I dunno...what about roman numerals? Tom Christiansen sagely stated: > Mythical patch to perlfunc: > > unpack "S*" any number of sextadecimettes > unpack "L*" any number of tricesisecundettes > or any number of quatroctets > or any number of deuxvingtsmoinsunoctets > unpack "Q*" any number of sexagesimaquartets -- Jim Anderson jander@ml.com (212) 236-0681