Customer Reviews

SQL for Microsoft Access, Second Edition (Wordware Applications Library)

5 star:		(1)
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This book is an excellent primer for the SQL novice. It is well organized and offers an excellent exposition of Microsoft's version of the SQL language. There is just on big problem; it is just about impossible to download the book's companion file offered on the Wordware site. This problem is a serious flaw in an otherwise outstanding book.

As somebody new to both Access and SQL, I found this to be my best reference for getting started. It covers the basics and does a great job. You cannot perform advanced objectives without a solid understanding of the fundamentals.
Each chapter has a series of self-test questions to make sure you have mastered the necessary concepts for that chapter. (and the answers are in the back)
There's also quite a bit of good quick reference material in the back for frequently used SQL keywords (for Access) and general database terminology.
I've found it to be a great book and I highly recommend it.

This book is loaded with problems. I started using the book three days ago, trying to work my way through the examples. I have only reached page 73 and here are the problems I've run into so far:

On page 48 there is Example 6 that demonstrates how to insert five records into a table. However, the author doesn't mention that you cannot use the example as it is written in the book, and that you have to run the five statement separately. Frustrating!

On page 57 you are instructed to update a Sales table that you have not created (I know, it's in the "Companion Resources". I'll get to that.)

On page 71 you get instructions to order another non-existent table (another companion resource).

On page 73, Example 7 shows you how to order a table by selecting rows. However, the output shown on the page is wrong. It is supposed to put the last names in alphabetical order, but there is no discernible order to the table shown.

Now, about the Companion Resource files. I tried to download them but I got an email saying that they are available only to "qualified instructors"- not just us schleps who shelled out $36 for the book!

Maybe have someone test this book before the next edition!