No Longer Set (Page 30)

GetLatestOledbProvider(): Use VBA to get the Latest SQL Server OLE DB Provider

This simple VBA function will check the user's registry and return the latest OLE DB provider from a list of supported providers that you can customize.

Hidden Features

Dark Mode in VBA

VBA may not have a preset "Dark Mode" like other modern development environments, but it's not hard to create one yourself.

Code Library

GetLatestOdbcDriver(): Use VBA to get the Latest SQL Server ODBC Driver

This simple VBA function will check the user's registry and return the latest ODBC driver from a list of supported drivers that you can customize.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 11, 2022

Updates include a version 1 release date, twinBASIC roadmap update, and several bug fixes.

Week in Review

Week in Review: December 10, 2022

Highlights include Access disappearing from the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, bug fix release 2211 details, maps, maps, and more maps.

List Fields

ListFields() Part 3: Field Details

In part 3, we add an optional parameter to the ListFields() function to display the field details in the immediate window.

Database Design

Reader Q&A: Single-Row Tables

Are single-row tables something you should use or not? Can they be trusted? I answer that and more in this installment of Reader Q&A.

List Fields

ListFields() Part 2: An Optional Prefix

The ListFields() routine expands to include optional table/alias prefixes for outputting fully qualified field names.

List Fields

ListFields() Part 1: Listing Table Fields in the Immediate Window

An easy way to reduce context switching between the VBA IDE and the Access application window is to list table field names in the immediate window.

Commentary

How to Know When to Turn Lines of Code Into a Standalone Routine in VBA

DRY vs. YAGNI. Don't Repeat Yourself or You Ain't Gonna Need It? Sometimes it's not obvious whether a block of code would be useful as a standalone routine.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: December 4, 2022

Highlights include initial support for importing VB6 forms with ActiveX controls, GoSub syntax support, and context-sensitive custom help support.

Week in Review

Week in Review: December 3, 2022

Highlights include the WizHook TwipsFromFont function, an enhanced message box, and drawing dynamic meters on Access reports.

Memory Management

Monitoring Memory Usage in a 64-bit Access Application

According to the Windows API, my 64-bit Access application uses more than 2 TB (that's *terra*-bytes) of memory. Something tells me that's not right...

Memory Management

Virtual Machine Memory: An Explainer for Access Developers

Virtual machines present an interesting twist when it comes to memory management issues in Microsoft Access.

Fluent API

When to Build Fluent APIs

Fluent programming interfaces can be your best friend or your worst enemy. So how do you know when they are appropriate to use?

Fluent API

Diving Deeper into the World of Fluent APIs: An Unusual Way of Constructing Class Modules

Martin Fowler first coined the term fluent interfaces back in 2005. What are they, what do you need to know about them, and what do they look like in VBA?

Recap

Access Dev Team Progress Update: Dataverse Export Improvements

The Access team provides an update on impending improvements to the Dataverse export feature.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: November 27, 2022

Highlights include support for graphical buttons, OLE drag and drop, and some exciting news about the upcoming release of Rubberduck VBA 3.0.

Week in Review

Week in Review: November 26, 2022

Highlights include a sneak preview of Rubberduck 3.0, multiple articles on Access keyboard shortcuts, and aligning text with monospaced fonts.

Recap

Access Dev Team Progress Update: VBA Macro Code Signing

The Access team offers a sneak peek at the new and improved VBA code signing experience. The feature is in public beta, and Microsoft is looking for testers.

Hidden Features

Access End-User Shortcuts

Shortcut keys to toggle the dropdown state of a combo box, copy field values from the previous record, enter the current date and time, and more.

Memory Management

Virtual vs. Physical Memory in the Context of Microsoft Access

Are you noticing more "System Resource Exceeded" and "Out of Memory" errors in newer versions of 32-bit Access? It's not your imagination. Here's what's going on.

Backwards Compatibility

Adding Procedure Parameters Without Breaking Backwards Compatibility in VBA

Sometimes you need to add a parameter to a Function or Sub in VBA. But you don't need to break all of your calling code to do it.

Recap

Access Dev Team Progress Update: New Web Browser Control

The Access team offers a sneak peek at the upcoming Edge-based browser control. Highlights include an estimated release date and future migration challenges.

twinBASIC Weekly Update

twinBASIC Update: November 20, 2022

Highlights include several bug fixes, a new method to clear the debug console, and a discussion about the difference between Drag and OLEDrag methods.