Help with choice of book

[HockeyNut]

Hi everyone, my first post, and I'm a vast newbie compared to you all. Hence my passion to learn and for this I've been scouring for a really good book to help me learn. I have a reasonable knowledge of Access and database principals.

I've been looking for a really good book, reading the reviews on Amazon etc.

I'd narrowed my choice of book down to

• Access 2002 Developer's Handbook Set: Developer's Handbook Set (along with) Access 2002 VBA Handbook.

...but then after searching for keyword "book" on this forum I've noticed plenty of people recommending Access Cookbook.

Which would be my better option out of these choices. Is either one favouring any subjects/styles in particular?

Any help with my choice will be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

David

 

[mission2java_78]

I'd get the handbook you have suggested plenty more of code examples (Vba)

Actually I have never bought a book on access...but im also not the greatest...Im very good in some things and have gaps in other things. I think the best way to learn is to challenge yourself to do the most difficult tasks. A lot of times I found my self trying to avoid these things by telling myself that it wouldnt be possible...no one else could do it so why should I? Only to find out it was possible and I was being lazy. I think the mind is a very dangerous thing...if you think you can't do something..you end up doing nothing. Always be positive even when something bites ya .

Good luck,
Jon

 

[HockeyNut]

Thanks Jon.

I work in a IT support role at the moment, but after 5 years, I've finally made my mind up what area of IT suits me, which I enjoy and which I would like as a career. I think Access will be the best starting point for me in a database developer career? I've decided on the database application development area. I've created a few 'here 'n' there' databases at work, in Access with front end/back end design and I think I have an intermediate grasp on Access. I'm also studying a HNC Computing, in which we covered database design/sql/etc.

I'm looking for a book which I will be able to use to a reasonable extent when I get better, but one which will help me iron out the gaps in my knowledge.

I will get out of IT support and into development one day!!!

I'd welcome the opinions of others still. I was favouring the handbook set, but I when I searched I came accross someone called Pat (who appears to be held in very high regard!) saying she'd found no better book than 'Access Cookbook'

 

[mission2java_78]

Access Goddess = Pat 'assignment in access this never returns null.

But like I said don't be too concerned with books...its better to start whipping up db's from scratch and look at other people's work.

If you want to learn more coding wise I'd recommend the book you mentioned. I think Pat leans more towards doing things that are already there rather than using a whole lot of vb code. I could be wrong there.

Jon

 

[Mile-O]

I am the only person I know who could actually spend hours with a dictionary and enjoy the time.

I enjoyed that book but I feel they could have fleshed out the chapter about xylophones and xenophobes as the passion just didn't seem to be there.

 

[Autoeng]

Pat:

You describe the link to the Northwind sample as a tutorial but in fact it is just the sample db. Have you ever seen that anyone detailed the processes used to create some of the Northwind objects? I am trying to learn about Data Access Pages and cannot figure out how the Review Orders page was created, in particular the dropdown box to select a record.

Autoeng

 

[Jerry Stoner]

Access 2000 VBA Handbook (Sybex) by Susan Novalis also uses the Northwind db as a tuturial. I found this book very helpfull when starting out and still refer to it on ocassion. ISBN 0-7821-2324-4. Got it for cheap on Amazon about 2 years ago.
HTH,
Jerry

 

[HockeyNut]

Thank you everyone for all of your assistance, I dare say this won't be the last time you hear from me, so thanks again.
I think I'll favour the Handbook set to begin with as that's what fits my budget this month.

David