You don't say which platform your students are using. I'm assuming a Windows client talking to a Linux server? Or are you going to be Linux only? - in which case my comments below are irrelevant. Good things about using SQL: You can explain primary and foreign keys so much more effectively by demonstrating them. You can construct multi-table relational databases and play with views. Good things About Access: You can do the above, simply realising that a query is a view (effectively). I await flame from SQL purists. Access allows you to manage relationships graphically - as do some professional SQL implementations like Sybase. Therefore keys and integrity can be enforces just like in SQL. Using ODBC you can talk to an SQL database (most flavours of SQL are supported). If you are constructing SQL queries, you can switch to sql mode - and indeed you can write pure SQL if you wish instead of Access's "Query By Example". Bad things about SQL: You still need a front end, because half of a database project is going to be about the user interface. *** I would be interested in what people think is the best client interface to an SQL server *** I know there are many for both Linux and Windows platforms. I use both SQL and Access. On balance, and *for AS ICT project work*, I would use Access because it encompasses all of the requirements in one package. Educationally it's narrowing the focus, but it is a balance between getting good project grades and providing an idea of what goes on in industry (which generally is not Access). PS I do the AS course half-time over two years rather than full-time in one year - because I think it's easier to prepare students for practical work that way. We don't offer the A2. -----Original Message----- From: Paul Taylor [mailto:paul.taylor@bemail.org] Sent: 18 May 2001 08:46 To: suse-linux-uk-schools@suse.com Subject: [suse-linux-uk-schools] AS ICT Hi all: Has anyone out there taught mysql et al to A level students? Is it possible? I am about to teach my AS students their second ICT project and was hoping I could do something interesting on Linux rather than the usual Access stuff. Databases are not my forte and my students are struggling to get D grade projects in Excel so something very accessible (no pun intended) would be nice. Paul ptaylor@uklinux.net ------------------------------------------------------------ Free, BeOS-friendly email accounts: http://BeMail.org/ Free Peepshow - http://twinfusion.com/comic/peep/ -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of inappropriate attachments and certain obscenities. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster@wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. ********************************************************************************