Programming Microsoft Access 2002

Target Audience
Knowledge workers and technologists who are familiar with using Access and other Microsoft Office applications but whose previous programming experience is limitedAny programmers who require an introduction to Office development using Visual Basic

Pre-Requisites
Before attending this course, students must have the following pre-requisites:Ability to design a relational database.Ability to use Microsoft Access to create a database with multiple tables, forms, and reports, and to create queries

Purpose
Validate data. Find and trap errors. Gain access to and manipulate data in tables by using Microsoft ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) and the Structured Query Language (SQL). Create a custom switchboard for an Access application. NB. It may be necessary to extend the finish time of the final day on this course.

Course outline

1. Introduction to Programming
2. Responding to User Actions
3. Validating Data
4. Using Functions and Understanding Scope
5. Using Debugging Tools
6. Handling Run-Time Errors
7. Looping Through Code
8. Working with Records
9. Working with XML
10. Finalizing Your Application

Module 1:Introduction to Programming

• Using Visual Basic Help
• Writing Procedures
• Working with Variables
• Controlling Program Flow
• Calling Procedures
• Lab:
• Introduction to Programming

• Use Visual Basic Help.
  
• Use the Visual Basic Editor to add code to applications.
  
• Declare and use variables.
  
• Use built-in functions to obtain values from users.
  
• Create and call Sub procedures.
  
• Use conditional statements to control the flow of programs.
  

Module 2:Responding to User Actions

• Overview of the Class Application
• Adding Event Procedures
• Working with Events
• Using Objects, Properties, and Methods
• Using the DoCmd Object
• Lab:
• Responding to User Actions

• Create an event procedure.
  
• Add an event procedure to a form.
  
• Respond to user actions programmatically.
  
• Perform specific tasks by using the DoCmd object.
  

Module 3:Validating Data

• Overview of Data Validation
• Validating Data Without Using Code
• Validating Data by Using Code
• Lab:
• Validating Data

• Differentiate between data validation at the table level, form level, and code level
  
• Use the built-in validation tools in Microsoft Access.
  

Module 4:Using Functions and Understanding Scope

• Using functions
• Understanding scope
• Lab:
• Using Functions and Understanding Scope

• Describe the appropriate use of functions.
  
• Call built-in and custom functions in an application.
  
• Create a custom function.
  
• Describe the different levels of scope available to variables and procedures.
  
• Define variables at the appropriate level of scope.
  
• Define procedures at the appropriate level of scope.
  

Module 5:Using Debugging Tools

• Stepping Through Code
• Viewing Variables
• Lab:
• Using Debugging Tools

• Set breakpoints to stop program execution.
  
• Run selected portions of code.
  
• Test data and procedures in the Immediate window.
  
• Monitor variable values in the Locals window.
  
• Add and edit watch expressions.
  

Module 6:Handling Run-Time Errors

• Types of Errors
• Adding Error Handlers
• Lab:
• Handling Run-Time Errors

• Trap run-time errors.
  
• Create error handlers.
  
• Use the Err object.
  

Module 7:Looping Through Code

• Overview of Looping Structures
• For Loops
• Do Loops

• List the different looping structures available in Visual Basic for Applications.
  
• Write a For...Next loop to perform execution of code statements a fixed number of times.
  
• Write a Do...While and a Do...Until loop to perform execution of code statements a variable number of times.
  
• Describe the difference between beginning-of-loop and end-of-loop evaluation methods, and write code statements to accomplish each type of evaluation.
  

Module 8:Working with Records

• Overview of Recordsets
• Retrieving Data
• Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Manipulating Data
• Lab:
• Working with Records

• Define recordsets.
  
• Access data in tables by using ADO recordsets.
  
• Retrieve data by using SQL and ADO recordsets.
  
• Manipulate data by using SQL and ADO recordsets
  

Module 9:Working with XML

• About XML
• Importing XML
• Exporting XML
• Transforming XML
• Modifying XML using the DOM

• Describe XML and related technologies.
  
• Import XML into Access.
  
• Export XML from Access.
  
• Transform XML by using the Extensible Stylesheet Language for Transformations (XSLT).
  
• Modify XML by using the DOM.
  

Module 10:Finalizing Your Application

• Reviewing Your Application
• Enhancing the User Interface
• Packaging for Delivery
• Lab:
• Finalizing Your Application

• List four good coding practices and describe why you should use them.
  
• Describe the testing criteria for an application.
  
• Customize a switchboard.
  
• Hide code by creating an MDE file.
  
• Describe how to use the Compact and Repair utility to maintain your database application.
  
• Describe why and how to use the Database Splitter utility.
  
• Describe when and how to use the Packaging Wizard to prepare an application for distribution.