The point that i was trying to get across is the fact that

In some cases the way you write it may determine how its evaluated for example:

//echo $iif([ [ $readini(mirc.ini,chanfolder,n1) ] ],true,f)
//if ([ [ $read(mirc.ini,chanfolder,n1) ] ]) { echo true }

- both return TRUE.. because the IF statement is checking whether there is something inside it so

if (ANYTHINGGOESHERE) { echo true } - would still be true.. which is what was happening with your $strip(A == B) example above.. however the evaulation of it using [ ]'s made mIRC reevaulate so..

if ($strip(A == B)) { .. } became..
if (A == B) { .. }

Dunno whether this will help some, lemme know..

Eamonn.