Commentary

AI is the Future...And the Future is Now

Used properly, AI is the greatest force-multiplying technology the world has ever seen.

Code Library

TryGetForm: Set a Strongly-Typed Form Object in Access VBA

The TryGetForm function helps you convert "stringly-typed" code into "strongly-typed" code when working with Access forms in VBA.

Defensive Programming

Five Ways to Turn Runtime Errors into Compile Errors in VBA

Compile errors are cheaper and easier to fix than runtime errors. Here are five ways to turn potential runtime errors into compile errors.

Basic

Why You Should Always Use Option Explicit in VBA

Don't let typos and logic errors ruin your VBA code. Read our latest blog post to learn about the importance of Option Explicit and how to use it.

Defensive Programming

Five Ways to Turn Logic Errors into Runtime Errors in VBA

Runtime errors are cheaper and easier to fix than logic errors. Here are five ways to make that happen.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: April 16, 2023

Highlights include a steady dose of bug fixes and and a brief recap of twinBASIC's standing in slant.co's list of "best BASIC-like programming languages."

Week in Review

Week in Review: April 15, 2023

Highlights include drawing stoplights and dials on reports, a SQL-to-VBA-to-SQL utility, creating calendar reports, and migrating Access tables to SQL Server.

SQL Server

B-BEAR: Quick and Dirty SQL Server Testing

Begin, Before, Execute, After, Rollback. This technique makes testing your SQL Server statements a snap.

Form Design

Setting Column-Specific Colors in Microsoft Access List Boxes and Combo Boxes

How to use the Format property of a query or table field to set custom colors for columns in a Microsoft Access list box or combo box control.

SQL

Efficient Querying: Finding Maximum Values for Each Distinct Value in a Column

A high-performance alternative to subqueries for solving a tricky query problem.

SQL Server

Installing Multiple Versions of SQL Server Side-by-Side on a Development Machine

Save resources by setting additional instances of SQL Server to Manual startup. Use Process Explorer to grant Start/Stop permissions for an individual service.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: April 10, 2023

Highlights include the addition of SendKeys support, CDecl support for certain types of API callbacks, and a vigorous discussion about possible tB namespace support.

Holiday

Happy Easter

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Week in Review

Week in Review: April 8, 2023

Highlights include a reliable way to bypass AutoExec in VBA, a Pro version of the IslaDogs Table Analyzer, and the new Rubberduck VBA Swag Shop.

Code Library

LockControls() Function: Locking and Unlocking Multiple MS Access Controls in VBA

This convenient function lets you lock or unlock multiple Access form controls with a single line of code.

Code Library

How to Safely Disable Controls in Microsoft Access

I *never* set the Enabled property of a form control directly. Instead, I use a convenience function so that I don't have to worry about run-time error 2164.

Backwards Compatibility

How to Use VBA to Set the ControlSource Property of an Access Image Control (and Other Deeply Hidden Object Properties)

Ever wonder why you can set some values in the form/report designer Property Sheet but not in VBA? You may just need this well-hidden workaround.

Commentary

Spinning Plates: What this Parlor Trick Has in Common with Software Development

The fewer items you need to mentally track the less likely you are to make mistakes or generate bugs.

Deployment

Feature Gates: How Microsoft Switched to a Single Code Base for Multiple Versions of Office

Did you ever wonder why SysCmd(acSysCmdAccessVer) returns 16.0 for every version of Access starting with Office 2016? I have a theory...

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: April 2, 2023

Highlights include an experimental ListView control, read-only JSON view for tbform and tbcontrol files, and a mention of twinBASIC in The Register.

Week in Review

Week in Review: April 1, 2023

Highlights include how to find a control associated with a label, Access's surprising folder-locking behavior, and a new setting to make your database self-destruct.

Commentary

The Zen of Python: 19 Pieces of Programming Wisdom

The Zen of Python is the famous philosophical foundation of one of the world's most popular programming languages. And that's no coincidence.

Commentary

The 5 Surprising Lessons I Learned About Developing Software

Many of the things I thought I knew about writing software were not only wrong, but often the exact opposite of the truth.

Advanced

Microsoft Access's Surprising Folder Locking Behavior

Microsoft Access could be the source of file and folder locks in ways that might surprise you.

Business

Impact vs. Effort: A Simple Formula for Estimating ROI

There are two variables that determine the financial success of a software project. You only control one.