>Can a developer build a database application in VB as fast he/she can build one in VFP? This assumes the developer is equally skilled in both languages.

Well Yes, Depending on the application, and if the developer has is one template in VB. If it a Desktop database application VFP will be faster. If it a Client Server application VB development can be as face if you have your template to do it. Has of VFP you start from a framework to start with.

VB is a good tool like VFP is a good tool. You can say that VB is a orange and VFP a banana, both are fruits. So for you question is missing detail on the type application to build.

I like Banana and orange, What do you like?