>>>I'm trying to switch the values from two columns. Here's my code:
>>>
>>>

update Items;
>>>   SET cDesc = cIntDesc ;
>>>   , cIntDesc = cDesc

>>>
>>>This is a VFP database.
>>>Shouldn't that work?
>>>What is happening is that both columns get the original value that was in cIntDesc.
>>
>>
>>The changes have to occur in some order. You'll have to use a variable to hold one value temporarily.

>I understand. I just had a very strong memory of using code like this before. Maybe it was on a SQL Server database which apparently allows you to do this.

That is one of the few glitches in vfp SQL that is non-Standard. Discussed that a while back with Aleksey (when vfp still was maintained by MS) and his comment was along the lines "don't hold your breath hoping for this behaviour [in vfp] to change, deep xBase roots showing here".