Hello
I've replied already to this issue in UniversalThread. Check your message there.
Ramani, your're right when you say "I request to read this with caution".
MySQL is not limited to Linux -- there are versions for many others OS's (including Windows -- all 32 bit flavours).
Also, even if the MySQL were limited to Linux, the connection to it can be done using ODBC drivers - so VFP is a perfect tool for client-side designing.
Also, there are some things MySQL is not capable to do, such stored procedures and subselects. In this case, the native DBC using views are a great, great tool to improve this.
I've seen with my own eyes a very complicated SQL SELECT command (a big join and two subselects) which take around 2 minutes, and the same select, done with 5 simple views joined locally, take about 10 secs, on 4 huge tables! So, MySQL can be considered an alternative. Also, the databases coruption in MySQL is very, very rare. It's stable, also.
On the other hand, MS SQL SERVER has a lot of advantages on his side.
Anyway, this issue is a long talk. Maybe I'll post an article here, at tek-tips. What do you think about this idea?
Hope this helps
Grigore Dolghin
Class Software
Bucharest, Romania