you're right, it probably doesn't produce any output. i didn't check it. the actual script that I am using is much longer, and I didn't want copy the whole thing - just to ask about what I didn't understand. (sorry for not checking). anyway, despite that I did get the answer to the question I was asking, so thanks a bunch! i was going to add that i don't really know what I'm doing yet, but i suppose an explicit statement was unnecessary!