Database Design and Programming with Access, SQL and Visual Basic

The former of these needs was met very well, I felt - a good grounding in table design, explaining relationships and other ideas, such as referential integrity clearly.

However, while the author's treatment of SQL, particularly SQL as it relates to the Access Jet database engine, was very clear and comprehensive, I felt it was let down by a less than complete section on Access forms and reports. These, it seems were granted only a perfunctory mention, when they can form the foundation of the working application. I bought the book for a particular project, and whilst I felt that reading it was beneficial to me, and would recommend it to others without hesitation - I have had to spend a great deal of time wading through the Access documentation, trying to uncover the sometimes arcane properties of forms to make them do what I want with as little coding as possible.

It would be nice to think that the upcoming 2nd edition will deal with these topics more fully, but I understand that it is likely to be expanded in terms of its coverage of ADO and web-based database access. A pity.

Almost brilliant.


Exellent book . Does what it says in the title !   August 21, 2001
 24 out of 24 found this review helpful

If you have some experience of Access Databases and want to progress to a more advanced stage using SQL and Visual Basic , then this is the book for you . The various chapters give good examples of how to ( and how not to ) write SQL and give examples of the results. I have found this book is one of the better examples that explains database theory and practice clearly , and is easy to follow . A most useful book to own .


Thoughtfully constructed hands on student text   March 28, 2001
 21 out of 21 found this review helpful

Until recently many database texts dwelt among the upper reaches of theory, with few of the established texts concerning themsleves with practical implementation issues. Carter's text provides a useful though limited counterbalance. The text is brisk, precise and replete with step by step instructions on how to do almost anything with ACCESS. It is very much a practical 'how to do' book, more manual in parts than database textbook. It has a very thorough (protracted even) account of SQL in ACCESS which any novice should master reasonably quickly. Other useful parts of the text lie beyond its no frills account of database principles, where form building using both ACCESS features and VB are introduced. Referential integrity is highlighted consistently throughout the text. So there is no excuse for poor design having read it. VB standards have changed over various versions and to his credit the author patiently provides the variations when detailing a coding example. Very helpful.

Despite its definite appeal a few limitations should be flagged. Firstly it is not a complete database course in itself, not for computer science students anyhow. You won't find chapters or even sections on relational algebra, functional dependencies or distributed databases here. Secondly an assessment of a true relational engine such as Sybase's for instance would have been a useful point of comparison with the JET engine. Finally, form building is reached after 290 pages of covering other aspects of design and SQL which is arguably a bit too long given the absence of the sections mentioned above.

Nevertheless a very good text for any novice ACCESS user, and destined to become by far and away one of the more useful ones. Definitely a high usage value text.


Excellent layout, a must for any database designer!   March 22, 2001
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

This book explains fully the processes of analysis and design required for a successfull database. I have shown the book to a tutor specialising in teaching the processes who has in turn recommended it for purchase by other students.

The book is clear, concise and provides everything you could possibly need for any database project.