Hello there, My understanding is that the following is not legal C++ code. struct A { friend struct B { // defn in friend decl ? int i; }; }; However, egcs-981109 on RedHat Linux 5.1 on Alpha EV5.6 compiles the code fine, even with flags -ansi -pedantic -Wall Regards David C Binderman MSc BSc +44 1293 534847 dcb@pncl.co.uk