Material Covered On A Microsoft Access Course
Sometimes it feels like we are set challenges that are made so much harder because of a lack of support. In these difficult situations we must rely upon our inner strength and our personal drive to succeed. However, there is nothing to say that we cannot prepare ourselves a little better to deal with these hurdles. If for example, you find yourself working with Microsoft Access you could consider undertaking training to streamline your performance. By being more aware of the features that this software has to offer, you can potentially achieve better results in a shorter time. Microsoft Access courses at various levels are widely available and come in a variety of formats. Let us review some of the material that is explored during Microsoft Access training.
Basic level training
A basic level Microsoft Access course aims to familiarize the student with the fundamental concepts and features of the software. It is essential to understand how the program constructs a database. Within the database itself are tables which are composed of data about a specific topic. The term ‘fields’ is applied to the different categories within a table and ‘data-types’ are the properties of each field.
Intermediate level training
By taking an intermediate level Microsoft Access course, you will learn ways to improve the organisation and ease of use of reports and forms. It is possible to change the format of a report and one way to do this is using the AutoFormat wizard. At this level, users also learn how to perform calculations with data. Calculations are calculated in queries reports and forms but not in tables, so as to save space.
Advanced level training
Advanced level courses will cover material such as SQL (Structured Query Language) which is used to interact with the data within the database. SQL is used for many tasks within Microsoft Access. Microsoft Access courses also cover the use of macros and their application to the automation of tasks. Microsoft Access software can be used to develop application software when used at this advanced level. Non-programmers, on the other hand, can use it to build simple applications. Advanced level users are also able to use Access as a database for web based applications.
This popular relational database management system can facilitate the completion of work when used appropriately. Options for training include e-learning, self-directed learning and instructor-led Microsoft Access courses. Hopefully, if you encounter yourself in a tricky situation when using this software, the benefit of training will enable you to jump over the hurdles in front of you and allow you to finish in first place.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Microsoft Access courses, please visit http://www.microsofttraining.net
Access VBA Training Adds Power to your Databases
Most database projects can be created using the basic commands in Access. VBA training however, gives you the tools to add powerful features to your database to make it even more useful.
VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a computer language included with all Microsoft Office applications. If you have ever recorded a macro, then you have used VBA. The power of macros lies beyond simple recording of repetitive actions. By delving into the programming code you can add your own database commands and extend the functionality of the application.
Let’s look at a few examples of what Access VBA training can add.
Smart Data Entry
Access allows you to indicate that fields should be numbers, strings, dates, and so on. For example, one common mistake that new users make is to define a phone number field as numeric. After all it’s made of numbers, right?
Actually, numeric fields should be limited only to values that will be used in mathematical operations. You’ll never add or multiply a phone number, so it is actually a string that happens to be composed of numbers.
However, phone numbers often involve symbols as well. A data entry operator might enter spaces, dashes, or parenthesis which could complicate actions such as pulling phone numbers within a certain area code.
This issue can be addressed using Access VBA. Training courses can illustrate how to add a few instructions to a data entry field to strip all non-numeric data and store just the basic phone number. It can add sanity checks, such as verifying that the area code matches the city in the address or ensuring there are enough digits for it to be a valid telephone number.
Automatic Record Sorting
Access defaults to listing records in the order they were entered. These lists can be easily sorted but sometimes it would be nice if the records were sorted automatically. If you always want to see your customers sorted alphabetically by last name, it would be nice to have that happen every time you pull up the customer list rather than having to do it explicitly every time.
Access VBA training demonstrates how to tie commands to events such as the opening of a form. By creating an event subroutine, you could tell the form to sort the customers by name every time it is opened. The list could still be sorted manually by other columns such as city, but will default to sort by last name.
Access VBA Training Improves Efficiency
An Access VBA training course provides a wealth of tools that will make your databases easier to use, less prone to errors, and capable of more powerful data analysis. The time invested will pay off in improved productivity.
The advantage of a course over self-training is that often the instructor will tell you about features you might not realize even existed. It is hard to teach yourself about something if you don’t know it is possible. An Access VBA training course taught by a Microsoft-certified instructor is the quickest path to VBA proficiency.
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Access VBA training, please visit http://www.microsofttraining.net
Setting up Apache – PHP5 & MySQL – A Novices Experience
As an ‘internet Marketing’ newbie I recently was forced to set up a server on my laptop so I could properly test web-sites written in php code.
