beta 2010.11.17 13:27

27 files changed, 986 insertions, 707 deletions

diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
index c5976018c..701378c09 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
@@ -3693,7 +3693,7 @@ local concat = table.concat
 local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { }
+utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
 utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
@@ -3897,6 +3897,8 @@ local nobrace   = 1 - (lbrace+rbrace)
 local nested    = P { lbrace * (nobrace + V(1))^0 * rbrace }
 local spaces    = space^0
 
+lpeg.patterns.nested = nested
+
 local value     = P(lbrace * C((nobrace + nested)^0) * rbrace) + C((nested + (1-comma))^0)
 
 local key       = C((1-equal-comma)^1)
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
index c5976018c..701378c09 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
@@ -3693,7 +3693,7 @@ local concat = table.concat
 local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { }
+utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
 utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
@@ -3897,6 +3897,8 @@ local nobrace   = 1 - (lbrace+rbrace)
 local nested    = P { lbrace * (nobrace + V(1))^0 * rbrace }
 local spaces    = space^0
 
+lpeg.patterns.nested = nested
+
 local value     = P(lbrace * C((nobrace + nested)^0) * rbrace) + C((nested + (1-comma))^0)
 
 local key       = C((1-equal-comma)^1)
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
index c5976018c..701378c09 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
@@ -3693,7 +3693,7 @@ local concat = table.concat
 local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { }
+utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
 utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
@@ -3897,6 +3897,8 @@ local nobrace   = 1 - (lbrace+rbrace)
 local nested    = P { lbrace * (nobrace + V(1))^0 * rbrace }
 local spaces    = space^0
 
+lpeg.patterns.nested = nested
+
 local value     = P(lbrace * C((nobrace + nested)^0) * rbrace) + C((nested + (1-comma))^0)
 
 local key       = C((1-equal-comma)^1)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
index f1a8e8a51..35f2191bf 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/anch-pgr.mkiv
@@ -1457,14 +1457,6 @@
    \hskip-\wd\scratchbox
    \box\scratchbox}
 
-\def\tabulatenormalcolumn#1% overloaded later in node-bck
-  {&\iftabulateequal\tabulateequalpos\else\tabulatenormalpos\fi
-   &\global\tabulatetype#1&}
-
-\def\tabulateequalcolumn#1% overloaded
-  {&\tabulateequalpos
-   &\global\tabulatetype#1&}
-
 \appendtoks
   \global\advance\noftabpositions\plusone
   \global\setfalse\tablehaspositions
@@ -1485,16 +1477,8 @@
      \gdef\doflushtabulateepos{\epos{#1}}%
    \fi}
 
-\def\splitofftabulatebox % overloaded in node-bck
-  {\dontcomplain
-   \global\setbox\tabulatebox % % % global ? % % %
-     \vsplit\tablebox\tabulatecolumn to \lineheight
-   \setbox\tabulatebox\normalvbox
-     {\unvbox\tabulatebox}%
-   \setbox\tabulatebox\hbox to \wd\tabulatebox
-     {\hss\dotabulatehook{\box\tabulatebox}\hss}%
-   \donormalizetabulatesplitline
-   \box\tabulatebox
+\def\flushtabulatesplitbox
+  {\box\tabulatebox
    \iftrialtypesetting\else\ifconditional\tablehaspositions\doflushtabulateepos\fi\fi}
 
 \appendtoks
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex b/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
index 56f0cc8c6..fe8efa5aa 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2010.11.12 18:22}
+\newcontextversion{2010.11.17 13:27}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context.mkiv b/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
index 7748b750e..bf6826101 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
@@ -134,6 +134,8 @@
 \loadmarkfile{colo-ini}
 \loadmarkfile{colo-ext}
 
+\loadmarkfile{node-bck} % overloads anch-pgr (experimental and undocumented)
+
 \loadmarkfile{trac-vis}
 
 \loadmarkfile{lang-mis}
@@ -219,6 +221,7 @@
 \loadmarkfile{page-mul}
 \loadmarkfile{page-set}
 \loadmarkfile{pack-lyr}
+\loadmarkfile{pack-pos}
 \loadmarkfile{page-mak}
 
 \loadmarkfile{page-lin}
@@ -242,8 +245,14 @@
 
 \loadmarkfile{tabl-com}
 \loadmarkfile{tabl-pln}
-\loadcorefile{thrd-tab}
-\loadmarkfile{tabl-tab}
+
+\doifmodeelse{atpragma} {
+    \definestartstop[\v!table]{\errmessage{please usemodule m-table}}
+} {
+    \loadcorefile{thrd-tab}
+    \loadmarkfile{tabl-tab}
+}
+
 \loadmarkfile{tabl-tbl}
 \loadmarkfile{tabl-ntb}
 \loadmarkfile{tabl-nte}
@@ -334,8 +343,6 @@
 \loadmarkfile{page-app}
 \loadmarkfile{meta-fig}
 
-\loadmarkfile{node-bck} % overloads anch-pgr (experimental and undocumented)
-
 \loadmarkfile{lang-spa} % will become obsolete
 
 \loadmarkfile{cldf-ini} % this can come later
diff --git a/tex/context/base/context.tex b/tex/context/base/context.tex
index 272c2f1a4..6e467247c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/context.tex
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 %D your styles an modules.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2010.11.12 18:22}
+\edef\contextversion{2010.11.17 13:27}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-env.lua b/tex/context/base/core-env.lua
index 02fa4f744..d0db40b81 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-env.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-env.lua
@@ -22,44 +22,64 @@ tex.constants    = { }
 tex.conditionals = { }
 tex.ifs          = { }
 
-setmetatable(tex.modes, { __index = function(t,k)
-    local m = modes[k]
-    if m then
-        return m()
-    else
-        local n = "mode" .. k
-        if csname_id(n) == undefined then
-            return false
+setmetatable(tex.modes, {
+    __index = function(t,k)
+        local m = modes[k]
+        if m then
+            return m()
         else
-            modes[k] = function() return texcount[n] >= 1 end
-            return texcount[n] >= 1
+            local n = "mode" .. k
+            if csname_id(n) == undefined then
+                return false
+            else
+                modes[k] = function() return texcount[n] >= 1 end
+                return texcount[n] >= 1
+            end
         end
     end
-end })
+})
 
-setmetatable(tex.systemmodes, { __index = function(t,k)
-    local m = systemmodes[k]
-    if m then
-        return m()
-    else
-        local n = "mode*" .. k
-        if csname_id(n) == undefined then
-            return false
+setmetatable(tex.systemmodes, {
+    __index = function(t,k)
+        local m = systemmodes[k]
+        if m then
+            return m()
         else
-            systemmodes[k] = function() return texcount[n] >= 1 end
-            return texcount[n] >= 1
+            local n = "mode*" .. k
+            if csname_id(n) == undefined then
+                return false
+            else
+                systemmodes[k] = function() return texcount[n] >= 1 end
+                return texcount[n] >= 1
+            end
         end
     end
-end })
+})
 
-setmetatable(tex.constants, { __index = function(t,k)
-    return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and texcount[k] or 0
-end })
+setmetatable(tex.constants, {
+    __index = function(t,k)
+        return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and texcount[k] or 0
+    end,
+--~     __newindex = function(t,k)
+--~         if csname_id(k) ~= undefined then
+--~             texcount[k] = k
+--~         end
+--~     end
+})
 
-setmetatable(tex.conditionals, { __index = function(t,k) -- 0 == true
-    return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and texcount[k] == 0
-end })
+setmetatable(tex.conditionals, {
+    __index = function(t,k) -- 0 == true
+        return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and texcount[k] == 0
+    end,
+--~     __newindex = function(t,k) -- not ok
+--~         if csname_id(k) ~= undefined then
+--~             texcount[k] = k and 0 or 1 -- 0 == true
+--~         end
+--~     end
+})
 
-setmetatable(tex.ifs, { __index = function(t,k)
-    return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and create(k)[2] == iftrue -- inefficient, this create, we need a helper
-end })
+setmetatable(tex.ifs, {
+    __index = function(t,k)
+        return csname_id(k) ~= undefined and create(k)[2] == iftrue -- inefficient, this create, we need a helper
+    end
+})
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkii b/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkii
index 98079830d..a412ebaf4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkii
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkii
@@ -1425,12 +1425,12 @@
       [\c!bet=\unknown,\c!dat=\unknown,\c!ken=\unknown,
        \c!from=,\c!to=,\c!ref=,#1]%
     % moet anders, hoort niet in 01b
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=referentie,\s!en=reference,\s!de=Referenz,\s!sp=referencia]\to\@@@kmref
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=van,\s!en=from,\s!de=Von,\s!sp=de]\to\@@@kmvan
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=aan,\s!en=to,\s!de=An,\s!sp=a]\to\@@@kmaan
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=betreft,\s!en=concerns,\s!de=Betreff,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmbet
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=datum,\s!en=date,\s!de=Datum,\s!sp=fecha]\to\@@@kmdat
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=kenmerk,\s!en=mark,\s!de=Kennzeichen,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmken
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=referentie,\s!en=reference,\s!de=Referenz,\s!hr=referenca,\s!sp=referencia]\to\@@@kmref
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=van,\s!en=from,\s!de=Von,\s!hr=od,\s!sp=de]\to\@@@kmvan
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=aan,\s!en=to,\s!de=An,\s!hr=za,\s!sp=a]\to\@@@kmaan
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=betreft,\s!en=concerns,\s!de=Betreff,\s!hr=predmet,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmbet
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=datum,\s!en=date,\s!de=Datum,\s!hr=datum,\s!sp=fecha]\to\@@@kmdat
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=kenmerk,\s!en=mark,\s!de=Kennzeichen,\s!hr=oznaka,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmken
     %
     \definetabulate[\s!dummy][|l|p|]
     \startdummy
@@ -2697,6 +2697,7 @@
 \setuplabeltext [\s!nl] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= en ]
 \setuplabeltext [\s!en] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2=\textcomma\ and ]
 \setuplabeltext [\s!de] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= und ]
+\setuplabeltext [\s!hr] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= i ]
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {somekindoftab}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkiv b/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkiv
index 239af98ad..98f245e0d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-mis.mkiv
@@ -1306,12 +1306,12 @@
       [\c!bet=\unknown,\c!dat=\unknown,\c!ken=\unknown,
        \c!from=,\c!to=,\c!ref=,#1]%
     % moet anders, hoort niet in 01b
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=referentie,\s!en=reference,\s!de=Referenz,\s!sp=referencia]\to\@@@kmref
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=van,\s!en=from,\s!de=Von,\s!sp=de]\to\@@@kmvan
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=aan,\s!en=to,\s!de=An,\s!sp=a]\to\@@@kmaan
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=betreft,\s!en=concerns,\s!de=Betreff,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmbet
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=datum,\s!en=date,\s!de=Datum,\s!sp=fecha]\to\@@@kmdat
-    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=kenmerk,\s!en=mark,\s!de=Kennzeichen,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmken
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=referentie,\s!en=reference,\s!de=Referenz,\s!hr=referenca,\s!sp=referencia]\to\@@@kmref
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=van,\s!en=from,\s!de=Von,\s!hr=od,\s!sp=de]\to\@@@kmvan
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=aan,\s!en=to,\s!de=An,\s!hr=za,\s!sp=a]\to\@@@kmaan
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=betreft,\s!en=concerns,\s!de=Betreff,\s!hr=predmet,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmbet
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=datum,\s!en=date,\s!de=Datum,\s!hr=datum,\s!sp=fecha]\to\@@@kmdat
+    \assigntranslation[\s!nl=kenmerk,\s!en=mark,\s!de=Kennzeichen,\s!hr=oznaka,\s!sp=]\to\@@@kmken
     %
     \definetabulate[\s!dummy][|l|p|]
     \startdummy
@@ -2440,6 +2440,7 @@
 \setuplabeltext [\s!nl] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= en ]
 \setuplabeltext [\s!en] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2=\textcomma\ and ]
 \setuplabeltext [\s!de] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= und ]
+\setuplabeltext [\s!hr] [and-1=\textcomma\ , and-2= i ]
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {somekindoftab}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua b/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
index eb0990ec1..91fc72e6b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
@@ -62,13 +62,40 @@ local xheightdata = fonts.xheights
 
 fonts.ids      = fontdata -- we keep this one for a while (as it is used in mk etc)
 
