From my experience and from the books I've read:

It is better in the long run, especially for large systems and for maintenance (including major changes) over a long period of time. Ie: less problems arise if there aren't public variables (it applies to almost any programming language, not only VFP).

Vlad

>PMFJI -- but why? I have never bought the "just because it is" or "because such and such famous guru says so" or "because it is accepted practice" arguments. There has to be a reason - and not that there isn't one here - I just haven't seen it listed (unless I missed something in the thread)