August 21, 1997

Use the Len() function to check for an empty string rather than the”” or “=” operators. For instance: If sName “” Then … End If This is functionally the same,

For debugging or whenever you want to copy code from one project toanother, it would be very easy if you could have two instances of VB runningat the same time.

Every control has an implicit “value” property. For textboxes it is the Text property. For Labels it is Caption: lblZip.Caption = “Zip Code” You do not need to reference this

If you have a large app, consider breaking it down into smaller apps.Use one main EXE that calls the others and DDE to provide communication.When a sub-app opens, open a

There is a very simple trick you can perform with labels and text boxesthat will help users who like to use the keyboard instead of the mouse.Notice the underlines in

To set a form to be always on top, use the subroutine listed here.Pass it the hWnd property of the form you want to float. The OnTop parameteris used to

When you’re using OLE or the JET database engine, you’ll need to loadSHARE on your system and all systems you deliver your app to. In the lattercase, you are guaranteed

If an API call is not achieving the desired or expected effects, tryplacing ByVal in front of parameters. Likely ones to cause trouble arestrings and anything declared “As Any.” The