>>I have a nine year old application that uses 14 freestanding .dbf files. There has never been a problem with file integrity over the years among any of the 7,000+ users. I am now in the process of redoing the UI and updating to VFP 9.
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>>Ignorance may be bliss as I blithely stroll down the tracks, hand in hand with my free standing .dbf files, deaf to the rumble of the train a few yards behind me. Can anyone give me a really (really, really) compelling reason to switch to the newer super duper .dbc database?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Scott
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>There are several things you can't do with free tables, but my top reasons would be:
>
>

Referential integrity. Once you start using it, you are hooked.
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Triggers in general (RI also depends on triggers). For example, a change in the table "delivery details" would automatically update the current stock, in another table.
>

Free tables can't participate in transactions. I think this has been solved, though, in VFP 8, or perhaps 9.

I also use Record-level Rules, to inforce validation.

- Andy Rice
San Diego, CA