Sams Publishing has some very good books. Their Unleashed series has some
of the most comprehensive computer information available. I just finished looking
at one of the latest Unleashed books. Its title is Microsoft Access
2000 Development Unleashed. The book was written by Stephen Forte, Tom Howe
and James Ralston.
This book has eight sections to it. The first section deals with database
design. The third section puts you together with the different interfaces. Part Five is all
about Access Client/Server stuff. And the last part goes through the various aspects of Web
publishing using Access 2000.
The first chapter of the book tells you all about the new features in Access
2000. Did you know about the new subdatasheets? How about the Access Data Pages? This chapter explains these features and what they mean to you as a database developer.
Other chapters in the first section go through the design and implementation
of databases. Chapter 5 is all about the Jet Database Engine 4.0, the element that drives the
Access program.
The second section has an introduction to ActiveX objects and how they relate
to the database. Chapter 7 is all about advanced ADO (ActiveX Data Objects).
The third section takes you through making forms and reports using ActiveX controls. Some of the ActiveX controls that are covered include Animation control, Toolbar control, WebBrowser control and the Calender control. You also learn about placing subforms and setting up the Multi-Select List Box Control.
The fourth section deals with Visual Basic Applications and how VBA can truly enhance your Access database. Learn how to create data classes and what the various elements are. Learn the difference between a public and private variable. One of the chapters in this section is dedicated to showing you how to debug your Access application once you?ve built it.
The Client/Server section goes over the ways that Access can be used in that arena. This section introduces you to Access Data Projects and how to develop front-end applications for the Microsoft SQL Server. There is also a chapter that deals with putting together Access front-ends for Oracle.
There is an added bonus to this book. It comes with a CD-ROM disc that is full of things. The disc has examples from the book. There are also evaluation copies of software that work with Access. Also included is a vendor list for Access related products. And you can register your book using the Web interface from the disc.
For an intense study of the potential of programming in Access 2000, you won't find a better source than Microsoft Access 2000 Development Unleashed.