While on the subject of RDBMS systems, a common need is to be able to work with fixed-decimal data. I think a standard Python fixed-decimal type would help to make Python database interfaces alot more robust. I even wonder if the Python long type might be hijacked for this purpose by adding a "scale" that indicates the number of digits to the right of the decimal point. For example, an expression like: 1000000000.2500L would create a fixed decimal number with a scale of 4. People have built Python classes for fixed-decimal types, but when working with RDBMS data, one often deals with lots of data and efficiency matters. I also suspect that adding scale to longs wouldn't be that hard and would be a fairly natural extension. In any case, a "standard" (being in the standard library would be sufficient) fixed-decimal type would probably lead to better database interfaces that (at least more) properly handled fixed-decimal data. Jim -- Jim Fulton mailto:jim@digicool.com Python Powered! Technical Director (888) 344-4332 http://www.python.org Digital Creations http://www.digicool.com http://www.zope.org Under US Code Title 47, Sec.227(b)(1)(C), Sec.227(a)(2)(B) This email address may not be added to any commercial mail list with out my permission. Violation of my privacy with advertising or SPAM will result in a suit for a MINIMUM of $500 damages/incident, $1500 for repeats.