Should I Learn MS Access in the AI Era?

[The_Doc_Man]

How many people still write in cursive? In 20 or 50 years, how many people still will be writing in cursive?

My only regret is that kids don't understand the validity of signatures on contracts. My youngest grandson reads and writes in cursive only because his grandma practically taught him with a frying pan in one hand as incentive.

 

[SachAccess]

@SachAccess: Out of curiosity I did a quickie search that cannot be considered exhaustive. I also don't know if Hevo is a reputable company. The article below may be helpful.

12 Best Databases to Use in 2025 Ranked by Popularity

Find the best databases in the marketplace, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and more, with our guide on selecting the right database software.

hevodata.com

Sure, thanks a lot.

 

[SachAccess]

Maybe it’s time you start using Access. But I recommend checking the latest Stack Overflow survey, where they list the most used technologies. The MS Access/VBA stack usually ranks around 30th, and that’s been consistent. Keep an eye on the 2025 survey coming out in a few months, if it drops lower, it might be worth considering another tech stack.

Thanks a lot. I was not aware of such survey.

 

[GPGeorge]

My only regret is that kids don't understand the validity of signatures on contracts. My youngest grandson reads and writes in cursive only because his grandma practically taught him with a frying pan in one hand as incentive.

We might have had an ancestor in common, but mine used a thimble on her index finger as a "reminder".

 

[Pat Hartman]

Because it's really a waste of time to teach them how to do a root manually.

I won't argue with that because I have never, in real life, found the need to calculate a root for any reason The most complex uses of simple math in my world are calculating the area so I know how much paint/wallpaper to buy or multiplying/dividing a recipe because I want to make more or fewer servings than the original recipe calls for. However, children do need to be able to do simple math in their heads. They need to be able to estimate a result so they know if a total is rational and they need to be able to interpolate and they cannot do that without basic math skills. I remember when my daughter got her first after school job as a cashier. We had a crash course in making change because apparently they had stopped teaching that in math class. PS, for those who have never thought about this, you use addition rather than subtraction because you are counting out coins/bills as you go

 

[Pat Hartman]

But I recommend checking the latest Stack Overflow survey, where they list the most used technologies. The MS Access/VBA stack usually ranks around 30th, and that’s been consistent.

That list compares database engines, NOT software development platforms. So it is NOT Access, it is Jet/ACE they are talking about.

 

[Jason Lee Hayes]

The choice to use MS Access ultimately depends on your initial purpose. If your goal is financial gain, MS Access may not be the ideal solution. However, if your focus is on fulfilling specific database requirements, platforms like Caspio might be worth considering. Personally, if I were starting from scratch, MS Access wouldn't be my first choice for various reasons.

If I were to dive into learning a programming language for database creation, I'd consider SQL first. It's the foundation for interacting with most relational databases, and knowing SQL would give you the ability to work with database systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Microsoft SQL Server.

For more versatility, learning Python would be an excellent choice. Python not only supports database creation and management with libraries like SQLite, SQLAlchemy, and pandas, but it also integrates well with various data analysis and web development tools.

Languages like Java or C# are worth exploring if you're focusing on enterprise-level applications that require robust database integration.

 

[Edgar_]

That list compares database engines, NOT software development platforms. So it is NOT Access, it is Jet/ACE they are talking about.

That list was generated based on the following survey question:

Which database environments have you done extensive development work in over the past year, and which do you want to work in over the next year? (If you both worked with the database and want to continue to do so, please check both boxes in that row.)

The list we'd like Access to appear in is Other frameworks and libraries, but Access isn't even there, sadly.

The lists are attached.

By the way, the survey includes enough data to make an informed decision about AI and how it's being used right now by professionals and enthusiasts in general. Here's the section.

AI | 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey

survey.stackoverflow.co

 

[Edgar_]

I mean, just go to the survey, there is a wealth of data to make an informed decision about AI and what to learn.

Benefits of AI tools

Accuracy of AI tools

AI tools' ability for complex tasks

AI in the development workflow

 

[Pat Hartman]

The list we'd like Access to appear in is Other frameworks and libraries, but Access isn't even there, sadly.

