You should try creating some machine learning programs in perl. These utilize a decision tree which is no more than a binary tree with yes and no branches. Figuring out and deciding on good criteria for the programs decisions will bring your view around to. "I use perl to do the things it was meant to do". Needless to say, binary trees are amazing once you get your head around them. My little tidbit is: "Don't rely on book knowledge, Get out and design some real applications" These will expand your knowledge and allow you to realize the truths for yourself. Blucheese