Confusion on Access books!!!!

[DaniBoy]

Hello
Its me again!!!
I took an Access Database Class like 3 years ago, from what I remember we had to first Desing the database on paper. Now, the way we did it was finding out what the client need it and then writting down all fields that they would use, from there we decided what fields would create a table.

Now I bought the Access2000 Bible book to have more knowledge about Access. I decided to start from Chapter 6 "A Case study in Database Desing" just to refresh my memo. Well it goes through the seven-step methods for desing. The first thing is the overall system desing, this is where you find out what the client wants. But here it actualy goes directly to desingning a "Report" . Now am realy . Why does it do that? How can you make a report with out making the tables?!!

Does this make any sence to all the experts here? Should I stick to my old method of creating the table first? or was I tought wrong?

how do you rate this book?

Does anyone know of a Great book about Access?

Thanks

DaniBoy

 

[BLeslie88]

Actually...

Reports isn't a bad place to start... Find out all the output desired from the user/owner's....
I mean then you can start drawing up the tables. It makes alot of sense. I wish I had done it that way many times.... If you start by the tables first... You always need to add fields or accidentally include calculations, it's hard to get it right ahead of time.
Work with the hard copies of what they want. What is all the output they required. That is how I approach it now. Then you can establish relationships, links, data that needs to be modified. Hierarchy of the data and so fourth and so fourth....

But hey this is just me...

Ps. I just use access help and this forum. I have learned by trial and error. But I program for a large retail company, have been doing it for 3 years in this company. I specialize in Access and am known for getting the job done. I do not always do it the right way, but i am getting better at it. lol

Regards,

 

[DaniBoy]

Thank you very much!!!!!

Thanks o lot, I have been doing it the other way for a long time and always I had to go back and change or add another field on the table, I am going to strat doing it like you do, I am glad to cleared that up with your explanation. So this way I actualy do one report at a time, then I figure out the fields to be enter into what table. Ok, now it makes sense!!!! I am very Happy.


Thanks a lot

DaniBoy

 

[BLeslie88]

Thanks for you clear explanation ~

Thanks Pat...