>Why would the following line 2 generate an error that Alias is not found?
>
>Select * From hdtbl Where hdate = _bldates InTo Cursor mydura_holiday
>If reccount("mydura_holiday") > 0 Then
>***
>EndIf

It generates an error because you do not get a cursor (most often, but not always) with such a "simple" select, you get a "filtered result set"! VFP thinks it's doing us a favor in doing so but it really is a CURSE!!!

I don't remember if VFP6SP5 had the "NOFILTER" clause in it. If you don't see it in the help then I believe that adding a .T. after the asterisk (*, .T.) will prevent it and give you a real cursor.

By the way, a cursor will always be created even if no records were qualified UNLESS VFP decides to give you a "filered result set".

good luck