Customer Reviews

Access 2000 Programming for Dummies

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Thank goodness for the "for Dummies" folks! They took a complicated program, and made it simple(r). I come back to this book again and again. This book is not (intended) for the professional developer, but even they would likely find something useful in this book. If you are anything less than a lifelong Access programmer, and don't mind a bit of humor in your references, GET THIS BOOK! If it included all the great stuff that was in the '97 version, it would be PERFECT!

As others have previously stated, the book is full of errors. That being said, I loved the book.

The book has helped me jump from a beginner to an intermediate user of Access.

I would recommend the title only for those with a background in programming who just need to apply their knowledge to Access. If you have no knowledge of programming, forget about undrstanding this book.

I liked the author's approach to teaching the Access/VBA programming environment/language. Like *Special Edition Using Access 2000* the use of VBA is strongly recommended as apposed to using Macros. In fact both books do not delve into Macros at all. If you feel you need to learn about Macros, I strongly recommend *Running Access 2000*.

The book has very little fluff and gets you right into programming.

Perhaps the book was just perfect for me at where I was in using Access. You definitely need to know the basics of Access before reading this book.

I got a lot of use out of the Access 95 version of this book. Unfortunately, the edition for Access 2000 smells (and this is a very descriptive word to use) of being rushed to print. It is filled with errors that a thorough review should have caught, e.g., the CD doesn't load per the instructions in the book, the first data file on the CD doesn't run because of duplicate subroutine names, figures don't show what the text says they should, errors in coding examples. I think the potential buyer would be smart to wait for the second edition. Unless you already know Access well enough to fight through the errors, this book is not the one for you.

This would have been a very helpful book for the beginner Access programmer - if it just weren't for the NUMEROUS errors! Thank goodness I am an Access developer and was able to fix the errors and understand what the author meant. I did learn some tricks and some basic understanding of why I had been doing certain things. However, the errors were rather distracting. I agree with the other reviewer who said this book was rushed to press. The editor of this book needs to find a new job!

I won't say this book is completely useless because it works well as a door stop. I found this book poorly organized, badly presented and the "real world" examples were less than germaine. The author talks about SQL, Access Basic and macros without bothering to explain when one might be more appropriate than another. Crucial terms and concepts were left undefined or defined so vagely as to be of dubious value. The writing is also as dry as the Sahara during a drought and has none of irreverent style that has made the For Dummies books so popular. Save yourself the 20 bucks. You'll learn a lot more using using the Access online help feature

I really enjoyed this book. It covers a lot of information in much less space. The author programs where ever he can and does not really on macros or wizards. The are a couple typos, but the code is relaible enough. The major problem was one of the chapter databases could not be opened so I took extra steps to recreate it by importing tables from other databases and creating all the forms according to all the specs I was able to get from the book text. The book devotes a good chapter on SQL. The book covers nicely Classes.

Since I haved started using computers I have always used the FOR DUMMIES books and have found them excellent. I have built my company's web site with these books, and have become quite computer literate with the books. This book was a big disappointment.

It was FULL of mistakes. The CD did not run because of duplicate names, the figures in the book did not match the caption. The instructions were full of errors. It took me ages to figure out the errors by myself. When you are trying to learn a new programme you do not want to be more confused by errors in a book that is supposed to help you.

It has put me off buying anymore dummie books.

If you're a beginner this will help you understand how to write the code that will really take advantage of the power of MS Access. Combined with a good book on SQL this would turn any novice into a capable Access programmer. Includes a CD-ROM with code examples from the book.

The editor of this book should say sorry to the book author as he/she made this book with so many errors. He/she needs to learn basic editing skill. By the way, if I am the hire, I will fire him/her on the spot.

I found the book easy to use and well-organized for relating VB to Access. Also, in its own perverse way, this book was very helpful: once I understood that the book was full of errors, I used the errors to help me learn. I agree with other reviewers, though, that they should have hired an editor. (Also, on general principles, I suggest buying it from your local independent bookseller).