>What you would like to do is probably better done using expect. i would not like to do it using expect. i would like to try bidirectional communication. but i m newbie to IPC so would be helpful if anybody commes with a decription on how bidirectional communication is done? what precautions should be taken?, ... online docs on bidirectional communication will be of great help. mehul. __________________________________________________________ Give your Company an email address like ravi @ ravi-exports.com. Sign up for Rediffmail Pro today! Know more. http://www.rediffmailpro.com/signup/