maybe a simple question about value manipulations

Hello all,

changing the value of a field in a table, lets assume table A, field a, accordingly with the value b in table B, like for instance A.a = A.a+B.b.

In pre 7 versions you had to write a script going from the appropriate layout, copying the value and changing to the target layout (and table) and manipulating the value appropriately. After that returning to the old layout.

All in all needing at least two script.

By now with just one database file and several tables it should be possible to manipulate the values without changing layouts, yet I never saw any examples or implementations of it.

My question: is it possible now in 7 or 8 (maybe using $/$$variables) or not?

TIA

Rob