+
+-- todo: give parameters at the lua end a metatable
+
+--~ function parameters(t,k)
+--~     local v = 0
+--~         if k == "x_height"      then v = t.xheight
+--~     elseif k == "space_stretch" then v = t.spacestretch
+--~     elseif k == "space_shrink"  then v = t.spaceshrink
+--~     elseif k == "extra_space"   then v = t.extraspace
+--~     elseif k == 1               then v = t.slant
+--~     elseif k == 2               then v = t.space
+--~     elseif k == 3               then v = t.spacestretch
+--~     elseif k == 4               then v = t.spaceshrink
+--~     elseif k == 5               then v = t.xheight
+--~     elseif k == 6               then v = t.quad
+--~     elseif k == 7               then v = t.extraspace
+--~     end
+--~     t[k] = v
+--~     return v
+--~ end
+
 local nulldata = {
     name         = "nullfont",
     characters   = { },
     descriptions = { },
-    parameters   = {
-        xheight = 0,
-        quad    = 0,
+    parameters   = {           -- lmromanregular @ 12pt
+        slant        =      0, -- 1
+        space        = 256377, -- 2
+        spacestretch = 128188, -- 3
+        spaceshrink  =  85459, -- 4
+        xheight      = 338952, -- 5
+        quad         = 786432, -- 6
+        extraspace   =  85459, -- 7
+
     },
 }
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv b/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
index b99d44545..7f8c374ca 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ini.mkiv
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 
 % runtime commands will move to modules
 
+% todo: (so that we can delay font loading to \starttext
+
 % simplification ... we no longer deal with specific mmtfa specifications
 
 % todo: always fontclass, then less testing
@@ -4046,6 +4048,16 @@
 \def\dolookupgetkey         #1{\ctxlua{tex.write(fonts.names.getlookupkey("#1"))}}
 \def\cleanfontname          #1{\ctxlua{fonts.cleanname("#1")}}
 
+% Experiment:
+
+\fontdimen1\nullfont      0\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen2\nullfont 256377\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen3\nullfont 128188\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen4\nullfont  85459\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen5\nullfont 338952\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen6\nullfont 786432\scaledpoint
+\fontdimen7\nullfont  85459\scaledpoint
+
 \protect \endinput
 
 % \startluacode
diff --git a/tex/context/base/m-units.tex b/tex/context/base/m-units.tex
index 36fa45d84..a06d195ba 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/m-units.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/m-units.tex
@@ -490,6 +490,21 @@
    u:min=Minuten]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:sec=sekunda,
+   u:fsec=femtosekunda,
+   u:psec=pikosekunda,
+   u:nsec=nanosekunda,
+   u:usec=mikrosekunda,
+   u:msec=milisekunda,
+   u:year=godina,
+   u:month=mjesec,
+   u:week=tjedan,
+   u:day=dan,
+   u:hour=sat,
+   u:min=minuta]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:sec=secondo,
    u:fsec=femtosecondo,
@@ -525,6 +540,11 @@
    u:deg=Gradma\SS]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:rad=radijani,
+   u:deg=kutni stupnjevi]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:rad=radianti,
    u:deg=angoli sessagesimali]
@@ -557,6 +577,11 @@
    u:rpm=Umdrehungen pro Minute]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:rps=okretaji po sekundi,
+   u:rpm=okretaji po minuti]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:rps=giri al secondo,
    u:rpm=giri al minuto]
@@ -589,6 +614,10 @@
   [u:u=Atomare Masseneinheit]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:u=unificirana atomska jedinica mase]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:u=unit\`a di massa atomica]
 
@@ -670,21 +699,42 @@
    u:vdc=Gleichspannung]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:vac=izmjeni\ccaron ni napon,
+   u:vdc=istosmjerni napon]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:vac=corrente alternata,
    u:vdc=corrente continua]
 
-%D Computer memory is specified in Bytes:
+%D Network bandwidth is specified in Bits:
 
-\getvalue{\v!unit} [Bit]   {bit}       {Bit}
+\getvalue{\v!unit} [Bit]   {bit}       {\labeltext{u:bit}}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Baud]  {Bd}        {Baud (Bit/s)}
 
-\getvalue{\v!unit} [Byte]  {B}           {Byte}
+%D Computer memory size is specified in Bytes:
+
+\getvalue{\v!unit} [Byte]  {B}           {\labeltext{u:byte}}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [kByte] {\Kilo \Byte} {kilo Byte}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [MByte] {\Mega \Byte} {mega Byte}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [GByte] {\Giga \Byte} {giga Byte}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [TByte] {\Tera \Byte} {tera Byte}
 
+\setuplabeltext
+  [\s!en]
+  [u:bit=Bit,
+   u:byte=Byte]
+
+\setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:bit=bit,
+   u:byte=bajt]
+
+%D Telecommunication call density is specified in Erlangs:
+
+\getvalue{\v!unit} [Erlang] {E}          {Erlang}
+
 %D Some radiation related units:
 
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Bequerel]  {Bq}              {Bequerel}
@@ -709,7 +759,7 @@
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Bar]   {bar}        {bar (100 \Kilo \Pascal)}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [EVolt] {eV}         {electronvolt}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Foot]  {ft}         {\labeltext{u:ft}}
-\getvalue{\v!unit} [Inch]  {inch}       {inch}
+\getvalue{\v!unit} [Inch]  {inch}       {\labeltext{u:inch}}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Cal]   {cal}        {\labeltext{u:cal}}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [Force] {f}          {\labeltext{u:f}}
 \getvalue{\v!unit} [kCal]  {\Kilo \Cal} {\labeltext{u:kcal}}
@@ -743,9 +793,10 @@
 
 \setuplabeltext
   [\s!en]
-  [u:at=technical atmosferic pressure,
-   u:atm=physical atmosferic pressure,
+  [u:at=technical atmospheric pressure,
+   u:atm=physical atmospheric pressure,
    u:ft=foot,
+   u:inch=inch,
    u:cal=calory,
    u:f=force,
    u:kcal=kilocalory]
@@ -753,13 +804,23 @@
 \setuplabeltext
   [\s!de]
   [u:at=Technischer atmosph\"arischer Druck,
-   u:atm=physkalischer atmosph\"arischer Druck
+   u:atm=physkalischer atmosph\"arischer Druck,
    u:ft=Fu\SS,
    u:cal=Kalorien,
    u:f=Force,
    u:kcal=Kilokalorien]
 
 \setuplabeltext
+  [\s!hr]
+  [u:at=tehni\ccaron ka atmosfera,
+   u:atm=standardna atmosfera,
+   u:ft=stopa,
+   u:inch=in\ccaron a,
+   u:cal=kalorija,
+   u:f=Force,
+   u:kcal=Kilokalorien]
+
+\setuplabeltext
   [\s!it]
   [u:at=pressione atmosferica tecnica,
    u:atm=pressione atmosfera fisica,
diff --git a/tex/context/base/math-vfu.lua b/tex/context/base/math-vfu.lua
index 504c841fa..c97978a79 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/math-vfu.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/math-vfu.lua
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ fonts.enc.math = mathencodings -- better is then: fonts.enc.vectors
 local shared = { }
 
 fonts.vf.math          = fonts.vf.math or { }
-fonts.vf.math.optional = false
+local vfmath           = fonts.vf.math
+
+vfmath.optional = false
 
 --~ local push, pop, back = { "push" }, { "pop" }, { "slot", 1, 0x2215 }
 
@@ -291,7 +293,7 @@ local function stack(main,characters,id,size,unicode,u1,d12,u2)
     end
 end
 
-function fonts.vf.math.alas(main,id,size)
+function vfmath.alas(main,id,size)
     local characters = main.characters
     for i=0x7A,0x7D do
         make(main,characters,id,size,i,1)
@@ -383,7 +385,7 @@ setmetatable ( reverse, { __index = function(t,name)
     return r
 end } )
 
-function fonts.vf.math.define(specification,set)
+function vfmath.define(specification,set)
     local name = specification.name -- symbolic name
     local size = specification.size -- given size
     local fnt, lst, main = { }, { }, nil
@@ -392,7 +394,7 @@ function fonts.vf.math.define(specification,set)
     for s=1,#set do
         local ss = set[s]
         local ssname = ss.name
-        if ss.optional and fonts.vf.math.optional then
+        if ss.optional and vfmath.optional then
             if trace_virtual then
                 report_virtual("loading font %s subfont %s with name %s at %s is skipped",name,s,ssname,size)
             end
@@ -450,7 +452,7 @@ function fonts.vf.math.define(specification,set)
         local ss, fs = okset[s], fnt[s]
         if not fs then
             -- skip, error
-        elseif ss.optional and fonts.vf.math.optional then
+        elseif ss.optional and vfmath.optional then
             -- skip, redundant
         else
             local mm, fp = main.mathparameters, fs.parameters
@@ -669,7 +671,7 @@ function fonts.vf.math.define(specification,set)
     end
     lst[#lst+1] = { id = font.nextid(), size = size }
     if mp then -- weak catch
-        fonts.vf.math.alas(main,#lst,size)
+        vfmath.alas(main,#lst,size)
     end
     if trace_virtual or trace_timings then
         report_virtual("loading and virtualizing font %s at size %s took %0.3f seconds",name,size,os.clock()-start)
@@ -685,7 +687,7 @@ end
 
 function mathematics.makefont(name, set)
     fonts.definers.methods.variants[name] = function(specification)
-        return fonts.vf.math.define(specification,set)
+        return vfmath.define(specification,set)
     end
 end
 
@@ -898,7 +900,6 @@ mathencodings["tex-mi"] = {
 --              0x7F, -- (no idea what that could be)
 }
 
-
 mathencodings["tex-it"] = {
 --  [0x1D434] = 0x41, -- A
     [0x1D6E2] = 0x41, -- Alpha
@@ -976,7 +977,7 @@ mathencodings["tex-bi"]           = { }
 mathencodings["tex-fraktur"]      = { }
 mathencodings["tex-fraktur-bold"] = { }
 
-function fonts.vf.math.setletters(font_encoding, name, uppercase, lowercase)
+function vfmath.setletters(font_encoding, name, uppercase, lowercase)
     local enc = font_encoding[name]
     for i = 0,25 do
         enc[uppercase+i] = i + 0x41
@@ -984,7 +985,7 @@ function fonts.vf.math.setletters(font_encoding, name, uppercase, lowercase)
     end
 end
 
-function fonts.vf.math.setdigits(font_encoding, name, digits)
+function vfmath.setdigits(font_encoding, name, digits)
     local enc = font_encoding[name]
     for i = 0,9 do
         enc[digits+i] = i + 0x30
@@ -1462,19 +1463,19 @@ mathencodings["tex-fraktur"] = {
 
 -- now that all other vectors are defined ...
 
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-it",           0x1D434, 0x1D44E)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-ss",           0x1D5A0, 0x1D5BA)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-tt",           0x1D670, 0x1D68A)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-bf",           0x1D400, 0x1D41A)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-bi",           0x1D468, 0x1D482)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-fraktur",      0x1D504, 0x1D51E)
-fonts.vf.math.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-fraktur-bold", 0x1D56C, 0x1D586)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-it",           0x1D434, 0x1D44E)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-ss",           0x1D5A0, 0x1D5BA)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-tt",           0x1D670, 0x1D68A)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-bf",           0x1D400, 0x1D41A)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-bi",           0x1D468, 0x1D482)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-fraktur",      0x1D504, 0x1D51E)
+vfmath.setletters(mathencodings, "tex-fraktur-bold", 0x1D56C, 0x1D586)
 
-fonts.vf.math.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-ss", 0x1D7E2)
-fonts.vf.math.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-tt", 0x1D7F6)
-fonts.vf.math.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-bf", 0x1D7CE)
+vfmath.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-ss", 0x1D7E2)
+vfmath.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-tt", 0x1D7F6)
+vfmath.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-bf", 0x1D7CE)
 
--- fonts.vf.math.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-bi", 0x1D7CE)
+-- vfmath.setdigits (mathencodings, "tex-bi", 0x1D7CE)
 
 -- todo: add ss, tt, bf etc vectors
 -- todo: we can make ss tt etc an option
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-bck.mkiv b/tex/context/base/node-bck.mkiv
index 18149ef4d..88fb390a9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-bck.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-bck.mkiv
@@ -20,10 +20,19 @@
 
 \registerctxluafile{node-bck}{1.001}
 
+\def\doinitializeboxbackgrounds
+  {\ctxlua{nodes.tasks.enableaction("shipouts","nodes.handlers.backgrounds")}%
+   \glet\doinitializeboxbackgrounds\donothing}
+
 %D Box helpers:
 
+% \backgroundvbox[green] {\input tufte } \par
+% \backgroundvbox[blue]  {\input ward } \par
+% \backgroundvbox[red]   {\input knuth } \par
+% \backgroundhbox[yellow]{\rotate[rotation=45]{hello world}} \par
+
 \def\doaddbackgroundtobox#1[#2]%
-  {\begingroup\faststartcolor[#2]%
+  {\begingroup\doinitializeboxbackgrounds\faststartcolor[#2]%
    \normalexpanded{\noexpand\faststopcolor\endgroup#1
      attr \backgroundattribute   \plusone
      attr \colormodelattribute   \the\attribute\colormodelattribute
@@ -63,100 +72,4 @@
 % \def\backgroundvtop[#1]{\vtop \backgroundcolorattr{#1}}
 % \def\backgroundhbox[#1]{\hbox \backgroundcolorattr{#1}}
 
