I have done a lot of work with Access 2003 but have not gotten to far into VBA. I'd like to build a custom applications based on Access tables and someday on SQL 2005. My question is: Would I be better off learning to use VB 2005 Express or VBA I don't want to waste a lot of time learning VBA if it is going to die anytime soon. Since I want to work with other Office programs someday I would assume I'd need to purchase Visual Studio Tools for Office. Can Visual Studio accomplish everthing that VBA can Any advice would be most helpful.
TIA
Steve
Is VB Express Likely to Work for Database Project?
Romeu
Jim Glass MSFT
Here are some Microsoft Links that might help you, I would have a look at the porduct line overview first.
Visual studio express editions FAQ
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/support/faq/
Visual Studio Express edition Registration FAQ
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/register/faq/
Direct Link to the Visual Studio Starter Kits on MSDN
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/downloads/starterkits/
Manual Install Packages for Visual Studio Express
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/support/install/
Uninstalling Previous Versions of Visual Studio 2005
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/support/uninstall/default.aspx
Visual Studio 2005 Product Line Overview
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/products/compare/default.aspx
Microsoft Express FAQ
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/support/faq/default.aspx#pricing
Includes information on Pricing and the use of the Express Products.
Introduction to ClickOnce Deployment
http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/learning/clickonce/
Links for SQL Server Express Edition
====================================
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express - Community Technical Preview (CTP) November 2005
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx FamilyID=82afbd59-57a4-455e-a2d6-1d4c98d40f6e&DisplayLang=en
SQL Server Express Utility
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx familyid=FA87E828-173F-472E-A85C-27ED01CF6B02&displaylang=en
SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Documentation and Samples
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx familyid=9697AAAA-AD4B-416E-87A4-A8B154F92787&displaylang=en
mangorind
I would look at working with VB.Net and SQL Express straight away, you will find that it will be easier and there would be no licensing problems later. Remember that all of the express products are free for the moment, and will not expire once the free period is over.
g_politis
You can build a fully functional database based application with VBExpress. Reporting - depends what tool you want to use, since there aren't really any free reporting tools (however, using a web server is pretty darned free!).
VB2005 Professional and above includes an OEM Version of Crystal Reports.
SQL Server 2005 (not express), however, has reporting services, which you can take advantage of in Visual Web Developer with an addin.