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Defining new TempVars? Use ADD or DIM to establish TempVar?
Question about the better code to use for defining a new TempVar. Use:
Is one method preferred over the other? Advantages to either method?
- TempVars.Add "NewTempVarsName", (set tempvars value)
- Dim NewTempVarsName As TempVar ...then a few lines down... TempVars!NewTempVarsName = (set tempvars value)
Is one method preferred over the other? Advantages to either method?
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Option 1 is what you would use if you were defining a constant. You don't need a TempVar to define a constant. If you later change the value of this TempVar some future developer is going to be cursing you and your offspring for all eternity.
Option 2 is what you would use if you were defining a variable that can be addressed from various forms and modules and whose value can change.
When I use TempVars, which is rarely, I define them in the first form that opens, which is normally a switchboard. Then they get set where they are used. I don't want to have to search every module and every form for TempVar definitions. I'd been working with Access for more than a decade when TempVars were introduced so I already had developed a method to use a hidden form to store all global variables rather than defining variables as global. Global variables are a problem when an error is raised. Untrapped errors cause global variables to loose their contents. The hidden form has another advantage and that is for testing, I can make the form visible and watch variables change or even change them manually. I know you can do this in the Code window with watches, but the form is more flexible.
Option 2 is what you would use if you were defining a variable that can be addressed from various forms and modules and whose value can change.
When I use TempVars, which is rarely, I define them in the first form that opens, which is normally a switchboard. Then they get set where they are used. I don't want to have to search every module and every form for TempVar definitions. I'd been working with Access for more than a decade when TempVars were introduced so I already had developed a method to use a hidden form to store all global variables rather than defining variables as global. Global variables are a problem when an error is raised. Untrapped errors cause global variables to loose their contents. The hidden form has another advantage and that is for testing, I can make the form visible and watch variables change or even change them manually. I know you can do this in the Code window with watches, but the form is more flexible.
I use them a lot, and prefer to initialize them in my startup or splash form, similar to the way that Pat does with her global variable form. You can use syntax like:
Tempvars.Add strVarName, varValue
or
Tempvars!VarName = varValue
Either method works just fine.
Tempvars.Add strVarName, varValue
or
Tempvars!VarName = varValue
Either method works just fine.
Question to Pat:
First, thanks for the explanation on setting TempVars, good info.
Second, using your hidden "global values" form, I assume you have a main form that is displayed when the database opens. Do you use Form_Load to place your code for opening the hidden form and entering your initial values? Could you provide an example of your code to do this? Also, how are you hiding the form?
I am very weak with VBA and trying to learn. Thanks.
First, thanks for the explanation on setting TempVars, good info.
Second, using your hidden "global values" form, I assume you have a main form that is displayed when the database opens. Do you use Form_Load to place your code for opening the hidden form and entering your initial values? Could you provide an example of your code to do this? Also, how are you hiding the form?
I am very weak with VBA and trying to learn. Thanks.
TempVars are cool because they do not get hosed with a crash or when reset occurs, unlike Globals.
Also ... they can be called directly from Queries :-)
Also ... they can be called directly from Queries :-)
Joe, I agree that TempVars are useful. My point was that I solved the problem years ago and TempVars don't add anything to my existing solution and I think my existing solution is sufficiently good that it is worth a mention. TempVars were implemented because of Webforms and Data Macros so if you are using them, TempVars is your only option.
BD, I usually make my "hidden" form the form that opens when the database opens. In the Current event, I set any defaults that need setting for the form's controls or TempVars if I've used them in this app. Then I hide the current form by setting its visible property to False and open the Menu/Switchboard. There is no logic involved. It is simply a list of TempVars definitions followed by set statements if they variables need initiation.
Here's a picture of a hidden form from one of my apps. As you can see, all the controls are unbound. This particular app has no code in this form except to hide itself and open the switchboard since no TempVars were used and nothing required an initial value.
BD, I usually make my "hidden" form the form that opens when the database opens. In the Current event, I set any defaults that need setting for the form's controls or TempVars if I've used them in this app. Then I hide the current form by setting its visible property to False and open the Menu/Switchboard. There is no logic involved. It is simply a list of TempVars definitions followed by set statements if they variables need initiation.
Here's a picture of a hidden form from one of my apps. As you can see, all the controls are unbound. This particular app has no code in this form except to hide itself and open the switchboard since no TempVars were used and nothing required an initial value.
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