>Hi Peter,
>
>You wrote:
>>Why do you and many others blame bugs to the mere existence of PUBLIC and PRIVATE? Why not blame CLEAR ALL? Why not blame the programmer for being careless?
>
>If you read my rather lengthy 2 cents worth, I can't see how you would conclude that I am one who "blame bugs on the mere existence of PUBLIC and PRIVATE." In my last paragraph, I freely admit that I still use public variables in a few instances. I was only pointing out that public and private variables can be troublesome if not used properly.

Hi Elmer,
You're right. I shouldn't have said 'you and many others'. It suggests something that was not my intention. And, after rereading, I recognize better now that you blame it more on the careless programmer.
But, (to my defense?) you began your writing with:
'Public variables, private variables as well as "global" private variables declared in your main program can be troublesome, especially with sloppy programming ...'
Perhaps you should have written: 'Sloppy programming causes trouble. An example of sloppy programming are some practices with regard to declaration of variables.'
Your starting words made my mindset while reading the text.


[SNIP]
>As far as setting a standard that all variables beginning with "g" should be considered global/private, you can set your own standard and do that now with the existing VFP. Just document it as such and use it. Personally I use the _underscore before a variable name to indicate that it is a

I know, and I do. So does JimB. But do you think it would be good idea to propagate to the community the idea of g as demonimator of public variables AND variables declared private in the main program? That was my question.


[SNIP]
>To make it clear, I have no problem using public, private, or local variables. They are included in VFP for a reason, perhaps just legacy code or perhaps because with proper application, they can solve some programming issues. I think that the key is proper use and declaration of all variables, comment your code and document what you do and why you do it.

Agree fully. :)
BTW, I think private variables are more difficult to handle, and thus pose a bigger thread, than global variables. The chances that the global variable exists are quite big. We can only hope that a private variable exists at the moment of its usage.