It doesn't matter what the question is, the answer is GNU ;-) The FSF g++ is a good place to start - it's free and a true compiler. I heard somewhere that GNU awk has/is going to have the extensions. Paul Hudson Snail mail: Monotype ADG Email: ...!ukc!acorn!moncam!paul Science Park, paul at moncam.co.uk Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 4FQ