-%D tabulate:
-
-\def\tabulatenormalcolumn#1%
-  {\doiffastoptionalcheckelse{\tabulatenormalcolumnyes#1}{\tabulatenormalcolumnnop#1}}
-
-\def\tabulatenormalcolumnnop#1% overloads anch-pgr
-  {&\iftabulateequal\tabulateequalpos\else\tabulatenormalpos\fi&\global\tabulatetype#1&}
-
-\def\tabulatenormalcolumnyes#1[#2]%
-  {&\iftabulateequal\tabulateequalpos\else\tabulatenormalpos\fi&\global\tabulatetype#1&%
-   \iftrialtypesetting\else\settabulatecolor{#2}\fi\ignorespaces}
-
-\newcount\maxtabularcolorcolumn
-
-\def\settabulatecolor#1% we could store the attributes at the cost of a lua call
-  {\begingroup
-   \global\settrue\tabulatehascolors
-   \ifnum\tabulatecolumn>\maxtabularcolorcolumn
-     \global\maxtabularcolorcolumn\tabulatecolumn
-   \fi
-   \setxvalue{\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn}{#1}%
-   \attribute\backgroundattribute\plusone
-   \faststartcolor[#1]\strut\char0\faststopcolor
-   \endgroup}
-
-\def\repeatsettabulatecolor
-  {\begingroup
-   \ifcsname\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname
-     \attribute\backgroundattribute\plusone
-     \faststartcolor[\csname\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname]\strut\char0\faststopcolor
-   \fi
-   \endgroup}
-
-\def\resettabulatecolors
-  {\ifcase\maxtabularcolorcolumn\else
-     \doresettabulatecolors
-   \fi}
-
-\def\doresettabulatecolors
-  {\dorecurse\maxtabularcolorcolumn{\letgvalue{\??tt:c:\recurselevel}\undefined}} % slow
-
-\appendtoks
-  \resettabulatecolors
-\to \everyaftertabulaterow
-
-\def\splitofftabulatebox % overloads in anch-pgr
-  {\dontcomplain
-   \global\setbox\tabulatebox % % % global ? % % %
-     \vsplit\tablebox\tabulatecolumn to \lineheight
-   \setbox\tabulatebox\normalvbox
-     {\unvbox\tabulatebox}%
-   \setbox\tabulatebox\hbox to \wd\tabulatebox
-     {\iftrialtypesetting\else\ifconditional\tabulatehascolors\repeatsettabulatecolor\fi\fi
-      \hss\dotabulatehook{\box\tabulatebox}\hss}%
-   \donormalizetabulatesplitline
-   \box\tabulatebox
-   \iftrialtypesetting\else\ifconditional\tablehaspositions\doflushtabulateepos\fi\fi}
-
-\appendtoks
-    \global\setfalse\tabulatehascolors
-\to \everytabulate
-
 \protect \endinput
-
-% test
-
-\starttext
-
-\backgroundvbox[green] {\input tufte } \par
-\backgroundvbox[blue]  {\input ward } \par
-\backgroundvbox[red]   {\input knuth } \par
-\backgroundhbox[yellow]{\rotate[rotation=45]{hello world}} \par
-
-\starttabulate[||p||]
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC[green] \input tufte  \NC[yellow] test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC[blue] test \NC[red] test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC[gray] test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC[blue] test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC[magenta] test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC[cyan] \dorecurse{10}{\input ward }\NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
-\NC test \NC[yellow] test \NC test \NC \NR
-\stoptabulate
-
-\stoptext
diff --git a/tex/context/base/pack-lyr.mkiv b/tex/context/base/pack-lyr.mkiv
index 8b35a98a7..955381d62 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/pack-lyr.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/pack-lyr.mkiv
@@ -639,117 +639,6 @@
      [\c!background={\v!foreground,#1},
       \c!frame=\v!off,
       \c!offset=\v!overlay,#2]}
-
-% The next mechanism is obsolete and will be removed in \MKIV\ (or move to
-% the compatibility module.
-
-\newskip\xposition  \newskip\yposition
-\newskip\xdimension \newskip\ydimension
-\newskip\xoffset    \newskip\yoffset
-
-% already defined \newbox\positionbox
-
-\unexpanded\def\startpositioning
-  {\bgroup
-   \xposition \zeropoint     \yposition \zeropoint
-   \xdimension\zeropoint     \ydimension\zeropoint
-   \xoffset   \zeropoint     \yoffset   \zeropoint
-   \hfuzz     \paperwidth \vfuzz     \paperheight
-   \setbox\positionbox\hbox\bgroup}
-
-\unexpanded\def\stoppositioning
-  {\doifnot\@@psoffset\v!yes
-     {\global\xoffset\zeropoint
-      \global\yoffset\zeropoint}%
-   \global\advance\xdimension \xoffset
-   \global\advance\ydimension \yoffset
-   \egroup
-   \vbox to \ydimension
-     {\vskip\yoffset
-      \hbox to \xdimension
-        {\hskip\xoffset
-         \box\positionbox
-         \hfill}
-      \vfill}%
-   \egroup}
-
-\def\resetpositioning
-  {\getparameters[\??ps]
-     [\c!state=\v!start,%
-      \c!unit=\s!cm,%
-      \c!factor=1,%
-      \c!scale=1,%
-      \c!xfactor=\@@psfactor,%
-      \c!yfactor=\@@psfactor,%
-      \c!xscale=\@@psscale,%
-      \c!yscale=\@@psscale,%
-      \c!xstep=\v!absolute,%
-      \c!ystep=\v!absolute,%
-      \c!xoffset=\!!zeropoint,%
-      \c!yoffset=\!!zeropoint]}
-
-\unexpanded\def\setuppositioning
-  {\resetpositioning
-   \dodoubleargument\getparameters[\??ps]}
-
-\def\calculateposition#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9%
-  {\setdimensionwithunit\scratchskip{#1}\@@psunit
-   \scratchskip#8\scratchskip
-   \scratchskip#9\scratchskip
-   \advance\scratchskip #4\relax
-   \doif{#2}\v!relative
-     {\advance\scratchskip #3%
-      \let#4\!!zeropoint}%
-   #3\scratchskip\relax
-   \doifnot\@@psstate\v!overlay
-     {\scratchskip#5\relax
-      \advance\scratchskip #3\relax
-      \ifdim#3<-#7\relax          \global#7-#3\relax          \fi
-      \ifdim\scratchskip>#6\relax \global#6\scratchskip\relax \fi}}
-
-\def\position
-  {\dosingleempty\doposition}
-
-\def\doposition[#1]#2(#3,#4)%
-  {\dowithnextbox
-     {\bgroup
-      \getparameters[\??ps][#1]%
-      \dontcomplain
-      \calculateposition{#3}\@@psxstep\xposition
-        \@@psxoffset{\nextboxwd}\xdimension\xoffset
-        \@@psxscale\@@psxfactor
-      \scratchdimen\nextboxht \advance\scratchdimen \nextboxdp
-      \calculateposition{#4}\@@psystep\yposition
-        \@@psyoffset\scratchdimen\ydimension\yoffset
-        \@@psyscale\@@psyfactor
-      \vbox to \zeropoint % kan beter.
-        {\vskip\yposition
-         \hbox to \zeropoint
-           {\hskip\xposition
-            \flushnextbox
-            \hss}
-         \vss}%
-      \xdef\dopoppositioning
-        {\xposition\the\xposition
-         \yposition\the\yposition
-         \noexpand\def\noexpand\@@psxoffset{\@@psxoffset}%
-         \noexpand\def\noexpand\@@psyoffset{\@@psyoffset}}%
-      \egroup
-      \dopoppositioning
-      \ignorespaces}
-   \hbox}
-
-\resetpositioning
-
-\setuppositioning
-  [\c!unit=\s!cm,
-   \c!factor=1,
-   \c!scale=1,
-   \c!xstep=\v!absolute,
-   \c!ystep=\v!absolute,
-   \c!offset=\v!yes,
-   \c!xoffset=\!!zeropoint,
-   \c!yoffset=\!!zeropoint]
 
 %D Watch out, a redefinition:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/pack-pos.mkiv b/tex/context/base/pack-pos.mkiv
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..42a80b5ae
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tex/context/base/pack-pos.mkiv
@@ -0,0 +1,151 @@
+%D \module
+%D   [       file=pack-pos,
+%D        version=2010.11.17 % real old code, updated a bit
+%D          title=\CONTEXT\ Packaging Macros,
+%D       subtitle=Positioning,
+%D         author=Hans Hagen,
+%D           date=\currentdate,
+%D      copyright=PRAGMA-ADE]
+%C
+%C This module is part of the \CONTEXT\ macro||package and is
+%C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
+%C details.
+
+\writestatus{loading}{ConTeXt Packaging Macros / Positioning}
+
+\unprotect
+
+% An old but still usefull mechanism (updated in mkiv):
+%
+% \ruledvbox{\startpositioning
+%     \position(1,1){test}
+%     \position[xstep=relative](1,1){test}
+%     \position[ystep=relative](3,-1){test}
+%     \position(10,10){test}
+% \stoppositioning}
+
+\newdimen\positioningxposition  \newdimen\positioningyposition
+\newdimen\positioningxdimension \newdimen\positioningydimension
+\newdimen\positioningxoffset    \newdimen\positioningyoffset
+
+\newbox\positioningbox
+
+\unexpanded\def\startpositioning
+  {\dosingleempty\dostartpositioning}
+
+\def\dostartpositioning[#1]%
+  {\bgroup
+   \getparameters[\??ps][#1]%
+   \positioningxposition \zeropoint  \positioningyposition \zeropoint
+   \positioningxdimension\zeropoint  \positioningydimension\zeropoint
+   \positioningxoffset   \zeropoint  \positioningyoffset   \zeropoint
+   \hfuzz                \paperwidth \vfuzz                \paperheight
+   \setbox\positioningbox\hbox\bgroup
+   \ignorespaces}
+
+\unexpanded\def\stoppositioning
+  {\removeunwantedspaces
+   \doifnot\@@psoffset\v!yes
+     {\global\positioningxoffset\zeropoint
+      \global\positioningyoffset\zeropoint}%
+   \global\advance\positioningxdimension \positioningxoffset
+   \global\advance\positioningydimension \positioningyoffset
+   \egroup
+   \vbox to \positioningydimension
+     {\vskip\positioningyoffset
+      \hbox to \positioningxdimension
+        {\hskip\positioningxoffset
+         \box\positioningbox
+         \hfill}
+      \vfill}%
+   \egroup}
+
+% \def\resetpositioning
+%   {\getparameters[\??ps]
+%      [\c!state=\v!start,
+%       \c!unit=\s!cm,
+%       \c!factor=\plusone,
+%       \c!scale=\plusone,
+%       \c!xfactor=\@@psfactor,
+%       \c!yfactor=\@@psfactor,
+%       \c!xscale=\@@psscale,
+%       \c!yscale=\@@psscale,
+%       \c!xstep=\v!absolute,
+%       \c!ystep=\v!absolute,
+%       \c!xoffset=\zeropoint,
+%       \c!yoffset=\zeropoint]}
+
+\def\resetpositioning
+  {\let\@@psstate   \v!start
+   \let\@@psunit    \s!cm
+   \let\@@psfactor  \plusone
+   \let\@@psscale   \plusone
+   \def\@@psxfactor{\@@psfactor}%
+   \def\@@psyfactor{\@@psfactor}%
+   \def\@@psxscale {\@@psscale}%
+   \def\@@psyscale {\@@psscale}%
+   \let\@@psxstep   \v!absolute
+   \let\@@psystep   \v!absolute
+   \let\@@psxoffset \zeropoint
+   \let\@@psyoffset \zeropoint}
+
+\resetpositioning
+
+\unexpanded\def\setuppositioning
+  {\resetpositioning
+   \dodoubleargument\getparameters[\??ps]}
+
+\def\calculateposition#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9%
+  {\setdimensionwithunit\scratchdimen{#1}\@@psunit
+   \scratchdimen#8\scratchdimen
+   \scratchdimen#9\scratchdimen
+   \advance\scratchdimen #4\relax
+   % == \scratchdimen\dimexpr#8\dimexpr#9\scratchdimen\relax+#4\relax
+   \doif{#2}\v!relative
+     {\advance\scratchdimen#3%
+      \let#4\zeropoint}%
+   #3\scratchdimen
+   \doifnot\@@psstate\v!overlay
+     {\scratchdimen\dimexpr#5+#3\relax
+      \ifdim           #3<-#7\relax \global#7-#3\relax    \fi
+      \ifdim\scratchdimen> #6\relax \global#6\scratchdimen\fi}}
+
+\def\position
+  {\dosingleempty\doposition}
+
+\def\doposition[#1]#2(#3,#4)%
+  {\removeunwantedspaces
+   \dowithnextbox{\dodoposition{#1}{#2}{#3}{#4}}\hbox}
+
+\def\dodoposition#1#2#3#4%
+  {\bgroup
+   \dontcomplain
+   \getparameters[\??ps][#1]%
+   \calculateposition{#3}\@@psxstep\positioningxposition\@@psxoffset\nextboxwd  \positioningxdimension\positioningxoffset\@@psxscale\@@psxfactor
+   \calculateposition{#4}\@@psystep\positioningyposition\@@psyoffset\nextboxhtdp\positioningydimension\positioningyoffset\@@psyscale\@@psyfactor
+   \vbox to \zeropoint
+     {\vskip\positioningyposition
+      \hbox to \zeropoint
+        {\hskip\positioningxposition
+         \flushnextbox
+         \hss}
+      \vss}%
+   \normalexpanded
+     {\egroup
+      \positioningxposition\the\positioningxposition
+      \positioningyposition\the\positioningyposition
+      \def\noexpand\@@psxoffset{\the\dimexpr\@@psxoffset}%
+      \def\noexpand\@@psyoffset{\the\dimexpr\@@psyoffset}}%
+   \ignorespaces}
+
+\setuppositioning
+  [\c!unit=\s!cm,
+   \c!factor=\plusone,
+   \c!scale=\plusone,
+   \c!xstep=\v!absolute,
+   \c!ystep=\v!absolute,
+   \c!offset=\v!yes,
+   \c!xoffset=\zeropoint,
+   \c!yoffset=\zeropoint]
+
+\protect \endinput
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-mar.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-mar.lua
index 0ea352656..f92d594ab 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-mar.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-mar.lua
@@ -166,9 +166,9 @@ function marks.define(name,settings)
     else
         local dp = data[parent]
         if not dp then
-            setting.parent = false
+            settings.parent = false
         elseif dp.parent then
-            setting.parent = dp.parent
+            settings.parent = dp.parent
         end
     end
     setmetatable(settings, { __index = resolve } )
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
index 183ef65a1..518b97ec6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@
   {% node states
    \setnotelocation\plusone % page
    \setnoteposition\plustwo % high
-   \normalexpanded{\noexpand\rawprocesscommalist[\noteparameter\c!location]}\dosetcheckednote
+   \normalexpanded{\rawprocesscommalist[\noteparameter\c!location]}\dosetcheckednote
    % compatibility hack
    %ifnum\noteparameter\s!noteloc=\plusfive \endnotestrue    \else \endnotesfalse    \fi
    \ifnum\noteparameter\s!notepos=\plustwo  \bottomnotestrue \else \bottomnotesfalse \fi
diff --git a/tex/context/base/supp-box.mkiv b/tex/context/base/supp-box.mkiv
index a419e1801..b47caca9d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/supp-box.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/supp-box.mkiv
@@ -614,9 +614,10 @@
 %D The next couple of shortcuts saves us memory as well as
 %D \type {{}}'s in passing parameters.
 
