Excluding Modifiable Files from Builds

Your application project most likely contains files, such as tables, that users need to modify. However, when you build an application from a Visual FoxPro project, the files in the project are assembled into a single application file, and the files in the project that are designated as included become read-only.

For files that users need to modify, you should add them to your project but exclude them from the build process. Excluded files remain part of your application, so Visual FoxPro continues to track them as part of your project. However, excluded files are not compiled into the application file so users can modify them.

Generally, you should include executable files, such as forms, reports, queries, menus, and programs, and all other files that users do not need to update. You should exclude data files, ActiveX control (.ocx) libraries, Visual FoxPro dynamic-link libraries (.fll), and Windows dynamic-link libraries (.dll). By default, tables are excluded because it is assumed that users change tables in an application.

Note

You cannot include application (.app) files in a project. You cannot exclude files that are designated as main files. For more information about main files, see How to: Set the Starting Point.

However, you should include or exclude files based on your application requirements. For example, you might include a table that contains sensitive system information or read-only information to protect it from inadvertent changes. Conversely, if your application permits users to change a report, you might exclude the report.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Exclude Files from Builds

Other Resources

Compiling an Application