Hi Lee, You could use a dictionary for this: vars = {} while (p!=0): vars['p'+`p`] = string.replace(component[control], ",", "") p=p-1 control=control+1 then 'vars' will contain keys (e.g., 'p1', 'p2' etc.. ) and corresponding values. If that's totally not what you want.. a little more context would help. ;-) -steve ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi there, I'm creating variables in python but I am having trouble creating them when they're *named* using other variables. Here's an example; while (p!=0): p+`p`= string.replace(component[control], ",", "") # e.g. I want 'p1 = string.replace.blah...' p=p-1 control=control+1 ==> SyntaxError: can't assign to operator :( I've tried various things but I cannot find a solution. I've got a nasty feeling that it's not possible... If someone could confirm this or hopefully, tell me how to do it I would be_extremely_grateful. Thanks, Lee (crossing his fingers) _______________________________________________ Zope maillist - [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope ** No cross posts or HTML encoding! ** (Related lists - http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope-announce http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope-dev ) _______________________________________________ Zope maillist - [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope ** No cross posts or HTML encoding! ** (Related lists - http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope-announce http://lists.zope.org/mailman/listinfo/zope-dev )