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Summary: FINALLY!! I understand the Data Access Object Model
Review: I have been using Access via the GUI interface for some time now, and I have had considerable experience with Basic and some experience with Visual Basic. What I wanted was a manual that clearly explained how VB is implemented in Access. What I DIDN'T want was yet another manual to tell me how to create tables, fields and queries in the GUI; drag and drop controls from the toolbox onto forms and reports; program events via the wizards; yadda yadda yadda in the first 10 chapters, then leap way ahead to programming complex events and procedures in Chapters 11 and on. I'm tired of books like this--they treat you like an idiot for the first 10 chapters, then they treat you like a programming genius for the rest of the book. What I needed was a more gradual transition between the Access GUI, and use of VBA in Access. A book that could create a "context" for VBA in Access. Steven Roman's book does just that--especially chapters 9 (Data Access Objects), 10 (Programming DAO - DDL), and 11 (Programming DAO - DML). Roman provides a couple of very useful and intutive charts to visually represent the DAO and Access Object hierarchy (I refer to these charts all the time), and Appendix A provides a convenient list of all the object classes, including their properties and methods (much more intuitive to me that that prickly object browser in Access). A TableDef object variable exists in the TableDefs collection? A QueryDef object variable exists in the QueryDefs collection? Duh. Why didn't any previous reference books make this clear to me? I've still got a way to go before I'll ever be a skilled developer in Access, but at least now I have a more contextual and systematic understanding of the object model (rather than a bunch of disorganized and poorly integrated VBA constructs). I would recommend this book to anyone who can create tables, queries, reports, and design forms in their sleep, but who are unable to do much else (without wizards) because VBA just doesn't make sense to them. (I have had no formal training in programming, everything I know about programming I've learned on my own--thus I think I represent a unique target audience that most computer programming books miss.) This book helped me "make some sense" out of VBA in Access, and now I think I can move forward.
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Summary: If you're looking for screenshots, look elsewhere
Review: I have yet to go wrong buying an O'Reilly book. This book is no exception. Few screen shots clutter up the book, which is great. It seems that most other Access books jam a bunch of screen shots in the book just to make the book thicker and therefore command the greatest bookshelf real estate. Do I really need screen shots showing me how to use a wizard? Isn't the wizard supposed to walk you through the steps so that you don't need a book? This book doesn't insult you like so many others. I bought the second edition. It was excellent at explaining database theory. Considering that Microsoft will eventually phase out DOA and move to ADO, I was a little bit disappointed to find heavy coverage of the former and light coverage of the latter. However, once you understand the theory behind DAO, the light coverage of ADO is all that is needed to explain the differences.Excellent book.
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Summary: Not Enough Real World Examples
Review: I purchased this book today at Barnes & Noble and I must say that I am disappointed. The book was not very intuitive. Most of the examples in the book reference mathmatical expresssions rather than real world examples. This may be helpful for the math wizard crossing over to programming, but it does not help somebody who needs practical advice on database design. As comic book guy from the Simpson's would say...."Worst database book ever!"
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Summary: I like it
Review: I really liked the book, especially the detail with which relationships were described. I have an older version so the programming examples are for DAO. This means you'll get errors if you try the examples in Access 2000 which defaults to ADO. You can add DAO to your components and the examples then work I just ordered a newer version of the book which has updated it's programming section to include ADO.
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Summary: Not for the weak minded...
Review: I was directed to pickup the Access Cookbook, also by O'Reilly and when I saw this one I thought that kill two birds with one stone and get both, but this one dragged on, nothing jelled for me and his answer for a lot of info was to hit F1 to use the help function to learn more...uh? that much most anyone would know to do, if I could send this book back I'd do it in a heartbeat, have not started the other one yet, different author so I'm holding out that it will have been worth the dollars and time...
G2
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Summary: If you design or query Access databases, read this book!
Review: If you're someone, like me, who reads computer books for fun, then you'll like this one. You can read it cover to cover like a good suspense novel. If, on the other hand, you slog through computer books trying to eke out the information you need, you'll like this one too. It's easy to read and the explanations are simple and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to design or query Access databases. Even if you've never wondered, "Just what is a left outer join, anyway?" you'll find this book clear, helpful, and maybe even interesting
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Summary: Access database for the mathematically minded
Review: 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.
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Summary: Access database for the mathematically minded
Review: 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.
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Summary: Great Book!
Review: It is so rare to find a book like this. It was exactly what I was searching for and had the information I needed. I was limited to five stars, but ideally, I'd just create an endless loop and keep spitting out stars. I had to know what Access is all about and this book delivers! Since I'm new to VB/VBA and DB work in general, I'd have to recommend another great book that deals with Access/VB6 subjects and that is John Connell (Beginning VB6 DB Programming) ISBN: 1-861001-06-1.
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Summary: Demystifies a technical subject.
Review: It is unusual to find a technical person who can write so well. Roman has humility and a sense of humor, not to mention a thorough knowledge of his subject. If you want an excellent introduction to data base theory, Access, and Access VBA, with lots of clear examples, buy this book, definitely.
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