The 'current.sc1_2000' in the second case references original table/cursor alias not the one used in the query. See http://www.berezniker.com/content/pages/visual-foxpro/queries-and-functions-which-accept-alias-parameter

>Thanks Sergey -
>With ANSI OFF, this produces 4 records (the correct answer).
>

>SELECT st_name, Current.* ;
>FROM tipdatabase!tip T ;
>INNER JOIN tipdatabase!current  ;
>ON t.tip_id = current.tip_id ;
>WHERE ALLTRIM(current.sc1_2000) == "STP"
>

>But this
>

>thisfield = 'current.sc1_2000'
>
>SELECT st_name, Current.* ;
>FROM tipdatabase!tip T ;
>INNER JOIN tipdatabase!current  ;
>ON t.tip_id = current.tip_id ;
>WHERE ALLTRIM(eval(thisfield)) == "STP"
>

>Produces no records. Same result with ANSI on.
>
>
>