beta 2010.10.29 11:35

126 files changed, 5532 insertions, 3918 deletions

diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
index 67243dcf3..d356bb5bb 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-chars.lua
@@ -239,13 +239,14 @@ function scripts.chars.makeencoutf()
                         end
                     end
                 end
+                local template = "\\def\\%-".. length .. "s{\\char\"%05X } %% %s: %s\n"
                 for i=1,#list do
                     local code = list[i]
                     if code > 0x5B and code <= 0xFFFF then
                         local chr = data[code]
                         if chr and chr.contextname then
                             local ch = utfchar(code)
-                            f:write(format("\\def\\%s{\\char\"%05X } %% %s: %s\n", chr.contextname:rpadd(length," "), code, chr.description, ch))
+                            f:write(format(template, chr.contextname, code, chr.description, ch))
                         end
                     end
                 end
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
index 0c9a1708d..7704d86ae 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-check.lua
@@ -11,86 +11,82 @@ scripts.checker = scripts.checker or { }
 
 local validator = { }
 
-do
-
-    validator.n      = 1
-    validator.errors = { }
-    validator.trace  = false
-    validator.direct = false
-
-    validator.printer = print
-    validator.tracer  = print
-
-    local message = function(position, kind)
-        local ve = validator.errors
-        ve[#ve+1] = { kind, position, validator.n }
-        if validator.direct then
-            validator.printer(string.format("%s error at position %s (line %s)", kind, position, validator.n))
-        end
+validator.n      = 1
+validator.errors = { }
+validator.trace  = false
+validator.direct = false
+
+validator.printer = print
+validator.tracer  = print
+
+local message = function(position, kind)
+    local ve = validator.errors
+    ve[#ve+1] = { kind, position, validator.n }
+    if validator.direct then
+        validator.printer(string.format("%s error at position %s (line %s)", kind, position, validator.n))
     end
-    local progress = function(position, data, kind)
-        if validator.trace then
-            validator.tracer(string.format("%s at position %s: %s", kind, position, data or ""))
-        end
+end
+local progress = function(position, data, kind)
+    if validator.trace then
+        validator.tracer(string.format("%s at position %s: %s", kind, position, data or ""))
     end
+end
 
-    local P, R, S, V, C, CP, CC = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cp, lpeg.Cc
-
-    local i_m, d_m = P("$"), P("$$")
-    local l_s, r_s = P("["), P("]")
-    local l_g, r_g = P("{"), P("}")
-
-    local okay = lpeg.P("{[}") + lpeg.P("{]}")
-
-    local esc     = P("\\")
-    local cr      = P("\r")
-    local lf      = P("\n")
-    local crlf    = P("\r\n")
-    local space   = S(" \t\f\v")
-    local newline = crlf + cr + lf
-
-    local line = newline / function() validator.n = validator.n + 1 end
-
-    --  local grammar = P { "tokens",
-    --      ["tokens"]   = (V("whatever") + V("grouped") +  V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + V("errors") + 1)^0,
-    --      ["whatever"] = line + esc * 1 + C(P("%") * (1-line)^0),
-    --      ["grouped"]  = CP() * C(l_g * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_g - r_g))^0 * r_g) * CC("group") / progress,
-    --      ["setup"]    = CP() * C(l_s * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_s - r_s))^0 * r_s) * CC("setup") / progress,
-    --      ["display"]  = CP() * C(d_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - d_m))^0 * d_m) * CC("display") / progress,
-    --      ["inline"]   = CP() * C(i_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - i_m))^0 * i_m) * CC("inline") / progress,
-    --      ["errors"]   = (V("gerror") + V("serror") + V("derror") + V("ierror")) * true,
-    --      ["gerror"]   = CP() * (l_g + r_g) * CC("grouping") / message,
-    --      ["serror"]   = CP() * (l_s + r_g) * CC("setup error") / message,
-    --      ["derror"]   = CP() * d_m * CC("display math error") / message,
-    --      ["ierror"]   = CP() * i_m * CC("inline math error") / message,
-    --  }
-
-    local startluacode = P("\\startluacode")
-    local stopluacode  = P("\\stopluacode")
-
-    local somecode  = startluacode * (1-stopluacode)^1 * stopluacode
-
-    local grammar = P { "tokens",
-        ["tokens"]   = (V("ignore") + V("whatever") + V("grouped") +  V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + V("errors") + 1)^0,
-        ["whatever"] = line + esc * 1 + C(P("%") * (1-line)^0),
-        ["grouped"]  = l_g * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_g - r_g))^0 * r_g,
-        ["setup"]    = l_s * (okay + V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_s - r_s))^0 * r_s,
-        ["display"]  = d_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - d_m))^0 * d_m,
-        ["inline"]   = i_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - i_m))^0 * i_m,
-        ["errors"]   = (V("gerror")+ V("serror") + V("derror") + V("ierror")),
-        ["gerror"]   = CP() * (l_g + r_g) * CC("grouping") / message,
-        ["serror"]   = CP() * (l_s + r_g) * CC("setup error") / message,
-        ["derror"]   = CP() * d_m * CC("display math error") / message,
-        ["ierror"]   = CP() * i_m * CC("inline math error") / message,
-        ["ignore"]   = somecode,
-    }
-
-    function validator.check(str)
-        validator.n = 1
-        validator.errors = { }
-        grammar:match(str)
-    end
+local P, R, S, V, C, CP, CC = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cp, lpeg.Cc
+
+local i_m, d_m = P("$"), P("$$")
+local l_s, r_s = P("["), P("]")
+local l_g, r_g = P("{"), P("}")
+
+local okay = lpeg.P("{[}") + lpeg.P("{]}")
+
+local esc     = P("\\")
+local cr      = P("\r")
+local lf      = P("\n")
+local crlf    = P("\r\n")
+local space   = S(" \t\f\v")
+local newline = crlf + cr + lf
+
+local line = newline / function() validator.n = validator.n + 1 end
+
+--  local grammar = P { "tokens",
+--      ["tokens"]   = (V("whatever") + V("grouped") +  V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + V("errors") + 1)^0,
+--      ["whatever"] = line + esc * 1 + C(P("%") * (1-line)^0),
+--      ["grouped"]  = CP() * C(l_g * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_g - r_g))^0 * r_g) * CC("group") / progress,
+--      ["setup"]    = CP() * C(l_s * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_s - r_s))^0 * r_s) * CC("setup") / progress,
+--      ["display"]  = CP() * C(d_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - d_m))^0 * d_m) * CC("display") / progress,
+--      ["inline"]   = CP() * C(i_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - i_m))^0 * i_m) * CC("inline") / progress,
+--      ["errors"]   = (V("gerror") + V("serror") + V("derror") + V("ierror")) * true,
+--      ["gerror"]   = CP() * (l_g + r_g) * CC("grouping") / message,
+--      ["serror"]   = CP() * (l_s + r_g) * CC("setup error") / message,
+--      ["derror"]   = CP() * d_m * CC("display math error") / message,
+--      ["ierror"]   = CP() * i_m * CC("inline math error") / message,
+--  }
+
+local startluacode = P("\\startluacode")
+local stopluacode  = P("\\stopluacode")
+
+local somecode  = startluacode * (1-stopluacode)^1 * stopluacode
+
+local grammar = P { "tokens",
+    ["tokens"]   = (V("ignore") + V("whatever") + V("grouped") +  V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + V("errors") + 1)^0,
+    ["whatever"] = line + esc * 1 + C(P("%") * (1-line)^0),
+    ["grouped"]  = l_g * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_g - r_g))^0 * r_g,
+    ["setup"]    = l_s * (okay + V("whatever") + V("grouped") + V("setup") + V("display") + V("inline") + (1 - l_s - r_s))^0 * r_s,
+    ["display"]  = d_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - d_m))^0 * d_m,
+    ["inline"]   = i_m * (V("whatever") + V("grouped") + (1 - i_m))^0 * i_m,
+    ["errors"]   = (V("gerror")+ V("serror") + V("derror") + V("ierror")),
+    ["gerror"]   = CP() * (l_g + r_g) * CC("grouping") / message,
+    ["serror"]   = CP() * (l_s + r_g) * CC("setup error") / message,
+    ["derror"]   = CP() * d_m * CC("display math error") / message,
+    ["ierror"]   = CP() * i_m * CC("inline math error") / message,
+    ["ignore"]   = somecode,
+}
 
+function validator.check(str)
+    validator.n = 1
+    validator.errors = { }
+    grammar:match(str)
 end
 
 --~ str = [[
@@ -117,7 +113,7 @@ function scripts.checker.check(filename)
                     ["\t"] = " <tab> ",
                 })
                 data = data:gsub("^ *","")
-                print(string.format("% 5i  %s  %s", line,string.rpadd(kind,10," "),data))
+                print(string.format("% 5i  %-10s  %s", line, kind, data))
             end
         else
             print("no error")
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
index 38cffe63e..6e4eea39f 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-context.lua
@@ -695,8 +695,19 @@ function scripts.context.run(ctxdata,filename)
                         local texexec = resolvers.findfile("texexec.rb") or ""
                         if texexec ~= "" then
                             os.setenv("RUBYOPT","")
-                            local command = string.format("ruby %s %s",texexec,environment.reconstructcommandline(environment.arguments_after))
-                            os.exec(command)
+                            local options = environment.reconstructcommandline(environment.arguments_after)
+                            options = string.gsub(options,"--purge","")
+                            options = string.gsub(options,"--purgeall","")
+                            local command = string.format("ruby %s %s",texexec,options)
+                            if environment.argument("purge") then
+                                os.execute(command)
+                                scripts.context.purge_job(filename,false,true)
+                            elseif environment.argument("purgeall") then
+                                os.execute(command)
+                                scripts.context.purge_job(filename,true,true)
+                            else
+                                os.exec(command)
+                            end
                         end
                     end
                 else
@@ -1110,6 +1121,10 @@ local persistent_runfiles = {
     "tuo", "tub", "top", "tuc"
 }
 
+local special_runfiles = {
+    "-mpgraph*", "-mprun*"
+}
+
 local function purge_file(dfile,cfile)
     if cfile and lfs.isfile(cfile) then
         if os.remove(dfile) then
@@ -1122,31 +1137,38 @@ local function purge_file(dfile,cfile)
     end
 end
 
-function scripts.context.purge_job(jobname,all)
+local function remove_special_files(pattern)
+end
+
+function scripts.context.purge_job(jobname,all,mkiitoo)
     if jobname and jobname ~= "" then
         jobname = file.basename(jobname)
         local filebase = file.removesuffix(jobname)
-        local deleted = { }
-        for i=1,#obsolete_results do
-            deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..obsolete_results[i],filebase..".pdf")
-        end
-        for i=1,#temporary_runfiles do
-            deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..temporary_runfiles[i])
-        end
-        if all then
-            for i=1,#persistent_runfiles do
-                deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..persistent_runfiles[i])
+        if mkiitoo then
+            scripts.context.purge(all,filebase,true) -- leading "./"
+        else
+            local deleted = { }
+            for i=1,#obsolete_results do
+                deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..obsolete_results[i],filebase..".pdf")
+            end
+            for i=1,#temporary_runfiles do
+                deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..temporary_runfiles[i])
+            end
+            if all then
+                for i=1,#persistent_runfiles do
+                    deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(filebase.."."..persistent_runfiles[i])
+                end
+            end
+            if #deleted > 0 then
+                logs.simple("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
             end
-        end
-        if #deleted > 0 then
-            logs.simple("purged files: %s", table.concat(deleted,", "))
         end
     end
 end
 
-function scripts.context.purge(all)
+function scripts.context.purge(all,pattern,mkiitoo)
     local all = all or environment.argument("all")
-    local pattern = environment.argument("pattern") or "*.*"
+    local pattern = environment.argument("pattern") or (pattern and (pattern.."*")) or "*.*"
     local files = dir.glob(pattern)
     local obsolete = table.tohash(obsolete_results)
     local temporary = table.tohash(temporary_runfiles)
@@ -1159,6 +1181,12 @@ function scripts.context.purge(all)
         local basename = file.basename(name)
         if obsolete[suffix] or temporary[suffix] or persistent[suffix] or generic[basename] then
             deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(name)
+        elseif mkiitoo then
+            for i=1,#special_runfiles do
+                if string.find(name,special_runfiles[i]) then
+                    deleted[#deleted+1] = purge_file(name)
+                end
+            end
         end
     end
     if #deleted > 0 then
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
index f990f4210..85a4b9e7b 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtx-unzip.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,15 @@
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['mtx-unzip'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to mtxrun.lua",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
 -- maybe --pattern
 
+local format = string.format
+
 logs.extendbanner("Simple Unzipper 0.10")
 
 messages.help = [[
@@ -36,10 +46,13 @@ function scripts.unzipper.list()
             if #k.filename > n then n = #k.filename end
         end
         local files, paths, compressed, uncompressed = 0, 0, 0, 0
+        local template_a =   "%-"..n.."s"
+        local template_b =   "%-"..n.."s  % 9i  % 9i"
+        local template_c = "\n%-"..n.."s  % 9i  % 9i"
         for k in zipfile:files() do
             if k.filename:find("/$") then
                 paths = paths + 1
-                print(string.format("%s", k.filename:rpadd(n," ")))
+                print(format(template_a, k.filename))
             else
                 files = files + 1
                 local cs, us = k.compressed_size, k.uncompressed_size
@@ -49,10 +62,10 @@ function scripts.unzipper.list()
                 if us > uncompressed then
                     uncompressed = us
                 end
-                print(string.format("%s  % 9i  % 9i", k.filename:rpadd(n," "),cs,us))
+                print(format(template_b,k.filename,cs,us))
             end
-        end
-        print(string.format("\n%s  % 9i  % 9i", (files .. " files, " .. paths .. " directories"):rpadd(n," "),compressed,uncompressed))
+        end -- check following pattern, n is not enough
+        print(format(template_c,files .. " files, " .. paths .. " directories",compressed,uncompressed))
     end
 end
 
diff --git a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
index d091fa405..7af51ba30 100644
--- a/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-string'] = {
 
 local string = string
 local sub, gsub, find, match, gmatch, format, char, byte, rep, lower = string.sub, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.gmatch, string.format, string.char, string.byte, string.rep, string.lower
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
+local lpegmatch, S, C, Ct = lpeg.match, lpeg.S, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct
 
 -- some functions may disappear as they are not used anywhere
 
@@ -62,145 +62,68 @@ if not string.split then
 
     -- this will be overloaded by a faster lpeg variant
 
-    function string:split(pattern)
-        if #self > 0 then
-            local t = { }
-            for s in gmatch(self..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
-                t[#t+1] = s
+    function string.split(str,pattern)
+        local t = { }
+        if #str > 0 then
+            local n = 1
+            for s in gmatch(str..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
+                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1
             end
-            return t
-        else
-            return { }
         end
+        return t
     end
 
 end
 
-string.patterns = { }
-
-local escapes = {
-    ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
-    ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
-    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
-    ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
-}
-
-string.patterns.escapes = escapes
-
-function string:esc() -- variant 2
-    return (gsub(self,"(.)",escapes))
-end
-
-function string:unquote()
-    return (gsub(self,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return (gsub(str,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
 end
 
 
-function string:quote() -- we could use format("%q")
-    return format("%q",self)
+function string.quoted(str)
+    return format("%q",str) -- always "
 end
 
-function string:count(pattern) -- variant 3
+function string.count(str,pattern) -- variant 3
     local n = 0
-    for _ in gmatch(self,pattern) do
+    for _ in gmatch(str,pattern) do -- not for utf
         n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function string:limit(n,sentinel)
-    if #self > n then
+function string.limit(str,n,sentinel)
+    if #str > n then
         sentinel = sentinel or " ..."
-        return sub(self,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
+        return sub(str,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
     else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-
-do -- roberto's variant:
-    local space    = lpeg.S(" \t\v\n")
-    local nospace  = 1 - space
-    local stripper = space^0 * lpeg.C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0)
-    function string.strip(str)
-        return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
-    end
-end
-
-function string:is_empty()
-    return not find(self,"%S")
-end
-
-function string:enhance(pattern,action)
-    local ok, n = true, 0
-    while ok do
-        ok = false
-        self = gsub(self,pattern, function(...)
-            ok, n = true, n + 1
-            return action(...)
-        end)
+        return str
     end
-    return self, n
 end
 
-if not string.characters then
-
-    local function nextchar(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, sub(str,index,index)
-    end
-    function string:characters()
-        return nextchar, self, 0
-    end
-    local function nextbyte(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, byte(sub(str,index,index))
-    end
-    function string:bytes()
-        return nextbyte, self, 0
-    end
+local space    = S(" \t\v\n")
+local nospace  = 1 - space
+local stripper = space^0 * C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0) -- roberto's code
 
+function string.strip(str)
+    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
 end
 
-function string:rpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return self .. rep(chr or " ",m)
-    else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-function string:lpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return rep(chr or " ",m) .. self
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.is_empty(str)
+    return not find(str,"%S")
 end
 
-string.padd = string.rpadd
-
 local patterns_escapes = {
-    ["-"] = "%-",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+",
-    ["*"] = "%*",
     ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["("] = "%)",
-    [")"] = "%)",
-    ["["] = "%[",
-    ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
 
-function string:escapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",patterns_escapes))
-end
-
 local simple_escapes = {
     ["-"] = "%-",
     ["."] = "%.",
@@ -208,24 +131,32 @@ local simple_escapes = {
     ["*"] = ".*",
 }
 
-function string:partialescapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",simple_escapes))
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
+    else
+        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
+    end
 end
 
-function string:tohash()
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(self,"([^, ]+)") do -- lpeg
-        t[s] = true
+function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
+    if str == "" then
+        return ".*"
+    else
+        str = gsub(str,".",simple_escapes)
+        if lowercase then
+            str = lower(str)
+        end
+        if strict then
+            return "^" .. str .. "$"
+        else
+            return str
+        end
     end
-    return t
 end
 
-local pattern = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.C(1)^0)
-
-function string:totable()
-    return lpegmatch(pattern,self)
-end
 
+-- The following functions might end up in another namespace.
 
 function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     -- we don't handle embedded newlines
@@ -246,30 +177,17 @@ function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     return str
 end
 
-function string:compactlong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","")
-    self = gsub(self,"^ *","")
-    return self
-end
 
-function string:striplong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"^%s*","")
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
-    return self
+function string.striplong(str) -- strips all leading spaces
+    str = gsub(str,"^%s*","")
+    str = gsub(str,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
+    return str
 end
 
-function string:topattern(lowercase,strict)
-    if lowercase then
-        self = lower(self)
-    end
-    self = gsub(self,".",simple_escapes)
-    if self == "" then
-        self = ".*"
-    elseif strict then
-        self = "^" .. self .. "$"
-    end
-    return self
-end
+-- obsolete names:
+
+string.quote   = string.quoted
+string.unquote = string.unquoted
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -292,15 +210,29 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 local P, R, S, Ct, C, Cs, Cc, V = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.V
 local match = lpeg.match
 
+local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
+local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
+
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
-local utf8byte         = R("\128\191")
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+local escaped          = P("\\") * P(1)
+local squote           = P("'")
+local dquote           = P('"')
 
-patterns.utf8byte      = utf8byte
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
-patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8byte * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8byte * utf8byte * utf8byte
+patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
+patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8next * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
+
+local utf8char         = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
+local validutf8char    = utf8char^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
+
+patterns.utf8          = utf8char
+patterns.utf8char      = utf8char
+patterns.validutf8     = validutf8char
+patterns.validutf8char = validutf8char
 
 patterns.digit         = digit
 patterns.sign          = sign
@@ -327,17 +259,24 @@ patterns.nonspace      = 1 - patterns.space
 patterns.nonspacer     = 1 - patterns.spacer
 patterns.whitespace    = patterns.eol + patterns.spacer
 patterns.nonwhitespace = 1 - patterns.whitespace
-patterns.utf8          = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
-patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
-patterns.validutf8     = patterns.utf8^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 patterns.comma         = P(",")
 patterns.commaspacer   = P(",") * patterns.spacer^0
 patterns.period        = P(".")
-
-patterns.undouble      = P('"')/"" * (1-P('"'))^0 * P('"')/""
-patterns.unsingle      = P("'")/"" * (1-P("'"))^0 * P("'")/""
+patterns.escaped       = escaped
+patterns.squote        = squote
+patterns.dquote        = dquote
+patterns.undouble      = (dquote/"") * ((escaped + (1-dquote))^0) * (dquote/"")
+patterns.unsingle      = (squote/"") * ((escaped + (1-squote))^0) * (squote/"")
+patterns.unquoted      = patterns.undouble + patterns.unsingle -- more often undouble
 patterns.unspacer      = ((patterns.spacer^1)/"")^0
 
+local unquoted = Cs(patterns.unquoted * P(-1)) -- not C
+
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return match(unquoted,str) or str
+end
+
+
 function lpeg.anywhere(pattern) --slightly adapted from website
     return P { P(pattern) + 1 * V(1) } -- why so complex?
 end
@@ -353,8 +292,8 @@ local content  = (empty + nonempty)^1
 
 local capture = Ct(content^0)
 
-function string:splitlines()
-    return match(capture,self)
+function string.splitlines(str)
+    return match(capture,str)
 end
 
 patterns.textline = content
@@ -366,12 +305,12 @@ local function splitat(separator,single)
     local splitter = (single and splitters_s[separator]) or splitters_m[separator]
     if not splitter then
         separator = P(separator)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
         if single then
-            local other, any = C((1 - separator)^0), P(1)
+            local any = P(1)
             splitter = other * (separator * C(any^0) + "") -- ?
             splitters_s[separator] = splitter
         else
-            local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
             splitter = other * (separator * other)^0
             splitters_m[separator] = splitter
         end
@@ -392,16 +331,15 @@ function lpeg.split(separator,str)
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:split(separator)
+function string.split(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         c = Ct(splitat(separator))
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
-lpeg.splitters = cache
 
 local cache = { }
 
@@ -409,22 +347,22 @@ function lpeg.checkedsplit(separator,str)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:checkedsplit(separator)
+function string.checkedsplit(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
 
@@ -435,7 +373,9 @@ local function f2(s) local c1, c2         = f1(s,1,2) return   c1 * 64 + c2
 local function f3(s) local c1, c2, c3     = f1(s,1,3) return  (c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3            -   925824 end
 local function f4(s) local c1, c2, c3, c4 = f1(s,1,4) return ((c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3) * 64 + c4 - 63447168 end
 
-patterns.utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+local utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+
+patterns.utf8byte = utf8byte
 
 
 
@@ -469,19 +409,25 @@ function lpeg.keeper(str)
     end
 end
 
+-- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
+-- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
+
 function lpeg.replacer(t)
     if #t > 0 then
         local p
         for i=1,#t do
             local ti= t[i]
             local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            p = (p and p + pp ) or pp
+            if p then
+                p = p + pp
+            else
+                p = pp
+            end
         end
         return Cs((p + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
-
 local splitters_f, splitters_s = { }, { }
 
 function lpeg.firstofsplit(separator) -- always return value
@@ -505,11 +451,170 @@ function lpeg.secondofsplit(separator) -- nil if not split
 end
 
 function lpeg.balancer(left,right)
+    left, right = P(left), P(right)
     return P { left * ((1 - left - right) + V(1))^0 * right }
 end
 
 
 
+local nany = utf8char/""
+
+function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+    pattern = Cs((P(pattern)/" " + nany)^0)
+    return function(str)
+        return #match(pattern,str)
+    end
+end
+
+if utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local n = 0
+            for _ in utfgmatch(str,what) do
+                n = n + 1
+            end
+            return n
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+else
+
+    local cache = { }
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local p = cache[what]
+            if not p then
+                p = Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0)
+                cache[p] = p
+            end
+            return #match(p,str)
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+end
+
+local patterns_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["%"] = "%%",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
+}
+
+local simple_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["-"] = "%-",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["?"] = ".",
+    ["*"] = ".*",
+}
+
+local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + P(1))^0)
+local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + P(1))^0)
+
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return match(s,str)
+    else
+        return match(p,str)
+    end
+end
+
+-- utf extensies
+
+lpeg.UP = lpeg.P
+
+if utfcharacters then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfcharacters(str) do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+
+elseif utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfgmatch(str,".") do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+else
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        local f = function(uc)
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        match((utf8char/f)^0,str)
+        return p
+    end
+
+end
+
+local range = Cs(utf8byte) * (Cs(utf8byte) + Cc(false))
+
+local utfchar = unicode and unicode.utf8 and unicode.utf8.char
+
+function lpeg.UR(str,more)
+    local first, last
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        first = str
+        last = more or first
+    else
+        first, last = match(range,str)
+        if not last then
+            return P(str)
+        end
+    end
+    if first == last then
+        return P(str)
+    elseif utfchar and last - first < 8 then -- a somewhat arbitrary criterium
+        local p
+        for i=first,last do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(utfchar(i))
+            else
+                p = P(utfchar(i))
+            end
+        end
+        return p -- nil when invalid range
+    else
+        local f = function(b)
+            return b >= first and b <= last
+        end
+        return utf8byte / f -- nil when invalid range
+    end
+end
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -577,24 +682,26 @@ end
 -- extra functions, some might go (when not used)
 
 function table.strip(tab)
-    local lst = { }
+    local lst, l = { }, 0
     for i=1,#tab do
         local s = gsub(tab[i],"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
         if s == "" then
             -- skip this one
         else
-            lst[#lst+1] = s
+            l = l + 1
+            lst[l] = s
         end
     end
     return lst
 end
 
 function table.keys(t)
-    local k = { }
+    local keys, k = { }, 0
     for key, _ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = key
+        k = k + 1
+        keys[k] = key
     end
-    return k
+    return keys
 end
 
 local function compare(a,b)
@@ -607,9 +714,10 @@ local function compare(a,b)
 end
 
 local function sortedkeys(tab)
-    local srt, kind = { }, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
+    local srt, kind, s = { }, 0, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
     for key,_ in next, tab do
-        srt[#srt+1] = key
+        s = s + 1
+        srt[s] = key
         if kind == 3 then
             -- no further check
         else
@@ -632,10 +740,11 @@ local function sortedkeys(tab)
 end
 
 local function sortedhashkeys(tab) -- fast one
-    local srt = { }
+    local srt, s = { }, 0
     for key,_ in next, tab do
         if key then
-            srt[#srt+1] = key
+            s= s + 1
+            srt[s] = key
         end
     end
     sort(srt)
@@ -649,8 +758,7 @@ local function nothing() end
 
 local function sortedhash(t)
     if t then
-        local s = sortedhashkeys(t) -- maybe just sortedkeys
-        local n = 0
+        local n, s = 0, sortedkeys(t) -- the robust one
         local function kv(s)
             n = n + 1
             local k = s[n]
@@ -666,20 +774,30 @@ table.sortedhash  = sortedhash
 table.sortedpairs = sortedhash
 
 function table.append(t, list)
-    for _,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,v)
+    local n = #t
+    for i=1,#list do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.prepend(t, list)
-    for k,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,k,v)
+    local nl = #list
+    local nt = nl + #t
+    for i=#t,1,-1 do
+        t[nt] = t[i]
+        nt = nt - 1
+    end
+    for i=1,#list do
+        t[i] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
     t = t or { }
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst = { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             t[k] = v
@@ -689,7 +807,7 @@ function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
 end
 
 function table.merged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, lst = { }, { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             tmp[k] = v
@@ -699,22 +817,24 @@ function table.merged(...)
 end
 
 function table.imerge(t, ...)
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst, nt = { ... }, #t
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            t[#t+1] = nst[j]
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return t
 end
 
 function table.imerged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, ntmp, lst = { }, 0, {...}
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = nst[j]
+            ntmp = ntmp + 1
+            tmp[ntmp] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return tmp
@@ -790,11 +910,14 @@ function table.tohash(t,value)
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
-    local h = { }
+    local hsh, h = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do -- no ipairs here
-        if v then h[#h+1] = k end
+        if v then
+            h = h + 1
+            hsh[h] = k
+        end
     end
-    return h
+    return hsh
 end
 
 table.serialize_functions = true
@@ -815,20 +938,23 @@ local function simple_table(t)
             n = n + 1
         end
         if n == #t then
-            local tt = { }
+            local tt, nt = { }, 0
             for i=1,#t do
                 local v = t[i]
                 local tv = type(v)
                 if tv == "number" then
+                    nt = nt + 1
                     if hexify then
-                        tt[#tt+1] = format("0x%04X",v)
+                        tt[nt] = format("0x%04X",v)
                     else
-                        tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
+                        tt[nt] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
                     end
                 elseif tv == "boolean" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = tostring(v)
                 elseif tv == "string" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = format("%q",v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = format("%q",v)
                 else
                     tt = nil
                     break
@@ -1123,10 +1249,11 @@ local function serialize(root,name,_handle,_reduce,_noquotes,_hexify)
 end
 
 
-function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
-    local t = { }
+function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify) -- can be faster if flush == false and t as argument
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     return concat(t,"\n")
@@ -1152,12 +1279,13 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     if f then
         local maxtab = table.tofile_maxtab
         if maxtab > 1 then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             local function flush(s)
-                t[#t+1] = s
-                if #t > maxtab then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+                if n > maxtab then
                     f:write(concat(t,"\n"),"\n") -- hm, write(sometable) should be nice
-                    t = { }
+                    t, n = { }, 0 -- we could recycle t if needed
                 end
             end
             serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
@@ -1173,52 +1301,66 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     end
 end
 
-local function flatten(t,f,complete) -- is this used? meybe a variant with next, ...
-    for i=1,#t do
-        local v = t[i]
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            if complete or type(v[1]) == "table" then
-                flatten(v,f,complete)
+local function flattened(t,f,depth)
+    if f == nil then
+        f = { }
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    elseif tonumber(f) then
+        -- assume then only two arguments are given
+        depth = f
+        f = { }
+    elseif not depth then
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    end
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        if type(k) ~= "number" then
+            if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+                flattened(v,f,depth-1)
             else
-                f[#f+1] = v
+                f[k] = v
             end
+        end
+    end
+    local n = #f
+    for k=1,#t do
+        local v = t[k]
+        if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+            flattened(v,f,depth-1)
+            n = #f
         else
-            f[#f+1] = v
+            n = n + 1
+            f[n] = v
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.flatten(t)
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,true)
     return f
 end
 
-function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,false)
-    return f
-end
-
-table.flattenonelevel = table.unnest
-
--- a better one:
+table.flattened = flattened
 
-local function flattened(t,f)
-    if not f then
+local function unnest(t,f) -- only used in mk, for old times sake
+    if not f then          -- and only relevant for token lists
         f = { }
     end
-    for k, v in next, t do
+    for i=1,#t do
+        local v = t[i]
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            flattened(v,f)
+            if type(v[1]) == "table" then
+                unnest(v,f)
+            else
+                f[#f+1] = v
+            end
         else
-            f[k] = v
+            f[#f+1] = v
         end
     end
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattened = flattened
+function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
+    return unnest(t)
+end
+
+
 
 local function are_equal(a,b,n,m) -- indexed
     if a and b and #a == #b then
@@ -1244,7 +1386,7 @@ end
 
 local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     for ka, va in next, a do
-        local vb = b[k]
+        local vb = b[ka]
         if va == vb then
             -- same
         elseif type(va) == "table" and  type(vb) == "table" then
@@ -1258,8 +1400,8 @@ local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     return true
 end
 
-table.are_equal = are_equal
 table.identical = identical
+table.are_equal = are_equal
 
 -- maybe also make a combined one
 
@@ -1285,14 +1427,14 @@ function table.contains(t, v)
 end
 
 function table.count(t)
-    local n, e = 0, next(t)
-    while e do
-        n, e = n + 1, next(t,e)
+    local n = 0
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function table.swapped(t,s)
+function table.swapped(t,s) -- hash
     local n = { }
     if s then
         for k, v in next, s do
@@ -1305,52 +1447,34 @@ function table.swapped(t,s)
     return n
 end
 
-
-function table.clone(t,p) -- t is optional or nil or table
-    if not p then
-        t, p = { }, t or { }
-    elseif not t then
-        t = { }
-    end
-    setmetatable(t, { __index = function(_,key) return p[key] end }) -- why not __index = p ?
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.hexed(t,seperator)
-    local tt = { }
-    for i=1,#t do tt[i] = format("0x%04X",t[i]) end
-    return concat(tt,seperator or " ")
-end
-
-function table.swaphash(h) -- needs another name
-    local r = { }
-    for k,v in next, h do
-        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
-    end
-    return r
-end
-
-function table.reverse(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    if #t > 0 then
-        for i=#t,1,-1 do
-            tt[#tt+1] = t[i]
+function table.reversed(t)
+    if t then
+        local tt, tn = { }, #t
+        if tn > 0 then
+            local ttn = 0
+            for i=tn,1,-1 do
+                ttn = ttn + 1
+                tt[ttn] = t[i]
+            end
         end
+        return tt
     end
-    return tt
 end
 
 function table.sequenced(t,sep,simple) -- hash only
-    local s = { }
+    local s, n = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(t) do
         if simple then
             if v == true then
-                s[#s+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k
             elseif v and v~= "" then
-                s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
             end
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            n = n + 1
+            s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     return concat(s, sep or " | ")
@@ -1360,7 +1484,7 @@ function table.print(...)
     table.tohandle(print,...)
 end
 
--- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and will comment them later -- -- --
+-- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and might comment them later -- -- --
 
 -- roughly: copy-loop : unpack : sub == 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.45 (so in critical apps, use unpack)
 
@@ -1375,14 +1499,7 @@ function table.is_empty(t)
 end
 
 function table.has_one_entry(t)
-    local n = next(t)
-    return n and not next(t,n)
-end
-
-function table.replace(a,b)
-    for k,v in next, b do
-        a[k] = v
-    end
+    return t and not next(t,next(t))
 end
 
 
@@ -1627,6 +1744,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-number'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+-- this module will be replaced when we have the bit library
+
 local tostring = tostring
 local format, floor, insert, match = string.format, math.floor, string.match
 local concat, insert = table.concat, table.insert
@@ -1768,10 +1887,11 @@ function set.tolist(n)
     if n == 0 or not tabs[n] then
         return ""
     else
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for k, v in next, tabs[n] do
             if v then
-                t[#t+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = k
             end
         end
         return concat(t," ")
@@ -1950,7 +2070,7 @@ end
 -- no need for function anymore as we have more clever code and helpers now
 -- this metatable trickery might as well disappear
 
-os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { }
+os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { } -- will become private
 
 local resolvers = os.resolvers
 
@@ -2279,7 +2399,7 @@ end
 file.isreadable = file.is_readable -- depricated
 file.iswritable = file.is_writable -- depricated
 
--- todo: lpeg
+-- todo: lpeg \\ / .. does not save much
 
 local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
 
@@ -2295,7 +2415,7 @@ end
 -- we can hash them weakly
 
 
-function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
+function file.collapsepath(str,anchor)
     if anchor and not find(str,"^/") and not find(str,"^%a:") then
         str = getcurrentdir() .. "/" .. str
     end
@@ -2350,6 +2470,8 @@ function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
     end
 end
 
+file.collapse_path = file.collapsepath
+
 
 function file.robustname(str)
     return (gsub(str,"[^%a%d%/%-%.\\]+","-"))
@@ -2782,9 +2904,12 @@ local function glob(str,t)
             end
             return t
         elseif isfile(str) then
-            local t = t or { }
-            t[#t+1] = str
-            return t
+            if t then
+                t[#t+1] = str
+                return t
+            else
+                return { str }
+            end
         else
             local split = lpegmatch(pattern,str)
             if split then
@@ -2812,6 +2937,7 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
         func = function(name) return find(name,s) end
     end
     files = files or { }
+    local noffiles = #files
     for name in walkdir(path) do
         if find(name,"^%.") then
             --- skip
@@ -2822,12 +2948,9 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
                     globfiles(path .. "/" .. name,recurse,func,files)
                 end
             elseif mode == "file" then
-                if func then
-                    if func(name) then
-                        files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
-                    end
-                else
-                    files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
+                if not func or func(name) then
+                    noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                    files[noffiles] = path .. "/" .. name
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3012,8 +3135,12 @@ local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 boolean = boolean or { }
 local boolean = boolean
 
+-- function boolean.tonumber(b)
+--     return b and 1 or 0 -- test and test and return or return
+-- end
+
 function boolean.tonumber(b)
-    if b then return 1 else return 0 end
+    if b then return 1 else return 0 end -- test and return or return
 end
 
 function toboolean(str,tolerant)
@@ -3037,6 +3164,8 @@ function toboolean(str,tolerant)
     end
 end
 
+string.toboolean = toboolean
+
 function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     if type(str) == "string" then
         if str == "true" or str == "yes" or str == "on" or str == "t" then
@@ -3048,14 +3177,6 @@ function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     return default
 end
 
-function boolean.alwaystrue()
-    return true
-end
-
-function boolean.falsetrue()
-    return false
-end
-
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -3144,30 +3265,37 @@ function unicode.utftype(f)
 end
 
 function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
-    local result, tmp, n, m, p = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- we reuse tmp
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
     for l,r in bytepairs(str) do
         if r then
             if endian then
-                n = l*256 + r
+                n = 256*l + r
             else
-                n = r*256 + l
+                n = 256*r + l
             end
             if m > 0 then
                 n = (m-0xD800)*0x400 + (n-0xDC00) + 0x10000
@@ -3180,29 +3308,36 @@ function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
             end
         end
     end
-    if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+    if t > 0 then
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
-    local result = { }
-    local tmp, n, m, p = { }, 0, -1, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, -1, 0, 0, 0
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
@@ -3210,15 +3345,15 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         if a and b then
             if m < 0 then
                 if endian then
-                    m = a*256*256*256 + b*256*256
+                    m = 256*256*256*a + 256*256*b
                 else
-                    m = b*256 + a
+                    m = 256*b + a
                 end
             else
                 if endian then
-                    n = m + a*256 + b
+                    n = m + 256*a + b
                 else
-                    n = m + b*256*256*256 + a*256*256
+                    n = m + 256*256*256*b + 256*256*a
                 end
                 m = -1
                 doit()
@@ -3228,13 +3363,14 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         end
     end
     if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 local function little(c)
-    local b = byte(c) -- b = c:byte()
+    local b = byte(c)
     if b < 0x10000 then
         return char(b%256,b/256)
     else
@@ -3264,9 +3400,10 @@ function unicode.utf8_to_utf16(str,littleendian)
 end
 
 function unicode.utfcodes(str)
-    local t = { }
-    for k,v in utfvalues(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = format("0x%04X",k)
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for u in utfvalues(str) do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = format("0x%04X",u)
     end
     return concat(t,separator or " ")
 end
@@ -3324,6 +3461,189 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+utilities        = utilities or {}
+utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
+local tables     = utilities.tables
+
+local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
+local setmetatable = setmetatable
+
+function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
+    local composed, t, n = nil, { }, 0
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        n = n + 1
+        if composed then
+            composed = composed .. "." .. name
+        else
+            composed = name
+        end
+        t[n] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
+    end
+    return concat(t,"\n")
+end
+
+function tables.accesstable(target)
+    local t = _G
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        t = t[name]
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function tables.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
+    if value then
+        for i=1,#t do
+            if t[i] == value then
+                remove(t,i)
+                -- remove all, so no: return
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function tables.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,1,extra)
+end
+
+function tables.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i+1,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
+end
+
+local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
+
+function table.setemptymetatable(t)
+    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
+
+utilities         = utilities or { }
+utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
+local storage     = utilities.storage
+
+function storage.mark(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.allocate(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.marked(t)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m.__storage__
+end
+
+function storage.checked(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m[key] = value
+end
+
+function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m[key]
+end
+
+
+function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
+    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
+    m.__index = function(data,k)
+        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
+        initialize()
+        return data[k]
+    end
+    setmetatable(data, m)
+end
+
+local keyisvalue = { __index = function(t,k)
+    t[k] = k
+    return k
+end }
+
+function storage.sparse(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    setmetatable(t,keyisvalue)
+    return t
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-mrg'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
@@ -3483,7 +3803,7 @@ utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
     os.remove(lucfile)
-    local command = "-o " .. string.quote(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quote(luafile)
+    local command = "-o " .. string.quoted(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quoted(luafile)
     if strip ~= false then
         command = "-s " .. command
     end
@@ -3496,6 +3816,12 @@ function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: clean
 end
 
