Microsoft Access and SQL are database management systems platforms. Both database systems have advantages, particularly when it comes to managing database records on your computer. But there are important differences that set Microsoft Access and SQL or structured Query Language apart from each other.
Microsoft Access vs SQL
The main difference between Microsoft Access and SQL is that Microsoft Access is a personal database application that allows you to quickly create tables and forms, which are the building blocks of a database. A database is used for data collection and keeping track of business or personal information. On the other hand, SQL is a language used to create queries.
Microsoft Access is a powerful set of database software. It’s used primarily to organize teams of employees or large corporations to keep track of business. As it’s a database, the information is kept in a series of structured tables and can be analyzed to get a better idea of what’s working and what isn’t with the business.
SQL stands for Structured Query Language and is a type of computer language that allows for the retrieval and management of data in a database. SQL was first invented in the early 1970s to allow computer programmers to manipulate data that had been stored in relational databases.
Comparison Table Between Microsoft Access and SQL
| Parameters of Comparison | Microsoft Access | SQL |
| Introduction | Microsoft Access was released in the year 1992 by tech developers at Microsoft. | SQL was developed initially in 1974 was ISO/IEC. |
| Store Information | Microsoft Access stores information by making databases and defining tables. | SQL stores information in a server. |
| User Friendly | Microsoft Access is more user-friendly in comparison to the other. | SQL is considered to be tougher than Microsoft Access. |
| Faster | Microsoft Access rates are slower than SQL. | SQL is faster in comparison to Microsoft Access. |
| Need For Programming | Microsoft Access can be used by beginners with no knowledge of programming as well. | SQL requires the knowledge of programming. |
What is Microsoft Access?
Microsoft Access is a database application provided by Microsoft, Inc. that comes with various options and tools for managing your data. Access is a desktop database management system (DBMS) available to users of Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X operating systems. It can be used to create databases and define their tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
Microsoft Access is a database management software. It can track your calendar, contact information and all of the information you need in your everyday life. It’s a Windows program that allows you to store, sort, and share data, which is something very useful for college students, business owners, entrepreneurs, and artists. It’s a great software that you can really take advantage of.
Microsoft Access is a database program for businesses and for individuals. It is a non-relational database that came after dBase. It can be used to create applications, small databases, and forms. It also has visual tools that make it easy to create applications.
Its data sheets can be used to enter information into the database. It is easy to use, so it is perfect for beginner users. It’s fairly simple to learn how to use if you are familiar with other applications such as Microsoft Excel. If you need to create an application or database, this is the best program for you.
What is SQL?
SQL is a database language that allows you to communicate with a database. It’s designed to give you access to almost any database and is widely used for writing queries and reports. The language was developed in the 1970s at IBM Research and can be used to query a wide range of databases.
SQL is a very simple, easy-to-use language, and most database management software will have a feature to enable a user to write SQL queries. Furthermore, most programming languages will have a SQL library of sorts to enable programmers to access data stored in relational databases.
It consists of tables, columns, and rows; a table is a spreadsheet-like grid of information, and a row and column are a record of a single item. SQL has strict rules of how data is stored and accessed, which makes it a relational database language. Though it is similar to Structured English Query Language (SEQUEL), SQL is enough of its own language to be able to stand on its own.
There are two main types of SQL, Transact-SQL and DDL. Transact-SQL or T-SQL is used to retrieve and modify data from a database. DDL stands for Data Definition Language. This type of SQL is used to create and modify the structure of a database.
Main Differences Between Microsoft Access and SQL
- MS Access works great for small businesses that do not foresee needing a database for more than a few people. More complex databases would require a more powerful database such as SQL.
- Microsoft Access stores data in the database. This database can be connected to an external data source. It uses a single database file. On the other hand, the SQL database management system stores database in the server.
- It is important to note that SQL is considered to be a specific programming language, whereas Access might be considered a software program.
- Microsoft Access is made for user-friendly databases, meaning you won’t have to be a programmer to make a database that’s easy to use and read. SQL, or Structured Query Language, on the other hand, is made for databases that are used for more complex tasks that require programming.
- Microsoft Access is slower than SQL.
Conclusion
Microsoft Access and SQL, both help users collect information and organize it, but they do it in different ways. The choice of the database system to be used depends on the kind of application you want to build. You have to determine the one that suits your needs the most. There are differences in their method of action and speed, which may be suitable for a different target audience.
SQL stores data through tables, while Access stores data through an actual database file. If you’re looking for a user-friendly database to just track information, you should use Access, but if you need something that can handle a lot of data, you’re better off using SQL. In the end, both are helpful in the right hands, but one might be better for you than the other.
References
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ZOOMSTZ4T_QC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=sql&ots=e2L99IN5dy&sig=rBUVTHukYPL_ARWzQLlm-3l_SbI