actually a much quicker test is: Python 1.5.2 (#1, Oct 27 1999, 17:21:07) [C] on irix646 Copyright 1991-1995 Stichting Mathematisch Centrum, Amsterdam >>> a = [3,4,5,1,2] >>> a.sort(lambda x,y: x>y) >>> a [3, 4, 5, 1, 2] >>> -- Brian Kelley w 505 995-8188 Bioreason, Inc f 505 995-8186 309 Johnson Av Santa Fe, NM 87501 kelley at bioreason.com