 
+
+
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -3516,7 +3842,7 @@ parsers.patterns  = parsers.patterns or { }
 local P, R, V, C, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local concat, format, gmatch = table.concat, string.format, string.gmatch
-local tostring, type, next = tostring, type, next
+local tostring, type, next, setmetatable = tostring, type, next, setmetatable
 local sortedhash = table.sortedhash
 
 local escape, left, right = P("\\"), P('{'), P('}')
@@ -3635,7 +3961,7 @@ end
 
 function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
     if h then
-        local t, s = { }, table.sortedkeys(h)
+        local t, tn, s = { }, 0, table.sortedkeys(h)
         omit = omit and table.tohash(omit)
         for i=1,#s do
             local key = s[i]
@@ -3644,15 +3970,19 @@ function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
                 if type(value) == "boolean" then
                     if yes and no then
                         if value then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. yes
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. yes
                         elseif not strict then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. no
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. no
                         end
                     elseif value or not strict then
-                        t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
+                        tn = tn + 1
+                        t[tn] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
                     end
                 else
-                    t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. value
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = key .. '=' .. value
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3679,10 +4009,11 @@ function parsers.settings_to_set(str,t) -- tohash? -- todo: lpeg -- duplicate an
 end
 
 function parsers.simple_hash_to_string(h, separator)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, tn = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(h) do
         if v then
-            t[#t+1] = k
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = k
         end
     end
     return concat(t,separator or ",")
@@ -3700,99 +4031,18 @@ end
 function parsers.getparameters(self,class,parentclass,settings)
     local sc = self[class]
     if not sc then
-        sc = table.clone(self[parent])
+        sc = { }
         self[class] = sc
-    end
-    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
-local tables     = utilities.tables
-
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
-local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
-local setmetatable = setmetatable
-
-function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
-    local composed, t = nil, { }
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        if composed then
-            composed = composed .. "." .. name
-        else
-            composed = name
-        end
-        t[#t+1] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
-    end
-    return concat(t,"\n")
-end
-
-function tables.accesstable(target)
-    local t = _G
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        t = t[name]
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
-    if value then
-        for i=1,#t do
-            if t[i] == value then
-                remove(t,i)
-                -- remove all, so no: return
+        if parentclass then
+            local sp = self[parentclass]
+            if not sp then
+                sp = { }
+                self[parentclass] = sp
             end
+            setmetatable(sc, { __index = sp })
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,1,extra)
-end
-
-function table.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i+1,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
-end
-
-local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
-
-function table.setemptymetatable(t)
-    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
 end
 
 
@@ -3831,9 +4081,9 @@ local number        = digit^1 * (case_1 + case_2)
 local stripper      = Cs((number + 1)^0)
 
 
-lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros = stripper
+lpeg.patterns.stripzeros = stripper
 
-function formatters.strip_zeros(str)
+function formatters.stripzeros(str)
     return lpegmatch(stripper,str)
 end
 
@@ -4005,88 +4255,6 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
-
-utilities         = utilities or { }
-utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
-local storage     = utilities.storage
-
-function storage.mark(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.allocate(t)
-    t = t or { }
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.marked(t)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m.__storage__
-end
-
-function storage.checked(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m[key] = value
-end
-
-function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m[key]
-end
-
-
-function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
-    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
-    m.__index = function(data,k)
-        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
-        initialize()
-        return data[k]
-    end
-    setmetatable(data, m)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to trac-inf.mkiv",
@@ -4102,6 +4270,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 local clock = os.gettimeofday or os.clock -- should go in environment
+local write_nl = texio.write_nl
 
 statistics       = statistics or { }
 local statistics = statistics
@@ -4197,7 +4366,7 @@ end
 
 function statistics.show(reporter)
     if statistics.enable then
-        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) texio.write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
+        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
         -- this code will move
         local register = statistics.register
         register("luatex banner", function()
@@ -4220,18 +4389,24 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
                 reporter(s[1],r,n)
             end
         end
-        texio.write_nl("") -- final newline
+        write_nl("") -- final newline
         statistics.enable = false
     end
 end
 
+
+local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
     if type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
-        texio.write_nl(format("%-15s: %s - %s","mkiv lua stats",tag:rpadd(n," "),data))
+        if not template or n > nn then
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+        end
+        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4288,7 +4463,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-set'] = { -- might become u
 
 local type, next, tostring = type, next, tostring
 local concat = table.concat
-local format, find, lower, gsub, partialescapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.partialescapedpattern
+local format, find, lower, gsub, escapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.escapedpattern
 local is_boolean = string.is_boolean
 local settings_to_hash = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -4368,7 +4543,7 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,partialescapedpattern(w)) then
+            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -5151,7 +5326,7 @@ local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
 local format, sub, match, gsub, find = string.format, string.sub, string.match, string.gsub, string.find
-local unquote, quote = string.unquote, string.quote
+local unquoted, quoted = string.unquoted, string.quoted
 local concat = table.concat
 
 -- precautions
@@ -5219,7 +5394,7 @@ function environment.initializearguments(arg)
         if index > 0 then
             local flag, value = match(argument,"^%-+(.-)=(.-)$")
             if flag then
-                arguments[flag] = unquote(value or "")
+                arguments[flag] = unquoted(value or "")
             else
                 flag = match(argument,"^%-+(.+)")
                 if flag then
@@ -5284,19 +5459,21 @@ end
 function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     arg = arg or environment.originalarguments
     if noquote and #arg == 1 then
+        -- we could just do: return unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i]))
         local a = arg[1]
         a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-        a = unquote(a)
+        a = unquoted(a)
         return a
     elseif #arg > 0 then
         local result = { }
         for i=1,#arg do
+            -- we could just do: result[#result+1] = format("%q",unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i])))
             local a = arg[i]
             a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-            a = unquote(a)
+            a = unquoted(a)
             a = gsub(a,'"','\\"') -- tricky
             if find(a," ") then
-                result[#result+1] = quote(a)
+                result[#result+1] = quoted(a)
             else
                 result[#result+1] = a
             end
@@ -5307,6 +5484,7 @@ function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     end
 end
 
+
 if arg then
 
     -- new, reconstruct quoted snippets (maybe better just remove the " then and add them later)
@@ -6767,7 +6945,7 @@ apply_axis['root'] = function(list)
                 rt = ll
             end
         end
-        collected[#collected+1] = rt
+        collected[l] = rt
     end
     return collected
 end
@@ -6777,7 +6955,7 @@ apply_axis['self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local dt = ll.dt
@@ -6786,7 +6964,8 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
             for k=1,#dt do
                 local dk = dt[k]
                 if dk.tg then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c] = dk
                     dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
@@ -6798,68 +6977,74 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
-        collect(list[l],collected)
+        c = collect(list[l],collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if ll.special ~= true then -- catch double root
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
-        collect(ll,collected)
+        c = collect(ll,collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6867,14 +7052,16 @@ apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
-        collected[#collected+1] = ll
+        c = c + 1
+        collected[c] = ll
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6882,11 +7069,12 @@ apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['parent'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local pl = list[l].__p__
         if pl then
-            collected[#collected+1] = pl
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = pl
         end
     end
     return collected
@@ -6909,7 +7097,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 end
 
 apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6917,7 +7105,8 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=ll.ni+1,#d do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6925,7 +7114,7 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6933,7 +7122,8 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=1,ll.ni-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6941,7 +7131,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6949,7 +7139,8 @@ apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
         for i=ll.ni-1,1,-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6975,7 +7166,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 return { }
             end
         else
-            local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+            local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
             if not nns then -- only check tag
                 for l=1,#list do
                     local ll = list[l]
@@ -6984,11 +7175,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ntg == ltg then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif ntg ~= ltg then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7000,11 +7193,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if lns == nns then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif lns ~= nns then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7018,11 +7213,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ok then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif not ok then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7030,7 +7227,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
             return collected
         end
     else
-        local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+        local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
         for l=1,#list do
             local ll = list[l]
             local ltg = ll.tg
@@ -7047,11 +7244,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 if directive then
                     if ok then
                         local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                        collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                        c = c + 1
+                        collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                     end
                 elseif not ok then
                     local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                    collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -7062,12 +7261,13 @@ end
 local quit_expression = false
 
 local function apply_expression(list,expression,order)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     quit_expression = false
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if expression(list,ll,l,order) then -- nasty, order alleen valid als n=1
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
         if quit_expression then
             break
@@ -7363,7 +7563,7 @@ local function nodesettostring(set,nodetest)
         if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
         if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
         tg = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
-        t[#t+1] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
+        t[i] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
     end
     if nodetest == false then
         return format("not(%s)",concat(t,"|"))
@@ -7382,7 +7582,7 @@ local function tagstostring(list)
             local ns, tg = li.ns, li.tg
             if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
             if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
-            t[#t+1] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
+            t[i] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
         end
         return concat(t," ")
     end
@@ -8102,16 +8302,17 @@ end
 function xml.collect_tags(root, pattern, nonamespace)
     local collected = xmlapplylpath(root,pattern)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             elseif ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8219,8 +8420,10 @@ local function inject_element(root,pattern,whatever,prepend)
                 else
                     be, af = edt, cp
                 end
+                local bn = #be
                 for i=1,#af do
-                    be[#be+1] = af[i]
+                    bn = bn + 1
+                    be[bn] = af[i]
                 end
                 if rri then
                     r.dt[rri].dt = be
@@ -8305,11 +8508,12 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
     local edt = e.dt
     if edt then
         if anywhere then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             for e=1,#edt do
                 local str = edt[e]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
-                    t[#t+1] = str
+                    n = n + 1
+                    t[n] = str
                 elseif str ~= "" then
                     -- todo: lpeg for each case
                     if nolines then
@@ -8317,7 +8521,8 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                     str = gsub(str,"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
                     if str ~= "" then
-                        t[#t+1] = str
+                        n = n + 1
+                        t[n] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8344,9 +8549,10 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            if #edt > 0 then
+            local nedt = #nedt
+            if nedt > 0 then
                 -- strip end
-                local str = edt[#edt]
+                local str = edt[nedt]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
                     -- nothing
                 elseif str == "" then
@@ -8359,7 +8565,7 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     if str == "" then
                         remove(edt)
                     else
-                        edt[#edt] = str
+                        edt[nedt] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8506,15 +8712,8 @@ local function all(collected)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function reverse(collected)
-    if collected then
-        local reversed = { }
-        for c=#collected,1,-1 do
-            reversed[#reversed+1] = collected[c]
-        end
-        return reversed
-    end
-end
+
+local reverse = table.reversed
 
 local function attribute(collected,name)
     if collected and #collected > 0 then
@@ -8605,11 +8804,12 @@ end
 
 local function texts(collected)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collection[c]
             if e and e.dt then
-                t[#t+1] = e.dt
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = e.dt
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8652,14 +8852,15 @@ end
 
 local function tags(collected,nonamespace)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace or ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8855,9 +9056,13 @@ end
 
 do
 
-    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or '~'
+    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or ''
+
+    if not homedir or homedir == "" then
+        homedir = string.char(127) -- we need a value, later we wil trigger on it
+    end
 
-    homedir = file.collapse_path(homedir)
+    homedir = file.collapsepath(homedir)
 
     ossetenv("HOME",       homedir) -- can be used in unix cnf files
     ossetenv("USERPROFILE",homedir) -- can be used in windows cnf files
@@ -8876,8 +9081,8 @@ do
     local ownbin  = environment.ownbin  or args[-2] or arg[-2] or args[-1] or arg[-1] or arg[0] or "luatex"
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or os.selfdir
 
-    ownbin  = file.collapse_path(ownbin)
-    ownpath = file.collapse_path(ownpath)
+    ownbin  = file.collapsepath(ownbin)
+    ownpath = file.collapsepath(ownpath)
 
     if not ownpath or ownpath == "" or ownpath == "unset" then
         ownpath = args[-1] or arg[-1]
@@ -8949,9 +9154,9 @@ do
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or dir.current()
 
     if ownpath then
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapse_path(ownpath))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/.."))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/../.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapsepath(ownpath))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
         report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
@@ -8987,7 +9192,7 @@ if not texroot or texroot == "" then
     ossetenv('TEXROOT',texroot)
 end
 
-environment.texroot = file.collapse_path(texroot)
+environment.texroot = file.collapsepath(texroot)
 
 -- Tracing. Todo ...
 
@@ -9026,7 +9231,7 @@ local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lp
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
@@ -9062,22 +9267,29 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
 
 local function do_first(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = a .. s end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = a .. s
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_second(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = s .. b end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s .. b
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_both(a,b)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
@@ -9101,6 +9313,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
+    local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
     while true do
         done = false
@@ -9124,11 +9337,15 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
-            if s then t[#t+1] = s end
+            if s then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+            end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = s
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9141,7 +9358,7 @@ end
 
 local function validate(s)
     local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapse_path(s)
+    s = collapsepath(s)
     if isrecursive then
         s = s .. "//"
     end
@@ -9164,10 +9381,14 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a pa
             splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
         end
     else
+        local n = 0
         for k=1,#pathlist do
             for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
                 p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then newlist[#newlist+1] = p end
+                if p ~= "" then
+                    n = n + 1
+                    newlist[n] = p
+                end
             end
         end
     end
@@ -9176,16 +9397,42 @@ end
 
 -- We also put some cleanup code here.
 
-local cleanup -- used recursively
 
-cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
-    { "!",  "" },
-    { "\\", "/" },
-    { "~" , function() return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir) end },
+
+
+local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+    { "!"  , ""  },
+    { "\\" , "/" },
 }
 
+local homedir
+
 function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
-    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+    if not homedir then
+        homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
+        if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
+            if trace_expansions then
+                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+            end
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                if find(str,"~") then
+                    return "" -- special case
+                else
+                    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+                { "!"  , ""      },
+                { "\\" , "/"     },
+                { "~"  , homedir },
+            }
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return resolvers.cleanpath(str)
 end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
@@ -9211,7 +9458,6 @@ end
 -- we join them and split them after the expansion has taken place. This
 -- is more convenient.
 
-
 local cache = { }
 
 local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
@@ -9226,15 +9472,17 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                 str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
                 local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
                 found = { }
+                local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
                     local s = split[i]
                     if not find(s,"^{*unset}*") then
-                        found[#found+1] = s
+                        noffound = noffound + 1
+                        found[noffound] = s
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
                     report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
-                    for k=1,#found do
+                    for k=1,noffound do
                         report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
@@ -9357,7 +9605,6 @@ formats['enc']          = 'ENCFONTS'       suffixes['enc']          = { 'enc' }
 formats['fmt']          = 'TEXFORMATS'     suffixes['fmt']          = { 'fmt' }
 formats['map']          = 'TEXFONTMAPS'    suffixes['map']          = { 'map' }
 formats['mp']           = 'MPINPUTS'       suffixes['mp']           = { 'mp' }
-formats['ocp']          = 'OCPINPUTS'      suffixes['ocp']          = { 'ocp' }
 formats['ofm']          = 'OFMFONTS'       suffixes['ofm']          = { 'ofm', 'tfm' }
 formats['otf']          = 'OPENTYPEFONTS'  suffixes['otf']          = { 'otf' }
 formats['opl']          = 'OPLFONTS'       suffixes['opl']          = { 'opl' }
@@ -9582,7 +9829,7 @@ local function identify()
             local cachepath = texmfcaches[k]
             if cachepath ~= "" then
                 cachepath = resolvers.cleanpath(cachepath)
-                cachepath = file.collapse_path(cachepath)
+                cachepath = file.collapsepath(cachepath)
                 local valid = isdir(cachepath)
                 if valid then
                     if file.is_readable(cachepath) then
@@ -9921,7 +10168,7 @@ function resolvers.splitmethod(filename)
 end
 
 function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
     local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
     local scheme = specification.scheme
     local resolver = resolvers[what]
@@ -9966,7 +10213,7 @@ local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10169,7 +10416,7 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
         expandvars(cnfpaths) --- hm
         local luacnfname = resolvers.luacnfname
         for i=1,#cnfpaths do
-            local filename = collapse_path(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
+            local filename = collapsepath(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
             if lfs.isfile(filename) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
             end
@@ -10330,7 +10577,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
-        local path = collapse_path(texmfpaths[i])
+        local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
         local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
         local runtime = stripped == path
         path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
@@ -10443,11 +10690,12 @@ end
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
-        local t, h, p = { }, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
+        local t, tn, h, p = { }, 0, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
         for kk=1,#p do
             local vv = p[kk]
             if vv ~= "" and not h[vv] then
-                t[#t+1] = vv
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = vv
                 h[vv] = true
             end
         end
@@ -10554,7 +10802,8 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
     local ep = instance.extra_paths or { }
-    local n = #ep
+    local oldn = #ep
+    local newn = oldn
     if paths and paths ~= "" then
         if subpaths and subpaths ~= "" then
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
@@ -10562,7 +10811,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
                 for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                     local ps = p .. "/" .. s
                     if not done[ps] then
-                        ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                        newn = newn + 1
+                        ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                         done[ps] = true
                     end
                 end
@@ -10570,7 +10820,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
         else
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
                 if not done[p] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
                     done[p] = true
                 end
             end
@@ -10581,16 +10832,17 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
             for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                 local ps = ep[i] .. "/" .. s
                 if not done[ps] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                     done[ps] = true
                 end
             end
         end
     end
-    if #ep > 0 then
+    if newn > 0 then
         instance.extra_paths = ep -- register paths
     end
-    if #ep > n then
+    if newn > oldn then
         instance.lists = { } -- erase the cache
     end
 end
@@ -10600,14 +10852,15 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
     if not ep or #ep == 0 then
         return list
     else
-        local done, new = { }, { }
+        local done, new, newn = { }, { }, 0
         -- honour . .. ../.. but only when at the start
         for k=1,#list do
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 if find(v,"^[%.%/]$") then
                     done[v] = true
-                    new[#new+1] = v
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    new[newn] = v
                 else
                     break
                 end
@@ -10618,7 +10871,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = ep[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         -- next the formal paths
@@ -10626,7 +10880,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         return new
@@ -10637,7 +10892,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
     local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
     if t then
         for i=1,#t do
-            t[i] = collapse_path(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
+            t[i] = collapsepath(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -10703,7 +10958,7 @@ resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
 -- name/name
 
 local function collect_files(names)
-    local filelist = { }
+    local filelist, noffiles = { }, 0
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
@@ -10744,7 +10999,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
-                            filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                            noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                            filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                         end
                     else
                         for kk=1,#blobfile do
@@ -10756,7 +11012,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
-                                filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                                noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                                filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -10766,7 +11023,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             end
         end
     end
-    return #filelist > 0 and filelist or nil
+    return noffiles > 0 and filelist or nil
 end
 
 function resolvers.registerintrees(name)
@@ -10792,7 +11049,7 @@ end
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = collected or { }
     local stamp  = nil
-    filename = collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = collapsepath(filename)
     -- speed up / beware: format problem
     if instance.remember then
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. instance.engine .. "--" .. instance.progname .. "--" .. instance.format
@@ -11045,7 +11302,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scan
         end
     end
     for k=1,#result do
-        local rk = collapse_path(result[k])
+        local rk = collapsepath(result[k])
         result[k] = rk
         resolvers.registerintrees(rk) -- for tracing used files
     end
@@ -12439,7 +12696,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree)
         local texos   = "texmf-" .. os.platform
 
         local oldroot = environment.texroot
-        local newroot = file.collapse_path(tree)
+        local newroot = file.collapsepath(tree)
 
         local newtree = file.join(newroot,texos)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
@@ -12668,17 +12925,17 @@ local format = string.format
 
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
-local quote = string.quote
+local quoted = string.quoted
 
 local function primaryflags()
     local trackers   = environment.argument("trackers")
     local directives = environment.argument("directives")
     local flags = ""
     if trackers and trackers ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quote(trackers)
+        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quoted(trackers)
     end
     if directives and directives ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quote(directives)
+        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quoted(directives)
     end
     return flags
 end
@@ -12743,7 +13000,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
-    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quote(usedluastub),quote(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
+    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
     logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
@@ -12781,8 +13038,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
                 logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
-                local q = string.quote
-                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quote(barename),quote(luaname),quote(data),more ~= "" and quote(more) or "")
+                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
                 logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
@@ -12813,13 +13069,13 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'l-unicode.lua',
     'l-math.lua',
 
+    'util-tab.lua',
+    'util-sto.lua',
     'util-mrg.lua',
     'util-lua.lua',
     'util-prs.lua',
-    'util-tab.lua',
     'util-fmt.lua',
     'util-deb.lua',
-    'util-sto.lua',
 
     'trac-inf.lua',
     'trac-set.lua',
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
index d091fa405..7af51ba30 100644
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-string'] = {
 
 local string = string
 local sub, gsub, find, match, gmatch, format, char, byte, rep, lower = string.sub, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.gmatch, string.format, string.char, string.byte, string.rep, string.lower
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
+local lpegmatch, S, C, Ct = lpeg.match, lpeg.S, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct
 
 -- some functions may disappear as they are not used anywhere
 
@@ -62,145 +62,68 @@ if not string.split then
 
     -- this will be overloaded by a faster lpeg variant
 
-    function string:split(pattern)
-        if #self > 0 then
-            local t = { }
-            for s in gmatch(self..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
-                t[#t+1] = s
+    function string.split(str,pattern)
+        local t = { }
+        if #str > 0 then
+            local n = 1
+            for s in gmatch(str..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
+                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1
             end
-            return t
-        else
-            return { }
         end
+        return t
     end
 
 end
 
-string.patterns = { }
-
-local escapes = {
-    ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
-    ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
-    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
-    ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
-}
-
-string.patterns.escapes = escapes
-
-function string:esc() -- variant 2
-    return (gsub(self,"(.)",escapes))
-end
-
-function string:unquote()
-    return (gsub(self,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return (gsub(str,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
 end
 
 
-function string:quote() -- we could use format("%q")
-    return format("%q",self)
+function string.quoted(str)
+    return format("%q",str) -- always "
 end
 
-function string:count(pattern) -- variant 3
+function string.count(str,pattern) -- variant 3
     local n = 0
-    for _ in gmatch(self,pattern) do
+    for _ in gmatch(str,pattern) do -- not for utf
         n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function string:limit(n,sentinel)
-    if #self > n then
+function string.limit(str,n,sentinel)
+    if #str > n then
         sentinel = sentinel or " ..."
-        return sub(self,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
+        return sub(str,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
     else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-
-do -- roberto's variant:
-    local space    = lpeg.S(" \t\v\n")
-    local nospace  = 1 - space
-    local stripper = space^0 * lpeg.C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0)
-    function string.strip(str)
-        return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
-    end
-end
-
-function string:is_empty()
-    return not find(self,"%S")
-end
-
-function string:enhance(pattern,action)
-    local ok, n = true, 0
-    while ok do
-        ok = false
-        self = gsub(self,pattern, function(...)
-            ok, n = true, n + 1
-            return action(...)
-        end)
+        return str
     end
-    return self, n
 end
 
-if not string.characters then
-
-    local function nextchar(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, sub(str,index,index)
-    end
-    function string:characters()
-        return nextchar, self, 0
-    end
-    local function nextbyte(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, byte(sub(str,index,index))
-    end
-    function string:bytes()
-        return nextbyte, self, 0
-    end
+local space    = S(" \t\v\n")
+local nospace  = 1 - space
+local stripper = space^0 * C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0) -- roberto's code
 
+function string.strip(str)
+    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
 end
 
-function string:rpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return self .. rep(chr or " ",m)
-    else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-function string:lpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return rep(chr or " ",m) .. self
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.is_empty(str)
+    return not find(str,"%S")
 end
 
-string.padd = string.rpadd
-
 local patterns_escapes = {
-    ["-"] = "%-",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+",
-    ["*"] = "%*",
     ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["("] = "%)",
-    [")"] = "%)",
-    ["["] = "%[",
-    ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
 
-function string:escapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",patterns_escapes))
-end
-
 local simple_escapes = {
     ["-"] = "%-",
     ["."] = "%.",
@@ -208,24 +131,32 @@ local simple_escapes = {
     ["*"] = ".*",
 }
 
-function string:partialescapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",simple_escapes))
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
+    else
+        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
+    end
 end
 
-function string:tohash()
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(self,"([^, ]+)") do -- lpeg
-        t[s] = true
+function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
+    if str == "" then
+        return ".*"
+    else
+        str = gsub(str,".",simple_escapes)
+        if lowercase then
+            str = lower(str)
+        end
+        if strict then
+            return "^" .. str .. "$"
+        else
+            return str
+        end
     end
-    return t
 end
 
-local pattern = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.C(1)^0)
-
-function string:totable()
-    return lpegmatch(pattern,self)
-end
 
+-- The following functions might end up in another namespace.
 
 function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     -- we don't handle embedded newlines
@@ -246,30 +177,17 @@ function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     return str
 end
 
-function string:compactlong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","")
-    self = gsub(self,"^ *","")
-    return self
-end
 
-function string:striplong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"^%s*","")
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
-    return self
+function string.striplong(str) -- strips all leading spaces
+    str = gsub(str,"^%s*","")
+    str = gsub(str,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
+    return str
 end
 
-function string:topattern(lowercase,strict)
-    if lowercase then
-        self = lower(self)
-    end
-    self = gsub(self,".",simple_escapes)
-    if self == "" then
-        self = ".*"
-    elseif strict then
-        self = "^" .. self .. "$"
-    end
-    return self
-end
+-- obsolete names:
+
+string.quote   = string.quoted
+string.unquote = string.unquoted
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -292,15 +210,29 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 local P, R, S, Ct, C, Cs, Cc, V = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.V
 local match = lpeg.match
 
+local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
+local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
+
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
-local utf8byte         = R("\128\191")
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+local escaped          = P("\\") * P(1)
+local squote           = P("'")
+local dquote           = P('"')
 
-patterns.utf8byte      = utf8byte
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
-patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8byte * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8byte * utf8byte * utf8byte
+patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
+patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8next * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
+
+local utf8char         = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
+local validutf8char    = utf8char^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
+
+patterns.utf8          = utf8char
+patterns.utf8char      = utf8char
+patterns.validutf8     = validutf8char
+patterns.validutf8char = validutf8char
 
 patterns.digit         = digit
 patterns.sign          = sign
@@ -327,17 +259,24 @@ patterns.nonspace      = 1 - patterns.space
 patterns.nonspacer     = 1 - patterns.spacer
 patterns.whitespace    = patterns.eol + patterns.spacer
 patterns.nonwhitespace = 1 - patterns.whitespace
-patterns.utf8          = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
-patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
-patterns.validutf8     = patterns.utf8^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 patterns.comma         = P(",")
 patterns.commaspacer   = P(",") * patterns.spacer^0
 patterns.period        = P(".")
-
-patterns.undouble      = P('"')/"" * (1-P('"'))^0 * P('"')/""
-patterns.unsingle      = P("'")/"" * (1-P("'"))^0 * P("'")/""
+patterns.escaped       = escaped
+patterns.squote        = squote
+patterns.dquote        = dquote
+patterns.undouble      = (dquote/"") * ((escaped + (1-dquote))^0) * (dquote/"")
+patterns.unsingle      = (squote/"") * ((escaped + (1-squote))^0) * (squote/"")
+patterns.unquoted      = patterns.undouble + patterns.unsingle -- more often undouble
 patterns.unspacer      = ((patterns.spacer^1)/"")^0
 
+local unquoted = Cs(patterns.unquoted * P(-1)) -- not C
+
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return match(unquoted,str) or str
+end
+
+
 function lpeg.anywhere(pattern) --slightly adapted from website
     return P { P(pattern) + 1 * V(1) } -- why so complex?
 end
@@ -353,8 +292,8 @@ local content  = (empty + nonempty)^1
 
 local capture = Ct(content^0)
 
-function string:splitlines()
-    return match(capture,self)
+function string.splitlines(str)
+    return match(capture,str)
 end
 
 patterns.textline = content
@@ -366,12 +305,12 @@ local function splitat(separator,single)
     local splitter = (single and splitters_s[separator]) or splitters_m[separator]
     if not splitter then
         separator = P(separator)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
         if single then
-            local other, any = C((1 - separator)^0), P(1)
+            local any = P(1)
             splitter = other * (separator * C(any^0) + "") -- ?
             splitters_s[separator] = splitter
         else
-            local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
             splitter = other * (separator * other)^0
             splitters_m[separator] = splitter
         end
@@ -392,16 +331,15 @@ function lpeg.split(separator,str)
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:split(separator)
+function string.split(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         c = Ct(splitat(separator))
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
-lpeg.splitters = cache
 
 local cache = { }
 
@@ -409,22 +347,22 @@ function lpeg.checkedsplit(separator,str)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:checkedsplit(separator)
+function string.checkedsplit(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
 
@@ -435,7 +373,9 @@ local function f2(s) local c1, c2         = f1(s,1,2) return   c1 * 64 + c2
 local function f3(s) local c1, c2, c3     = f1(s,1,3) return  (c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3            -   925824 end
 local function f4(s) local c1, c2, c3, c4 = f1(s,1,4) return ((c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3) * 64 + c4 - 63447168 end
 
-patterns.utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+local utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+
+patterns.utf8byte = utf8byte
 
 
 
@@ -469,19 +409,25 @@ function lpeg.keeper(str)
     end
 end
 
+-- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
+-- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
+
 function lpeg.replacer(t)
     if #t > 0 then
         local p
         for i=1,#t do
             local ti= t[i]
             local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            p = (p and p + pp ) or pp
+            if p then
+                p = p + pp
+            else
+                p = pp
+            end
         end
         return Cs((p + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
-
 local splitters_f, splitters_s = { }, { }
 
 function lpeg.firstofsplit(separator) -- always return value
@@ -505,11 +451,170 @@ function lpeg.secondofsplit(separator) -- nil if not split
 end
 
 function lpeg.balancer(left,right)
+    left, right = P(left), P(right)
     return P { left * ((1 - left - right) + V(1))^0 * right }
 end
 
 
 
+local nany = utf8char/""
+
+function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+    pattern = Cs((P(pattern)/" " + nany)^0)
+    return function(str)
+        return #match(pattern,str)
+    end
+end
+
+if utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local n = 0
+            for _ in utfgmatch(str,what) do
+                n = n + 1
+            end
+            return n
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+else
+
+    local cache = { }
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local p = cache[what]
+            if not p then
+                p = Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0)
+                cache[p] = p
+            end
+            return #match(p,str)
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+end
+
+local patterns_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["%"] = "%%",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
+}
+
+local simple_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["-"] = "%-",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["?"] = ".",
+    ["*"] = ".*",
+}
+
+local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + P(1))^0)
+local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + P(1))^0)
+
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return match(s,str)
+    else
+        return match(p,str)
+    end
+end
+
+-- utf extensies
+
+lpeg.UP = lpeg.P
+
+if utfcharacters then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfcharacters(str) do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+
+elseif utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfgmatch(str,".") do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+else
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        local f = function(uc)
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        match((utf8char/f)^0,str)
+        return p
+    end
+
+end
+
+local range = Cs(utf8byte) * (Cs(utf8byte) + Cc(false))
+
+local utfchar = unicode and unicode.utf8 and unicode.utf8.char
+
+function lpeg.UR(str,more)
+    local first, last
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        first = str
+        last = more or first
+    else
+        first, last = match(range,str)
+        if not last then
+            return P(str)
+        end
+    end
+    if first == last then
+        return P(str)
+    elseif utfchar and last - first < 8 then -- a somewhat arbitrary criterium
+        local p
+        for i=first,last do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(utfchar(i))
+            else
+                p = P(utfchar(i))
+            end
+        end
+        return p -- nil when invalid range
+    else
+        local f = function(b)
+            return b >= first and b <= last
+        end
+        return utf8byte / f -- nil when invalid range
+    end
+end
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -577,24 +682,26 @@ end
 -- extra functions, some might go (when not used)
 
 function table.strip(tab)
-    local lst = { }
+    local lst, l = { }, 0
     for i=1,#tab do
         local s = gsub(tab[i],"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
         if s == "" then
             -- skip this one
         else
-            lst[#lst+1] = s
+            l = l + 1
+            lst[l] = s
         end
     end
     return lst
 end
 
 function table.keys(t)
-    local k = { }
+    local keys, k = { }, 0
     for key, _ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = key
+        k = k + 1
+        keys[k] = key
     end
-    return k
+    return keys
 end
 
 local function compare(a,b)
@@ -607,9 +714,10 @@ local function compare(a,b)
 end
 
 local function sortedkeys(tab)
-    local srt, kind = { }, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
+    local srt, kind, s = { }, 0, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
     for key,_ in next, tab do
-        srt[#srt+1] = key
+        s = s + 1
+        srt[s] = key
         if kind == 3 then
             -- no further check
         else
@@ -632,10 +740,11 @@ local function sortedkeys(tab)
 end
 
 local function sortedhashkeys(tab) -- fast one
-    local srt = { }
+    local srt, s = { }, 0
     for key,_ in next, tab do
         if key then
-            srt[#srt+1] = key
+            s= s + 1
+            srt[s] = key
         end
     end
     sort(srt)
@@ -649,8 +758,7 @@ local function nothing() end
 
 local function sortedhash(t)
     if t then
-        local s = sortedhashkeys(t) -- maybe just sortedkeys
-        local n = 0
+        local n, s = 0, sortedkeys(t) -- the robust one
         local function kv(s)
             n = n + 1
             local k = s[n]
@@ -666,20 +774,30 @@ table.sortedhash  = sortedhash
 table.sortedpairs = sortedhash
 
 function table.append(t, list)
-    for _,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,v)
+    local n = #t
+    for i=1,#list do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.prepend(t, list)
-    for k,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,k,v)
+    local nl = #list
+    local nt = nl + #t
+    for i=#t,1,-1 do
+        t[nt] = t[i]
+        nt = nt - 1
+    end
+    for i=1,#list do
+        t[i] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
     t = t or { }
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst = { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             t[k] = v
@@ -689,7 +807,7 @@ function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
 end
 
 function table.merged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, lst = { }, { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             tmp[k] = v
@@ -699,22 +817,24 @@ function table.merged(...)
 end
 
 function table.imerge(t, ...)
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst, nt = { ... }, #t
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            t[#t+1] = nst[j]
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return t
 end
 
 function table.imerged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, ntmp, lst = { }, 0, {...}
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = nst[j]
+            ntmp = ntmp + 1
+            tmp[ntmp] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return tmp
@@ -790,11 +910,14 @@ function table.tohash(t,value)
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
-    local h = { }
+    local hsh, h = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do -- no ipairs here
-        if v then h[#h+1] = k end
+        if v then
+            h = h + 1
+            hsh[h] = k
+        end
     end
-    return h
+    return hsh
 end
 
 table.serialize_functions = true
@@ -815,20 +938,23 @@ local function simple_table(t)
             n = n + 1
         end
         if n == #t then
-            local tt = { }
+            local tt, nt = { }, 0
             for i=1,#t do
                 local v = t[i]
                 local tv = type(v)
                 if tv == "number" then
+                    nt = nt + 1
                     if hexify then
-                        tt[#tt+1] = format("0x%04X",v)
+                        tt[nt] = format("0x%04X",v)
                     else
-                        tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
+                        tt[nt] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
                     end
                 elseif tv == "boolean" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = tostring(v)
                 elseif tv == "string" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = format("%q",v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = format("%q",v)
                 else
                     tt = nil
                     break
@@ -1123,10 +1249,11 @@ local function serialize(root,name,_handle,_reduce,_noquotes,_hexify)
 end
 
 
-function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
-    local t = { }
+function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify) -- can be faster if flush == false and t as argument
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     return concat(t,"\n")
@@ -1152,12 +1279,13 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     if f then
         local maxtab = table.tofile_maxtab
         if maxtab > 1 then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             local function flush(s)
-                t[#t+1] = s
-                if #t > maxtab then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+                if n > maxtab then
                     f:write(concat(t,"\n"),"\n") -- hm, write(sometable) should be nice
-                    t = { }
+                    t, n = { }, 0 -- we could recycle t if needed
                 end
             end
             serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
@@ -1173,52 +1301,66 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     end
 end
 
-local function flatten(t,f,complete) -- is this used? meybe a variant with next, ...
-    for i=1,#t do
-        local v = t[i]
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            if complete or type(v[1]) == "table" then
-                flatten(v,f,complete)
+local function flattened(t,f,depth)
+    if f == nil then
+        f = { }
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    elseif tonumber(f) then
+        -- assume then only two arguments are given
+        depth = f
+        f = { }
+    elseif not depth then
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    end
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        if type(k) ~= "number" then
+            if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+                flattened(v,f,depth-1)
             else
-                f[#f+1] = v
+                f[k] = v
             end
+        end
+    end
+    local n = #f
+    for k=1,#t do
+        local v = t[k]
+        if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+            flattened(v,f,depth-1)
+            n = #f
         else
-            f[#f+1] = v
+            n = n + 1
+            f[n] = v
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.flatten(t)
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,true)
     return f
 end
 
-function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,false)
-    return f
-end
-
-table.flattenonelevel = table.unnest
-
--- a better one:
+table.flattened = flattened
 
-local function flattened(t,f)
-    if not f then
+local function unnest(t,f) -- only used in mk, for old times sake
+    if not f then          -- and only relevant for token lists
         f = { }
     end
-    for k, v in next, t do
+    for i=1,#t do
+        local v = t[i]
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            flattened(v,f)
+            if type(v[1]) == "table" then
+                unnest(v,f)
+            else
+                f[#f+1] = v
+            end
         else
-            f[k] = v
+            f[#f+1] = v
         end
     end
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattened = flattened
+function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
+    return unnest(t)
+end
+
+
 
 local function are_equal(a,b,n,m) -- indexed
     if a and b and #a == #b then
@@ -1244,7 +1386,7 @@ end
 
 local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     for ka, va in next, a do
-        local vb = b[k]
+        local vb = b[ka]
         if va == vb then
             -- same
         elseif type(va) == "table" and  type(vb) == "table" then
@@ -1258,8 +1400,8 @@ local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     return true
 end
 
-table.are_equal = are_equal
 table.identical = identical
+table.are_equal = are_equal
 
 -- maybe also make a combined one
 
@@ -1285,14 +1427,14 @@ function table.contains(t, v)
 end
 
 function table.count(t)
-    local n, e = 0, next(t)
-    while e do
-        n, e = n + 1, next(t,e)
+    local n = 0
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function table.swapped(t,s)
+function table.swapped(t,s) -- hash
     local n = { }
     if s then
         for k, v in next, s do
@@ -1305,52 +1447,34 @@ function table.swapped(t,s)
     return n
 end
 
