Rating: 
Summary: The database developer's Bible
Review: Alison Balter has provided the reader with a book that provides in-depth technical principles in the design and implementation of database solutions that will assist the reader in all aspects of database development. The book is easy to read, provided in depth information about the processes used to develop database applications, and great code examples that can be used directly in a reader's application or modified as needed to support your needs. Alison has provided a great tool for all developer's from the beginner to the expert, this book and her new book for Access 2000 are a must for any serious database developer. I find that her development principles apply to all fazes of database development, weather the engine is Oracle, SQL Server or Access. My biggest problem (working for a major corporation) has been to keep everyone else from "borrowing" my book. If you want to learn database theory, development and implementation, this is the Bible of all Bibles.
Rating: 
Summary: Clear, concise, readable
Review: As a new Access user with a target MS-Access 97 applications user group, I needed something beyond the beginner level that covered all the bases. I found this text to be most helpful to use as a self-study guide and reference. I own this one and the Sybex Access 97 Developer's Handbook.
In addition, I had a stumper issue on security I just could not quite grasp. I e-mailed the author directly. She cheerfully provided the answer I needed.
The used book source was prompt with delivery and made for a most affordable purchase.
Rating:
Summary: Good book for the Beginner to Intermediate Access Developer
Review: I don't know whether or not I would agree with the title "Mastering Access 97 Development". Really "Introducing Access Development" would be more appropriate. I don't quite agree with the User Level of Accomplished stated on the back of the book. With that said, however, this really is a comprehensive book that covers basically everything one needs to know in developing an MS Access97 database application (again, at a beginner to intermediate user level). If you are an accomplished developer this book wouldn't be as useful. Too much time is dedicated to the basics such as how to build tables, types of relationships, query basics, form basics and even VBA basics. This book approaches you as if you know nothing about relational databases, MS Access or VBA. Anyone who has developed DB applications before will find these explinations a bit tedius. If you have never developed a DB application or never really thought about the details of what makes up a DB application then this book really is an invaluable resource. As with most of the Sams publishing series this book is very comprehensive and yet detailed enough to get you on your way. You will gain a workable knowledge of everything you need to build an Access97 DB application. Includes lots of examples and Tryit samples. I would have given it 5 stars but since it didn't fulfill its own title, I dropped it one star. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I: Building a Foundation for Your Access Applications. 1. Introduction to Access Development. 2. A Strategy to Developing Access Applications. 3. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Tables. 4. Relationships: You Key to Data Integrity. 5. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Query Basics. 6. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Form Basics. 7. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Report Basics. 8. VBA 101: The Basics of VBA. 9. Advanced VBA Topics. 10. The Real Scoop on Objects, Properties and Events. 11. What Are Macros and When Do You Need Them? 12. Advanced Query Concepts. 13. Let's Get More Intimate with Forms: Advanced Techniques. 14. Let's Get More Intimate with Reports: Advanced Techniques. 15. What Are Data Access Objects and Why Are They Important? PART II: When Things Don't Go As Planned. 16. Debugging: Your Key to Successful Development. 17. Handling Those Dreaded Runtime Errors. PART III: Preparing Your Applications for a Multiuser Environment. 18. Developing for a Multiuser Environment. 19. Using External Data. 20. Client/Server Techniques. 21. Client/Server Strategies. 22. Transaction Processing. 23. Optimizing Your Application. 24. Replication Made Easy. PART IV: Extending the Power of Access. 25. Automation: Communicating with Other Applications. 26. Using ActiveX Controls. 27. Access and the Internet. 28. Managing Application Development with Visual SourceSafe. 29. Leveraging Your Application: Creating Your Own Libraries. 30. Using Builders, Wizards, and Menu Add-Ins. PART V: Putting the Final Polish on Your Application. 31. Using External Functions: The Windows API. 32. Database Security Made Easy. 33. Complex Security Issues. 34. Documenting Your System. 35. Database Maintenance Techniques. 36. Developing a Help File. 37. Distributing Your Application with ODE. PART VI: Appendixes. A. Table Structures. B. Naming Conventions.
