> I find it a bit inconvenient that I cannot check
> TIB_Query for a fieldname without risking an exception.

Yes you can.

var
tmpCol: TIB_Column;
begin
if IB_Query.Fields.GetByName( 'AFIELD', tmpCol ) then
begin
<do something with tmpCol>
end;
end;


As a side note: Remember that Fields nad BufferFields properties are
TIB_Row instances. So if you check out the properties and methods of
TIB_Row in the online help you can find a number of interesting and
useful features.


HTH

Geoff Worboys
Telesis Computing