I will simply refer you to thread 847219, message 848155. That established your position - one which you are now wavering from.

< JVP >

>>
>>No "direct" access (by the "consumer"): disconnected data access via XML (as the protocol).
>>>
>>It would appear you have moved away from from your native DML native data position. If you start injecting these other things into the mix - certainly your apps can avoid being monolithic - but that was not your original premise.
>
>I did not change the original premise: the "server" is using VFP "native" DML; the client uses no native DML.
>
>XML is what is being sent over the wire.
>
>>Since you have fundementally changed your premise, I won't bother with the rest of the post.
>
>SQL Server is starting to "talk" via XML ... What precludes me from doing the same ?