-\def\nextboxht{\ht\nextbox}
-\def\nextboxwd{\wd\nextbox}
-\def\nextboxdp{\dp\nextbox}
+\def\nextboxht   {\ht\nextbox}
+\def\nextboxwd   {\wd\nextbox}
+\def\nextboxdp   {\dp\nextbox}
+\def\nextboxhtdp {\dimexpr\ht\nextbox+\dp\nextbox\relax}
 
 \def\flushnextbox{\box\nextbox}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv b/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
index 90153f006..27dfe9594 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
@@ -1028,6 +1028,7 @@
    \else
      \@EA\dodoprocesscommaitemindeed
    \fi}
+
 \def\dodoprocesscommaitemindeed
   {\ifx\nexttoken]%
      \@EA\gobbleoneargument
@@ -1042,7 +1043,7 @@
 %D however are treated. We have to check for the special case
 %D \type{[{a,b,c}]}.
 
-\def\processcommalist[%
+\unexpanded\def\processcommalist[%
   {\futurelet\nexttoken\docheckcommaitem}
 
 \def\docheckcommaitem
@@ -1116,7 +1117,7 @@
 % \def\processcommacommand[#1]%
 %   {\expanded{\processcommalist[#1]}}
 
-\def\processcommacommand[#1]%
+\unexpanded\def\processcommacommand[#1]%
   {\expandafter\processcommalist\expandafter[\normalexpanded{#1}]}
 
 % \def\processcommacommand[#1]%
@@ -1557,7 +1558,7 @@
    \expandafter\rawprocesscommaitem#1,],% \relax
    \global\advance\commalevel \minusone }
 
-\def\rawprocesscommacommand[#1]% not really needed
+\unexpanded\def\rawprocesscommacommand[#1]% not really needed
   {\normalexpanded{\rawprocesscommalist[#1]}}
 
 % \def\rawdoifinsetelse#1#2{\doifinstringelse{,#1,}{,#2,}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dbb3cfd37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['tabl-tbl'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to tabl-tbl.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+-- A couple of hacks ... easier to do in Lua than in regular
+-- TeX. More will follow.
+
+local tonumber = tonumber
+local gsub, rep, sub = string.gsub, string.rep, string.sub
+
+local P, C, Cc, Ct, lpegmatch = lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.match
+
+local settexcount = tex.setcount
+
+local separator = P("|")
+local nested    = lpeg.patterns.nested
+local pattern   = Ct((separator * (C(nested) + Cc("")) * C((1-separator)^0))^0)
+
+function commands.presettabulate(preamble)
+    preamble = gsub(preamble, "%*(%b{})(%b{})", function(n,p)
+        return rep(sub(p,2,-2),tonumber(sub(n,2,-2)) or 1)
+    end)
+    local t = lpegmatch(pattern,preamble)
+    local m = #t - 2
+    settexcount("global","noftabulatecolumns", m/2)
+    settexcount("global","tabulatehasfirstrulespec", t[1] == "" and 0 or 1)
+    settexcount("global","tabulatehaslastrulespec", t[m+1] == "" and 0 or 1)
+    for i=1,m,2 do
+        context.settabulateentry(t[i],t[i+1])
+    end
+    context.setlasttabulateentry(t[m+1])
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
index afdf210e1..65da7c103 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-tbl.mkiv
@@ -13,34 +13,35 @@
 
 \writestatus{loading}{ConTeXt Table Macros / Tabulation}
 
-% \processbetween gebruiken in head/tail macros
-
-% todo: \aligntab \alignmark (after 0.60 is out)
-
 \unprotect
 
-%D I can probably reimplement this using a \LUA||\TEX\ combination
+\registerctxluafile{tabl-tbl.lua}{1.001} % experiment
+
+%D I can probably reimplement this using a \LUATEX\ combination
 %D but it does not pay of in development time. If I need something
 %D else I will write it from scratch anyway.
+%D
+%D I never really looked at the preamble code of TaBlE (at that time
+%D I simply didn't look into alignments too much) but there seem to
+%D be some similarities with the following code. So, maybe it's not
+%D too much work to rewrite that package in a more contexty style. If
+%D it makes sense to do that remains to be seen. We might as well
+%D drop it.
+%D
+%D Be careful with changing the hsize calculation in p mode;
+%D the following code works quite well:
+%D
+%D \starttyping
+%D \setupfield [line][location=low,height=1.2\lineheight,width=\hsize]
+%D \definefield [test] [line] [line] []
+%D
+%D \starttabulate[|l|p|]
+%D \NC test \NC \field [test] \NC \NR
+%D \stoptabulate
+%D \stoptyping
 
-% watch out: don't change this model else trialtypesetting
-% compatibility problems
-
-% watch out, cells expand pretty late on a per row basis
-
-% |p2|p3| 2:3
-% spanning
-
-% Be careful with changing the hsize calculation in p mode;
-% the following code works quite well:
-%
-% \setupfield [line][location=low,height=1.2\lineheight,width=\hsize]
-% \definefield [test] [line] [line] []
+% |p2|p3| 2:3 -> spanning
 %
-% \starttabulate[|l|p|]
-% \NC test \NC \field [test] \NC \NR
-% \stoptabulate
-
 % In-text tabbing environment
 %
 % \starttabulate[| separated template] % eg [|l|p|] or [|l|p|p|]
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@
 %
 % with: two pass auto width calculation when no p-width
 % specified, even with multiple p's, see examples.
-
+%
 %  TaBlE compatible specifications:
 %
 %  l  align column/paragraph left
@@ -71,51 +72,55 @@
 %  i  i<n> skip left of column
 %  j  i<n> skip right of column
 %  k  i<n> skip around column
-
+%
+%  C  [C\L\M\R] {color}
+%
+%  |  {color,n}
+%
 %  s  setups
-
+%
 %  g  g{char} align at char
 %  .  align at .
 %  ,  align at ,
-
+%
 %  Still to be done
-
+%
 %  N      math numbers (best hook into existing digits mechanism)
 %  n      numbers (best hook into existing digits mechanism)
 %  Q      math numbers (best hook into existing digits mechanism)
 %  q      numbers (best hook into existing digits mechanism)
 %  ~      \hskip.5em
 %  |      check
-
+%
 %  nesting
-
+%
 %  10     evt auto stack; dan wel andere signal dan void nodig
-
+%
 %  present but not yet 100% ok
 %
 %  \FL    top hrule
 %  \ML    mid hrule (with auto split)
 %  \LL    bottom hrule
 %  \HL
-
-%  \VL    as soon as needed
-%  color  as soon as needed
-
-%  \EQ \RQ \HQ  equal  (raw, hook)
-%  \NC \RC \HC  normal (raw, hook)
+%  \VL
+%
+%  \CC \CL \CM \CR color
+%
+%  \EQ \RQ \HQ     equal  (raw, hook)
+%  \NC \RC \HC     normal (raw, hook)
 %
 %  \NR
-
+%
 %  \HR : rule with lineheight
-
+%
 %  \autotabulaterule : with lineheight, not first/last
 %  \autotabulateline : spaced, not first/last
 %  \tabulaterule     : with lineheight
 %  \tabulateline     : spaced
-
+%
 % tricky: align scans ahead, over # and expands ones before
 % while doing
-
+%
 % new:
 %
 % \starttabulate[|cg{.}|cg{,}|cg{,}|]
@@ -148,43 +153,90 @@
 % \NC 500 \NC \NC 20 \NC \NC 100 \NC \NR
 % \stoptabulate
 
-\newtoks  \tabulatepreamble
-\newtoks  \tabulatebefore
-\newtoks  \tabulateafter
-\newtoks  \tabulatebmath
-\newtoks  \tabulateemath
-\newtoks  \tabulatefont
-\newtoks  \tabulatesettings
-\newtoks  \tabulatedummy
+\newtoks         \tabulatepreamble
+\newtoks         \tabulatebefore
+\newtoks         \tabulateafter
+\newtoks         \tabulatebmath
+\newtoks         \tabulateemath
+\newtoks         \tabulatefont
+\newtoks         \tabulatesettings
+\newtoks         \tabulatedummy
+
+\newcount        \nofautotabulate
+\newcount        \tabulatecolumns
+\newcount        \tabulatecolumn
+
+\newcount        \noftabulatecolumns % set by parser
+
+\newcount        \tabulateminplines
+\newcount        \tabulatemaxplines
+
+\newif           \iftracetabulate
+
+\newconditional  \tabulatenopbreak
+\newconditional  \tabulatefirstflushed
+\newconditional  \tabulateequal
+\newconditional  \tabulatesplit              \settrue\tabulatesplit
+\newconditional  \ifautotabulate
+\newconditional  \tabulatehandlepbreak       \settrue\tabulatehandlepbreak
+
+\newdimen        \tabulatepwidth
+\newdimen        \tabulatexwidth
+\newdimen        \tabulatewidth
+\newdimen        \tabulateunit
+\newdimen        \tabulatemaxpheight
+
+\newskip         \tabulatepreskip
+\newskip         \tabulateposskip
+\newskip         \firstpretabskip
+\newskip         \lastposttabskip
+
+\newbox          \tabulatebox
 
-\newcount \nofautotabulate
-\newcount \tabulatecolumns
-\newcount \tabulatecolumn
+\newtoks         \everytabulaterow
+\newtoks         \everytabulatepar
+\newtoks         \everyaftertabulaterow
+\newtoks         \everytabulate
 
-\newcount \tabulateminplines
-\newcount \tabulatemaxplines
+\newconditional  \tabulateautorulespacing    \settrue\tabulateautorulespacing
+\newcount        \tabulatehasfirstrulespec   % for the moment a count
+\newcount        \tabulatehaslastrulespec    % for the moment a count
+\newconditional  \tabulatesomeamble
+\newconstant     \tabulatepass
 
