MS Access Books

Nefarious · 10 Apr 2007 at 10:07

Can anyone recommend any good books for learning how to build an Access database?

I'm reasonably proficient with most MS software but, like anything, you don't know till you've learn't it. I want to end up doing some reasonably complex things and am happy to put in the time.

I've looked at a few of the books and they have less than rave reviews - does anyone know a good publisher to go for or a book that they can recommend I'd love to know

Nefarious · 10 Apr 2007 at 13:38

Are people unwilling to admit that they read books or that they read techmanuals and didn't know everything prior to conception....?

Priapus · 10 Apr 2007 at 16:29

Wouldn't it be easier to grab the infomation off a web site?

Eddie · 10 Apr 2007 at 17:31

You could look for a few decent websites, as suggested, or you could go to a library and see what they have. Borrow as many books as possible and try some of the tutorial bits and bobs in them, see which ones suit you best.

If you seriously want to learn about databases, a good way of starting out would be to learn about designing databases first before trying to understand any database software. Learn how to design a database on paper first and then look at the different software options available.

I'd gladly recommend a couple of books to help you get to grips with the theory side of things if you wanted.

|Ric| · 10 Apr 2007 at 17:43

My IT teacher at school had a copy of "Access <whatever version> bible", but my approach was always towork it out for my self or google the specific problem so I can't tell you how much help the book was.

Nefarious · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:09

I have designed databases using other software but some of the more advanced functions of MS Access are a little tricky to nail down even with the might of google on hand. Access, like so much of M$, is rather ideosyncratic on occasion and some of the more interesting functions peversely occult.

It has been decided that for a cheap, scalable centralised database which, once the lion's share has been designed, is fairly easy to configure and expand MS Access is the software to go for.

I have looked at a few pages available on google but have found that it will take me a long time to hunt down bits of information and am more than willing to pay for that information to be collated, distilled and organised into paper form. The internet is fine for certain things but from a few quick glances it seems to be a false economy for what I'm intending.

Nefarious · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:11

Just read some reviews of Access Bible on Amazon - hilarious.

They all slate the book apart from one that is blatently from the publisher, rather sad really.