Forms - questions on use of?

[Guest_imported]

I am new to Forms although I have done some MS Access and some other development work. Anyone like to comment on the points below:-

1) You can create data blocks which map to a database table. Isn't this a bit simple for most uses particularly if you have a form which accepts input and you update several tables with calculated fields etc ie not particularly bound to the database columns?
2) If you do use data blocks but use only a couple of fields from the table and want the remaining fields from the table to be populated programatically isnt this a bit awkward to do?
3) list(s) - poplists etc Most of my lists would be taken from tables - this seems particularly awkward to do as it has to be done programatically and is a bit clumsy?
4) The creation of forms which expect the user to enter query mode etc and enter search criteria seems a bit complicated for the users I am used to. Is this really done in the real world?

Thanks

 

[sem]

1. You may have as many blocks on your form as you wish.
2. You may populate your items in post-query trigger or create view and base your bloc on it.
3. Try to use LOVs. They're created in design-time and called by simple show_lov command.
4. Query by example is a powerfull feature if you do not have strong habbits. It's complicated only for file-server addicts and just for first time.

Yes, Forms is for real life. I've left VFP 5 years ago, sometimes use Access and found it a good tool for small applications. But with Forms we use the same tool for creating fully functional character based applications as well as client-server and web applications. They work on Unix and NT. Just imagine they have their own, original flavour.