Database Management System (CS403)

Lecture Handout
Database Management System
Lecture No. 33

Reading Material Programming Microsoft Access Mastering MS Access

Overview of Lecture
o Designing Input Form o Arranging Form o Adding Command Buttons

In the previous lecture we have discussed the importance of user interface. It plays an important role in the development of any application. User will take interest in the application if user interface is friendly. We then discussed different tools, which are used in the development of any application. In this lecture we will see the designing of input forms.

Designing Input Forms

An input form is an easy, effective, efficient way to enter data into a table. Input forms are especially useful when the person entering the data is not familiar with the inner workings of Microsoft Access and needs to have a guide in order to input data accurately into the appropriate fields. Microsoft Access provides several predefined forms and provides a forms wizard that walks you through the process of creating a form. One of these predefined forms will be used in the example below. You can also create your own

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Database Management System (CS403) customized forms by using Microsoft Access form design tools. Following things must be ensured for input forms: Forms should be user friendly Data integrity must be ensured, which means that database must represent the true picture of real system. Checks can be applied within the tables definition or through input forms

So first we will run MS Access and select New option from the file. Next it will ask the name of database as follows.

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Database Management System (CS403) We have given the name as Exam System, we will then press the create button and following screen would be available.

In this screen we will first select project using existing data from New templates, as we are using data of SQL Server that is why we are using this option. Next move on to Data Link Properties dialog, which is adjacent one. So first select the connection Tab in which first select the server name then is the security setting after selecting that option then is the selection of database on which forms are to be constructed.

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Database Management System (CS403) Now these are the tables of Exam Data base, with which connectivity has been established. Now we will select the Forms option as under:

So here are two options in design and wizard both we are selecting wizard view after selecting this next screen would be as under:

Now here we will select the concerned table and initially we are selecting single table that is of STUDENT. Next is the selection of required attributes for the concerned table as under.

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Database Management System (CS403)

Then is the selection of required layout for the form. There are different options available in this option. We can select the required option. We have selected Column option for the layout of forms. Then is the selection of background or style for our forms as under. We have selected the SandStone option.

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Database Management System (CS403)

Next is the selection of title for the form as under.

Next is the form view as under in which we can view our data.

Arranging Form
Forms must be designed and arranged in a systematic manner now

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Database Management System (CS403)

Next is deleting a field from the form.

If we want to add an attribute in the list.

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Database Management System (CS403)

Adding Command Buttons

In this example, a command button beside each record is used to open another form.

Open the form in Design View and ensure that the Control Wizard button on the toolbox is pressed in.

Click the command button icon on the toolbox and draw the button on the form. The Command Button Wizard will then appear.

On the first dialog window, action categories are displayed in the left list while the right list displays the actions in each category. Select an action for the command button and click Next .

The next few pages of options will vary based on the action you selected. Continue selecting options for the command button.

Choose the appearance of the button by entering caption text or selecting a picture. Check the Show All Pictures box to view the full list of available images.

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Database Management System (CS403)

Click Next >.

Enter a name for the command button and click Finish to create the button.

Summary
In todays lecture we have studied the designing of forms. Forms are used as an alternative way to enter data into a database table. It can be made more perfect with lots of practice and designing number of forms. So it needs practice. We have designed a simple form through wizard. A more complex form can also be designed with some practice.

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