-\newif    \ifautotabulate
-\newif    \ifsplittabulate         \splittabulatetrue
+\setnewconstant  \tabulatesplitlinemode      \plusone
 
-\newif    \ifhandletabulatepbreak  \handletabulatepbreaktrue
-\newif    \iftabulatenopbreak      \tabulatenopbreakfalse
+\newconstant     \tabulatecolorspan
+\newconstant     \tabulatelocalcolorspan
 
-\newif    \iftabulateequal
-\newif    \iftracetabulate
-\newif    \ifframedtabulate
+\newdimen        \defaulttabulatevrulethickness
+\newdimen        \tabulatevrulethickness
+\newdimen        \tabulatelocalvrulethickness
 
-\newdimen \tabulatepwidth
-\newdimen \tabulatexwidth
-\newdimen \tabulatewidth
-\newdimen \tabulateunit
-\newdimen \tabulatemaxpheight
+\newskip         \tabulateseparatorskip
 
-\newbox   \tabulatebox
+\newcount        \maxtabularcolorcolumn
+
+\newif           \iftolerantTABLEbreak % used in styles !
+
+\newcount        \tabulaterepeathead
+\newcount        \noftabulatelines
+\newcount        \totalnoftabulatelines
+\newcount        \minusnoftabulatelines
+
+\newconstant     \tabulatetype
+
+% 0 = NC column next   EQ equal column
+% 1 = RC column raw    RQ equal column raw
+% 2 = HC column hook   HQ equal column hook
+
+% for old times sake:
+
+\def\handletabulatepbreakfalse{\setfalse\tabulatehandlepbreak} % depricated
 
 % [|lg{.}|] => \NG 12.34 \NC
 
-\gdef\handletabulatecharalign#1 % space delimited !
+\gdef\handletabulatecharalign#1 % space delimited ! (will be redone in lua)
   {\edef\alignmentclass{\the\tabulatecolumn}%
    \edef\alignmentcharacter{\csname\??tt:a:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname}%
    \ifcase\tabulatepass\or
@@ -230,7 +282,7 @@
   {\noalign{\dodotabulatenobreak}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\notabulatehook
- {}
+  {}
 
 \unexpanded\def\checktabulatehook
   {\ifnum\tabulatetype<\plustwo
@@ -242,80 +294,6 @@
 \unexpanded\def\checktabulatesetups
   {\csname\??tt:s:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname}
 
-\let\pretabrule \donothing
-\let\posttabrule\donothing
-
-% 0 = NC column next   EQ equal column
-% 1 = RC column raw    RQ equal column raw
-% 2 = HC column hook   HQ equal column hook
-% some entries can be left out if we test for them being set
-
-% \def\dodosettabulatepreamble#1#2%
-%   {\ifzeropt\tabulatewidth
-%      \ifcase\tabulatemodus\relax
-%        \let\preamblebox\empty
-%      \else
-%        \def\preamblebox{\autotabulatetrue}%
-%      \fi
-%    \else
-%      \ifcase\tabulatemodus\relax
-%        \edef\preamblebox{\hbox to \the\tabulatewidth}%
-%      \else
-%        \edef\preamblebox{\hsize\the\tabulatewidth}%
-%      \fi
-%    \fi
-%   %
-%   % less bytes
-%   %
-%   %\edef\preamblebox%
-%   %  {\ifcase\tabulatewidth
-%   %     \ifcase\tabulatemodus\relax\else\noexpand\autotabulatetrue\fi
-%   %   \els
-%   %     \ifcase\tabulatemodus\relax\hbox to\else\hsize\fi\the\tabulatewidth
-%   %   \fi}%
-%   %
-%    \@EA\appendtoks          \@EA&\@EA\hskip\pretabskip\pretabrule##&\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                                     \ignorespaces\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks\@EA\global\@EA\tabulatecolumn\the\tabulatecolumns\relax\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                              \checktabulatesetups\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                                \checktabulatehook\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                                      \preamblebox\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                           \bgroup\bbskip\bgroup#1\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks\ifnum\tabulatetype=\plusone \else                \to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                                \the\tabulatebmath\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                                 \the\tabulatefont\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                             \the\tabulatesettings\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                               \the\tabulatebefore\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks\fi                                               \to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                              \bgroup\ignorespaces\to\!!toksa
-%        %
-%        \appendtoks                                   \tabulatehook##\to\!!toksa
-%        %
-%       %%\doifdefinedelse{\??tt:a:\tabulatecolumns}
-%        %\doifdefinedelse{\??tt:a:\the\tabulatecolumns}
-%        %  {\appendtoks\handletabulatecharalign## \to\!!toksa}
-%        %  {\appendtoks\tabulatehook ##\to \!!toksa}%
-%        % waarom kan ik hier geen \xx{##} geven, om een of
-%        % andere reden passeert dan tex de hele regel (incl \NC's)
-%        % als argument; elke delimiter <> space gaat trouwens fout
-%        \appendtoks     \unskip\unskip\ifmmode\else\endgraf\fi\egroup\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks\ifnum\tabulatetype=1 \else                       \to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                                \the\tabulateafter\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks                                \the\tabulateemath\to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks\fi                                               \to\!!toksa
-%        \appendtoks                                  #2\egroup\egroup\to\!!toksa
-%    \@EA\appendtoks      \@EA&\@EA\posttabrule\@EA\hskip\postabskip##\to\!!toksa
-%    \appendtoks\NC\to\tabulatedummy
-%    \let\bbskip\empty
-%    \def\pretabskip{.5\tabulateunit}%
-%    \let\postabskip\pretabskip
-%    \let\gettabulateexit\dogettabulateexit
-%    \tabulatewidth\zeropoint}
-%
-% speedup:
-
-% is grouping really needed here?
-
 \unexpanded\def\beforetabulateentry{\ignorespaces\tabulatehook}
 \unexpanded\def\aftertabulateentry {\unskip\unskip\ifmmode\else\endgraf\fi}
 
@@ -328,16 +306,77 @@
 
 \let\dotagtabulatealign\relax
 
+\unexpanded\def\dochecklocaltabulatecolor#1#2%
+  {\relax
+   \ifx\currenttabulatelocalcolor\empty
+     \gdef\currenttabulatecolor{#1}%
+   \else
+     \global\let\currenttabulatecolor\currenttabulatelocalcolor
+     \global\let\currenttabulatelocalcolor\empty
+   \fi
+   \ifcase\tabulatelocalcolorspan
+     \global\tabulatecolorspan#2\relax
+   \else
+     \global\tabulatecolorspan\tabulatelocalcolorspan
+     \global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\zerocount
+   \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dochecklocaltabulatevrulecolor#1#2%
+  {\relax
+   \ifx\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+     \gdef\currenttabulatevrulecolor{#1}%
+   \else
+     \global\let\currenttabulatevrulecolor\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor
+     \global\let\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+   \fi
+   \ifcase\tabulatelocalvrulethickness
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness#2\relax
+   \else
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness\tabulatelocalvrulethickness
+     \global\tabulatelocalvrulethickness\zeropoint
+   \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulatepreskip#1%
+  {\ifdim#1>\zeropoint
+     \hskip#1\relax
+   \else\ifnum\tabulatecolumn=\zerocount
+     \ifconditional\tabulateautorulespacing
+       \ifcase\tabulatehasfirstrulespec\else
+         \hskip\firstpretabskip\relax
+       \fi
+     \fi
+   \fi\fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulatepostskip#1%
+  {\ifdim#1>\zeropoint
+     \hskip#1\relax
+   \else\ifnum\tabulatecolumns=\noftabulatecolumns
+     \ifconditional\tabulateautorulespacing
+       \ifcase\tabulatehaslastrulespec\else
+         \hskip\lastposttabskip\relax
+       \fi
+     \fi
+   \fi\fi}
+
 \def\dodosettabulatepreamble#1#2% only makes sense for many tabulates
-  {\normalexpanded{\!!toksa{\the\!!toksa
-        &\hskip\pretabskip\noexpand\pretabrule##&%
-      % \ignorespaces
+  {\normalexpanded{\tabulatepreamble{\the\tabulatepreamble
+        \dochecklocaltabulatevrulecolor{\currenttabulatevrulecolor}{\the\tabulatevrulethickness}%
+        \dochecklocaltabulatecolor{\currenttabulatecolor}{\number\tabulatecolorspan}%
+        \dorightsidetabulatecolor
+        \aligntab
+        \dotabulatevrule
+        \doleftsidetabulatecolor
+        \dotabulatepreskip{\the\tabulatepreskip}%
+        \alignmark\alignmark
+        \aligntab
+        \dobothsidetabulatecolor
+        \global\tabulatecolorspan\zerocount
         \global\tabulatecolumn\the\tabulatecolumns\relax
         \checktabulatesetups % unexpandable
         \checktabulatehook   % unexpandable
         \ifzeropt\tabulatewidth
             \ifcase\tabulatemodus\else
-               \noexpand\autotabulatetrue
+               \noexpand\settrue\noexpand\autotabulate
             \fi
         \else
             \ifnum\tabulatemodus=\zerocount
@@ -350,8 +389,8 @@
         \bgroup
             \noexpand\bbskip
             \bgroup % we cannot combine the if because a cell may have only one ##
-\noexpand\dostarttagged\noexpand\t!tabulatecell\noexpand\empty
-\dotagtabulatealign
+                \noexpand\dostarttagged\noexpand\t!tabulatecell\noexpand\empty
+                \dotagtabulatealign
                 \noexpand#1%
                 \ifcase\tabulatereshape\else
                     \beginreshapedtabulatepar
@@ -363,10 +402,10 @@
                     \the\tabulatebefore
                 \noexpand\fi
                 % grouping needs to be outside macros (or expandable), nice test
-                % example \NC \string & \NC which will fail otherwise (mk)
+                % example \NC \string \aligntab \NC which will fail otherwise (mk)
                 \bgroup
                 \beforetabulateentry
-                ##%
+                \alignmark\alignmark
                 \aftertabulateentry
                 \egroup
                 \noexpand\ifnum\noexpand\tabulatetype=\plusone\noexpand\else
@@ -377,77 +416,73 @@
                     \endreshapedtabulatepar
                 \fi
                 \noexpand#2%
-\noexpand\dostoptagged
+                \noexpand\dostoptagged
             \egroup
         \egroup
-        &\noexpand\posttabrule\hskip\postabskip##%
+        \aligntab
+        \dotabulatepostskip{\the\tabulateposskip}%
+        \alignmark\alignmark
    }}%
    \appendtoks\NC\to\tabulatedummy
-   \let\bbskip\empty % ?
-   \def\pretabskip{.5\tabulateunit}%
-   \let\postabskip\pretabskip
-   \let\gettabulateexit\dogettabulateexit
+   \tabulatepreskip.5\tabulateunit\relax
+   \ifnum\tabulatecolumns<\numexpr\noftabulatecolumns-\plusone\relax
+     \tabulateposskip\tabulatepreskip
+   \else
+     \tabulateposskip\zeropoint
+   \fi
+  %\let\gettabulateexit\dogettabulateexit % still needed ?
    \tabulatewidth\zeropoint}
 
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning x}{\let\tabulatealign\zerocount\settabulatepreamble} % internal
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning l}{\let\tabulatealign\plusone\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning r}{\let\tabulatealign\plustwo\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning c}{\let\tabulatealign\plusthree\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning p}{\gettabulateparagraph}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning s}{\gettabulatesetups}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning w}{\gettabulatewidth}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning f}{\gettabulatefont}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning B}{\tabulatefont{\bf}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning I}{\tabulatefont{\it}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning S}{\tabulatefont{\sl}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning T}{\tabulatefont{\tt}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning R}{\tabulatefont{\rm}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning m}{\tabulatebmath{$}\tabulateemath{$}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning M}{\tabulatebmath{$\displaystyle}\tabulateemath{$}\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning h}{\gettabulatehook}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning b}{\gettabulatebefore}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning a}{\gettabulateafter}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning i}{\gettabulatepreskip}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning j}{\gettabulateposskip}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning k}{\gettabulatepreposskip}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning X}{\gettabulateexit} % internal
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning e}{\appendtoks\global\tabulateequaltrue\to\tabulatesettings\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning ~}{\appendtoks\fixedspaces\to\tabulatesettings\settabulatepreamble}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning g}{\gettabulatealign}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning .}{\gettabulatealign.}
-\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning ,}{\gettabulatealign,}
-
-\setvalue{\??tt>\s!unknown}{\message{unknown preamble key [\meaning\next]}\settabulatepreamble}
-\letvalue{\??tt>\meaning\relax}\donothing
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     x}{\let\tabulatealign\zerocount\settabulatepreamble} % internal
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     l}{\let\tabulatealign\plusone\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     r}{\let\tabulatealign\plustwo\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     c}{\let\tabulatealign\plusthree\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     p}{\gettabulateparagraph}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     s}{\gettabulatesetups}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     w}{\gettabulatewidth}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     f}{\gettabulatefont}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     B}{\tabulatefont{\bf}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     I}{\tabulatefont{\it}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     S}{\tabulatefont{\sl}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     T}{\tabulatefont{\tt}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     R}{\tabulatefont{\rm}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     m}{\tabulatebmath{$}\tabulateemath{$}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     M}{\tabulatebmath{$\displaystyle}\tabulateemath{$}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     h}{\gettabulatehook}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     b}{\gettabulatebefore}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     a}{\gettabulateafter}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     i}{\gettabulatepreskip}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     j}{\gettabulateposskip}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     k}{\gettabulatepreposskip}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     e}{\appendtoks\global\settrue\tabulateequal\to\tabulatesettings\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     ~}{\appendtoks\fixedspaces\to\tabulatesettings\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     g}{\gettabulatealign}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     .}{\gettabulatealign.}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     ,}{\gettabulatealign,}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning     C}{\doparsecolortabulate}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\s!unknown    }{\message{unknown preamble key [\meaning\next]}\settabulatepreamble}
+\setvalue{\??tt>\meaning\relax}{}
 
