errors when included functions call functions

Can someone explain to me why this does not work... All pages on my site <?require?> header and footer files... the header file calls an <?include?> to config.inc and functions.inc I have a function to connect to the db in functions.inc, that many other functions and includes use. All works fine.... but, I have a login page similar to all other pages with <?require?> calls.. this page is entirely written from a function... Now, calls to functions from .inc files included in the login page (with me so far) do not work... My connect function will not connect... writing this out I realize that it is seems quite complex, but my question is... can I not call functions from scripts that are included in a page that is itself written out from a function? Charlie