-
-function table.clone(t,p) -- t is optional or nil or table
-    if not p then
-        t, p = { }, t or { }
-    elseif not t then
-        t = { }
-    end
-    setmetatable(t, { __index = function(_,key) return p[key] end }) -- why not __index = p ?
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.hexed(t,seperator)
-    local tt = { }
-    for i=1,#t do tt[i] = format("0x%04X",t[i]) end
-    return concat(tt,seperator or " ")
-end
-
-function table.swaphash(h) -- needs another name
-    local r = { }
-    for k,v in next, h do
-        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
-    end
-    return r
-end
-
-function table.reverse(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    if #t > 0 then
-        for i=#t,1,-1 do
-            tt[#tt+1] = t[i]
+function table.reversed(t)
+    if t then
+        local tt, tn = { }, #t
+        if tn > 0 then
+            local ttn = 0
+            for i=tn,1,-1 do
+                ttn = ttn + 1
+                tt[ttn] = t[i]
+            end
         end
+        return tt
     end
-    return tt
 end
 
 function table.sequenced(t,sep,simple) -- hash only
-    local s = { }
+    local s, n = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(t) do
         if simple then
             if v == true then
-                s[#s+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k
             elseif v and v~= "" then
-                s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
             end
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            n = n + 1
+            s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     return concat(s, sep or " | ")
@@ -1360,7 +1484,7 @@ function table.print(...)
     table.tohandle(print,...)
 end
 
--- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and will comment them later -- -- --
+-- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and might comment them later -- -- --
 
 -- roughly: copy-loop : unpack : sub == 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.45 (so in critical apps, use unpack)
 
@@ -1375,14 +1499,7 @@ function table.is_empty(t)
 end
 
 function table.has_one_entry(t)
-    local n = next(t)
-    return n and not next(t,n)
-end
-
-function table.replace(a,b)
-    for k,v in next, b do
-        a[k] = v
-    end
+    return t and not next(t,next(t))
 end
 
 
@@ -1627,6 +1744,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-number'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+-- this module will be replaced when we have the bit library
+
 local tostring = tostring
 local format, floor, insert, match = string.format, math.floor, string.match
 local concat, insert = table.concat, table.insert
@@ -1768,10 +1887,11 @@ function set.tolist(n)
     if n == 0 or not tabs[n] then
         return ""
     else
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for k, v in next, tabs[n] do
             if v then
-                t[#t+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = k
             end
         end
         return concat(t," ")
@@ -1950,7 +2070,7 @@ end
 -- no need for function anymore as we have more clever code and helpers now
 -- this metatable trickery might as well disappear
 
-os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { }
+os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { } -- will become private
 
 local resolvers = os.resolvers
 
@@ -2279,7 +2399,7 @@ end
 file.isreadable = file.is_readable -- depricated
 file.iswritable = file.is_writable -- depricated
 
--- todo: lpeg
+-- todo: lpeg \\ / .. does not save much
 
 local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
 
@@ -2295,7 +2415,7 @@ end
 -- we can hash them weakly
 
 
-function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
+function file.collapsepath(str,anchor)
     if anchor and not find(str,"^/") and not find(str,"^%a:") then
         str = getcurrentdir() .. "/" .. str
     end
@@ -2350,6 +2470,8 @@ function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
     end
 end
 
+file.collapse_path = file.collapsepath
+
 
 function file.robustname(str)
     return (gsub(str,"[^%a%d%/%-%.\\]+","-"))
@@ -2782,9 +2904,12 @@ local function glob(str,t)
             end
             return t
         elseif isfile(str) then
-            local t = t or { }
-            t[#t+1] = str
-            return t
+            if t then
+                t[#t+1] = str
+                return t
+            else
+                return { str }
+            end
         else
             local split = lpegmatch(pattern,str)
             if split then
@@ -2812,6 +2937,7 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
         func = function(name) return find(name,s) end
     end
     files = files or { }
+    local noffiles = #files
     for name in walkdir(path) do
         if find(name,"^%.") then
             --- skip
@@ -2822,12 +2948,9 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
                     globfiles(path .. "/" .. name,recurse,func,files)
                 end
             elseif mode == "file" then
-                if func then
-                    if func(name) then
-                        files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
-                    end
-                else
-                    files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
+                if not func or func(name) then
+                    noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                    files[noffiles] = path .. "/" .. name
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3012,8 +3135,12 @@ local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 boolean = boolean or { }
 local boolean = boolean
 
+-- function boolean.tonumber(b)
+--     return b and 1 or 0 -- test and test and return or return
+-- end
+
 function boolean.tonumber(b)
-    if b then return 1 else return 0 end
+    if b then return 1 else return 0 end -- test and return or return
 end
 
 function toboolean(str,tolerant)
@@ -3037,6 +3164,8 @@ function toboolean(str,tolerant)
     end
 end
 
+string.toboolean = toboolean
+
 function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     if type(str) == "string" then
         if str == "true" or str == "yes" or str == "on" or str == "t" then
@@ -3048,14 +3177,6 @@ function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     return default
 end
 
-function boolean.alwaystrue()
-    return true
-end
-
-function boolean.falsetrue()
-    return false
-end
-
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -3144,30 +3265,37 @@ function unicode.utftype(f)
 end
 
 function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
-    local result, tmp, n, m, p = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- we reuse tmp
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
     for l,r in bytepairs(str) do
         if r then
             if endian then
-                n = l*256 + r
+                n = 256*l + r
             else
-                n = r*256 + l
+                n = 256*r + l
             end
             if m > 0 then
                 n = (m-0xD800)*0x400 + (n-0xDC00) + 0x10000
@@ -3180,29 +3308,36 @@ function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
             end
         end
     end
-    if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+    if t > 0 then
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
-    local result = { }
-    local tmp, n, m, p = { }, 0, -1, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, -1, 0, 0, 0
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
@@ -3210,15 +3345,15 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         if a and b then
             if m < 0 then
                 if endian then
-                    m = a*256*256*256 + b*256*256
+                    m = 256*256*256*a + 256*256*b
                 else
-                    m = b*256 + a
+                    m = 256*b + a
                 end
             else
                 if endian then
-                    n = m + a*256 + b
+                    n = m + 256*a + b
                 else
-                    n = m + b*256*256*256 + a*256*256
+                    n = m + 256*256*256*b + 256*256*a
                 end
                 m = -1
                 doit()
@@ -3228,13 +3363,14 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         end
     end
     if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 local function little(c)
-    local b = byte(c) -- b = c:byte()
+    local b = byte(c)
     if b < 0x10000 then
         return char(b%256,b/256)
     else
@@ -3264,9 +3400,10 @@ function unicode.utf8_to_utf16(str,littleendian)
 end
 
 function unicode.utfcodes(str)
-    local t = { }
-    for k,v in utfvalues(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = format("0x%04X",k)
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for u in utfvalues(str) do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = format("0x%04X",u)
     end
     return concat(t,separator or " ")
 end
@@ -3324,6 +3461,189 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+utilities        = utilities or {}
+utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
+local tables     = utilities.tables
+
+local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
+local setmetatable = setmetatable
+
+function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
+    local composed, t, n = nil, { }, 0
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        n = n + 1
+        if composed then
+            composed = composed .. "." .. name
+        else
+            composed = name
+        end
+        t[n] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
+    end
+    return concat(t,"\n")
+end
+
+function tables.accesstable(target)
+    local t = _G
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        t = t[name]
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function tables.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
+    if value then
+        for i=1,#t do
+            if t[i] == value then
+                remove(t,i)
+                -- remove all, so no: return
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function tables.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,1,extra)
+end
+
+function tables.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i+1,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
+end
+
+local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
+
+function table.setemptymetatable(t)
+    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
+
+utilities         = utilities or { }
+utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
+local storage     = utilities.storage
+
+function storage.mark(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.allocate(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.marked(t)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m.__storage__
+end
+
+function storage.checked(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m[key] = value
+end
+
+function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m[key]
+end
+
+
+function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
+    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
+    m.__index = function(data,k)
+        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
+        initialize()
+        return data[k]
+    end
+    setmetatable(data, m)
+end
+
+local keyisvalue = { __index = function(t,k)
+    t[k] = k
+    return k
+end }
+
+function storage.sparse(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    setmetatable(t,keyisvalue)
+    return t
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-mrg'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
@@ -3483,7 +3803,7 @@ utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
     os.remove(lucfile)
-    local command = "-o " .. string.quote(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quote(luafile)
+    local command = "-o " .. string.quoted(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quoted(luafile)
     if strip ~= false then
         command = "-s " .. command
     end
@@ -3496,6 +3816,12 @@ function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: clean
 end
 
 
+
+
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -3516,7 +3842,7 @@ parsers.patterns  = parsers.patterns or { }
 local P, R, V, C, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local concat, format, gmatch = table.concat, string.format, string.gmatch
-local tostring, type, next = tostring, type, next
+local tostring, type, next, setmetatable = tostring, type, next, setmetatable
 local sortedhash = table.sortedhash
 
 local escape, left, right = P("\\"), P('{'), P('}')
@@ -3635,7 +3961,7 @@ end
 
 function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
     if h then
-        local t, s = { }, table.sortedkeys(h)
+        local t, tn, s = { }, 0, table.sortedkeys(h)
         omit = omit and table.tohash(omit)
         for i=1,#s do
             local key = s[i]
@@ -3644,15 +3970,19 @@ function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
                 if type(value) == "boolean" then
                     if yes and no then
                         if value then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. yes
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. yes
                         elseif not strict then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. no
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. no
                         end
                     elseif value or not strict then
-                        t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
+                        tn = tn + 1
+                        t[tn] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
                     end
                 else
-                    t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. value
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = key .. '=' .. value
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3679,10 +4009,11 @@ function parsers.settings_to_set(str,t) -- tohash? -- todo: lpeg -- duplicate an
 end
 
 function parsers.simple_hash_to_string(h, separator)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, tn = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(h) do
         if v then
-            t[#t+1] = k
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = k
         end
     end
     return concat(t,separator or ",")
@@ -3700,99 +4031,18 @@ end
 function parsers.getparameters(self,class,parentclass,settings)
     local sc = self[class]
     if not sc then
-        sc = table.clone(self[parent])
+        sc = { }
         self[class] = sc
-    end
-    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
-local tables     = utilities.tables
-
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
-local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
-local setmetatable = setmetatable
-
-function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
-    local composed, t = nil, { }
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        if composed then
-            composed = composed .. "." .. name
-        else
-            composed = name
-        end
-        t[#t+1] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
-    end
-    return concat(t,"\n")
-end
-
-function tables.accesstable(target)
-    local t = _G
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        t = t[name]
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
-    if value then
-        for i=1,#t do
-            if t[i] == value then
-                remove(t,i)
-                -- remove all, so no: return
+        if parentclass then
+            local sp = self[parentclass]
+            if not sp then
+                sp = { }
+                self[parentclass] = sp
             end
+            setmetatable(sc, { __index = sp })
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,1,extra)
-end
-
-function table.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i+1,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
-end
-
-local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
-
-function table.setemptymetatable(t)
-    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
 end
 
 
@@ -3831,9 +4081,9 @@ local number        = digit^1 * (case_1 + case_2)
 local stripper      = Cs((number + 1)^0)
 
 
-lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros = stripper
+lpeg.patterns.stripzeros = stripper
 
-function formatters.strip_zeros(str)
+function formatters.stripzeros(str)
     return lpegmatch(stripper,str)
 end
 
@@ -4005,88 +4255,6 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
-
-utilities         = utilities or { }
-utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
-local storage     = utilities.storage
-
-function storage.mark(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.allocate(t)
-    t = t or { }
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.marked(t)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m.__storage__
-end
-
-function storage.checked(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m[key] = value
-end
-
-function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m[key]
-end
-
-
-function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
-    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
-    m.__index = function(data,k)
-        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
-        initialize()
-        return data[k]
-    end
-    setmetatable(data, m)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to trac-inf.mkiv",
@@ -4102,6 +4270,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 local clock = os.gettimeofday or os.clock -- should go in environment
+local write_nl = texio.write_nl
 
 statistics       = statistics or { }
 local statistics = statistics
@@ -4197,7 +4366,7 @@ end
 
 function statistics.show(reporter)
     if statistics.enable then
-        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) texio.write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
+        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
         -- this code will move
         local register = statistics.register
         register("luatex banner", function()
@@ -4220,18 +4389,24 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
                 reporter(s[1],r,n)
             end
         end
-        texio.write_nl("") -- final newline
+        write_nl("") -- final newline
         statistics.enable = false
     end
 end
 
+
+local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
     if type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
-        texio.write_nl(format("%-15s: %s - %s","mkiv lua stats",tag:rpadd(n," "),data))
+        if not template or n > nn then
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+        end
+        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4288,7 +4463,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-set'] = { -- might become u
 
 local type, next, tostring = type, next, tostring
 local concat = table.concat
-local format, find, lower, gsub, partialescapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.partialescapedpattern
+local format, find, lower, gsub, escapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.escapedpattern
 local is_boolean = string.is_boolean
 local settings_to_hash = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -4368,7 +4543,7 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,partialescapedpattern(w)) then
+            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -5151,7 +5326,7 @@ local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
 local format, sub, match, gsub, find = string.format, string.sub, string.match, string.gsub, string.find
-local unquote, quote = string.unquote, string.quote
+local unquoted, quoted = string.unquoted, string.quoted
 local concat = table.concat
 
 -- precautions
@@ -5219,7 +5394,7 @@ function environment.initializearguments(arg)
         if index > 0 then
             local flag, value = match(argument,"^%-+(.-)=(.-)$")
             if flag then
-                arguments[flag] = unquote(value or "")
+                arguments[flag] = unquoted(value or "")
             else
                 flag = match(argument,"^%-+(.+)")
                 if flag then
@@ -5284,19 +5459,21 @@ end
 function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     arg = arg or environment.originalarguments
     if noquote and #arg == 1 then
+        -- we could just do: return unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i]))
         local a = arg[1]
         a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-        a = unquote(a)
+        a = unquoted(a)
         return a
     elseif #arg > 0 then
         local result = { }
         for i=1,#arg do
+            -- we could just do: result[#result+1] = format("%q",unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i])))
             local a = arg[i]
             a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-            a = unquote(a)
+            a = unquoted(a)
             a = gsub(a,'"','\\"') -- tricky
             if find(a," ") then
-                result[#result+1] = quote(a)
+                result[#result+1] = quoted(a)
             else
                 result[#result+1] = a
             end
@@ -5307,6 +5484,7 @@ function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     end
 end
 
+
 if arg then
 
     -- new, reconstruct quoted snippets (maybe better just remove the " then and add them later)
@@ -6767,7 +6945,7 @@ apply_axis['root'] = function(list)
                 rt = ll
             end
         end
-        collected[#collected+1] = rt
+        collected[l] = rt
     end
     return collected
 end
@@ -6777,7 +6955,7 @@ apply_axis['self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local dt = ll.dt
@@ -6786,7 +6964,8 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
             for k=1,#dt do
                 local dk = dt[k]
                 if dk.tg then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c] = dk
                     dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
@@ -6798,68 +6977,74 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
-        collect(list[l],collected)
+        c = collect(list[l],collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if ll.special ~= true then -- catch double root
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
-        collect(ll,collected)
+        c = collect(ll,collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6867,14 +7052,16 @@ apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
-        collected[#collected+1] = ll
+        c = c + 1
+        collected[c] = ll
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6882,11 +7069,12 @@ apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['parent'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local pl = list[l].__p__
         if pl then
-            collected[#collected+1] = pl
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = pl
         end
     end
     return collected
@@ -6909,7 +7097,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 end
 
 apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6917,7 +7105,8 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=ll.ni+1,#d do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6925,7 +7114,7 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6933,7 +7122,8 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=1,ll.ni-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6941,7 +7131,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6949,7 +7139,8 @@ apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
         for i=ll.ni-1,1,-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6975,7 +7166,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 return { }
             end
         else
-            local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+            local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
             if not nns then -- only check tag
                 for l=1,#list do
                     local ll = list[l]
@@ -6984,11 +7175,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ntg == ltg then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif ntg ~= ltg then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7000,11 +7193,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if lns == nns then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif lns ~= nns then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7018,11 +7213,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ok then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif not ok then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7030,7 +7227,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
             return collected
         end
     else
-        local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+        local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
         for l=1,#list do
             local ll = list[l]
             local ltg = ll.tg
@@ -7047,11 +7244,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 if directive then
                     if ok then
                         local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                        collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                        c = c + 1
+                        collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                     end
                 elseif not ok then
                     local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                    collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -7062,12 +7261,13 @@ end
 local quit_expression = false
 
 local function apply_expression(list,expression,order)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     quit_expression = false
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if expression(list,ll,l,order) then -- nasty, order alleen valid als n=1
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
         if quit_expression then
             break
@@ -7363,7 +7563,7 @@ local function nodesettostring(set,nodetest)
         if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
         if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
         tg = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
-        t[#t+1] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
+        t[i] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
     end
     if nodetest == false then
         return format("not(%s)",concat(t,"|"))
@@ -7382,7 +7582,7 @@ local function tagstostring(list)
             local ns, tg = li.ns, li.tg
             if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
             if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
-            t[#t+1] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
+            t[i] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
         end
         return concat(t," ")
     end
@@ -8102,16 +8302,17 @@ end
 function xml.collect_tags(root, pattern, nonamespace)
     local collected = xmlapplylpath(root,pattern)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             elseif ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8219,8 +8420,10 @@ local function inject_element(root,pattern,whatever,prepend)
                 else
                     be, af = edt, cp
                 end
+                local bn = #be
                 for i=1,#af do
-                    be[#be+1] = af[i]
+                    bn = bn + 1
+                    be[bn] = af[i]
                 end
                 if rri then
                     r.dt[rri].dt = be
@@ -8305,11 +8508,12 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
     local edt = e.dt
     if edt then
         if anywhere then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             for e=1,#edt do
                 local str = edt[e]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
-                    t[#t+1] = str
+                    n = n + 1
+                    t[n] = str
                 elseif str ~= "" then
                     -- todo: lpeg for each case
                     if nolines then
@@ -8317,7 +8521,8 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                     str = gsub(str,"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
                     if str ~= "" then
-                        t[#t+1] = str
+                        n = n + 1
+                        t[n] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8344,9 +8549,10 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            if #edt > 0 then
+            local nedt = #nedt
+            if nedt > 0 then
                 -- strip end
-                local str = edt[#edt]
+                local str = edt[nedt]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
                     -- nothing
                 elseif str == "" then
@@ -8359,7 +8565,7 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     if str == "" then
                         remove(edt)
                     else
-                        edt[#edt] = str
+                        edt[nedt] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8506,15 +8712,8 @@ local function all(collected)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function reverse(collected)
-    if collected then
-        local reversed = { }
-        for c=#collected,1,-1 do
-            reversed[#reversed+1] = collected[c]
-        end
-        return reversed
-    end
-end
+
+local reverse = table.reversed
 
 local function attribute(collected,name)
     if collected and #collected > 0 then
@@ -8605,11 +8804,12 @@ end
 
 local function texts(collected)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collection[c]
             if e and e.dt then
-                t[#t+1] = e.dt
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = e.dt
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8652,14 +8852,15 @@ end
 
 local function tags(collected,nonamespace)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace or ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8855,9 +9056,13 @@ end
 
 do
 
-    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or '~'
+    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or ''
+
+    if not homedir or homedir == "" then
+        homedir = string.char(127) -- we need a value, later we wil trigger on it
+    end
 
-    homedir = file.collapse_path(homedir)
+    homedir = file.collapsepath(homedir)
 
     ossetenv("HOME",       homedir) -- can be used in unix cnf files
     ossetenv("USERPROFILE",homedir) -- can be used in windows cnf files
@@ -8876,8 +9081,8 @@ do
     local ownbin  = environment.ownbin  or args[-2] or arg[-2] or args[-1] or arg[-1] or arg[0] or "luatex"
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or os.selfdir
 
-    ownbin  = file.collapse_path(ownbin)
-    ownpath = file.collapse_path(ownpath)
+    ownbin  = file.collapsepath(ownbin)
+    ownpath = file.collapsepath(ownpath)
 
     if not ownpath or ownpath == "" or ownpath == "unset" then
         ownpath = args[-1] or arg[-1]
@@ -8949,9 +9154,9 @@ do
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or dir.current()
 
     if ownpath then
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapse_path(ownpath))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/.."))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/../.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapsepath(ownpath))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
         report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
@@ -8987,7 +9192,7 @@ if not texroot or texroot == "" then
     ossetenv('TEXROOT',texroot)
 end
 
-environment.texroot = file.collapse_path(texroot)
+environment.texroot = file.collapsepath(texroot)
 
 -- Tracing. Todo ...
 
@@ -9026,7 +9231,7 @@ local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lp
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
@@ -9062,22 +9267,29 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
 
 local function do_first(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = a .. s end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = a .. s
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_second(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = s .. b end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s .. b
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_both(a,b)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
@@ -9101,6 +9313,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
+    local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
     while true do
         done = false
@@ -9124,11 +9337,15 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
-            if s then t[#t+1] = s end
+            if s then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+            end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = s
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9141,7 +9358,7 @@ end
 
 local function validate(s)
     local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapse_path(s)
+    s = collapsepath(s)
     if isrecursive then
         s = s .. "//"
     end
@@ -9164,10 +9381,14 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a pa
             splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
         end
     else
+        local n = 0
         for k=1,#pathlist do
             for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
                 p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then newlist[#newlist+1] = p end
+                if p ~= "" then
+                    n = n + 1
+                    newlist[n] = p
+                end
             end
         end
     end
@@ -9176,16 +9397,42 @@ end
 
 -- We also put some cleanup code here.
 
-local cleanup -- used recursively
 
-cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
-    { "!",  "" },
-    { "\\", "/" },
-    { "~" , function() return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir) end },
+
+
+local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+    { "!"  , ""  },
+    { "\\" , "/" },
 }
 
+local homedir
+
 function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
-    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+    if not homedir then
+        homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
+        if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
+            if trace_expansions then
+                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+            end
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                if find(str,"~") then
+                    return "" -- special case
+                else
+                    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+                { "!"  , ""      },
+                { "\\" , "/"     },
+                { "~"  , homedir },
+            }
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return resolvers.cleanpath(str)
 end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
@@ -9211,7 +9458,6 @@ end
 -- we join them and split them after the expansion has taken place. This
 -- is more convenient.
 
-
 local cache = { }
 
 local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
@@ -9226,15 +9472,17 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                 str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
                 local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
                 found = { }
+                local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
                     local s = split[i]
                     if not find(s,"^{*unset}*") then
-                        found[#found+1] = s
+                        noffound = noffound + 1
+                        found[noffound] = s
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
                     report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
-                    for k=1,#found do
+                    for k=1,noffound do
                         report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
@@ -9357,7 +9605,6 @@ formats['enc']          = 'ENCFONTS'       suffixes['enc']          = { 'enc' }
 formats['fmt']          = 'TEXFORMATS'     suffixes['fmt']          = { 'fmt' }
 formats['map']          = 'TEXFONTMAPS'    suffixes['map']          = { 'map' }
 formats['mp']           = 'MPINPUTS'       suffixes['mp']           = { 'mp' }
-formats['ocp']          = 'OCPINPUTS'      suffixes['ocp']          = { 'ocp' }
 formats['ofm']          = 'OFMFONTS'       suffixes['ofm']          = { 'ofm', 'tfm' }
 formats['otf']          = 'OPENTYPEFONTS'  suffixes['otf']          = { 'otf' }
 formats['opl']          = 'OPLFONTS'       suffixes['opl']          = { 'opl' }
@@ -9582,7 +9829,7 @@ local function identify()
             local cachepath = texmfcaches[k]
             if cachepath ~= "" then
                 cachepath = resolvers.cleanpath(cachepath)
-                cachepath = file.collapse_path(cachepath)
+                cachepath = file.collapsepath(cachepath)
                 local valid = isdir(cachepath)
                 if valid then
                     if file.is_readable(cachepath) then
@@ -9921,7 +10168,7 @@ function resolvers.splitmethod(filename)
 end
 
 function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
     local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
     local scheme = specification.scheme
     local resolver = resolvers[what]
@@ -9966,7 +10213,7 @@ local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10169,7 +10416,7 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
         expandvars(cnfpaths) --- hm
         local luacnfname = resolvers.luacnfname
         for i=1,#cnfpaths do
-            local filename = collapse_path(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
+            local filename = collapsepath(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
             if lfs.isfile(filename) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
             end
@@ -10330,7 +10577,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
-        local path = collapse_path(texmfpaths[i])
+        local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
         local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
         local runtime = stripped == path
         path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
@@ -10443,11 +10690,12 @@ end
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
-        local t, h, p = { }, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
+        local t, tn, h, p = { }, 0, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
         for kk=1,#p do
             local vv = p[kk]
             if vv ~= "" and not h[vv] then
-                t[#t+1] = vv
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = vv
                 h[vv] = true
             end
         end
@@ -10554,7 +10802,8 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
     local ep = instance.extra_paths or { }
-    local n = #ep
+    local oldn = #ep
+    local newn = oldn
     if paths and paths ~= "" then
         if subpaths and subpaths ~= "" then
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
@@ -10562,7 +10811,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
                 for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                     local ps = p .. "/" .. s
                     if not done[ps] then
-                        ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                        newn = newn + 1
+                        ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                         done[ps] = true
                     end
                 end
@@ -10570,7 +10820,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
         else
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
                 if not done[p] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
                     done[p] = true
                 end
             end
@@ -10581,16 +10832,17 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
             for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                 local ps = ep[i] .. "/" .. s
                 if not done[ps] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                     done[ps] = true
                 end
             end
         end
     end
-    if #ep > 0 then
+    if newn > 0 then
         instance.extra_paths = ep -- register paths
     end
-    if #ep > n then
+    if newn > oldn then
         instance.lists = { } -- erase the cache
     end
 end
@@ -10600,14 +10852,15 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
     if not ep or #ep == 0 then
         return list
     else
-        local done, new = { }, { }
+        local done, new, newn = { }, { }, 0
         -- honour . .. ../.. but only when at the start
         for k=1,#list do
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 if find(v,"^[%.%/]$") then
                     done[v] = true
-                    new[#new+1] = v
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    new[newn] = v
                 else
                     break
                 end
@@ -10618,7 +10871,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = ep[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         -- next the formal paths
@@ -10626,7 +10880,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         return new
@@ -10637,7 +10892,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
     local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
     if t then
         for i=1,#t do
-            t[i] = collapse_path(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
+            t[i] = collapsepath(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -10703,7 +10958,7 @@ resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
 -- name/name
 
 local function collect_files(names)
-    local filelist = { }
+    local filelist, noffiles = { }, 0
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
@@ -10744,7 +10999,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
-                            filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                            noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                            filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                         end
                     else
                         for kk=1,#blobfile do
@@ -10756,7 +11012,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
-                                filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                                noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                                filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -10766,7 +11023,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             end
         end
     end
-    return #filelist > 0 and filelist or nil
+    return noffiles > 0 and filelist or nil
 end
 
 function resolvers.registerintrees(name)
@@ -10792,7 +11049,7 @@ end
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = collected or { }
     local stamp  = nil
-    filename = collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = collapsepath(filename)
     -- speed up / beware: format problem
     if instance.remember then
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. instance.engine .. "--" .. instance.progname .. "--" .. instance.format
@@ -11045,7 +11302,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scan
         end
     end
     for k=1,#result do
-        local rk = collapse_path(result[k])
+        local rk = collapsepath(result[k])
         result[k] = rk
         resolvers.registerintrees(rk) -- for tracing used files
     end
@@ -12439,7 +12696,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree)
         local texos   = "texmf-" .. os.platform
 
         local oldroot = environment.texroot
-        local newroot = file.collapse_path(tree)
+        local newroot = file.collapsepath(tree)
 
         local newtree = file.join(newroot,texos)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
@@ -12668,17 +12925,17 @@ local format = string.format
 
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
-local quote = string.quote
+local quoted = string.quoted
 
 local function primaryflags()
     local trackers   = environment.argument("trackers")
     local directives = environment.argument("directives")
     local flags = ""
     if trackers and trackers ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quote(trackers)
+        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quoted(trackers)
     end
     if directives and directives ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quote(directives)
+        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quoted(directives)
     end
     return flags
 end
@@ -12743,7 +13000,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
-    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quote(usedluastub),quote(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
+    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
     logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
@@ -12781,8 +13038,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
                 logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
-                local q = string.quote
-                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quote(barename),quote(luaname),quote(data),more ~= "" and quote(more) or "")
+                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
                 logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
@@ -12813,13 +13069,13 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'l-unicode.lua',
     'l-math.lua',
 
+    'util-tab.lua',
+    'util-sto.lua',
     'util-mrg.lua',
     'util-lua.lua',
     'util-prs.lua',
-    'util-tab.lua',
     'util-fmt.lua',
     'util-deb.lua',
-    'util-sto.lua',
 
     'trac-inf.lua',
     'trac-set.lua',
diff --git a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
index d091fa405..7af51ba30 100755
--- a/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
+++ b/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-string'] = {
 
 local string = string
 local sub, gsub, find, match, gmatch, format, char, byte, rep, lower = string.sub, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.gmatch, string.format, string.char, string.byte, string.rep, string.lower
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
+local lpegmatch, S, C, Ct = lpeg.match, lpeg.S, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct
 
 -- some functions may disappear as they are not used anywhere
 
@@ -62,145 +62,68 @@ if not string.split then
 
     -- this will be overloaded by a faster lpeg variant
 
-    function string:split(pattern)
-        if #self > 0 then
-            local t = { }
-            for s in gmatch(self..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
-                t[#t+1] = s
+    function string.split(str,pattern)
+        local t = { }
+        if #str > 0 then
+            local n = 1
+            for s in gmatch(str..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
+                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1
             end
-            return t
-        else
-            return { }
         end
+        return t
     end
 
 end
 
-string.patterns = { }
-
-local escapes = {
-    ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
-    ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
-    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
-    ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
-}
-
-string.patterns.escapes = escapes
-
-function string:esc() -- variant 2
-    return (gsub(self,"(.)",escapes))
-end
-
-function string:unquote()
-    return (gsub(self,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return (gsub(str,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
 end
 
 
-function string:quote() -- we could use format("%q")
-    return format("%q",self)
+function string.quoted(str)
+    return format("%q",str) -- always "
 end
 
-function string:count(pattern) -- variant 3
+function string.count(str,pattern) -- variant 3
     local n = 0
-    for _ in gmatch(self,pattern) do
+    for _ in gmatch(str,pattern) do -- not for utf
         n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function string:limit(n,sentinel)
-    if #self > n then
+function string.limit(str,n,sentinel)
+    if #str > n then
         sentinel = sentinel or " ..."
-        return sub(self,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
+        return sub(str,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
     else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-
-do -- roberto's variant:
-    local space    = lpeg.S(" \t\v\n")
-    local nospace  = 1 - space
-    local stripper = space^0 * lpeg.C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0)
-    function string.strip(str)
-        return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
-    end
-end
-
-function string:is_empty()
-    return not find(self,"%S")
-end
-
-function string:enhance(pattern,action)
-    local ok, n = true, 0
-    while ok do
-        ok = false
-        self = gsub(self,pattern, function(...)
-            ok, n = true, n + 1
-            return action(...)
-        end)
+        return str
     end
-    return self, n
 end
 
-if not string.characters then
-
-    local function nextchar(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, sub(str,index,index)
-    end
-    function string:characters()
-        return nextchar, self, 0
-    end
-    local function nextbyte(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, byte(sub(str,index,index))
-    end
-    function string:bytes()
-        return nextbyte, self, 0
-    end
+local space    = S(" \t\v\n")
+local nospace  = 1 - space
+local stripper = space^0 * C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0) -- roberto's code
 
+function string.strip(str)
+    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
 end
 
-function string:rpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return self .. rep(chr or " ",m)
-    else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
-function string:lpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return rep(chr or " ",m) .. self
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.is_empty(str)
+    return not find(str,"%S")
 end
 
-string.padd = string.rpadd
-
 local patterns_escapes = {
-    ["-"] = "%-",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+",
-    ["*"] = "%*",
     ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["("] = "%)",
-    [")"] = "%)",
-    ["["] = "%[",
-    ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
 
-function string:escapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",patterns_escapes))
-end
-
 local simple_escapes = {
     ["-"] = "%-",
     ["."] = "%.",
@@ -208,24 +131,32 @@ local simple_escapes = {
     ["*"] = ".*",
 }
 
-function string:partialescapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",simple_escapes))
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
+    else
+        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
+    end
 end
 
-function string:tohash()
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(self,"([^, ]+)") do -- lpeg
-        t[s] = true
+function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
+    if str == "" then
+        return ".*"
+    else
+        str = gsub(str,".",simple_escapes)
+        if lowercase then
+            str = lower(str)
+        end
+        if strict then
+            return "^" .. str .. "$"
+        else
+            return str
+        end
     end
-    return t
 end
 
-local pattern = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.C(1)^0)
-
-function string:totable()
-    return lpegmatch(pattern,self)
-end
 
+-- The following functions might end up in another namespace.
 
 function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     -- we don't handle embedded newlines
@@ -246,30 +177,17 @@ function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     return str
 end
 
-function string:compactlong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","")
-    self = gsub(self,"^ *","")
-    return self
-end
 
-function string:striplong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"^%s*","")
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
-    return self
+function string.striplong(str) -- strips all leading spaces
+    str = gsub(str,"^%s*","")
+    str = gsub(str,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
+    return str
 end
 
-function string:topattern(lowercase,strict)
-    if lowercase then
-        self = lower(self)
-    end
-    self = gsub(self,".",simple_escapes)
-    if self == "" then
-        self = ".*"
-    elseif strict then
-        self = "^" .. self .. "$"
-    end
-    return self
-end
+-- obsolete names:
+
+string.quote   = string.quoted
+string.unquote = string.unquoted
 
 
 end -- of closure
@@ -292,15 +210,29 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 local P, R, S, Ct, C, Cs, Cc, V = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.V
 local match = lpeg.match
 
+local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
+local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
+
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
-local utf8byte         = R("\128\191")
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+local escaped          = P("\\") * P(1)
+local squote           = P("'")
+local dquote           = P('"')
 
-patterns.utf8byte      = utf8byte
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
-patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8byte * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8byte * utf8byte * utf8byte
+patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
+patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8next * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
+
+local utf8char         = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
+local validutf8char    = utf8char^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
+
+patterns.utf8          = utf8char
+patterns.utf8char      = utf8char
+patterns.validutf8     = validutf8char
+patterns.validutf8char = validutf8char
 
 patterns.digit         = digit
 patterns.sign          = sign
@@ -327,17 +259,24 @@ patterns.nonspace      = 1 - patterns.space
 patterns.nonspacer     = 1 - patterns.spacer
 patterns.whitespace    = patterns.eol + patterns.spacer
 patterns.nonwhitespace = 1 - patterns.whitespace
-patterns.utf8          = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
-patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
-patterns.validutf8     = patterns.utf8^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 patterns.comma         = P(",")
 patterns.commaspacer   = P(",") * patterns.spacer^0
 patterns.period        = P(".")
-
-patterns.undouble      = P('"')/"" * (1-P('"'))^0 * P('"')/""
-patterns.unsingle      = P("'")/"" * (1-P("'"))^0 * P("'")/""
+patterns.escaped       = escaped
+patterns.squote        = squote
+patterns.dquote        = dquote
+patterns.undouble      = (dquote/"") * ((escaped + (1-dquote))^0) * (dquote/"")
+patterns.unsingle      = (squote/"") * ((escaped + (1-squote))^0) * (squote/"")
+patterns.unquoted      = patterns.undouble + patterns.unsingle -- more often undouble
 patterns.unspacer      = ((patterns.spacer^1)/"")^0
 
+local unquoted = Cs(patterns.unquoted * P(-1)) -- not C
+
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return match(unquoted,str) or str
+end
+
+
 function lpeg.anywhere(pattern) --slightly adapted from website
     return P { P(pattern) + 1 * V(1) } -- why so complex?
 end
@@ -353,8 +292,8 @@ local content  = (empty + nonempty)^1
 
 local capture = Ct(content^0)
 
-function string:splitlines()
-    return match(capture,self)
+function string.splitlines(str)
+    return match(capture,str)
 end
 
 patterns.textline = content
@@ -366,12 +305,12 @@ local function splitat(separator,single)
     local splitter = (single and splitters_s[separator]) or splitters_m[separator]
     if not splitter then
         separator = P(separator)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
         if single then
-            local other, any = C((1 - separator)^0), P(1)
+            local any = P(1)
             splitter = other * (separator * C(any^0) + "") -- ?
             splitters_s[separator] = splitter
         else
-            local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
             splitter = other * (separator * other)^0
             splitters_m[separator] = splitter
         end
@@ -392,16 +331,15 @@ function lpeg.split(separator,str)
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:split(separator)
+function string.split(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         c = Ct(splitat(separator))
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
-lpeg.splitters = cache
 
 local cache = { }
 
@@ -409,22 +347,22 @@ function lpeg.checkedsplit(separator,str)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:checkedsplit(separator)
+function string.checkedsplit(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
 
@@ -435,7 +373,9 @@ local function f2(s) local c1, c2         = f1(s,1,2) return   c1 * 64 + c2
 local function f3(s) local c1, c2, c3     = f1(s,1,3) return  (c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3            -   925824 end
 local function f4(s) local c1, c2, c3, c4 = f1(s,1,4) return ((c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3) * 64 + c4 - 63447168 end
 
-patterns.utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+local utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+
+patterns.utf8byte = utf8byte
 
 
 
@@ -469,19 +409,25 @@ function lpeg.keeper(str)
     end
 end
 
+-- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
+-- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
+
 function lpeg.replacer(t)
     if #t > 0 then
         local p
         for i=1,#t do
             local ti= t[i]
             local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            p = (p and p + pp ) or pp
+            if p then
+                p = p + pp
+            else
+                p = pp
+            end
         end
         return Cs((p + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
-
 local splitters_f, splitters_s = { }, { }
 
 function lpeg.firstofsplit(separator) -- always return value
@@ -505,11 +451,170 @@ function lpeg.secondofsplit(separator) -- nil if not split
 end
 
 function lpeg.balancer(left,right)
+    left, right = P(left), P(right)
     return P { left * ((1 - left - right) + V(1))^0 * right }
 end
 
 
 
