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The add-ins in this package are programmed using the Microsoft
macro language, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). The source
code is available for viewing and changing when the add-in is
installed in Excel. Some of the add-ins are not password protected.
These include the Teach DP and Stochastic Models add-ins. They
include specific model classes that are provided through VBA
subroutines. They are left open so the user can add new problem
classes.
Other add-ins are password protected. The current versions
of the add-ins all have the same password, ppp. We provide
this password, and open the add-ins to the public, for several
reasons. First when an error occurs, the user knowledgeable
in VBA may be able to correct it. A second reason is to allow
the user interested in programming in VBA to look at and use
sample code. The add-ins may not use the best coding practices,
but there is a great deal of code. It may be possible to use
parts of the code for other applications. Finally, we hope that
others will create add-ins for Operations Research. VBA is a
powerful language and Microsoft is constantly improving it.
We hope that there will be a community of persons providing
add-ins for all to use.
If you find and correct an error, improve the code or create
a new application, please notify the author so your work can
be made available to others.
The VBA Editor
Excel and the other applications of Microsoft Office include
a VBA Editor that allows the user to view, create and change
programs. To reach the editor, open Excel, select Macro
on the Tools menu and select VBA Editor from
the submenu. This takes you to the editor. On the Mac, the F11
function key with the Option key toggles between Excel
and the editor. Once in the editor, select Project Explorer
from the View menu. The Project Explorer window lists
all the add-ins currently installed. Click on the add-in of
interest. If it is password protected, enter the password. The
source code and forms for the add-in are contained in folders.
Simply open a folder and open the module containing the code.
Return to Excel by using the toggle key or selecting Excel
from the View menu. If an add-in is changed, you must
save it by selecting Save on the File menu. Before
issuing the Save command, be sure to have the cursor
placed on a module belonging to the add-in in the Project
Explorer.
If you use or modify the add-ins, this author would be glad
to hear about it.
Paul Jensen
July, 2001
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