MS Access 2003 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 to 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 database have file
extension as .mdb.
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.
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 screenshot ‘Last Name’, ‘First Name’ and ‘Hire
Date’ are the fields of this table. If you move horizontally, you are
having record. We can say that the table shown has 3 Fields and 6
records.
The standard also says that the each table may or may not 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 all these 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
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