Thinking-just need to share

[Ani]

Hi all
I hope its not inappropriate to just post like this, I'm not asking any specific questions about Access but wondered how many people have gone through or are going through a similar process. I spend most of my time alone or with a 6yr old so it is a bit difficult to have a conversation about what I'm doing!
I am a complete beginner with Access and though I do not consider myself to be an expert computer user, I am competent with most of the MS Office Suite.
Access is totally different to using anything else!
I love to learn so that makes it slightly easier but it seems pretty much like my chosen profession, in that; it is 99% frustration and 1% euphoria. Then you find more frustration! However, I think I must be mentally disturbed because at the same time I am enjoying the minuscule spots of light that seem to be creeping through to my brain cells!
Today because of a puzzling post, I think I have started to appreciate how one must think in terms of the data and I have started applying said thinking, to what I have, in my Tables.
And...oh dear....I am looking at every Table and almost every field and seeing potential hazards. I am assuming this is a 'good thing' and that spotting hazards and asking every conceivable question about whether that field has more than one answer or way of being interpreted is also a 'good thing'; for achieving a reliable, working, piece of software, that by completion you will wonder why it was all so challenging! (Sorry, that sentence is rather long winded). Or maybe Im just an oddity!
I hope everyone is having a good weekend!
Ani

 

[Alansidman]

Ani;
I think that many of us shared the same frustrations when we started out. If you have been using Excel, it is sometimes difficult to not use the same spreadsheet mentality in approaching Access. Access however, is very different. It has a very steep learning curve, but the rewards as you travel down this road are very nice. You will see something in a forum or discover something and it will just make you want to jump up and down, but there is no one with you to appreciate it.

If you have been working in Excel, then here is another good read that will help to shed some light on Access.

http://forums.aspfree.com/microsoft-access-help-18/access-vs-excel-349267.html

Alan

 

[Beetle]

Access is totally different to using anything else!

True. It is the most powerful of the Office programs, but also has by far the steepest learning curve. That's because the other programs are ready to use "out of the box". Anybody can open Word and start typing a letter, or open Excel and start putting values in cells and do simple calculations. The vehicle is already built, you just have to get in and drive it. With Access, you get no vehicle, only the tools with which to build one. The advantage being that you can build the vehicle exactly the way you want it once you learn how.

I am looking at every Table and almost every field and seeing potential hazards.

If that's the case then you might be over thinking it (not necessarliy uncommon when when you're trying to wrap your head around this stuff). In Simple terms a table represents an Entity and the fields in that table represent the Attributes of that Entity, so the first thing to do is decide what your Entities are. In your case you have Customers - that's one Entity- and you have Horses - that's another. Then you have things like the tests or procedures you perform on those Horses (I don't know what exactly it is you do, just that it involves horses). Once you have that down you decide what the Attributes of those Entities are and how the Entities (tables) relate to one another.

 

[Alansidman]

That's because the other programs are ready to use "out of the box". Anybody can open Word and start typing a letter, or open Excel and start putting values in cells and do simple calculations. The vehicle is already built, you just have to get in and drive it. With Access, you get no vehicle, only the tools with which to build one. The advantage being that you can build the vehicle exactly the way you want it once you learn how.

Great Analogy Sean. I never thought of it that way but it is true.

Alan

 

[Ani]

Thanks Guys
Sean -I may be over thinking but I'm being cautious, that's just my nature! LOL
Alan - I have used Excel but not for a long time, I dislike spreadsheets, which is why I decided to record things with a db.

At the moment I just have a big pile of letters and my lab book with my results in, sooo disorganised and inefficient! This whole scenario is a hobby that someone suggested I should try and make a little bit of money out of. It just started because I had a microscope and the necessary skills and knowledge to do someone a favour. I also have time on my hands and I hate the fact that my brain is turning to mush!
It feels good to be learning again and have something to focus on!
Ani

 

[Ani]

PS What I actually do is look for parasites in horse poo!

 

[Beetle]

Great Analogy Sean. I never thought of it that way but it is true.

Thanks Alan. Every once in a while I come up with a rational thought.

 

[bob fitz]

Thanks Alan. Every once in a while I come up with a rational thought.

Sounds like it's time for another beer.

 

[Ani]

Sounds like it's time for another beer.

Im sticking to tea! Id have no chance if I had a beer!
Ani

 

[Beetle]

Sounds like it's time for another beer.

Is there any such time when it's not time for another beer?

 

[bob fitz]

Is there any such time when it's not time for another beer?

Two rational thoughts in a single thread! I supose that makes it..............
Time for another beer!

Im sticking to tea! Id have no chance if I had a beer!

Come on Ani, it's getting late. Let your hair down!

 

[Ani]

Two rational thoughts in a single thread! I supose that makes it..............
Time for another beer!
Come on Ani, it's getting late. Let your hair down!

LOL...have resorted to chocolate! Just spotted a whole load of things that need seperate tables! Now Im worried Im decomposing too much.....in more than one sense!
Ani

 

[Ani]

Ok, Im off up the wooden hill! Thanks for keeping me company Guys! Ive gone from 7 to 11 tables in the last hour! I dont know whether to be pleased or worried!
G'Night
Ani