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Sharing Tables in Two Databases

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    #1

    Sharing Tables in Two Databases

    I have a database that contains all of the tables I use. I have created a second database for customers to access through Dial-up-networking. The second database uses some of the same tables used in the "master" database. In testing, I have found no apparent problems with both databases running at the same time. However, I see nothing in the manual about it and want to be sure there are no "hidden dangers". I would appreciate any insight that anyone who has done this has.
    Tags: None
    #2
    RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

    We use this arrangement extensively with no problems.
    There can be only one.

    Comment

      #3
      RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

      Ditto here. No ill effects as of yet.

      Tom

      Comment

        #4
        RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

        Dear Stan & Tom,

        Thanks for the response. I'm surprised (unless I missed it) that there isn't some discussion in the "manuals" about creating more than one database and sharing tables. The use of 'shadowing' greatly increases speed, especially accross a dial-up-network connection, but shadowing tables that are not pertinent to the particular end-user not only takes longer but has inherent security concerns. My concern with it was whether the two databases were coordinating table and index access w/o corrupting the data and properly refreshing it. Based on your response it appears to be 'safe'. Again, thanks for your input.

        Comment

          #5
          RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

          John, I'm interested to know if you are keeping both databases, and all their tables (including the shared tables) in the same folder on your hard disk? I'm considering doing something similar and haven't ever attempted it before.

          -- tom

          Comment

            #6
            RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

            John/Stan/Tom,

            If I understand correctly, you have a tables on your PC that you're allowing people on the outside to access via dial up networking?

            Are you providing them with a runtime form or something that would allow them a user interface to see the data?

            If so, are you programming the form in such a way that they're only allowed to see certain records, such as they can only see their orders in your system?

            This sounds great, and exciting. I'm interested in hearing more about what you're doing. If possible, can you provide a little background on what you setup?

            Thanks,
            Mike
            Thank you,
            Mike Konoff

            Comment

              #7
              RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

              Tom,

              For wht it's worth...

              We have ours set up with one "master database" in it's own directory. Related databases, which generally contain new tables and links to one or more of the "master" tables, are put in subdirectories of the original.

              Alpha's "responsiveness" slows noticeably as the number of tables in a directory increases, once you get to a certain point. Don't forget that for every table you add, Alpha creates four files, the .dbf, .ddd, .ddm, and .ddx.

              I don't believe the slowdown is a problem with Alpha. I believe it is related to Windows file system reading the names of the files in the directory every time it has to locate a particular file.

              FYI our master directory now contains 1846 files.
              There can be only one.

              Comment

                #8
                RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

                The DB's don't have to be in the same folder/drive. Been doing it for some time.

                Comment

                  #9
                  RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

                  Dear Mike,

                  I provide the customer a runtime version of A5. The "user" sets up a network connection via Dial-up-networking. Our database is on Win NT 4.0. We use Remote Access Server. I believe that RAS is available for Win 95 via the Plus package but don't know about Win 98. The client just uses the built-in DUN of Win 95/98/NT. We have seperate tables for each customer and allow them to open it in read only mode. With a modem, A5 runs slow. The use of network optimize (shadowing) is helpful.
                  The reason for my original post is in fact data security. I don't want a customer to have access to other customer data (or our internal tables) with which application level security is not possible (a person with a full copy of A5 could create a database and copy the shadow tables and thus open them by-passing security. For that reason, I have created a seperate database for each customer containing only their related tables while our office 'master' database contains all of the tables. My only concern was whether there was any data integrity issues.
                  I would suggest getting a book on Win NT and read about RAS as there are alot of set up issues (such as dial-back connections) which would take too long for me to explain.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    RE: Sharing Tables in Two Databases

                    Dear Tom,

                    I do keep all tables and databases in the same folder/directory. Windows does, however, have some limitations as to the number of files in a root directory. If you have seperate folders for tables within a database you may need to use explicit path statements in scripts since Alpha will look in the current directory for a file.

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