Rating:
Summary: Best book on Access97
Review: I don't know whether or not I would agree with the title "Mastering Access 97 Development". Really "Introducing Access Development" would be more appropriate. I don't quite agree with the User Level of Accomplished stated on the back of the book. With that said, however, this really is a comprehensive book that covers basically everything one needs to know in developing an MS Access97 database application (again, at a beginner to intermediate user level). If you are an accomplished developer this book wouldn't be as useful. Too much time is dedicated to the basics such as how to build tables, types of relationships, query basics, form basics and even VBA basics. This book approaches you as if you know nothing about relational databases, MS Access or VBA. Anyone who has developed DB applications before will find these explinations a bit tedius. If you have never developed a DB application or never really thought about the details of what makes up a DB application then this book really is an invaluable resource. As with most of the Sams publishing series this book is very comprehensive and yet detailed enough to get you on your way. You will gain a workable knowledge of everything you need to build an Access97 DB application. Includes lots of examples and Tryit samples. I would have given it 5 stars but since it didn't fulfill its own title, I dropped it one star. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I: Building a Foundation for Your Access Applications. 1. Introduction to Access Development. 2. A Strategy to Developing Access Applications. 3. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Tables. 4. Relationships: You Key to Data Integrity. 5. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Query Basics. 6. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Form Basics. 7. What Every Developer Needs to Know About Report Basics. 8. VBA 101: The Basics of VBA. 9. Advanced VBA Topics. 10. The Real Scoop on Objects, Properties and Events. 11. What Are Macros and When Do You Need Them? 12. Advanced Query Concepts. 13. Let's Get More Intimate with Forms: Advanced Techniques. 14. Let's Get More Intimate with Reports: Advanced Techniques. 15. What Are Data Access Objects and Why Are They Important? PART II: When Things Don't Go As Planned. 16. Debugging: Your Key to Successful Development. 17. Handling Those Dreaded Runtime Errors. PART III: Preparing Your Applications for a Multiuser Environment. 18. Developing for a Multiuser Environment. 19. Using External Data. 20. Client/Server Techniques. 21. Client/Server Strategies. 22. Transaction Processing. 23. Optimizing Your Application. 24. Replication Made Easy. PART IV: Extending the Power of Access. 25. Automation: Communicating with Other Applications. 26. Using ActiveX Controls. 27. Access and the Internet. 28. Managing Application Development with Visual SourceSafe. 29. Leveraging Your Application: Creating Your Own Libraries. 30. Using Builders, Wizards, and Menu Add-Ins. PART V: Putting the Final Polish on Your Application. 31. Using External Functions: The Windows API. 32. Database Security Made Easy. 33. Complex Security Issues. 34. Documenting Your System. 35. Database Maintenance Techniques. 36. Developing a Help File. 37. Distributing Your Application with ODE. PART VI: Appendixes. A. Table Structures. B. Naming Conventions.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: I want to start off by saying that I'm not a technically oriented person. I am a visual designer who had a need integrate aspects of my CAD work with a DBMS. I was handed Access and told to get to work on it. With the help of this book I was able to connect to my drawing DB (Sybase) via ODBC and write complex queries and reports using Access. Everyone at some point in their lives finds a teacher that makes perfect sense to them. I find Alison Balter's style of writing to be easily understandable, yet very detailed and concise. This book has been an invaluable midnight companion to me. With this book alone I have been able to write and distribute desktop applications based upon a wide variety of criteria and need. I am eagerly awaiting her next series on visual studio.net. I have lots of books on Access and SQL and there just anren't any better ones than this one (except maybe the 2000 and 2002 revisions).
Rating:
Summary: Need Access97 Development Help? This book is it.
