Building Algorithms

[percyghost]

Guys I am a basic access user and I have a task to build algorithms into an access database. I dont even know what are algorithms and worse how to. Can you help please. Even email me at <snip>

[Banfa]

Welcome to theScripts percyghost

However you will find you get a better response if you put your posts into relevent forums. This is an Access question, there is an Access forum, it should have been posted there (I am moving it there now).

Additionally I would recomend that you read the Access Forums Posting Guildlines.

Remember the more infomation you give about your problem the more likely you are to get the help you need.

For instance (and I am not an Access expert so they may have other questions)

1. An algorithm to do what?
2. What is the structure of the Access database in use
3. Have you already got any code, working or non-working, if so post it.

[nico5038]

An algoritm is just a calculation.
When having an Ordernumber the algoritm can be for new ordernumbers to be one higher as the previous. So in code:
NewOrdernumber = HighestOrdernum berFound + 1

This can be "stored" in a query and also other calculations like the price of a good being the number of items * ItemPrice.

Getting the idea ?

Nic;o)

[percyghost]

An algoritm is just a calculation.
When having an Ordernumber the algoritm can be for new ordernumbers to be one higher as the previous. So in code:
NewOrdernumber = HighestOrdernum berFound + 1

This can be "stored" in a query and also other calculations like the price of a good being the number of items * ItemPrice.

Getting the idea ?

Nic;o)

Thanks Nico. Do you think this can be done by someone who is a basic level access user? Is it programming in any way or you can just use queries as you said. One more thing what is alpha and beta testing.

[NeoPa]

Thanks Nico. Do you think this can be done by someone who is a basic level access user? Is it programming in any way or you can just use queries as you said. One more thing what is alpha and beta testing.

Nico provided a definition of what an algorithm is. Algorithms come in many variations, from the very basic to the stunningly complicated.
A beginner can understand and use programming algorithms, but, depending on how logically minded they are, they can only use the simpler ones. That is, until they gain experience from practice. Some people can never get much beyond the basics no matter how much practice they have. This does NOT imply they're stupid, merely that their brains work in a different way. Few people handle logic very well, and that is a fundamental concept for algorithm work.

Testing levels:
In development and releasing of code, there must be testing done.
The first level of testing is done by the coder himself while working on the project.
When the coder is satisfied he passes it on to Alpha level testers. These are often colleagues in his company (a testing department for instance) and they will normally test it in an environment set up for the purpose. Any bugs found at this stage are not public and so do not tarnish the reputation of the software.
The next level is Beta testing.
This is often done by a selected set of users, who may well be contacted publicly (internet etc) who are expected to use the software normally and report back any bugs found.
This is why you may come across beta testing references on web sites, but rarely come across anything to do with alpha testing.

[NeoPa]

By the way, if you're asking 'Is it fair to give a task like this to someone who doesn't know anything about programming?', then my answer would have to be 'No. It's probably not'.
However, if you can post simple, straightforward questions (See POSTING GUIDELINES: Please read carefully before posting to a forum for help with that), then we will help if we can. I can't promise we'll do your whole project for you, but we can probably give a helping hand.

[percyghost]

By the way, if you're asking 'Is it fair to give a task like this to someone who doesn't know anything about programming?', then my answer would have to be 'No. It's probably not'.
However, if you can post simple, straightforward questions (See POSTING GUIDELINES: Please read carefully before posting to a forum for help with that), then we will help if we can. I can't promise we'll do your whole project for you, but we can probably give a helping hand.

NeoPa
Thanks for the info.Here is the background info. An employment agency called me and told me there have a client who needs someone with access and excel expertise. They mailed me the following info below from the client about the tasks. I told the agent that I am only a basic access user and there are somethings that are new to me here but the agent insists and say fine how about if the client interviews you and I gave in to this. The client interviewed me and I told them I am excel advanced but my access is basic. Well they went on to offer me the job. I am starting soon so thats why I dont have much info but below is the info I have.

COSTING AND QUOTATION TOOL
Access and Excel Expert to optimize European GA costing and quotation tool to extend it into Costing and Quotation tool for Uptime.
- Updating and adding variables and fields (this can require some re-engineering depending on current structure of tool), including building algorithms in Access.
- Adding links to download information into the tool
- Improve User Appearance and Interface

[willakawill]

NeoPa
Thanks for the info.Here is the background info. An employment agency called me and told me there have a client who needs someone with access and excel expertise. They mailed me the following info below from the client about the tasks. I told the agent that I am only a basic access user and there are somethings that are new to me here but the agent insists and say fine how about if the client interviews you and I gave in to this. The client interviewed me and I told them I am excel advanced but my access is basic. Well they went on to offer me the job. I am starting soon so thats why I dont have much info but below is the info I have.

COSTING AND QUOTATION TOOL
Access and Excel Expert to optimize European GA costing and quotation tool to extend it into Costing and Quotation tool for Uptime.
- Updating and adding variables and fields (this can require some re-engineering depending on current structure of tool), including building algorithms in Access.
- Adding links to download information into the tool
- Improve User Appearance and Interface

Well you are certainly going to learn fast if you take this job :)
Not to worry. I learned how to write code while I was being paid to do it. Just get a good book. Something like 'Learn everything there is to know about Access in 5 minutes' and you will be fine :) Your Excel skills should carry you through.
Good luck.

[MMcCarthy]

If they are only looking for costings and quotations then at a guess I would say that the algorithms referred to will be more in the nature of basic math rather than the logic based complicated type of algorithms that NeoPa referred to earlier.

If you have used vba in Excel then you shouldn't have too many problems using it in Access. There are just a lot more events to choose from. :)

Anyway, we can help you out there when the time comes.

As with Willakawill I learned a lot of my programming in VBA 'on the job'. It's not that unusual as until you have a requirement for a particular piece of code you will never use it and I don't think there is any training course that could teach everything as there are so many ways of doing the same thing in VBA and each programming situation is unique. I've been programming Access and VBA for years and I'm still learning.

Mary

[NeoPa]

I fully endorse what's already been said by Will & Mary above.
But you know, designing a spec for a project like than can be a daunting task too.
Many people don't do it well.
Go in there and you'll learn much more about the sort of thing they actually want you to do when you can sit down and talk with them human to human.
You'll probably have a clearer idea of whether or not you can manage the task too.
I hope that you'll feel a bit more confident of yourself knowing that you have some resources behind you (I must be careful not to promise too much as we discourage people trying to get our experts actually to do all the work for them) but I'm sure that if you come across stumbling blocks, there'll be people willing to give a hand.
Good luck - and make loads of money ;)