Stuff

 Dim total As Integer
        Dim t As Integer
        Dim connection As New OleDb.OleDbConnection(connStr)
        Dim updateOlebCommand As New OleDb.OleDbCommand
        'get places left'
        counttable.Clear()

        sqlStr = "SELECT * FROM tblStudent WHERE OptionTaken = 'French Language'"

        dataadapter = New OleDb.OleDbDataAdapter(sqlStr, connStr)
        dataadapter.Fill(counttable)
        dataadapter.Dispose()  'good practice
        t = counttable.Rows.Count
        MessageBox.Show("the total is " & t)
        total = (30 - t)
        MessageBox.Show("the total is " & total)
        'end of places'

        'insert places'

        sqlStr = "UPDATE tblOption SET PlacesLeft='" & total & "' WHERE OPT = 'GamesProgramming'"
        connection.Open()
        updateOlebCommand.Connection = connection
        updateOlebCommand.CommandText = sqlStr

        dataadapter.UpdateCommand = updateOlebCommand
        dataadapter.UpdateCommand.ExecuteNonQuery()
        MessageBox.Show(sqlStr)
        connection.Close()