Tick Counter

Introduction

The Win32 library provides a special function used to count a specific number of lapses that have occurred since you started your computer. This information or counter is available through the GetTickCount() function. Its syntax is:

DWORD GetTickCount(VOID);

 

This function takes no argument. If it succeeds in performing its operation, which it usually does, it provides the number of milliseconds that have elapsed since you started your computer. Just like the timer control, what you do with the result of this function is up to you and it can be used in various circumstances. For example, computer games and simulations make great use of this function.

After retrieving the value that this function provides, you can display it in a text-based control.

 

Practical LearningPractical Learning:  Using GetTickCount
  1. Start Microsoft Access and create a blank database named Computer Time
  2. Start a new form in Design View. Save it as TickCounter and design it as follows
     
    Control Properties
    Form Caption: Tick Counter
    Data Entry: No
    Record Selectors: No
    Navigation Buttons: No
    Modal: Yes
    Border Style: Dialog
    Timer Interval: 20
    Text Box Name: txtAppTime
    Back Color: -2147483633 (I am using the color of Windows XP. The idea is to hide the background of the text box. Therefore, if you are using another operating system such as Windows 9X or Windows Server 2003, because they use a different color, select it accordingly)
    Special Effect: Flat
    Border Style: Transparent
    Text Box Name: txtCompTime
    Back Color: -2147483633 (same reason as above)
    Special Effect: Flat
    Border Style: Transparent
  3. Initiate the OnLoad and the OnTimer events of the form
  4. Implement the form module as follows:
      
    Option Compare Database
Option Explicit
Private Declare Function Win32GetTickCounter Lib "Kernel32" _
		Alias "GetTickCount" () As Long
Private CompTime As Long

Private Sub Form_Load()
    CompTime = Win32GetTickCounter
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Timer()
    Dim TickValue  As Long
    Dim Difference As Long
    
    TickValue = Win32GetTickCounter
    Difference = TickValue - CompTime
    
    Dim ComputerHours As Long
    Dim ComputerMinutes As Long
    Dim ComputerSeconds As Long
    Dim ApplicationHours, ApplicationMinutes, ApplicationSeconds As Long

    ComputerHours = (TickValue \ 3596400) Mod 24
    ComputerMinutes = (TickValue \ 59940) Mod 60
    ComputerSeconds = (TickValue \ 999) Mod 60
    ApplicationHours = (Difference \ 3596400) Mod 24
    ApplicationMinutes = (Difference \ 59940) Mod 60
    ApplicationSeconds = (Difference \ 999) Mod 60
    
    txtAppTime = "This application has been ON for " & _
                     CStr(ApplicationHours) & " hours, " & _
                     CStr(ApplicationMinutes) & " minutes, and " & _
                     CStr(ApplicationSeconds) & " seconds"
    
    txtCompTime = "This computer has been on for " & _
                     CStr(ComputerHours) & " hours, " & _
                     CStr(ComputerMinutes) & " mnutes, and " & _
                     CStr(ComputerSeconds) & " seconds"
End Sub
  5. Return to Microsoft Access
  6. Switch the form to Form View to see the result
 
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