For i=1 to 3
  response.write "<a href="showpage.asp?page=" "&i& ">" </a>
  Next

im confused about when i should put stuff in double quotes, single quotes, or just no quotes at all.

I need help in writing out the link where i will be the value of any value. <a href = ... >page 1 </a>

I would probably do like this...

For i = 1 to 3
    response.write "<a href='showpage.asp?page=" & i & "'></a>"
Next

Otherwise you could escape the double qoutes with double-double qoutes.

Hope it helps.

Jacob.