Programming Microsoft Access Version 2002 (Core Reference) (Pro Developers) [Paperback]

Rick Dobson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735614059 | ISBN-13: 978-0735614055 | Publication Date: September 1, 2001

With MICROSOFT ACCESS Version 2002 CORE REFERENCE, developers learn how to quickly connect to structured data sources-and extend their solutions to the Web-with code and instruction, straight from the source. Highly regarded programming author Rick Dobson takes readers inside the enhanced capabilities of Access Version 2002, providing the expert guidance and rich, adaptable code samples they need to write, test, and debug extensible database applications faster and more intuitively than ever. The book covers ActiveX(r) Data Objects (ADO), ADO+, Microsoft SQL Server(tm), XML, and Web development in depth, using best practices and real-world examples to build comprehension and help expedite developer productivity. All the book's code appears on the companion CD-ROM so developers can study and reuse them for their own projects.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1110 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735614059
• ISBN-13: 978-0735614055
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.8 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,278,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am an author/trainer/webmaster. My area of specialization is database development. Among the programming topics that I like to prepare content about are SQL Server, T-SQL, Access, VBA, Visual Basic .NET, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET. I especially like working on the intersection of two or three of these topics at once.

I have been working with personal computers since the early 1980's. In the late 1980's, I started a part-time computer consulting practice, and I devoted myself to the practice on a full-time basis starting in 1991. I initially started consulting with 1-2-3 and Symphony before migrating to Microsoft Access as my main consulting tool. Microsoft selected me as a Microsoft Access hero to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Microsoft Access (http://www.microsoft.com/Office/previous/access/10years/dobson.asp).

Starting around 1999, I added coverage of Microsoft SQL Server. In fact, I spent a lot of time focusing on advanced ways of using Access and SQL Server together, and I authored a book on these topics. In early 2002, I added coverage of Visual Basic .NET, ADO.NET, and ASP.NET. I eventually authored two books and two DVDs on these topics. Most recently, I focused on SQL Server 2005 Express, Visual Basic Express, and Visual Web Developer Express. My most recent book describes how to build database applications with these three tools.

In addition to authoring books, I regularly write for computer periodicals. In the past several years, my articles appeared in such publications as SQL Server Magazine, Smart Access, Visual Studio Developer, SQL Server Professional, and SQL Server Solutions. My favorite approach in books and articles is to explain and demonstrate new or difficult topics in a way that makes them easy to use by beginning and intermediate level developers and professionals who create their own database solutions.

I have always enjoyed making presentations on computer topics. Starting in the early 1990's, I presented sessions at computer conferences. In 1999, I started sponsoring my own seminar training events. My sixth annual seminar training event consists of 21 hours of database development training for SQL Server Express, Visual Basic Express, and Visual Web Developer Express (http://www.programmingmsaccess.com/seminar2006).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Includes Much That You Will Not Find Elsewhere, November 11, 2001

By 

Paul Eade (Kennewick, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Access Version 2002 (Core Reference) (Pro Developers) (Paperback)

This complete reference book is actually three books in

one. It is the clearest available introduction to VBA

coding. It provides explanations with a huge collection

of Access VBA code. And it is a thorough presentation

of what is new and powerful in Access 2002, especially

concerning integration with SQL Server.

This book is just the thing for anyone who wants to

become a serious Access user or developer. It is the

answer to the prayers of many Access users who have

wanted a reference that would finally take them from

the limited GUI Access interface into the more full and

flexible features of VBA coding. The coding in this

very large book is so extensive that I bet you could,

if you wanted to, do every future Access project with

just code and without reference to the GUI interface.

You can tell that Rick Dobson loves to code and to pass

on what he has learned.

The explanations are very readable and give you the

background necessary to actually understand why things

work the way they do. Much attention is given to

keeping you out of trouble by conveying a very clear

understanding of operational issues not covered

elsewhere. This includes successful integration of

different versions of Access and SQL Server, getting

the reference libraries correct, and even using Access

with FrontPage (now included in Office XP

Professional).

If this reference indicates the way Microsoft Press

books are headed, then I am going to look to add more

of them to my reference collection in the future.

Clarity, comprehensive, and Code, code, code!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to Deploy SQL and Web Solutions w/ Access XP, October 5, 2001

By 

Chris Cowlbeck (Ardmore, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Access Version 2002 (Core Reference) (Pro Developers) (Paperback)

This book builds on Dobson's prior book "SQL Server with Access 2000" and ferrets out good solutions to some everyday needs like image processing and dynamically populated combo boxes. I'm a small business owner whose time is precious, but needs to get big picture solutions so not to be reworking stop gap efforts to streamline my operations.

Being pressured to grow my application to many users (both trusted LAN and anonymous Web) and being comfortable with the graphical interfaces of Access, I found the the need to learn about programming ADO recordsets, Data Access Pages and ASP while determining the best solution. I have been overwelmed by the flexibility of MS solutions and options that are possible and needed some guidance in plain language to explain such terms as Objects, Properties and Methods, and what they meant to be programmed. Chapter 2 does a good job of that which is followed by a useful summary of the ADO library. Data Access Projects are lined out well along with some practical tips to incorporating SQL Server 2000 as a data source. He further builds upon this model and shows how to dynamically (!) create web pages from the Access Project using MS Frontpage XP, the resultants being Active Server Pages! I have found while the Access 2002 graphical tools are helpful, Dobson explores how to control the code behind the power of the XP Office release.

I have found the code to be tight and well commented. I'd urge anyone interested in harnessing the full power and speed of deployment of Access 2002 and the Office XP suite to add this book to their "How To" library.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for Access Developers, November 2, 2001

By 

Brian S. - Burnsville MN (Burnsville, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming Microsoft Access Version 2002 (Core Reference) (Pro Developers) (Paperback)

Being a seasoned Access Veteran, I found the book most helpful in explaining ADO (New in Access 2000), explaining class modules and using Access with SQL Server. Most MS Press books in the past that have dealt with Access / VBA have been fairly "light" on these subjects, but this one goes in depth on these subjects. Also the chapter on XML does a good job introducing the platform to novice developers.

Next to The Access Developer's Handbook Series by Litwin, Getz etc..and F. Scott Barker's Power Programming, I would say this is a "must have" for any serious Access Developer.