Doug,

>It gives the user an advantage in that it gives you, the developer, a real potential boost in your productivity. That way you can provide them with more robust, longer lasting solutions.

I really doubt this. If all is build into 1 application and some data (with RI and stored procudures) I agree. But especially when you want to be your app as flexible as possible with the help of many external layers it might turn against productivity because of an increasing exception handling.

>I think a part of the resurgance of interest in this type of approach is due to a few things. Here's a couple I can think of:

>1) The recent popularity of the Internet. It's just a big network really.
Yep, popular under developers !! but also popular under clients ??? (in terms of VFP and the web)

>2) The software that's matured enough to make this worthwhile. Remember before COM, COM+, DCOM & DCOM+ the solution was dial-up and private networks. Same process, different (older) tools.

Well I don't agree. Especially when we talk about failures. The risk of failures is much higher when N-tier (with external layers) is used. Tracking and handling the errors is more difficult. I think I'll sit back and watch the progreff that will be made within a year or two, then I might draw the conclusion.

Walter,