Review: Mastering Access 97 Development by Alison Balter in its easy to read, easy to follow, easy to understand format is the only reference book you'll need to develop Access 97 programs. It is the bridge between casually knowing Access 97 and being able to develop applications. There have been a lot of gaps in my understanding of Access 97, even though I have worked with it for a few years and have created a few applications. Mastering Access 97 Development helped fill-in many of those gaps by adding meaning and understanding to the workings of Access 97 and VBA activities, including what rules and best practices to follow when creating a database. Mastering Access 97 Development is never out of reach when working with Access 97.
Rating:
Summary: The Standard Measure
Review: Ms. Balter's work is clear, concise and logically organized. I have found that the examples of VBA and SQL code she demonstrates in her work have opened up new and innovative approaches to problem-solving and trouble-shooting. I had been interested in for some time in finding a single work that provided coverage of all pertinent Access programming topics, written in a way that allowed me to make immediate use of it 's techniques. I have found such a source in Ms. Balter's book. Like most people, I suppose, my library of computer books contains a number of volumes that were either purchased for specific issues or addressed various matters involved in training. Unfortunately, most of these books are collecting dust as they proved quite difficult to read or pursued issues in a direction that, ultimately, did not address my concerns. Ms. Balter's book provides uniquely comprehensive coverage of Access programming styles and approaches and provides enough examples that serve not only to resolve the immediate problem but provide food for thought on approaching larger issues. Thanks to her for taking the time and effort in writing this terrific book.
Rating:
Summary: Most Practical Book on MS Access
Review: The most practical book on MS Access I've read: full of excellent tips and warnings. Well organized with descriptive titles for sections and with an excellent index. It gives you step by step instructions on how to do things. Addressed to developers, all of the code works. The book is very comprehensive, covering everything a developer would need to know including advanced forms and reports, menus, help files, database design, security, documentation, and distribution. Replication is briefly mentioned for the last item, and this book covers replication better than any MS Access book I've read. Though directed toward developers, it would also be in interest to managers because it covers client/server, OLE Automation or ActiveX technology, and database issues. Throughout the book a realistic time and billing application is developed--not the superficial applications you many times see. It stirs one's imagination in some cases by describing capabilities most developers don't consider: creating collections or add ins or a library database, or adding methods to a form's class module. The only problem I had with the book was its lack of information on the enclosed CD. To run some of the applications, you need to know what data file to link to. I decided to link to the Chap19ex.mdb tables. The book also mentions a Chap19DATA.mdb file which I couldn't find on the CD. Overall, Mastering Access 97 is an outstanding effort by an obviously experienced and knowledgeable developer.
Rating:
Summary: Most Practical Book on MS Access
Review: The most practical book on MS Access I've read: full of excellent tips and warnings. Well organized with descriptive titles for sections and with an excellent index. It gives you step by step instructions on how to do things. Addressed to developers, all of the code works. The book is very comprehensive, covering everything a developer would need to know including advanced forms and reports, menus, help files, database design, security, documentation, and distribution. Replication is briefly mentioned for the last item, and this book covers replication better than any MS Access book I've read. Though directed toward developers, it would also be in interest to managers because it covers client/server, OLE Automation or ActiveX technology, and database issues. Throughout the book a realistic time and billing application is developed--not the superficial applications you many times see. It stirs one's imagination in some cases by describing capabilities most developers don't consider: creating collections or add ins or a library database, or adding methods to a form's class module. The only problem I had with the book was its lack of information on the enclosed CD. To run some of the applications, you need to know what data file to link to. I decided to link to the Chap19ex.mdb tables. The book also mentions a Chap19DATA.mdb file which I couldn't find on the CD. Overall, Mastering Access 97 is an outstanding effort by an obviously experienced and knowledgeable developer.
Rating:
Summary: One Of the best
Review: This book has helped me understand many features that none of the other book about access even mentionned... Ie. It has a good explanation on how ODBCDirect works thus me using this concept I have gained about 28 min. of processing time. It has been a life saver for me... I recommand this book to anyone who want to succeed with Ms access...
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