Access Database Design & Programming (Nutshell Handbooks) (Paperback)

~ Steven Roman PH.D. (Author), PH D Roman (Author)
Key Phrases: alpha press, design view, locale identifier, Microsoft Access, Big House, Small House (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Access Database Design and Programming covers a lot of ground quickly but lucidly. Steven Roman begins with a description of general principles of database design, then describes the "relational algebra" that defines the meaning of such operations as unions and joins, introduces SQL syntax, and finally dives into the details of using VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to write Access code. The result is a single book that can teach you all the basics of building database applications in Access. Portions of the book are heavy with logical equations whose effects can be hard to visualize, but Roman's judicious use of sample data makes it much easier to follow the operations being described.

Product Description

This book provides experienced Access users who are novice programmers with frequently overlooked concepts and techniques necessary to create effective database applications. Unlike other Access books, it takes the reader behind the details and focuses on core concepts in three major areas:

• Database design: examines the principles of sound relational database design and shows how to normalize tables to eliminate data redundancy without losing data.
• Queries: examines multi-table queries and shows how to implement them indirectly by using the Access interface or directly by using Access SQL.
• Programming: introduces the Data Access Object (DAO) and Microsoft Access object models, which allow a developer to place a database under program control.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 270 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 1 edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565922972
• ISBN-13: 978-1565922976
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,122,662 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Access database for the mathematically minded, January 23, 2001

By	"cmjreview" (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Database Design & Programming (Nutshell Handbooks) (Paperback)

In Access Database Design & Programming, the author uses very mathematical and academic language. The database design part of the book is focused on the mathematical theory of relational databases. The programming part of the book is a reference work to programming with VBA.

All parts of the relational database in Access will be mathematically defined and proven. It will have a name you most probably will find confusing, and far from what you are used to from the Access interface. Apparently the author follows the naming standards established in the academic world to prove the algebra. After all, he is a professor of Mathematics !

In the programming part of the book you will be introduced to the DDL, DML and DCL components included in Access. Also, these components will probably be completely unknown to you, if you have no previous programming experience. Further, the book makes use of DAO as opposed to ADO.

The book is perfect for someone, who has completed courses in Computer Science, Programming and Algebra, or with the equivalent knowledge and a mathematical/academic way of thinking. They will be able to read through the book in a fast pace, and immediately make use of Access at a high level.

If your background is different, I would recommend another approach to database design and programming. For database design, I recommend "Inside Relational Databases" by Whitehorn and Marklyn (ISBN 354076092X). To learn programming I recommend "Learn to Program with VB 6" by John Smiley (ISBN1902745000).

This book is going to split its readers in two groups: The mathematically and academic minded who will love the book for its concise language. And the "grass roots" among the Access users/developers, who will be looking for database samples or VBA code snippets to learn from, and find none.

You will probably ask yourself if you need to know this much theory and detail. But remember, a relational database operates purely on mathematics. It is difficult and tiresome to learn, but your reward will be well worth the effort.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem, February 13, 2000

By	"kareninpgh" (Cabot, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Database Design & Programming (Nutshell Handbooks) (Paperback)

So you're familiar with the Access interface and are comfortable with tables, forms, reports and macros. So what's next?

Simply put, choose this book if you have little to no programming experience and you're ready to go to the next level with Access database development. This book is truly for the advanced Access user, but the novice VBA programmer. Having spent many frustrating hours with other books that claim to be for this audience, I can wholeheartedly recommend this one. I needed a "primer" in VBA before moving on to more advanced treatments, and this one fit the bill.

For me, a bonus was the section on normalization. Well written and clear, it solidified and enhanced my understanding of sound database design .

Steven Roman...thanks so very much!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good and to the point....., May 26, 2000

By	Khalil Ahmad (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Access Database Design & Programming (Nutshell Handbooks) (Paperback)

This book provides good overview of the database design in the first four chapters. Good tips to avoid data redundancy without losing data. Chapter 5 and 6 throws light on SQL, DDL and DML components of Access SQL, not too much but some how enough. Chapter 7 gives a little bit idea about the Database Architecture.

Then Chapters 8-13 provide basic introductory and definitive approach of VBA in Access with different data types, functions, sub-routines, control statements, etc.

Chapter 14-16, here goes the real thing about DAO. With couple of examples, author explained in very good manner about different aspects of Data Access Objects and how to open, create and query database/tables from within code.

Chapter 17, explains breifly about ActiveX Data Objects incl. ADO and OLE DB.

So over all, this book is very good and to the point. I would definitely recommend to the beginners who wanna learn MS ACCESS or who has a little bit knowledge and wanna improve it without wasting time and going through huge books. As far as, MS Access professionals are concerned, they may not find it very informative but still if they go direct through chapters 14-17, they may find something useful.