>I have a (remote) server that houses my data. I have also placed my executable file on the server. User run the .EXE file from user's (local) computer (I have a shortcut set to point to the .EXE file on the server).
>
>If I have a SQL SELECT statement (in my .EXE file):
>SELECT * FROM myTable
>data is retrieved using the server's processor or the user's local processor/computer?
>
>What I'd like to know is:
>does the server need to have a good/powerful processor (if data is retrieved using server's processor) or it makes more sense to have a good/powerful user computer (if processing happens at the user's end).
>
>Thank you all!

Inge,

The execution of the program is performed within the PC (user computer). So, the slower the processor of the PC is, the slower the execution of the program lines will be performed;
This applies to the one line of your example. However, the Select implies the reading of data of the server, which therefore is also involved. Now never mind processor - or disk speed of the server, it IS involved.

Difficult to explain is the fact that all has to be in some balance, and that you may have as a rule that both PC and Server can be as "strong" according to the processor. But, take care that the disk(s) of the server are the best, because that what's the filserver is about : serving files.

What it all comes to, is that the fileserver provides for the records the PC (EXE) is asking for, and that the PC is running the programs;
When the fileserver is a "databaseserver" running Oracle, SQl-Server, all is different, and the server should be the strongest.

The above in a nutshell.

Hope this helps,