Microsoft Access 97
What we’ve learnt
Designers and Users
The User just wants to use the Application
to do a job
 The Designer needs to understand what the
user wants to do and needs to know how to
turn the users requirement into a model of
the real world.

Analyse the Requirement
What data structures?
 Logical relationships
 Must get logical model right

Handout example
list of potential entities e.g salesmen,
products
 sketch some possible relationships
 draw entity model
 entities represent tables - add fields
(attributes) to tables

Database Consists of Objects
Tables - model logical relationships
 Forms - add/view data in tables
 Queries - get subsets of data, modify tables
 Reports - printed view of data

Integration with Word97
Reports - limitations on layout
 Can use Microsoft Word 97 to generate
documents
 Create main document with field names an
Access 97 table
 Generate form letter - Word 97 puts data
values from the fields into the letters

Where are we now?
Created a small database for a simple
problem
 Thought about requirements
 Access 97 tools - e.g Wizards
 Created a range of Access 97 objects
 Build & test as we go

Finding out more
List of further reading/web links etc. at back
of Part 3
 Computer Science run more advanced
courses - see
http://www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/itapps/info.htm

Design Hint
Look at other case studies
 Examples of data structures
 Recommended reading

–
Domanski & Irvine
Books

Student Guides (from SU shop)
–

Library system case study
Coles & Rowley (e.g Waterstones)
–
More complex case study - more tables etc
New Book
PRM Oliver and N Kantaris:
Microsoft Access 2000 Explained
(Babani Computer Books, 1999, price 6.99)
Access samples
Read Only - copy to N: to experiment
 Q:\msoffice\office\samples\nwind.mdb
 Q:\msoffice\office\samples\orders.mdb
 Q:\msoffice\ValuPack\ACCESS\BldApps\
default.htm

Case Studies - Wizards
File, New, Databases Tab
 Choose a template,e.g Students & Classes,
O.K
 Create, let Access include sample data
