For me, and the product we are developing, DBF's are a "living-hell", yes, performance is great, but security and stability suffer, badly.

We have around 150 users, with a 3rd of them using laptops, each laptop has it's own local copy of the Application + DB. Here's my favourite part, don't shutdown properly and you've got corrupt FPT's left, right and center!! Switch off, anything that forces closure of the app, and it's game-over...

When you have 5-15 pages worth of information stored in one Memo field in one record, that's not very funny. And let's not forget about the [lack-of] security, anyone got Excel?, here, have our "extremely" confidential data (it's a child-care system), go on, just double-click there, it's in the applications folder on the server!!!

We have been pushing for SQL-Server for years, but with no luck.

Not sure why some people are having a hard time being convinced of the DBF's flaws.....

Kev

>Hi Bob,
>
>>Looks like you stirred up a hornets nest! I think its interesting that Duffy has given the same presentation for many years, but I don't recall seeing much hoopla about it at all in the past.
>
>Oh, I've had my share of stuff thrown at me over the years when I say "DBFs blow! Use a "real" database. < vbg >
>
>>I personally really enjoy watching Duffy's animated presentation, just for the sake of the show!
>
>Why thank you...
>
>>I even agree with some of what he spouts as gospel,
>
>Only some???? < g > You heathen!!!
>
>>My guess is that he must receive a commission on SQL Server sold to VFP developers.
>
>I WISH!!!!
>
>>I believe the basic error that Duffy makes is telling a group of committed VFP developers that their tool isn't worth didly and his tool solves all the problems of the know universe. Obviously, neither point is correct.
>
>No, what I try to do is inform a group of obviously very inteligent people that a better data storage tool exists for them to use. I always stress that I have NO problem with the VFP development tools and language. Rather, it's the DBF data storage engine that I ask them to reconsider using.