>>>>> "Randal" == Randal L Schwartz <merlyn@stonehenge.com> writes: >>>>> "Jeff" == Jeff Zucker <jeff@vpservices.com> writes: Jeff> * skipped 2 of the subtests on neat() which depend on Jeff> looks_like_number() telling the difference between "2" Jeff> and 2 Randal> This *is* possible in Pure Perl. Depends on the property that a Randal> string that hasn't been used in a numeric context reacts differently Randal> to the bit operators. The exact idiom escapes me at the moment, but I Randal> *could* find it if properly prodded. Found it after playing around for a few minutes. I hope this is it, anyway: sub is_numeric { ($_[0] & ~ $_[0]) eq "0"; } Returns true for 2, false for "2". -- Randal L. Schwartz - Stonehenge Consulting Services, Inc. - +1 503 777 0095 <merlyn@stonehenge.com> <URL:http://www.stonehenge.com/merlyn/> Perl/Unix/security consulting, Technical writing, Comedy, etc. etc. See PerlTraining.Stonehenge.com for onsite and open-enrollment Perl training!