learn about SQL and designing relational databases

This is not a trivial book. It will not teach you Microsoft Access in 24 hours, for example. There is a lot covered here, and if you are new to Access, it will certainly engage your attention for some time.

In essence, Schneider does not "just" teach you Access. Learning it is also about learning SQL and designing relational databases. Access is Microsoft's front end to its SQL Server database. The book shows how it is a very powerful user interface that eases the design and building of a database.

For instance, Access has forms. Powerful constructs that let you input data and test this data for the underlying tables. You can put built in checks about the validity of the data that will be typed into a form. A trivial but important example might be that a box in the form that should expect an integer will indicate an error if a number with a decimal point is entered, or if letters are entered. Schneider points out that checks like this makes data input far more efficient. I would differ only in saying that perhaps he does not emphasise this enough. While you, the database designer, can have the most intricate sets of interrelated tables, this avails little in practise if the data entry clerks type in contaminated data. All your planning can come to nought. You should spend time beefing up your forms with as many checks as feasible.

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