MS Access 2007 Step By Step - Asim Abbasi
CH1: Overview | CH2: MS Access Local & Linked Tables | CH3: MS Access Queries | CH4: MS Access Reports & Forms | CH5: MS Access Modules & Macros | CH6: MS Access Data Import/Export Feature | CH7: MS Access Built-In Functions
Chapter 1: Overview
RDBMS Basics
Basically RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) is nothing but a
standard. For many years database industry was not having any standard
for storing and retrieving information. As a result of this standard we
came up the language called SQL or Structured Query Language. We use SQL
to communicate with RDBMS databases including but not limited to MS
Access, Oracle, MS SQL Server etc. MS Access databases used to have file
extension as .mdb but in 2007 release the default extension is .accdb.
Using MS Access GUI (Graphical User Interface) we can now build very
complex SQL quires very fast visually just by Click, Drag & Drop
operation. While we are performing such tasks MS Access writes the SQL
code for us in the background.
According to the RDBMS standard, a database should be comprised of
tables and data inside each of these tables should reside in the form
horizontal rows called ‘Records’ and vertical columns called ‘Fields’.
In the above screenshot ‘Last Name’, ‘First Name’ and
‘Hire Date’ are the fields of this table. If you move horizontally, you
see records. We can say that the table has 3 Fields and 6 records. The
standard also says that the each table may have relationship with one or
more tables. Relationships in between the tables are developed using
Primary/Foreign Key concept which we will discuss later in this book.
The sole purpose of developing such relationship amongst tables is to
reduce the redundancy of data inside the database. It also helps in
increasing the data integrity of the system.
Where MS Access Stands?
You might have heard about different databases names like MS Access,
Oracle, SQL Server etc. and must be thinking which one to select for
learning or implementation purpose. Nearly all the good, famous
databases are RDBMS including but not limited to Oracle, DB2, MS SQL
Server, MS Access, MySQL etc.
Since all these databases mentioned above follow RDBMS standard, learning and mastering one will definitely reduce the time to master the other.
Chapter 1: Overview
CH1: Overview | CH2: MS Access Local & Linked Tables | CH3: MS Access Queries | CH4: MS Access Reports & Forms | CH5: MS Access Modules & Macros | CH6: MS Access Data Import/Export Feature | CH7: MS Access Built-In Functions