I have an instance when two variables in VFP return the the right answer when the program is
run from FoxPro but the wrong answer when I build the exe and run it that way.

Here's how this works.
mSym = sym && from a table
mCell = .Value && from a cell in Excel

&& these values happen to be as follow -- mCell = "!indu88888"
&& and this one is ---------------------- mSym = "!indu"

however, in the program ? mCell = mSym is .f.
in the exe the answer is true

However, if I create a table with two fields
create table mcomp (mfirstc(20), msecond c(20))
then put mSym in mfirst and mCell in mSecond

Now ask the exe and the prg to compare, and both get the correct answer
STeve