new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/strings/strcmp.m
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+function status = strcmp (s1, s2)
+
+# usage: strcmp (s1, s2)
+#
+# Compare two strings.
+#
+# WARNING:  Unlike the C function of the same name, this function
+# returns 1 for equal and zero for not equal.  Why?  To be compatible
+# with Matlab, of course. 
+
+  if (nargin != 2)
+    error ("usage: strcmp (s, t)");
+  endif
+
+  status = 0;
+  if (isstr (s1) && isstr(s2) && length (s1) == length (s2))
+    tmp = implicit_str_to_num_ok;
+    implicit_str_to_num_ok = "true";
+    status = all (s1 == s2);
+    implicit_str_to_num_ok = tmp;
+  endif
+
+endfunction