The database table (.DBC) has 3 memo fields that contain the properties of each field, the stored procedures and user defined stuff. These are stored in the .DCT file. It could be changed by an aplication that alter the structure of a table/view or create a new table/view.

When you say that you copy the database from the second application to the first one, do you copy only the .DBC or the .DCT and .DCX also? All three files should be copied.

>I am having this problem with an application that periodically goes haywire. In other words it won't start( just hangs ), reports start printing funny, data gets mishmashed or things like that. It is an application that uses the same database definition as another application. Generally, to solve the problems I can take the database from the second application and overwrite the one in the first. Anyhoo, the thing I notice about the database that appears corrupted, is that the .dct file has been recently written into and the size has changed. First of all, what is this file? I know it is the database memo file. But a memo file of what? I find all sorts of goodies inside of there including people's email. Secondly, is it a file that should be changed by an application? Thirdly, What might alter that file?
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>These apps run on separate PC's under Windows 98/95. I am using VFP 5.0e. Data gets copied from the second app to the first, but otherwise the two apps operate independently of each other.