>Hi,
>
>front-end --- Visual FoxPro.
>Back-end --- Visual FoxPro DataBase.
>Operating System --- Windows NT 2000.
>
>When trying to alter a table present in the Back-end from the front-end using a ODBC engine of Visual Foxpro. The System gave me an error. The Message was "File must be opened exclusively."
>
>Why was this error generated since I am using ODBC engine.
>Is there a way to get over this problem.
>If not what is the alternative to the above mentioned problem.
>
>
>Loy.

While it can be done like Larry suggested, I have to wonder why you want to do this? Database maintenance could and should be performed in VFP on the database. If you are doing this quite often, I would have to question the design of your system.