>I have a couple questions about views.
>
>I converted a project to use a view instead of a table. When using a table, the “Set Exclusive Off” allowed it to be shared. Once I started using the view, it only opens up in Exclusive mode. Every thing else is still the same except a view instead of a table. Does a view need to be shared or is it considered a private date session?

View is a cursor wholly owned by client workstation and resided in local RAM. When many clients use the same application each of them has own independent cursor. Therefore there is no reason to open each cursor in shared mode, it's always one cursor for each user, i.e. it's always exclusive access.

>The other question has to do with buffering. I originally had the table set to Pessimistic table buffering. Once I switched to a view, I get an error unless I chance it to Optimistic. The help says views require optimistic but the book, “Using Visual FoxPro 6, Special Edition”, says you can change it to pessimistic. Since it doesn’t seem to work I guess the book is wrong. Can anyone confirm this for me?

The same thing. It's your own cursor. What's the idea to use it pessimistically, i.e. lock anytime you edit it, if no one else is going to share it with you? So, pesimistic buffering is simply not about views.