Posted April 17, 20231 yr Northwind Traders 2.0 is not just another facelift of the existing template We’ve heard your comments and criticisms of Northwind. Northwind objects don't follow good naming conventions Tables don't always adhere to proper normalization Undocumented functionality is confusing, especially for new, inexperienced Access users No upgrades since 2006. The data is also from 2006 There is some truth in these criticisms. So, a little over a year ago some members of the Access developer community came to Microsoft with a challenge. We've addressed the shortcomings in the previous Northwind template and turned it into a new, modern showcase for the best Access has to offer A team of experienced Access developers from the community accepted the challenge and over a year later, our work is ready to meet the world. Northwind 2.0 showcase is available for download! But wait, there’s more! Our team set out to implement a new, modern look and feel for Northwind, eliminating many of the problems in previous versions. However, early planning for what became known as Northwind 2.0 revealed the difficult problem of providing a showcase of Access features for new, first-time users while providing more experienced users a chance to stretch out and expand their skills. The solution was obvious. We needed two versions of Northwind. Northwind 2.0 starter version Northwind 2.0 Starter Version is a showcase of Access features at a basic level, with a simple yet correct relational design, so that first-time users can see what’s possible without feeling overwhelmed. The rich possibilities of a fully developed relational database application is the starter version to beginners have been waiting for. Northwind 2.0 developer version Northwind 2.0 developer version builds on the concept of a showcase of Access features by implementing a fully developed relational database application, complete with normalized tables, proper naming conventions, and professionally written code to enforce complex business rules. This developer version provides a solid, working application using sound design principles and professional practices. You can download and use either one or both, depending on your current skill level and interest. What isn’t in Northwind 2.0 Early on, the volunteer development team realized that the results of this project couldn't be used as-is for any real-world business. Just breathing life into these two versions involved many extended discussions, skillful negotiations, and tough decisions about the business rules that would affect the final product. The development team is confident that we've accomplished what we set out to do, with the help of many people who contributed along the way, from graphic designers to editors, to videographers, testers, and many others. Thank you to everyone. It’s your turn. Use it to learn. There's lots of code to review, and documentation to peruse. Adopt it to your requirements. That is, after all, the Access developer way. Please share your feedback with us. We'll be watching the Access Tech Community forum, as well as other forums where Access developers hang out. Happy coding! The Northwind 2.0 Community Volunteer Developer Team <<add linked in for authors!>> Continue reading...
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