Mike Wolfe

Archive

Archive Collection: Hidden Features

I'm on vacation (shh...don't tell anyone)! I'll be back soon, but until then enjoy today's curated collection of articles from the archive. Today's topic: Hidden Features.

Debugging

Debug Documentation: Signal vs. Noise Edition

Debugging an issue can generate a lot of content. This technique helps you keep track of and find the parts that really matter.

Quick Tip

How to Duplicate a Line of Code in VBA

It's not quite a single shortcut key, but it's nearly as efficient.

Quick Tip

Micro-Efficiency: Duplicating Line(s) of Code in VBA

With this technique, you'll save enough time to steal two and a half extra glances at your watch each day. Use it wisely.

Defensive Programming

Guard Clauses

Guard clauses are one of my favorite low-friction defensive programming tools.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: January 15, 2023

Highlights include a new VBCCR-based GUI project type, a VBCCR TWINSERV package, and a discussion about support for block-level scope in twinBASIC.

Week in Review

Week in Review: January 14, 2023

Highlights include using an ActiveX control to collect handwritten signatures, multiple options for getting special folders in VBA, and managing old data.

Error Handling

Showing User-Friendly Error Messages for Missing Data on Bound Forms in MS Access

Here are two ways to show custom error messages on a bound form using (1) the Form_BeforeUpdate event or (2) the Form_Error event.

SQL Server

5 Tips for Making Changes on Live SQL Server Databases

Making database changes on production? These 5 tips will make one of the most dangerous programming activities a little bit safer.

VBA

Block-Level Scope in VBA...Does Not Exist

VB.NET and VBA may look the same, but there are some important differences. This is a little-known feature of VB.NET that I really wish was available in VBA.

Basic

All About Indenting

Do you obsess over the smallest details of the code-writing process? If not, you might want to skip this article. Don't say I didn't warn you...

VBA

Choosing the Proper Lifetime of Variables in VBA

Some values should be calculated every time you need them. Others should be stored for performance reasons. But how do you decide which way to go?

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: January 8, 2023

Highlights include .vbp UserControl import support, a twinBASIC VBCCR demo project, live variable hover tips in the IDE, and a discussion of post-v1 breaking changes.

Week in Review

Week in Review: January 7, 2023

Highlights include 15 tips & tricks from Karl Donaubauer, the new digital signing feature for Access databases, and how to hash a string in VBA.

VBA

Scope vs. Extent in VBA

Master the extent and scope of your VBA variables for code that's efficient, effective, and easy to maintain.

ChatGPT

My Policy on ChatGPT-Generated Content

I plan to use ChatGPT to generate content at NoLongerSet.com. But I plan to do it with full transparency. Here is my pledge to you, dear reader.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

The personal computer. Google search. The smart phone. Lifelike chat bots. Another generation-defining technology has arrived.

ChatGPT

Copyright Implications of ChatGPT Content

ChatGPT from OpenAI is taking the world by storm. Who owns the ChatGPT output? Can you pass it off as your own? Do you need to acknowledge OpenAI?

Database Design

Beware of "Over-Normalizing" Your Database

Sometimes the two primary goals of database normalization--reduced data redundancy and improved data integrity--are at odds with each other.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: January 1, 2023

Highlights include a redesigned form preview button, a file watcher sample application from fafalone, and a holiday message from Wayne Phillips.

Week in Review

Week in Review: December 31, 2022

Highlights include a deep dive into creating a customer follow-up database, automatic form resizing, and a risk-minimizing approach to app rewrites.

VBA

Avoiding the "Invalid in Immediate Pane" Error

Sometimes, using the colon character to combine statements in the immediate window results in an "Invalid in immediate pane" error. Here's why and how to fix it.

Code Library

Converting VBA Long Color Values to RGB

The VBA RGB() function converts red, green, and blue values into a VBA long integer color value. This simple function works in the other direction.

Tools

Using FreeMind as a Schema Development Tool

In the early stages of planning a database design, I prefer a tool that lets me capture my thoughts as they flow without getting in the way. FreeMind is that tool.

Basic

The Single Most Important Concept for Understanding Relational Databases

If you're coming to the database world from the spreadsheet world, this one key concept will help you make the necessary mindset shift.