>> >> I would prefer to use an underscore if I could. >> > > Use ${VARIABLE1}_${VARIABLE2} and so on. > with $[VARIABLE] like: destination r_messages { file ("/logpool/logs/$DAY$MONTH$YEAR/$[HOST]_$[DAY]$[MONTH]$[YEAR]_$[HOUR]"); }; # ls /logpool/logs/05012009/ [HOST]_[DAY][MONTH][YEAR]_[HOUR] any thoughts why ?:-) Stefan