>Let me clarify..
>
>x = v_o_d(outvin, options)
>
>In the above function call I am passing "outvin" only and in the "options" argument I should get a value back. I am not passing anything for "options", it is defined as options = SPACE(155). So before running v_o_d() options is blank * 155.

In that case, depending on the actual signature for the v_o_d() function, what Sergey and I suggested should work. You pass 'options' in by reference, and the function should alter it. Next time you look at it, it should contain whatever was put into it.

I guess the obvious question (no matter how dumb this is going to sound) is, are you sure that the value that the function is putting into that reference is what you expect it to be, and not an empty string?

Alan