Modding tools: Access vs. Excel

[Fyron]

Originally posted by Taera:
im sorry to go OT a little, but why do you people use such advanced tools for modding?

It is extremely useful for making mods with things like Tech Grids or complete changes to the entire game.

[capnq]

If you're modding something that involves a lot of numbers, like weapons or culture bonuses, a spreadsheet can help you see whether things are balanced. (I haven't used anything this complex myself, but my mods haven't been that ambitious.)

[PvK]

I used spreadsheets for designing my Proportions mod, to help with all of the calculations and to get statistics easily and to compare things, to graph the population effect curves, and so on.

I hate MS Abscess, BTW.

PvK

[zen.]

I usually go with Excel. I know that Access can compile data into charts that will look like like a spreadsheet, but it might just be overkill. Then again, I suck at using Access.

Just use whatever is most comfortable. If you ever plan on releasing the code/database to the community, though, Excel is the more prevalent app.

zen

[Gryphin]

I use Access to store notes on SEIV in general.
To take advantage of Excells Calculations and Acccess DB functions:
Do the data manipulation in Excel and link the file to Access.
I have not tryed this and do not know how well it would work.
I would be happy to work with you on this.

[Ed Kolis]

Excellent idea!

I went ahead and ran a test to see whether if I linked an Excel spreadsheet into Access, and modified the data in Access, the spreadsheet would be changed, and indeed it was, which is good...

I also went ahead and created an Excel macro that loads any SE4 data file into a spreadsheet, assuming that the spreadsheet has appropriate column headings (what would be the fields of the database - "Long Name", "Short Name", "Tonnage", etc.) for the data file being loaded. It works on CompEnhancement.txt quite nicely! Now to write the export macro, and create all the worksheets to store the data for all the various SE4 files...

Then, once that self-contained modding tool is complete, I can create an Access database linked to the spreadsheet for those of us who have Access as well as Excel - then we can REALLY rock!

Thanks for the idea of the spreadsheet/database link! I wouldn't have thought of using BOTH!

Edit: You use Access for "general notes" on SE4? How? Like notes on empires you encounter, so you can easily search for what you need?

[ December 08, 2002, 03:21: Message edited by: Ed Kolis ]

[Gryphin]

I use Access to store just about everything so I can look it up. I use Word for composing and then transfere it.
I am only in one PBW game. In my sew low games I try to be in the habbit of recording anything I will want to retrieve. This requires a lot of dicipline. Not my forte.
I have tryed to store "Tip, Tricks, and Traps" along with ideas for mods and such.
I try to dessige it so I can look up:
Strategy > Expansion > Build >
How To > Planet > Capture
How To > Drones > Use

I guess I could clean it up so others could use it. I'm pretty bad at getting projects done. Quite a few of my ideas don't work so it would be a use at your own risk thing.

My background is:
I do Desktop Support for about 120 people. I spent 2 years of my life supporting Word for Micro$ponge. I spent another year supporting various other MS products.