Microsoft Access 2010 Bible

3

CHAPTER

An Introduction to

Database Development

IN THIS CHAPTER

Examining the differences

between databases, tables,

records, fields, and values

Discovering why multiple

tables are used in a database

Creating Access database

objects

Designing a database system

I

n this chapter, you learn the concepts and terminology of databases and

how to design the tables that your Access application’s forms and

reports will use.

Database development is quite unlike most other ways you work with com-
puters. Unlike Microsoft Word or Excel, where the approach to working
with the application is easy to understand, good database development
requires prior knowledge. A beginning user opening Access for the first time
likely has no idea where to start. Although the opening user interface helps
you create your first database, from that point on, you’re pretty much on
your own. Unlike Word or Excel, you can’t just start typing things in at the
keyboard and see any results.

The fundamental concept underlying Access databases is that data is stored
in tables. Tables are comprised of rows and columns of data, much like an
Excel worksheet. In a properly designed database, each table represents a
single entity, such as a person or product. Each row within a table describes
a single instance of the entity, such as one person or an individual product.
Each column in an Access table contains a single type of data, such as text or
date/time.

As you work with Access, you’ll spend considerable time designing and
refining the tables in your Access applications. Table design and implemen-
tation are two processes that distinguish database development from most
other computer activities you may pursue. Unlike a word processor, where
you can dive right in and start typing words and sentences, building a data-
base table requires some prior knowledge of how databases work.