>>With the new CAST function, you can now handle VFP memo fields better. For example, I want a distinct set of ClassLib names used in a form:

>>SELECT DISTINCT CAST(JUSTFNAME(classloc) as V(60)) ClassLoc ;
>>   FROM forms\techcalls.scx ;
>>   WHERE NOT EMPTY(ClassLoc) ;
>>   INTO CURSOR crsLibs

>>Cool, eh?
>
>vfp8 and before ( except trim this is equal )
>

>SELECT DISTINCT LEFT(JUSTFNAME(classloc),60) ClassLoc ;
>   FROM forms\techcalls.scx ;
>   WERE NOT EMPTY(ClassLoc) ;
>  INTO CURSOR crsLibs
>

Mark's point is the better handling, not new handling. With CAST() you can force it to be more what you want, in his example a VarChar, as when reading from a Memo you may not know the exact length you will return. In your example it is always left(60) instead of a varchar. A small issue indeed, but I believe it is what he was aiming at.