NewDatabase

  • Thread starter Thread starter SusanM
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SusanM

Hello,
Working(on paper)a database tracking 2,000 employees.Will
have all typical employee info along with the paid time,
vacation days they are granted each year.It will also
need to calculate their balance after usage is keyed in
by a data entry person. Can this be done with a flat
database?
I have about 6 months of "hands on" use (with current
database)and 2 classes of Access plus a mountain of
books. Thank you for your time and advice. It is much
appreciated.
SusanM
 
SusanM said:
Hello,
Working(on paper)a database tracking 2,000 employees.Will
have all typical employee info along with the paid time,
vacation days they are granted each year.It will also
need to calculate their balance after usage is keyed in
by a data entry person. Can this be done with a flat
database?
Click to expand...

No, not really at all.

You might be able to make something work, but the results would not be worth
all the effort you make! I wish I could kind of say don't worry,and don't
use some relational database stuff. Unfortunately, the #1 reason to use
ms-access over something like Excel is this fact that ms-access is a
relational system.

If you are going to use a flat file...then why not just use Excel (and, it
is very possible you are doing that now!).

We don't use a relational system because we can, or we think it is cool We
use relational data modeling because it allows us to solve the problem at
hand, and this data model does so with a minimum of fuss, and a minimum of
effort on the users part.

Unfortunately, to realize this goal of reduced data entry, and increased
productivity requires more skill and better design ability on the part of
the developer. So, with more learning comes more power, and the result is an
application that solves the problem at hand (and, applications that solve
the problem at hand make you look like a real winner).

When people ask me what is one of the most important skills I look for when
hiring a ms-access developer, data modeling, or what we call normalizing is
a very desirable skill (in fact, it is near the top in my list!).

I wish I could kind of be nice on this issue...but getting the data model
correct is one thing you can do to ensure a successful database product.
I have about 6 months of "hands on" use (with current
database)and 2 classes of Access plus a mountain of
books. Thank you for your time and advice. It is much
appreciated.
SusanM
Click to expand...

yea..those books can be real large! I can't stress how important it is to
learn this database modeling concept. These data concepts will apply to
EVERY singe database system you use. So, once you learn data modeling, you
can use it with Oracle, MySql, Ms-sql server, ms-access/JET...etc. etc.

So, asking can you do this with a flat file is kind of a cop out...and not
really the answer. The real answer is to design a correct data model that
SOLVES YOUR problem at hand. That is the key!

Here is some reading on normalizing:

ACC2002: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283878

Database Normalization Tips by Luke Chung
http://www.fmsinc.com/tpapers/genaccess/databasenorm.html

Data Normalization Fundamentals by Luke Chung
http://www.fmsinc.com/tpapers/datanorm/index.html

324613 - Support WebCast: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=324613
 
Hi Susan

bit surprised that after 6 months of using access, a couple of classes and a
mountain of books that you would ask if your database needs could be met
with a "flat" database?!? unless i'm misunderstanding what you mean by a
flat database.

i think the point you need to start at is to look at the relationship
between the different bits of data that you want to store & track and see if
they are all 1 to 1 ... if so, a flat-file database (ie excel type) will
meet your needs, however if you have any 1 to many or many to many
relationships, then no, you need a relational database.

IMHO when designing a database this is always the starting point - closely
followed by the question of "what do you want out of it" ...

Let us know how you get on

Cheers
JulieD
 
Susan,
If you would like one example of a database you are
talking about, email me: (e-mail address removed)
One of my first projects in MS Access what tracking
employee sick time, vacation, etc. I know this can be a
task, especially when you have variables such as hours
earned per month based on years of service, etc, etc.

Let me know.

Terry
 
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