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