INTRODUCTION

Microsoft Access 2010 allows database developers to build dynamic and easily portable databases. Access comes with many easy-to-use features such as graphical forms, database templates, SQL query builders, as well as a subset of the Visual Basic language known as VBA for building data-driven applications.

Microsoft Access VBA Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Fourth Edition, is not a guide on how to use Access and its many wizards. However, if you are new to Access, pay special attention to the first two chapters in which I discuss Access system requirements and limitations, when to choose Access over Excel, and database essentials such as tables, fields, forms, and queries.

Microsoft Access VBA Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Fourth Edition concentrates on fundamental programming concepts such as variables, conditions, loops, data structures, procedures, file I/O, and object-oriented programming. In addition to learning the fundamentals, I will show you how to program with Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), write your own Access SQL queries, build Macros, and performance-tune your Access applications!

Following Course Technology PTR’s For the Absolute Beginner series professional insight, clear explanations, examples, and pictures, you will learn to program in Access VBA. Each chapter contains programming challenges, a chapter review, and a complete program that uses chapter-based concepts to construct a fun and easily built application.

To work through this book in its entirety, you should have access to a computer with Microsoft Access installed. The programs in this book were written in Microsoft Access 2010. Those readers using older versions of Microsoft Access, such as Access 2007, will find many of the VBA programming concepts still apply.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS BOOK

To learn how to program, you must acquire a progression of skills. If you have never programmed at all, or have little to no experience with the Microsoft Access application, you will probably find it easiest to go through the chapters in order. Of course, if you are already an experienced programmer or seasoned user of Access, it might not be necessary to do any more than skim the earliest chapters. In either case, programming is not a skill you can learn by reading. You’ll have to write programs to learn. This book has been designed to make the process reasonably painless.

Each chapter begins with a brief introduction to chapter-based concepts. Once inside the chapter, you’ll look at a series of programming concepts and small programs that illustrate each of the major points of the chapter. Finally, you’ll put these concepts together to build a complete program at the end of the chapter. All of the programs are short enough that you can type them in yourself (which is a great way to look closely at code), but they are also available via the publisher’s website. Located at the end of every chapter is a summary that outlines key concepts learned. Use the summaries to refresh your memory on important concepts learned. In addition to summaries, each chapter contains programming challenges that will help you learn and cement chapter-based concepts.

Throughout the book, I’ll throw in a few other tidbits, notably the following:

These are good ideas that experienced programmers like to pass on.

There are a few areas where it’s easy to make a mistake. I’ll point them out to you as we go.

Pay special attention to these areas for clarification or emphasis on chapter concepts.

IN THE REAL WORLD

As you examine concepts in this book, I’ll show you how the concepts are used beyond beginning programming.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR

Microsoft Access VBA Programming for the Absolute Beginner, Fourth Edition is designed for the beginning Access VBA programmer. Persons with backgrounds in other programming languages will find this book to be a good tutorial and desk reference for Access VBA. Specifically this book is intended for the following reader:

• High school or college students enrolling or enrolled in an Access programming class.

• Programming hobbyists and enthusiasts.

• Office personnel with beginning database programming responsibilities.

• Professional database developers wanting to learn the Microsoft Access VBA language.

• Home users wanting to learn more about Access and VBA programming.

COMPANION WEBSITE DOWNLOADS

You may download the companion website files from www.courseptr.com/downloads. Please note that you will be redirected to the Cengage Learning site.