In original dBASE the "then" keyword didn't exist -- it was likely added in some xBASE dialects to ease transition from other languages such as BASIC. I tend to use "then" out of habit from using other languages like BASIC, PL/1, Pascal, Modula 2... Funny bit is that I *don't* type "then" when programming in C/C++.

>'Then' is redundant.
>
>>thanks Tore. what is the purpose of using 'then' in an if clause as Naoto has suggested? could there be a situation where 'then' could yield a sub-routine - ie a third option to 'else' or is it redundant?
>>
>>k
>>
>>>>what is the simplest way to express
>>>>if date() after December 15 2016
>>>>do this
>>>>endif
>>>>
>>>>tnx
>>>>Karen
>>>
>>>

If date() > date(2016,12,15)
>>>   ...
>>>Endif