In this case, it matters because the dbc() function returns a correct value when the datasession is #4 but as soon as the datasssion is switched to #1 dbc() returns ''. This was all brought on by some tables that did not close correctly in a form. [ I did a select on a table not in the dataenvironment] and when the form closed the tables remained open in a private datasession. This caused the repair function not to work correctly and in trying to find out what was happening I ran into the problem with dbc() described above. I am perfectly happy in fixing the problem and moving on, but my anal associate wants to know WHY this happens.