Useful comparison of ADP versus MDB

I own this book along with Wordware's Access 2003 Programming by Example with VBA, XML and ASP. I find that this book has a more comprehensive treatement of subjects such as using ADE, Access upsizing via ADP versus MDB databases with linked tables and DAO. Granted that DAO is quite dated but its inclusion in the book is prefaced by a discussion of the advantages that it has over ADO in some limited applications. The book also tries to provide a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology, even if it does spend more of its time concentrating on DAO.

If you are looking for a serious reference on ADO, I would suggest that you give the Wordware title serious consideration. However, if you are comparing ADP versus MDB databases in upsizing scenarios or if you are looking for a good reference on ADE which is well rounded in its description of VBA as applied to Access in general; as opposed to a specific data access model such as ADO, then this is the book for you.

The writers have done this all before and approach the subject in a narrative tone which worked for me. The section on ADP sold me on the book as I was looking at an application for upsizing an Access database to SQL server, whilst still retaining Access for the forms and reports. I was considering the two main approaches of using ADP versus MDB with linked tables and this book was able to provide me with all of the information required for me to make a sound decision.

In fact I liked it so much whilst browsing it at my local Boffins bookshop that I just had to buy it on the spot! However, whilst very good, it is not worthy of 5 stars due to its excessive focus on DAO.

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• Useful comparison of ADP versus MDB