>My application is an .exe file with a MAIN program and menu. Some basic questions:
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>When VFP 5.0 looks for a table to open, and there are multiple tables having the same name in the Foxpro path, is it true that a table in the default directory has priority over another table with the same name that is elsewhere in the foxpro path?

That depends on how you open the table? If using USE tablename without specifying the path you are correct.

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>Is it true that every form and report with a private data session opens the database container when it fires up? Or is it possible to open the dbc once in program MAIN and let that dbc dictate what tables are available to subsequent forms/reports?

DBC doesn't work like any other Database (SQL, ACCESS, ETC.). It is only a repository of tables/views where you can define triggers, persistent relationship etc.

>I want tables in the default directory to be ignored sometimes. If each form, report, and label program initiates Foxpro table searches upon startup, what is the best way to specify something other than the default search heirarchy?

We do use SET PATH TO forms; reports; bitmaps; tables etc.... where these sub-dir are located in a main directory. With the proper dir hierarchy, it is not difficult then to open/fire specific files.

USE tables\mytablename

DO FORM forms\myform

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>In the project designer, when I highlight the name of my database, the dbc's location appears at the bottom of the designer (in un-docked mode only!?!). Does this location have anything to do with where Foxpro searches when a form fires up from the compiled (exe) program?
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>Thanks!