the more likely solution. Either alternative would be fine as long as we get a means of reading and writing to Microsoft Access database files from 64 bit programs without having to limit performance by running in the WOW environment.

Best Regards
Roger