I am wondering how to use a variable that is generated by a function ($query) If you would please look at: http://phpbuilder.net/columns/laflamme20001016.php3?page=5 for an example of what i am trying to do. the function will generate the query... but how do i make use of this? i see that i will need to call the function skill_search($skills); but this does not make the variables inside the function available. thanks much, olinux