>>try:
>>

>>USE mytable
>>REINDEX
>>

>
>REINDEX is a command that I find almost useless. If there are any problems with the header of your tag, this command will only perpetuate them. Since the tag is kept up-to-date automatically, the only reason I know of to re-create the index is when there are problems, and REINDEX won't fix that.

I think that's just an "old wive's tale"!
Yes, I'll agree that *IF* the front portion of the .CDX, where the TAG info is kept, gets 'damaged' the REINDEX will not solve anything. BUT... just how often do you think that occurs since, say VFP6? THAT's the main issue.
I'd say it happens about a frequently as does any file getting 'damaged', which is almost never.

REINDEX indeed does fix "problems" where .CDX records other than the front-end record (or 2) get messed up by sudden power failures or inopportune network cable pulling and such. The TAG information areas at the front has very very little cause to be changed in most systems so is relatively immune from such messing.

To say that REINDEX is useless is not helpful. It is a fine command that does a perfect job 99and 44/100% of the time.
REINDEX does not cause bloat (except in VFP7 with SP1) and runs very efficiently.

cheers