I forgot to specify that the compilation error was reported on Linux Fedora Core 3 using gcc 3.4.2 I did not find this problem on Solaris 8 -gcc 3.4 though Ariel Chernomoretz, Ph.D. Centre de recherche du CHUL 2705 Blv Laurier, bloc T-367 Sainte-Foy, Qc G1V 4G2 (418)-525-4444 ext 46339