I took a look at the first four lessons at the first link, and I think there must be some mistake- this site is actually teaching BASIC. All these commands are valid syntax under say microsoft GWBasic or QuickBasic. But I think this Zed Shaw has been studying shell programming also and got mixed up because he uses this octa-#-thorpe instead of apostrophe or REM to denote comments. Remember when parents used to send their kids to computer boot camp to learn BASIC for fear they would be computer-illiterate and couldn't function in the modern age if they couldn't program a computer? >>> Sean Seaver 10/20/12 1:43 PM >>> I'd also recommend: Learn Python The Hard Way By Zed A. Shaw http://learnpythonthehardway.org/ Online Python Tutor http://pythontutor.com/ Take Care, Sean Seaver, PhD P212121 http://store.p212121.com/