greping with scalar value returns the number of matches. Thus:

$a = grep /\*/, $the_asterix_string;
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and $a would contain the number of *'s so you can call the function with it. you can still do

if ($a) {
:
}
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since if there are no *'s, $a would be undef or 0. Doesnt matter which, if won't return true.

-Nimster
Freelance writer for GameSpy industries LTD. (www.gamespy.com)