I am pretty much a html sort of guy and have come back around to the internet after an absence of five or six years, to find things have moved on, and that you need to be able to use this sort of stuff to do Internet marketing properly- article sights, pre made web-sites etc.
I was unable to open these ‘pre-made’ sights directly in Interent explorer and was only able to get a vague idea of what they looked like by opening them in Dreamweaver- which recognizes php code. I tried to open these sites in a web browser but was told I needed a local server. “How do I do that”? I asked.
So, I had no way to see what the final product would look like until I put it on my ‘proper’ Internet server – not a very efficient way to do things if you want to change elements around.
After a bit of a hunt around on the Internet I discovered that I needed to set up a testing server on my own computer. It seemed the easy way to do this was to get Apache server , PHP, and my SQL database installed on my machine. As there were no e-books available on this. [Is that a Niche Market?] I took a trip to my local bookstore and came away with something I thought would do the job.
There I was, filled with excitement and new ideas that this would all be nice and easy. But of course, it wasn’t. My first problem was that the book told me to get Apache 1.3. But I could only find only find an Apache two download.
A search for ‘Apache 1.3 download ‘gives the following ‘official’ site
http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi -but you have to look closely to find the ‘ARCHIVE’ file! Which is where the 1.3 versions live. Apparently The PHP people don’t think their software works as well on the Apache2 software- probably still being ironed out- but I wanted to do what the book says. Find 1.3 versions here:
http://archive.apache.org/dist/httpd/ –
you’ll need to go into the ‘Binaries’ for the windows download. But from there on its fairly simple. You need to fill in a few info boxes during the set up:
for network domain enter: localdomain
for Server Name enter: localhost
for Administrator email- whatever you want
Also choose to ‘run as a service for All users’
So I downloaded this and installed it successfully on my computer. I then got PHP five from the ‘official’ PHP site –
www.php.net/downloads.php
Click the windows ZIP option: , This is not an ‘Auto install’ you Unzip the files and then copy them to your C:/ drive;
Make a folder and call it ‘php’ and copy your php files into it.
There are a number of sites on the web that will tell you which files to ‘fiddle’ with to make the Apache-MySQL/PHP trio work, but to keep it all in one place I’ll sumarise here from my experience:
Once you have PHP installed, you will need to navigate to the back to the Apache Folder httpd file -
C:Apacheconfhttpd.conf
Open it with notepad and find the ‘AddModule’ section. [Hint: use Control F [windows find] and type ‘AddModule’] insert the following lines after the final AddModule command: EXACTLY
#start addition
LoadModule php5_module c:/php/php5apache.dll
AddModule mod_php5.c
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php .phtml
#end addition
the bits with the # will not be recognized. I know this is a bit bamboozling but it was for me too! So don’t give up yet.
Next, You will navigate to the Folder contining all the PHP files [should be C:/php] and locate the file labeled
php.ini_recommended
Find the line that says
doc_root =
Change this to read- .
doc_root = “C:Apachehtdocs”
[if there is a # in front of the doc_root command- remove it or it wil only be seen as a comment]
You also need to locate the command
extension_dir = “./” and replace it with
extension_dir = “C:phpext”"
The final part of the equation is the MySQL database installation, and here I encountered some problems. As I could only find a copy off my SQL5 instead of four as being suggested in the text.
MySQL 5 installation is pre-packaged, but when I came to the final part of the installation. I encountered a problem. The setup wizard said it could not fully install the database because I did not have TCP permissions on port 3306!!!!
Whaaaaaat….is a port 3306? This one again stumped me, and it was off to the mySQL frequently asked questions. Here, I finally found someone who made sense, and I paraphrase his response for any of you who are having the same problem.
here’s what you need to do:
Uninstall MySQL completely, turn the computer off and then run the installer again tick all the boxes along the way.
Go to Windows Firewall. Start – Control Panels – Windows Firewall – Exceptions tab.
Click the “Add Port” button:
Name: mysql
Port: 3306
Click the “Add Program” button.
Browse to where you have installed MySQL ( C:/Programs Files/MySQL/MySQL 5.x.x/bin/mysql )
This seems this seems to satisfy Apache For those using another server you may need to follow the other procedure.
Download the the MySQL Administrator program from
dev.mysql.com or mysql.he.net
Unzip the program and launch “MySQLAdministrator.exe” directly out of the unzipped directory by double clicking on the MySQL Administrator.exe file. put in the following information:
Server host: localhost
Username: root
Password: whatever
Click “OK”
Click on the “Startup Variables” item on the left, then the “Security” tab. Check the checkbox for “Disable grant tables.”
