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# Throwback Thursday: May 29, 2025
- URL: https://nolongerset.com/throwback-thursday-2025-05-29/
- Published: 2025-05-30T03:24:08.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-08T12:45:47.000Z
- Description: In today's edition of Throwback Thursday, we revisit one of my favorite techniques: guard clauses--my secret weapon for avoiding Dante Alighieri-levels of nesting.
- Author: Mike Wolfe
- Tags: Throwback Thursday, #Import 2026-05-20 02:59

*With over a million words scattered across more than 1,500 articles on this blog, you've probably missed a few things here.*

*That’s why each week in "Throwback Thursday," we’ll revisit some standout posts. Expect a blend of my personal favorites, insightful articles from other great minds, and a touch of coding humor to keep things light.*

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## Highlights from NoLongerSet.com

[Guard ClausesGuard clauses are one of my favorite low-friction defensive programming tools.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/01/Guard-Clauses-1.jpeg)](https://nolongerset.com/guard-clauses/)

[My Dirty Little SecretI don’t use Me.Dirty = False in my #msaccess code. I wrap it up and call it from a “guard clause” instead.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2020/11/man-4393964_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/my-dirty-little-secret/)

[Filling in the BlanksOne of the keys to being a good developer is to make the \*easy way\* also be the \*right way\*. Exhibit A: the ControlIsBlank() function.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2020/11/journal-2850091_1920.jpg)](https://nolongerset.com/filling-in-the-blanks/#code-controlisblank-function)

[Showing User-Friendly Error Messages for Missing Data on Bound Forms in MS AccessHere are two ways to show custom error messages on a bound form using (1) the Form\_BeforeUpdate event or (2) the Form\_Error event.![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/09/NLS_Icon_square.png)No Longer SetMike Wolfe![](https://nolongerset.com/content/images/2023/01/Bound-Form-Error-Handling.jpeg)](https://nolongerset.com/bound-form-error-handling/)

## Developer Humor

> [spaghettiCode](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgrammerHumor/comments/1ky9sei/spaghetticode/)  
> by [u/Shiroyasha\_2308](https://www.reddit.com/user/Shiroyasha%5F2308/) in [ProgrammerHumor](https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgrammerHumor/) 

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