Thierry-

>When I retrieve a DataSet from VFP data (all tables are in a DBC), the following statement works fine:
>
>SELECT stu_clast, stu_cfirst WHERE UPPER(stu_clast) LIKE 'L%'
>
>but this statement fails:
>
>SELECT stu_clast, stu_cfirst, stu_npnts WHERE UPPER(stu_clast) LIKE '%L'
>
>stu_npnts is a numeric field N(7,2)
>
>I get an error message saying "The provider could not determine the Decimal value. For example, the row was just created, the default for the Decimal column was not available, and the consumer had not yet set a new Decimal value."
>
>This query works fine in VFP but fails with .Net
>
>My questions are:
>#1 Any idea why this fails?

Not off hand, but I haven't had any trouble retrieving decimal data. Have you tried a simple select on the field? Then incrementally build the query up til you identify the source of the trouble? For example, I'd try the first select with the decimal field added and no where, and if that works a where exactly like the first example, then the second.

>#2 How do people feel about the reliability of accessing VFP data with the OleDb .net provider? I understand Vfp OleDb access it is *NOT* certified for .net. Am I going to run into a lot of troubles?

I don't know what certified for .NET means. Can you elaborate? You should be using the OLEDB provider for VFP 8. It's available from a link on msdn.microsoft.com/vfoxpro. Next, I'm having success with it. I won't pretend I have the most intensive application in the world but I'm pleased. FWIW.