James,

There isn't a difference in instantiation time for a form using objects dropped at design time or doing a set of AddObjects at runtime. AddObjects might be a bit slower because of executing interpretted code to set properties instead of VFP just internally reading the Properies memo. But I doubt the difference is measureable.

>I realize there are all kinds of ways of working around the problem of not having positive control over firing order -- but that's all they are: workarounds. If M$ would correct this grave design flaw, these workarounds would not be necessary.

It would be nice, but instantiation order is not really an issue for 99.999999% of the VFP forms out there in the world right now. And there are alternatives when the order is important.

Send an email to foxwish@microsoft.com they do pay attention to requests and it doesn't hurt to get your vote counted for a feature like this.