Thanks for the help; yes I agree this should have been posted as a "question". 

Again, thanks for the time taken to answer the question; it's much appreciated.

Guys, thanks for your help; it is much appreciated.  In reply,

a) Isn't charfcn[0](n) the right function for the discrete delta function?  1 at 0 and 0 otherwise

b) I'm confused as to the need to specify y(0) and y(1).  With the right side of the equation equaling charfcn[0](n) + 2*charfcn[0](n-1) and initial rest conditions we have:

y(0) = charfcn[0](n) + 2*charfcn[0](-1) = 1 + 0 = 1

and

y(1) = 3 + 2*charfcn[0](0) = 3+2 = 5

So, doesn't this determine and fix the values for y(0) and y(1)?

Guys, thanks for your help; it is much appreciated.  In reply,

a) Isn't charfcn[0](n) the right function for the discrete delta function?  1 at 0 and 0 otherwise

b) I'm confused as to the need to specify y(0) and y(1).  With the right side of the equation equaling charfcn[0](n) + 2*charfcn[0](n-1) and initial rest conditions we have:

y(0) = charfcn[0](n) + 2*charfcn[0](-1) = 1 + 0 = 1

and

y(1) = 3 + 2*charfcn[0](0) = 3+2 = 5

So, doesn't this determine and fix the values for y(0) and y(1)?

Thanks Joe, that's the kind of manipulation I was looking for.

Thanks Joe, that's the kind of manipulation I was looking for.

Alec, thanks a lot. 

Phil

Alec, thanks a lot. 

Phil