To insert a GUID into code using the Delphi Editor, use Control + Shift + G.

['{BB45987C-0552-415F-A439-636A87E9F4E2}']

However, if you are using either the Visual Studio or Visual Basic key mapping emulation, use Control + Alt + G.

Although Object Pascal doesn't have a native associative array, many developers just use a TStringList. Others have implemented a true associative array in Object Pascal. Search the Internet for TStringHash and THashedStringList classes for examples.

If you add an ODBC data source, you must define its DSN before you can connect to that database.

Before you code in ObjectPAL, ask yourself two questions. Does Paradox already do this? Is there a better and easier way? Remember, simple solutions for simple problems.

If, in experimentation, you use sleep(), doDefault, or DisableDefault to overcome some odd or misunderstood behavior, do not leave the commands in your code. If using the command didnt seem to make a difference, then take it out. Use commands only when they are called for. One great way to really learn the event model and the power of these and other commands is to experiment with adding them. Remember to take them out, however, if they do not do what you wanted.

The syntax of object.method() is consistent throughout ObjectPAL. If an object with the name box has code on its mouseClick event, you can access that code with box.mouseClick() method from any other object. When this code executes, the UIObject method mouseClick() calls the mouseClick event.

How do you know when you can call the code in a built-in method of an object? Easy, if the run-time library has a method equivalent, then you can use itfor example, mouseClick() and pushButton().

Paradox provides experts that generate code at the field level, in the form open, etc. It is a good idea to study the ObjectPAL generated by these experts.

Whenever you open a form, report, library, or script using the open() method and do not specify a file extension, Paradox always looks first for the nondelivered .?SL file and then for the delivered .?DL file.

Short-circuit evaluation is a feature of most languages where once an evaluation evaluates to False, the compiler evaluates the whole expression to False, exits and moves on to the next code execution line. In VB Classic, the if statement does not support short-circuit evaluation but you can mimic it. Use either an if..else if..else if statement or nested if statements. You will find that your code that makes use of this technique will be clearer and easier to maintain than the short-circuit equivalent and faster than ingnoring the issue.

Short-circuit evaluation is a feature of most languages where once an evaluation evaluates to False, the compiler evaluates the whole expression to False, exits and moves on to the next code execution line. The ASP Classic if statement does not support short-circuit evaluation but you can mimic it. Use either an if..else if..else if statement or nested if statements. ASP code that makes use of this technique is frequenlty clearer and easier to maintain than the short-circuit equivalent.

Call Application.Lock to freeze ASP code while you set IIS application variables the Application.Unlock to unfreeze. No actions take place on the server while locked. 

Application.Lock

Application(YourAppVar) = AValue
Application.Unlock

Before you resize a transparent GIF or PNG larger or smaller, make sure you first increase the number of colors to the maximum number of colors allowed. In essence, unleash the full power of your graphics program. After you resize your image, you will have to reapply transparency.

Each logo you create should have at most one symbol. You can mess with the text is "textual" ways such as font, color, and minor tweaks, but if you include a "symbol", you should include only one symbol.

Most languages support a branching mechanism like if a..elseif b..elseif c. If a evaluates to true, b and c will not execute. The tip is to sort your branching conditions by most to lease used for faster code.

When comparing floating point numbers, make sure you round to an acceptable level of rounding for the type of application you are using.

If you know the correct driver is installed on your computer some place but don't remember where or know it's part of Windows, use the browse  for local driver option and specifiy a path of C:\ and check the include subfolders checkbox.

For example, in Vista, if there are no bluetooth devices on you computer when Vista is installed, the bluetooth stack isn't loaded. To load it, simply put your USB bluetooth dongle in an available USB port and use the tip above to load the Vista bluetooth driver.

Right click on My Computer and select the Properties menu option then select the Advanced tab (in Vista, select the Advanced system settings then the Advanced tab). Click the Environment Variables button then the New button and add the following:

• name = devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices
• value = 1

Select Ok twice to close the Environment Variables dialog. In Device Manager on the Hardware tab, select View | Show Hidden Devices. Now both hidden devices and non-present devices will be listed. The non-present devices are grayed out.

By default, you cannot uninstall programs in Safe Mode. Whatever issue you are handling, your first choice is to resolve it using more acceptable solutions such as using System Restore or MSConfig. For MSConfig, try disabling all startup programs then see if you can use Add/Remove Programs. If you wish to enable the Windows Installer Service while in Safe Mode, add the following registry entry:

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\MSIServer\VE\TREG_SZ\F\D %Service%

It is better to install a Microsoft DHCP server in your business network over the more limited DHCP servers provided by SOHO devices such as those found in wireless routers, firewalls, the Comcast router, etc. Installing a Microsoft DHCP server allows you to take advantage of more advanced features.

The best free and fast DNS server service provider is OpenDNS. At least that's who we are currently using and recommending.

OpenDNS free dns server list:

• 208.67.222.222
• 208.67.220.220

If you wish to try others, search for free fast Public DNS Servers List.

If you have a USB wireless device such as a wireless NIC, mouse controller, etc. that has a weak signal because of location, try adding a USB extension cable and placing the device in a more open location.

USB cables from stores such as Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. are over priced 5 or 6 times what you can get on the internet.

For wireless network cards, you can also buy a range-extending antenna for the computer's WiFi card or router, or a wireless range extender.

To extend the life of your battery, drain it completely and then charge it for 14 hours.

a
not any particular or certain one; a certain; another; one;

"He is a Delphi programmer."
 

an
the form of "a" before an initial vowel

"He is an ObjectPAL programmer."

Use "hung" for things and longer durations. Use "hanged" for people and shorter durations.

Examples:

"I hung a picture on the wall."

"He hung a deer on a tree for butchering."

"Felicia and Ashley hung out last night."

"Horse theives were hanged in the 19th century."

"The terrorist was hanged and his corpse was hung on the tree."

then
adverb - at that time; adjective - being; noun - that time

"Create the database, then start the prototype."

than
in relation to; by comparison with

"Delphi 6 is a better product than Visual Basic 6."

a lot, not alot
to a very great degree or extent

"John is a lot better programmer than Dave."
 

allot
to divide or distribute by share or portion

"I am going to allot you half the analysis."

• Quit: to stop, cease, or discontinue
• Quiet: making no noise
• Quite: completely, wholly, or entirely

Spell checking is available in our rich editor for IE and Gecko based browsers such as Firefox and Safari. We use our rich editor in many areas of our community such as message boards, knowledge base, job postings, resumes, etc. For IE, there is an icon on the editor's toolbar. For Gecko based browsers such as Firefox and Safari, browser enabled spell checking is active. Spell checking is not available for Google Chrome. Currently Chrome's spell checking is not compatible with IFrames so you have spell checking OUTSIDE our editor.

Execute more common evaluations first! Short-circuit evaluation is a feature of most languages where once an evaluation evaluates to False, the compiler evaluates the whole expression to False, exits and moves on to the next code execution line. In Access VBA, the if statement does not support short-circuit evaluation but you can mimic it. Use either an if..else if..else if statement or nested if statements. You will find that your code that makes use of this technique will be clearer and easier to maintain than the short-circuit equivalent and will execute faster than ignoring this issue.