>
Put even simpler: CONTROLS as inner objects of outer CONTROLS simply are encapsulation within encapsulation.
>

Got it!

The EXPANDER is coming along nicely. I've been building up to it through simpler base classes:

PORTALS
   TITLED_PORTAL
      ACTIVE_PORTAL
         EXPANDER

And then supporting classes involving scrollbars, menus, and decorators:

SCROLLBARS
   VSCROLLBARS
      MSFT_WINDOWS_COMMON_VSCROLLBAR
      EXTENDED_VIEW_VSCROLLBAR
   HSCROLLBARS
      WINDOWS_COMMON_HSCROLLBAR
      EXTENDED_VIEW_HSCROLLBAR

MENUS
   MSFT_OFFICE_SHORTCUT_MENU

SCROLLABLE
RESIZABLE
MOVABLE
DOCKABLE
MENUABLE

I've been working with the trial version of ARG Labs' CommandBars and CommonControls libraries. Fantastic products!!! Very well-designed. I'm starting to get addicted (again <g>) to VFP!

I would be happy to forward my humble library to you when I'm done. With your experience in VFP, I'm sure you'll be able to improve upon it. Just as Doug Hennig came up with the "mother of all treeview controls," I'm trying to produce the mother of all expanders.

Eric