+local nany = utf8char/""
+
+function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+    pattern = Cs((P(pattern)/" " + nany)^0)
+    return function(str)
+        return #match(pattern,str)
+    end
+end
+
+if utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local n = 0
+            for _ in utfgmatch(str,what) do
+                n = n + 1
+            end
+            return n
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+else
+
+    local cache = { }
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local p = cache[what]
+            if not p then
+                p = Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0)
+                cache[p] = p
+            end
+            return #match(p,str)
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+end
+
+local patterns_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["%"] = "%%",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
+}
+
+local simple_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["-"] = "%-",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["?"] = ".",
+    ["*"] = ".*",
+}
+
+local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + P(1))^0)
+local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + P(1))^0)
+
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return match(s,str)
+    else
+        return match(p,str)
+    end
+end
+
+-- utf extensies
+
+lpeg.UP = lpeg.P
+
+if utfcharacters then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfcharacters(str) do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+
+elseif utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfgmatch(str,".") do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+else
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        local f = function(uc)
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        match((utf8char/f)^0,str)
+        return p
+    end
+
+end
+
+local range = Cs(utf8byte) * (Cs(utf8byte) + Cc(false))
+
+local utfchar = unicode and unicode.utf8 and unicode.utf8.char
+
+function lpeg.UR(str,more)
+    local first, last
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        first = str
+        last = more or first
+    else
+        first, last = match(range,str)
+        if not last then
+            return P(str)
+        end
+    end
+    if first == last then
+        return P(str)
+    elseif utfchar and last - first < 8 then -- a somewhat arbitrary criterium
+        local p
+        for i=first,last do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(utfchar(i))
+            else
+                p = P(utfchar(i))
+            end
+        end
+        return p -- nil when invalid range
+    else
+        local f = function(b)
+            return b >= first and b <= last
+        end
+        return utf8byte / f -- nil when invalid range
+    end
+end
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -577,24 +682,26 @@ end
 -- extra functions, some might go (when not used)
 
 function table.strip(tab)
-    local lst = { }
+    local lst, l = { }, 0
     for i=1,#tab do
         local s = gsub(tab[i],"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
         if s == "" then
             -- skip this one
         else
-            lst[#lst+1] = s
+            l = l + 1
+            lst[l] = s
         end
     end
     return lst
 end
 
 function table.keys(t)
-    local k = { }
+    local keys, k = { }, 0
     for key, _ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = key
+        k = k + 1
+        keys[k] = key
     end
-    return k
+    return keys
 end
 
 local function compare(a,b)
@@ -607,9 +714,10 @@ local function compare(a,b)
 end
 
 local function sortedkeys(tab)
-    local srt, kind = { }, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
+    local srt, kind, s = { }, 0, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
     for key,_ in next, tab do
-        srt[#srt+1] = key
+        s = s + 1
+        srt[s] = key
         if kind == 3 then
             -- no further check
         else
@@ -632,10 +740,11 @@ local function sortedkeys(tab)
 end
 
 local function sortedhashkeys(tab) -- fast one
-    local srt = { }
+    local srt, s = { }, 0
     for key,_ in next, tab do
         if key then
-            srt[#srt+1] = key
+            s= s + 1
+            srt[s] = key
         end
     end
     sort(srt)
@@ -649,8 +758,7 @@ local function nothing() end
 
 local function sortedhash(t)
     if t then
-        local s = sortedhashkeys(t) -- maybe just sortedkeys
-        local n = 0
+        local n, s = 0, sortedkeys(t) -- the robust one
         local function kv(s)
             n = n + 1
             local k = s[n]
@@ -666,20 +774,30 @@ table.sortedhash  = sortedhash
 table.sortedpairs = sortedhash
 
 function table.append(t, list)
-    for _,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,v)
+    local n = #t
+    for i=1,#list do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.prepend(t, list)
-    for k,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,k,v)
+    local nl = #list
+    local nt = nl + #t
+    for i=#t,1,-1 do
+        t[nt] = t[i]
+        nt = nt - 1
+    end
+    for i=1,#list do
+        t[i] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
     t = t or { }
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst = { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             t[k] = v
@@ -689,7 +807,7 @@ function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
 end
 
 function table.merged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, lst = { }, { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             tmp[k] = v
@@ -699,22 +817,24 @@ function table.merged(...)
 end
 
 function table.imerge(t, ...)
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst, nt = { ... }, #t
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            t[#t+1] = nst[j]
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return t
 end
 
 function table.imerged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, ntmp, lst = { }, 0, {...}
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = nst[j]
+            ntmp = ntmp + 1
+            tmp[ntmp] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return tmp
@@ -790,11 +910,14 @@ function table.tohash(t,value)
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
-    local h = { }
+    local hsh, h = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do -- no ipairs here
-        if v then h[#h+1] = k end
+        if v then
+            h = h + 1
+            hsh[h] = k
+        end
     end
-    return h
+    return hsh
 end
 
 table.serialize_functions = true
@@ -815,20 +938,23 @@ local function simple_table(t)
             n = n + 1
         end
         if n == #t then
-            local tt = { }
+            local tt, nt = { }, 0
             for i=1,#t do
                 local v = t[i]
                 local tv = type(v)
                 if tv == "number" then
+                    nt = nt + 1
                     if hexify then
-                        tt[#tt+1] = format("0x%04X",v)
+                        tt[nt] = format("0x%04X",v)
                     else
-                        tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
+                        tt[nt] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
                     end
                 elseif tv == "boolean" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = tostring(v)
                 elseif tv == "string" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = format("%q",v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = format("%q",v)
                 else
                     tt = nil
                     break
@@ -1123,10 +1249,11 @@ local function serialize(root,name,_handle,_reduce,_noquotes,_hexify)
 end
 
 
-function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
-    local t = { }
+function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify) -- can be faster if flush == false and t as argument
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     return concat(t,"\n")
@@ -1152,12 +1279,13 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     if f then
         local maxtab = table.tofile_maxtab
         if maxtab > 1 then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             local function flush(s)
-                t[#t+1] = s
-                if #t > maxtab then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+                if n > maxtab then
                     f:write(concat(t,"\n"),"\n") -- hm, write(sometable) should be nice
-                    t = { }
+                    t, n = { }, 0 -- we could recycle t if needed
                 end
             end
             serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
@@ -1173,52 +1301,66 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     end
 end
 
-local function flatten(t,f,complete) -- is this used? meybe a variant with next, ...
-    for i=1,#t do
-        local v = t[i]
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            if complete or type(v[1]) == "table" then
-                flatten(v,f,complete)
+local function flattened(t,f,depth)
+    if f == nil then
+        f = { }
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    elseif tonumber(f) then
+        -- assume then only two arguments are given
+        depth = f
+        f = { }
+    elseif not depth then
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    end
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        if type(k) ~= "number" then
+            if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+                flattened(v,f,depth-1)
             else
-                f[#f+1] = v
+                f[k] = v
             end
+        end
+    end
+    local n = #f
+    for k=1,#t do
+        local v = t[k]
+        if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+            flattened(v,f,depth-1)
+            n = #f
         else
-            f[#f+1] = v
+            n = n + 1
+            f[n] = v
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.flatten(t)
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,true)
     return f
 end
 
-function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,false)
-    return f
-end
-
-table.flattenonelevel = table.unnest
-
--- a better one:
+table.flattened = flattened
 
-local function flattened(t,f)
-    if not f then
+local function unnest(t,f) -- only used in mk, for old times sake
+    if not f then          -- and only relevant for token lists
         f = { }
     end
-    for k, v in next, t do
+    for i=1,#t do
+        local v = t[i]
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            flattened(v,f)
+            if type(v[1]) == "table" then
+                unnest(v,f)
+            else
+                f[#f+1] = v
+            end
         else
-            f[k] = v
+            f[#f+1] = v
         end
     end
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattened = flattened
+function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
+    return unnest(t)
+end
+
+
 
 local function are_equal(a,b,n,m) -- indexed
     if a and b and #a == #b then
@@ -1244,7 +1386,7 @@ end
 
 local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     for ka, va in next, a do
-        local vb = b[k]
+        local vb = b[ka]
         if va == vb then
             -- same
         elseif type(va) == "table" and  type(vb) == "table" then
@@ -1258,8 +1400,8 @@ local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     return true
 end
 
-table.are_equal = are_equal
 table.identical = identical
+table.are_equal = are_equal
 
 -- maybe also make a combined one
 
@@ -1285,14 +1427,14 @@ function table.contains(t, v)
 end
 
 function table.count(t)
-    local n, e = 0, next(t)
-    while e do
-        n, e = n + 1, next(t,e)
+    local n = 0
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function table.swapped(t,s)
+function table.swapped(t,s) -- hash
     local n = { }
     if s then
         for k, v in next, s do
@@ -1305,52 +1447,34 @@ function table.swapped(t,s)
     return n
 end
 
-
-function table.clone(t,p) -- t is optional or nil or table
-    if not p then
-        t, p = { }, t or { }
-    elseif not t then
-        t = { }
-    end
-    setmetatable(t, { __index = function(_,key) return p[key] end }) -- why not __index = p ?
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.hexed(t,seperator)
-    local tt = { }
-    for i=1,#t do tt[i] = format("0x%04X",t[i]) end
-    return concat(tt,seperator or " ")
-end
-
-function table.swaphash(h) -- needs another name
-    local r = { }
-    for k,v in next, h do
-        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
-    end
-    return r
-end
-
-function table.reverse(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    if #t > 0 then
-        for i=#t,1,-1 do
-            tt[#tt+1] = t[i]
+function table.reversed(t)
+    if t then
+        local tt, tn = { }, #t
+        if tn > 0 then
+            local ttn = 0
+            for i=tn,1,-1 do
+                ttn = ttn + 1
+                tt[ttn] = t[i]
+            end
         end
+        return tt
     end
-    return tt
 end
 
 function table.sequenced(t,sep,simple) -- hash only
-    local s = { }
+    local s, n = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(t) do
         if simple then
             if v == true then
-                s[#s+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k
             elseif v and v~= "" then
-                s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
             end
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            n = n + 1
+            s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     return concat(s, sep or " | ")
@@ -1360,7 +1484,7 @@ function table.print(...)
     table.tohandle(print,...)
 end
 
--- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and will comment them later -- -- --
+-- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and might comment them later -- -- --
 
 -- roughly: copy-loop : unpack : sub == 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.45 (so in critical apps, use unpack)
 
@@ -1375,14 +1499,7 @@ function table.is_empty(t)
 end
 
 function table.has_one_entry(t)
-    local n = next(t)
-    return n and not next(t,n)
-end
-
-function table.replace(a,b)
-    for k,v in next, b do
-        a[k] = v
-    end
+    return t and not next(t,next(t))
 end
 
 
@@ -1627,6 +1744,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-number'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+-- this module will be replaced when we have the bit library
+
 local tostring = tostring
 local format, floor, insert, match = string.format, math.floor, string.match
 local concat, insert = table.concat, table.insert
@@ -1768,10 +1887,11 @@ function set.tolist(n)
     if n == 0 or not tabs[n] then
         return ""
     else
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for k, v in next, tabs[n] do
             if v then
-                t[#t+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = k
             end
         end
         return concat(t," ")
@@ -1950,7 +2070,7 @@ end
 -- no need for function anymore as we have more clever code and helpers now
 -- this metatable trickery might as well disappear
 
-os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { }
+os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { } -- will become private
 
 local resolvers = os.resolvers
 
@@ -2279,7 +2399,7 @@ end
 file.isreadable = file.is_readable -- depricated
 file.iswritable = file.is_writable -- depricated
 
--- todo: lpeg
+-- todo: lpeg \\ / .. does not save much
 
 local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
 
@@ -2295,7 +2415,7 @@ end
 -- we can hash them weakly
 
 
-function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
+function file.collapsepath(str,anchor)
     if anchor and not find(str,"^/") and not find(str,"^%a:") then
         str = getcurrentdir() .. "/" .. str
     end
@@ -2350,6 +2470,8 @@ function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
     end
 end
 
+file.collapse_path = file.collapsepath
+
 
 function file.robustname(str)
     return (gsub(str,"[^%a%d%/%-%.\\]+","-"))
@@ -2782,9 +2904,12 @@ local function glob(str,t)
             end
             return t
         elseif isfile(str) then
-            local t = t or { }
-            t[#t+1] = str
-            return t
+            if t then
+                t[#t+1] = str
+                return t
+            else
+                return { str }
+            end
         else
             local split = lpegmatch(pattern,str)
             if split then
@@ -2812,6 +2937,7 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
         func = function(name) return find(name,s) end
     end
     files = files or { }
+    local noffiles = #files
     for name in walkdir(path) do
         if find(name,"^%.") then
             --- skip
@@ -2822,12 +2948,9 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
                     globfiles(path .. "/" .. name,recurse,func,files)
                 end
             elseif mode == "file" then
-                if func then
-                    if func(name) then
-                        files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
-                    end
-                else
-                    files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
+                if not func or func(name) then
+                    noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                    files[noffiles] = path .. "/" .. name
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3012,8 +3135,12 @@ local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 boolean = boolean or { }
 local boolean = boolean
 
+-- function boolean.tonumber(b)
+--     return b and 1 or 0 -- test and test and return or return
+-- end
+
 function boolean.tonumber(b)
-    if b then return 1 else return 0 end
+    if b then return 1 else return 0 end -- test and return or return
 end
 
 function toboolean(str,tolerant)
@@ -3037,6 +3164,8 @@ function toboolean(str,tolerant)
     end
 end
 
+string.toboolean = toboolean
+
 function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     if type(str) == "string" then
         if str == "true" or str == "yes" or str == "on" or str == "t" then
@@ -3048,14 +3177,6 @@ function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     return default
 end
 
-function boolean.alwaystrue()
-    return true
-end
-
-function boolean.falsetrue()
-    return false
-end
-
 
 end -- of closure
 
@@ -3144,30 +3265,37 @@ function unicode.utftype(f)
 end
 
 function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
-    local result, tmp, n, m, p = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- we reuse tmp
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
     for l,r in bytepairs(str) do
         if r then
             if endian then
-                n = l*256 + r
+                n = 256*l + r
             else
-                n = r*256 + l
+                n = 256*r + l
             end
             if m > 0 then
                 n = (m-0xD800)*0x400 + (n-0xDC00) + 0x10000
@@ -3180,29 +3308,36 @@ function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
             end
         end
     end
-    if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+    if t > 0 then
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
-    local result = { }
-    local tmp, n, m, p = { }, 0, -1, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, -1, 0, 0, 0
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
@@ -3210,15 +3345,15 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         if a and b then
             if m < 0 then
                 if endian then
-                    m = a*256*256*256 + b*256*256
+                    m = 256*256*256*a + 256*256*b
                 else
-                    m = b*256 + a
+                    m = 256*b + a
                 end
             else
                 if endian then
-                    n = m + a*256 + b
+                    n = m + 256*a + b
                 else
-                    n = m + b*256*256*256 + a*256*256
+                    n = m + 256*256*256*b + 256*256*a
                 end
                 m = -1
                 doit()
@@ -3228,13 +3363,14 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         end
     end
     if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 local function little(c)
-    local b = byte(c) -- b = c:byte()
+    local b = byte(c)
     if b < 0x10000 then
         return char(b%256,b/256)
     else
@@ -3264,9 +3400,10 @@ function unicode.utf8_to_utf16(str,littleendian)
 end
 
 function unicode.utfcodes(str)
-    local t = { }
-    for k,v in utfvalues(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = format("0x%04X",k)
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for u in utfvalues(str) do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = format("0x%04X",u)
     end
     return concat(t,separator or " ")
 end
@@ -3324,6 +3461,189 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+utilities        = utilities or {}
+utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
+local tables     = utilities.tables
+
+local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
+local setmetatable = setmetatable
+
+function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
+    local composed, t, n = nil, { }, 0
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        n = n + 1
+        if composed then
+            composed = composed .. "." .. name
+        else
+            composed = name
+        end
+        t[n] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
+    end
+    return concat(t,"\n")
+end
+
+function tables.accesstable(target)
+    local t = _G
+    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        t = t[name]
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function tables.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
+    if value then
+        for i=1,#t do
+            if t[i] == value then
+                remove(t,i)
+                -- remove all, so no: return
+            end
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function tables.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,1,extra)
+end
+
+function tables.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == extra then
+            remove(t,i)
+        end
+    end
+    for i=1,#t do
+        if t[i] == value then
+            insert(t,i+1,extra)
+            return
+        end
+    end
+    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
+end
+
+local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
+
+function table.setemptymetatable(t)
+    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
+if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
+    version   = 1.001,
+    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
+    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
+    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
+    license   = "see context related readme files"
+}
+
+local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
+
+utilities         = utilities or { }
+utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
+local storage     = utilities.storage
+
+function storage.mark(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.allocate(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m.__storage__ = true
+    return t
+end
+
+function storage.marked(t)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m.__storage__
+end
+
+function storage.checked(t)
+    if not t then
+        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
+        os.exit()
+    end
+    return t
+end
+
+function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    if not m then
+        m = { }
+        setmetatable(t,m)
+    end
+    m[key] = value
+end
+
+function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
+    local m = getmetatable(t)
+    return m and m[key]
+end
+
+
+function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
+    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
+    m.__index = function(data,k)
+        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
+        initialize()
+        return data[k]
+    end
+    setmetatable(data, m)
+end
+
+local keyisvalue = { __index = function(t,k)
+    t[k] = k
+    return k
+end }
+
+function storage.sparse(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    setmetatable(t,keyisvalue)
+    return t
+end
+
+
+end -- of closure
+
+do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
+
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-mrg'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
@@ -3483,7 +3803,7 @@ utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
     os.remove(lucfile)
-    local command = "-o " .. string.quote(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quote(luafile)
+    local command = "-o " .. string.quoted(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quoted(luafile)
     if strip ~= false then
         command = "-s " .. command
     end
@@ -3496,6 +3816,12 @@ function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: clean
 end
 
 
+
+
+
+
+
+
 end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
@@ -3516,7 +3842,7 @@ parsers.patterns  = parsers.patterns or { }
 local P, R, V, C, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local concat, format, gmatch = table.concat, string.format, string.gmatch
-local tostring, type, next = tostring, type, next
+local tostring, type, next, setmetatable = tostring, type, next, setmetatable
 local sortedhash = table.sortedhash
 
 local escape, left, right = P("\\"), P('{'), P('}')
@@ -3635,7 +3961,7 @@ end
 
 function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
     if h then
-        local t, s = { }, table.sortedkeys(h)
+        local t, tn, s = { }, 0, table.sortedkeys(h)
         omit = omit and table.tohash(omit)
         for i=1,#s do
             local key = s[i]
@@ -3644,15 +3970,19 @@ function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
                 if type(value) == "boolean" then
                     if yes and no then
                         if value then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. yes
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. yes
                         elseif not strict then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. no
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. no
                         end
                     elseif value or not strict then
-                        t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
+                        tn = tn + 1
+                        t[tn] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
                     end
                 else
-                    t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. value
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = key .. '=' .. value
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -3679,10 +4009,11 @@ function parsers.settings_to_set(str,t) -- tohash? -- todo: lpeg -- duplicate an
 end
 
 function parsers.simple_hash_to_string(h, separator)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, tn = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(h) do
         if v then
-            t[#t+1] = k
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = k
         end
     end
     return concat(t,separator or ",")
@@ -3700,99 +4031,18 @@ end
 function parsers.getparameters(self,class,parentclass,settings)
     local sc = self[class]
     if not sc then
-        sc = table.clone(self[parent])
+        sc = { }
         self[class] = sc
-    end
-    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-tab'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-utilities        = utilities or {}
-utilities.tables = utilities.tables or { }
-local tables     = utilities.tables
-
-local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
-local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
-local setmetatable = setmetatable
-
-function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
-    local composed, t = nil, { }
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        if composed then
-            composed = composed .. "." .. name
-        else
-            composed = name
-        end
-        t[#t+1] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
-    end
-    return concat(t,"\n")
-end
-
-function tables.accesstable(target)
-    local t = _G
-    for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
-        t = t[name]
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
-    if value then
-        for i=1,#t do
-            if t[i] == value then
-                remove(t,i)
-                -- remove all, so no: return
+        if parentclass then
+            local sp = self[parentclass]
+            if not sp then
+                sp = { }
+                self[parentclass] = sp
             end
+            setmetatable(sc, { __index = sp })
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,1,extra)
-end
-
-function table.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == extra then
-            remove(t,i)
-        end
-    end
-    for i=1,#t do
-        if t[i] == value then
-            insert(t,i+1,extra)
-            return
-        end
-    end
-    insert(t,#t+1,extra)
-end
-
-local _empty_table_ = { __index = function(t,k) return "" end }
-
-function table.setemptymetatable(t)
-    setmetatable(t,_empty_table_)
+    parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
 end
 
 
@@ -3831,9 +4081,9 @@ local number        = digit^1 * (case_1 + case_2)
 local stripper      = Cs((number + 1)^0)
 
 
-lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros = stripper
+lpeg.patterns.stripzeros = stripper
 
-function formatters.strip_zeros(str)
+function formatters.stripzeros(str)
     return lpegmatch(stripper,str)
 end
 
@@ -4005,88 +4255,6 @@ end -- of closure
 
 do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
 
-if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['util-sto'] = {
-    version   = 1.001,
-    comment   = "companion to luat-lib.mkiv",
-    author    = "Hans Hagen, PRAGMA-ADE, Hasselt NL",
-    copyright = "PRAGMA ADE / ConTeXt Development Team",
-    license   = "see context related readme files"
-}
-
-local setmetatable, getmetatable = setmetatable, getmetatable
-
-utilities         = utilities or { }
-utilities.storage = utilities.storage or { }
-local storage     = utilities.storage
-
-function storage.mark(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' cannot be marked",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.allocate(t)
-    t = t or { }
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m.__storage__ = true
-    return t
-end
-
-function storage.marked(t)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m.__storage__
-end
-
-function storage.checked(t)
-    if not t then
-        texio.write_nl("fatal error: storage '%s' has not been allocated",t)
-        os.exit()
-    end
-    return t
-end
-
-function setmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    if not m then
-        m = { }
-        setmetatable(t,m)
-    end
-    m[key] = value
-end
-
-function getmetatablekey(t,key,value)
-    local m = getmetatable(t)
-    return m and m[key]
-end
-
-
-function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
-    local m = getmetatable(data) or { }
-    m.__index = function(data,k)
-        m.__index = nil -- so that we can access the entries during initializing
-        initialize()
-        return data[k]
-    end
-    setmetatable(data, m)
-end
-
-
-end -- of closure
-
-do -- create closure to overcome 200 locals limit
-
 if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
     version   = 1.001,
     comment   = "companion to trac-inf.mkiv",
@@ -4102,6 +4270,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 local clock = os.gettimeofday or os.clock -- should go in environment
+local write_nl = texio.write_nl
 
 statistics       = statistics or { }
 local statistics = statistics
@@ -4197,7 +4366,7 @@ end
 
 function statistics.show(reporter)
     if statistics.enable then
-        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) texio.write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
+        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
         -- this code will move
         local register = statistics.register
         register("luatex banner", function()
@@ -4220,18 +4389,24 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
                 reporter(s[1],r,n)
             end
         end
-        texio.write_nl("") -- final newline
+        write_nl("") -- final newline
         statistics.enable = false
     end
 end
 
+
+local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
     if type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
-        texio.write_nl(format("%-15s: %s - %s","mkiv lua stats",tag:rpadd(n," "),data))
+        if not template or n > nn then
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+        end
+        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
     end
 end
 
@@ -4288,7 +4463,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-set'] = { -- might become u
 
 local type, next, tostring = type, next, tostring
 local concat = table.concat
-local format, find, lower, gsub, partialescapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.partialescapedpattern
+local format, find, lower, gsub, escapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.escapedpattern
 local is_boolean = string.is_boolean
 local settings_to_hash = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -4368,7 +4543,7 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,partialescapedpattern(w)) then
+            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
@@ -5151,7 +5326,7 @@ local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
 local format, sub, match, gsub, find = string.format, string.sub, string.match, string.gsub, string.find
-local unquote, quote = string.unquote, string.quote
+local unquoted, quoted = string.unquoted, string.quoted
 local concat = table.concat
 
 -- precautions
@@ -5219,7 +5394,7 @@ function environment.initializearguments(arg)
         if index > 0 then
             local flag, value = match(argument,"^%-+(.-)=(.-)$")
             if flag then
-                arguments[flag] = unquote(value or "")
+                arguments[flag] = unquoted(value or "")
             else
                 flag = match(argument,"^%-+(.+)")
                 if flag then
@@ -5284,19 +5459,21 @@ end
 function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     arg = arg or environment.originalarguments
     if noquote and #arg == 1 then
+        -- we could just do: return unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i]))
         local a = arg[1]
         a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-        a = unquote(a)
+        a = unquoted(a)
         return a
     elseif #arg > 0 then
         local result = { }
         for i=1,#arg do
+            -- we could just do: result[#result+1] = format("%q",unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i])))
             local a = arg[i]
             a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-            a = unquote(a)
+            a = unquoted(a)
             a = gsub(a,'"','\\"') -- tricky
             if find(a," ") then
-                result[#result+1] = quote(a)
+                result[#result+1] = quoted(a)
             else
                 result[#result+1] = a
             end
@@ -5307,6 +5484,7 @@ function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     end
 end
 
+
 if arg then
 
     -- new, reconstruct quoted snippets (maybe better just remove the " then and add them later)
@@ -6767,7 +6945,7 @@ apply_axis['root'] = function(list)
                 rt = ll
             end
         end
-        collected[#collected+1] = rt
+        collected[l] = rt
     end
     return collected
 end
@@ -6777,7 +6955,7 @@ apply_axis['self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local dt = ll.dt
@@ -6786,7 +6964,8 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
             for k=1,#dt do
                 local dk = dt[k]
                 if dk.tg then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c] = dk
                     dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
@@ -6798,68 +6977,74 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
-        collect(list[l],collected)
+        c = collect(list[l],collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if ll.special ~= true then -- catch double root
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
-        collect(ll,collected)
+        c = collect(ll,collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6867,14 +7052,16 @@ apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
-        collected[#collected+1] = ll
+        c = c + 1
+        collected[c] = ll
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6882,11 +7069,12 @@ apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['parent'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local pl = list[l].__p__
         if pl then
-            collected[#collected+1] = pl
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = pl
         end
     end
     return collected
@@ -6909,7 +7097,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 end
 
 apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6917,7 +7105,8 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=ll.ni+1,#d do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6925,7 +7114,7 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6933,7 +7122,8 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=1,ll.ni-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6941,7 +7131,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -6949,7 +7139,8 @@ apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
         for i=ll.ni-1,1,-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -6975,7 +7166,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 return { }
             end
         else
-            local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+            local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
             if not nns then -- only check tag
                 for l=1,#list do
                     local ll = list[l]
@@ -6984,11 +7175,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ntg == ltg then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif ntg ~= ltg then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7000,11 +7193,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if lns == nns then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif lns ~= nns then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7018,11 +7213,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ok then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif not ok then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -7030,7 +7227,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
             return collected
         end
     else
-        local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+        local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
         for l=1,#list do
             local ll = list[l]
             local ltg = ll.tg
@@ -7047,11 +7244,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 if directive then
                     if ok then
                         local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                        collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                        c = c + 1
+                        collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                     end
                 elseif not ok then
                     local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                    collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -7062,12 +7261,13 @@ end
 local quit_expression = false
 
 local function apply_expression(list,expression,order)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     quit_expression = false
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if expression(list,ll,l,order) then -- nasty, order alleen valid als n=1
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
         if quit_expression then
             break
@@ -7363,7 +7563,7 @@ local function nodesettostring(set,nodetest)
         if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
         if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
         tg = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
-        t[#t+1] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
+        t[i] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
     end
     if nodetest == false then
         return format("not(%s)",concat(t,"|"))
@@ -7382,7 +7582,7 @@ local function tagstostring(list)
             local ns, tg = li.ns, li.tg
             if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
             if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
-            t[#t+1] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
+            t[i] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
         end
         return concat(t," ")
     end
@@ -8102,16 +8302,17 @@ end
 function xml.collect_tags(root, pattern, nonamespace)
     local collected = xmlapplylpath(root,pattern)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             elseif ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8219,8 +8420,10 @@ local function inject_element(root,pattern,whatever,prepend)
                 else
                     be, af = edt, cp
                 end
+                local bn = #be
                 for i=1,#af do
-                    be[#be+1] = af[i]
+                    bn = bn + 1
+                    be[bn] = af[i]
                 end
                 if rri then
                     r.dt[rri].dt = be
@@ -8305,11 +8508,12 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
     local edt = e.dt
     if edt then
         if anywhere then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             for e=1,#edt do
                 local str = edt[e]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
-                    t[#t+1] = str
+                    n = n + 1
+                    t[n] = str
                 elseif str ~= "" then
                     -- todo: lpeg for each case
                     if nolines then
@@ -8317,7 +8521,8 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                     str = gsub(str,"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
                     if str ~= "" then
-                        t[#t+1] = str
+                        n = n + 1
+                        t[n] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8344,9 +8549,10 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            if #edt > 0 then
+            local nedt = #nedt
+            if nedt > 0 then
                 -- strip end
-                local str = edt[#edt]
+                local str = edt[nedt]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
                     -- nothing
                 elseif str == "" then
@@ -8359,7 +8565,7 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     if str == "" then
                         remove(edt)
                     else
-                        edt[#edt] = str
+                        edt[nedt] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -8506,15 +8712,8 @@ local function all(collected)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function reverse(collected)
-    if collected then
-        local reversed = { }
-        for c=#collected,1,-1 do
-            reversed[#reversed+1] = collected[c]
-        end
-        return reversed
-    end
-end
+
+local reverse = table.reversed
 
 local function attribute(collected,name)
     if collected and #collected > 0 then
@@ -8605,11 +8804,12 @@ end
 
 local function texts(collected)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collection[c]
             if e and e.dt then
-                t[#t+1] = e.dt
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = e.dt
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8652,14 +8852,15 @@ end
 
 local function tags(collected,nonamespace)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace or ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -8855,9 +9056,13 @@ end
 
 do
 
-    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or '~'
+    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or ''
+
+    if not homedir or homedir == "" then
+        homedir = string.char(127) -- we need a value, later we wil trigger on it
+    end
 
-    homedir = file.collapse_path(homedir)
+    homedir = file.collapsepath(homedir)
 
     ossetenv("HOME",       homedir) -- can be used in unix cnf files
     ossetenv("USERPROFILE",homedir) -- can be used in windows cnf files
@@ -8876,8 +9081,8 @@ do
     local ownbin  = environment.ownbin  or args[-2] or arg[-2] or args[-1] or arg[-1] or arg[0] or "luatex"
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or os.selfdir
 
-    ownbin  = file.collapse_path(ownbin)
-    ownpath = file.collapse_path(ownpath)
+    ownbin  = file.collapsepath(ownbin)
+    ownpath = file.collapsepath(ownpath)
 
     if not ownpath or ownpath == "" or ownpath == "unset" then
         ownpath = args[-1] or arg[-1]
@@ -8949,9 +9154,9 @@ do
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or dir.current()
 
     if ownpath then
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapse_path(ownpath))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/.."))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/../.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapsepath(ownpath))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
         report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
@@ -8987,7 +9192,7 @@ if not texroot or texroot == "" then
     ossetenv('TEXROOT',texroot)
 end
 
-environment.texroot = file.collapse_path(texroot)
+environment.texroot = file.collapsepath(texroot)
 
 -- Tracing. Todo ...
 
@@ -9026,7 +9231,7 @@ local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lp
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
@@ -9062,22 +9267,29 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
 
 local function do_first(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = a .. s end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = a .. s
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_second(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = s .. b end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s .. b
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_both(a,b)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
@@ -9101,6 +9313,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
+    local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
     while true do
         done = false
@@ -9124,11 +9337,15 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
-            if s then t[#t+1] = s end
+            if s then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+            end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = s
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -9141,7 +9358,7 @@ end
 
 local function validate(s)
     local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapse_path(s)
+    s = collapsepath(s)
     if isrecursive then
         s = s .. "//"
     end
@@ -9164,10 +9381,14 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a pa
             splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
         end
     else
+        local n = 0
         for k=1,#pathlist do
             for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
                 p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then newlist[#newlist+1] = p end
+                if p ~= "" then
+                    n = n + 1
+                    newlist[n] = p
+                end
             end
         end
     end
@@ -9176,16 +9397,42 @@ end
 
 -- We also put some cleanup code here.
 
-local cleanup -- used recursively
 
-cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
-    { "!",  "" },
-    { "\\", "/" },
-    { "~" , function() return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir) end },
+
+
+local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+    { "!"  , ""  },
+    { "\\" , "/" },
 }
 
+local homedir
+
 function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
-    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+    if not homedir then
+        homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
+        if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
+            if trace_expansions then
+                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+            end
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                if find(str,"~") then
+                    return "" -- special case
+                else
+                    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+                { "!"  , ""      },
+                { "\\" , "/"     },
+                { "~"  , homedir },
+            }
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return resolvers.cleanpath(str)
 end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
@@ -9211,7 +9458,6 @@ end
 -- we join them and split them after the expansion has taken place. This
 -- is more convenient.
 
-
 local cache = { }
 
 local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
@@ -9226,15 +9472,17 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                 str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
                 local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
                 found = { }
+                local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
                     local s = split[i]
                     if not find(s,"^{*unset}*") then
-                        found[#found+1] = s
+                        noffound = noffound + 1
+                        found[noffound] = s
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
                     report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
-                    for k=1,#found do
+                    for k=1,noffound do
                         report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
@@ -9357,7 +9605,6 @@ formats['enc']          = 'ENCFONTS'       suffixes['enc']          = { 'enc' }
 formats['fmt']          = 'TEXFORMATS'     suffixes['fmt']          = { 'fmt' }
 formats['map']          = 'TEXFONTMAPS'    suffixes['map']          = { 'map' }
 formats['mp']           = 'MPINPUTS'       suffixes['mp']           = { 'mp' }
-formats['ocp']          = 'OCPINPUTS'      suffixes['ocp']          = { 'ocp' }
 formats['ofm']          = 'OFMFONTS'       suffixes['ofm']          = { 'ofm', 'tfm' }
 formats['otf']          = 'OPENTYPEFONTS'  suffixes['otf']          = { 'otf' }
 formats['opl']          = 'OPLFONTS'       suffixes['opl']          = { 'opl' }
@@ -9582,7 +9829,7 @@ local function identify()
             local cachepath = texmfcaches[k]
             if cachepath ~= "" then
                 cachepath = resolvers.cleanpath(cachepath)
-                cachepath = file.collapse_path(cachepath)
+                cachepath = file.collapsepath(cachepath)
                 local valid = isdir(cachepath)
                 if valid then
                     if file.is_readable(cachepath) then
@@ -9921,7 +10168,7 @@ function resolvers.splitmethod(filename)
 end
 
 function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
     local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
     local scheme = specification.scheme
     local resolver = resolvers[what]
@@ -9966,7 +10213,7 @@ local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -10169,7 +10416,7 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
         expandvars(cnfpaths) --- hm
         local luacnfname = resolvers.luacnfname
         for i=1,#cnfpaths do
-            local filename = collapse_path(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
+            local filename = collapsepath(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
             if lfs.isfile(filename) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
             end
@@ -10330,7 +10577,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
-        local path = collapse_path(texmfpaths[i])
+        local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
         local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
         local runtime = stripped == path
         path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
@@ -10443,11 +10690,12 @@ end
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
-        local t, h, p = { }, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
+        local t, tn, h, p = { }, 0, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
         for kk=1,#p do
             local vv = p[kk]
             if vv ~= "" and not h[vv] then
-                t[#t+1] = vv
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = vv
                 h[vv] = true
             end
         end
@@ -10554,7 +10802,8 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
     local ep = instance.extra_paths or { }
-    local n = #ep
+    local oldn = #ep
+    local newn = oldn
     if paths and paths ~= "" then
         if subpaths and subpaths ~= "" then
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
@@ -10562,7 +10811,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
                 for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                     local ps = p .. "/" .. s
                     if not done[ps] then
-                        ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                        newn = newn + 1
+                        ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                         done[ps] = true
                     end
                 end
@@ -10570,7 +10820,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
         else
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
                 if not done[p] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
                     done[p] = true
                 end
             end
@@ -10581,16 +10832,17 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
             for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                 local ps = ep[i] .. "/" .. s
                 if not done[ps] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                     done[ps] = true
                 end
             end
         end
     end
-    if #ep > 0 then
+    if newn > 0 then
         instance.extra_paths = ep -- register paths
     end
-    if #ep > n then
+    if newn > oldn then
         instance.lists = { } -- erase the cache
     end
 end
@@ -10600,14 +10852,15 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
     if not ep or #ep == 0 then
         return list
     else
-        local done, new = { }, { }
+        local done, new, newn = { }, { }, 0
         -- honour . .. ../.. but only when at the start
         for k=1,#list do
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 if find(v,"^[%.%/]$") then
                     done[v] = true
-                    new[#new+1] = v
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    new[newn] = v
                 else
                     break
                 end
@@ -10618,7 +10871,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = ep[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         -- next the formal paths
@@ -10626,7 +10880,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         return new
@@ -10637,7 +10892,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
     local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
     if t then
         for i=1,#t do
-            t[i] = collapse_path(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
+            t[i] = collapsepath(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -10703,7 +10958,7 @@ resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
 -- name/name
 
 local function collect_files(names)
-    local filelist = { }
+    local filelist, noffiles = { }, 0
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
@@ -10744,7 +10999,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
-                            filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                            noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                            filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                         end
                     else
                         for kk=1,#blobfile do
@@ -10756,7 +11012,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
-                                filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                                noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                                filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -10766,7 +11023,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             end
         end
     end
-    return #filelist > 0 and filelist or nil
+    return noffiles > 0 and filelist or nil
 end
 
 function resolvers.registerintrees(name)
@@ -10792,7 +11049,7 @@ end
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = collected or { }
     local stamp  = nil
-    filename = collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = collapsepath(filename)
     -- speed up / beware: format problem
     if instance.remember then
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. instance.engine .. "--" .. instance.progname .. "--" .. instance.format
@@ -11045,7 +11302,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scan
         end
     end
     for k=1,#result do
-        local rk = collapse_path(result[k])
+        local rk = collapsepath(result[k])
         result[k] = rk
         resolvers.registerintrees(rk) -- for tracing used files
     end
@@ -12439,7 +12696,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree)
         local texos   = "texmf-" .. os.platform
 
         local oldroot = environment.texroot
-        local newroot = file.collapse_path(tree)
+        local newroot = file.collapsepath(tree)
 
         local newtree = file.join(newroot,texos)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
@@ -12668,17 +12925,17 @@ local format = string.format
 
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
-local quote = string.quote
+local quoted = string.quoted
 
 local function primaryflags()
     local trackers   = environment.argument("trackers")
     local directives = environment.argument("directives")
     local flags = ""
     if trackers and trackers ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quote(trackers)
+        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quoted(trackers)
     end
     if directives and directives ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quote(directives)
+        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quoted(directives)
     end
     return flags
 end
@@ -12743,7 +13000,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
-    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quote(usedluastub),quote(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
+    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
     logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
@@ -12781,8 +13038,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
                 logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
-                local q = string.quote
-                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quote(barename),quote(luaname),quote(data),more ~= "" and quote(more) or "")
+                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
                 logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
@@ -12813,13 +13069,13 @@ own.libs = { -- order can be made better
     'l-unicode.lua',
     'l-math.lua',
 
+    'util-tab.lua',
+    'util-sto.lua',
     'util-mrg.lua',
     'util-lua.lua',
     'util-prs.lua',
-    'util-tab.lua',
     'util-fmt.lua',
     'util-deb.lua',
-    'util-sto.lua',
 
