The title of the book is "Beginning Databases...". It's recommended that you have read "Beginning VB" (also from WROX), before starting this book.

In my case I was often frustrated about how John Connell spend time learning me basic VB stuff. I wanted to learn using databases with VB6, not how to program.

Most of the book takes focus on the Data Wizard and Data Control - both excellent functions in VB6, but Connell uses far to much time describing and using them because they both are pretty simple and intuitive if you are used to controls in VB6.

Connell should have focused more on using references to DAO/ADO, specially since he wants to learn you how to make "profesional" applications.

The most positive side is, that he introduces you to both ADO and DAO - even though ADO is most modern, mastering DAO is often an advantage.
Another positive thing is how Connell introduces you to databases and SQL. After reading the chapters you have the basic knowledge how to design a database-application.

The book promises to "build functional VB user interface for database access". The book is from 1998, so they don't have a modern look.
The interfaces Connell builds are very simple and does not look profesional. For example does he mention the HFlexgrid-control (shows data in a grid where fonts and colors can be modified), but doesn't really explain how to use it.

My conclusion is, that if you know basic about VB but consider yourself as a beginner and want to know more about databases, then this book is relevant. But if you already master VB then only a third of this book is interesting.

"Builds a great foundation..."
If you're still using VB6 (many, many are despite the .NET hype) and you need to put together a database-driven application this is the first book you should buy. It covers all of the basics you'll need to go forward with database programming. It includes chapters on good data design, definitions of databases and good interface design (the chapter "Creating a bulletproof user interface" is useful for any VB6 application, not just database-driven ones). All of this is essential for creating good DB apps, and the author explains these concepts clearly and not too verbosely. It goes beyond the coding and shows you the "why" behind data storage and manipulation. You'll learn much more than VB code.

If you're already conversant in VB6 (the book doesn't assume you are) you will fly through this book. I ossmosized this book, it's that well written, and I was able to absorb everything well in time for a VB project deadline. If you need to learn quickly, this is also the book to get.

The book focuses mostly on Microsoft Access DB programming (which makes sense since most beginners do not have an expensive copy of SQL Server just lying around begging for data), and it covers DAO and ADO and delineates the important differences between the technologies. Though the book provides a good foundation for any VB database programming, it will not teach you how to program using VB6 and SQL Server.

In short, a great introduction to database programming for Visual Basic programmers. Expect to learn a lot, but don't stop here. Move on to a more advanced book after ingesting this one.

"Great introductory book for VB 6 and databases"
With any book the reader must be aware of the intended audience. Ignorance of this critical information often leads to frustration and, I believe, is responsible for many of the negative reviews received.

Having said that, John Connell outlines four intended audiences fot this book including:

1) Those who want to learn how to use VB to access databases.
2) Those who have programmed before, but are new to VB.
3) Those who have used VB before but want to learn of the new ActiveX Data Object (ADO) features for accessing databases.
4) Those who need to learn what new directions VB 6 moves within the strategic UDA paradigm.

If you don't fit one of the above audiences then this book is probably not for you.

Originally I was part of audience (1) and (2). I've been a long-time C/C++ programmer looking to learn database programming in VB and I have found this book to be a wonderful resource.

In this book Mr. Connell doesn't focus on teaching you VB. He assumes that you are already somewhat familiar with that. However, he does review some basic concepts when they arise (like With...End With; and IIF along with others).

The bulk of programming databases with VB comes via two controls, the DAO data control and the ADO data control. The ADO control was (apparently) introduced with VB6. (It has apparently been expanded with .NET as well.) The DAO control is/was (at the time) the more "mature" of the controls. He spends time early in the book introducing the reader to both. Much of the book's middle is used dedicated to imparting an understanding of the DAO data control. After doing that he shows how to do equivalent DAO processing without the DAO data control.

He then shifts to explaining the ADO data control and object model. I have not completed this part of the book yet, (though I've glanced at it) but it looks to be very comprehensive as well. He also covers things like interfacing with ASP, Data Mining, etc.

I checked my copy of the book out from the local library. However, if I ever get to a point when I do serious database development in VB6 then I will definitely buy this book.

"Good book on database programming"
This is a good book on using Visual Basic 6 and databases. The earlier chapters in this the book cover Data Access Objects (DAO). Although there is lots of legacy code that uses DAO/RDO (Remote Data Objects), you will find most Visual Basic development shops may have converted to ActiveX Data Objects (ADO). ADO is covered in the later chapters but it is 2.1. The current version of ADO is 2.7. DAO/RDO/ADO are the "bridges" between a database and Visual Basic applications.

For a developer who is going to be supporting Visual Basic 6.0 and ADO 2.5 or later then this is a good starting point in database programming using Visual Basic 6.0. This book covers Microsoft Access and small amount of SQL Server. There is very little discussion about other databases such as Oracle. I combined this book and John Smiley's "Learn to Program Visual Basic Databases" to give me a solid foundation on databases, ADO, and Visual Basic.

I would recommend "Beginning SQL Server 2000 for Visual Basic Developers" or "Beginning Visual Basic SQL Server 7.0" by Thearon Willis (both from Wrox) for developers who need to use SQL Server and Visual Basic 6. These books are both excellent and will augment this book.

"great book on vb database"
this is an extremely good book on visual basic and the development of database applications. the author's writing style is quite easy to follow. Highly recommended.