 \def\dosettabulatepreamble
   {\csname\??tt>\ifcsname\??tt>\meaning\next\endcsname\meaning\next\else\s!unknown\fi\endcsname}
 
-\def\dogettabulateexit
-  {\let\postabskip\!!zeropoint
-   \settabulatepreamble}
-
-\let\gettabulateexit\dogettabulateexit
-
 \def\gettabulatepreskip#1%
   {\doifnumberelse{#1}
-     {\edef\pretabskip{\the\dimexpr#1\tabulateunit}\let\next\empty}
-     {\edef\pretabskip{\the\dimexpr.5\tabulateunit}\def\next{#1}}%
+     {\tabulatepreskip#1\tabulateunit\let\next\empty}
+     {\tabulatepreskip.5\tabulateunit\def\next{#1}}%
    \@EA\settabulatepreamble\next}
 
 \def\gettabulateposskip#1%
   {\doifnumberelse{#1}
-     {\edef\postabskip{\the\dimexpr#1\tabulateunit}\let\next\empty}
-     {\edef\postabskip{\the\dimexpr.5\tabulateunit}\def\next{#1}}%
-   \let\gettabulateexit\settabulatepreamble
+     {\tabulateposskip#1\tabulateunit\let\next\empty}
+     {\tabulateposskip.5\tabulateunit\def\next{#1}}%
    \@EA\settabulatepreamble\next}
 
 \def\gettabulatepreposskip#1%
   {\doifnumberelse{#1}
-     {\edef\pretabskip{\the\dimexpr#1\tabulateunit}\let\next\empty}
-     {\edef\pretabskip{\the\dimexpr.5\tabulateunit}\def\next{#1}}%
-   \let\postabskip\pretabskip
-   \let\gettabulateexit\settabulatepreamble
+     {\tabulatepreskip#1\tabulateunit\let\next\empty}
+     {\tabulatepreskip.5\tabulateunit\def\next{#1}}%
+   \tabulateposskip\tabulatepreskip
    \@EA\settabulatepreamble\next}
 
 \def\gettabulatesetups#1%
@@ -503,7 +538,7 @@
      [#1]%
      [   \v!fit=>\let\tabulatemodus\plusthree,
        \v!fixed=>\let\tabulatemodus\plusthree
-                 \tabulatenopbreaktrue,
+                 \settrue\tabulatenopbreak,
         \v!auto=>\let\tabulatemodus\plusthree
                  \let\tabulatereshape\plusone,
      \s!unknown=>\tabulatewidth#1\relax]%
@@ -550,9 +585,17 @@
 \def\tabulatesetpreamblewidthsimple
   {\dodosettabulatepreamble\xbskip\xeskip}
 
-\bgroup  \catcode`\|=\othercatcode
+\def\doparsecolortabulate#1#2%
+  {\gdef\currenttabulatecolor{#2}%
+   \global\tabulatecolorspan\if#1L\plusone\else\if#1M\plustwo\else\if#1R\plusthree\else\zerocount\fi\fi\fi\relax
+   \settabulatepreamble}
+
+\def\dotabulatevrulecommand#1%
+  {\doifnumberelse{#1}
+     {\global\tabulatevrulethickness#1\defaulttabulatevrulethickness}
+     {\xdef\currenttabulatevrulecolor{#1}}}
 
-\gdef\nexttabulate#1|%
+\def\settabulateentry#1#2% rulespec template
   {\let\tabulatealign\@@tabulatealign
    \let\tabulatemodus\zerocount
    \let\tabulatedimen\zerocount
@@ -563,9 +606,19 @@
    \tabulateemath\emptytoks
    \tabulatefont\emptytoks
    \tabulatesettings\emptytoks
-   \global\advance\tabulatecolumns\plusone
+   \global\let\currenttabulatecolor\empty
+   \global\let\currenttabulatevrulecolor\empty
+   \global\tabulatecolorspan\zerocount
+   \global\advance\tabulatecolumns\plusone % == #1
    \expandafter\let\csname\??tt:s:\the\tabulatecolumns\endcsname\donothing
-   \settabulatepreamble#1\relax\relax % permits i without n
+   \edef\currenttabulatetrulespec{#1}%
+   \ifx\currenttabulatetrulespec\empty
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness\zeropoint
+   \else
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness\defaulttabulatevrulethickness
+     \rawprocesscommalist[#1]\dotabulatevrulecommand
+   \fi
+   \settabulatepreamble#2\relax\relax % permits i without n
    \ifcase\tabulatemodus\relax
      \tabulatesetpreamblewidthnormal
    \or % fixed width
@@ -574,21 +627,20 @@
      \tabulatesetpreamblewidthauto
    \or % simple
      \tabulatesetpreamblewidthsimple
-   \fi
-   \futurelet\next\donexttabulate}
-
-\egroup
-
-\def\donexttabulate
-  {\ifx\next\relax\else
-     \expandafter\nexttabulate
    \fi}
 
-% \def\donormalizetabulatesplitline
-%   {\ht\tabulatebox\strutht
-%    \dp\tabulatebox\strutdp}
-
-\setnewconstant \tabulatesplitlinemode \plusone
+\def\setlasttabulateentry#1% rulespec
+  {\global\let\currenttabulatevrulecolor\empty
+   \rawprocesscommalist[#1]\dotabulatevrulecommand
+   \ifx\currenttabulatetrulespec\empty
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness\zeropoint
+   \else
+     \global\tabulatevrulethickness\defaulttabulatevrulethickness
+     \rawprocesscommalist[#1]\dotabulatevrulecommand
+   \fi
+   \normalexpanded{\tabulatepreamble{\the\tabulatepreamble
+     \dochecklocaltabulatevrulecolor{\currenttabulatevrulecolor}{\the\tabulatevrulethickness}%
+     \dotabulatevrule}}}
 
 \def\donormalizetabulatesplitline
   {\ifcase\tabulatesplitlinemode
@@ -605,16 +657,20 @@
      \fi
    \fi}
 
-\def\splitofftabulatebox % overloaded in anch-pgr
+\def\flushtabulatesplitbox
+  {\box\tabulatebox}
+
+\def\splitofftabulatebox % overloads in anch-pgr
   {\dontcomplain
    \global\setbox\tabulatebox % % % global ? % % %
      \vsplit\tablebox\tabulatecolumn to \lineheight
    \setbox\tabulatebox\normalvbox
      {\unvbox\tabulatebox}%
    \setbox\tabulatebox\hbox to \wd\tabulatebox
-     {\hss\dotabulatehook{\box\tabulatebox}\hss}%
+     {\iftrialtypesetting\else\ifconditional\tabulatehascolors\repeatsettabulatecolor\fi\fi
+      \hss\dotabulatehook{\box\tabulatebox}\hss}%
    \donormalizetabulatesplitline
-   \box\tabulatebox}
+   \flushtabulatesplitbox}
 
 \def\dotabulatehook {\csname\??tt:h:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname}
 \def\dotabulatealign{\csname\??tt:a:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname}
@@ -636,8 +692,8 @@
    \fi}
 
 \def\dohandletabulatepbreak
-  {\ifhandletabulatepbreak
-     \iftabulatenopbreak
+  {\ifconditional\tabulatehandlepbreak
+     \ifconditional\tabulatenopbreak
        \dotabulatenobreak
       \else\ifnum\tabulatemaxplines>\plusone
        \ifnum\tabulateminplines=\plusone
@@ -684,12 +740,10 @@
 % \starttabulate[preamble]
 % \starttabulate -> \starttabulate[|l|p|]
 
-\bgroup  \catcode`\|=\othercatcode
-
-\gdef\definetabulate
+\def\definetabulate
   {\dotripleempty\dodefinetabulate}
 
-\gdef\dodefinetabulate[#1][#2][#3]%
+\def\dodefinetabulate[#1][#2][#3]%
   {\ifthirdargument
      \ifcsname\??tt#1::\c!unit\endcsname \else
        \copyparameters
@@ -713,13 +767,9 @@
      \definetabulate[#1][][|l|p|]%
    \fi\fi}
 
-\egroup
-
 \let\tabulateheadcontent\empty
 \let\tabulatetailcontent\empty
 
-\newconditional\tabulatesomeamble
-
 \def\processtabulateheadcontent
   {\TABLEnoalign{\global\settrue\tabulatesomeamble}%
    \csname\??tt\currenttabulate-\v!header\endcsname
@@ -781,8 +831,6 @@
 \setuvalue{\e!stop\v!tabulatehead}{}
 \setuvalue{\e!stop\v!tabulatetail}{}
 
-\bgroup
-
 \gdef\donormalstarttabulate[#1][#2]%
   {\ifsecondargument
      \getparameters[\??tt\v!tabulate::][#2]%
@@ -794,66 +842,18 @@
    \fi
    \next}
 
-\egroup
-
 % The much needed hook:
 
-\newtoks\everytabulate
-
-% An example of its usage:
-
 \appendtoks \optimizeverbatimfalse \to \everytabulate
 
-% A status variable:
-
-\newconstant\tabulatepass
+% Todo: proper inheritance
 
 \def\tabulateparameter#1{\csname\??tt\currenttabulate#1\endcsname}
 
-\bgroup
-    \catcode`\|=\othercatcode  \gdef\@@otherbar{|}
-    \catcode`\|=\activecatcode \gdef\@@useotherbar{\let|\@@otherbar}
-\egroup
-
-\def\doparsetabulate
-  {\futurelet\next\dodoparsetabulate}
-
-% \def\dodoparsetabulate % \@EAEAEA gebruiken
-%   {\ifx\next\relax
-%      % exit
-%    \else\ifx*\next
-%      \let\next\dorepeatparsetabulate
-%    \else\ifx\bgroup\next
-%      \let\next\dododoparsetabulate
-%    \else
-%      \let\next\dodododoparsetabulate
-%    \fi\fi\fi
-%    \next}%
-
-\def\dorepeatparsetabulate*#1#2%
-  {\dorecurse{#1}{\!!toksb\expandafter{\the\!!toksb#2}}% \dorecurse{#1}{\appendtoks#2\to\!!toksb}%
-   \doparsetabulate}
-
-\def\dododoparsetabulate#1%
-  {\!!toksb\expandafter{\the\!!toksb{#1}}% \appendtoks{#1}\to\!!toksb
-   \doparsetabulate}
-
-\def\dodododoparsetabulate#1%
-  {\!!toksb\expandafter{\the\!!toksb#1}% \appendtoks#1\to\!!toksb
-   \doparsetabulate}
-
-\letvalue{\??tt<\meaning       *}\dorepeatparsetabulate
-\letvalue{\??tt<\meaning \bgroup}\dododoparsetabulate
-\letvalue{\??tt<\meaning  \relax}\donothing
-\letvalue{\??tt<\s!unknown      }\dodododoparsetabulate
-
-\def\dodoparsetabulate
-  {\csname\??tt<\ifcsname\??tt<\meaning\next\endcsname\meaning\next\else\s!unknown\fi\endcsname}
-
-\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!yes   }{\splittabulatetrue}
-\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!repeat}{\splittabulatetrue}
-\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!no    }{\splittabulatefalse}
-\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!auto  }{\ifinsidefloat\ifinsidesplitfloat\else\splittabulatefalse\fi\fi}
+\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!yes   }{\settrue\tabulatesplit}
+\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!repeat}{\settrue\tabulatesplit}
+\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!no    }{\setfalse\tabulatesplit}
+\setvalue{\??tt:\c!split:\v!auto  }{\ifinsidefloat\ifinsidesplitfloat\else\setfalse\tabulatesplit\fi\fi}
 
