If your code is as simple as the sample you presented (three substitutions), then I believe your original style is probably faster and much clearer than the other alternatives proposed.

If you actually have dozens of substitutions to make, then I think it may be worth trying out one of the abstractions offered, though performance should be tested if it is a possible concern.

-- Eric Hammond

Why would you want to change the code??? Why change something that works and is so simple a Shade Tree Coder with an Elementary School Diploma (<<< that would be me) can follow it??? Isn't that by definition excellent code???

Hello Arbogast,

I'm interested in doing it differently because I have in the order of 60 substitutions to do to as many variables. I may therefore have given the wrong impression by oversimplification but I feel that I have been given all the information I need to proceed with confidence, so I am very happy with the outcome.

Thanks to all who have provided input to this question.

jonnyfolk