Ok. I am a little concerned and confused. I thought the more sun the better. A couple recent threads have cast some doubt on this. I have areas where I can put figs that will get sun the vast majority of the day, including the late afternoon hear or just morning sun or mostly afternoon sun. Where is best (zone 6b)?

Is there a difference for in ground vs. potted ? Is it variety specific?

Please help!!!!

All sun, full sun, more sun, sun, sun and more sun.

Any new growth needs to be acclimated to the sun gradually. If its a new cutting with new growth, very slowly. If its a  tree ready to come out of dormancy, I put it in full sun.

As much sun as possible.
Root bound, young plants or plants with under developed vascular systems will also suffer from  sun and wind exposure.

Once a newly rooted fig cutting is acclimated, it will take as much sun as it can get.  Figs love sun and humidity.  As far as potted, just don't let the soil get completely dry on you in the full sun.  Moist is good.

It is only the first time when newly rooted cuttings with leaves have to be introduced to the outside that one has to be careful in gradual introduction to the sunlight. Once gone through that phase, then more and more sun with moist soil is the way to go. In their 2nd year I allow the leaf buds to open in full sun after taking out from the winter storage.

It's all about water.  You know that too much water around the roots suffocates and rots them.  Too little water causes the leaves to curl and eventually die.  Leaves constantly lose some water, even with stomal openings minimized.  The hotter and brighter it is, the more water they have to use.  One of the ways a leaf can protect itself is by curling.  This increases the humidity at some of its surfaces and also minimizes the surface area receiving the sun's rays perpendicular to it (dead on).  Sunlight at a high or low angle is not as potent as sunlight perpendicular. 

If you can meet the high water requirement of the stressed leaf without rotting the roots you don't need to shade it.  If you can't it's better to shade it.  The times you're most likely to be unable to meet the water needs of the leaf are when it's hottest.

Great!! Thanks all

If you are growing in pots in full sun, I found it is helpful to take steps to somewhat shade the pot in the heat of the summer and keep the root zone cooler. I place smaller pots of annuals(flowers and herbs) around my figs on the sides with the most exposure. It is very effective, and cluster looks nice. People comment that my back yard looks like an oasis. You could also wrap some burlap around the pots or something similar, just do something to keep the roots from cooking. Partially burying the pot works well also but there are some tricks to this as well. 

Here in my climate its full sun in black and others in  orange-ish containers on cement patio and on an all rocky area , i use no mulch, no bark or other protection on top or around the pots.
There butt naked .
Always have done it that way .

Well Martin, I can't argue with success..

Calvin ,
I did not mean to imply what works for me though will work eleswhere .

I did notice Jon V. chime in from California who claims its Paradise there for figs and i have no doubt it is.
He says All sun, full sun, more sun, sun, sun and more sun.

I do not know if he sets his containers on grass, dirt or cement which makes a difference.
I can tell on hot day walking barefoot on the cement patio then walking on the grass its much cooler,  late at night when i go to bed and let the dogs out to do their business that cement patio is still retaining a lot heat.

Oh sun all the way. We got 100+ temps for almost half the year. I got about 50 varieties. All are under full AZ sun which is intense. We can't grow a lot of things other people can north of us, but figs and citus trees do well here. It's not always the heat that some plants can't take, it's the intense sun, but figs can definitely take both. iI have a lot of black pots on top of either pavement or grass and still did well, so don't worry about heat and sun in your area.

full sun and plenty of water. like martin's figs, mine go commando. older trees are on drip system for daily watering.

Full sun, every day. Sometimes the choice can be between 'pretty' leaves and great tasting fruit, but I have enough ornamentals taking up garden space. If a variety can't take the climate in my area, there are many others that will. I'm willing to go out of my way to pamper humans and pets, but not figs. Well, not most of them. :)