>MS didn't see/consider VFP as a viable front end for SQL server, which might have helped to keep VFP around. But that, too, is water under the bridge,

If MS saw VFP as the `ideal` front end for SQL Server then VFP would've been brought into the universal .NET IDE in 2001. VFP.NET2001 would've been as compatible with VFP6 as VB6 was to VBNET2001.

MS believed BOTH VFP6 and VB6 did not fit into their future strategies for profit maximization. Although both were financially successful products and technically competent products.

MS planned on the death of BOTH tools by mid 1999. A bunch a nice cushy niche markets died along with the tools... and a lot of whining occurred by those profiting from the nice easy niche markets...