>>I am looking for the most adequate way to zip resources from within a VFP application. A compact lib that can be depended upon and forgotten... What is the best solution to-day when zipping vfp-generated strings and files?

We've used 7z ( http://www.7-zip.org/7z.html ) for years to handle zip archives from VFP. You don't have to use its own 7z format, 7z is a good player with zip and most other archive formats, including unpacking non-standard zip files that make Windows gasp. Does allow AES if that's useful, doesn't unzip to/from a vfp string... but the few lines of code is an OK trade for a reliable dll you can distribute under GNU LGPL .