Re: Basic VB/Access2003 syntax, how to find out about it?

Albert D. Kallal <kallal@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Yes, absolutely fine if I know the name of the method/function/action
I want - BUT I haven't yet found anything that gives me any help on
the detailed syntax or an overview of why there seem to be so many
different sorts of 'do something' operations.

Well, I can't think of ANY help system that will explain the use of
pointers, or overloading in c++ either. Either you will have to get a book,
or learn some things over time. So, when learning a new system, connecting
the dots is hard. The docmd for example simply executes a method of the
ms-access appcation. So, in help...if you view any of the methods, you would
be browsing the list of docmd possible options.

.... but there are C and C++ and Java reference manuals which set out
the syntax concisely (as in books), I don't seem to be able to find
any equivalent books for VB/Access.

I'm still not clear on the differences between actions, functions,
methods, etc.


I don't have a big problem with the object hierarchy, it's the sort of
thing I'm already fairly familiar with. As I said it's the detailed
sysntax and what sort of 'things' to use where that confuses me.

Learning to use what things where is certainly the issue. While some help
system actually might explain c++ pointers, I would be REALLY surprised if
the help system told you WHEN to use pointers. (that would be a amazing help
system!!). Again, I can't think of any c++, or any other reference that
tells you when you use what function or method *when*. That is essentially
conveying the essence of a development language, and I suppose if a help
system could do that, we would eliminate the learning curve of a language!

I agree, it's a programming "fact of life" that no help systems and
few books tell you *why* to use particular constructs. However it's
usually not too difficult to find out what the syntax is, I can very
quickly find out how to write down a pointer to a structure element in
C or C++. On the other hand I still find it difficult to work out the
syntax for referring to an object element in VB/Access. Is there
anywhere that actually writes this out concisely or does everyone just
acquire how to do it from examples?


This is where you (and I suspect the help system) loses me.
'flexgrid' and 'activeX' mean absolutely nothing to me.

ok. The above is simply a refence to the standard windows technologies. The
term activeX apples to all development platforms in windows. activeX is
simply a means by which 3rd party controls (such as a calendar control) can
be placed on a form, and used. In other words, using a activeX control on a
ms-access form means you would NOT be using the native controls that are
available on the tool bar when in design mode. Access is a bit different
then many windows IDE's since it has NATIVE controls. So, if you develop an
application in VB6, or c++ in windows, you might use a combo box. The
standard combo box control included with VB6, or c++ or <your favorite
windows programming system> will ALL likely use the same combo box activeX
control. A acttieX is control based on inter-program communication.

In ms-access, you *can* use activeX controls, but you are STRONGLY advised
to NOT use activeX controls. This is due to the fact that MOST ms-access
applications are NOT deployed using a widows installer that can INCLUDE
these additional code libraries and dependencies. Since we don't have a
linker, nor a system that will automatically include these additional code
libraries (in this case activeX controls), then we try to avoid them. I do
on occasion include additional .dll libraries in my applications, but then I
have to build my own install scripts.

OK, thanks for the explanation.


As a note, in windows, we call inter program communication "COM", or object
automation. In the linix world, this is referred to as COBRA. I don't know
the equivalent term for activeX controls in Linux/c++, but there is likely
an equivalent. (whatever lets you place a 3rd party control on a form and
communicate with it is what the technology is going to be called).

COBRA is just one of many, many ways to communicate, we use it at work
between Sun Solaris and the MS world.


So, I am not sure where to start, but you are learning a new development
language,and further learning new platform at the same time. Further, while
it is easy to write code in ms-access, the real hard part is getting the
relational data designs correct. So, new platforms, new programming
language, and even harder is to learn database concepts. You certainly have
your work cut out for you.....

The database concepts bit I kow the basics as I've been developing
C/C++ programs that use Oracle (and call SQL queries) for many, many
years. I think this is part of my frustration, I can conceive what I
want in database terms but I find it difficult to put it into
practice.


I would suggest that you consider some books....

http://www.mvps.org/access/resources/books.htm

Yes, I quite agree! :-)


Thanks for all the help.

--
Chris Green

.

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