Can I call a function from a menu, pass a argument then run?

[Gintaras]

A few of the examples I was looking at used str& in the function statement and I was thinking that was the syntax.

I understand. I'll make corrections in help files.

And I don't know a damn thing about str* can you direct me to the right help pages?

"pointer, reference, array" topic. Read it only if you really need to use pointers somewhere.

Also could you suggest the best course of study since there really is no "How to program in QM"

All is in QM help, including "Programming in QM" topic.

What's the closest thing C++?

QM is not very close to C++ or other languages. From C++ it borrows pointers, references, similar string usage (LPSTR=lpstr, CString=str), ability to use any types, dll functions, system interfaces, and maybe more.