No, there is not.
However, as a person who did a LOT of coding in a97, I certainly can say I
got used to the "single" development window.
Like a good old Ford, where you know the exact amount of effort to shift
gears, access 97 is much like that good old Ford.
However, over time, I grown to like the split IDE, and in fact now, I find
the old system quite constraining.
There is good number of advantages of having the system split.
The first "big" + feature of the separate IDE (Integrated Development
Environment) is that I can be in the middle of some code, and simply whack
alt + tab key, and flip back to the form (if a property sheet is open, you
do have to close it). At this point, I can then view, design the form. And,
I can even move around, open a another form, or simply "check" something in
the existing forms layout. Another quick alt-tab, and I am back to the code
window.
In a97, and older, you were "stuck" with one window, and thus were caged in,
and can't move around. Once you get hooked on the ability to do this, then
you really will not want to go back.
However, this does mean that while in code, you will find that you go ctrl-s
(to save), and then a quick debug->compile (this happens so fast, and so
frequently for me, that I can't even remember doing it anymore!!). You do
want to the compile, since if you don't, then ms-access thinks you still
want to work more, and next time you open the code window, that code will be
displayed.
The other advantage of course is that you can use a duel monitor setup, and
again, this means you will never go back to the old "mono" single IDE.
(forms on one monitor...code on the other).
Do note that sub-forms, and sub-reports are now shown "in place". I absolute
hated this feature, but now, I find I use the "in place" editing for touch
ups, and "minor" moving of controls in design view. Also, if you got a
sub-form, and there is a command button that you need to get to the code.
you click on that sub-form (on the command button)--- the sub form is
highlighted, and then click again to highlight the command button, and then
right click->view code. This is a REALLY nice time saver over the old way of
having to first launch/open the sub-form. and, do note that you do have the
"sub-form in new window" option, since when doing serious changes to a
sub-form/report, then you will DISLIKE the "in place" sub-form/reports very
much..
So, while we love that good old Ford, you likely will grow into the new
system, and over time, you will find going back to the single IDE a good
deal more constraining.
Being able to hop out of hte code window, and go back to working on the form
at the same time is really nice, and now I could not go back to the old
system...
