Performance Analysis--Use fewer controls??? 4

[gusbrunston]

Hi.
I've designed three forms, one for properties, one for owners, one for tenants, that I really like. Used tab control pages, and was able to pack a lot of controls into the five pages, including pictures of each property, copy of the driver's license of the tenant, etc. When I analyze the forms, the two suggestions are: "Use fewer controls" and let's see...yeah, "Use an Option Explicit Statement." The Option Explicit Statement seems simple enough, but I am loathe to give up my (complicated) forms. I expect to handle a few hundred records in each table/query. Am I going to be seriously handicapped in terms of performance when I get a couple hundred records posted? (I'm doing fine with samples of 12 or so records to work with during the design.) Thank you so much for your advice.
Gus Brunston (would-be programmer) s-)

 

[ghubbell]

Hi Gus!
Geeze that nagging Access... I can't stand that analyzer...just when you get things right to your liking, "Use fewer controls"... Well the Option Explicit thing is good, and if you can without upsetting your users, remove a few things, then try. But I feel they came up with the analyzer when people were using P1 processors. I run some forms with tab controls, 3 sub forms, 40 fields because I need to. Sure they're a little slower to load. Big deal. 4 seconds or 5. Am I in that much of a rush? I did a test on one form and the only way I could get it to stop nagging was to have only 8 fields. OK 3 were comboboxes but still...I don't want my users to have to open 20 different forms to do their job just to satisfy a fussy.... (sorry, I'm loosing it) %-(
Oh that "heavyweight" form? about 4000 records behind it.

Gord
ghubbell@total.net

 

[MichaelRed]

With all due deference to Gord, I think we need to limit his access to twinkis for the rest of the day!

I would only say that I wouldn't remove ANY of the controls. If it is what you want, then it is what you want. Performance will not be an issue with the few hundred (or thousand) records, regardless of the number of controls. +/- a few. the database schema (table design relationship) will have a MUCH larger impact on performance and the capability to extend or modif the overall design in the future. One of the more common and sucessful design approaches is to layout the forms and reports and use them as the basis for the overall database and program designs, so if your forms are what you want/need for the app. STICK TO IT!


MichaelRed
redmsp@erols.com

There is never time to do it right but there is always time to do it over

 

[petermeachem]

The performance analysis should be regarded in much the same light as the spell checker. When it's correct it's ok, when it's wrong it's wrong.

 

[MichaelRed]

Peter,

Sounds something like idiot savant?


MichaelRed
redmsp@erols.com

There is never time to do it right but there is always time to do it over

 

[petermeachem]

Idiot savants are a group of humans that are incapable of learning, writing or reading, yet they have unlimited access to specific, accurate knowledge in the fields of mathematics, music, and other precise areas. Now the irony of an idiot-savant is that this group of individuals does not acquire knowledge by learning as the average human does. They mysteriously 'know' explicit, exact, correct information. One may wonder: "How do idiots savants know certain information or possess certain skills?" By whatever means they obtain this information, they undermine current definitions about intelligence. Does their knowledge show that a source of intelligence exists? Is it possible to tap into this source and not know of its existence?

Dustin Hoffman made idiot-savants famous in the Hollywood movie "Rain Man." He played the role of a mathematical genius able to keep track of cards at the casino, yet unable to go to the bathroom alone or to make simple decisions about what clothes to wear or foods to eat. Modern science cannot explain this phenomenon


Just replace human with spellcheckr or performance analyser.

 

[gusbrunston]

Wow, petermeachem:
But, while the savant can play the Fifth Symphony after hearing it (once?), he is not capable of composing it, is he? So doesn't there have to be a distinction between skill and intelligence? The skill to display data after update doesn't translate into intelligence, it seems to me. Thanks for you thoughtful comment.

 

[hellferret]

Sorry but I'm gonna have to give petermeachem a star for that.

 

[AArt]

This sure isn't Access, but anyone that wants to learn more "Savants" and other intriguing mental states, check out the incredible book "The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks. It will alter the way you consider the human mind. BTW, some of Rainman's behaviors were based on a patient of Sacks'.