 \def\dofinalstarttabulate[#1][#2][#3]% identifier sub preamble
   {\edef\currenttabulate{#1::#2}%
@@ -865,7 +865,7 @@
    \resetcharacteralign
    % todo: spacing around tabulate when bodyfont is set
    % expansion en test needed ?
-   \splittabulatetrue
+   \settrue\tabulatesplit
    \csname\??tt:\c!split:\tabulateparameter\c!split\endcsname
    \doifvaluesomething{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!bodyfont}
      {\expanded{\switchtobodyfont[\tabulateparameter\c!bodyfont]}}%
@@ -879,42 +879,140 @@
      {\edef\tabulateindent{\the\dimexpr\leftskip+\hangindent+\parindent}}% \ctxparindent
      {\edef\tabulateindent{\the\dimexpr\leftskip+\hangindent           }}%
    \global\tabulatecolumn\zerocount
-   \!!toksb\emptytoks
-   \bgroup
-   \@@useotherbar
-   \normalexpanded{\egroup\noexpand\doparsetabulate#3\relax}%
-   \processcontent
-     {\e!stop#1}% \currenttabulate}
-     \tabulatecontent
-     {\@EA\processtabulate\@EA[\the\!!toksb]}}
+   \processcontent{\e!stop#1}\tabulatecontent{\processtabulate[#3]}} % \currenttabulate
 
-\newconstant\tabulatetype
+\def\tabulateEQ
+  {\ifconditional\tabulatefirstflushed\else\tabulateparameter{EQ}\fi
+   \global\setfalse\tabulateequal}
 
-% 0 = NC column next   EQ equal column
-% 1 = RC column raw    RQ equal column raw
-% 2 = HC column hook   HQ equal column hook
+% The next ones will be token registers
 
-\newif\iftabulatefirstflushed
+\let\tabulatenormalpos\relax
+\let\tabulateequalpos \relax
 
-\def\tabulateEQ
-  {\iftabulatefirstflushed\else\tabulateparameter{EQ}\fi
-   \global\tabulateequalfalse}
+% color columns
 
-% \def\tabulatenormalcolumn#1%
-%   {&\iftabulateequal\tabulateEQ\fi&\global\tabulatetype#1&}
-%
-% \def\tabulateequalcolumn#1%
-%   {&\tabulateEQ&\global\tabulatetype#1&}
-%
-% however, \unskip en \ignorespaces permit usage in complex XML/\starttabulate
+\glet\previoustabulatecolor         \empty
+\glet\currenttabulatecolor          \empty
+\glet\currenttabulatelocalcolor     \empty
+\glet\currenttabulatevrulecolor     \empty
+\glet\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+
+\appendtoks
+    \glet\previoustabulatecolor         \empty
+    \glet\currenttabulatecolor          \empty
+    \glet\currenttabulatelocalcolor     \empty
+    \glet\currenttabulatevrulecolor     \empty
+    \glet\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+    \global\tabulatelocalvrulethickness \zeropoint
+\to \everytabulaterow
+
+\unexpanded\def\dorightsidetabulatecolor
+  {\iftrialtypesetting\else
+     \ifx\previoustabulatecolor\empty \else
+       \settabulatecolor\previoustabulatecolor
+       \glet\previoustabulatecolor\empty
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\doleftsidetabulatecolor
+  {\iftrialtypesetting\else
+     \ifx\currenttabulatecolor\empty \else
+       \ifcase\tabulatecolorspan
+       \or
+         \settabulatecolor\currenttabulatecolor
+       \or
+         \settabulatecolor\currenttabulatecolor
+       \fi
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dobothsidetabulatecolor
+  {\iftrialtypesetting\else
+     \ifx\currenttabulatecolor\empty \else
+       \settabulatecolor\currenttabulatecolor
+       \ifcase\tabulatecolorspan
+        %\glet\previoustabulatecolor\empty
+       \or
+         \glet\previoustabulatecolor\empty
+       \or
+         \glet\previoustabulatecolor\currenttabulatecolor
+       \or
+         \glet\previoustabulatecolor\currenttabulatecolor
+       \fi
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+\def\tabulatecolorcolumn#1% overloaded
+  {\unskip
+   \doiffastoptionalcheckelse{\tabulatecolorcolumnyes#1}{\tabulatecolorcolumnnop#1}}
+
+\def\tabulatecolorcolumnnop
+  {\tabulatenormalcolumn}
+
+\def\tabulatecolorcolumnyes#1[#2]%
+  {\xdef\currenttabulatelocalcolor{#2}%
+   \tabulatenormalcolumn#1}
+
+% normal columns:
 
 \def\tabulatenormalcolumn#1%
-  {\unskip&\iftabulateequal\tabulateEQ\fi&\global\tabulatetype#1&%
-   \ignorespaces}
+  {\unskip
+   \aligntab
+   \ifconditional\tabulateequal\tabulateequalpos\else\tabulatenormalpos\fi
+   \aligntab
+   \global\tabulatetype#1%
+   \aligntab}
+
+% equal columns
+
+\def\tabulateequalcolumn#1% overloaded
+  {\unskip
+   \aligntab
+   \tabulateequalpos
+   \aligntab\global\tabulatetype#1%
+   \aligntab}
+
+% ruled columns
+
+\def\tabulatevruledcolumn#1%
+  {\unskip % 0-n
+   \ifnum\tabulatecolumn=\plusone
+     \global\tabulatehasfirstrulespec\plusone
+   \else\ifnum\tabulatecolumn=\noftabulatecolumns
+     \global\tabulatehaslastrulespec\plusone
+   \fi\fi
+   \global\let\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor\empty
+   \global\tabulatelocalvrulethickness\defaulttabulatevrulethickness
+   \doiffastoptionalcheckelse{\tabulatevruledcolumnyes#1}{\tabulatevruledcolumnnop#1}}
 
-\def\tabulateequalcolumn#1%
-  {\unskip&\tabulateEQ&\global\tabulatetype#1&%
-   \ignorespaces}
+\def\tabulatevruledcolumnnop
+  {\tabulatenormalcolumn}
+
+\def\dotabulatevrulelocalcommand#1%
+  {\doifnumberelse{#1}
+     {\global\tabulatelocalvrulethickness#1\defaulttabulatevrulethickness}
+     {\xdef\currenttabulatelocalvrulecolor{#1}}}
+
+\def\tabulatevruledcolumnyes#1[#2]%
+  {\rawprocesscommalist[#2]\dotabulatevrulelocalcommand
+   \tabulatenormalcolumn#1}
+
+\unexpanded\def\dotabulatevrule
+  {\ifcase\tabulatevrulethickness\else
+     \iftrialtypesetting
+       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+     \else\ifx\currenttabulatevrulecolor\empty
+       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+     \else
+       \faststartcolor[\currenttabulatevrulecolor]%
+       \vrule\!!width\tabulatevrulethickness\relax
+       \faststopcolor
+     \fi\fi
+   \fi
+   \global\tabulatevrulethickness\zeropoint} % nils second one
+
+% auto columns
 
 \def\tabulateautocolumn
   {\tabulatenormalcolumn\zerocount
@@ -928,34 +1026,42 @@
   {\let#1\tabulateautocolumn
    \let\\\tabulateautocolumn}
 
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!blank }{\tabulateseparatorskip\bigskipamount}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!depth }{\tabulateseparatorskip\strutdp}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!small }{\def\factor{.25}}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!medium}{\def\factor{.5}}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!big   }{}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!none  }{\tabulateseparatorskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0}}
+\setvalue{\??tt:rs:\v!grid  }{\tabulateseparatorskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0}}
+
+\def\dodotabulateruleseperator#1%
+  {\ifcsname\??tt:rs:#1\endcsname
+     \csname\??tt:rs:#1\endcsname
+   \else
+     \tabulateseparatorskip#1\relax
+   \fi}
+
 \def\dotabulateruleseperator % can be sped up (will do when used frequently)
   {\bgroup
-   \let\factor\!!plusone
-   \scratchskip\strutdp
-   \ExpandFirstAfter\processallactionsinset
-     [\tabulateparameter\c!distance]
-     [ \v!blank=>\scratchskip\bigskipamount,
-       \v!depth=>\scratchskip\strutdp,
-       \v!small=>\def\factor{.25},
-      \v!medium=>\def\factor{.5},
-         \v!big=>,
-        \v!none=>\scratchskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0},
-        \v!grid=>\scratchskip\zeropoint\def\factor{0},
-     \s!unknown=>\scratchskip\commalistelement]%
-   \scratchdimen\factor\scratchskip
-   \ifconditional\tabulatesomeamble\kern\else\vskip\fi\scratchdimen % new
+   \edef\tabulateseparatordistance{\tabulateparameter\c!distance}%
+   \tabulateseparatorskip\strutdp
+   \ifx\tabulateseparatordistance\empty\else
+     \let\factor\!!plusone
+     \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[\tabulateparameter\c!distance]}\dodotabulateruleseperator
+     \tabulateseparatorskip\factor\tabulateseparatorskip
+   \fi
+   \ifconditional\tabulatesomeamble\kern\else\vskip\fi\tabulateseparatorskip % new
    \egroup}
 
 \def\dodotabulaterule#1%
-  {\color
+  {\color % fastcolor ?
      [\tabulateparameter\c!rulecolor]
      {\scratchdimen\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness#1}}
 
 \def\dotabulaterule
   {\dodotabulaterule
      {\hrule\!!height.5\scratchdimen\!!depth.5\scratchdimen\relax
-      \doifvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!distance}\v!grid
-        {\kern-\scratchdimen}}} % experimental tm-prikkels
+      \doifvalue{\??tt\currenttabulate\c!distance}\v!grid{\kern-\scratchdimen}}} % experimental tm-prikkels
 
 \def\dotabulatelinerule
   {\multispan\totaltabulatecolumns % \multispan is a plain macro
@@ -971,9 +1077,68 @@
       \leaders\hrule\!!height\!!heighta\!!depth\!!deptha\hfill}%
    \cr}
 
-%D When set to true, no (less) break optimization is done.
+%D Color:
+
+% \starttabulate[||p||]
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC[green] \input tufte  \NC[yellow] test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC[blue] test \NC[red] test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC[gray] test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC[blue] test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC[magenta] test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC[cyan] \dorecurse{10}{\input ward }\NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \NC test \NC[yellow] test \NC test \NC \NR
+% \stoptabulate
 
-\newif\iftolerantTABLEbreak % used in styles !
+\unexpanded\def\settabulatecolor#1% we could store the attributes at the cost of a lua call
+  {\begingroup
+   \doinitializeboxbackgrounds
+   \global\settrue\tabulatehascolors
+   \ifnum\tabulatecolumn>\maxtabularcolorcolumn
+     \global\maxtabularcolorcolumn\tabulatecolumn
+   \fi
+   \setxvalue{\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn}{#1}%
+   \attribute\backgroundattribute\plusone
+   \faststartcolor[#1]\strut\char0\faststopcolor
+   \endgroup}
+
+\def\repeatsettabulatecolor
+  {\begingroup
+   \ifcsname\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname
+     \attribute\backgroundattribute\plusone
+     \faststartcolor[\csname\??tt:c:\the\tabulatecolumn\endcsname]\strut\char0\faststopcolor
+   \fi
+   \endgroup}
+
+\def\resettabulatecolors
+  {\ifcase\maxtabularcolorcolumn\else
+     \doresettabulatecolors
+   \fi}
+
+\def\doresettabulatecolors
+  {\dorecurse\maxtabularcolorcolumn{\letgvalue{\??tt:c:\recurselevel}\undefined}} % slow
+
+\appendtoks
+    \resettabulatecolors
+\to \everyaftertabulaterow
+
+\appendtoks
+    \global\setfalse\tabulatehascolors
+\to \everytabulate
+
+%D When set to true, no (less) break optimization is done.
 
 %D The main processing macro is large but splitting it up
 %D would make things less clear.
@@ -994,8 +1159,6 @@
   \glet\registertabulateparoptions\doregistertabulateparoptions
 \to \everytabulate
 
-\newtoks\everytabulaterow
-
 \appendtoks
   \registertabulateparoptions
 \to \everytabulaterow
@@ -1021,11 +1184,6 @@
 %D cum suis, since \TEX's hard coded noalign lookahead fails
 %D on it! I mistakenly added this for a while.
 
