Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does Access Converter have the competitive advantage for converting MS Access database forms and VBA code to Java?
There are not any known competitors. Access Converter is built using the same conversion engine that VB Converter uses which is the market leader in the VB to Java conversion tools and has numerous advantages over its competitors.

Is the demo version the same as the full product?

Our 30-day evaluation version is the same as the full product but arbitrarily limited to only convert the sample applications such as Northwind that ship with Access. Once you purchase the product, the serial number will unlock the tool so it can convert any application.

How do I run Access Converter?

Access Converter is an Add-In to Microsoft Access 97/2000. You should see a new menu item in the Tools->Add-Ins menu the next time you start Access.

Is the source to the Java library available?

Yes. The source is available at an additional cost although it is not really necessary. Call for details.

Is there any run-time costs or licenses?

No. When you deploy your application as a Java application or applet, you will need to also supply our Java library. Once you have purchased the conversion tool, you have a royalty free license to distribute our libraries with your application just so long it is not a software development tool.

Does Access Converter support a particular control, property, method, function, etc.?

If you look at the Supported Features in the docs that came with the demo or on the web site it will tell you of all the components, properties and functions that are supported.

Note: Access Converter is extensible. If a control or function that you need is not on the list you can do one of the following things:

Extend Access Converter by adding or modifying a conversion rule file which specifies the mapping between your ActiveX control or function and the corresponding Java object. See below for a list of companies that produce Java controls (Java Beans)
Convert the line of code that used the unsupported feature by hand by modifying the generated Java code. Most of your code (usually more than 90%) will have been converted to Java.
Modify the original VB code to use a supported control/function.
Contract with us on an hourly consulting basis to extend Access Converter to convert an unsupported control and/or .dll. We offer a substantial discount off of our normal consulting rates on all extensions to Access Converter.

Are there JavaBeans components available that I can buy today?
Yes. A large number of companies, both large and small, have announced their plans to deliver JavaBeans-based products including Corel, EnterpriseSoft, Gemstone, IBM, JScape, K&A Software, KL Group, Novell, ProtoView Development, Rogue Wave, Stingray Software, IBM AlphaWorks, and JARS among many others. Contact these companies for information on product availability. Many more companies have produced JavaBeans, take a look at the JavaBeans Directory.

Are there more JDBC drivers available besides the JDBC-ODBC driver that ships with Java?

Yes. Most database vendors ship a JDBC driver with their database. We recommend starting with the JDBC driver written by the manufacturer of the database you are using. If the database you are using such as those from Microsoft did not supply a JDBC driver or you have needs that are not met by that driver, you can use a 3rd party driver. The following web page lists many JDBC drivers that are available:

http://developers.sun.com/product/jdbc/drivers



	Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
	Why does Access Converter have the competitive advantage for converting MS Access database forms and VBA code to Java? There are not any known competitors. Access Converter is built using the same conversion engine that VB Converter uses which is the market leader in the VB to Java conversion tools and has numerous advantages over its competitors. Is the demo version the same as the full product? Our 30-day evaluation version is the same as the full product but arbitrarily limited to only convert the sample applications such as Northwind that ship with Access. Once you purchase the product, the serial number will unlock the tool so it can convert any application. How do I run Access Converter? Access Converter is an Add-In to Microsoft Access 97/2000. You should see a new menu item in the Tools->Add-Ins menu the next time you start Access. Is the source to the Java library available? Yes. The source is available at an additional cost although it is not really necessary. Call for details. Is there any run-time costs or licenses? No. When you deploy your application as a Java application or applet, you will need to also supply our Java library. Once you have purchased the conversion tool, you have a royalty free license to distribute our libraries with your application just so long it is not a software development tool. Does Access Converter support a particular control, property, method, function, etc.? If you look at the Supported Features in the docs that came with the demo or on the web site it will tell you of all the components, properties and functions that are supported. Note: Access Converter is extensible. If a control or function that you need is not on the list you can do one of the following things: Extend Access Converter by adding or modifying a conversion rule file which specifies the mapping between your ActiveX control or function and the corresponding Java object. See below for a list of companies that produce Java controls (Java Beans) Convert the line of code that used the unsupported feature by hand by modifying the generated Java code. Most of your code (usually more than 90%) will have been converted to Java. Modify the original VB code to use a supported control/function. Contract with us on an hourly consulting basis to extend Access Converter to convert an unsupported control and/or .dll. We offer a substantial discount off of our normal consulting rates on all extensions to Access Converter. Are there JavaBeans components available that I can buy today? Yes. A large number of companies, both large and small, have announced their plans to deliver JavaBeans-based products including Corel, EnterpriseSoft, Gemstone, IBM, JScape, K&A Software, KL Group, Novell, ProtoView Development, Rogue Wave, Stingray Software, IBM AlphaWorks, and JARS among many others. Contact these companies for information on product availability. Many more companies have produced JavaBeans, take a look at the JavaBeans Directory. Are there more JDBC drivers available besides the JDBC-ODBC driver that ships with Java? Yes. Most database vendors ship a JDBC driver with their database. We recommend starting with the JDBC driver written by the manufacturer of the database you are using. If the database you are using such as those from Microsoft did not supply a JDBC driver or you have needs that are not met by that driver, you can use a 3rd party driver. The following web page lists many JDBC drivers that are available: http://developers.sun.com/product/jdbc/drivers