Looking for something more robust than global variables

Hi,
The company I work for makes really big deals based on the Forms we develop,
and it makes me edgy to rely on :Global.variables to assign big amounts of money
to a field or another.
Maybe someone could direct me to a paper about a more robust scheme to run tests deciding what is going to happen next, like calling another form or populating another block?
Many thanks :-)
Message was edited by:
JeanParis

JeanParis,
I did a quick Google search, but didn't find any reference material on you question so I'll give you my personal preference. Bear in mind, it truly was a "quick" search. I'm sure there is information about this topic somewhere.
I use a Global Variable (GV) when a value is needed by significant number of Forms in the application. If the value of the is only needed by a few Forms, then I use a Parameter List. When I do use GVs, I only use them for as long as I need them. In other words, I'll assign the value of the GV to a Forms Block Item (base table or Control Block) or a parameter and then set the value of the GV to NULL. This ensures the value is only available "Globally" for as long as it is absolutely needed. This does cause a little extra work, but it make the Form safer in my opinion.
If I simply need to have access to a "Global Variable" within the scope of a single form, I prefer to use a Form Parameter (FP). I like using using FPs over a Control Block (CB) Item because there is less overhead (attributes of a FP) than with an Item (attributes of the Item) in a CB. I know this is nit-picking, but there is a cost associated with each attribute that is loaded into memory and I like to keep this cost to a minimum. (I suppose if you sub-classed your CB Item then it would share the attributes and reduce the overhead even more). I develop Forms for the web using Forms 10g so any time I can shave off the load-time of my Form is worth it to me.
Hope this helps.
Craig...
Message was edited by:
CraigB
Steve beat me to the punch. I like his option as well and have used this method a time or two. :-)

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