Robert Parker wrote: > Yet when I attempt the same in a C program, the system always writes 2 > prompts, then waits for a read.
This isn't a C list. But if you don't show us the code then no one can give good help. If you write, read, write and then it *must* try the read before the second write. If you are seeing the second write then it means that the read returned after the first write. What you say, writes two prompts and then read doesn't make sense. > Does not matter if I write(1, "..."); read(0, number, buffer); or use > fputs("...", stdout); fgets(..... > The result is the same. > And I have tried using readline without any better result. This sounds like you simply have some basic problem issue. You will need to figure that out first. If you write(), if you fputs(), and you are not seeing the output then start there. Don't move on to anything else until you understand that part of the problem. Your problem is really one for discussion on a C programming list. > I have downloaded the source code for Bash. > Would someone please let me know where to look to learn to make my code > work like yours? That is the wrong direction to go. It is like saying, I have this problem building a small bike shed. I couldn't figure it out. Therefore I downloaded the plans to the Eiffel Tower in order to compare the two. They are not really comparable. Trying to do so is just a distraction from solving your real problem. Bob