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Book Review: Programming Microsoft
Visual Basic .NET for Microsoft Access Databases
By Rick Dobson
Microsoft Press
ISBN 0-7356-1819-4
Reviewed by Charles
Loprinzo,
Summary: This book is a superb tool for getting you started
in the .NET world, without having to learn a whole new language. If you do not know Visual Basic, then this
book is for you. Even if you are familiar
with VB, then this book will shed light on some of the wonderful new
enhancements available with the .NET version.
With hundreds of different books to choose from you could
spend a lifetime looking for the right book to get you started using VB .NET
with you current Access database solutions.
If you are one of the many programmers who want to take advantage of
Microsoft’s leading edge technology, couple it with your current knowledge of
Microsoft Access, and examine the many possibilities, then this book is for
you.
As the title says this book is “Programming Microsoft Visual
Basic .NET.” Don’t be fooled into
thinking that this book will give you all the answers to make your Access
application into a robust secure application that VB users having been used
to. It is designed to give the reader
ideas on how to combine Access and VB .NET.
You’ll discover ways of taking advantage of .NET programming while maintaining
much of the strength and simplicity that Access developers are used to.
Rick does a wonderful job of explaining the basics of .NET
in the first three chapters. Focusing on
the basic concepts that make up .NET, specifically the Common Language Runtime,
garbage collection, assemblies and Exception Handling (which he explains in
more detail in chapter four), Rick makes a powerful argument for Visual Basic
.NET.
The book continues the argument by introducing some of the
changes and comparisons with Visual Studio .NET and Access. The book is loaded with noteworthy
explanations of how to program VB.NET.
Rick covers many of the basics in a style that any intelligent beginner
can understand.
With Chapter 4, Rick leaps ahead to more advanced concepts,
but his code samples and explanations still keep the content clear and easy to
follow. Some of the sections in this
chapter may be too advanced for beginners, but it is a great starting ground
for those who are trying to advance their knowledge of programming. Filled with many productive ideas and
concepts, this chapter will get the readers’ juices flowing. The code samples will give you a way to try
out the concepts at your own pace with a minimum amount of hassle.
The next two chapters tackle the fundamental concepts of
programming Windows Forms. Chapter 5
begins by explaining the code behind the form created by the Windows Forms
Designer and how to take advantage of it with your own custom code. Chapter 6 continues the examination of
Windows controls with plenty of explanation on how they work and controlling
them through code. It then goes on to
discuss DataGrids, managing DataGrid properties and Sub Forms. If your goals are to manipulate controls or
display data, then this section is a “must read”.
By far one of the most relevant book sections to Access
developers is the ADO.NET section.
Beginning with Chapter 7, Rick introduces the reader to
The final few chapters deal with web applications and Rick
discusses some of the theories and concepts behind .NET security.
In summary I recommend the book for anyone who is trying to
understand .NET technology while seeking to maintain a connection to Microsoft
Access. I found Rick’s examples clearly
written and defined without being over loaded with details. There are plenty of coding examples which
show exactly what he is trying to convey in each section without forcing the
reader to follow step-by-step like most beginner’s books do.
Reviewer Biography
Charles Loprinzo started
working in the IT industry in January of 1997 for a small group of
radiologists. He quickly had to learn everything
about networking, PC repairs and programming.
After four years he found that he truly loved creating and designing
applications in MS Access and started working full time as an Access
programmer. He currently works at
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