     'trac-inf.lua',
     'trac-set.lua',
diff --git a/tex/context/base/back-exp.lua b/tex/context/base/back-exp.lua
index 83c7b6198..28cb5c18c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/back-exp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/back-exp.lua
@@ -740,6 +740,7 @@ end
 local function collapsetree()
     for k, v in next, treehash do
         local d = v[1].data
+        local nd = #d
         for i=2,#v do
             local vi = v[i]
             local vd = vi.data
@@ -753,26 +754,35 @@ local function collapsetree()
                     -- experiment, should be improved
                     -- can be simplified ... lpn instead of done
                     if done then
-                        d[#d+1] = joiner_1
+                        nd = nd + 1
+                        d[nd] = joiner_1
                     else
                         done = true
                         local pn = vi.parnumber
                         if not pn then
-                            d[#d+1], lpn = joiner_2, nil
+                            nd = nd + 1
+                            d[nd] = joiner_2
+                            lpn = nil
                         elseif not lpn then
-                            d[#d+1], lpn = joiner_3, pn
+                            nd = nd + 1
+                            d[nd] = joiner_3
+                            lpn = pn
                         elseif pn and pn ~= lpn then
-                            d[#d+1], lpn = makebreaknode(vi), pn
+                            nd = nd + 1
+                            d[nd] = makebreaknode(vi)
+                            lpn = pn
                         else
-                         -- d[#d+1] = joiner_4 -- we need to be more clever
+                         -- nd = nd + 1
+                         -- d[nd] = joiner_4 -- we need to be more clever
                         end
                     end
                 else
                   -- lpn = nil
                 end
-if vdj ~= "" then
-                d[#d+1] = vdj -- hm, any?
-end
+                if vdj ~= "" then
+                    nd = nd + 1
+                    d[nd] = vdj -- hm, any?
+                end
                 vd[j] = false
             end
             v[i].collapsed = true
@@ -784,19 +794,21 @@ local function prunetree(tree)
     if not tree.collapsed then
         local data = tree.data
         if data then
-            local p = { }
+            local p, np = { }, 0
             for i=1,#data do
                 local d = data[i]
                 if type(d) == "table" then
                     if not d.collapsed then
                         prunetree(d)
-                        p[#p+1] = d
+                        np = np + 1
+                        p[np] = d
                     end
                 elseif type(d) == "string" then
-                    p[#p+1] = d
+                    np = np + 1
+                    p[np] = d
                 end
             end
-            tree.data = #p > 0 and p
+            tree.data = np > 0 and p
         end
     end
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/back-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/back-ini.lua
index dadaaa837..1bceea691 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/back-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/back-ini.lua
@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ backends.codeinjections = {
 
     finishreference        = nothing,
 
+    getoutputfilename      = nothing,
+
 }
 
 backends.registrations = {
diff --git a/tex/context/base/back-pdf.lua b/tex/context/base/back-pdf.lua
index 425e1ad15..c9c0982f0 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/back-pdf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/back-pdf.lua
@@ -464,4 +464,13 @@ function codeinjections.setfigurealternative(data,figure)
     end
 end
 
+local outputfilename
+
+function codeinjections.getoutputfilename()
+    if not outputfilename then
+        outputfilename = file.addsuffix(tex.jobname,"pdf")
+    end
+    return outputfilename
+end
+
 backends.install("pdf")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/back-pdf.mkiv b/tex/context/base/back-pdf.mkiv
index 94b93cb39..1a99a91a2 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/back-pdf.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/back-pdf.mkiv
@@ -90,6 +90,8 @@
 
 \def\pdfbackendcurrentresources     {\ctxlua{lpdf.collectedresources()}}
 
+\def\pdfcolor                     #1{\ctxlua{lpdf.pdfcolor(\thecolorattribute{#1})}} \let\PDFcolor\pdfcolor
+
 %D Let's block these:
 
 \let\pdfcatalog      \relax  \newtoks\pdfcatalog
diff --git a/tex/context/base/bibl-bib.lua b/tex/context/base/bibl-bib.lua
index 5e759eff2..f301d9689 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/bibl-bib.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/bibl-bib.lua
@@ -198,12 +198,12 @@ function bibtex.toxml(session,options)
     -- we can always speed this up if needed
     -- format slows down things a bit but who cares
     statistics.starttiming(bibtex)
-    local result = { }
+    local result, r = { }, 0
     local options = settings_to_hash(options)
     local convert = options.convert -- todo: interface
     local strip = options.strip -- todo: interface
     local entries = session.entries
-    result[#result+1] = format("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>")
+    r = r + 1 ; result[r] = format("<?xml version='1.0' standalone='yes'?>")
     result[#result+1] = format("<bibtex>")
     for id, categories in next, session.data do
         id = lower(gsub(id,"^@",""))
@@ -223,14 +223,14 @@ function bibtex.toxml(session,options)
                             -- kind of hackery ... bibtex databases are quite unportable
                             value = lpegmatch(filter,value) or value
                         end
-                        result[#result+1] = format(" <field name='%s'>%s</field>",key,value)
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = format(" <field name='%s'>%s</field>",key,value)
                     end
                 end
-                result[#result+1] = format("</entry>")
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = format("</entry>")
             end
         end
     end
-    result[#result+1] = format("</bibtex>")
+    r = r + 1 ; result[r] = format("</bibtex>")
     result = concat(result,"\n")
     -- alternatively we could use lxml.convert
     session.xml = xml.convert(result, {
diff --git a/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua b/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
index afc42a610..87300aa74 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ end
 function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
     local subset = references.collected[prefix or ""] or references.collected[""]
     if subset then
-        local result, done = { }, { }
+        local result, nofresult, done = { }, 0, { }
         block = tonumber(block)
         for rest in gmatch(reference,"([^,%s]+)") do
             local blk, tag, found = block, nil, nil
@@ -152,7 +152,8 @@ function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
             if found then
                 local current = found.entries and found.entries.text
                 if current and not done[current] then
-                    result[#result+1] = { blk, rest, current }
+                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                    result[nofresult] = { blk, rest, current }
                     done[current] = true
                 end
             end
@@ -160,8 +161,8 @@ function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
         -- todo: ranges so the interface will change
         sort(result,compare)
         local first, last, firsti, lasti, firstr, lastr
-        local collected = { }
-        for i=1,#result do
+        local collected, nofcollected = { }, 0
+        for i=1,nofresult do
             local r = result[i]
             local current = r[3]
             if not first then
@@ -170,11 +171,14 @@ function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
                 last, lasti, lastr = current, i, r
             else
                 if last > first + 1 then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = { firstr[1], firstr[2], lastr[1], lastr[2] }
+                    nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                    collected[nofcollected] = { firstr[1], firstr[2], lastr[1], lastr[2] }
                 else
-                    collected[#collected+1] = { firstr[1], firstr[2] }
+                    nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                    collected[nofcollected] = { firstr[1], firstr[2] }
                     if last > first then
-                        collected[#collected+1] = { lastr[1], lastr[2] }
+                        nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                        collected[nofcollected] = { lastr[1], lastr[2] }
                     end
                 end
                 first, last, firsti, lasti, firstr, lastr = current, current, i, i, r, r
@@ -182,16 +186,19 @@ function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
         end
         if first then
             if last > first + 1 then
-                collected[#collected+1] = { firstr[1], firstr[2], lastr[1], lastr[2] }
+                nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                collected[nofcollected] = { firstr[1], firstr[2], lastr[1], lastr[2] }
             else
-                collected[#collected+1] = { firstr[1], firstr[2] }
+                nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                collected[nofcollected] = { firstr[1], firstr[2] }
                 if last > first then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = { lastr[1], lastr[2] }
+                    nofcollected = nofcollected + 1
+                    collected[nofcollected] = { lastr[1], lastr[2] }
                 end
             end
         end
-        if #collected > 0 then
-            for i=1,#collected do
+        if nofcollected > 0 then
+            for i=1,nofcollected do
                 local c = collected[i]
                 if c[3] then
                     context.dowithbibtexnumrefrange(#collected,i,prefix,c[1],c[2],c[3],c[4])
diff --git a/tex/context/base/blob-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/blob-ini.lua
index fec304f7d..537e8bdd3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/blob-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/blob-ini.lua
@@ -120,15 +120,18 @@ function blobs.append(t,str)
     local list = t.list
     if kind == "string" then
         local pars = lpegmatch(ctxtextcapture,str)
+        local noflist = #list
         for p=1,#pars do
             local str = pars[p]
             if #str == 0 then
-                list[#list+1 ] = { head = nil, tail = nil }
+                noflist = noflist + 1
+                list[noflist] = { head = nil, tail = nil }
             else
-                local l = list[#list]
+                local l = list[noflist]
                 if not l then
                     l = { head = nil, tail = nil }
-                    list[#list+1 ] = l
+                    noflist = noflist + 1
+                    list[noflist] = l
                 end
                 local head, tail = tonodes(str,nil,nil)
                 if head then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
index cb41b48cf..7c916f60e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/buff-ini.lua
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ local utfbyte, utffind, utfgsub = utf.byte, utf.find, utf.gsub
 local type, next = type, next
 local huge = math.huge
 local byte, sub, find, char, gsub, rep, lower, format, gmatch, match, count = string.byte, string.sub, string.find, string.char, string.gsub, string.rep, string.lower, string.format, string.gmatch, string.match, string.count
+local splitlines, escapedpattern = string.splitlines, string.escapedpattern
 local utfcharacters, utfvalues = string.utfcharacters, string.utfvalues
 local ctxcatcodes = tex.ctxcatcodes
 local variables = interfaces.variables
@@ -92,7 +93,7 @@ function buffers.grab(name,begintag,endtag,bufferdata)
         end
         dn = gsub(dn,"[\010\013]$","")
         if flags.storeastable then
-            dn = dn:splitlines()
+            dn = splitlines(dn)
         end
     end
     data[name] = dn
@@ -178,7 +179,7 @@ function buffers.range(lines,first,last,range) -- 1,3 1,+3 fromhere,tothere
         else
             for i=first,last do
                 if find(lines[i],r_first) then
-                    first, strip = i + 1
+                    first = i + 1
                     break
                 end
             end
@@ -212,7 +213,7 @@ function buffers.type(name,realign,range)
     local action = buffers.typeline
     if lines then
         if type(lines) == "string" then
-            lines = lines:splitlines()
+            lines = splitlines(lines)
             data[name] = lines
         end
         if realign then
@@ -260,7 +261,7 @@ function buffers.typefile(name,realign,range,regime) -- still somewhat messy, si
         str = regimes.translate(str,regime)
     end
     if str and str~= "" then
-        local lines = str:splitlines()
+        local lines = splitlines(str)
         if realign then
             lines = buffers.realign(lines,realign)
         end
@@ -384,11 +385,12 @@ function buffers.collect(names,separator) -- no print
     if type(names) == "string" then
         names = settings_to_array(names)
     end
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for i=1,#names do
         local c = content(names[i],separator)
         if c ~= "" then
-            t[#t+1] = c
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = c
         end
     end
     return concat(t,separator or "\r") -- "\n" is safer due to comments and such
@@ -397,7 +399,7 @@ end
 function buffers.feedback(names,separator)
     -- don't change the texprint into texsprint as it fails on mp buffers
     -- because (p<nl>enddef) becomes penddef then
-    texprint(ctxcatcodes,string.splitlines(buffers.collect(names,separator)))
+    texprint(ctxcatcodes,splitlines(buffers.collect(names,separator)))
 end
 
 local function tobyte(c)
@@ -689,7 +691,7 @@ function buffers.realign(name,forced_n) -- no, auto, <number>
     if type(name) == "string" then
         d = data[name]
         if type(d) == "string" then
-            d = d:splitlines()
+            d = splitlines(d)
         end
     else
         d = name -- already a buffer
@@ -760,7 +762,7 @@ function buffers.setescapepair(name,pair)
                 start, stop = "/BTEX", "/ETEX"
             else
                 pair = string.split(pair,",")
-                start, stop = string.esc(pair[1] or ""), string.esc(pair[2] or "")
+                start, stop = escapedpattern(pair[1] or ""), escapedpattern(pair[2] or "")
             end
             if start ~= "" then
                 local pattern
diff --git a/tex/context/base/catc-ctx.tex b/tex/context/base/catc-ctx.tex
index 77e8fe88c..79e89a69b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/catc-ctx.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/catc-ctx.tex
@@ -183,7 +183,6 @@
     \catcode`\\   =  0
     \catcode`\{   =  1
     \catcode`\}   =  2
-    \catcode`\%   = 14
 \stopcatcodetable
 
 \letcatcodecommand \ctxcatcodes  `\|   \relax
diff --git a/tex/context/base/char-def.lua b/tex/context/base/char-def.lua
index 4c72c4772..c496b4a7a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/char-def.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/char-def.lua
@@ -83872,8 +83872,8 @@ characters.data={
   description="<CJK Ideograph Extension A>",
   direction="l",
   linebreak="id",
-  unicodeslot=0x3400,
-  range= 0x4DB5,
+--unicodeslot=0x3400,
+  range={ first=0x3400, last=0x4DB5 },
  },
  [0x4DC0]={
   category="so",
@@ -84329,8 +84329,8 @@ characters.data={
   description="<CJK Ideograph>",
   direction="l",
   linebreak="id",
-  unicodeslot=0x4E00,
-  range=0x9FBB,
+--unicodeslot=0x4E00,
+  range={ first=0x4E00, last=0x9FBB },
  },
  [0xA000]={
   category="lo",
@@ -95001,8 +95001,8 @@ characters.data={
   description="<Hangul Syllable>",
   direction="l",
   linebreak="h2",
-  unicodeslot=0xAC00,
-  range=0xD7A3,
+--unicodeslot=0xAC00,
+  range={ first=0xAC00, last=0xD7A3 },
  },
  [0xD800]={
   category="cs",
@@ -133602,8 +133602,8 @@ characters.data={
   description="<CJK Ideograph Extension B>",
   direction="l",
   linebreak="id",
-  unicodeslot=0x20000,
-  range=0x2A6D6,
+--unicodeslot=0x20000,
+  range={ first=0x20000, last=0x2A6D6 },
  },
  [0x2F800]={
   category="lo",
diff --git a/tex/context/base/char-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/char-ini.lua
index 0cce35a1a..868e25b3f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/char-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/char-ini.lua
@@ -48,10 +48,13 @@ else
 end
 
 if not characters.ranges then
-    local ranges = allocate { }
+    local ranges, r = allocate { }, 0
     characters.ranges = ranges
     for k, v in next, data do
-        ranges[#ranges+1] = k
+        if v.range then
+            r = r + 1
+            ranges[r] = v
+        end
     end
 end
 
@@ -75,6 +78,10 @@ end
 
 characters.tonumber = chartonumber
 
+local private = {
+    description = "PRIVATE SLOT",
+}
+
 setmetatablekey(data, "__index", function(t,k)
     if type(k) == "string" then
         k = lpegmatch(pattern,k) or utfbyte(k)
@@ -86,19 +93,23 @@ setmetatablekey(data, "__index", function(t,k)
                 -- goes to ranges
             end
         else
-            return nil
+            return private
         end
     end
-    for r=1,#ranges do
-        local rr = ranges[r] -- first in range
-        if k > rr and k <= data[rr].range then
-            t[k] = t[rr]
-            return t[k]
+    if k < 0xF0000 then
+        for r=1,#ranges do
+            local rr = ranges[r].range
+            if k >= rr.first and k <= rr.last then
+                t[k] = rr
+                return rr
+            end
         end
     end
-    return nil
+    return private -- handy for when we loop over characters in fonts and check for a property
 end )
 
+--~ setmetatable(data,{ __index = function(t,k) return "" end }) -- quite old, obsolete
+
 characters.blocks = allocate {
     ["aegeannumbers"]                        = { 0x10100, 0x1013F, "Aegean Numbers" },
     ["alphabeticpresentationforms"]          = { 0x0FB00, 0x0FB4F, "Alphabetic Presentation Forms" },
@@ -380,8 +391,6 @@ characters.bidi = allocate {
     on  = "Other Neutrals",
 }
 
-table.setemptymetatable(data) -- so each key resolves to ""
-
 --[[ldx--
 <p>At this point we assume that the big data table is loaded. From this
 table we derive a few more.</p>
@@ -445,13 +454,14 @@ if texsetcatcode then
             report_defining("defining active character commands")
         end
 
-        local activated = { }
+        local activated, a = { }, 0
 
         for u, chr in next, data do -- these will be commands
             local fallback = chr.fallback
             if fallback then
                 texsprint("{\\catcode",u,"=13\\unexpanded\\gdef ",utfchar(u),"{\\checkedchar{",u,"}{",fallback,"}}}") -- no texprint
-                activated[#activated+1] = u
+                a = a + 1
+                activated[a] = u
             else
                 local contextname = chr.contextname
                 if contextname then
@@ -464,7 +474,8 @@ if texsetcatcode then
                         end
                     elseif is_command[category] then
                         texsprint("{\\catcode",u,"=13\\unexpanded\\gdef ",utfchar(u),"{\\"..contextname,"}}") -- no texprint
-                        activated[#activated+1] = u
+                        a = a + 1
+                        activated[a] = u
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -481,8 +492,9 @@ if texsetcatcode then
                     if not chr.fallback and is_letter[chr.category] and u >= 128 and u <= 65536 then
                         texsetcatcode(u,11)
                     end
-                    if chr.range then
-                        for i=1,u,chr.range do
+                    local range = chr.range
+                    if range then
+                        for i=1,range.first,range.last do
                             texsetcatcode(i,11)
                         end
                     end
@@ -521,14 +533,15 @@ else -- char-obs
     local template_b = "\\chardef\\l=11\\chardef\\a=13\\let\\c\\catcode%s\\let\\a\\undefined\\let\\l\\undefined\\let\\c\\undefined"
 
     function characters.define(tobelettered, tobeactivated) -- catcodetables
-        local lettered, activated = { }, { }
+        local lettered, activated, l, a = { }, { }, 0, 0
         for u, chr in next, data do
             -- we can use a macro instead of direct settings
             local fallback = chr.fallback
             if fallback then
             --  texprint(format("{\\catcode %s=13\\unexpanded\\gdef %s{\\checkedchar{%s}{%s}}}",u,utfchar(u),u,fallback))
                 texsprint("{\\catcode",u,"=13\\unexpanded\\gdef ",utfchar(u),"{\\checkedchar{",u,"}{",fallback,"}}}") -- no texprint
-                activated[#activated+1] = "\\c"..u.."\\a"
+                a = a + 1
+                activated[a] = "\\c"..u.."\\a"
             else
                 local contextname = chr.contextname
                 local category = chr.category
@@ -541,28 +554,35 @@ else -- char-obs
                         else
                             texprint(ctxcatcodes,format("\\let\\%s=%s",contextname,utfchar(u)))
                             if is_letter[category] then
-                                lettered[#lettered+1] = "\\c"..u.."\\l"
+                                l = l + 1
+                                lettered[l] = "\\c"..u.."\\l"
                             end
                         end
                     elseif is_command[category] then
                         -- this might change: contextcommand ipv contextname
                     --  texprint(format("{\\catcode %s=13\\unexpanded\\gdef %s{\\%s}}",u,utfchar(u),contextname))
                         texsprint("{\\catcode",u,"=13\\unexpanded\\gdef ",utfchar(u),"{\\"..contextname,"}}") -- no texprint
-                        activated[#activated+1] = "\\c"..u.."\\a"
+                        a = a + 1
+                        activated[a] = "\\c"..u.."\\a"
                     end
                 elseif is_letter[category] then
                     if u >= 128 and u <= 65536 then -- catch private mess
-                        lettered[#lettered+1] = "\\c"..u.."\\l"
+                        l = l + 1
+                        lettered[l] = "\\c"..u.."\\l"
                     end
                 end
             end
-            if chr.range then
-                lettered[#lettered+1] = format('\\dofastrecurse{"%05X}{"%05X}{1}{\\c\\fastrecursecounter\\l}',u,chr.range)
+            local range = chr.range
+            if range then
+                l = l + 1
+                lettered[l] = format('\\dofastrecurse{"%05X}{"%05X}{1}{\\c\\fastrecursecounter\\l}',range.first,range.last)
             end
         end
      -- if false then
-        lettered[#lettered+1] = "\\c"..0x200C.."\\l" -- non-joiner
-        lettered[#lettered+1] = "\\c"..0x200D.."\\l" -- joiner
+        l = l + 1
+        lettered[l] = "\\c"..0x200C.."\\l" -- non-joiner
+        l = l + 1
+        lettered[l] = "\\c"..0x200D.."\\l" -- joiner
      -- fi
         if tobelettered then
             lettered = concat(lettered)
@@ -617,10 +637,13 @@ if texsetcatcode then
                 if cc == "lu" then
                     texsetsfcode(code,999)
                 end
-            elseif cc == "lo" and chr.range then
-                for i=code,chr.range do
-                    texsetcatcode(code,11)       -- letter
-                    texsetlccode(code,code,code) -- self self
+            elseif cc == "lo" then
+                local range = chr.range
+                if range then
+                    for i=range.first,range.last do
+                        texsetcatcode(i,11) -- letter
+                        texsetlccode(i,i,i) -- self self
+                    end
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -640,8 +663,11 @@ else -- char-obs
             if cc == "lu" then
                 texprint(ctxcatcodes,"\\sfcode ",code,"999 ")
             end
-            if cc == "lo" and chr.range then
-                texsprint(ctxcatcodes,format('\\dofastrecurse{"%05X}{"%05X}{1}{\\setcclcucself\\fastrecursecounter}',code,chr.range))
+            if cc == "lo" then
+                local range = chr.range
+                if range then
+                    texsprint(ctxcatcodes,format('\\dofastrecurse{"%05X}{"%05X}{1}{\\setcclcucself\\fastrecursecounter}',range.first,range.last))
+                end
             end
         end
     end
@@ -770,12 +796,13 @@ setmetatable(specialchars, { __index = function(t,u)
         local c = data[utfbyte(u)]
         local s = c and c.specials
         if s then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, tn = { }, 0
             for i=2,#s do
                 local si = s[i]
                 local c = data[si]
                 if is_letter[c.category] then
-                    t[#t+1] = utfchar(si)
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = utfchar(si)
                 end
             end
             c = concat(t)
@@ -789,27 +816,30 @@ setmetatable(specialchars, { __index = function(t,u)
 end } )
 
 function characters.lower(str)
-    local new = { }
+    local new, n = { }, 0
     for u in utfvalues(str) do
-        new[#new+1] = utfchar(lccodes[u])
+        n = n + 1
+        new[n] = utfchar(lccodes[u])
     end
     return concat(new)
 end
 
 function characters.upper(str)
-    local new = { }
+    local new, n = { }, 0
     for u in utfvalues(str) do
-        new[#new+1] = utfchar(uccodes[u])
+        n = n + 1
+        new[n] = utfchar(uccodes[u])
     end
     return concat(new)
 end
 
 function characters.lettered(str)
-    local new = { }
+    local new, n = { }, 0
     for u in utfvalues(str) do
         local d = data[u]
         if is_letter[d.category] then
-            new[#new+1] = utfchar(lccodes[u])
+            n = n + 1
+            new[n] = utfchar(lccodes[u])
         end
     end
     return concat(new)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua b/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
index b3ed728f1..7384f98c3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/char-utf.lua
@@ -101,20 +101,22 @@ end
 --~         if initialize then -- saves a call
 --~             initialize()
 --~         end
---~         local tokens, first, done = { }, false, false
+--~         local tokens, n, first, done = { }, 0, false, false
 --~         for second in utfcharacters(str) do
 --~             local cgf = graphemes[first]
 --~             if cgf and cgf[second] then
 --~                 first, done = cgf[second], true
 --~             elseif first then
---~                 tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+--~                 n + n + 1
+--~                 tokens[n] = first
 --~                 first = second
 --~             else
 --~                 first = second
 --~             end
 --~         end
 --~         if done then
---~             tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+--~             n + n + 1
+--~             tokens[n] = first
 --~             return concat(tokens)
 --~         end
 --~     end
@@ -194,17 +196,19 @@ not collecting tokens is not only faster but also saves garbage collecting.
 
 function utffilters.collapse(str) -- not really tested (we could preallocate a table)
     if utffilters.collapsing and str then
-        if #str > 1 then
+        local nstr = #str
+        if nstr > 1 then
             if initialize then -- saves a call
                 initialize()
             end
-            local tokens, first, done, n = { }, false, false, 0
+            local tokens, t, first, done, n = { }, 0, false, false, 0
             for second in utfcharacters(str) do
                 if done then
                     local crs = high[second]
                     if crs then
                         if first then
-                            tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+                            t = t + 1
+                            tokens[t] = first
                         end
                         first = crs
                     else
@@ -212,7 +216,8 @@ function utffilters.collapse(str) -- not really tested (we could preallocate a t
                         if cgf and cgf[second] then
                             first = cgf[second]
                         elseif first then
-                            tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+                            t = t + 1
+                            tokens[t] = first
                             first = second
                         else
                             first = second
@@ -225,13 +230,17 @@ function utffilters.collapse(str) -- not really tested (we could preallocate a t
                             if n == 1 then
                                 break
                             else
-                                tokens[#tokens+1], n = s, n - 1
+                                t = t + 1
+                                tokens[t] = s
+                                n = n -1
                             end
                         end
                         if first then
-                            tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+                            t = t + 1
+                            tokens[t] = first
                         end
-                        first, done = crs, true
+                        first = crs
+                        done = true
                     else
                         local cgf = graphemes[first]
                         if cgf and cgf[second] then
@@ -239,21 +248,26 @@ function utffilters.collapse(str) -- not really tested (we could preallocate a t
                                 if n == 1 then
                                     break
                                 else
-                                    tokens[#tokens+1], n = s, n -1
+                                    t = t + 1
+                                    tokens[t] = s
+                                    n = n -1
                                 end
                             end
-                            first, done = cgf[second], true
+                            first = cgf[second]
+                            done = true
                         else
-                            first, n = second, n + 1
+                            first = second
+                            n = n + 1
                         end
                     end
                 end
             end
             if done then
-                tokens[#tokens+1] = first
+                t = t + 1
+                tokens[t] = first
                 return concat(tokens) -- seldom called
             end
-        elseif #str > 0 then
+        elseif nstr > 0 then
             return high[str] or str
         end
     end
@@ -275,9 +289,10 @@ commands = commands or { }
 --ldx]]--
 
 function utf.split(str)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for snippet in utfcharacters(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = snippet
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n+1] = snippet
     end
     return t
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/chem-str.lua b/tex/context/base/chem-str.lua
index f574a8ac4..0e5f36434 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/chem-str.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/chem-str.lua
@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ local pattern   =
 local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
     insert(stack,{ spec=spec, text=text, n=n })
     local txt = #stack
+    local m = #metacode
     for i=1,#spec do
         local s = spec[i]
         local d = definitions[s]
@@ -226,7 +227,7 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
             local rep, operation, special, index, upto, set, text = lpegmatch(pattern,s)
             if operation == "pb" then
                 insert(pstack,kind)
-                metacode[#metacode+1] = syntax.pb.direct
+                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = syntax.pb.direct
                 if keys[special] == "text" and index then
                     if keys["c"..special] == "text" then -- can be option: auto ...
                         metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_c%s(%s,%s,"");',special,bonds,index)
@@ -236,21 +237,21 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                 end
             elseif operation == "save" then
                 insert(pstack,kind)
-                metacode[#metacode+1] = syntax.save.direct
+                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = syntax.save.direct
             elseif operation == "pe" or operation == "restore" then
                 kind = remove(pstack)
                 local ss = syntax[kind]
                 local prev = bonds or 6
                 keys, bonds, max, rot = ss.keys, ss.n, ss.max, 1
-                metacode[#metacode+1] = syntax[operation].direct
-                metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
+                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = syntax[operation].direct
+                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
             elseif operation == "front" then
                 if syntax[kind .. "_front"] then
                     kind = kind .. "_front"
                     local ss = syntax[kind]
                     local prev = bonds or 6
                     keys, bonds, max, rot = ss.keys, ss.n, ss.max, 1
-                    metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
+                    m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
                 end
             elseif operation then
                 local ss = syntax[operation]
@@ -260,18 +261,18 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                         local sa = ss.arguments
                         if sa == 1 then
                             local one ; txt, one = fetch(txt)
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format(ds,one or "")
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format(ds,one or "")
                         elseif sa ==2 then
                             local one ; txt, one = fetch(txt)
                             local two ; txt, two = fetch(txt)
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format(ds,one or "",two or "")
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format(ds,one or "",two or "")
                         else
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = ds
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = ds
                         end
                     elseif ss.keys then
                         local prev = bonds or 6
                         kind, keys, bonds, max, rot = s, ss.keys, ss.n, ss.max, 1
-                        metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
+                        m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_set(%s,%s) ;",prev,bonds)
                     end
                 else
                     local what = keys[operation]
@@ -279,31 +280,31 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                         if set then
                             for i=1,#set do
                                 local si = set[i]
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,si,si,rulethickness,rulecolor)
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,si,si,rulethickness,rulecolor)
                             end
                         elseif upto then
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,index,upto,rulethickness,rulecolor)
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,index,upto,rulethickness,rulecolor)
                         elseif index then
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,index,index,rulethickness,rulecolor)
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,index,index,rulethickness,rulecolor)
                         else
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,1,max,rulethickness,rulecolor)
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,1,max,rulethickness,rulecolor)
                         end
                     elseif what == "number" then
                         if set then
                             for i=1,#set do
                                 local si = set[i]
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,si,si)
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,si,si)
                             end
                         elseif upto then
                             for i=index,upto do
                                 local si = set[i]
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,si,si)
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,si,si)
                             end
                         elseif index then
-                            metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,index,index)
+                            m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,index,index)
                         else
                             for i=1,max do
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,i,i)
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,bonds,i,i)
                             end
                         end
                     elseif what == "text" then
@@ -318,7 +319,7 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                                 if t then
                                     local a = align and align[si]
                                     if a then a = "." .. a else a = "" end
-                                    metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,a,bonds,si,molecule(apply(t)))
+                                    m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,a,bonds,si,molecule(apply(t)))
                                 end
                             end
                         elseif upto then
@@ -328,14 +329,14 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                                 if t then
                                     local s = align and align[i]
                                     if s then s = "." .. s else s = "" end
-                                    metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,i,molecule(apply(t)))
+                                    m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,i,molecule(apply(t)))
                                 end
                             end
                         elseif index == 0 then
                             local t = text
                             if not t then txt, t = fetch(txt) end
                             if t then
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s_zero("\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,molecule(apply(t)))
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s_zero("\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,molecule(apply(t)))
                             end
                         elseif index then
                             local t = text
@@ -343,7 +344,7 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                             if t then
                                 local s = align and align[index]
                                 if s then s = "." .. s else s = "" end
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,index,molecule(apply(t)))
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,index,molecule(apply(t)))
                             end
                         else
                             for i=1,max do
@@ -352,21 +353,21 @@ local function process(spec,text,n,rulethickness,rulecolor,offset)
                                 if t then
                                     local s = align and align[i]
                                     if s then s = "." .. s else s = "" end
-                                    metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,i,molecule(apply(t)))
+                                    m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s%s(%s,%s,"\\dochemicaltext{%s}");',operation,s,bonds,i,molecule(apply(t)))
                                 end
                             end
                         end
                     elseif what == "transform" then
                         if index then
                             for r=1,rep do
-                                metacode[#metacode+1] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s);',operation,bonds,index)
+                                m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format('chem_%s(%s,%s);',operation,bonds,index)
                             end
                             if operation == "rot" then
                                 rot = index
                             end
                         end
                     elseif what == "fixed" then
-                        metacode[#metacode+1] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,rulethickness,rulecolor)
+                        m = m + 1 ; metacode[m] = format("chem_%s(%s,%s,%s);",operation,bonds,rulethickness,rulecolor)
                     end
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
index 77b2ea888..cf8a997cf 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/colo-ini.lua
@@ -345,24 +345,22 @@ function colors.registerspotcolor(parent, str)
 end
 
 function colors.definemultitonecolor(name,multispec,colorspec,selfspec)
-    local dd, pp, nn = { }, { }, { }
+    local dd, pp, nn, max = { }, { }, { }, 0
     for k,v in gmatch(multispec,"(%a+)=([^%,]*)") do
-        dd[#dd+1] = k
-        pp[#pp+1] = v
-        nn[#nn+1] = k
-        nn[#nn+1] = format("%1.3g",tonumber(v) or 0) -- 0 can't happen
+        max = max + 1
+        dd[max] = k
+        pp[max] = v
+        nn[max] = format("%s_%1.3g",k,tonumber(v) or 0) -- 0 can't happen
     end
---~ v = tonumber(v) * p
-    local nof = #dd
-    if nof > 0 then
+    if max > 0 then
         dd, pp, nn = concat(dd,','), concat(pp,','), concat(nn,'_')
         local parent = gsub(lower(nn),"[^%d%a%.]+","_")
         colors.defineprocesscolor(parent,colorspec..","..selfspec,true,true)
         local cp = attributes_list[a_color][parent]
         if cp then
-            do_registerspotcolor(parent, name, cp, "", nof, dd, pp)
-            do_registermultitonecolor(parent, name, cp, "", nof, dd, pp)
-            definecolor(name, register_color(name, 'spot', parent, nof, dd, pp), true)
+            do_registerspotcolor(parent, name, cp, "", max, dd, pp)
+            do_registermultitonecolor(parent, name, cp, "", max, dd, pp)
+            definecolor(name, register_color(name, 'spot', parent, max, dd, pp), true)
             local t = settings_to_hash_strict(selfspec)
             if t and t.a and t.t then
                 definetransparent(name, transparencies.register(name,transparent[t.a] or tonumber(t.a) or 1,tonumber(t.t) or 1), global)
@@ -412,7 +410,7 @@ end
 function colors.formatcolor(ca,separator)
     local cv = colors.value(ca)
     if cv then
-        local c, f, t, model = { }, 13, 13, cv[1]
+        local c, cn, f, t, model = { }, 0, 13, 13, cv[1]
         if model == 2 then
             f, t = 2, 2
         elseif model == 3 then
@@ -421,7 +419,8 @@ function colors.formatcolor(ca,separator)
             f, t = 6, 9
         end
         for i=f,t do
-            c[#c+1] = format("%0.3f",cv[i])
+            cn = cn + 1
+            c[cn] = format("%0.3f",cv[i])
         end
         return concat(c,separator)
     else
diff --git a/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex b/tex/context/base/cont-new.tex
index f429b372f..bfb881759 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{2010.10.22 16:46}
+\newcontextversion{2010.10.29 11:35}
 
 %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.tex b/tex/context/base/context.tex
index 3ec7d4bc8..94e5edbcc 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{2010.10.22 16:46}
+\edef\contextversion{2010.10.29 11:35}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-con.lua b/tex/context/base/core-con.lua
index 8f90eac16..efdb0e1bc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-con.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-con.lua
@@ -435,71 +435,71 @@ local vector = {
 
 local function tochinese(n,name) -- normal, caps, all
  -- improved version by Li Yanrui
-    local result = { }
+    local result, r = { }, 0
     local vector = vector[name] or vector.normal
     while true do
         if n == 0 then
             break
         elseif n >= 100000000 then
             local m = floor(n/100000000)
-            result[#result+1] = tochinese(m,name)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[100000000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = tochinese(m,name)
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[100000000]
             local z = n - m * 100000000
-            if z > 0 and z < 10000000 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 10000000 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 100000000
         elseif n >= 10000000 then
             local m = floor(n/10000)
-            result[#result+1] = tochinese(m,name)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[10000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = tochinese(m,name)
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[10000]
             local z = n - m * 10000
-            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 10000
         elseif n >= 1000000 then
             local m = floor(n/10000)
-            result[#result+1] = tochinese(m,name)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[10000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = tochinese(m,name)
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[10000]
             local z = n - m * 10000
-            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 10000
         elseif n >= 100000 then
             local m = floor(n/10000)
-            result[#result+1] = tochinese(m,name)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[10000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = tochinese(m,name)
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[10000]
             local z = n - m * 10000
-            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 10000
          elseif n >= 10000 then
             local m = floor(n/10000)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[m]
-            result[#result+1] = vector[10000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[m]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[10000]
             local z = n - m * 10000
-            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 1000 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 10000
          elseif n >= 1000 then
             local m = floor(n/1000)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[m]
-            result[#result+1] = vector[1000]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[m]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[1000]
             local z =  n - m * 1000
-            if z > 0 and z < 100 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 100 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 1000
          elseif n >= 100 then
             local m = floor(n/100)
-            result[#result+1] = vector[m]
-            result[#result+1] = vector[100]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[m]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[100]
             local z = n - m * 100
-            if z > 0 and z < 10 then result[#result+1] = vector[0] end
+            if z > 0 and z < 10 then r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[0] end
             n = n % 100
          elseif n >= 10 then
             local m = floor(n/10)
             if m > 1 and vector[m*10] then
-                result[#result+1] = vector[m*10]
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[m*10]
             else
-                result[#result+1] = vector[m]
-                result[#result+1] = vector[10]
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[m]
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[10]
             end
             n = n % 10
         else
-            result[#result+1] = vector[n]
+            r = r + 1 ; result[r] = vector[n]
             break
         end
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-ctx.lua b/tex/context/base/core-ctx.lua
index b1427f0e0..111c125da 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-ctx.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-ctx.lua
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ local function found(name) -- used in resolve
 end
 
 local function resolve(name) -- used a few times later on
-    local filename = file.collapse_path(name)
+    local filename = file.collapsepath(name)
     local prepname = islocal and found(file.basename(name))
     if prepname then
         return prepname
diff --git a/tex/context/base/core-sys.lua b/tex/context/base/core-sys.lua
index e4e49762d..47a5c340d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/core-sys.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/core-sys.lua
@@ -20,5 +20,6 @@ function commands.updatefilenames(inputfilename,outputfilename)
 end
 
 statistics.register("result saved in file", function()
+    -- suffix will be fetched from backend
     return string.format( "%s.%s", environment.outputfilename, (tex.pdfoutput>0 and "pdf") or "dvi")
 end)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-env.lua b/tex/context/base/data-env.lua
index ea6faeb6c..ac476593d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-env.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-env.lua
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ formats['enc']          = 'ENCFONTS'       suffixes['enc']          = { 'enc' }
 formats['fmt']          = 'TEXFORMATS'     suffixes['fmt']          = { 'fmt' }
 formats['map']          = 'TEXFONTMAPS'    suffixes['map']          = { 'map' }
 formats['mp']           = 'MPINPUTS'       suffixes['mp']           = { 'mp' }
-formats['ocp']          = 'OCPINPUTS'      suffixes['ocp']          = { 'ocp' }
 formats['ofm']          = 'OFMFONTS'       suffixes['ofm']          = { 'ofm', 'tfm' }
 formats['otf']          = 'OPENTYPEFONTS'  suffixes['otf']          = { 'otf' }
 formats['opl']          = 'OPLFONTS'       suffixes['opl']          = { 'opl' }
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua b/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
index 6d15a1cd7..98fbe9f95 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ local lpegCt, lpegCs, lpegP, lpegC, lpegS = lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.P, lpeg.C, lp
 local type, next = type, next
 
 local ostype = os.type
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
 local trace_expansions = false  trackers.register("resolvers.expansions", function(v) trace_expansions = v end)
@@ -49,22 +49,29 @@ local resolvers = resolvers
 local dummy_path_expr = "^!*unset/*$"
 
 local function do_first(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = a .. s end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = a .. s
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_second(a,b)
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do t[#t+1] = s .. b end
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for s in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s .. b
+    end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
 end
 
 local function do_both(a,b)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = sa .. sb
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return "{" .. concat(t,",") .. "}"
@@ -88,6 +95,7 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
         report_resolvers("expanding variable '%s'",str)
     end
     local t, ok, done = newlist or { }, false, false
+    local n = #t
     str = lpegmatch(replacer_1,str)
     while true do
         done = false
@@ -111,11 +119,15 @@ local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate)
     if validate then
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
             s = validate(s)
-            if s then t[#t+1] = s end
+            if s then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+            end
         end
     else
         for s in gmatch(str,"[^,]+") do
-            t[#t+1] = s
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = s
         end
     end
     if trace_expansions then
@@ -128,7 +140,7 @@ end
 
 local function validate(s)
     local isrecursive = find(s,"//$")
-    s = collapse_path(s)
+    s = collapsepath(s)
     if isrecursive then
         s = s .. "//"
     end
@@ -151,11 +163,14 @@ function resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(pathlist) -- maybe not a list, just a pa
             splitpathexpr(pathlist[k],newlist,validate)
         end
     else
+        local n = 0
         for k=1,#pathlist do
             for p in gmatch(pathlist[k],"([^,]+)") do
---~                 p = collapse_path(p)
                 p = validate(p)
-                if p ~= "" then newlist[#newlist+1] = p end
+                if p ~= "" then
+                    n = n + 1
+                    newlist[n] = p
+                end
             end
         end
     end
@@ -164,16 +179,63 @@ end
 
 -- We also put some cleanup code here.
 
