Christof,

You points are well taken. Nothing suggests that such a development would be easy, but...

(1) The functionality is already mapped, so almost all of the design phase of the new language is already done.

(2) The code already exists. It is not legal to copy the code, but it is ok to look at it to see how things were done in VFP, and,

(3) Data and index structures are already defined.

A few years ago, frustrated with what was then a nasty release of dbase (IV I think) I decided to duplicate the dbase file and index structures in C. Turns out is was not that hard. The hardest part would be Rushmore, which I'm not sure even M$ actually understands. But it could be done in such a way as to make money on it. No doubt about it.

I can easily think of a short list of twenty or so individuals or companies who have the resources to do this thing. Think about it! What would it cost to have have a team develop the language? $20-40 million? Pocket money. Especially for a $15 - 150 million annual market. Hell, the venture capital boys would be falling all over themselves to get in on this one. Its about as close to a sure thing as they come.

Regards,