I could not find anything that would allow us to say 'if platform = z/OS then encoding=EBCDIC else encoding=ASCII'. Is there a way this can be done? Thanks Steve Groeger Java Runtimes Development IBM Hursley IBM United Kingdom Ltd Tel: (44) 1962 816911 Mobex: 279990 Mobile: 07718 517 129 Fax (44) 1962 816800 Lotus Notes: Steve Groeger/UK/IBM Internet: groeges@xxxxxxxxxx Unless stated otherwise above: IBM United Kingdom Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 741598. Registered office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3AU Unless stated otherwise above: IBM United Kingdom Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 741598. Registered office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3AU