No Longer Set (Page 18)

The Missing Keyword in VBA

Wondering what the IsMissing() function is all about in VBA? We'll explore that plus all the ins and outs of the VBA keyword that isn't: Missing.

Book Review

Code that Fits in Your Head

"Code that Fits in Your Head" is to senior software developers what "Code Complete" is to junior software developers. I can think of no higher praise.

VBA

Working with Null in Microsoft Access

Let's explore the many ways to check for, handle, and store Null values. Spoiler alert: the best way to do it varies between VBA and SQL.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: August 13, 2023

Highlights include brand new add-in support for the twinBASIC IDE, plus a short Q&A about setting an application icon in twinBASIC.

Week in Review

Week in Review: August 12, 2023

Highlights include global error handling, creating applications in Blazor, exporting Unicode characters to text files, and validating email addresses.

VBA

Much Ado About Nothing

An in-depth look at the Nothing keyword in VBA: when you need it; when you don't; and one technique to avoid it altogether.

VBA

An Article About Nothing

This one's for the nihilists. We explore the many ways to express the concept of nothingness in VBA.

Form Design

Using Emoji as Button "Images" in Access

One easy way to make your Access applications appear more modern is to embed emoji in the command button text.

Advanced

Permutation Table

We use Python's handy itertools.permutations() function to populate a local Access table with unique permutation values.

Prompt School

Reformat an INSERT INTO...VALUES Statement with ChatGPT

Let's use ChatGPT to help us debug an SQL INSERT INTO ... VALUES statement by lining up the fields with the values.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: August 6, 2023

Highlights include a big boost to IntelliSense performance, a "Paste Code as Comment" shortcut key, and discussion around inline assembly support.

Week in Review

Week in Review: August 5, 2023

Highlights include the WiR debut of two new YouTube channels, monthly bug fixes from the Access team, and an introduction to using modern Combo Charts.

Commentary

Microsoft Access vs. SQLite: Security Comparison

Microsoft Access or SQLite: Which one is more secure? The answer may surprise you.

Commentary

Three Factors that Lead to Complex Code

"Three properties determine the complexity of an environment. ... The greater the multiplicity, interdependence, and diversity, the greater the complexity."

Under 100

Complex vs. Complicated

The difference between complex and complicated explained in under 100 words. #Under100

Under 100

What are Pure Functions?

The concept of pure functions explained in under 100 words. #under100

Commentary

"I'm Not Touching That!"

Hey, who wants to maintain this legacy code? Beuller? Beuller?

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: July 30, 2023

Highlights include experimental code optimization via LLVM (boosting performance and reducing executable size) and a new Discord LLVM channel.

Week in Review

Week in Review: July 29, 2023

Highlights include Richard Rost's series on tracking account balances, barcode scanning via PowerApps, improving image quality, and a SQL formatting add-in.

Reader Challenge

Logic Puzzle Solution Part 3: Counting the Possible Configurations

When I first read through the five-house logic puzzle, I kept thinking, "I should just brute force this thing." I was so naive...

Hidden Features

3 Situations for Using Named Arguments in VBA

One of the lesser-known features of VBA is the ability to use named arguments in your calling code. Here are three situations just begging for named arguments.

ShowForm

Evolution of a Function: ShowForm() Part 4

Years of real-world usage revealed edge cases that required bug fixes in our function. This is why Joel Spolsky says old code is better than new.

ShowForm

Evolution of a Function: ShowForm() Part 3

As our ShowForm function continues to evolve, we begin refactoring and addressing several shortcomings of our earlier efforts.

Archive Collection: Field Descriptions

I'm on a short vacation (shh...don't tell anyone)! I'll be back soon, but until then enjoy this curated collection of articles. Today's topic: Field Descriptions.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: July 23, 2023

Highlights include an update on Wayne's LLVM progress and a demonstration of how to integrate the Windows Ribbon Framework into twinBASIC.