Why does: if [ $A = $B ] || [ $A = $C ] && [ $D = fred ] work fine, but: if [ {$A = $B} -o {$A = $C} ] && [ $D = fred ] doesn't work at all? (and produces no errors) TIA, Dwarf ------------ -------------- aka Dale Scheetz Phone: 1 (904) 877-0257 Flexible Software Fax: NONE Black Creek Critters e-mail: dwarf@polaris.net ------------ If you don't see what you want, just ask --------------