-local cleanup -- used recursively
+--~ local cleanup -- used recursively
+--~ local homedir
+
+--~ cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+--~     {
+--~         "!",
+--~         ""
+--~     },
+--~     {
+--~         "\\",
+--~         "/"
+--~     },
+--~     {
+--~         "~" ,
+--~         function()
+--~             return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir)
+--~         end
+--~     },
+--~ }
+
+--~ function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+--~     return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+--~ end
 
-cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
-    { "!",  "" },
-    { "\\", "/" },
-    { "~" , function() return lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir) end },
+local cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+    { "!"  , ""  },
+    { "\\" , "/" },
 }
 
+local homedir
+
 function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
-    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+    if not homedir then
+        homedir = lpegmatch(cleanup,environment.homedir or "")
+        if homedir == string.char(127) or homedir == "" or not lfs.isdir(homedir) then
+            if trace_expansions then
+                report_resolvers("no home dir set, ignoring dependent paths")
+            end
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                if find(str,"~") then
+                    return "" -- special case
+                else
+                    return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+                end
+            end
+        else
+            cleanup = lpeg.replacer {
+                { "!"  , ""      },
+                { "\\" , "/"     },
+                { "~"  , homedir },
+            }
+            function resolvers.cleanpath(str)
+                return str and lpegmatch(cleanup,str)
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    return resolvers.cleanpath(str)
 end
 
 -- This one strips quotes and funny tokens.
@@ -203,8 +265,6 @@ end
 -- we join them and split them after the expansion has taken place. This
 -- is more convenient.
 
---~ local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
-
 local cache = { }
 
 local splitter = lpegCt(lpeg.splitat(lpegS(ostype == "windows" and ";" or ":;"))) -- maybe add ,
@@ -219,15 +279,17 @@ local function splitconfigurationpath(str) -- beware, this can be either a path
                 str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
                 local split = lpegmatch(splitter,str)
                 found = { }
+                local noffound = 0
                 for i=1,#split do
                     local s = split[i]
                     if not find(s,"^{*unset}*") then
-                        found[#found+1] = s
+                        noffound = noffound + 1
+                        found[noffound] = s
                     end
                 end
                 if trace_expansions then
                     report_resolvers("splitting path specification '%s'",str)
-                    for k=1,#found do
+                    for k=1,noffound do
                         report_resolvers("% 4i: %s",k,found[k])
                     end
                 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/data-ini.lua
index 9550c1e78..ed36b6992 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-ini.lua
@@ -65,9 +65,13 @@ end
 
 do
 
-    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or '~'
+    local homedir = osgetenv(ostype == "windows" and 'USERPROFILE' or 'HOME') or ''
 
-    homedir = file.collapse_path(homedir)
+    if not homedir or homedir == "" then
+        homedir = string.char(127) -- we need a value, later we wil trigger on it
+    end
+
+    homedir = file.collapsepath(homedir)
 
     ossetenv("HOME",       homedir) -- can be used in unix cnf files
     ossetenv("USERPROFILE",homedir) -- can be used in windows cnf files
@@ -86,8 +90,8 @@ do
     local ownbin  = environment.ownbin  or args[-2] or arg[-2] or args[-1] or arg[-1] or arg[0] or "luatex"
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or os.selfdir
 
-    ownbin  = file.collapse_path(ownbin)
-    ownpath = file.collapse_path(ownpath)
+    ownbin  = file.collapsepath(ownbin)
+    ownpath = file.collapsepath(ownpath)
 
     if not ownpath or ownpath == "" or ownpath == "unset" then
         ownpath = args[-1] or arg[-1]
@@ -159,9 +163,9 @@ do
     local ownpath = environment.ownpath or dir.current()
 
     if ownpath then
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapse_path(ownpath))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/.."))
-        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapse_path(ownpath .. "/../.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOLOC',    file.collapsepath(ownpath))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTODIR',    file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/.."))
+        ossetenv('SELFAUTOPARENT', file.collapsepath(ownpath .. "/../.."))
     else
         report_resolvers("error: unable to locate ownpath")
         os.exit()
@@ -197,7 +201,7 @@ if not texroot or texroot == "" then
     ossetenv('TEXROOT',texroot)
 end
 
-environment.texroot = file.collapse_path(texroot)
+environment.texroot = file.collapsepath(texroot)
 
 -- Tracing. Todo ...
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-met.lua b/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
index 06c810fc4..b51c8b57b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-met.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ function resolvers.splitmethod(filename)
 end
 
 function resolvers.methodhandler(what, filename, filetype) -- ...
-    filename = file.collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = file.collapsepath(filename)
     local specification = (type(filename) == "string" and resolvers.splitmethod(filename)) or filename -- no or { }, let it bomb
     local scheme = specification.scheme
     local resolver = resolvers[what]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-res.lua b/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
index 97ab8ce5d..8e3428b2f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ local lpegP, lpegS, lpegR, lpegC, lpegCc, lpegCs, lpegCt = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.
 local lpegmatch, lpegpatterns = lpeg.match, lpeg.patterns
 
 local filedirname, filebasename, fileextname, filejoin = file.dirname, file.basename, file.extname, file.join
-local collapse_path = file.collapse_path
+local collapsepath = file.collapsepath
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local trace_locating   = false  trackers.register("resolvers.locating",   function(v) trace_locating   = v end)
@@ -148,7 +148,6 @@ local function expandvars(lst) -- simple vars
         var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
         var = gsub(var,";+",";")
         var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
---~         var = gsub(var,"~",resolvers.homedir)
         lst[k] = var
     end
 end
@@ -170,7 +169,6 @@ local function expandedvariable(var) -- simple vars
     var = gsub(var,"%$([%a%d%_%-]+)",resolve)
     var = gsub(var,";+",";")
     var = gsub(var,";[!{}/\\]+;",";")
---~     var = gsub(var,"~",resolvers.homedir)
     return var
 end
 
@@ -228,7 +226,7 @@ local function identify_configuration_files()
         expandvars(cnfpaths) --- hm
         local luacnfname = resolvers.luacnfname
         for i=1,#cnfpaths do
-            local filename = collapse_path(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
+            local filename = collapsepath(filejoin(cnfpaths[i],luacnfname))
             if lfs.isfile(filename) then
                 specification[#specification+1] = filename
             end
@@ -389,7 +387,7 @@ local function locate_file_databases()
     -- todo: cache:// and tree:// (runtime)
     local texmfpaths = resolvers.expandedpathlist('TEXMF')
     for i=1,#texmfpaths do
-        local path = collapse_path(texmfpaths[i])
+        local path = collapsepath(texmfpaths[i])
         local stripped = gsub(path,"^!!","")
         local runtime = stripped == path
         path = resolvers.cleanpath(path)
@@ -502,11 +500,12 @@ end
 function resolvers.splitexpansions()
     local ie = instance.expansions
     for k,v in next, ie do
-        local t, h, p = { }, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
+        local t, tn, h, p = { }, 0, { }, splitconfigurationpath(v)
         for kk=1,#p do
             local vv = p[kk]
             if vv ~= "" and not h[vv] then
-                t[#t+1] = vv
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = vv
                 h[vv] = true
             end
         end
@@ -613,7 +612,8 @@ end
 
 function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
     local ep = instance.extra_paths or { }
-    local n = #ep
+    local oldn = #ep
+    local newn = oldn
     if paths and paths ~= "" then
         if subpaths and subpaths ~= "" then
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
@@ -621,7 +621,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
                 for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                     local ps = p .. "/" .. s
                     if not done[ps] then
-                        ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                        newn = newn + 1
+                        ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                         done[ps] = true
                     end
                 end
@@ -629,7 +630,8 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
         else
             for p in gmatch(paths,"[^,]+") do
                 if not done[p] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(p)
                     done[p] = true
                 end
             end
@@ -640,16 +642,17 @@ function resolvers.registerextrapath(paths,subpaths)
             for s in gmatch(subpaths,"[^,]+") do
                 local ps = ep[i] .. "/" .. s
                 if not done[ps] then
-                    ep[#ep+1] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    ep[newn] = resolvers.cleanpath(ps)
                     done[ps] = true
                 end
             end
         end
     end
-    if #ep > 0 then
+    if newn > 0 then
         instance.extra_paths = ep -- register paths
     end
-    if #ep > n then
+    if newn > oldn then
         instance.lists = { } -- erase the cache
     end
 end
@@ -659,14 +662,15 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
     if not ep or #ep == 0 then
         return list
     else
-        local done, new = { }, { }
+        local done, new, newn = { }, { }, 0
         -- honour . .. ../.. but only when at the start
         for k=1,#list do
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 if find(v,"^[%.%/]$") then
                     done[v] = true
-                    new[#new+1] = v
+                    newn = newn + 1
+                    new[newn] = v
                 else
                     break
                 end
@@ -677,7 +681,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = ep[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         -- next the formal paths
@@ -685,7 +690,8 @@ local function made_list(instance,list)
             local v = list[k]
             if not done[v] then
                 done[v] = true
-                new[#new+1] = v
+                newn = newn + 1
+                new[newn] = v
             end
         end
         return new
@@ -696,7 +702,7 @@ function resolvers.cleanpathlist(str)
     local t = resolvers.expandedpathlist(str)
     if t then
         for i=1,#t do
-            t[i] = collapse_path(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
+            t[i] = collapsepath(resolvers.cleanpath(t[i]))
         end
     end
     return t
@@ -762,7 +768,7 @@ resolvers.isreadable.tex = resolvers.isreadable.file
 -- name/name
 
 local function collect_files(names)
-    local filelist = { }
+    local filelist, noffiles = { }, 0
     for k=1,#names do
         local fname = names[k]
         if trace_detail then
@@ -803,7 +809,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                             if trace_detail then
                                 report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                             end
-                            filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                            noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                            filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                         end
                     else
                         for kk=1,#blobfile do
@@ -815,7 +822,8 @@ local function collect_files(names)
                                 if trace_detail then
                                     report_resolvers("match: kind '%s', search '%s', result '%s'",kind,search,result)
                                 end
-                                filelist[#filelist+1] = { kind, search, result }
+                                noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                                filelist[noffiles] = { kind, search, result }
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -825,7 +833,7 @@ local function collect_files(names)
             end
         end
     end
-    return #filelist > 0 and filelist or nil
+    return noffiles > 0 and filelist or nil
 end
 
 function resolvers.registerintrees(name)
@@ -851,7 +859,7 @@ end
 local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scanners, checkers etc)
     local result = collected or { }
     local stamp  = nil
-    filename = collapse_path(filename)
+    filename = collapsepath(filename)
     -- speed up / beware: format problem
     if instance.remember then
         stamp = filename .. "--" .. instance.engine .. "--" .. instance.progname .. "--" .. instance.format
@@ -1107,7 +1115,7 @@ local function collect_instance_files(filename,collected) -- todo : plugin (scan
         end
     end
     for k=1,#result do
-        local rk = collapse_path(result[k])
+        local rk = collapsepath(result[k])
         result[k] = rk
         resolvers.registerintrees(rk) -- for tracing used files
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua b/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
index 232722749..c8d209798 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-sch.lua
@@ -116,21 +116,23 @@ schemes.install('https')
 schemes.install('ftp')
 
 statistics.register("scheme handling time", function()
-    local l, r = { }, { }
+    local l, r, nl, nr = { }, { }, 0, 0
     for k, v in table.sortedhash(loaded) do
         if v > 0 then
-            l[#l+1] = k .. ":" .. v
+            nl = nl + 1
+            l[nl] = k .. ":" .. v
         end
     end
     for k, v in table.sortedhash(reused) do
         if v > 0 then
-            r[#r+1] = k .. ":" .. v
+            nr = nr + 1
+            r[nr] = k .. ":" .. v
         end
     end
-    local n = #l + #r
+    local n = nl + nr
     if n > 0 then
-        l = (#l > 0 and concat(l)) or "none"
-        r = (#r > 0 and concat(r)) or "none"
+        l = (nl > 0 and concat(l)) or "none"
+        r = (nr > 0 and concat(r)) or "none"
         return format("%s seconds, %s processed, threshold %s seconds, loaded: %s, reused: %s",
             statistics.elapsedtime(schemes), n, schemes.threshold, l, r)
     else
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua b/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
index d98e0ec66..e343e041b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree)
         local texos   = "texmf-" .. os.platform
 
         local oldroot = environment.texroot
-        local newroot = file.collapse_path(tree)
+        local newroot = file.collapsepath(tree)
 
         local newtree = file.join(newroot,texos)
         local newpath = file.join(newtree,"bin")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/data-tmp.lua b/tex/context/base/data-tmp.lua
index 526d271bd..5ed6e4e1c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/data-tmp.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/data-tmp.lua
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ local function identify()
             local cachepath = texmfcaches[k]
             if cachepath ~= "" then
                 cachepath = resolvers.cleanpath(cachepath)
-                cachepath = file.collapse_path(cachepath)
+                cachepath = file.collapsepath(cachepath)
                 local valid = isdir(cachepath)
                 if valid then
                     if file.is_readable(cachepath) then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua b/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
index 8802ccb64..6101644e0 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ctx.lua
@@ -26,11 +26,13 @@ local report_define   = logs.new("define fonts")
 local report_usage    = logs.new("fonts usage")
 local report_mapfiles = logs.new("mapfiles")
 
-local fonts      = fonts
-local tfm        = fonts.tfm
-local fontdata   = fonts.identifiers
-local definers   = fonts.definers
-local specifiers = definers.specifiers
+local fonts        = fonts
+local tfm          = fonts.tfm
+local fontdata     = fonts.identifiers
+local definers     = fonts.definers
+local specifiers   = definers.specifiers
+local currentfont  = font.current
+local texattribute = tex.attribute
 
 specifiers.contextsetups  = specifiers.contextsetups  or { }
 specifiers.contextnumbers = specifiers.contextnumbers or { }
@@ -226,31 +228,28 @@ specifiers.contextnumber   = contextnumber
 specifiers.mergecontext    = mergecontext
 specifiers.registercontext = registercontext
 
-local current_font  = font.current
-local tex_attribute = tex.attribute
-
 local cache = { } -- concat might be less efficient than nested tables
 
 function fonts.withset(name,what)
-    local zero = tex_attribute[0]
+    local zero = texattribute[0]
     local hash = zero .. "+" .. name .. "*" .. what
     local done = cache[hash]
     if not done then
         done = mergecontext(zero,name,what)
         cache[hash] = done
     end
-    tex_attribute[0] = done
+    texattribute[0] = done
 end
 
 function fonts.withfnt(name,what)
-    local font = current_font()
+    local font = currentfont()
     local hash = font .. "*" .. name .. "*" .. what
     local done = cache[hash]
     if not done then
         done = registercontext(font,name,what)
         cache[hash] = done
     end
-    tex_attribute[0] = done
+    texattribute[0] = done
 end
 
 function specifiers.showcontext(name)
@@ -579,7 +578,7 @@ end
 
 local p, f = 1, "%0.1fpt" -- normally this value is changed only once
 
-local stripper = lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros
+local stripper = lpeg.patterns.stripzeros
 
 function fonts.nbfs(amount,precision)
     if precision ~= p then
@@ -663,8 +662,8 @@ fonts.map.reset() -- resets the default file
 
 local nounicode = byte("?")
 
-local function nametoslot(name) -- maybe some day rawdata
-    local tfmdata = fonts.ids[font.current()]
+local function nametoslot(name,all) -- maybe some day rawdata
+    local tfmdata = fontdata[currentfont()]
     local shared = tfmdata and tfmdata.shared
     local fntdata = shared and shared.otfdata or shared.afmdata
     if fntdata then
@@ -673,7 +672,9 @@ local function nametoslot(name) -- maybe some day rawdata
             return nounicode
         elseif type(unicode) == "number" then
             return unicode
-        else -- multiple unicodes
+        elseif all then
+            return unicode
+        else
             return unicode[1]
         end
     end
@@ -682,11 +683,12 @@ end
 
 fonts.nametoslot = nametoslot
 
-function fonts.char(n) -- todo: afm en tfm
+function fonts.char(n,all) -- todo: afm en tfm
     if type(n) == "string" then
-        n = nametoslot(n)
+        n = nametoslot(n,all)
     end
-    if type(n) == "number" then
+ -- if type(n) == "number" then
+    if n then
         context.char(n)
     end
 end
@@ -702,7 +704,7 @@ fonts.afm.char = fonts.char
 -- this will change ...
 
 function fonts.showchardata(n)
-    local tfmdata = fonts.ids[font.current()]
+    local tfmdata = fontdata[currentfont()]
     if tfmdata then
         if type(n) == "string" then
             n = utf.byte(n)
@@ -715,7 +717,7 @@ function fonts.showchardata(n)
 end
 
 function fonts.showfontparameters()
-    local tfmdata = fonts.ids[font.current()]
+    local tfmdata = fontdata[currentfont()]
     if tfmdata then
         local parameters, mathconstants = tfmdata.parameters, tfmdata.MathConstants
         local hasparameters, hasmathconstants = parameters and next(parameters), mathconstants and next(mathconstants)
@@ -733,9 +735,10 @@ end
 
 function fonts.reportdefinedfonts()
     if trace_usage then
-        local t = { }
-        for id, data in table.sortedhash(fonts.ids) do
-            t[#t+1] = {
+        local t, tn = { }, 0
+        for id, data in table.sortedhash(fontdata) do
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = {
                 format("%03i",id),
                 format("%09i",data.size or 0),
                 data.type                           or "real",
@@ -755,7 +758,7 @@ function fonts.reportdefinedfonts()
         report_usage()
         report_usage("defined fonts:")
         report_usage()
-        for k=1,#t do
+        for k=1,tn do
             report_usage(t[k])
         end
     end
@@ -766,20 +769,20 @@ luatex.registerstopactions(fonts.reportdefinedfonts)
 function fonts.reportusedfeatures()
     -- numbers, setups, merged
     if trace_usage then
-        local t = { }
-        for i=1,#numbers do
+        local t, n = { }, #numbers
+        for i=1,n do
             local name = numbers[i]
             local setup = setups[name]
             local n = setup.number
             setup.number = nil -- we have no reason to show this
-            t[#t+1] = { i, name, table.sequenced(setup,false,true) } -- simple mode
+            t[i] = { i, name, table.sequenced(setup,false,true) } -- simple mode
             setup.number = n -- restore it (normally not needed as we're done anyway)
         end
         formatcolumns(t,"  ")
         report_usage()
         report_usage("defined featuresets:")
         report_usage()
-        for k=1,#t do
+        for k=1,n do
             report_usage(t[k])
         end
     end
@@ -844,3 +847,7 @@ function fonts.definetypeface(name,t)
     local settings = table.sequenced({ features= t.features },",")
     context.dofastdefinetypeface(name, shortcut, shape, size, settings)
 end
+
+function fonts.current(id) -- todo: also handle name
+    return fontdata[currentfont()] or fontdata[0]
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-def.lua b/tex/context/base/font-def.lua
index 713e5b68d..2f530f022 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-def.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-def.lua
@@ -170,14 +170,15 @@ local sortedhashkeys = table.sortedhashkeys
 function tfm.hashfeatures(specification)
     local features = specification.features
     if features then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, tn = { }, 0
         local normal = features.normal
         if normal and next(normal) then
             local f = sortedhashkeys(normal)
             for i=1,#f do
                 local v = f[i]
                 if v ~= "number" and v ~= "features" then -- i need to figure this out, features
-                    t[#t+1] = v .. '=' .. tostring(normal[v])
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = v .. '=' .. tostring(normal[v])
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -186,13 +187,15 @@ function tfm.hashfeatures(specification)
             local f = sortedhashkeys(vtf)
             for i=1,#f do
                 local v = f[i]
-                t[#t+1] = v .. '=' .. tostring(vtf[v])
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = v .. '=' .. tostring(vtf[v])
             end
         end
---~ if specification.mathsize then
---~     t[#t+1] = "mathsize=" .. specification.mathsize
---~ end
-        if #t > 0 then
+    --~ if specification.mathsize then
+    --~     tn = tn + 1
+    --~     t[tn] = "mathsize=" .. specification.mathsize
+    --~ end
+        if tn > 0 then
             return concat(t,"+")
         end
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-enh.lua b/tex/context/base/font-enh.lua
index 27e4e8b75..183ca848b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-enh.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-enh.lua
@@ -33,20 +33,26 @@ supplied by <l n='luatex'/>.</p>
 
 -- auto complete font with missing composed characters
 
-table.insert(fonts.manipulators,"compose")
-
-function fonts.initializers.common.compose(tfmdata,value)
-    if value then
-        fonts.vf.aux.compose_characters(tfmdata)
-    end
-end
-
 -- tfm features, experimental
 
 tfm.features         = tfm.features         or { }
 tfm.features.list    = tfm.features.list    or { }
 tfm.features.default = tfm.features.default or { }
 
+local initializers       = fonts.initializers
+local triggers           = fonts.triggers
+local manipulators       = fonts.manipulators
+local featurelist        = tfm.features.list
+local defaultfeaturelist = tfm.features.default
+
+table.insert(manipulators,"compose")
+
+function initializers.common.compose(tfmdata,value)
+    if value then
+        fonts.vf.aux.compose_characters(tfmdata)
+    end
+end
+
 function tfm.enhance(tfmdata,specification)
     -- we don't really share tfm data because we always reload
     -- but this is more in sycn with afm and such
@@ -72,52 +78,67 @@ function tfm.setfeatures(tfmdata)
     local features = shared.features
     if features and next(features) then
         local mode = tfmdata.mode or features.mode or "base"
-        local fi = fonts.initializers[mode]
+        local fi = initializers[mode]
         if fi and fi.tfm then
             local function initialize(list) -- using tex lig and kerning
                 if list then
+                    -- fi adapts !
                     for i=1,#list do
                         local f = list[i]
                         local value = features[f]
-                        if value and fi.tfm[f] then -- brr
-                            if tfm.trace_features then
-                                report_define("initializing feature %s to %s for mode %s for font %s",f,tostring(value),mode or 'unknown',tfmdata.name or 'unknown')
+                        if value then
+                            local fitfmf = fi.tfm[f] -- brr
+                            if fitfmf then
+                                if tfm.trace_features then
+                                    report_define("initializing feature %s to %s for mode %s for font %s",f,tostring(value),mode or 'unknown',tfmdata.name or 'unknown')
+                                end
+                                fitfmf(tfmdata,value)
+                                mode = tfmdata.mode or features.mode or "base"
+                                fi = initializers[mode]
                             end
-                            fi.tfm[f](tfmdata,value)
-                            mode = tfmdata.mode or features.mode or "base"
-                            fi = fonts.initializers[mode]
                         end
                     end
                 end
             end
-            initialize(fonts.triggers)
-            initialize(tfm.features.list)
-            initialize(fonts.manipulators)
+            initialize(triggers)
+            initialize(featurelist)
+            initialize(manipulators)
         end
         local fm = fonts.methods[mode]
-        if fm and fm.tfm then
-            local function register(list) -- node manipulations
-                if list then
-                    for i=1,#list do
-                        local f = list[i]
-                        if features[f] and fm.tfm[f] then -- brr
-                            if not shared.processors then -- maybe also predefine
-                                shared.processors = { fm.tfm[f] }
-                            else
-                                shared.processors[#shared.processors+1] = fm.tfm[f]
+        if fm then
+            local fmtfm = fm.tfm
+            if fmtfm then
+                local function register(list) -- node manipulations
+                    if list then
+                        local sp = shared.processors
+                        local ns = sp and #sp
+                        for i=1,#list do
+                            local f = list[i]
+                            if features[f] then
+                                local fmtfmf = fmtfm[f]
+                                if not fmtfmf then
+                                    -- brr
+                                elseif not sp then
+                                    sp = { fmtfmf }
+                                    ns = 1
+                                    shared.processors = sp
+                                else
+                                    ns = ns + 1
+                                    sp[ns] = fmtfmf
+                                end
                             end
                         end
                     end
                 end
+                register(featurelist)
             end
-            register(tfm.features.list)
         end
     end
 end
 
 function tfm.features.register(name,default)
-    tfm.features.list[#tfm.features.list+1] = name
-    tfm.features.default[name] = default
+    featurelist[#tfm.features.list+1] = name
+    defaultfeaturelist[name] = default
 end
 
 function tfm.reencode(tfmdata,encoding)
@@ -143,8 +164,8 @@ end
 
 tfm.features.register('reencode')
 
-fonts.initializers.base.tfm.reencode = tfm.reencode
-fonts.initializers.node.tfm.reencode = tfm.reencode
+initializers.base.tfm.reencode = tfm.reencode
+initializers.node.tfm.reencode = tfm.reencode
 
 fonts.enc            = fonts.enc            or { }
 fonts.enc.remappings = fonts.enc.remappings or { }
@@ -173,8 +194,8 @@ end
 
 tfm.features.register('remap')
 
-fonts.initializers.base.tfm.remap = tfm.remap
-fonts.initializers.node.tfm.remap = tfm.remap
+initializers.base.tfm.remap = tfm.remap
+initializers.node.tfm.remap = tfm.remap
 
 --~ obsolete
 --~
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ext.lua b/tex/context/base/font-ext.lua
index 79d0f0955..c17516653 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ext.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ext.lua
@@ -164,21 +164,6 @@ vectors['default'] = {
 
 vectors['quality'] = vectors['default'] -- metatable ?
 
---~ function table.locator(...)
---~     local k = { ... }
---~     return function(t)
---~         for i=1,#k do
---~             t = t[k[i]]
---~             if not k then
---~                 return false
---~             end
---~         end
---~         return t
---~     end
---~ end
-
---~ local locate = table.locator { "goodies", "expansions" }
-
 function initializers.common.expansion(tfmdata,value)
     if value then
         local class, vector = get_class_and_vector(tfmdata,value,"expansions")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-log.lua b/tex/context/base/font-log.lua
index 3f9e111b3..e16a945f9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-log.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-log.lua
@@ -37,12 +37,13 @@ function logger.save(tfmtable,source,specification) -- save file name in spec he
 end
 
 function logger.report(complete)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for name, used in table.sortedhash(fonts.used) do
+        n = n + 1
         if complete then
-            t[#t+1] = used .. "->" .. file.basename(name)
+            t[n] = used .. "->" .. file.basename(name)
         else
-            t[#t+1] = file.basename(name)
+            t[n] = file.basename(name)
         end
     end
     return t
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-map.lua b/tex/context/base/font-map.lua
index 46e84ada2..569f3df81 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-map.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-map.lua
@@ -219,21 +219,23 @@ fonts.map.addtounicode = function(data,filename)
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], ns = unicode, tounicode16(unicode), ns + 1
                     end
                 else
-                    local t = { }
+                    local t, n = { }, 0
                     for l=1,nplit do
                         local base = split[l]
                         local u = unicodes[base] or (aglmap and aglmap[base])
                         if not u then
                             break
                         elseif type(u) == "table" then
-                            t[#t+1] = u[1]
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = u[1]
                         else
-                            t[#t+1] = u
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = u
                         end
                     end
-                    if #t == 0 then -- done then
+                    if n == 0 then -- done then
                         -- nothing
-                    elseif #t == 1 then
+                    elseif n == 1 then
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], nl, unicode = t[1], tounicode16(t[1]), nl + 1, true
                     else
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], nl, unicode = t, tounicode16sequence(t), nl + 1, true
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-mis.lua b/tex/context/base/font-mis.lua
index 911ffd3fb..964378a8a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-mis.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-mis.lua
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ local lower, strip = string.lower, string.strip
 
 fonts.otf = fonts.otf or { }
 
-fonts.otf.version = fonts.otf.version or 2.705
+fonts.otf.version = fonts.otf.version or 2.706
 fonts.otf.cache   = containers.define("fonts", "otf", fonts.otf.version, true)
 
 function fonts.otf.loadcached(filename,format,sub)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-otf.lua b/tex/context/base/font-otf.lua
index 085950dfc..2a19dc5f6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-otf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-otf.lua
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['font-otf'] = {
 
 local utf = unicode.utf8
 
-local concat, utfbyte = table.concat, utf.byte
+local utfbyte = utf.byte
 local format, gmatch, gsub, find, match, lower, strip = string.format, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.lower, string.strip
 local type, next, tonumber, tostring = type, next, tonumber, tostring
 local abs = math.abs
 local getn = table.getn
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
-local reverse = table.reverse
+local reversed, concat = table.reversed, table.concat
 local ioflush = io.flush
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ local definers       = fonts.definers
 
 otf.glists           = { "gsub", "gpos" }
 
-otf.version          = 2.705 -- beware: also sync font-mis.lua
+otf.version          = 2.706 -- beware: also sync font-mis.lua
 otf.cache            = containers.define("fonts", "otf", otf.version, true)
 
 local loadmethod     = "table" -- table, mixed, sparse
@@ -968,6 +968,7 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
     local luatex = data.luatex
     local indices, unicodes, multiples, internals = { }, { }, { }, { }
     local mapmap = data.map or raw.map
+    local mapenc = nil -- will go away
     if not mapmap then
         report_otf("no map in %s",filename)
         mapmap = { }
@@ -977,6 +978,7 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
         mapmap = { }
         data.map.map = mapmap
     else
+        mapenc = mapmap.enc -- will go away
         mapmap = mapmap.map
     end
     local criterium = fonts.privateoffset
@@ -1000,41 +1002,53 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
                     indices[unicode] = index
                     unicodes[name] = unicode
                 end
+                -- maybe deal with altuni here in the future but first we need
+                -- to encounter a proper font that sets them
             else
                 -- message that something is wrong
             end
         end
     end
     -- beware: the indices table is used to initialize the tfm table
-    for unicode, index in next, mapmap do
-        if not internals[index] then
-            local name = glyphs[index].name
-            if name then
-                local un = unicodes[name]
-                if not un then
-                    unicodes[name] = unicode -- or 0
-                elseif type(un) == "number" then -- tonumber(un)
-                    if un ~= unicode then
-                        multiples[#multiples+1] = name
-                        unicodes[name] = { un, unicode }
-                        indices[unicode] = index
-                    end
-                else
-                    local ok = false
-                    for u=1,#un do
-                        if un[u] == unicode then
-                            ok = true
-                            break
+    local encname = lower(data.enc_name or (mapenc and mapenc[1] and mapenc[1].enc_name) or "") -- mapenc will go away
+ -- will become: local encname = lower(data.enc_name or "")
+    if encname == "" or encname == "unicodebmp" or encname == "unicodefull" then -- maybe find(encname,"unicode")
+        if trace_loading then
+            report_otf("using extra unicode map")
+        end
+        -- ok -- we can also consider using the altuni
+        for unicode, index in next, mapmap do
+            if not internals[index] then
+                local name = glyphs[index].name
+                if name then
+                    local un = unicodes[name]
+                    if not un then
+                        unicodes[name] = unicode -- or 0
+                    elseif type(un) == "number" then -- tonumber(un)
+                        if un ~= unicode then
+                            multiples[#multiples+1] = name
+                            unicodes[name] = { un, unicode }
+                            indices[unicode] = index
+                        end
+                    else
+                        local ok = false
+                        for u=1,#un do
+                            if un[u] == unicode then
+                                ok = true
+                                break
+                            end
+                        end
+                        if not ok then
+                            multiples[#multiples+1] = name
+                            un[#un+1] = unicode
+                            indices[unicode] = index
                         end
-                    end
-                    if not ok then
-                        multiples[#multiples+1] = name
-                        un[#un+1] = unicode
-                        indices[unicode] = index
                     end
                 end
             end
         end
+    else
+        report_otf("warning: non unicode map '%s', only using glyph unicode data",encname or "whatever")
     end
     if trace_loading then
         if #multiples > 0 then
@@ -1063,7 +1077,7 @@ actions["reorganize lookups"] = function(data,filename,raw)
                 for _, vv in next, v.rules do
                     local c = vv.coverage
                     if c and c.before then
-                        c.before = reverse(c.before)
+                        c.before = reversed(c.before)
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -1582,8 +1596,8 @@ local function copytotfm(data,cache_id) -- we can save a copy when we reorder th
         local glyphs, pfminfo, metadata = data.glyphs or { }, data.pfminfo or { }, data.metadata or { }
         local luatex = data.luatex
         local unicodes = luatex.unicodes -- names to unicodes
-        local indices = luatex.indices        local mode = data.mode or "base"
-
+        local indices = luatex.indices
+        local mode = data.mode or "base"
         local characters, parameters, math_parameters, descriptions = { }, { }, { }, { }
         local designsize = metadata.designsize or metadata.design_size or 100
         if designsize == 0 then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua b/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
index 2bccc3c1b..ec246d20d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ local zwj      = 0x200D
 local wildcard = "*"
 local default  = "dflt"
 
-local split_at_space = lpeg.splitters[" "] or lpeg.Ct(lpeg.splitat(" ")) -- no trailing or multiple spaces anyway
+local split_at_space = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.splitat(" ")) -- no trailing or multiple spaces anyway
 
 local nodecodes     = nodes.nodecodes
 local whatcodes     = nodes.whatcodes
@@ -282,9 +282,9 @@ local function gref(n)
         local num, nam = { }, { }
         for i=1,#n do
             local ni = n[i]
-            num[#num+1] = format("U+%04X",ni)
-            local dni = descriptions[ni]
-            nam[#num] = (dni and dni.name) or "?"
+            local di = descriptions[ni]
+            num[i] = format("U+%04X",ni)
+            nam[i] = di and di.name or "?"
         end
         return format("%s (%s)",concat(num," "), concat(nam," "))
     end
@@ -2254,13 +2254,14 @@ otf.features.prepare = { }
 
 local function split(replacement,original,cache,unicodes)
     -- we can cache this too, but not the same (although unicode is a unique enough hash)
-    local o, t, n = { }, { }, 0
+    local o, t, n, no = { }, { }, 0, 0
     for s in gmatch(original,"[^ ]+") do
         local us = unicodes[s]
+        no = no + 1
         if type(us) == "number" then -- tonumber(us)
-            o[#o+1] = us
+            o[no] = us
         else
-            o[#o+1] = us[1]
+            o[no] = us[1]
         end
     end
     for s in gmatch(replacement,"[^ ]+") do
@@ -2277,9 +2278,11 @@ end
 
 local function uncover(covers,result,cache,unicodes)
     -- lpeg hardly faster (.005 sec on mk)
+    local nofresults = #result
     for n=1,#covers do
         local c = covers[n]
         local cc = cache[c]
+        nofresults = nofresults + 1
         if not cc then
             local t = { }
             for s in gmatch(c,"[^ ]+") do
@@ -2293,9 +2296,9 @@ local function uncover(covers,result,cache,unicodes)
                 end
             end
             cache[c] = t
-            result[#result+1] = t
+            result[nofresults] = t
         else
-            result[#result+1] = cc
+            result[nofresults] = cc
         end
     end
 end
@@ -2337,16 +2340,17 @@ local function prepare_lookups(tfmdata)
         --~ end
         end,
         multiple = function (p,lookup,glyph,unicode)
-            local old, new = unicode, { }
+            local old, new, nnew = unicode, { }, 0
             local m = multiple[lookup]
             if not m then m = { } multiple[lookup] = m end
             m[old] = new
             for pc in gmatch(p[2],"[^ ]+") do
                 local upc = unicodes[pc]
+                nnew = nnew + 1
                 if type(upc) == "number" then
-                    new[#new+1] = upc
+                    new[nnew] = upc
                 else
-                    new[#new+1] = upc[1]
+                    new[nnew] = upc[1]
                 end
             end
         --~ if trace_lookups then
@@ -2354,16 +2358,17 @@ local function prepare_lookups(tfmdata)
         --~ end
         end,
         alternate = function(p,lookup,glyph,unicode)
-            local old, new = unicode, { }
+            local old, new, nnew = unicode, { }, 0
             local a = alternate[lookup]
             if not a then a = { } alternate[lookup] = a end
             a[old] = new
             for pc in gmatch(p[2],"[^ ]+") do
                 local upc = unicodes[pc]
+                nnew = nnew + 1
                 if type(upc) == "number" then
-                    new[#new+1] = upc
+                    new[nnew] = upc
                 else
-                    new[#new+1] = upc[1]
+                    new[nnew] = upc[1]
                 end
             end
         --~ if trace_lookups then
@@ -2557,7 +2562,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 contextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do -- does #rules>1 happen often?
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
                                 local coverage = rule.coverage
@@ -2573,7 +2578,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                         uncover(after,sequence,cache,unicodes)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
@@ -2593,7 +2599,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 reversecontextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
                                 local reversecoverage = rule.reversecoverage
@@ -2613,7 +2619,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
                                         -- this is different from normal coverage, we assume only replacements
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups, replacements }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups, replacements }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
@@ -2633,7 +2640,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 contextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do
                                 -- nearly the same as coverage so we could as well rename it
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
@@ -2653,7 +2660,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                         uncover(back,sequence,cache,unicodes)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-ott.lua b/tex/context/base/font-ott.lua
index a5a0df37e..ec915b878 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-ott.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-ott.lua
@@ -638,9 +638,18 @@ local baselines = allocate {
     ['romn'] = 'Roman baseline'
 }
 
-local verbosescripts    = allocate(table.swaphash(scripts  ))
-local verboselanguages  = allocate(table.swaphash(languages))
-local verbosefeatures   = allocate(table.swaphash(features ))
+
+local function swap(h) -- can be a tables.swap when we get a better name
+    local r = { }
+    for k, v in next, h do
+        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
+    end
+    return r
+end
+
+local verbosescripts    = allocate(swap(scripts  ))
+local verboselanguages  = allocate(swap(languages))
+local verbosefeatures   = allocate(swap(features ))
 
 tables.scripts          = scripts
 tables.languages        = languages
@@ -661,12 +670,6 @@ for k, v in next, verbosefeatures do
     verbosefeatures[lower(k)] = v
 end
 
--- can be sped up by local tables
-
-function tables.totag(id) -- not used
-    return format("%4s",lower(id))
-end
-
 local function resolve(tab,id)
     if tab and id then
         id = lower(id)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-syn.lua b/tex/context/base/font-syn.lua
index 7cd4b2a37..a0dbd4f7e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-syn.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-syn.lua
@@ -6,17 +6,6 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['font-syn'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local keyisvalue = { __index = function(t,k)
-    t[k] = k
-    return k
-end }
-
-function table.initialysparse(t)
-    t = t or { }
-    setmetatable(t,keyisvalue)
-    return t
-end
-
 -- todo: subs in lookups requests
 
 local utf = unicode.utf8
@@ -29,6 +18,7 @@ local utfgsub, utflower = utf.gsub, utf.lower
 local unpack = unpack or table.unpack
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
+local sparse   = utilities.storage.sparse
 
 local trace_names          = false  trackers.register("fonts.names",          function(v) trace_names          = v end)
 local trace_warnings       = false  trackers.register("fonts.warnings",       function(v) trace_warnings       = v end)
@@ -90,7 +80,7 @@ local weights = Cs ( -- not extra
   + P("regular")  / "normal"
 )
 