-\newcount\tabulaterepeathead
-\newcount\noftabulatelines
-\newcount\totalnoftabulatelines
-\newcount\minusnoftabulatelines
-
 \setvalue{\??tt:\c!align:\v!normal}{0}
 \setvalue{\??tt:\c!align:\v!right }{1}
 \setvalue{\??tt:\c!align:\v!left  }{2}
@@ -1034,8 +1192,6 @@
 \setvalue{\??tt:\c!header:\v!repeat}{\plusone}
 \setvalue{\??tt:\c!header:\v!text  }{\plustwo}
 
-\newtoks\everyaftertabulaterow
-
 \def\tabulatebskipone {\setbox\tabulatebox\vbox\bgroup\glet\tabulatehook\notabulatehook}
 \def\tabulateeskipone {\par\egroup\glet\tabulatehook\dotabulatehook}
 \def\tabulatexbskipone{\hbox\bgroup\vbox\bgroup\glet\tabulatehook\notabulatehook}
@@ -1043,27 +1199,31 @@
 
 \def\tabulatebaselinecorrection
   {\def\dobaselinecorrection % todo: mkiv
-     {\vskip-\prevdepth
-      \vskip\strutdp
-      \vskip\strutdp}%
+     {\vskip-\prevdepth+\strutdp+\strutdp\relax}%
    \baselinecorrection}
 
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateNCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn0}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateRCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn1}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateHCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn2}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateEQone{\tabulateequalcolumn 0}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateRQone{\tabulateequalcolumn 1}
-\unexpanded\def\tabulateHQone{\tabulateequalcolumn 2}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateVLone{\tabulatevruledcolumn\zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateNCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn\zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateRCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn\plusone}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateHCone{\tabulatenormalcolumn\plustwo}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateEQone{\tabulateequalcolumn \zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateRQone{\tabulateequalcolumn \plusone}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateHQone{\tabulateequalcolumn \plustwo}
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNGone{\NC\handletabulatecharalign}
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNNone{\NC\handletabulatedigits} % new, undocumented, test first
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNDone{\NC\handletabulatedigits} % same, for old times sake
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateHRone{\doHR\zerocount}
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateHLone{\doHL\zerocount}
 
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateCCone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\zerocount\tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateCLone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\plusone  \tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateCMone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\plustwo  \tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
+\unexpanded\def\tabulateCRone{\global\tabulatelocalcolorspan\plusthree\tabulatecolorcolumn\zerocount}
+
 \unexpanded\def\tabulateNRone % next row
   {\global\advance\noftabulatelines\plusone
-   \global\tabulatefirstflushedfalse
-   \global\tabulateequalfalse
+   \global\setfalse\tabulatefirstflushed
+   \global\setfalse\tabulateequal
    \global\tabulatecolumn\zerocount
    \resettabulatepheight
    \unskip\unskip\crcr\flushtabulated
@@ -1091,7 +1251,7 @@
        \fi\fi
      \fi
    \fi
-   \global\tabulatefirstflushedfalse}
+   \global\setfalse\tabulatefirstflushed}
 
 \def\tabulatebbskiptwo
   {\ifvoid\tablebox\tabulatecolumn
@@ -1112,7 +1272,7 @@
      \global\setbox\tablebox\tabulatecolumn\vbox
      \bgroup
      \glet\tabulatehook\notabulatehook
-     \ifautotabulate\hsize\tabulatewidth\fi
+     \ifconditional\autotabulate\hsize\tabulatewidth\fi
      % \begstrut % interferes with pre-\pars
      % evt: \appendtoks\begstrut\to\everypar
      \ignorespaces
@@ -1136,7 +1296,7 @@
      {\ifvoid\tablebox\recurselevel\else
         \gdef\flushtabulatedindeed{\the\tabulatedummy}%
       \fi}%
-   \global\tabulatefirstflushedtrue}
+   \global\settrue\tabulatefirstflushed}
 
 \def\tabulateflushtabulatedtwo
   {\TABLEnoalign{\dotabulateflushtabulatedtwo}%
@@ -1144,7 +1304,7 @@
 
 \def\tabulatebskipthree
   {\vtop\bgroup
-     \ifautotabulate\hsize\tabulatewidth\fi
+     \ifconditional\autotabulate\hsize\tabulatewidth\fi
      % \begstrut % interferes with pre-\pars
      % evt: \appendtoks\begstrut\to\everypar
      \ignorespaces}
@@ -1267,24 +1427,28 @@
 
 \let\tabulateBLfive\tabulateTLfive
 
-
 \def\tabulaterule    {\HR}% a rule with lineheight
 \def\tabulateline    {\HL}% just a spaced rule
 \def\tabulateautorule{\doHR\plusone}%
 \def\tabulateautoline{\doHL\plusone}%
 
-\newtoks\everytabulatepar
-
-\bgroup \catcode`\|=\othercatcode
+% When support for vertical rules we needed a way to pick up the
+% specification for the final rule and a \type {|{}} interface was
+% chosen. As a result parsing had to become more complex and I was
+% not in the mood for messing up the code too much. Therefore from
+% now on the preamble is split by \LUA. There are definitely more
+% places where we can use \LUA\ code (for instance in alignment of
+% numbers. The repeat parser is replace at the \LUA\ end as well.
 
-\gdef\processtabulate[|#1|]% in the process of optimizing
+\gdef\processtabulate[#1]% in the process of optimizing
   {\tabulateunit\tabulateparameter\c!unit
    \checkfulltabulatecontent
-   \globallet\tabulateruledepth \!!zeropoint
-   \globallet\tabulateruleheight\!!zeropoint
+   \defaulttabulatevrulethickness\tabulateparameter\c!rulethickness
    \edef\@@tabulatealign{\executeifdefined{\??tt:\c!align:\tabulateparameter\c!align}0}%
-   \let\pretabskip\!!zeropoint
-   \def\postabskip{.5\tabulateunit}%
+   \tabulateposskip.5\tabulateunit
+   \tabulatepreskip\zeropoint
+   \firstpretabskip\tabulateposskip
+   \lastposttabskip\tabulateposskip
    \global\tabulatecolumns\zerocount
    \global\nofautotabulate\zerocount
    \global\noftabulatelines\zerocount
@@ -1292,7 +1456,7 @@
    \minusnoftabulatelines\noftabulatelines
    \global\tabulatepwidth\zeropoint
    \global\tabulatexwidth\zeropoint
-   \global\tabulateequalfalse
+   \global\setfalse\tabulateequal
    \resettabulatepheight
    \ifinsidesplitfloat
      \donetrue
@@ -1304,6 +1468,7 @@
    \ifdone
      \tabulaterepeathead\executeifdefined{\??tt:\c!header:\tabulateparameter\c!header}\zerocount
    \fi
+   \let\VL\tabulateVLone
    \let\NC\tabulateNCone
    \let\RC\tabulateRCone
    \let\HC\tabulateHCone
@@ -1316,6 +1481,10 @@
    \let\HR\tabulateHRone
    \let\HL\tabulateHLone
    \let\NR\tabulateNRone
+   \let\CC\tabulateCCone
+   \let\CL\tabulateCLone
+   \let\CM\tabulateCMone
+   \let\CR\tabulateCRone
    \let\HL\empty % not needed ? ? ?
    \let\SR\NR    \let\AR\NR
    \let\FL\empty \let\FR\NR
@@ -1328,19 +1497,21 @@
    \glet\flushtabulated\empty
    \tabskip\zeropoint
    \ifdim\tabulateparameter\c!margin>\zeropoint
-     \!!toksa{&\flushtabulateindent\strut##\tabskip\tabulateparameter\c!margin\strut&##\tabskip\zeropoint}%
+     \tabulatepreamble{\aligntab\flushtabulateindent\strut\alignmark\alignmark\tabskip\tabulateparameter\c!margin\strut\aligntab\alignmark\alignmark\tabskip\zeropoint}%
    \else
-     \!!toksa{&\flushtabulateindent\strut##&##\tabskip\zeropoint}%
+     \tabulatepreamble{\aligntab\flushtabulateindent\strut\alignmark\alignmark\aligntab\alignmark\alignmark\tabskip\zeropoint}%
    \fi
    \tabulatewidth\zeropoint
-   \nexttabulate #1X|\relax
+   \ctxlua{commands.presettabulate("\detokenize{#1}")}%
    \edef\totaltabulatecolumns{\the\numexpr3*\tabulatecolumns+4}%
    \tabulatewidth\zeropoint
    \initializetableboxes\tabulatecolumns
-   \appendtoks&##\global\advance\tabulatecolumn\plusone\to\!!toksa
+   \appendtoks\aligntab\alignmark\alignmark\global\advance\tabulatecolumn\plusone\to\tabulatepreamble
    \appendtoks\NC\unskip\unskip\crcr\flushtabulated\to\tabulatedummy % no count
    \global\tabulatecolumn\zerocount
    \resettabulatepheight
+   \let\bbskip\empty
+  %\let\eeskip\empty
    \let\bskip \tabulatebskipone
    \let\eskip \tabulateeskipone
    \let\xbskip\tabulatexbskipone
@@ -1359,7 +1530,7 @@
      {\notesenabledfalse
       \let\tabulateindent\!!zeropoint
       \settrialtypesetting % very important
-      \@EA\halign\@EA{\the\!!toksa\crcr\fulltabulatecontent\crcr}}%
+      \@EA\halign\@EA{\the\tabulatepreamble\crcr\fulltabulatecontent\crcr}}%
    \ifnum\nofautotabulate>\zerocount
      % so, even if the natural size is larger, in the final
      % run, we force the calculated width
@@ -1370,7 +1541,7 @@
    \fi
    \let\xbskip\tabulatexbskiptwo
    \let\xeskip\tabulatexeskiptwo
-   \ifsplittabulate
+   \ifconditional\tabulatesplit
      \splittopskip\strutht
      \glet\flushtabulatedindeed\empty
      \let\bbskip\tabulatebbskiptwo
@@ -1411,7 +1582,7 @@
    \dostarttagged\t!tabulate\empty
    \dostarttagged\t!tabulaterow\empty
    \appendtoks\dostoptagged\dostarttagged\t!tabulaterow\empty\to\everycr
-   \@EA\halign\@EA{\the\!!toksa\crcr\fulltabulatecontent\crcr}%
+   \@EA\halign\@EA{\the\tabulatepreamble\crcr\fulltabulatecontent\crcr}%
    \dostoptagged
    \dostoptagged
    \prevdepth\strutdp % nog eens beter, temporary hack
@@ -1433,7 +1604,7 @@
    \fi
    \egroup}
 
-\egroup
+% \egroup
 
 % \setuptabulate[split=yes,header=text,title=Vervolg van Tabel]
 %
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-mrg.lua b/tex/context/base/util-mrg.lua
index 79e83541f..8b09d4ee6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-mrg.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-mrg.lua
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ local concat = table.concat
 local type, next = type, next
 
 utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { }
+utilities.merger = utilities.merger or { } -- maybe mergers
 utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 
 local merger     = utilities.merger
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua b/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
index 17a10201f..6ca7c3396 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ local nobrace   = 1 - (lbrace+rbrace)
 local nested    = P { lbrace * (nobrace + V(1))^0 * rbrace }
 local spaces    = space^0
 
+lpeg.patterns.nested = nested
+
 local value     = P(lbrace * C((nobrace + nested)^0) * rbrace) + C((nested + (1-comma))^0)
 
 local key       = C((1-equal-comma)^1)
diff --git a/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua b/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
index 795ddb515..7f68a8d8d 100644
--- a/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
+++ b/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 -- merged file : luatex-fonts-merged.lua
 -- parent file : luatex-fonts.lua
--- merge date  : 11/12/10 18:22:36
+-- merge date  : 11/17/10 13:27:36
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
 
diff --git a/tex/generic/context/luatex-mplib.lua b/tex/generic/context/luatex-mplib.lua
index b3ab97b2c..c6628acb3 100644
--- a/tex/generic/context/luatex-mplib.lua
+++ b/tex/generic/context/luatex-mplib.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['supp-mpl'] = {
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luatex-mplib'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to luatex-mplib.tex",
     author    = "Hans Hagen & Taco Hoekwater",
@@ -248,15 +248,10 @@ else
     local rx, sx, sy, ry, tx, ty, divider = 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1
 
     local function pen_characteristics(object)
-        if mplib.pen_info then
-            local t = mplib.pen_info(object)
-            rx, ry, sx, sy, tx, ty = t.rx, t.ry, t.sx, t.sy, t.tx, t.ty
-            divider = sx*sy - rx*ry
-            return not (sx==1 and rx==0 and ry==0 and sy==1 and tx==0 and ty==0), t.width
-        else
-            rx, sx, sy, ry, tx, ty, divider = 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1
-            return false, 1
-        end
+        local t = mplib.pen_info(object)
+        rx, ry, sx, sy, tx, ty = t.rx, t.ry, t.sx, t.sy, t.tx, t.ty
+        divider = sx*sy - rx*ry
+        return not (sx==1 and rx==0 and ry==0 and sy==1 and tx==0 and ty==0), t.width
     end
 
     local function concat(px, py) -- no tx, ty here