Creating Text Expressions

For this assignment I followed along with the text book to create a query using expressions and build an example. I used expressions to create a new text field by concatenating fields containing text and string constants. The string constant encloses the text in double or single quotation marks. Used the ampersand character (&) between fields to indicate that I want to concatenate them. So the output would look like, for example, Last name, First name, Middle Name (Andrew, David L.) and city, state, and zip code (Bethel, AK 99559). The query accomplished names, cities, states, and zipcodes. Maybe it could be improved by adding telephone or cell phone numbers. I included a screenshot to show the query.

Custom sorts

I created a couple of custom sorts for my Contact database.

I created my custom sorts using the Query Wizard. The Query Wizard button is in the Other group on the Create tab on the Ribbon.

My custom sorts can allow quick access to addresses of friends.

The custom sorts look fine but I think I can make improvements by adding phone numbers. Yup I think it would be better to me if I include phone numbers in the custom sorts.

My Database Tables

I chose the particular tables that I created for my project in the course. I created the tables so I can conveniently find phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses immediately just by opening the tables and clicking on the mouse. The tables I created are useful for looking up, like I said before, phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses. Yes! The tables will be useful in the future and the tables that I created will be in my laptop. Awesome! I like the tables I created and I’m not sure if I want to make any improvements on the tables at this time. But if any improvements can be made as I go along in the course I surely will make improvements on the tables that I have created.

Analysis of a sample database

I looked at the Contacts objects, table, query, form, and report in the sample files of Access 2007 Inside Out CD. The table is laid out the way it is because you can enter data in the column, such as, a name or an address, in the field. And in the row data is collected, such as, a department name.

A Query object lets you see a custom view of data from a table and lets you define queries to select, update, insert, or delete data.

A Form object is for data input, display, or for control of application execution. You can use forms to customize the presentation of data that your application gets from queries or tables. Forms are also printable.

A Report is an object where you can format, calculate, print , and summarize a selected data and you can view your report before you print it.

I think I could use a similar format for my database because I am doing a contacts database project for this course. After all I am a novice in Access 2007.

My kinda databasical plan for a contacts database

I think I will make a contacts database to hold some of the student’s addresses and phone numbers for my final project and for future use. I'll probably put family members and other friends as well in this project for convenient address and phone number look ups too. I think I like what Access 2007 can do with data and images. Maybe I can also make a special one of-a-kind database for one-of-a-kind special friends too but I'll probably make it my own project if I can get to it and have the time to do it in the future. In the mean time I'll concentrate on my final project.

To make the best use of database I will need to use the following object types in the navigation pane, which are, tables, queries, forms, and reports. I’ll use query to combine first and last name fields to show as combined words or names. For example, first name first or last name first. I will use tables to store data of people’s names, addresses, phone numbers, work places, job title, and e-mail addresses. I’ll use forms to add or edit new contacts and also view the list of contacts that I have entered. Also in the forms I can insert an image of a person in the form titled, “contact details.” In the reports I can view my full alphabetical contact list and look up phone numbers by group. Sweet!

My ultimately goal I think will be is to do this right in the first place so I won’t have to go back and make corrections or start the whole thing over again from scrap. Another goal is I'll try to have a picture of every contact in my database if I can get the pictures. Awesome!

As I was going through chapter 4 and 5 of Access 2007 Inside Out I was having a hard time trying to understand what I was reading and having a hard time following the text book creating tables. I think I was trying to do a lot in a short period of time. I think I was pushing myself too hard or trying too hard to understand and follow along with the textbook. But after I took a break from Access 2007 and got a little rest I went back into it and everything made a little more sense. I think if I take my time and take the time to understand what I am reading I think I'll be alright. If I can do what I did in other courses, such as, Computer Literacy Basics and Microsoft Excel, I believe I can do the same with Access 2007 Inside Out.

Present Knowledge of Databases

I have never tried using databases before and not even Access 2007. In fact I have never took this kind of an access class before. After reading chapters 1-3 in, "Access 2007 Inside Out", I kind of felt overwhelmed about all the how to's and new terminology in Access.

Why You Might Use a Database

Using Database makes managing data easier. For example, I own a business, I could keep track of business deals, invoices, and I could look at monthly or quarterly sales. I could keep track of expenses, names, addresses, and phone numbers too.

I heard the word, database, before in Excel class and I had no understanding of what it was. I took an Excel class previously and learned that data are stored in spreadsheets. After reading chapters 1-3 in, "Access 2007 Inside Out", I learned that data are stored in tables in database. So in a nutshell database stores data in tables and Excel stores data in spreadsheets.

Why am I taking this class?

I had no choice but to take this course as one of my spring semester classes. I anticipated two other classes to be offered but found out they were not offered this semester. Every class I have taken since coming to college have been very big challenges for me. The classes were and are not easy. I put in a lot of hard work. I was and am still determined and sometimes and some days I feel like I am out that determined feeling. But I just try to keep going and I get over that feeling and the determination comes back on.

I was not looking forward or interested in taking Access 2007. But, after reading chapters 1-3 I think access can come in handy, although, it looks like there is a lot of reading and studying to do.

Spring Semester 2010

This is me wondering if I will make it through the spring 2010 semester.