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Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

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    #1

    Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

    I maintain a database for a small musuem that has Version 8 on its computer. I have upgraded to Version 9 on my computer but still have Version 8 on my computer to work on the museum file. If I open the museum file after using Version 9 on a different database, it then opens the museum file in Version 9 instead of Version 8. It seems that Alpha Five always opens a data file in the last version that was used on the computer even if no data file was opened. Will this create a problem when the file is transfered to the museum computer if changes were made in Version 9 instead of Version 8?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

    The application should work on both computers. I do this on a regular basis... be careful that you don't program V9 features then try to use V8. The only problem that i have encountered is the Veiw->System->Alias on V9 seems to be handled differently in V9 than in V8... had to redefine the aliases when moved an app from V8 to V9.

    Comment

      #3
      Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

      As I understand it, you're clicking on the database file "museum" to open it. Most likely, when you installed V9, it was set as the default program to open the A5 database files. You can go to Control Panel and check the default program associated with this type of file.

      Comment

        #4
        Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

        If I open the museum file after using Version 9 on a different database
        You need to tell us how you are opening the museum database.

        If you create a desktop shortcut you can specify the .exe to use.
        If you open Alpha and then the database, obviously you control the Alpha version.
        If you double click on the <databasename>.adb then Windows will use the registered program for the .adb extension, and there can be only one.
        There can be only one.

        Comment

          #5
          Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

          Don, if you create a desktop shortcut with the following syntax, Alpha5 version 8 will always be the one that is run:

          "C:\Program Files\A5V8\alpha5.exe" "D:\MyDocuments\MyApp\MyApp.adb"

          Of course just substitute your own actual path and Alpha5 database names concerned.

          Comment

            #6
            Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

            Thank you for the sugggestions. The help that is received on the message board is worth the price of the program.

            Comment

              #7
              Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

              Another tip that might be useful....

              When you are sure that you are in V8, create a shortcut for the app. Then
              always use that shortcut to run the V8 version. The same would apply for V9.

              I have found that it is not wise to indiscriminately start an app using the A5
              shortcut and then choosing the app from the "Database and Tasks" tab.

              Also, always save all the patches so you can reload an old patch if a new one
              seems to be causing problems.

              D

              Comment

                #8
                Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                Another caveat....when installing a different version or even runtime on the same computer, many (most?, every?) times the original shortcut will be changed to target the new install. So if you had a version 8 shortcut and installed version 9, the shortcut may now point to version 9.
                Mike
                __________________________________________
                It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
                It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
                Henry David Thoreau
                __________________________________________



                Comment

                  #9
                  Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                  I created the shortcut on the desktop from the .adb file where the database is stored. If I open V8 without even without opening a database and then close it, the shortcut then opens V8. If I then open V9 the same way and close it ,the shortcut then opens the database in V9. Is there a different way to create a shortcup?

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                    why use the .adb file for your shortcut? Create the shortcut for V8 from the appropriate .exe file and another shortcut for V9 in the same manner. Just open the version of A5 you want to use and select the database. It's not clear why you want to use one version over the other. I still think the file association was changed to V9 when you installed it.

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                      With your application open to the control panel (under the proper Alpha version), under the Tools menu you will find Create Shortcut.

                      The shortcut created in this manner will resemble

                      "C:\Program Files\A5V5\alpha5.exe" "H:\Executive\Hdb\Batch\Batch.Adb" -INCLUDE="H:\Executive\Hdb\Batch\Batc

                      "C:\Program Files\A5V8\alpha5.exe" "P:\executive\hdb\Item-files.adb" -INCLUDE="P:\executive\hdb\Item-files.startup"
                      Note that includes the executable to use to open the application
                      There can be only one.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                        Originally posted by donjan View Post
                        I created the shortcut on the desktop from the .adb file where the database is stored. If I open V8 without even without opening a database and then close it, the shortcut then opens V8. If I then open V9 the same way and close it ,the shortcut then opens the database in V9. Is there a different way to create a shortcup?
                        Do NOT build the shortcut from the .adb file.

                        What you want is a shortcut that points to the Alpha5.exe file. Then an argument is added to point to the appropriate .adb file.

                        See Brett's example above. The "Target" in your shortcut should look something like that.

                        Here's another example: (Obviously my A5 programs are not under the Program Files folder.)
                        C:\PROGS\A5V8\alpha5.exe -nosplash -title="Nav Log" E:\a5v8\Nav_log\Nav_log.adb

                        and you can see all the definitions for this in the Help file under "Starting Alpha Five With Command Line Options".

                        You can also build a shortcut from somewhere on the A5 menu bar. I think this is what Dick Coleman was talking about but I never use that method so I'm not sure where it is.

                        Edit: Oops - Stan beat me to it. At least he knew where to find the menu item.

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                          Originally posted by donjan View Post
                          Will this create a problem when the file is transfered to the museum computer if changes were made in Version 9 instead of Version 8?
                          I am wondering about this also. But my specific situation is reversed. I want to open tables currently being used in A5v9 with my A5v8 software.

                          Will Don have a problem now with his client using version 8 if he makes changes in version 9?

                          Will there be any problems either way if we only open tables in either version and make changes but do not change the application files?

                          Thank you
                          Sean

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                            Don's problem is entirely different. It only arises because he's using the .adb file to create the shortcut instead of the .exe file. He has V8 on his computer as does the museum so versions aren't really a concern.

                            Only Alpha tech or the other gurus in this forum can tell you all the nuances of the two different versions. All I know is that I went from V4.5 to V8 seamlessly. From reading the threads in the two forums, differences may arise if you do programming but I don't think that just editing (i.e., making changes) in a table would be any different to either program. I'm sure someone else will chime in here (see David Boomer's post near the top of this thread).

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Re: Versions 8 and 9 on same computer

                              Creating a shortcut from the tools menu fixed the problem. I didn't know about this option since I am rather new to programing in Alpha Five. I will probably purchase V9 for the museum to make sure that everything remains compatable as I learn more about programing and make the database more user friendly for other users on the museum computer. Thanks for all the help.

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