Example:
You have database container DBCONT with table DBFONE.dbf alias MYTABLE in your C:\dbf directory.

Issue the commands:
CLOSE ALL
USE C:\dbf\dbfone.dbf

at this point dbfone is open in the current work area and database DBCONT is also open, which can be verified by isseuing the statement:

? DBUSED("DBCONT")

This will return .T. since DBCONT was opened when dbfone.dbf was used

(even more useless knowledge)

Try this:
USE IN dbfone && Close table, database is still open

SET DATABASE TO DBCONT && Make DBCONT the current database
USE MYTABLE && you can open DBFONE.dbf using it's alias since the Database is open.


In short, I don't think you can open a table without opening it's associated DBC.