here's one way: import System (getArgs) args <- getArgs first = head args last = last args and so on. i can also do this (first:last:z) <- getArgs and avoid using head and tail. in fact, this seems nicer because i can pattern match for a specific series of inputs. however, if the inputs aren't there (eg say program arg1 only instead of program arg1 arg2), then the runtime pattern match failure error: user error (Pattern match failure in do expression at Tests.hs:14:4-14) is understandably generated. this of course doesn't happen if i just use args because there is no pattern matching. is the former the better way to do it then? or are there other alternatives? -- In friendship, prad ... with you on your journey Towards Freedom http://www.towardsfreedom.com (website) Information, Inspiration, Imagination - truly a site for soaring I's