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>>- Use CAST() function to control type and size of calculated fields.
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>Since CAST() cannot be emulated or ignored in VFP8 I must create and maintain TWO different set of many big select statements: one for VFP 8 and second for VFP 9. This is a HUGE additional work.
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>Isn't there a better solution ?

PADR() should work as well, at least for charcater columns.