Jim,

The speed of UDF-customized grid is blazing one. The downside of read-only column is negligible. Actually, you were the person who argued that editing directly in grid is bad interface. Also, nothing prevents from employing right-click menu editing.
Again, the major thing is that UDF saves query time, i.e. it reduces the initial delay when user opens/refreshes screen.
Obviously, I don't force anyone to proceed this way, but within my own experience I am free to make these judgements.

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>>There is no a performance hog, because VFP evaluates the method for visible rows only.
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>Every call to the function takes time no matter when it occurs.
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>>If you use simple relations that grid updating (you go to some dialog change something there and return to firm with grid) is a pain.
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>I don't understand what you are saying here, but I do know that the column with the UDF will always be read only and can never be edited directly.
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>>If ChildOrder stuff would be so good, then what's the idea to use p-views?
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>Did you really want me to answer his? This is like asking, "If table are good why do we have cursors?"