That is because no one at Microsoft recognizes "Access" as a framework or development tool or even a life form as you will see if you ever do a new install of O365 on a new computer. They are totally biased by it's alternate use as a desktop database engine. Even "Access" developers make this mistake frequently by comparing "Access" with SQL Server. I once nearly got into a fist fight with the NYC SQL Server sales manager. I was at a meeting in the city and had just come back from a visit to Redmond where I spent three days with the Access development team (and Bill) bragging about all the big changes they had done for A2007 and how much money they had spent and how they had taken Jet and turned it into ACE and took over its maintenance so that the SQL Server team no longer controlled their destiny. The SQL Server manager (who was slightly tipsy, it was a cocktail party after all) kept telling people that "Access" was dead and was being discontinued because Access no longer used Jet which was what the SQL Server manager called "Access". To his way of thinking, when Jet was no longer "Access", "Access" was dead.

 

[Edgar_]

Well, let's say it's complicated. Access does not have it easy. But those who learned it know it can do lots of things very well, despite doing a few things really bad.

 

[LarryE]

I am thinking about learning MS Access, but I have doubts because of the rise of AI. AI can now write complex queries, process data instantly, and provide high-speed results based on simple prompts. Given this, I’m wondering—is it still worth learning MS Access?

My concern is that by the time I become skilled, AI will be 10 times better and faster than me. I don’t want to give up learning due to fear of AI, but I also don’t want to invest time in something that might become outdated.

How do I convince myself that learning MS Access is still valuable? Have experts here faced similar doubts? Would love to hear real experiences rather than just relying on AI-generated answers.

Looking forward to your insights! Please help with your valuable inputs if you get time.

Do not bother. AI is just another passing fad, just like home computers. It will never be popular or even understandable by the regular person.

 

[SachAccess]

Do not bother. AI is just another passing fad, just like home computers. It will never be popular or even understandable by the regular person.

I saw a video on LinkedIn yesterday, saying coding will be over in next 12 months due to AI. I do not believe the time period but am concerned about the perceived threat.

 

[GPGeorge]

I saw a video on LinkedIn yesterday, saying coding will be over in next 12 months due to AI. I do not believe the time period but am concerned about the perceived threat.

Someone has been drinking the Kool-Aid of AI. I get it, though.

Human Code Monkeys will no longer be needed. AI Code Monkeys will take their place.

Software design and development itself? Not so much.

 

[Jon]

I see AI as a lever. Over time, as AI gets better and better, the lever gets longer and longer. Eventually, a mere gust of wind will be enough to lift a mountain. After that, AI will be using the lever and we all become couch potatoes.

 

[AccessBlaster]

Without the architect, the construction worker has no purpose. It's symbiotic, without YOU the program has no form, you are the designer of the application the vision comes from the human element not the AI.

 

[LarryE]

I see AI as a lever. Over time, as AI gets better and better, the lever gets longer and longer. Eventually, a mere gust of wind will be enough to lift a mountain. After that, AI will be using the lever and we all become couch potatoes.

Maybe, but AI engineers have been known to delete themselves. And remain unrecoverable!

 

[Pat Hartman]

AI's can't actually think as a human can think. All they know is what they have seen done before. I've known a lot of programmers like that. My husband and I used to joke about Dick, who was a very nice person but had the same 2 years of experience 10 times and so was barely better than a trainee so no one wanted him on their team. He was undesirable because he didn't have the ability to conceive something he had never seen before and so was only useful for trivial tasks. When AI's can actually think, humans will be redundant and only then. The AI's power currently is with their speed and ability to summarize.

 

[GPGeorge]

AI's can't actually think as a human can think. All they know is what they have seen done before. I've known a lot of programmers like that. My husband and I used to joke about Dick, who was a very nice person but had the same 2 years of experience 10 times and so was barely better than a trainee so no one wanted him on their team. He was undesirable because he didn't have the ability to conceive something he had never seen before and so was only useful for trivial tasks. When AI's can actually think, humans will be redundant and only then.

As I said before somewhere, AI Code Monkeys might replace Human Code Monkeys, but the people who tell them what to do are safe.

 

[DickyP]

I just agree with Terry Pratchett in 'Hogfather'.

"Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time."