David,
Thanks for your reply on both threads.

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>It depends. Some small apps that uses local VFP data relies on the database being open already, which is done by the real app setup code or dev mode setup, then the form DE just opens the tables/views. Apps that use a SQL backend have a data tier and SPT to access the database and for this environment a couple of global objects have to be up and running.
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>I have a little environment setup program that puts me in the desired client dev/test/prod mode.