VFP 5.0 question:

What's the best way to go about merging remote data using a View?

1. Should I leave the remote data a .dbf file in a remote directory?

2. Should I move the remote data .dbf file and add it to the DB as a free table using Add Table command and then delete the free table when done?

3. Should I merge the remote data with the current active DB using a view and then have the view replace the current active DB?

What's the easiest approach to take? I suppose a view would be the way to go, but do I have to use ODBC to use a view?

Or can I use Select - SQL inside a form's command button to Merge Data by pressing a button and let the Select - SQL statement do the merging?

I'm a little confused because I have never used a view before.

Thanks for your help. I have been reading about views, but that's about as far as I've gone.