What's wrong with: main() { "%W% %G% or whatever ??"; } or, if you prefer: main() { (void)"%W% %G% or whatever ??"; } Yes, it IS legal C, just like: main() { 3; } (Check the reference manual: ANY expression is a valid statement !) Yours sardonically, Dave Lukes (<U.K>!ukc!qtlon!dave)