Tools Automatically Link to Your Bug Database from TortoiseHg Everyone's favorite Windows Mercurial software includes a killer feature that is criminally underused.
Code Library 3 Ways to Create Missing Subfolders in VBA If you need to generate multiple levels of subfolders using VBA, these three functions will each get the job done.
Code Library EnsurePathExists: A Unicode-Safe Way to Create Missing Subfolders in VBA The EnsurePathExists function--based on the API function SHCreateDirectoryExW--is the ultimate tool for verifying and creating folder structures.
twinBASIC Weekly Update twinBASIC Update: August 14, 2022 Highlights include IDE memory optimizations, build size reductions, and a discussion about a potential extensibility library for the IDE.
Week in Review Week in Review: August 13, 2022 Highlights include Peter Cole's 32 to 64-bit conversion presentation, a deep dive into how Access stores queries, and a sad announcement from MVP Daniel Pineault.
Code Library MakeSurePathExists: Using the Windows API to Create Missing Subfolders in VBA A Windows API function makes verifying (and creating, if necessary) a full folder hierarchy dead simple.
twinBASIC HOW TO: Install twinBASIC The latest step-by-step instructions for installing twinBASIC (aka, Visual Basic 8).
Code Library LimitTextLength: Enforce Max Text Length for Unbound Text Boxes and Combo Boxes A handy function to enforce maximum string lengths for unbound text boxes and combo boxes in Microsoft Access.
Conventions My File System Variable Naming Convention for VBA "SourcePath" may be one of the worst variable names ever written. Is it the full path to a source file? Is it the folder where my source files are located?
Code Library GetTempPath: Using the Windows API for Maximum Performance If you are looking to maximize performance in VBA, using the Windows API will almost always be your best bet.
twinBASIC Weekly Update twinBASIC Update: August 7, 2022 Highlights include a major compiler refactor to help reduce compiler memory usage and proposed support for multiple built-in rounding methods.
Week in Review Week in Review: August 6, 2022 Highlights include the list of Access fixes for Version 2206, a deep dive into how Access stores queries, and a rant against today's overly complicated forums.
Code Library CreateGuid: A Reliable Way to Generate GUIDs in VBA A well-tested method to generate GUIDs in both 32-bit and 64-bit VBA.
Business Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership vs. LLC vs. S Corp. vs. C Corp. What's the best type of business for you? It depends on where you're at on your journey.
Business The Most Important Rule in Client Contracts This rule can be the difference between project success and project failure; joy and misery; profit and loss.
Advanced HRESULT: Use "Long" and Not "LongPtr" If the return type of an API function call is an HRESULT in the C++ header file, it should be declared as a Long in VBA (and not a LongPtr).
Hidden Features AccHitTest: Returns the Form Control the Mouse Clicked On This undocumented form function can help you write a generic click event for label controls.
twinBASIC Weekly Update twinBASIC Update: July 31, 2022 Highlights include improved support for building device drivers, initial support for keyboard menu navigation, and a milestone for the twinBASIC project.
Week in Review Week in Review: July 30, 2022 Highlights include tips for designing Access apps for tablet use, sorting forms by combo box columns, and CUPID--an alternative to SOLID principles.
Announcement vbWatchdog v4 Released Version 4 of vbWatchdog just got released. If you don't already own a license for it, you should. And if you do, you should upgrade before August 31, 2022.
Professional Development The Robot, the Technician, and the Fixer What type of Microsoft Access developer are you? Being a robot is easy, being a technician is fun, but being a fixer is valuable.
Video VIDEO: Modern On Off Buttons in Access I recorded a YouTube video that demonstrates how to implement the Modern On/Off button feature that I wrote about yesterday.
Form Design Modern On/Off Button in Access Leave those boring checkboxes behind and move into the 21st century with these modern on-off switches for Microsoft Access. Very little code required!
Tools Access Database Right-Click Context Menu Creator Wouldn't it be great to right-click an Access file to compact or decompile it? With Daniel Pineault's awesome tool, you can!
twinBASIC Weekly Update twinBASIC Update: July 24, 2022 Highlights include implementation of the form Controls collection, initial publication of the twinBASIC Guiding Principles, and the potential to write device drivers with tB.