Connecting to the MySQL database using VBA

We are starting with VBA because, while there are tools to automate the retrieval of data, you won't necessarily learn the finer details of data handling as you will with VBA. Here is an analogy: if you learn how to drive a manual car, driving an automatic is easy, and you can always drive a manual again if required. However, if you only learn to drive in an automatic car, you will struggle with a manual.

All variable names in this section will be fully descriptive (therefore, long) to make it clear what their purpose is. During your own development, you may opt to shorten them.

Setting the scene

The manager of Chinook Music Downloads wants an Excel dashboard showing information about music sales and other information at a glance and has given you an Excel sheet with some blank charts and other information that you need to get operational. You need to extract the required information from the MySQL sales database and populate...