- an overview
First
a few words to describe and explain databases...
Databases aren't only for computers. There are also manual databases; we simply refer to these as manual filing systems or a manual data storage system. These filing systems consist of papers, folders and filing cabinets. Paper is the storage in a manual filing system. In a manual system, you probably have in/out baskets for current documents and some kind of formal filing method. You access information by opening a file cabinet, taking out a folder and finding the correct piece of paper. You use paper forms for input, perhaps by using a word processor or even a typewriter. You find information by sorting the papers manually or by copying desired information to another piece of paper or into a computer spreadsheet. You might use a calculator or spreadsheet program to perform calculations and to analyze the data further before printing it to another report, which is again filed.
Computer
Databases
A computer database is nothing more than an automated version
of the filing and retrieval functions of a manual paper filing system.
Computer databases store information in a structured format that you
define. They can store data in a variety of forms, from simple lines of
text (such as name and address) to more complex data structures including
pictures, sounds or video sequences.
Storing data in a precise, known format enables a database management system (DBMS) to sort and filter and turn the data into useful information through many types of output, such as forms and reports.
In an automated database management system such as Access, you use a computer to access the information or data stored in Tables. Entering data into the tables through data-entry Forms and retrieving it by using Queries, you can obtain specific records or portions of records of data from the tables. Views and Reports output the selected data to a screen or to a printer. Macros and Modules of programming code allow you to automate this process and to create custom menus and data-entry forms, with error-checking and validation so that you get good data into your tables.
So now you begin to see the significance of the seven types of object in an Access database:
Tables, Queries, Forms, Views, Reports, Macros, Modules
Why
Access?
Because Access is available to you if you have Microsoft Office
installed on your computer and Access allow you to quickly design very
powerful database solutions for your requirements. The name is very
descriptive because it allows you to Access data stored in a variety of
places in your company – spreadsheets, documents, other databases, like
SQL and Oracle, Dbase, to name just a few.
At SPX we teach you to be very adept with Access.
However, it is not as easy and quick to learn as Excel and will require
that you take four sessions with us to really become capable with it;
Part1 - the
Beginner class (2 sessions) and then Part 2 - the Intermediate class (2
sessions). The reward is huge,
though, as you will be able to create entire applications to perform your
work. From simple filing systems to complete, multi-user programs
for your company or your department to use to gain tremendous productivity
and efficiency.
This is one of the most powerful and
empowering classes you'll ever take.
You'll be amazed that you could become so capable so quickly, as with all
the SPX classes!
We're different from the other training companies in that we're not just a training company - we develop and sell industrial-strength Access and VB programs to many companies. They make huge money by using them to aid them in delivering their products and services.
When you take our Access class you'll be trained in how to develop commercial-grade applications in Access, using the smartest techniques for delivering a quality production program to your users.
- You'll begin with Part 1 (2 sessions) - our Beginner class, where you'll learn the concepts and will design Tables, and the Queries and the forms that comprise your user's interface to them. You'll gain a thorough undstanding of Joins and how to synchronize records in mutiple tables. Sometimes these will end up a standalone queries and other times the Queries will be saved as SQL statements, to be used as the Data Source for Froms.
You'll go on to take Part 2 (2 sessions) - our Access Intermediate class, where you will learn to design forms that use VBA code to control how the user is aided in avoiding data entry errors. We'll also design custom reports, perform automation and design complete custom applications. We'll make extensive use of VBA to provide total control of the users' environment and all aspects of the program.
We also offer an advanced class, where you will learn a lot of advanced Visual Basic procedures and practices. You'll also learn how to write Visual Basic code to query and single-step through tables, reacting to specific conditions in fields as they're read. We'll be doing a lot of VBA programming. Some of that code will be embedded in the Forms themselves, the rest will be inside Modules (Code Libraries). You'll gain a really thorough understanding of how to use VBA in a modern application to control every aspect of the new application.