Tim

LOCAL creates variables or arrays that can be used and modified only in the program they are created, and cannot be accessed by higher or lower level programs. Local variables and arrays are released once the program containing them stops running. 

PRIVATE hides variables or arrays that were defined in a calling program from the current program. You can then reuse those variable names in the current 
program without affecting the original variables. Once the program containing 

PRIVATE has stopped running, all variables and arrays that were declared 
privately are again available. 

PUBLIC defines global variables or arrays. Global variables and arrays can be used and modified from any program you run during the current Visual FoxPro session. Any variable or array you create in the Command window is automatically public. 

HTH
>If I use an undeclared variable...
>
>example
>
>lMyVar='X'
>
>What is it (local,public,private)?
>
>BR
>Tim