Debugging - No Longer Set

Rubberducking

This one-step process is a surprisingly effective way to troubleshoot the most complex programming problems.

Bug Alert: Accidental Double-Clicking of Long-Running Processes

This is not a bug in Access itself, but rather a common pattern that leads to occasional logic errors that can be nearly impossible to reproduce (and debug).

Debugging

FIXED: "You entered an expression that has no value."

"You entered an expression that has no value," is a common Microsoft Access error message. Luckily, while the fix is not obvious, it is easy.

Debugging

Use XML to Share Access Table Data and Avoid Internet Warnings

Anti-virus software and Microsoft policies make it harder than ever to share table data among Access users. The XML format is a simple way to avoid those roadblocks.

Debugging

Break Down Complex Expressions for More Debuggable Code

Combining multiple operations into a single line of code may be an effective way to play "code golf", but it's no way to develop maintainable software.

Debugging

TCP Port Test Fails When SQL Server Service Is Stopped

There are three likely causes for a failed TCP Port test: 1) firewall on the SQL Server host; 2) SQL Server uses dynamic ports; or 3) SQL Server service is stopped.

Debugging

Written Rubberducking: A Practical Example

A practical example of the written rubberducking technique taken straight from our FogBugz issue tracking software.

Debugging

Written Rubberducking: My Debugging Superpower

While rubber ducks make good code buddies, they make even better pen pals.

Debugging

SSE Setup: Fix for Error -2147024671

This is a great example of how we can break down seemingly random Windows error codes to guide our debugging efforts.

Debugging

Using PowerShell to Provide TCP Port Details of Running SQL Server Instances

A PowerShell script that returns useful debugging information about the TCP port details of running instances of SQL Server.

Reports

HELP! My Access Report is Missing Information When my Users Run It

Your Access report runs fine on your computer, but it's broken when an end user runs it. What gives?

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.

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.

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.

Debugging

3 Benefits of Documenting Your Debugging Process

It may sound counterintuitive, but taking the time to document your debugging process will save you time--both now and in the future.

Debugging

Fixing a Persistent "Write Conflict" Error

If you are getting consistent "Write Conflict" warnings when using bound forms to update SQL Server tables with datetime fields, there may be an easy fix.

Debugging

Breaking Down Windows Error Codes

Did you know there is a method to the madness behind those crazy-looking VBA error numbers like 0x80070005 or its decimal equivalent -2,147,024,891?

SQL Server

Advanced Server-Side SQL Server Query Troubleshooting

The XEvent Profiler in SSMS is a powerful troubleshooting tool, but what happens when the standard sessions are not enough? We need to customize...

Basic

Learn VBA From a Master

Philipp Stiefel is on a very short list of people who I would pay to teach my employees how to write VBA.

Debugging

Troubleshooting the "Unable to create target directory" Error in PDQ Deploy with ProcMon

Let's use my jack-of-all-trades troubleshooting tool--Process Monitor--to find the root cause of a recurring PDQ Deploy error.

Advanced

DISTINCT vs. GROUP BY: Microsoft Access Speed Test

The GROUP BY and DISTINCT clauses can both be used to generate identical results. But which one is faster in Access? And--more importantly--why?

AutoHotKey

Toggle ODBC TraceSQLMode with an AutoHotKey Script

Traditional methods of enabling and disabling ODBC TraceSQLMode are a pain in the neck. This AutoHotKey script makes it as easy as pushing a button.

Debugging

Troubleshooting Access Hanging When Switching to Design View

How I used two low-level tools--ProcMon and WireShark--to figure out why Access was taking forever to switch to design view in forms and reports.

SQL Server

Making Sense of SQLOUT.TXT

You've enabled ODBC Trace SQL Mode and created a sqlout.txt file. But do you know what to do with it now? Let's explore.

Debugging

Find the Yellow Highlighted Line When Debugging in VBA

Did you ever lose your place while debugging in VBA? Here's an easy way to find it.