At this case with recommending not to use $ for search, maybe AT (or better ATC) may be better.

   SELECT first, last ;
      FROM person ;
      WHERE ALLTRIM(UPPER(m.lo2)) $ UPPER(person.last) ;
      INTO ARRAY ThisForm.laSQL

into

   SELECT first, last ;
      FROM person ;
      WHERE ATC(ALLTRIM(m.lo2),person.last) > 0 ;
      INTO ARRAY ThisForm.laSQL

Oh well. I am still leaving the $ in the code since I just want to finish this and wait for a call in responding to my resume. Do I get a points for repling answers to myself? Just kidding :)

Chuck

>IMHO, in production, using $ on SQL is not recommended. You will be better off using a 3rd party product for searching string either on text fields or on memo fields such as PHDBase or another mecanism of your own.
>
>That is good for testing and for command prompt requests. However, in production, I would not consider it unless the table is small and the result is returned instantly.