Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that is part of Microsoft Office. It is somewhat unique in that it provides an extensive graphical user interface (GUI), which allows users to develop sophisticated applications, even connecting to other DBMSs (such as Microsoft SQL Server) for data storage and retrieval but using Microsoft Access as the user interface for those databases.
Microsoft Access makes it easy to get started using databases, particularly due to its “drag-and-drop” approach to creating tables, writing queries, and designing applications. We will capitalize on these features as a way to introduce many of the topics that will be covered in much greater depth later in the course. In particular, the Query-by-Example (QBE) interface provides an excellent introduction to queries without the learning curve of the Structured Query Language (SQL). Similarly, creating forms and reports mimics some of the application programming that we will do using other programming languages and environments in later assignments.
- Expected duration
- 3.5 hours
- Deadline
- 2359 on Lesson 5
- Points
- 65 points
- Submission
- the Learning Management System (LMS)
Learning Objectives
- Create a relational database using Microsoft Access
- Design queries using Query-by-Example (QBE)
- Experiment with forms and reports as ways to interact with a database
Help Policy
- Authorized Resources
- Any, except posted or other students’ solutions
- Notes
- Do not jointly work on this assignment.
- Never copy another person’s work and submit it as your own.
- You must document all help received from all sources, including the instructor and instructor-provided course materials (such as the textbook).
Assignment
Due to length of this assignment, it is broken into the following parts:
- Creating a Relational Database (60 minutes)
- Performing Queries using Query-by-Example (60 minutes)
- Creating Forms and Reports (90 minutes)
Follow the directions in each part, completing them in the order specified.
Submission
Submit your Microsoft Access database using the Learning Management System (LMS). The database file should include all the tables, queries (saved in the same order as the query descriptions), forms, and reports.
Include your documentation statement as part of your submission.
Grading
The following grading rubric will be used for this assignment:
| Description | Points |
|---|---|
| 4 tables (attributes, types, masks, validation rules, and foreign keys) @ 5 points each | 20 |
| 5 queries (attributes, filter, and order) @ 5 points each | 25 |
| 2 forms @ 5 points each | 10 |
| 2 reports @ 5 points each | 10 |
The forms and reports have a number of options from which to choose. You must only complete two forms and two reports, not all those shown.