> Are you saying that the MS DOS functions that do not
 > return an int, are not in violation of the standard?

    Yes. Returning an int is a default ... not a standard.

    Functions are either standard or custom. The standard ones are defined
and explained in N2620.TXT. Custom function writers can do exactly what
they please - they are absolutely free.

    I don't see how 'violation' comes into it at all. We like to restrict
the code we publish here to the 'standard' functions so that they will run
on all platforms regardless of the hardware and the operating system.

 > At 59 I'm still a novice who is learning daily. Have
 > used, but not read extensively about the history of, various languages.
 > Assume you are implying that BASIC failed to maintain a standard for
 > compatibilty.

    I thought I had written exactly that, Byron. :-)

 > Oh yes, appreciate your input, thanks much.

    You're welcome. I've no axes, so no need to grind them. :-)

Best wishes,
Bill.

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