Using alarm()

I'm writing a small C routine to include in the 4GL runner. This routine communicates with a bar-code scanner. I want to include a timeout mechanism in my code and thought about using the C alarm() function. Does anyone know of any reason why I shouldn't do this? All advice gratefully accepted. BTW, my news service is a little flaky you if you reply by mail that would be better. TIA ------------------------------------------------------------------- These are *my* opinions. Please don't make the mistake of believing anybody else is stupid enough to think like this! ------------------------------------------------------------------- Stuart Hemming | shemminga@cix.compulink.co.uk The Data Base | Tel: + 44 (0) 115 925 0005 Nottingham UK | Fax: + 44 (0) 115 925 0951 -------------------------------------------------------------------