>Yes. The idea of the front end/back end is interesting. Passing the data via >handles or records would give it maximum flexibility. This can also exploit >FB's multitude of handle-type variables. For example, the caller and >recipient might both know that what they are getting is "element as handle >to myrecordtype1", while the generic middleman routines only need to be told >that the parameter they are passing to and fro is a generic handle or long >integer. >-- >Robin Robin: Now you're venturing into Object Orientated Programming, where when you call a function, you don't care what variables you send it, because at the other end, the function that is used to process your data is dependant upon, or chosen by, the variables you sent it. For example, let's say I want to sort a group of numbers in an array -- so I place the number array into a function called "FN sort(array(0))". The function that is used to sort the array is determined by the variable contained in the call. Now, I could do the same thing with an array of strings and use the identical same function, namely "FN sort(array$(0)). Why? Because I have sent the function an array of strings. You see, the actual function used to sort the array, on the back-side, is different than the preceding example because I sent it an array of strings instead of numbers. In other words, it goes like this. I want to sort anything -- I always use FN sort(). At the other end of the call, there are many different sort functions. However, the function that is used in my specific call is determined by the variables that are contained within the () portion of the call. This type of programming makes the back-end complicated because you have to account for every type of sort one could think of. While on the front end, it's an easy call. Now, consider that there are numerous programmers that could write hundreds of different sort routines, each with a different set of variables to sort. If one could combine all those different sort routines into one back-end, then a single front-end call would suffice for all sorts -- therein lies the beauty of OOP and libraries -- as I understand it. tedd http://sperling.com/ _______________________________________________________ Thinking about buying Jewelry? Try our site: http://earthstones.com