>SNIP
>>
>>Is learning syntactical differences a PITA? Sure, but especially in the case of a VB like language, we're not so much different. Even within the various VB type languages (VBA, VBScript, etc.) there are subtle differences in syntax.
>
>If only it was just a matter of syntax! Syntax differences don't bother me at all, and I doubt that many others are too troubled by them too. But it is the subtleties of the language - which ever one - that take time and experience and discussion to learn. There are sooooo many things in VFP that one comes to learn over time. So many that one forgets that they are undocumented ROTs (heuristics in fancydom, I suppose). Things like Rushmore, things like TAG on Deleted(), things like TYPE() with/without a quoted argument, things like reserved words in unusual places, things like FLUSH, things like. . . and on and on. It is these things, literally hundreds of them, that make one better than marginally capable.
>>
>>The bottom line is that if some one is a good programmer in one language, it's only a matter of applying him/herself over a period of time to become equally as proficient in another.
>Proficient at the syntax, yes. Hard to see how to develop REAL "expertise" without actually doing some real work in a language, and hard to see getting a job (at least as a contractor) in that language when you can't claim any competence in it.
>

Jim,

< Sigh >This is one of those things that, IMV, is a matter of opinion. My my particular opinion is based on my experience. To wit: Multiple version and flavors of BASIC, including BASICA, QuickBASIC (3.0 and 4.0), BetterBasic, VB (starting with version 3.0); Pascal (both Turbo and UCSD); Turbo C, C++, FoxBASE, FPW, VFP, COBOL, 6502 Assembler. This doesn't include macro language's such as 1-2-3, VBA, Ami/WordPro's. It doesn't include a scripting language such as VBScript. It doesn't include ones I've just "played with" such Forth (as mentioned), Modula 2, or Ada.

Given that it is my opinion, and given that opinion is based on a good deal of experience, I don't think that this is something that should be a matter of debate.