Mike Wolfe - No Longer Set (Page 16)

clsConcat: Blazing-Fast String Building Performance in VBA

You don't need to understand how to pre-allocate a memory buffer in VBA to take advantage of this blazing-fast string builder class.

VBA

Standard String Concatenation in VBA is Slow and Inefficient

A deep dive into the inner workings of string concatenation in VBA and why appending a single character to a long string can be so expensive.

Form Design

Use Hidden Controls for More Reliable Code

Former Access MVP Ben Clothier drops some sage advice to help us avoid potential problems with our form code-behind modules.

VBA

When–And When Not–To Use the Statement Separator Character in VBA

Did you know you can combine lines of code in VBA with the colon character? The key is to understand when--and when not--to use it.

Debugging

Break Down Complex Expressions for More Debuggable Code

Combining multiple operations into a single line of code may be an effective way to play "code golf", but it's no way to develop maintainable software.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 17, 2023

Highlights include inline editor widget support for tB IDE addins, a sample TODO addin, keyboard shortcut registration, and a preview of a UserControl Builder addin.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 16, 2023

Highlights include a long-overdue update to the Access roadmap (LAA is coming!), an underrated new feature (thanks, Anders!), and a video on event-driven programming.

VBA

The Magic Behind Microsoft Access Form Object Properties in VBA

By using the Me keyword, you can leverage the automatically generated properties to retrieve and set data in VBA.

Form Design

Size to Fit: Text Box Edition

You've likely used the Size to Fit command on labels and command buttons, but did you know it can also be used for text boxes, combo boxes, and list boxes?

Business

Challenges in Estimating Software Development: Complicated vs. Complex Processes

In software development, some processes are easier to estimate than others. Whether the process is complex or complicated has a profound impact on estimate reliability.

Code That Fits in Your Head

Command Query Separation: A Technique for Reducing Code Complexity

One helpful way to reduce the complexity of your code is to be intentional about how and where your code produces side effects.

Business

The Secret to a Profitable Career as an Access Consultant

It may not be flashy, but it is effective.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 10, 2023

Highlights include a global search IDE addin sample, addin extensibility access to the filesystem, and a discussion about inheritance in twinBASIC.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 9, 2023

Highlights include a new beta release of the Access version control addin, trends in the Access job market, and API calls to get a list of open programs.

AdventureWorks

The AdventureWorks SQL Server Sample Database

Step-by-step instructions for installing the AdventureWorks SQL Server sample database.

VBA

The vbNullString Constant in VBA

What is the vbNullString constant in VBA and how does it differ from a simple empty string ("")?

Tools

Setting Up a New MS Access Development Environment

Five settings and two addins that vastly improve your quality of life as a Microsoft Access developer.

Combo Boxes

ComboBox NotInList Event: Revisited

We improve our NotInList event code with a workaround for the "text you entered isn't an item in the list" error message via the little-known Form Error event handler.

Error Handling

The Form Error Event: How to Handle "Untrappable" Access Errors

The Form Error event comes to the rescue for a category of errors impervious to `On Error Resume Next` and `DoCmd.SetWarnings False`.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: September 3, 2023

Highlights include two new twinBASIC IDE Addin samples, a Property Sheet demo project from fafalone, and a brief discussion of DPI scaling.

Week in Review

Week in Review: September 2, 2023

Highlights include a video series on Colin Riddington's Access Analyzer Pro tool, plus introductory videos on Eval, Data Macros, and the Form Detail On Paint event.

Code Library

Pause Code Until a Form is Closed or Hidden (without acDialog)

Pausing code execution until a form is closed OR hidden can be a handy feature. This function delivers that without the other constraints of acDialog.

Combo Boxes

Using the NotInList Event in Microsoft Access to Dynamically Update Combo Boxes

The Microsoft Access combo box's NotInList event lets you provide "just-in-time" features for building a simple and intuitive user experience.

Code Library

How to Pause Code Execution Until a Form or Report is Closed (Without Using acDialog)

Do you need to pause your code until the user closes a form or report but are running into problems using acDialog? This simple function is your answer.

VBA

Working with Empty in VBA

A deep dive into the Empty keyword in VBA: why it exists, how to check for it, when it makes sense to check for it, and--most importantly--how NOT to check for it.