How about:
Code:
 

Function Pwr($BV,Optional $PV)
 
  DIM $z,$loop
 
  if not $PV
    $PV = 2.0
  else
    $PV = int($PV)
  endif
 
  $z  = $BV * 1.0
  $BV = $BV * 1.0
  for $loop = 1 to $PV-1
      $z = $z * $BV
    EndIf
  next
  $Pwr = $z
EndFunction


This returned:
Code:
 
Pwr(2, 7) ?  128
Pwr(2, 8) ?  256
Pwr(-2,7) ? -128
Pwr(-2,8)    256 
Pwr(1.5,3)     3.375
Pwr(9)        81


I'm not sure if you wanted fractional or negative exponents, but that would require that I look it up..

Glenn
_________________________
Actually I am a Rocket Scientist! \:D