note MZSanford When <code>system()</code> gets a scalar, it goes to the shell to execute the command. This means that you open a new shell instance (such a ksh), and run the program, including any redirection.<br><br> If <code>system()</code> gets an array, it instead does the <code>fork()</code> and then uses <code>exec()</code> to start the process. This by-passes the shell, so shell redirection does not work. <HR> <i>i had a memory leak once, and it ruined my favorite shirt.</i> 120765 120765