yes i understand, but even if i comment out the code after the function, when i try to compile, it always says the same error in post #6, so the problem is that the function error's out. i have even copied the code directly from the book, but still get the same error. so what is wrong with the code in the function. that is where the error is. so one note, is that i put the const dhcDelimiters in the actual function, so compile works but when i run one of the procedures, it still goes back to the constant error. what is my limited brain not understanding?