Visual Basic and Active Database Object

Tutorial with Examples

• To connect to a database and table:
  • Add a Data Object which looks like this:
  • Works like a CD player with first record, previous record, next record, and last record
  • Change the (Name) property to identify the table
  • Change the DatabaseName property to select the database
  • Change the RecordSource property to select the table
• To connect a field to an object:
  • Add Textbox Objects for each field in the table
  • Change the (Name) property to identify the field
  • Change the DataSource property to select the table
  • Change the DataField property to select the field
  • The data in the fields will show in the Textbox Objects
  • Use the Data Object controls to move around in the database
• To display the records of a database on a listbox:
  • Create a Listbox Object
  • Clear the Listbox Object
  • Use datTableName.Recordset.MoveFirst to move to the first record
  • Use datTableName.Recordset.EOF in a loop to test for end of file
  • Use datTableName.Recordset!fieldName to display the contents of a field
  • Build a string variable one field at a time and then display add to a Listbox Object
• To search for a particular record in the database:
  • Declare a string variable
  • Assign an SQL SELECT command to the string variable
  • Move to the first record in the dataset
  • Use datTableName.Recordset.FindFirst strVar to search for the first matching record
  • The first match will display in your Textbox Objects
• To search for multiple occurances of matching records:
  • Loop while not EOF
  • Add any matching records to a Listbox Object
  • If datTableName.Recordset.NoMatch then MoveLast and MoveNext to force an EOF
• Add records:
  • Create a form with enough textboxes for every field in the table
  • Add a Data Object, set the DataBaseName, set the RecordSource
  • Add a Command Button Object
  • Use datTableName.Recordset.AddNew
  • Use datTableName.Recordset!fieldName = txtTextBoxName.Text to add data to each field
  • When all fields have been data added, use datTableName.Recordset.Update to update the record and close the add new
• Change records:
  • Allow the user to change the data displayed on the form
• Delete records:
  • Display the correct record
  • Use datTableName.Recordset.Delete
  • Be sure to confirm the deletion with the user to allow the user to change her mind