[thourough anwser to original question snipped]
Thanks. This is exactly what I was looking for.
I had a feeling VFP was an interpreter and just knowing that helps my "feel" for how macro expansion will behave.
I have seen the speed argument used before regarding the choice between macro or name expression, though with modern computers I cannot imagine it makes much difference unless the situation calls for high speed repetition of the command containing the macro or name expression.
Is a macro that occurs in a command that is within the bounds of a DO or FOR loop (but not in the DO or FOR command itself) reexpanded in each loop cycle in which the command executes?
"The Iron Fish: The water is cold...but the fish don't mind"
...Jay Jenks, boyhood chum