This is a relatively large change.  This is something that we may consider in a future update, but the issue primarily comes when using CRUD settings.  You cannot use standard UPDATE or INSERT sprocs if you do this.  You would in essence have to have an UPDATE sproc for every potential combination, which obviously isn't feasible.  Now if you are not using CRUD settings, then this could be done more easily.  In either case, though, this is not an option without using the methods you mentioned.  It is something that we have discussed and may address in teh future, but for now you will have to use the Exclude properties.

I don't use the DDT and let SF's standard CRUD processing do the heavy lifting. So, when I change a column in a row and save the change every column in the BO is included in the update irrespective of if they have been changed or not. What I would prefer is for the Update command to only include in the Update the column(s) that have changed. I know I can achieve what I want by adding entries in the ExcludeFromUpdate list or using my own stored proc to do the update but I was hoping there may be a 'magic property' somewhere that can turn this facility on.

Cheers, Peter