-local normalized_weights = table.initialysparse {
+local normalized_weights = sparse {
     regular = "normal",
 }
 
@@ -105,7 +95,7 @@ local styles = Cs (
   + P("ita")            / "italic"
 )
 
-local normalized_styles = table.initialysparse {
+local normalized_styles = sparse {
     reverseoblique = "reverseitalic",
     regular        = "normal",
     oblique        = "italic",
@@ -120,7 +110,7 @@ local widths = Cs(
   + P("book")     / "normal"
 )
 
-local normalized_widths = table.initialysparse()
+local normalized_widths = sparse()
 
 local variants = Cs( -- fax casual
     P("smallcaps")
@@ -128,7 +118,7 @@ local variants = Cs( -- fax casual
   + P("caps")      / "smallcaps"
 )
 
-local normalized_variants = table.initialysparse()
+local normalized_variants = sparse()
 
 local any = P(1)
 
@@ -247,7 +237,7 @@ filters.paths = { }
 filters.names = { }
 
 function names.getpaths(trace)
-    local hash, result = { }, { }
+    local hash, result, r = { }, { }, 0
     local function collect(t,where)
         for i=1, #t do
             local v = resolvers.cleanpath(t[i])
@@ -255,7 +245,9 @@ function names.getpaths(trace)
             local key = lower(v)
             report_names("adding path from %s: %s",where,v)
             if not hash[key] then
-                hash[key], result[#result+1] = true, v
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = v
+                hash[key] = true
             end
         end
     end
@@ -783,7 +775,7 @@ local function addfilenames()
 end
 
 local function rejectclashes() -- just to be sure, so no explicit afm will be found then
-    local specifications, used, okay = names.data.specifications, { }, { }
+    local specifications, used, okay, o = names.data.specifications, { }, { }, 0
     for i=1,#specifications do
         local s = specifications[i]
         local f = s.fontname
@@ -794,10 +786,13 @@ local function rejectclashes() -- just to be sure, so no explicit afm will be fo
                     report_names( "fontname '%s' clashes, rejecting '%s' in favor of '%s'",f,fnm,fnd)
                 end
             else
-                used[f], okay[#okay+1] = fnm, s
+                used[f] = fnm
+                o = o + 1
+                okay[o] = s
             end
         else
-            okay[#okay+1] = s
+            o = o + 1
+            okay[o] = s
         end
     end
     local d = #specifications - #okay
@@ -1333,7 +1328,7 @@ local function heuristic(name,weight,style,width,variant,all) -- todo: fallbacks
         if nf then
             local t = { }
             for i=1,nf do
-                t[#t+1] = format("'%s'",found[i].fontname)
+                t[i] = format("'%s'",found[i].fontname)
             end
             report_names("name '%s' resolved to %s instances: %s",name,nf,concat(t," "))
         else
@@ -1388,7 +1383,6 @@ end
 
 function names.collectfiles(askedname,reload) -- no all
     if askedname and askedname ~= "" and names.enabled then
---~         askedname = lower(askedname) -- or cleanname
         askedname = cleanname(askedname) -- or cleanname
         names.load(reload)
         local list = { }
@@ -1396,10 +1390,8 @@ function names.collectfiles(askedname,reload) -- no all
         local specifications = names.data.specifications
         for i=1,#specifications do
             local s = specifications[i]
---~             if find(lower(basename(s.filename)),askedname) then
             if find(cleanname(basename(s.filename)),askedname) then
                 list[#list+1] = s
-
             end
         end
         return list
@@ -1495,20 +1487,22 @@ function names.lookup(pattern,name,reload) -- todo: find
         end
         if lookups then
             for key, value in gmatch(pattern,"([^=,]+)=([^=,]+)") do
-                local t = { }
+                local t, n = { }, 0
                 if find(value,"*") then
                     value = string.topattern(value)
                     for i=1,#lookups do
                         local s = lookups[i]
                         if find(s[key],value) then
-                            t[#t+1] = lookups[i]
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = lookups[i]
                         end
                     end
                 else
                     for i=1,#lookups do
                         local s = lookups[i]
                         if s[key] == value then
-                            t[#t+1] = lookups[i]
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = lookups[i]
                         end
                     end
                 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-tfm.lua b/tex/context/base/font-tfm.lua
index 4d80f07e1..7a16b284f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-tfm.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-tfm.lua
@@ -564,13 +564,13 @@ function tfm.scale(tfmtable, scaledpoints, relativeid)
                         local ivc = vc[i]
                         local key = ivc[1]
                         if key == "right" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*hdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*hdelta }
                         elseif key == "down" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta }
                         elseif key == "rule" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta, ivc[3]*hdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta, ivc[3]*hdelta }
                         else -- not comment
-                            tt[#tt+1] = ivc -- shared since in cache and untouched
+                            tt[i] = ivc -- shared since in cache and untouched
                         end
                     end
                     chr.commands = tt
diff --git a/tex/context/base/font-xtx.lua b/tex/context/base/font-xtx.lua
index 5a31d8c5e..5e9fea12f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/font-xtx.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/font-xtx.lua
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ local function colonized(specification) -- xetex mode
     list = { }
     lpegmatch(pattern,specification.specification)
  -- for k, v in next, list do
- --     list[k] = v:is_boolean()
+ --     list[k] = is_boolean(v)
  --     if type(list[a]) == "nil" then
  --         list[k] = v
  --     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/grph-inc.lua b/tex/context/base/grph-inc.lua
index 240a84e6b..e4256af32 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/grph-inc.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/grph-inc.lua
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ local texbox = tex.box
 local contains = table.contains
 local concat = table.concat
 local todimen = string.todimen
-local settings_to_array = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array
+local settings_to_array, settings_to_hash = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array,  utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
 
 local variables      = interfaces.variables
@@ -215,7 +215,7 @@ function figures.setpaths(locationset,pathlist)
         -- this function can be called each graphic so we provide this optimization
         return
     end
-    local iv, t, h = interfaces.variables, figures.paths, locationset:tohash()
+    local iv, t, h = interfaces.variables, figures.paths, settings_to_hash(locationset)
     if last_locationset ~= locationset then
         -- change == reset (actually, a 'reset' would indeed reset
         if h[iv["local"]] then
@@ -359,114 +359,135 @@ local defaultprefix = "m_k_i_v_"
 
 -- todo: local path or cache path
 
+local function forbiddenname(filename)
+    if not filename or filename == "" then
+        return false
+    end
+    local expandedfullname = file.collapsepath(filename,true)
+    local expandedinputname = file.collapsepath(file.addsuffix(environment.jobfilename,environment.jobfilesuffix),true)
+    if expandedfullname == expandedinputname then
+        report_graphics("skipping graphic with same name as input filename (%s), enforce suffix",expandedinputname)
+        return true
+    end
+    local expandedoutputname = file.collapsepath(codeinjections.getoutputfilename(),true)
+    if expandedfullname == expandedoutputname then
+        report_graphics("skipping graphic with same name as output filename (%s), enforce suffix",expandedoutputname)
+        return true
+    end
+end
+
 local function register(askedname,specification)
     if specification then
-        local format = specification.format
-        if format then
-            local conversion = specification.conversion
-            local resolution = specification.resolution
-            if conversion == "" then
-                conversion = nil
-            end
-            if resolution == "" then
-                resolution = nil
-            end
-            local newformat = conversion
-            if not newformat or newformat == "" then
-                newformat = defaultformat
-            end
-            if trace_conversion then
-                report_graphics("checking conversion of '%s': old format '%s', new format '%s', conversion '%s', resolution '%s'",
-                    askedname,format,newformat,conversion or "default",resolution or "default")
-            end
-            local converter = (newformat ~= format) and converters[format]
-            if converter then
-                if converter[newformat] then
-                    converter = converter[newformat]
-                else
+        if forbiddenname(specification.fullname) then
+            specification = { }
+        else
+            local format = specification.format
+            if format then
+                local conversion = specification.conversion
+                local resolution = specification.resolution
+                if conversion == "" then
+                    conversion = nil
+                end
+                if resolution == "" then
+                    resolution = nil
+                end
+                local newformat = conversion
+                if not newformat or newformat == "" then
                     newformat = defaultformat
+                end
+                if trace_conversion then
+                    report_graphics("checking conversion of '%s': old format '%s', new format '%s', conversion '%s', resolution '%s'",
+                        askedname,format,newformat,conversion or "default",resolution or "default")
+                end
+                local converter = (newformat ~= format) and converters[format]
+                if converter then
                     if converter[newformat] then
                         converter = converter[newformat]
                     else
-                        converter = nil
                         newformat = defaultformat
+                        if converter[newformat] then
+                            converter = converter[newformat]
+                        else
+                            converter = nil
+                            newformat = defaultformat
+                        end
                     end
+                elseif trace_conversion then
+                    report_graphics("no converter for '%s' -> '%s'",format,newformat)
                 end
-            elseif trace_conversion then
-                report_graphics("no converter for '%s' -> '%s'",format,newformat)
-            end
-            if converter then
-                local oldname = specification.fullname
-local oldname = specification.foundname
-                local newpath = file.dirname(oldname)
-                local oldbase = file.basename(oldname)
-                local newbase = file.removesuffix(oldbase)
-                local fc = specification.cache or figures.cachepaths.path
-                if fc and fc ~= "" and fc ~= "." then
-                    newpath = fc
-                else
-                    newbase = defaultprefix .. newbase
-                end
-                if not file.is_writable(newpath) then
-                    if trace_conversion then
-                        report_graphics("[ath '%s'is not writable, forcing conversion path '.' ",newpath)
+                if converter then
+                 -- local oldname = specification.fullname
+                    local oldname = specification.foundname
+                    local newpath = file.dirname(oldname)
+                    local oldbase = file.basename(oldname)
+                    local newbase = file.removesuffix(oldbase)
+                    local fc = specification.cache or figures.cachepaths.path
+                    if fc and fc ~= "" and fc ~= "." then
+                        newpath = fc
+                    else
+                        newbase = defaultprefix .. newbase
                     end
-                    newpath = "."
-                end
-                local subpath = specification.subpath or figures.cachepaths.subpath
-                if subpath and subpath ~= "" and subpath ~= "."  then
-                    newpath = newpath .. "/" .. subpath
-                end
-                local prefix = specification.prefix or figures.cachepaths.prefix
-                if prefix and prefix ~= "" then
-                    newbase = prefix .. newbase
-                end
-                if resolution and resolution ~= "" then -- the order might change
-                    newbase = newbase .. "_" .. resolution
-                end
-                local newbase = file.addsuffix(newbase,newformat)
-                local newname = file.join(newpath,newbase)
-                dir.makedirs(newpath)
-                oldname = file.collapse_path(oldname)
-                newname = file.collapse_path(newname)
-                local oldtime = lfs.attributes(oldname,'modification') or 0
-                local newtime = lfs.attributes(newname,'modification') or 0
-                if newtime == 0 or oldtime > newtime then
-                    if trace_conversion then
-                        report_graphics("converting '%s' from '%s' to '%s'",askedname,format,newformat)
+                    if not file.is_writable(newpath) then
+                        if trace_conversion then
+                            report_graphics("[ath '%s'is not writable, forcing conversion path '.' ",newpath)
+                        end
+                        newpath = "."
                     end
-                    converter(oldname,newname,resolution or "")
-                else
-                    if trace_conversion then
-                        report_graphics("no need to convert '%s' from '%s' to '%s'",askedname,format,newformat)
+                    local subpath = specification.subpath or figures.cachepaths.subpath
+                    if subpath and subpath ~= "" and subpath ~= "."  then
+                        newpath = newpath .. "/" .. subpath
+                    end
+                    local prefix = specification.prefix or figures.cachepaths.prefix
+                    if prefix and prefix ~= "" then
+                        newbase = prefix .. newbase
+                    end
+                    if resolution and resolution ~= "" then -- the order might change
+                        newbase = newbase .. "_" .. resolution
+                    end
+                    local newbase = file.addsuffix(newbase,newformat)
+                    local newname = file.join(newpath,newbase)
+                    dir.makedirs(newpath)
+                    oldname = file.collapsepath(oldname)
+                    newname = file.collapsepath(newname)
+                    local oldtime = lfs.attributes(oldname,'modification') or 0
+                    local newtime = lfs.attributes(newname,'modification') or 0
+                    if newtime == 0 or oldtime > newtime then
+                        if trace_conversion then
+                            report_graphics("converting '%s' from '%s' to '%s'",askedname,format,newformat)
+                        end
+                        converter(oldname,newname,resolution or "")
+                    else
+                        if trace_conversion then
+                            report_graphics("no need to convert '%s' from '%s' to '%s'",askedname,format,newformat)
+                        end
+                    end
+                    if io.exists(newname) then
+                        specification.foundname = oldname
+                        specification.fullname  = newname
+                        specification.prefix    = prefix
+                        specification.subpath   = subpath
+                        specification.converted = true
+                        format = newformat
+                    elseif io.exists(oldname) then
+                        specification.fullname  = newname
+                        specification.converted = false
                     end
                 end
-                if io.exists(newname) then
-                    specification.foundname = oldname
-                    specification.fullname  = newname
-                    specification.prefix    = prefix
-                    specification.subpath   = subpath
-                    specification.converted = true
-                    format = newformat
-                elseif io.exists(oldname) then
-                    specification.fullname  = newname
-                    specification.converted = false
-                end
-            end
-        end
-        local found = figures.suffixes[format] -- validtypes[format]
-        if not found then
-            specification.found = false
-            if trace_figures then
-                commands.writestatus("figures","format not supported: %s",format)
             end
-        else
-            specification.found = true
-            if trace_figures then
-                if validtypes[format] then
-                    commands.writestatus("figures","format natively supported by backend: %s",format)
-                else
-                    commands.writestatus("figures","format supported by output file format: %s",format)
+            local found = figures.suffixes[format] -- validtypes[format]
+            if not found then
+                specification.found = false
+                if trace_figures then
+                    commands.writestatus("figures","format not supported: %s",format)
+                end
+            else
+                specification.found = true
+                if trace_figures then
+                    if validtypes[format] then
+                        commands.writestatus("figures","format natively supported by backend: %s",format)
+                    else
+                        commands.writestatus("figures","format supported by output file format: %s",format)
+                    end
                 end
             end
         end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/grph-inc.mkiv b/tex/context/base/grph-inc.mkiv
index 730fe1ee5..80a9c3187 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/grph-inc.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/grph-inc.mkiv
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
   {\global\setbox\foundexternalfigure\vbox{\cldprocessfile{#1}}}
 
 \def\docheckfigurebuffer  #1{\doprocesstexlikefigure{\getbuffer[#1]}}
-\def\docheckfiguretex     #1{\doprocesstexlikefigure{\input#1\relax}}
+\def\docheckfiguretex     #1{\doprocesstexlikefigure{\input{#1}}}
 \def\docheckfigurecld     #1{\doprocesscldlikefigure{#1}} % we can always add cldrun
 \def\docheckfiguremps     #1{\doprocessmpslikefigure{#1}}
 \def\docheckfiguremprun #1#2{\doprocesstexlikefigure{\useMPrun{#1}{#2}}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-boolean.lua b/tex/context/base/l-boolean.lua
index cf92d2f41..3fff7c126 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-boolean.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-boolean.lua
@@ -11,8 +11,12 @@ local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 boolean = boolean or { }
 local boolean = boolean
 
+-- function boolean.tonumber(b)
+--     return b and 1 or 0 -- test and test and return or return
+-- end
+
 function boolean.tonumber(b)
-    if b then return 1 else return 0 end
+    if b then return 1 else return 0 end -- test and return or return
 end
 
 function toboolean(str,tolerant)
@@ -36,6 +40,8 @@ function toboolean(str,tolerant)
     end
 end
 
+string.toboolean = toboolean
+
 function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     if type(str) == "string" then
         if str == "true" or str == "yes" or str == "on" or str == "t" then
@@ -46,11 +52,3 @@ function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     end
     return default
 end
-
-function boolean.alwaystrue()
-    return true
-end
-
-function boolean.falsetrue()
-    return false
-end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-dimen.lua b/tex/context/base/l-dimen.lua
index 35fca56da..cb97e35f6 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-dimen.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-dimen.lua
@@ -81,9 +81,7 @@ local dimenfactors = {
 format (string) is implemented using this table.</p>
 --ldx]]--
 
--- was:
-
-local function todimen(n,unit,fmt)
+local function numbertodimen(n,unit,fmt)
     if type(n) == 'string' then
         return n
     else
@@ -102,21 +100,21 @@ end
 --ldx]]--
 
 number.maxdimen     = 1073741823
-number.todimen      = todimen
+number.todimen      = numbertodimen
 number.dimenfactors = dimenfactors
 
-function number.topoints      (n) return todimen(n,"pt") end
-function number.toinches      (n) return todimen(n,"in") end
-function number.tocentimeters (n) return todimen(n,"cm") end
-function number.tomillimeters (n) return todimen(n,"mm") end
-function number.toscaledpoints(n) return todimen(n,"sp") end
-function number.toscaledpoints(n) return      n .. "sp"  end
-function number.tobasepoints  (n) return todimen(n,"bp") end
-function number.topicas       (n) return todimen(n "pc") end
-function number.todidots      (n) return todimen(n,"dd") end
-function number.tociceros     (n) return todimen(n,"cc") end
-function number.tonewdidots   (n) return todimen(n,"nd") end
-function number.tonewciceros  (n) return todimen(n,"nc") end
+function number.topoints      (n) return numbertodimen(n,"pt") end
+function number.toinches      (n) return numbertodimen(n,"in") end
+function number.tocentimeters (n) return numbertodimen(n,"cm") end
+function number.tomillimeters (n) return numbertodimen(n,"mm") end
+function number.toscaledpoints(n) return numbertodimen(n,"sp") end
+function number.toscaledpoints(n) return            n .. "sp"  end
+function number.tobasepoints  (n) return numbertodimen(n,"bp") end
+function number.topicas       (n) return numbertodimen(n "pc") end
+function number.todidots      (n) return numbertodimen(n,"dd") end
+function number.tociceros     (n) return numbertodimen(n,"cc") end
+function number.tonewdidots   (n) return numbertodimen(n,"nd") end
+function number.tonewciceros  (n) return numbertodimen(n,"nc") end
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>More interesting it to implement a (sort of) dimen datatype, one
@@ -146,14 +144,24 @@ mt.__index = function(t,s)
     return false
 end
 
-function string:todimen()
-    if type(self) == "number" then
-        return self
-    else
-        local value, unit = lpegmatch(dimenpair,self)
-        return value/unit
-    end
-end
+
+--[[ldx--
+<p>We redefine the following function later on, so we comment it
+here (which saves us bytecodes.</p>
+--ldx]]--
+
+-- function string.todimen(str)
+--     if type(str) == "number" then
+--         return str
+--     else
+--         local value, unit = lpegmatch(dimenpair,str)
+--         return value/unit
+--     end
+-- end
+--
+-- local stringtodimen = string.todimen
+
+local stringtodimen -- assigned later (commenting saves bytecode)
 
 local amount = S("+-")^0 * R("09")^0 * S(".,")^0 * R("09")^0
 local unit   = P("pt") + P("cm") + P("mm") + P("sp") + P("bp") + P("in")  +
@@ -175,12 +183,6 @@ string.todimen("10pt")
 string.todimen("10.0pt")
 </typing>
 
-<p>And of course the often more efficient:</p>
-
-<typing>
-somestring:todimen("12.3cm")
-</typing>
-
 <p>With this in place, we can now implement a proper datatype for dimensions, one
 that permits us to do this:</p>
 
@@ -198,28 +200,28 @@ local dimensions = { }
 <p>The main (and globally) visible representation of a dimen is defined next: it is
 a one-element table. The unit that is returned from the match is normally a number
 (one of the previously defined factors) but we also accept functions. Later we will
-see why.</p>
+see why. This function is redefined later.</p>
 --ldx]]--
 
-function dimen(a)
-    if a then
-        local ta= type(a)
-        if ta == "string" then
-            local value, unit = lpegmatch(pattern,a)
-            if type(unit) == "function" then
-                k = value/unit()
-            else
-                k = value/unit
-            end
-            a = k
-        elseif ta == "table" then
-            a = a[1]
-        end
-        return setmetatable({ a }, dimensions)
-    else
-        return setmetatable({ 0 }, dimensions)
-    end
-end
+-- function dimen(a)
+--     if a then
+--         local ta= type(a)
+--         if ta == "string" then
+--             local value, unit = lpegmatch(pattern,a)
+--             if type(unit) == "function" then
+--                 k = value/unit()
+--             else
+--                 k = value/unit
+--             end
+--             a = k
+--         elseif ta == "table" then
+--             a = a[1]
+--         end
+--         return setmetatable({ a }, dimensions)
+--     else
+--         return setmetatable({ 0 }, dimensions)
+--     end
+-- end
 
 --[[ldx--
 <p>This function return a small hash with a metatable attached. It is
@@ -229,35 +231,35 @@ shared some of the code but for reasons of speed we don't.</p>
 
 function dimensions.__add(a, b)
     local ta, tb = type(a), type(b)
-    if ta == "string" then a = a:todimen() elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
-    if tb == "string" then b = b:todimen() elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
+    if ta == "string" then a = stringtodimen(a) elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
+    if tb == "string" then b = stringtodimen(b) elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
     return setmetatable({ a + b }, dimensions)
 end
 
 function dimensions.__sub(a, b)
     local ta, tb = type(a), type(b)
-    if ta == "string" then a = a:todimen() elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
-    if tb == "string" then b = b:todimen() elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
+    if ta == "string" then a = stringtodimen(a) elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
+    if tb == "string" then b = stringtodimen(b) elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
     return setmetatable({ a - b }, dimensions)
 end
 
 function dimensions.__mul(a, b)
     local ta, tb = type(a), type(b)
-    if ta == "string" then a = a:todimen() elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
-    if tb == "string" then b = b:todimen() elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
+    if ta == "string" then a = stringtodimen(a) elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
+    if tb == "string" then b = stringtodimen(b) elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
     return setmetatable({ a * b }, dimensions)
 end
 
 function dimensions.__div(a, b)
     local ta, tb = type(a), type(b)
-    if ta == "string" then a = a:todimen() elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
-    if tb == "string" then b = b:todimen() elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
+    if ta == "string" then a = stringtodimen(a) elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
+    if tb == "string" then b = stringtodimen(b) elseif tb == "table" then b = b[1] end
     return setmetatable({ a / b }, dimensions)
 end
 
 function dimensions.__unm(a)
     local ta = type(a)
-    if ta == "string" then a = a:todimen() elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
+    if ta == "string" then a = stringtodimen(a) elseif ta == "table" then a = a[1] end
     return setmetatable({ - a }, dimensions)
 end
 
@@ -390,25 +392,27 @@ function dimen(a)
     end
 end
 
-function string:todimen()
-    if type(self) == "number" then
-        return self
+function string.todimen(str)
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        return str
     else
-        local k = known[self]
+        local k = known[str]
         if not k then
-            local value, unit = lpegmatch(dimenpair,self)
+            local value, unit = lpegmatch(dimenpair,str)
             if value and unit then
                 k = value/unit
             else
                 k = 0
             end
-            -- print(self,value,unit)
-            known[self] = k
+            -- print(str,value,unit)
+            known[str] = k
         end
         return k
     end
 end
 
+stringtodimen = string.todimen -- local variable defined earlier
+
 function number.toscaled(d)
     return format("%0.5f",d/2^16)
 end
@@ -425,7 +429,7 @@ probably use a hash instead of a one-element table.</p>
 function number.percent(n) -- will be cleaned up once luatex 0.30 is out
     local hsize = tex.hsize
     if type(hsize) == "string" then
-        hsize = hsize:todimen()
+        hsize = stringtodimen(hsize)
     end
     return (n/100) * hsize
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua b/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
index 455f71b53..be21fb985 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-dir.lua
@@ -131,9 +131,12 @@ local function glob(str,t)
             end
             return t
         elseif isfile(str) then
-            local t = t or { }
-            t[#t+1] = str
-            return t
+            if t then
+                t[#t+1] = str
+                return t
+            else
+                return { str }
+            end
         else
             local split = lpegmatch(pattern,str)
             if split then
@@ -166,6 +169,7 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
         func = function(name) return find(name,s) end
     end
     files = files or { }
+    local noffiles = #files
     for name in walkdir(path) do
         if find(name,"^%.") then
             --- skip
@@ -176,12 +180,9 @@ local function globfiles(path,recurse,func,files) -- func == pattern or function
                     globfiles(path .. "/" .. name,recurse,func,files)
                 end
             elseif mode == "file" then
-                if func then
-                    if func(name) then
-                        files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
-                    end
-                else
-                    files[#files+1] = path .. "/" .. name
+                if not func or func(name) then
+                    noffiles = noffiles + 1
+                    files[noffiles] = path .. "/" .. name
                 end
             end
         end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-file.lua b/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
index edf3f8a06..7c5b9c67f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-file.lua
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ end
 file.isreadable = file.is_readable -- depricated
 file.iswritable = file.is_writable -- depricated
 
--- todo: lpeg
+-- todo: lpeg \\ / .. does not save much
 
 local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
 
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ end
 
 -- we can hash them weakly
 
---~ function file.old_collapse_path(str) -- fails on b.c/..
+--~ function file.collapsepath(str) -- fails on b.c/..
 --~     str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
 --~     if find(str,"/") then
 --~         str = gsub(str,"^%./",(gsub(getcurrentdir(),"\\","/")) .. "/") -- ./xx in qualified
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ end
 --~ Of course there are some optimizations too. Finally we had to deal with
 --~ windows drive prefixes and thinsg like sys://.
 
-function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
+function file.collapsepath(str,anchor)
     if anchor and not find(str,"^/") and not find(str,"^%a:") then
         str = getcurrentdir() .. "/" .. str
     end
@@ -253,8 +253,10 @@ function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
     end
 end
 
+file.collapse_path = file.collapsepath
+
 --~ local function test(str)
---~    print(string.format("%-20s %-15s %-15s",str,file.collapse_path(str),file.collapse_path(str,true)))
+--~    print(string.format("%-20s %-15s %-15s",str,file.collapsepath(str),file.collapsepath(str,true)))
 --~ end
 --~ test("a/b.c/d") test("b.c/d") test("b.c/..")
 --~ test("/") test("c:/..") test("sys://..")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua b/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
index 0a4ee0ba3..5c53fe710 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-lpeg.lua
@@ -14,15 +14,29 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 local P, R, S, Ct, C, Cs, Cc, V = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.V
 local match = lpeg.match
 
+local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
+local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
+
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
-local utf8byte         = R("\128\191")
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+local escaped          = P("\\") * P(1)
+local squote           = P("'")
+local dquote           = P('"')
 
-patterns.utf8byte      = utf8byte
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
-patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8byte * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8byte * utf8byte * utf8byte
+patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
+patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8next * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
+
+local utf8char         = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
+local validutf8char    = utf8char^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
+
+patterns.utf8          = utf8char
+patterns.utf8char      = utf8char
+patterns.validutf8     = validutf8char
+patterns.validutf8char = validutf8char
 
 patterns.digit         = digit
 patterns.sign          = sign
@@ -49,17 +63,28 @@ patterns.nonspace      = 1 - patterns.space
 patterns.nonspacer     = 1 - patterns.spacer
 patterns.whitespace    = patterns.eol + patterns.spacer
 patterns.nonwhitespace = 1 - patterns.whitespace
-patterns.utf8          = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
-patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
-patterns.validutf8     = patterns.utf8^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 patterns.comma         = P(",")
 patterns.commaspacer   = P(",") * patterns.spacer^0
 patterns.period        = P(".")
-
-patterns.undouble      = P('"')/"" * (1-P('"'))^0 * P('"')/""
-patterns.unsingle      = P("'")/"" * (1-P("'"))^0 * P("'")/""
+patterns.escaped       = escaped
+patterns.squote        = squote
+patterns.dquote        = dquote
+patterns.undouble      = (dquote/"") * ((escaped + (1-dquote))^0) * (dquote/"")
+patterns.unsingle      = (squote/"") * ((escaped + (1-squote))^0) * (squote/"")
+patterns.unquoted      = patterns.undouble + patterns.unsingle -- more often undouble
 patterns.unspacer      = ((patterns.spacer^1)/"")^0
 
+local unquoted = Cs(patterns.unquoted * P(-1)) -- not C
+
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return match(unquoted,str) or str
+end
+
+--~ print(string.unquoted("test"))
+--~ print(string.unquoted([["t\"est"]]))
+--~ print(string.unquoted([["t\"est"x]]))
+--~ print(string.unquoted("\'test\'"))
+
 function lpeg.anywhere(pattern) --slightly adapted from website
     return P { P(pattern) + 1 * V(1) } -- why so complex?
 end
@@ -75,8 +100,8 @@ local content  = (empty + nonempty)^1
 
 local capture = Ct(content^0)
 
-function string:splitlines()
-    return match(capture,self)
+function string.splitlines(str)
+    return match(capture,str)
 end
 
 patterns.textline = content
@@ -92,12 +117,12 @@ local function splitat(separator,single)
     local splitter = (single and splitters_s[separator]) or splitters_m[separator]
     if not splitter then
         separator = P(separator)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
         if single then
-            local other, any = C((1 - separator)^0), P(1)
+            local any = P(1)
             splitter = other * (separator * C(any^0) + "") -- ?
             splitters_s[separator] = splitter
         else
-            local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
             splitter = other * (separator * other)^0
             splitters_m[separator] = splitter
         end
@@ -118,16 +143,16 @@ function lpeg.split(separator,str)
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:split(separator)
+function string.split(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         c = Ct(splitat(separator))
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
-lpeg.splitters = cache
+--~ lpeg.splitters = cache -- no longer public
 
 local cache = { }
 
@@ -135,22 +160,22 @@ function lpeg.checkedsplit(separator,str)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:checkedsplit(separator)
+function string.checkedsplit(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
 --~ function lpeg.append(list,pp)
@@ -173,7 +198,9 @@ local function f2(s) local c1, c2         = f1(s,1,2) return   c1 * 64 + c2
 local function f3(s) local c1, c2, c3     = f1(s,1,3) return  (c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3            -   925824 end
 local function f4(s) local c1, c2, c3, c4 = f1(s,1,4) return ((c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3) * 64 + c4 - 63447168 end
 
-patterns.utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+local utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+
+patterns.utf8byte = utf8byte
 
 --~ local str = " a b c d "
 
@@ -212,22 +239,25 @@ function lpeg.keeper(str)
     end
 end
 
+-- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
+-- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
+
 function lpeg.replacer(t)
     if #t > 0 then
         local p
         for i=1,#t do
             local ti= t[i]
             local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            p = (p and p + pp ) or pp
+            if p then
+                p = p + pp
+            else
+                p = pp
+            end
         end
         return Cs((p + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
---~ print(utf.check(""))
---~ print(utf.check("abcde"))
---~ print(utf.check("abcde\255\123"))
-
 local splitters_f, splitters_s = { }, { }
 
 function lpeg.firstofsplit(separator) -- always return value
@@ -251,6 +281,7 @@ function lpeg.secondofsplit(separator) -- nil if not split
 end
 
 function lpeg.balancer(left,right)
+    left, right = P(left), P(right)
     return P { left * ((1 - left - right) + V(1))^0 * right }
 end
 
@@ -262,3 +293,176 @@ end
 --~ print(6,match(lpeg.secondofsplit(":",""),"bc"))
 --~ print(7,match(lpeg.secondofsplit(":"),"bc"))
 --~ print(9,match(lpeg.secondofsplit(":","123"),"bc"))
+
+--~ -- slower:
+--~
+--~ function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+--~     local n, pattern = 0, (lpeg.P(pattern)/function() n = n + 1 end  + lpeg.P(1))^0
+--~     return function(str) n = 0 ; lpegmatch(pattern,str) ; return n end
+--~ end
+
+local nany = utf8char/""
+
+function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+    pattern = Cs((P(pattern)/" " + nany)^0)
+    return function(str)
+        return #match(pattern,str)
+    end
+end
+
+if utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local n = 0
+            for _ in utfgmatch(str,what) do
+                n = n + 1
+            end
+            return n
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+else
+
+    local cache = { }
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local p = cache[what]
+            if not p then
+                p = Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0)
+                cache[p] = p
+            end
+            return #match(p,str)
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+end
+
+local patterns_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["%"] = "%%",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
+}
+
+local simple_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["-"] = "%-",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["?"] = ".",
+    ["*"] = ".*",
+}
+
+local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + P(1))^0)
+local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + P(1))^0)
+
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return match(s,str)
+    else
+        return match(p,str)
+    end
+end
+
+-- utf extensies
+
+lpeg.UP = lpeg.P
+
+if utfcharacters then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfcharacters(str) do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+
+elseif utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfgmatch(str,".") do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+else
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        local f = function(uc)
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        match((utf8char/f)^0,str)
+        return p
+    end
+
+end
+
+local range = Cs(utf8byte) * (Cs(utf8byte) + Cc(false))
+
+local utfchar = unicode and unicode.utf8 and unicode.utf8.char
+
+function lpeg.UR(str,more)
+    local first, last
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        first = str
+        last = more or first
+    else
+        first, last = match(range,str)
+        if not last then
+            return P(str)
+        end
+    end
+    if first == last then
+        return P(str)
+    elseif utfchar and last - first < 8 then -- a somewhat arbitrary criterium
+        local p
+        for i=first,last do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(utfchar(i))
+            else
+                p = P(utfchar(i))
+            end
+        end
+        return p -- nil when invalid range
+    else
+        local f = function(b)
+            return b >= first and b <= last
+        end
+        return utf8byte / f -- nil when invalid range
+    end
+end
+
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.R("ab","cd","gh"))
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.P("a","b","c"))
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.S("a","b","c"))
+
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.P("á") + lpeg.P("à")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UP("áà")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.US("àá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR("aá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR("àá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR(0x0000,0xFFFF)))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-number.lua b/tex/context/base/l-number.lua
index 08acb6040..e4eae3d72 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-number.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-number.lua
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-number'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
+-- this module will be replaced when we have the bit library
+
 local tostring = tostring
 local format, floor, insert, match = string.format, math.floor, string.match
 local concat, insert = table.concat, table.insert
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-os.lua b/tex/context/base/l-os.lua
index c58983cfc..c2e229834 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-os.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-os.lua
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ end
 -- no need for function anymore as we have more clever code and helpers now
 -- this metatable trickery might as well disappear
 
-os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { }
+os.resolvers = os.resolvers or { } -- will become private
 
 local resolvers = os.resolvers
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-set.lua b/tex/context/base/l-set.lua
index e78b67876..2370f0139 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-set.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-set.lua
@@ -51,10 +51,11 @@ function set.tolist(n)
     if n == 0 or not tabs[n] then
         return ""
     else
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for k, v in next, tabs[n] do
             if v then
-                t[#t+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = k
             end
         end
         return concat(t," ")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-string.lua b/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
index d0f58b37d..1e55f6bac 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-string.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-string'] = {
 
 local string = string
 local sub, gsub, find, match, gmatch, format, char, byte, rep, lower = string.sub, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.gmatch, string.format, string.char, string.byte, string.rep, string.lower
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
+local lpegmatch, S, C, Ct = lpeg.match, lpeg.S, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct
 
 -- some functions may disappear as they are not used anywhere
 
@@ -16,157 +16,75 @@ if not string.split then
 
     -- this will be overloaded by a faster lpeg variant
 
-    function string:split(pattern)
-        if #self > 0 then
-            local t = { }
-            for s in gmatch(self..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
-                t[#t+1] = s
+    function string.split(str,pattern)
+        local t = { }
+        if #str > 0 then
+            local n = 1
+            for s in gmatch(str..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
+                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1
             end
-            return t
-        else
-            return { }
         end
+        return t
     end
 
 end
 
-string.patterns = { }
-
-local escapes = {
-    ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
-    ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
-    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
-    ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
-}
-
-string.patterns.escapes = escapes
-
-function string:esc() -- variant 2
-    return (gsub(self,"(.)",escapes))
-end
-
-function string:unquote()
-    return (gsub(self,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return (gsub(str,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
 end
 
---~ function string:unquote()
---~     if find(self,"^[\'\"]") then
---~         return sub(self,2,-2)
+--~ function stringunquoted(str)
+--~     if find(str,"^[\'\"]") then
+--~         return sub(str,2,-2)
 --~     else
---~         return self
+--~         return str
 --~     end
 --~ end
 
-function string:quote() -- we could use format("%q")
-    return format("%q",self)
+function string.quoted(str)
+    return format("%q",str) -- always "
 end
 
-function string:count(pattern) -- variant 3
+function string.count(str,pattern) -- variant 3
     local n = 0
-    for _ in gmatch(self,pattern) do
+    for _ in gmatch(str,pattern) do -- not for utf
         n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function string:limit(n,sentinel)
-    if #self > n then
+function string.limit(str,n,sentinel)
+    if #str > n then
         sentinel = sentinel or " ..."
-        return sub(self,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
+        return sub(str,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
     else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
---~ function string:strip() -- the .- is quite efficient
---~  -- return match(self,"^%s*(.-)%s*$") or ""
---~  -- return match(self,'^%s*(.*%S)') or '' -- posted on lua list
---~     return find(s,'^%s*$') and '' or match(s,'^%s*(.*%S)')
---~ end
-
-do -- roberto's variant:
-    local space    = lpeg.S(" \t\v\n")
-    local nospace  = 1 - space
-    local stripper = space^0 * lpeg.C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0)
-    function string.strip(str)
-        return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
-    end
-end
-
-function string:is_empty()
-    return not find(self,"%S")
-end
-
-function string:enhance(pattern,action)
-    local ok, n = true, 0
-    while ok do
-        ok = false
-        self = gsub(self,pattern, function(...)
-            ok, n = true, n + 1
-            return action(...)
-        end)
+        return str
     end
-    return self, n
 end
 
-if not string.characters then
-
-    local function nextchar(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, sub(str,index,index)
-    end
-    function string:characters()
-        return nextchar, self, 0
-    end
-    local function nextbyte(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, byte(sub(str,index,index))
-    end
-    function string:bytes()
-        return nextbyte, self, 0
-    end
-
-end
+local space    = S(" \t\v\n")
+local nospace  = 1 - space
+local stripper = space^0 * C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0) -- roberto's code
 
-function string:rpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return self .. rep(chr or " ",m)
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.strip(str)
+    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
 end
 
-function string:lpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return rep(chr or " ",m) .. self
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.is_empty(str)
+    return not find(str,"%S")
 end
 
-string.padd = string.rpadd
-
 local patterns_escapes = {
-    ["-"] = "%-",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+",
-    ["*"] = "%*",
     ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["("] = "%)",
-    [")"] = "%)",
-    ["["] = "%[",
-    ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
 
-function string:escapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",patterns_escapes))
-end
-
 local simple_escapes = {
     ["-"] = "%-",
     ["."] = "%.",
@@ -174,22 +92,28 @@ local simple_escapes = {
     ["*"] = ".*",
 }
 
-function string:partialescapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",simple_escapes))
-end
-
-function string:tohash()
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(self,"([^, ]+)") do -- lpeg
-        t[s] = true
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
+    else
+        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
     end
-    return t
 end
 
-local pattern = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.C(1)^0)
-
-function string:totable()
-    return lpegmatch(pattern,self)
+function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
+    if str == "" then
+        return ".*"
+    else
+        str = gsub(str,".",simple_escapes)
+        if lowercase then
+            str = lower(str)
+        end
+        if strict then
+            return "^" .. str .. "$"
+        else
+            return str
+        end
+    end
 end
 
