Hi Paul,
My understanding is that in VFP8 is easier than ever to use the DE as a seperate class/object.
We've always created our DE in prgs and instantiated them in the Load(). This means you can instantiate the DE as required--no need for a UI. With VFP8, you can design the class in the visual designer--I think.

>VFP 8 has CursorAdapter, but that still puts them in the UI layer - possibly not the best place for them.
>We use Andy Kramek's data classes, discussed in FoxPro Advisor back in 1997.
>
>FOXPRO ADVISOR MAGAZINE - December 1997
>Data Classes That Make Client-Server Easier
>Here's how to handle data in a large client-server system, based on the use of Abstract Data Classes.
>-- By Andy Kramek and Hue Holleran
>http://foxproadvisor.com/doc/01452