[RESOLVED] Recommendations for handling forms

I'd like to get some guidance on how to structure my application. Basically I have a main form that leads to another form that adds something to a database and returns to the main form. The overall question is, do I use a MDI structure or just do as I am doing now, which is using .show and .hide on the various subforms. I started this application as an SDI. Here are the questions.

1. What are the advantages of doing an MDI?
2. Can I just add an MDI form to my initial SDI application, or do I have to start all over?
3. I can't seem to figue out how to edit my sub form in my existing application. The only Object and Code windows that shows up is the main form. How do I get the other forms to show in the Code and Object windows?

Any other recommendations are welcome.

What are the advantages of doing an MDI?

There is only one as far as I'm concerned: to keep together multiple documents.

Can I just add an MDI form to my initial SDI application, or do I have to start all over?

Yes you can - after adding an MDI form you will have to set MdiChild property to True for each form you want to be an mid child.

I can't seem to figue out how to edit my sub form in my existing application. The only Object and Code windows that shows up is the main form. How do I get the other forms to show in the Code and Object windows?

Not sure I understand.

You should stick to SDI - MDI is for programs like Word/Excel, where you can have multiple forms (Documents in Word/Excel) open at the same time, all of them being inside the parent form.

Anyhoo, for clarification here are answers to your questions:
1. It allows you to have several windows that the user can move between, in addition to the Word/Excel example, think about VB itself - it can have multiple code and/or object windows, as well as several extra single-instance windows (Properties, Immediate, ...).

2. You need to start over for the "parent" form. You can copy/paste a fair amount of it, but will not gain anything over an SDI application unless you make changes. (edit: RhinoBull covered the child forms)

3. Just select the form in the Project Explorer window (if you can't see it, use the View menu).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by si_the_geek

You should stick to SDI...

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I wouldn't be so categorical about it - as always it's matter of taste, business rules, requirements, necessity if you will, mdi limitations that you may (or may not) overcome, etc, etc, etc...