>One thing you absolutely do not want to do is add a UDF to a SQL query. VFP will run the UDF with every row of the source cursor, which KILLS performance.

This is not an absolute truth. There can be situations where a UDF can simplify what would otherwise be a very complex query.

If it looks like a UDF has merit, one tests it with a representative data set; if it performs satisfactorily (considering the alternatives), then one incorporates it.