It doesn't, unfortunately, since the original code doesn't use that (duff) bit of syntax. I hurredly produced the simple subset program - I am, after all, supposed to be working :) The line is completely redundant anyway so removing it should produce a better minimum subset - my apologies.

The sysread() must(tm) be doing the right thing, since the length of the string is tested on the next line, and is correct. Again the sysread is used only to guarantee maximum "simpleness" for this example; it isn't actually what happens in the program itself.

Take is as read that these two aspects don't impact on the problem.

Cheers for responding,

Mike.