i have made a user directory by the name of VOIP2..i went into VOIP2 and made 2 dir file2.pl using mkdir file2.pl and mkdir text.txt the perl script you suggested exists in file2.pl ..and now when i run it once i m in file2.pl it gives the following error: cant open text.txt: NO SUCH FILE OR DIRECTORY AT ./FILE2.PL LINE5. could it be because once i m in file2.pl it cant view text.txt?? should i not be using mkdir?? please help!! thanks