Microsoft Access Bugs

Library System

Whether this is a bug or not I want to share with you what I have found out in using Microsoft Access. While it is true that MS Access is a powerful database application there are still some disadvantages in using this. Most especially if you use it in multiuser environment where different computers are connected to a file server.

When one of my clients complains to me that they cannot save some record to a table in my Library System. I can’t believe that it was caused by a corrupted database, especially if the program is running. It’s hard to debug such problem when you did not expect that it was the database that causes the error.

After long hours of searching for bugs in my code I found out that one or more tables lost the primary key. The field name is still intact and only the primary key got the problem. At first I can’t believe that it was caused by a corrupted database. I cannot guess also that somebody has changed the database table since I configured it to use a user-level security on the database.

Now, when I face the same problem with my Enrollment System and asking some few questions on the end user they said that the last time they cannot access the form correctly was due to the power failure. So I am in a hurry to fix it by using the database tools called “Compact Database” built-in Microsoft access.

But after compacting a database they cannot still encode any data. Only to find out that the table has again lost its primary key. Of course, fixing the primary solves the problem. When I look at the data there are some few records which do not have a value especially in the primary key. So, meaning Microsoft access removes the primary key itself to maintain the integrity of the database.

The Lesson

Being a programmer is not just a simple job. You need patience and sometimes perseverance to maintain your profession; else you are going to loss what you love to do.
If you encounter the same or different problem in your programming job don’t give up. Instead stick to what you are doing. Think that you can solve any problem. Do not defeat yourself by this small problem. It is part of our programming job.

If it is so hard sometimes, quit for a few moments, get some drinks and relax. Then go back again and start searching for bugs or errors. At the end you will be the winner and not the loser.