Why release variables

[sugrue]

I am looking at some code that Bill wrote in his "VBA and Macros For Excel 2007" book and it includes:

  Dim WSD As Worksheet
  Dim WSM As Worksheet
  Dim WB As Wookbook
'
' other code that uses these variables
'
' Release Variables
  Set WB = Nothing
  Set WSD = Nothing
  Set WSM = Nothing
End Sub

What is the benefit of releasing the variables? Since this is right before the End Sub, won't the variables be released when the code ends? Since I am new to VBA, I want to develop good habits - should all variables be set to Nothing before ending the code?

Thanks,
Jack

 

[RoryA]

Generally speaking, VBA is now pretty good at memory management, so you don't really need to do that at the end of a routine (though you may like to explicitly release a variable when you are done with it just to free up its resources). It does no harm to explicitly clear the variables, though these days you probably won't get involved in a heated argument whichever side you choose!

 

[sugrue]

Thanks Rory.

Jack