dimming vars will only prevent crashes in that your code will be clearer and
errors more obvious [not only to you, but also the compiler]. it will also
reduce the chance of typos [you know 'thisvar = 21' in one line and 'thsivar
= 22' in the next, and thus reduce heart-ache when things don't work when
hey should. this is preventive medecine and not curative.

as to which way to declare them, following persuasive conversations with
alain, i would go for the FB^3 way using the AS keyword. in fact if you want
to 'type' a variable to a record, as in:
DIM myTEHndl AS HANDLE TO TERec
[which is amazingly useful and good preventive medecine also], it is the
only way to go.

it is a matter of taste and discipline, but personally i do not regret the
day that i adopted these practises.

:-j