>This the code that is taking so long:
>
>select c_playlist
>go top
>*replace FROM ARRAY ppl_Temp
>idx=1
>do while idx<=reccnt
> replace sequence with ppl_temp(idx,1);
> trt with ppl_temp(idx,2);
> for play_list_no=ppl_temp(idx,3)
>
> idx=idx+1
> select c_playlist
> go top
>enddo
>
>Play_list_no is a sequential key field. TRT is 'total running time'.
>
>Immediately after the code shown is extensive code that includes the tableupdate(). I have tried table buffering, but the updates seem to be taking place here, not at tableupdate(). I apologize if I am making some basic blunder.
>
>I am bowled over by your rapid response. Thank you!
This is w/o (or with) index (using SQL way) :

select c_playlist
*replace FROM ARRAY ppl_Temp
for ix = 1 to alen(ppl_temp,1)   && We only need ppl_temp rowcount updates
	update c_playlist ;
		set sequence = ppl_temp(ix,1)	;
			trt = ppl_temp(ix,2) ;
		where play_list_no=ppl_temp(ix,3)
endfor

This is with index :

select c_playlist
* If not an already existing tag on play_list_no create it
* Views can be indexed too.
index on play_list_no tag plylstno && Tags are max 10 char
*replace FROM ARRAY ppl_Temp
for ix = 1 to alen(ppl_temp,1)   && We only need ppl_temp rowcount updates
	if seek(ppl_temp(idx,3),"c_playlist","plylstno")
		replace sequence with ppl_temp(ix,1);
				trt with ppl_temp(ix,2) ;
				while play_list_no=ppl_temp(ix,3)
	endif
endfor

In your code go top is useless because a *for* forces it. And seeing do while expression I wonder if array rowcount is same as reccount. Anyway check new code timing. First w/o index and then with index. There are still many different ways to do it.
Cetin