>>The question is, how does the WinDev mechanism of updating the base (e.g. SQL Server table) works? That is, in VFP (use to be popular language in this country <g>) we use TableUpdate() and the changes done to the local cursor are written to the SQL (or VFP) table. How does WinDev do it? TIA.
>
>It is obvious that WinDev, like any language, will provide means to retrieve, change and update server-side data. WinDev has many functions for this. They have their older SQL*** functions and their newer H*** functions. The main difference is that the H*** functions are newer and faster but also that they can be used with a 3rd party server-side database and/or with the built in HyperFile database (which can be used in both stand-alone (classic) configuration or in client-server configuration).
>
>Where the SQL*** and H*** perform the same thing they are named the same way, for example, SQLConnect() becomes HConnect(), SQLExec() becomes HExecuteQuery() or HExecuteSQLQuery()
>
>Also, the H*** database functions will be very familiar to VFP programmers, for example, HSeek() is the same as Seek(), HFound() is the same as Found(), HNext() is the same as Skip, HPrevious() is the same as Skip -1, etc.
>
>Obviously things like transactions, rollback, etc. are supported, for example, see how similar the code is to VFP (nb: many of the blue words inside the function brackets like sqlStart, sqlCommit, sqlRollBack, etc. are just IDE constants which the IntelliSense will explain and fill in): http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?3072029&name=SQLTransaction.
>
>WinDev can access database in several ways; ODBC, OLEDB, or preferably in what they call "native" access. Native access means directly from within WinDev without going through some 3rd party driver. It is thus faster and more elegant approach since it is all built in. For example, WinDev can natively open, access and update VFP DBF/CDX files without requiring any other ODBC or whatever drivers - you just HOpen() the file, HSeek(), HRead(), HWrite, HAdd(), HModify() and HClose() the file. See: Access to the databases: Summary - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?3044202
>
>
>Here are some links that describe the database access methods:
>
>Management of Databases - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/browse.awp?cat=management-databases,367&productversion=01A160057K&verdisp=160
>
>SQL*** Functions - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?3072002
>
>H*** Functions - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?3044156
>
>Access to the databases: Summary - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?3044202
>
>Native SQL Server Access for WinDev and WebDev - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?5515003
>
>Native SQL Server Access: Programming with the SQL functions - http://doc.windev.com/en-US/?5515010#ELTSPECIAL000036

Jos,

Thank you very much for the detailed reply. As soon as I have a "free day" I will download their express edition and start looking into this product. Your explanation and links will be very useful then.
Again, thank you.