>Whats involved in setting up and accessing data via ODBC
>A client has a set of files, which he says can be accessed via ODBC, but I an not sure where to start, or how VFP can access the data via ODBC

It is rather simple. All you need is an ODBC driver to the database you use (be it SQL Server, Or VFP (DBF) or any other).

Then you need a connection string (or a DSN).
See:
http://www.carlprothman.net/Technology/ConnectionStrings/ODBCDSNLess/tabid/90/Default.aspx
http://fox.wikis.com/wc.dll?Wiki~ODBC
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dv_foxhelp9/html/8473acb7-e995-4d5e-b1b9-5a1d86ad4f85.asp?frame=true


To read/process data you can use one of three main functions:

CursorAdapter
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dv_foxhelp9/html/3cd87ac7-582c-43b9-b1f7-006a9a5c7508.asp?frame=true


SQLConnect() / SQLExecute()
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dv_foxhelp9/html/8dd6491b-da44-401f-b972-0d51f12f1a07.asp?frame=true

Remote Views

All of them would work for you. It is just a matter of choice. You should investigate the first two, as Remote Views are a little older and somewhat more restrictive in what you can do.