MS Access
First let us know what is database :
A database is a collection of data that is stored
in a computer system.
It helps us to record, access and analyse data
quickly and easily.
The database is a collection of lists.
MS ACCESS:
Microsoft Access (MS Access) is a database
management system (DBMS) that is part of
Microsoft's Office suite. It combines
Microsoft's relational Jet Database Engine with
a graphical user interface (GUI) and software
development tools.
MS Access is primarily used for accounting,
such as:
Managing invoices and bills
Managing accounts
Keeping track of credit and debit
Developing application software
MS Access can also be used to:
Create database applications from templates
or from scratch
Customize applications for business and
customers
Integrate data between Access and line-of-
business apps
Store data in SQL Server and Microsoft
Azure SQ
The main objects in an Access desktop
database are:
Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros, Data
macros, Modules.
How is the data stored in MS access ?
Microsoft Access stores data in tables, which
are organized into horizontal rows and vertical
columns. These rows and columns are called fields
and records.
Why is a database important?
Databases are important because they are the
foundation of modern information systems. They
store essential data about a business, which can be
analyzed to help with decision-making.
Here are some other reasons why databases are
important:
Data management
Databases can manage large amounts of data and
multiple types of data efficiently. This helps
organizations make important decisions quickly and
easily.
Multiple users
Databases can handle multiple users and store data in
interrelated tables and logical formats.
Data protection
Data protection is one of the most important aspects
of administering a database. It's important to
monitor data for unauthorized access and usage.
Data integrity
Data integrity ensures data protection from
corruption, whether accidental or malicious.
Redundant data
By eliminating redundancy, a database management
system prevents the duplication of data, saves
storage space, and speeds up access time.
Transactions
Transactions are crucial for maintaining data
integrity and consistency in database systems. They
ensure that multiple operations occur atomically,
either all succeeding or all failing.
Data volume
Databases can absorb significant increases in data
volume.
Microsoft Access Architecture
Microsoft Access is a relational database
management system (RDBMS) that provides a
graphical user interface for creating and managing
databases. The architecture of Microsoft Access
includes the following components:
Tables
Tables are the basic building blocks of any database.
They store data in rows and columns and are used to
organize related information into groups. Tables in
Microsoft Access can have various data types, such
as text, number, date/time, etc.
Forms
Forms are used to provide a user-friendly interface
for entering data into tables. They can be created
using a drag-and-drop interface and can be
customized using a variety of tools and controls.
Queries
Queries are used to extract specific data from
tables based on user-defined criteria. They can be
used to sort, filter, and aggregate data from multiple
tables and can be created using a graphical query
designer.
Reports
Reports are used to present data in a visually
appealing format. They can be used to create
summaries, charts, and graphs based on data from
one or more tables.
Macros
Macros are used to automate common tasks in
Microsoft Access. They can be used to perform
tasks such as opening forms and running queries, and
can be triggered by user actions or by events in the
database.
Modules
Modules are used to write custom code in Microsoft
Access using the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
programming language. They can be used to create
custom functions, automate complex tasks, and
interact with other applications.
Security
Microsoft Access includes built-in security features
that allow you to control access to the database and
its objects. Access supports user-level security,
which allows you to assign specific permissions to
individual users or groups.
Back-End Database Server
For larger databases with multiple users, Microsoft
Access can be used as a front-end application that
connects to a back-end database server such as
Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle. This allows multiple
users to access the database simultaneously and
provides better scalability and performance.
Overall, the architecture of Microsoft Access is
designed to provide a user-friendly and flexible
environment for creating and managing databases,
with a range of tools and features that allow you to
customize the database to your specific needs.