Click the “Service Control” item on the left and then the “Start/Stop Service” tab.
Click “Stop Service” — once the services has stopped, click the button again to start the service.
Thanks to Mike from wimpyplayer.com for the bulk of that info.
So, the outcome I was desiring was partly achieved: I am now able to ’see’ a full picture of a PHP webpage in the local browser on my computer- but only when I launch it from ‘Dreamweaver’ my web editing application, but, only one page at a time – it doesn’t act like a proper website, but perhaps that’s the next thing for me to learn.
Paul Warren is a Wealth Creation Educator and stock trader. You can download Wealth Creation Audio Books & Free Wealth Creation E-books at his site http://www.mymillionairebuddy.com
Developing Data Services And Data Models Training
An important segment of conceptual design process – data models are data structure or data plans that are vital for the development of a database. A data model is significant to define the relational tables, primary and foreign keys, stored procedures, and triggers.
In other words, data models can be compared to the building plan possessed by an architect. Data models are mostly developed using two methodologies, such as, the Object Model approach and the Entity-Relationship (ER), which in turn is mostly used to create data models for relational databases.
Additionally, creation of data models is inclusive of a multitude of steps such as identification of data objects and their relationships, drafting Entity-Relationship diagrams with relationships and entities, refining the ER diagram, adding key attributes and non key attributes to the diagram, drawing generalization hierarchies, validation of data model via normalization, and above all, incorporating integrity and business rules to the model. It is therefore important that building of data models require careful planning and analysis.
Broadly speaking, data models and data services play a pivotal role in the development of a database, as it is highly important to check whether all of the data objects pertaining to the building of the database are represented accurately and completely. In short, data models serve as a blueprint to build the database.
Further, data models employ only natural language and easily understandable notations, which in turn allows the end-users to effortlessly verify and review the database. Understanding the importance of data models and its services, nowadays many of the learning centers engage in providing world class training for developing data services and data models.
Developing data services and data models training usually last for three days. Mostly, the courses are categorized into nine sessions. In the first session, such topics as Design Processes for Business Solutions, the role of design processes in developing a systematic approach to effective solutions, and service layers and the design phases, are covered.
Included in the second session are conceptual design level data requirements for business solutions, the purpose and importance of conceptual designing, and data requirements in conceptual design. The third session is replete with topics such as Data Normalization, Purpose and Role of Normalization, and the role of keys in entity relationships. Among the topics covered in fifth session are physical data design, purpose and role of data design, and data optimization.
Data integrity, business rules for the implementation of data integrity, identification and implementation of data integrity requirements, and issues that can potentially lead to design problems, are some of the topics involved in the sixth session.
The topics discussed in seventh session, among many others, are developing data services, data services design, and info on how to select appropriate data access technologies. Significant of the topics covered in the eight session are data storage considerations, factors influencing the selection of data storage technology, and info on data storage products. Application of knowledge, review course objects, and review learning needs complete the last session.
In a snap shot, developing data services and data models training or courses covers topics such as:
- What is data model?
- What is physical data model?
- Advantages of data model
- Relational Database Terminology
- Requirements for gathering and documenting business
- How to handle complex data relationships including recursion, supertypes, and subtypes
- Determination of primary keys
- How to implement relationships with foreign keys
- Info on domain and derived attributes
- Diagramming entity relationship
- Diagramming table
- Normalization and Denormalization
Lectures, subject discussion, and team-based workshops also form part of the data services and data models training. Above all, on completion of each session, a lecture guide is given to students, which include a variety of examples as well as workshop solutions on data models.
Data model and data services training can be taken by anyone including database experts and non-technical professionals, such as, application designers, business analysts, database administrators, and developers. However, it is important that prior to joining the course, the candidate must have adequate knowledge on Developing Business Solutions and Analysis of Business Requirements.
Once the course is completed, students become well-versed in the principles and terminologies pertaining to data modeling. This in turn enables them to effortlessly handle relational database terminology. Another benefit of this course is that it allows students to easily convert business requirements to logical data models.
Our state-of-the-art learning centers are conveniently located in Wan Chai and Jordan, Hong Kong. We are strongly positioned as a total training solutions provider with online and classroom lessons in the areas of Language, I.T. and Business Skills. See more at http://www.newhorizons.edu.hk