>I just received my Visual Studio 6.0 suite and am new to database programming. All the information is a bit overwhelming. Reading off the Visual Studio Library CD, I found out that VP can be used two different ways: front or back end. Front end method would utilize all the GUI features of VP while the back end method would concentrate on building a "sql standard data base" that could be hooked up to any GUI front end. Which end should I focus on first? Thanx. Joseph.

In my opinion, the beauty of VFP is the union of both. It is a great front end building tool, because of its RAD features and OOP model. It really shines with local data because it is as fast or faster than anything on the market. But VFP data is not really designed to be a back-end database. Access to VFP data through other front ends must be through ODBC, which cannot take advantage of VFP's Rushmore technology, which really allows it to shine when using the data with a VFP front-end.

So to answer your question- both. Learn to use VFP as a complete tool. Then, if you want, take the skills you have learned and apply them to VFP in a C/S environment, with a server database.

But I don't recommend starting a project with the intention of using VFP data with another front-end.