Access 2003 VBA Programmer's Reference

1.1. Why Use Microsoft Access?

Ask a variety of database programmers why they think you should use Microsoft Access and you'll get answers ranging from "it's the best darn piece of software out there" to "it's a robust piece of software that won't break the bank and doesn't take a degree in rocket science to use." While we don't necessarily think Access is the best darn piece of software out there, we do think it's very good at what it does—allowing users with a range of abilities the opportunity to create databases to store information. We do think Access is a pretty darn good piece of software. It's relatively easy to use, even for a beginner, and it comes with a robust sample database (Northwind) that a new user can play around with and learn many of the basics. New users can learn a lot from simply going through the various tables, queries, forms, and reports in the Northwind database.

There are also a number of books on Microsoft Access available for purchase. You can buy books from beginner to advanced level and easily create simple databases within a few hours. In particular, any of the following titles will help you learn Microsoft Access 2003:

• Access 2003 Bible, Cary N. Prague, Michael R. Irwin, Jennifer Reardon, ISBN: 0764539868, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

• Access 2003 All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies, Alan Simpson, Margaret Levine Young, Alison Barrows, ISBN: 0-7645-3988-4, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

For example, you can use databases to inventory DVD collections, track ...