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I've been tasked to train a new MS Access developer that's moving into my department in a couple weeks. I'm not completely certain what his knowledge level is, but from what I've seen he knows very little if anything about basic design concepts like normalization. I don't think he even knows much VBA and is still primarily macro/wizard driven. There's no budget in my department for training, so free options are the only ones I could use. What resources could be recommended to help me teach him some of the basics and start developing a foundation to build on to get him up to speed?

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Might be better suited for programmers.stackexchange That said, start doing code reviews. Review his code, but also review yours, that allows you to put up "good" code on the screen and talk about the ideas and concepts. – taylonr Jun 22 '11 at 21:02
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If he doesn't understand normalization or VBA code and only knows macros/wizards then how can he call himself an Access developer? – Tony Toews Jun 22 '11 at 21:09
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Maybe run through Access Basics by Crystal, accessmvp.com/strive4peace, with him to get a better handle on his proficiency ... and teach him something in the process. Then see where you need to go next. – HansUp Jun 22 '11 at 21:17
@Tony Toews, he doesn't call himself an Access developer, but he's about to be one. :) For further clarification, my department isn't an "official" development department but one that's grown to fulfill the needs of the warehouse I work in. Our previous couple attempts to hire a "real" developer didn't pan out too well. Doesn't help that HR policy prevents us from offering a decent package to attract good candidates. – TimD Jun 23 '11 at 10:25
@taylonr and @Ken White, I agree. I hadn't found that site yet. How do I migrate a question? – TimD Jun 23 '11 at 10:28
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migrated from stackoverflow.com Jun 23 '11 at 10:38

1 Answer

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I think my experience could be an answer.

I'm now in a factory doing my internship. One of my job is to create a Access App. When I began 2 month ago, I knew nearly nothing about Access and a little about database and VB.

Firstly I did read book. One I recommend is Access Database Design & Programming. It's not that kind of bible book, but it starts from database design theory(SQL, normalization of course), then VBA, finishes by introducing DAO and ADO model. It's not based on the modern version of Access but is still valuable. Most important is its price, very cheap.

Then I have a look at the sample database, the Northwind in Access 2007. And by studying it (interface, code, structure of the app etc.), I have a clear idea what it is like a Access App and plus some useful techniques (wrappers, log error module ...)

And of course it's here, SO. You can see I post several questions here, all are well responded.

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Oh, some useful links: (I think you know already) access.mvps.org allenbrowne.com/tips.html – darkjh Jun 23 '11 at 7:31
@darkhj, O'Reilly is one of my favorite publishers, and that looks like a good book. And yes, those two links are in my Favorites, but thanks as well. – TimD Jun 23 '11 at 10:30
The Access sample databases are filled with all sorts of TERRIBLE things that violate best practices. Learning from them is going to make you a BAD Access developer. – David-W-Fenton Jun 25 '11 at 1:40
@David-W-Fenton, you mean there are lots of bounded forms and charts? That's not good. But I can't find a sample Access App except this one... – darkjh Jun 26 '11 at 11:35

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