What is MS Access?

Microsoft Access is a DBMS (also known as Database Management System)

from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a
graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the
Microsoft Office suite of applications, included in the Professional and higher
editions or sold separately.
Microsoft Access stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database
Engine. It can also import or link directly to data stored in other applications and
databases.
Software developers and data architects can use Microsoft Access to develop
application software, and "power users" can use it to build software applications.
Like other Office applications, Access is supported by Visual Basic for
Applications (VBA), an object-oriented programming language that can reference
a variety of objects including DAO (Data Access Objects), ActiveX Data Objects,
and many other ActiveX components. Visual objects used in forms and reports
expose their methods and properties in the VBA programming environment, and
VBA code modules may declare and call Windows operating-system functions.

Terminologies in MS Access
Database management system (DBMS) - A DBMS is an application that you
use to manage a database.
Database engine - A database engine is a part of a DBMS. It provides a link
between the DBMS and the physical data on the hard disk.

Database - A database is a collection of related data that is organized so that

you can easily view the data and perform operations on the data. This article
defines various database objects and database object views.
Relationship - A relationship is an association between Access tables or queries
that use related fields.
Microsoft Jet Database Engine (Jet) - Jet is an advanced relational database
engine that is used by Access. Jet handles database processing for Access.
Because Jet does not have a user interface, you have to use a program such as
Access to use Jet. You can use Jet to interact with other databases, such as
Paradox and dBASE. You can use Jet with the Open Database Connectivity
(ODBC) driver to provide data to the ODBC client application.
Access stores data in the Jet Database Engine .mdb file format. You can
store many related tables in a single .mdb file. Jet also stores the following in the
same .mdb file:
Indexes
Relationships among tables
Validation rules
Query definitions
Security permissions
When you use Access, Jet also stores the following database objects in the .mdb
file:
Forms
Reports

 Macros

Modules

Database window - The Database window is the first window that appears when
you open an .mdb file or an .adp file. The Database window is the default window
in Access. From the Database window, you can locate any database object that
is stored in a database. The Database window also displays the shortcuts that
you can use to create new database objects and to open existing database
objects.
Query - A query is an instruction to retrieve information that is in a set of rows.
You can use a query to retrieve information from a single table or from multiple
tables based on specific criteria. You can also use a query to modify the
information that you retrieve.
Database Management System Software package that allows you to use a
computer to create a database; add, change, and delete data in the database;
sort the data in the database; retrieve data in the database; and create forms and
reports using the data in the database
Record Information about a single person, product, or event
Field A specific piece of information within a record
File A collection of records
Unique Identifier Data will appear only in a single record in the table; no two
fields will be assigned the same data (Primary Key)
Microsoft Access Database management system (DBMS) that functions in the
Windows environment and allows you to create and process data in a database

Shortcut Menu A menu of the most frequently used commands

Relational database - is a collection of data items organized as a set of formally
described tables from which data can be accessed or reassembled in many
different ways without having to reorganize the database tables. The relational
database was invented by E. F. Codd at IBM in 1970.
Examples of Relational Database Systems

The Elements of a Database

What elements comprise a database? This article deals mainly with the
objects that comprise a database. Several concepts are worthy of coverage
within the scope of the database as it relates to database design. As you work
with data and databases, you will see how the origination of business information
and databases is formulated into database elements. The intent here is to
provide a brief coverage of basic database elements to provide you with a basic

understanding of the elements found in a database.

Several topics are discussed in the following sections. These topics include:

The database schema

Schema objects

Indexes

Tables

Fields and columns

Records and rows

Keys

Relationships

Data types

Advantages of a Computerized Database

Computer databases can store a large amount of information at a
small cost. They can also retrieve information quickly. Computer programs can
access information stored in databases to create analytical data in a short period
of time.The advantages of computer databases were clear since the invention of
the first computers. Early military research into computers focused on using them
to store and analyze data efficiently and quickly, and their ability to calculate
ballistic trajectories proved to be advantageous. Once World War II ended, many
started looking into the advantages of using databases for economic and
scientific purposes.
Almost all modern customer information is stored in databases. As a

result, customer service representatives can access information almost instantly,

allowing them to provide quick support over the phone. Support can also be
automated, allowing companies to create effective online interfaces. Online
banking, in particular, has become popular. Companies can also use these
databases to discover trends about their customers and learn how to target and
serve customers more effectively.
Some of the world's most powerful supercomputers calculate weather
information and compile information about global trends. The amount of
information they process far exceeds what humans could possibly accomplish,
and their insights provide otherwise unattainable knowledge about local and
global weather trends.

Latest Version of MS Access

Microsoft Access 2016 is the latest version of Access. Previous versions
include Access 2013, Access 2010, Access 2007, and Access 2003. Access 2016
is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7.