Listmates, I ran across this bash test for integers and it works brilliantly. It was quite a contrast to the myriad of case $x in ... *[0-9+-]* ... approaches I ran across. I don't know exactly how it works, but only that it works -- apparently great. If anyone could shed some light on how it works it would be appreciated. I presume it works based upon the differences in the way string and numerical data is held in memory or in a difference in what [ $AM_I_INT ] actually returns and the way the test is carried out. But that is no more than a guess. If anyone has a need, this is a great solution: AM_I_INT="$1" if [ $AM_I_INT -eq $AM_I_INT 2> /dev/null ]; then echo -e "\n\t$AM_I_INT is an integer\n" else echo -e "\n\t$AM_I_INT is not an integer\n" fi Courtesy of: http://minddownload.blogspot.com/2007/06/test-for-integer-in-bash.html -- David C. Rankin, J.D., P.E. Rankin Law Firm, PLLC 510 Ochiltree Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Telephone: (936) 715-9333 Facsimile: (936) 715-9339 www.rankinlawfirm.com -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org