how do console programs work? are they basically dos programs that get interpretted by window's command prompt? also, if that's so, how can you make it to where it uses cmd.exe and not command.com? (i'm assuming it uses command.com because i've noticed that in calls to system("c:\somefolder\somefile.exe") you had to truncate it like system("c:\somefo~1\somefi~1.exe") to follow the 8.3 rule that the 16bit command.com requires). i really don't want to have to think of a way to convert standard directory definitions to truncated for input and output. any clarification of any of this would be greatly appreciated.