Learn to Program Visual Basic Databases (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Well-known computer author John Smiley has written Learn to Program Databases with Visual Basic 6, which features a very friendly approach to learning the basics of database programming with Visual Basic. Aimed at the novice Visual Basic programmer, this patient tutorial may be just what you've been waiting for to help you master databases within VB.

The most distinctive feature here is the format of this book, which features Q&A dialogues between the hypothetical students and the author as he works through the basics of database design with VB6. With an exceedingly patient presentation style, this approach will work best for the novice VB programmer. The book starts from square one, with the fundamentals of databases, before it proceeds to VB's database components, such as the Data Control. The book makes use of a single case study for a product catalog for a dishware shop. Readers will learn how to add tables using Microsoft Access and then build forms that access data within Visual Basic.

Besides the fundamentals, the author does mention key Visual Basic technologies, such as an ADO primer on the syntax of SQL for querying databases. The goal of this book isn't so much a comprehensive tour as much as a how-to for demystifying databases within Visual Basic.

In all, this book's format makes it an ideal choice for the novice programmer who's had trouble making the leap into the world of database development. Learn to Program Databases with Visual Basic 6 can put the powers of a VB database into the hands of virtually any reader who's willing to spend a few hours reading and working through its effective code examples. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Visual Basic database tutorial, database basics, tables, records, fields, field types, primary and foreign keys, referential integrity, using Microsoft Access, the Visual Basic Data Control ( properties and methods), ActiveX Data Objects (ADOs), Recordsets (properties and methods, record navigation, and updating records), queries, SQL basics, updating records, the DBGrid control, and form design. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

Beginning and intermediate programmers will gain a solid understanding of database theory by following the examples presented in this Visual Basic guide. The information necessary for integrating Visual Basic programs and databases is incorporated into this book through an application development example. Every aspect of database design and integration is covered, including tables, records, fields, field types, primary and foreign keys, referential integrity, Microsoft Access, ActiveX Data Objects, queries, SQL basics, DBGrid control, and recordsets. The book's question and answer format solves common programming problems and offers new programming options.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929685173
• ISBN-13: 978-1929685172
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #684,946 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Data Base Programming Demystified, February 25, 2000

By	T. Rupp "Golf Anyone?" (Pembroke Pines, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Learn to Program Databases With Visual Basic (Paperback)

John Smiley continues with the venerable Bullina China Shop program and his university class to introduce the reader to programming data bases using Visual Basic. The style of the book follows Professor Smiley's university class through the semester as they learn to use and interface data bases to Visual Basic. For me this engaging method involves me and makes learning this subject very pleasant. The information is presented in a logical progression within the framework of a standard development process as Professor Smiley's university class modifies a class project completed the previous semester for Joe Bullina, owner of the Bullina China Shop.

The book is geared for the beginner and uses DAO (Data Access Objects) methods in presenting the subject rather than the current ADO (ActiveX Data Objects) methods. So if your an experienced programmer looking for an introduction to ADO look elsewhere; however, for the novice, this book walks you through the processes necessary to bind data controls to the VB program. With this background the reader can go on to the ADO methods with a rich background that will smooth the transition to the current popular method.

The book includes a CD with all the source code and supporting files needed to develop the project chapter by chapter. Additionally, the author maintains an extensive web site where you can go for help and assistance.

In summary, I highly recommend this book to all who have an interest in getting up to speed using Visual Basic with data bases. Buy it, read it, work through the demo project, and you will have gained valuable skill.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introductory book on VB data control, August 3, 2001

By A Customer

John Smiley's Learn to Program Database with Visual Basic 6 is the best introductory book on VB database programming. This book was written in plain English, and the novelistic style with the college class flow helps me stick with the topic really well.

I took a VB database course at the local college one years ago, the instructor focused more on hands-on practices instead of teaching the theory behind it. In fact, one month after the course, I forgot half of the skills that I've learned. Then I bought John Connell's Beginning Visual Basic 6 Database Programming to bring back my memory and enhance my VB database skill. However, I got stuck at chapter seven, which is about building a data control class module; then, it was the time I went out to buy this book.

The whole book is about teaching students and VB beginners how to build a database-enabled program by using the VB intrinsic data control and data bound controls. Professor John Smiley brings readers step by step along with theory behind it to overcome most of obstacles beginners always encounter. All the steps showed in the book are not the optimized steps; they are steps how the author's students learned to build a working application, and the author explains the best ways of coding thoroughly whenever errors occur to his students. I spent less than two weeks to read from cover to cover two times and practice all the exercises. After reading this book, I was more comfortable to work on John Connell's Beginning Visual Basic 6 Database Programming book. Now, I am on Charles Williams's Professional Visual Basic 6 Databases with VB, ADO, SQL Server and MTS. Then, I think I will be ready to study for MCSD exams.

Thanks to Professor John Smiley! Without his excellent work on this book, I would not be able to get to the intermediate level by self-studying.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good introduction to databases, December 9, 2001

By	E. Chapa "echapa" (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have used 2 of Professor Smiley's books (His Intro and Objects books) and they provided a wealth of information as does this book. It's set up in a university classroom setting where his students get to do a real world project for a china shop owner (really modifications to an existing program). The original program is first introduced in the Intro book, but you can go to the publisher's website to download the project as it stood in the Intro book. I have done database programming for years, but was looking for using VB 6 with Databases. It was very informative but I can't rate it 5 stars like his other books because I felt there wasn't enough coverage of DAO and hardly any about ADO. As for using Access, it will give you just enough to use Access for simple table creation and such. If you're looking for heavy duty use between Access and VB, this book isn't for you. If you are looking to be led by the hand for introductory Visual Basic with Databases, by all means get this book. For the ADO and DAO, use the O'Reilly nutshell books - they're excellent.