"Robert Oschler" <no_replies at fake_email_address.invalid> writes: [...] > It's as if errMsg is being passed by value and the assignment that occurs > inside errtest() doesn't "stick". I thought Python was pass by reference? > > What am I doing wrong? [...] http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html#4.35 http://www.python.org/doc/FAQ.html#4.89 John