> The idea of just plugging in a back end and everything works is not a total
> reality at this time. The whole reason for having biz objects and data
> objects is that you can change out the backend, replace the data objects, and
> everything stays the same. JVP, in another thread, has been advocating stored
> procedures as the place for the data objects to reside and have all data
> access go through them. If you go to something like XML, then you write data
> objects that handle RI issues for you.

If you put the RI into the wrong tier, then I agree, this scenario isn't reality. <gd&r>

Seriously, Craig: It is very much reality and I use it every day. VFP backend here, SQL Server there, XML over the web. No big deal. It works beautifully.

And even if it wouldn't, it would be a very stupid thing to do, to design an application today that is invalid and useless by definition in a couple of years from now.

Isn't that exactly the dilema we have ever since and finally got resolved by at least those that understand n-tier development and good object design? I find it very sad, if not irresponsible, to argue otherwise.

Markus