A Level Textbooks: Tackling Computer Projects - P.M. Heathcote

Advantages: Covers nearly all levels
Disadvantages: Lacks consistency

...targeted at those currently studying A level IT, the book aims to help students produce a better piece of coursework using Excel. As an A level student myself I have used this book a lot. The book is about 200 pages long and strikes a good balance between keeping it simple and giving enough information to the reader. The book starts with entering data and performing simple calculations, it gradually gets more advanced and finishes with macros. ...
...are good, the first is a sample project which can be used as a guideline when writing your own report. The second is a mark scheme, this is really a bit too technical and could do with being translated into 'plain English'. Overall this book is good but is lacking in some areas. Firstly the book tends to waffle in some places, and secondly the book uses bold type to show menus, buttons, important phrases and anything else that needs emphasis. A ... Read review

Advantages: Good writing style, good introduction
Disadvantages: Can be unclear at times

This 200-page book serves as a good introduction for students (like me) who are tackling their first IT project in Access. The book covers all the major aspects of a database, such as tables, relationships, forms, queries and reports. You are guided through each of these topics as you assemble a fully working system. The final sections cover creating a switchboard, linking the database with Word and Excel and using Visual Basic. The building of ...
...is very useful when trying to create a consistent looking report. Appendix A has a sample project with annotations showing what a typical project should look like. This is a very useful guide. Appendix B shows the mark scheme, this is useful but could have been translated into 'plain English'. ... Read review