Steve,

The string comparison in VFP is controlled by SET EXACT settings (SET ANSI in SQL commands). The both commnads are scoped to the current data session. See help for details.

>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