I was told today to change all of my software from using VFP 6.0 buffering data to using SCATTER/GATHER because my software is being beta tested in a Windows NT network environment and other computer experts are concerned that my buffering data is wreaking havoc on the network, particularly with some data files. I find that hard to believe. But I can't prove otherwise very easily.

I am using buffering mode 2 which is pessimistic buffering. I thought about switching to buffering mode 3 which is optimistic buffering, but now I am required to change everything to SCATTER/GATHER. I will do it to make my coworkers/employer happy, but I can't understand why this major change is necessary.

I read John Koziol's article on buffering and have also read about buffering in numerous VFP books, but I don't see anything in there about buffering and networking not working well together. I thought that is why Microsoft added these buffering commands, to replace or complement SCATTER/GATHER. Am I wrong? Today I was told buffering data is a definite NO-NO on our Windows NT networked environment! But I was told that buffering data could work well in a stand-alone application instead. And I have been beta testing programs/forms using buffering on the network for quite some time and never received any complaints until now.

I have had this conversation before. But it has come to a head and I am really confused now. What do you think? Thanks for some insight and feedback. Before I start making major changes to all of my working software.