Hands-On Microsoft Access: A Practical Guide to Improving Your Access Skills

Test Data and Conclusion

In Chapters 2, 3, and this chapter, you learned some of the principles of database design. The purpose was to teach you basic relational database principles and give you an overall sense of database design. But please remember that, in my attempt to make a coherent presentation of reasonable length, I've left out important steps in creating a real-world database.

For example, I've mentioned nothing about testing your database. You will want to use test data to be sure your database can generate the required queries, forms, and reports that meet your mission objectives. You will want to use both “good” test data and “bad” test data. Good test data—data that is accurate and meets data integrity standards—will show you whether ...