 --~ local t = {
@@ -205,6 +129,8 @@ end
 --~     print(string.tabtospace(t[k]))
 --~ end
 
+-- The following functions might end up in another namespace.
+
 function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     -- we don't handle embedded newlines
     while true do
@@ -224,27 +150,19 @@ function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     return str
 end
 
-function string:compactlong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","")
-    self = gsub(self,"^ *","")
-    return self
-end
+--~ local template = string.striplong([[
+--~   aaaa
+--~   bb
+--~   cccccc
+--~ ]])
 
-function string:striplong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"^%s*","")
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
-    return self
+function string.striplong(str) -- strips all leading spaces
+    str = gsub(str,"^%s*","")
+    str = gsub(str,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
+    return str
 end
 
-function string:topattern(lowercase,strict)
-    if lowercase then
-        self = lower(self)
-    end
-    self = gsub(self,".",simple_escapes)
-    if self == "" then
-        self = ".*"
-    elseif strict then
-        self = "^" .. self .. "$"
-    end
-    return self
-end
+-- obsolete names:
+
+string.quote   = string.quoted
+string.unquote = string.unquoted
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-table.lua b/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
index 70c04e69c..abaaa62ba 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
@@ -61,24 +61,26 @@ end
 -- extra functions, some might go (when not used)
 
 function table.strip(tab)
-    local lst = { }
+    local lst, l = { }, 0
     for i=1,#tab do
         local s = gsub(tab[i],"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
         if s == "" then
             -- skip this one
         else
-            lst[#lst+1] = s
+            l = l + 1
+            lst[l] = s
         end
     end
     return lst
 end
 
 function table.keys(t)
-    local k = { }
+    local keys, k = { }, 0
     for key, _ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = key
+        k = k + 1
+        keys[k] = key
     end
-    return k
+    return keys
 end
 
 local function compare(a,b)
@@ -91,9 +93,10 @@ local function compare(a,b)
 end
 
 local function sortedkeys(tab)
-    local srt, kind = { }, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
+    local srt, kind, s = { }, 0, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
     for key,_ in next, tab do
-        srt[#srt+1] = key
+        s = s + 1
+        srt[s] = key
         if kind == 3 then
             -- no further check
         else
@@ -116,10 +119,11 @@ local function sortedkeys(tab)
 end
 
 local function sortedhashkeys(tab) -- fast one
-    local srt = { }
+    local srt, s = { }, 0
     for key,_ in next, tab do
         if key then
-            srt[#srt+1] = key
+            s= s + 1
+            srt[s] = key
         end
     end
     sort(srt)
@@ -133,8 +137,7 @@ local function nothing() end
 
 local function sortedhash(t)
     if t then
-        local s = sortedhashkeys(t) -- maybe just sortedkeys
-        local n = 0
+        local n, s = 0, sortedkeys(t) -- the robust one
         local function kv(s)
             n = n + 1
             local k = s[n]
@@ -150,20 +153,30 @@ table.sortedhash  = sortedhash
 table.sortedpairs = sortedhash
 
 function table.append(t, list)
-    for _,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,v)
+    local n = #t
+    for i=1,#list do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.prepend(t, list)
-    for k,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,k,v)
+    local nl = #list
+    local nt = nl + #t
+    for i=#t,1,-1 do
+        t[nt] = t[i]
+        nt = nt - 1
+    end
+    for i=1,#list do
+        t[i] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
     t = t or { }
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst = { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             t[k] = v
@@ -173,7 +186,7 @@ function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
 end
 
 function table.merged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, lst = { }, { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             tmp[k] = v
@@ -183,22 +196,24 @@ function table.merged(...)
 end
 
 function table.imerge(t, ...)
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst, nt = { ... }, #t
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            t[#t+1] = nst[j]
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return t
 end
 
 function table.imerged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, ntmp, lst = { }, 0, {...}
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = nst[j]
+            ntmp = ntmp + 1
+            tmp[ntmp] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return tmp
@@ -274,11 +289,14 @@ function table.tohash(t,value)
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
-    local h = { }
+    local hsh, h = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do -- no ipairs here
-        if v then h[#h+1] = k end
+        if v then
+            h = h + 1
+            hsh[h] = k
+        end
     end
-    return h
+    return hsh
 end
 
 table.serialize_functions = true
@@ -299,20 +317,23 @@ local function simple_table(t)
             n = n + 1
         end
         if n == #t then
-            local tt = { }
+            local tt, nt = { }, 0
             for i=1,#t do
                 local v = t[i]
                 local tv = type(v)
                 if tv == "number" then
+                    nt = nt + 1
                     if hexify then
-                        tt[#tt+1] = format("0x%04X",v)
+                        tt[nt] = format("0x%04X",v)
                     else
-                        tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
+                        tt[nt] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
                     end
                 elseif tv == "boolean" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = tostring(v)
                 elseif tv == "string" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = format("%q",v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = format("%q",v)
                 else
                     tt = nil
                     break
@@ -618,10 +639,11 @@ end
 --~ 'return' : return     { }
 --~ number   : [number] = { }
 
-function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
-    local t = { }
+function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify) -- can be faster if flush == false and t as argument
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     return concat(t,"\n")
@@ -647,12 +669,13 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     if f then
         local maxtab = table.tofile_maxtab
         if maxtab > 1 then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             local function flush(s)
-                t[#t+1] = s
-                if #t > maxtab then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+                if n > maxtab then
                     f:write(concat(t,"\n"),"\n") -- hm, write(sometable) should be nice
-                    t = { }
+                    t, n = { }, 0 -- we could recycle t if needed
                 end
             end
             serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
@@ -668,52 +691,72 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     end
 end
 
-local function flatten(t,f,complete) -- is this used? meybe a variant with next, ...
-    for i=1,#t do
-        local v = t[i]
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            if complete or type(v[1]) == "table" then
-                flatten(v,f,complete)
+local function flattened(t,f,depth)
+    if f == nil then
+        f = { }
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    elseif tonumber(f) then
+        -- assume then only two arguments are given
+        depth = f
+        f = { }
+    elseif not depth then
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    end
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        if type(k) ~= "number" then
+            if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+                flattened(v,f,depth-1)
             else
-                f[#f+1] = v
+                f[k] = v
             end
+        end
+    end
+    local n = #f
+    for k=1,#t do
+        local v = t[k]
+        if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+            flattened(v,f,depth-1)
+            n = #f
         else
-            f[#f+1] = v
+            n = n + 1
+            f[n] = v
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.flatten(t)
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,true)
-    return f
-end
-
-function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,false)
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattenonelevel = table.unnest
-
--- a better one:
+table.flattened = flattened
 
-local function flattened(t,f)
-    if not f then
+local function unnest(t,f) -- only used in mk, for old times sake
+    if not f then          -- and only relevant for token lists
         f = { }
     end
-    for k, v in next, t do
+    for i=1,#t do
+        local v = t[i]
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            flattened(v,f)
+            if type(v[1]) == "table" then
+                unnest(v,f)
+            else
+                f[#f+1] = v
+            end
         else
-            f[k] = v
+            f[#f+1] = v
         end
     end
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattened = flattened
+function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
+    return unnest(t)
+end
+
+--~ function table.unnest(t) -- for old times sake, undocumented (only in mk)
+--~     return flattened(t,1)
+--~ end
+
+--~ function table.are_equal(a,b)
+--~     return table.serialize(a) == table.serialize(b)
+--~ end
 
 local function are_equal(a,b,n,m) -- indexed
     if a and b and #a == #b then
@@ -739,7 +782,7 @@ end
 
 local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     for ka, va in next, a do
-        local vb = b[k]
+        local vb = b[ka]
         if va == vb then
             -- same
         elseif type(va) == "table" and  type(vb) == "table" then
@@ -753,8 +796,8 @@ local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     return true
 end
 
-table.are_equal = are_equal
 table.identical = identical
+table.are_equal = are_equal
 
 -- maybe also make a combined one
 
@@ -780,14 +823,14 @@ function table.contains(t, v)
 end
 
 function table.count(t)
-    local n, e = 0, next(t)
-    while e do
-        n, e = n + 1, next(t,e)
+    local n = 0
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function table.swapped(t,s)
+function table.swapped(t,s) -- hash
     local n = { }
     if s then
 --~         for i=1,#s do
@@ -809,55 +852,34 @@ function table.swapped(t,s)
     return n
 end
 
---~ function table.are_equal(a,b)
---~     return table.serialize(a) == table.serialize(b)
---~ end
-
-function table.clone(t,p) -- t is optional or nil or table
-    if not p then
-        t, p = { }, t or { }
-    elseif not t then
-        t = { }
-    end
-    setmetatable(t, { __index = function(_,key) return p[key] end }) -- why not __index = p ?
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.hexed(t,seperator)
-    local tt = { }
-    for i=1,#t do tt[i] = format("0x%04X",t[i]) end
-    return concat(tt,seperator or " ")
-end
-
-function table.swaphash(h) -- needs another name
-    local r = { }
-    for k,v in next, h do
-        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
-    end
-    return r
-end
-
-function table.reverse(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    if #t > 0 then
-        for i=#t,1,-1 do
-            tt[#tt+1] = t[i]
+function table.reversed(t)
+    if t then
+        local tt, tn = { }, #t
+        if tn > 0 then
+            local ttn = 0
+            for i=tn,1,-1 do
+                ttn = ttn + 1
+                tt[ttn] = t[i]
+            end
         end
+        return tt
     end
-    return tt
 end
 
 function table.sequenced(t,sep,simple) -- hash only
-    local s = { }
+    local s, n = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(t) do
         if simple then
             if v == true then
-                s[#s+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k
             elseif v and v~= "" then
-                s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
             end
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            n = n + 1
+            s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     return concat(s, sep or " | ")
@@ -867,7 +889,7 @@ function table.print(...)
     table.tohandle(print,...)
 end
 
--- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and will comment them later -- -- --
+-- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and might comment them later -- -- --
 
 -- roughly: copy-loop : unpack : sub == 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.45 (so in critical apps, use unpack)
 
@@ -882,12 +904,5 @@ function table.is_empty(t)
 end
 
 function table.has_one_entry(t)
-    local n = next(t)
-    return n and not next(t,n)
-end
-
-function table.replace(a,b)
-    for k,v in next, b do
-        a[k] = v
-    end
+    return t and not next(t,next(t))
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-unicode.lua b/tex/context/base/l-unicode.lua
index 10f21e325..a97f01d1e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-unicode.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-unicode.lua
@@ -81,30 +81,37 @@ function unicode.utftype(f)
 end
 
 function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
-    local result, tmp, n, m, p = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 -- we reuse tmp
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
     for l,r in bytepairs(str) do
         if r then
             if endian then
-                n = l*256 + r
+                n = 256*l + r
             else
-                n = r*256 + l
+                n = 256*r + l
             end
             if m > 0 then
                 n = (m-0xD800)*0x400 + (n-0xDC00) + 0x10000
@@ -117,29 +124,36 @@ function unicode.utf16_to_utf8(str, endian) -- maybe a gsub is faster or an lpeg
             end
         end
     end
-    if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+    if t > 0 then
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
-    local result = { }
-    local tmp, n, m, p = { }, 0, -1, 0
+    local result, tmp, n, m, p, r, t = { }, { }, 0, -1, 0, 0, 0
     -- lf | cr | crlf / (cr:13, lf:10)
     local function doit()
         if n == 10 then
             if p ~= 13 then
-                result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-                tmp = { }
+                if t > 0 then
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                    t = 0
+                end
                 p = 0
             end
         elseif n == 13 then
-            result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
-            tmp = { }
+            if t > 0 then
+                r = r + 1
+                result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
+                t = 0
+            end
             p = n
         else
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = utfchar(n)
+            t = t + 1
+            tmp[t] = utfchar(n)
             p = 0
         end
     end
@@ -147,15 +161,15 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         if a and b then
             if m < 0 then
                 if endian then
-                    m = a*256*256*256 + b*256*256
+                    m = 256*256*256*a + 256*256*b
                 else
-                    m = b*256 + a
+                    m = 256*b + a
                 end
             else
                 if endian then
-                    n = m + a*256 + b
+                    n = m + 256*a + b
                 else
-                    n = m + b*256*256*256 + a*256*256
+                    n = m + 256*256*256*b + 256*256*a
                 end
                 m = -1
                 doit()
@@ -165,13 +179,14 @@ function unicode.utf32_to_utf8(str, endian)
         end
     end
     if #tmp > 0 then
-        result[#result+1] = concat(tmp)
+        r = r + 1
+        result[r] = concat(tmp,"",1,t)
     end
     return result
 end
 
 local function little(c)
-    local b = byte(c) -- b = c:byte()
+    local b = byte(c)
     if b < 0x10000 then
         return char(b%256,b/256)
     else
@@ -201,9 +216,10 @@ function unicode.utf8_to_utf16(str,littleendian)
 end
 
 function unicode.utfcodes(str)
-    local t = { }
-    for k,v in utfvalues(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = format("0x%04X",k)
+    local t, n = { }, 0
+    for u in utfvalues(str) do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = format("0x%04X",u)
     end
     return concat(t,separator or " ")
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lang-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/lang-ini.lua
index 7bbf42aa7..507d59a9a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lang-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lang-ini.lua
@@ -292,16 +292,17 @@ end
 languages.logger = languages.logger or { }
 
 function languages.logger.report()
-    local result = { }
+    local result, r = { }, 0
     local sorted = table.sortedkeys(registered)
     for i=1,#sorted do
         local tag = sorted[i]
         local l = registered[tag]
         if l.loaded then
-            result[#result+1] = format("%s:%s:%s", tag, l.parent, l.number)
+            r = r + 1
+            result[r] = format("%s:%s:%s", tag, l.parent, l.number)
         end
     end
-    return (#result > 0 and concat(result," ")) or "none"
+    return (r > 0 and concat(result," ")) or "none"
 end
 
 -- must happen at the tex end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.lua b/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.lua
index 7f7099c6d..d008ed341 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.lua
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['lang-ini'] = {
 
 local utf = unicode.utf8
 local lower, utfchar = string.lower, utf.char
+local concat = table.concat
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local P, S, Cs = lpeg.P, lpeg.S, lpeg.Cs
 
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ local loaded = { } -- we share lists
 function words.load(tag,filename)
     local fullname = resolvers.findfile(filename,'other text file') or ""
     if fullname ~= "" then
+        report_languages("loading word file '%s'",fullname)
         statistics.starttiming(languages)
         local list = loaded[fullname]
         if not list then
@@ -78,9 +80,13 @@ function words.found(id, str)
     local tag = languages.numbers[id]
     if tag then
         local data = wordsdata[tag]
-        return data and (data[str] or data[lower(str)])
-    else
-        return false
+        if data then
+            if data[str] then
+                return 1
+            elseif data[lower(str)] then
+                return 2
+            end
+        end
     end
 end
 
@@ -89,20 +95,86 @@ end
 
 -- there is an n=1 problem somewhere in nested boxes
 
+--~ local function mark_words(head,whenfound) -- can be optimized and shared
+--~     local current, start, str, language, n, done = head, nil, "", nil, 0, false
+--~     local function action()
+--~         if #str > 0 then
+--~             local f = whenfound(language,str)
+--~             if f then
+--~                 done = true
+--~                 for i=1,n do
+--~                     f(start)
+--~                     start = start.next
+--~                 end
+--~             end
+--~         end
+--~         str, start, n = "", nil, 0
+--~     end
+--~     while current do
+--~         local id = current.id
+--~         if id == glyph_code then
+--~             local a = current.lang
+--~             if a then
+--~                 if a ~= language then
+--~                     if start then
+--~                         action()
+--~                     end
+--~                     language = a
+--~                 end
+--~             elseif start then
+--~                 action()
+--~                 language = a
+--~             end
+--~             local components = current.components
+--~             if components then
+--~                 start = start or current
+--~                 n = n + 1
+--~                 for g in traverse_nodes(components) do
+--~                     str = str .. utfchar(g.char)
+--~                 end
+--~             else
+--~                 local code = current.char
+--~                 local data = chardata[code]
+--~                 if is_letter[data.category] then
+--~                     start = start or current
+--~                     n = n + 1
+--~                     str = str .. utfchar(code) -- slow, maybe str should be a table (and given max)
+--~                 elseif start then
+--~                     action()
+--~                 end
+--~             end
+--~         elseif id == disc_code then
+--~             if n > 0 then
+--~                 n = n + 1
+--~             end
+--~         elseif id == kern_code and current.subtype == kerning_code and start then
+--~             -- ok
+--~         elseif start then
+--~             action()
+--~         end
+--~         current = current.next
+--~     end
+--~     if start then
+--~         action()
+--~     end
+--~     return head, done
+--~ end
+
 local function mark_words(head,whenfound) -- can be optimized and shared
-    local current, start, str, language, n, done = head, nil, "", nil, 0, false
+    local current, language, done = head, nil, nil, 0, false
+    local str, s, nds, n = { }, 0, { }, 0 -- n could also be a table, saves calls
     local function action()
-        if #str > 0 then
-            local f = whenfound(language,str)
-            if f then
+        if s > 0 then
+            local word = concat(str,"",1,s)
+            local mark = whenfound(language,word)
+            if mark then
                 done = true
                 for i=1,n do
-                    f(start)
-                    start = start.next
+                    mark(nds[i])
                 end
             end
         end
-        str, start, n = "", nil, 0
+        n, s = 0, 0
     end
     while current do
         local id = current.id
@@ -110,46 +182,48 @@ local function mark_words(head,whenfound) -- can be optimized and shared
             local a = current.lang
             if a then
                 if a ~= language then
-                    if start then
+                    if s > 0 then
                         action()
                     end
                     language = a
                 end
-            elseif start then
+            elseif s > 0 then
                 action()
                 language = a
             end
             local components = current.components
             if components then
-                start = start or current
                 n = n + 1
+                nds[n] = current
                 for g in traverse_nodes(components) do
-                    str = str .. utfchar(g.char)
+                    s = s + 1
+                    str[s] = utfchar(g.char)
                 end
             else
                 local code = current.char
                 local data = chardata[code]
-                if data.uccode or data.lccode then
---~                 if is_letter[code] then -- why does this fail
-                    start = start or current
+                if is_letter[data.category] then
                     n = n + 1
-                    str = str .. utfchar(code) -- slow, maybe str should be a table
-                elseif start then
+                    nds[n] = current
+                    s = s + 1
+                    str[s] = utfchar(code)
+                elseif s > 0 then
                     action()
                 end
             end
-        elseif id == disc_code then
+        elseif id == disc_code then -- take the replace
             if n > 0 then
                 n = n + 1
+                nds[n] = current
             end
-        elseif id == kern_code and current.subtype == kerning_code and start then
+        elseif id == kern_code and current.subtype == kerning_code and s > 0 then
             -- ok
-        elseif start then
+        elseif s > 0 then
             action()
         end
         current = current.next
     end
-    if start then
+    if s > 0 then
         action()
     end
     return head, done
@@ -192,7 +266,9 @@ local cache = { } -- can also be done with method 1 -- frozen colors once used
 setmetatable(cache, {
     __index = function(t,k) -- k == language, numbers[k] == tag
         local c
-        if k < 0 then
+        if type(k) == "string" then
+            c = colist[k]
+        elseif k < 0 then
             c = colist["word:unset"]
         else
             c = colist["word:" .. (numbers[k] or "unset")] or colist["word:unknown"]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.mkiv b/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.mkiv
index ad353905f..22c234d0c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/lang-wrd.mkiv
@@ -60,10 +60,10 @@
    \c!method=1,
    \c!list=]
 
-\definecolor[word:yes]    [darkgreen]
-\definecolor[word:no]     [darkred]
+\definecolor[word:yes]    [g=.75]
+\definecolor[word:no]     [r=.75]
 
-%definecolor[word:unset]  [darkgray]
+%definecolor[word:unset]  [s=.75]
 \definecolor[word:en]     [b=.75]
 \definecolor[word:de]     [r=.75]
 \definecolor[word:nl]     [g=.75]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-col.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-col.lua
index f5612a32b..a8e35dc74 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-col.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-col.lua
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ local forcedmodel          = colors.forcedmodel
 -- This module assumes that some functions are defined in the colors namespace
 -- which most likely will be loaded later.
 
-function lpdf.color(model,ca,default) -- todo: use gray when no color
+local function lpdfcolor(model,ca,default) -- todo: use gray when no color
     if colors.supported then
         local cv = colorsvalue(ca)
         if cv then
@@ -57,6 +57,12 @@ function lpdf.color(model,ca,default) -- todo: use gray when no color
     end
 end
 
+lpdf.color = lpdfcolor
+
+function lpdf.pdfcolor(attribute) -- bonus, for pgf and friends
+    context(lpdfcolor(1,attribute))
+end
+
 function lpdf.transparency(ct,default) -- kind of overlaps with transparencycode
     -- beware, we need this hack because normally transparencies are not
     -- yet registered and therefore the number is not not known ... we
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-epa.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-epa.lua
index 5709ced3f..58bbcf821 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-epa.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-epa.lua
@@ -21,26 +21,36 @@ local backends, lpdf = backends, lpdf
 local variables      = interfaces.variables
 local codeinjections = backends.pdf.codeinjections
 
+local layerspec = { -- predefining saves time
+    "epdflinks"
+}
+
+local locationspec = { -- predefining saves time
+    x      = "",
+    y      = "",
+    preset = "leftbottom",
+}
+
+local buttonspec = { -- predefining saves time
+    width  = "",
+    height = "",
+    offset = variables.overlay,
+    frame  = trace_links and variables.on or variables.off,
+}
+
 local function add_link(x,y,w,h,destination,what)
     if trace_links then
         report_link("dx: %04i, dy: %04i, wd: %04i, ht: %04i, destination: %s, type: %s",x,y,w,h,destination,what)
     end
+    locationspec.x    = x .. "bp"
+    locationspec.y    = y .. "bp"
+    buttonspec.width  = w .. "bp"
+    buttonspec.height = h .. "bp"
     context.setlayer (
-        { "epdflinks" },
-        { x = x .. "bp", y = y .. "bp", preset = "leftbottom" },
-        function()
-         -- context.blackrule { width = w.."bp", height = h.."bp", depth = "0bp" }
-            context.button (
-                {
-                    width  = w.."bp",
-                    height = h.."bp",
-                    offset = variables.overlay,
-                    frame  = trace_links and variables.on or variables.off,
-                },
-                "",
-                { destination }
-            )
-        end
+        layerspec,
+        locationspec,
+        function() context.button ( buttonspec, "", { destination } ) end
+     -- context.nested.button(buttonspec, "", { destination }) -- time this
     )
 end
 
@@ -136,7 +146,8 @@ function codeinjections.mergereferences(specification)
                     end
                 end
                 context.flushlayer { "epdflinks" }
-                context("\\gdef\\figurereference{%s}",reference) -- global
+             -- context("\\gdef\\figurereference{%s}",reference) -- global
+                context.setgvalue("figurereference",reference) -- global
                 specification.reference = reference
                 return namespace
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-epd.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-epd.lua
index 8a17aeb6b..ae84a29c7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-epd.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-epd.lua
@@ -61,9 +61,8 @@ local dictionary_access = {
 
 checked_access = function(tab,key,v)
     local n = v:getTypeName()
---~ print("!!!!!!!!!!!!!!",n)
     if n == "array" then
-        local t = { __data__ = v, size = v:arrayGetLength() }
+        local t = { __data__ = v, size = v:arrayGetLength() or 0 }
         setmetatable(t,array_access)
         if cache_lookups then rawset(tab,key,t) end
         return t
@@ -130,7 +129,7 @@ local page_access = {
             local annots = d:getAnnots()
             local a = {
                 __data__ = annots,
-                size = annots:arrayGetLength()
+                size = annots:arrayGetLength() or 0
             }
             setmetatable(a,basic_annots_access)
             rawset(t,k,a)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-ini.lua
index a39040d7f..4b7972abe 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-ini.lua
@@ -45,15 +45,17 @@ local function tosixteen(str)
     if not str or str == "" then
         return "()"
     else
-        local r = { "<feff" }
+        local r, n = { "<feff" }, 1
         for b in utfvalues(str) do
+            n = n + 1
             if b < 0x10000 then
-                r[#r+1] = format("%04x",b)
+                r[n] = format("%04x",b)
             else
-                r[#r+1] = format("%04x%04x",b/1024+0xD800,b%1024+0xDC00)
+                r[n] = format("%04x%04x",b/1024+0xD800,b%1024+0xDC00)
             end
         end
-        r[#r+1] = ">"
+        n = n + 1
+        r[n] = ">"
         return concat(r)
     end
 end
@@ -115,24 +117,25 @@ tostring_d = function(t,contentonly,key)
             return "<< >>"
         end
     else
-        local r = { }
+        local r, rn = { }, 0
         for k, v in next, t do
+            rn = rn + 1
             local tv = type(v)
             if tv == "string" then
-                r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,toeight(v))
+                r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,toeight(v))
             elseif tv == "unicode" then
-                r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,tosixteen(v))
+                r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,tosixteen(v))
             elseif tv == "table" then
                 local mv = getmetatable(v)
                 if mv and mv.__lpdftype then
-                    r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring(v))
+                    r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring(v))
                 elseif v[1] then
-                    r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring_a(v))
+                    r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring_a(v))
                 else
-                    r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring_d(v))
+                    r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring_d(v))
                 end
             else
-                r[#r+1] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring(v))
+                r[rn] = format("/%s %s",k,tostring(v))
             end
         end
         if contentonly then
@@ -146,7 +149,8 @@ tostring_d = function(t,contentonly,key)
 end
 
 tostring_a = function(t,contentonly,key)
-    if #t == 0 then
+    local tn = #t
+    if tn == 0 then
         if contentonly then
             return ""
         else
@@ -154,24 +158,25 @@ tostring_a = function(t,contentonly,key)
         end
     else
         local r = { }
-        for k, v in next, t do
+        for k=1,tn do
+            local v = t[k]
             local tv = type(v)
             if tv == "string" then
-                r[#r+1] = toeight(v)
+                r[k] = toeight(v)
             elseif tv == "unicode" then
-                r[#r+1] = tosixteen(v)
+                r[k] = tosixteen(v)
             elseif tv == "table" then
                 local mv = getmetatable(v)
                 local mt = mv and mv.__lpdftype
                 if mt then
-                    r[#r+1] = tostring(v)
+                    r[k] = tostring(v)
                 elseif v[1] then
-                    r[#r+1] = tostring_a(v)
+                    r[k] = tostring_a(v)
                 else
-                    r[#r+1] = tostring_d(v)
+                    r[k] = tostring_d(v)
                 end
             else
-                r[#r+1] = tostring(v)
+                r[k] = tostring(v)
             end
         end
         if contentonly then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lpdf-tag.lua b/tex/context/base/lpdf-tag.lua
index d05e3e22f..00ddef025 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lpdf-tag.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lpdf-tag.lua
@@ -74,10 +74,10 @@ local add_ids         = false -- true
 
 local function finishstructure()
     if #structure_kids > 0 then
-        local nums = pdfarray()
+        local nums, n = pdfarray(), 0
         for i=1,#tree do
-            nums[#nums+1] = i-1
-            nums[#nums+1] = pdfreference(pdfflushobject(tree[i]))
+            n = n + 1 ; nums[n] = i-1
+            n = n + 1 ; nums[n] = pdfreference(pdfflushobject(tree[i]))
         end
         local parenttree = pdfdictionary {
             Nums = nums
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-cbk.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-cbk.lua
index a21976372..93538c6bb 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-cbk.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-cbk.lua
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ end
 function callbacks.freeze(name,freeze)
     freeze = type(freeze) == "string" and freeze
     if find(name,"%*") then
-        local pattern = name -- string.partialescapedpattern(name)
+        local pattern = name
         for name, _ in next, list do
             if find(name,pattern) then
                 frozen[name] = freeze or frozen[name] or "frozen"
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-cnf.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-cnf.lua
index 8b52a269c..2ab97e71d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-cnf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-cnf.lua
@@ -28,9 +28,6 @@ local variablenames = allocate { -- most of this becomes obsolete
     'max_in_open',      --    15
     'max_print_line',   --    79
     'max_strings',      -- 15000
-    'ocp_stack_size',   --  1000
-    'ocp_list_size',    --  1000
-    'ocp_buf_size',     --  1000
     'param_size',       --    60
     'pk_dpi',           --    72
     'save_size',        --  4000
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-env.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-env.lua
index ed0884992..b8245afba 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-env.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-env.lua
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ local report_resolvers = logs.new("resolvers")
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
 
 local format, sub, match, gsub, find = string.format, string.sub, string.match, string.gsub, string.find
-local unquote, quote = string.unquote, string.quote
+local unquoted, quoted = string.unquoted, string.quoted
 local concat = table.concat
 
 -- precautions
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ function environment.initializearguments(arg)
         if index > 0 then
             local flag, value = match(argument,"^%-+(.-)=(.-)$")
             if flag then
-                arguments[flag] = unquote(value or "")
+                arguments[flag] = unquoted(value or "")
             else
                 flag = match(argument,"^%-+(.+)")
                 if flag then
@@ -152,19 +152,21 @@ end
 function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     arg = arg or environment.originalarguments
     if noquote and #arg == 1 then
+        -- we could just do: return unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i]))
         local a = arg[1]
         a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-        a = unquote(a)
+        a = unquoted(a)
         return a
     elseif #arg > 0 then
         local result = { }
         for i=1,#arg do
+            -- we could just do: result[#result+1] = format("%q",unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i])))
             local a = arg[i]
             a = resolvers.resolve(a)
-            a = unquote(a)
+            a = unquoted(a)
             a = gsub(a,'"','\\"') -- tricky
             if find(a," ") then
-                result[#result+1] = quote(a)
+                result[#result+1] = quoted(a)
             else
                 result[#result+1] = a
             end
@@ -175,6 +177,23 @@ function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
     end
 end
 
+--~ -- to be tested:
+--~
+--~ function environment.reconstructcommandline(arg,noquote)
+--~     arg = arg or environment.originalarguments
+--~     if noquote and #arg == 1 then
+--~         return unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[1]))
+--~     elseif #arg > 0 then
+--~         local result = { }
+--~         for i=1,#arg do
+--~             result[#result+1] = format("%q",unquoted(resolvers.resolve(arg[i]))) -- always quote
+--~         end
+--~         return concat(result," ")
+--~     else
+--~         return ""
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
 if arg then
 
     -- new, reconstruct quoted snippets (maybe better just remove the " then and add them later)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-fio.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-fio.lua
index db27e480d..5f65ead48 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-fio.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-fio.lua
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ if not resolvers.instance then
         register('find_format_file'    , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"fmt") end, true)
         register('find_image_file'     , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"tex") end, true)
         register('find_map_file'       , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"map") end, true)
-        register('find_ocp_file'       , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"ocp") end, true)
         register('find_opentype_file'  , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"otf") end, true)
         register('find_output_file'    , function(name) return name                    end, true)
         register('find_pk_file'        , function(name) return findbinfile(name,"pk")  end, true)
@@ -58,7 +57,6 @@ if not resolvers.instance then
      -- format
      -- image
         register('read_map_file'       , function(file) return loadbinfile(file,"map") end, true)
-        register('read_ocp_file'       , function(file) return loadbinfile(file,"ocp") end, true)
      -- output
         register('read_pk_file'        , function(file) return loadbinfile(file,"pk")  end, true) -- 600dpi/manfnt.720pk
         register('read_sfd_file'       , function(file) return loadbinfile(file,"sfd") end, true)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-fmt.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-fmt.lua
index 42f75a1ba..2be205d8c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-fmt.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-fmt.lua
@@ -11,17 +11,17 @@ local format = string.format
 
 -- helper for mtxrun
 
-local quote = string.quote
+local quoted = string.quoted
 
 local function primaryflags()
     local trackers   = environment.argument("trackers")
     local directives = environment.argument("directives")
     local flags = ""
     if trackers and trackers ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quote(trackers)
+        flags = flags .. "--trackers=" .. quoted(trackers)
     end
     if directives and directives ~= "" then
-        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quote(directives)
+        flags = flags .. "--directives=" .. quoted(directives)
     end
     return flags
 end
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ function environment.make_format(name)
         return
     end
     -- generate format
-    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quote(usedluastub),quote(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
+    local command = format("luatex --ini %s --lua=%s %s %sdump",primaryflags(),quoted(usedluastub),quoted(fulltexsourcename),os.platform == "unix" and "\\\\" or "\\")
     logs.simple("running command: %s\n",command)
     os.spawn(command)
     -- remove related mem files
@@ -124,8 +124,7 @@ function environment.run_format(name,data,more)
                 logs.simple("using format name: %s",fmtname)
                 logs.simple("no luc/lua with name: %s",barename)
             else
-                local q = string.quote
-                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quote(barename),quote(luaname),quote(data),more ~= "" and quote(more) or "")
+                local command = format("luatex %s --fmt=%s --lua=%s %s %s",primaryflags(),quoted(barename),quoted(luaname),quoted(data),more ~= "" and quoted(more) or "")
                 logs.simple("running command: %s",command)
                 os.spawn(command)
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-ini.lua
index b57962c2d..40a49defa 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-ini.lua
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ local protected = {
 
 userdata, thirddata = nil, nil
 
+-- we could have a metatable that automaticaly creates a top level namespace
+
 if not setfenv then
     texio.write_nl("warning: we need to fix setfenv by using 'load in' or '_ENV'")
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv b/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
index 02bafa4cc..81d371cc4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-lib.mkiv
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@
 
 \writestatus{loading}{ConTeXt Lua Macros / Libraries}
 
+\registerctxluafile{util-tab}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{util-pck}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{util-seq}{1.001}
 %registerctxluafile{util-mrg}{1.001} % not needed in context itself, only mtxrun
 \registerctxluafile{util-lua}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{util-prs}{1.001}
-\registerctxluafile{util-tab}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{util-fmt}{1.001}
 \registerctxluafile{util-deb}{1.001} % could also be done in trac-deb.mkiv
 \registerctxluafile{util-sto}{1.001} % could also be done in trac-deb.mkiv
diff --git a/tex/context/base/luat-run.lua b/tex/context/base/luat-run.lua
index f22470f5f..580137d8a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/luat-run.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/luat-run.lua
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['luat-run'] = {
     license   = "see context related readme files"
 }
 
-local format, rpadd = string.format, string.rpadd
+local format = string.format
 local insert = table.insert
 
 local trace_lua_dump   = false  trackers.register("system.dump",      function(v) trace_lua_dump   = v end)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-aux.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-aux.lua
index 7392afabb..088d82881 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-aux.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-aux.lua
@@ -128,16 +128,17 @@ end
 function xml.collect_tags(root, pattern, nonamespace)
     local collected = xmlapplylpath(root,pattern)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             elseif ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -250,8 +251,10 @@ local function inject_element(root,pattern,whatever,prepend)
                 else
                     be, af = edt, cp
                 end
+                local bn = #be
                 for i=1,#af do
-                    be[#be+1] = af[i]
+                    bn = bn + 1
+                    be[bn] = af[i]
                 end
                 if rri then
                     r.dt[rri].dt = be
@@ -339,11 +342,12 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
     local edt = e.dt
     if edt then
         if anywhere then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             for e=1,#edt do
                 local str = edt[e]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
-                    t[#t+1] = str
+                    n = n + 1
+                    t[n] = str
                 elseif str ~= "" then
                     -- todo: lpeg for each case
                     if nolines then
@@ -351,7 +355,8 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                     str = gsub(str,"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
                     if str ~= "" then
-                        t[#t+1] = str
+                        n = n + 1
+                        t[n] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -378,9 +383,10 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            if #edt > 0 then
+            local nedt = #nedt
+            if nedt > 0 then
                 -- strip end
-                local str = edt[#edt]
+                local str = edt[nedt]
                 if type(str) ~= "string" then
                     -- nothing
                 elseif str == "" then
@@ -393,7 +399,7 @@ local function stripelement(e,nolines,anywhere)
                     if str == "" then
                         remove(edt)
                     else
-                        edt[#edt] = str
+                        edt[nedt] = str
                     end
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-lpt.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-lpt.lua
index ef9a1175b..274601d83 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-lpt.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-lpt.lua
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ apply_axis['root'] = function(list)
                 rt = ll
             end
         end
-        collected[#collected+1] = rt
+        collected[l] = rt
     end
     return collected
 end
@@ -142,14 +142,14 @@ end
 apply_axis['self'] = function(list)
 --~     local collected = { }
 --~     for l=1,#list do
---~         collected[#collected+1] = list[l]
+--~         collected[l] = list[l]
 --~     end
 --~     return collected
     return list
 end
 
 apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local dt = ll.dt
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
             for k=1,#dt do
                 local dk = dt[k]
                 if dk.tg then
-                    collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c] = dk
                     dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
@@ -170,68 +171,74 @@ apply_axis['child'] = function(list)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
-        collect(list[l],collected)
+        c = collect(list[l],collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
-local function collect(list,collected)
+local function collect(list,collected,c)
     local dt = list.dt
     if dt then
         local en = 0
         for k=1,#dt do
             local dk = dt[k]
             if dk.tg then
-                collected[#collected+1] = dk
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = dk
                 dk.ni = k -- refresh
                 en = en + 1
                 dk.ei = en
-                collect(dk,collected)
+                c = collect(dk,collected,c)
             end
         end
         list.en = en
     end
+    return c
 end
 apply_axis['descendant-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if ll.special ~= true then -- catch double root
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
-        collect(ll,collected)
+        c = collect(ll,collected,c)
     end
     return collected
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -239,14 +246,16 @@ apply_axis['ancestor'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
-        collected[#collected+1] = ll
+        c = c + 1
+        collected[c] = ll
         while ll do
             ll = ll.__p__
             if ll then
-                collected[#collected+1] = ll
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = ll
             end
         end
     end
@@ -254,11 +263,12 @@ apply_axis['ancestor-or-self'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['parent'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local pl = list[l].__p__
         if pl then
-            collected[#collected+1] = pl
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = pl
         end
     end
     return collected
@@ -273,7 +283,7 @@ apply_axis['namespace'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['following'] = function(list) -- incomplete
---~     local collected = { }
+--~     local collected, c = { }, 0
 --~     for l=1,#list do
 --~         local ll = list[l]
 --~         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -281,7 +291,8 @@ apply_axis['following'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 --~         for i=ll.ni+1,#d do
 --~             local di = d[i]
 --~             if type(di) == "table" then
---~                 collected[#collected+1] = di
+--~                 c = c + 1
+--~                 collected[c] = di
 --~                 break
 --~             end
 --~         end
@@ -291,7 +302,7 @@ apply_axis['following'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 end
 
 apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
---~     local collected = { }
+--~     local collected, c = { }, 0
 --~     for l=1,#list do
 --~         local ll = list[l]
 --~         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -299,7 +310,8 @@ apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 --~         for i=ll.ni-1,1,-1 do
 --~             local di = d[i]
 --~             if type(di) == "table" then
---~                 collected[#collected+1] = di
+--~                 c = c + 1
+--~                 collected[c] = di
 --~                 break
 --~             end
 --~         end
@@ -309,7 +321,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding'] = function(list) -- incomplete
 end
 
 apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -317,7 +329,8 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=ll.ni+1,#d do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -325,7 +338,7 @@ apply_axis['following-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -333,7 +346,8 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
         for i=1,ll.ni-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -341,7 +355,7 @@ apply_axis['preceding-sibling'] = function(list)
 end
 
 apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         local p = ll.__p__
@@ -349,7 +363,8 @@ apply_axis['reverse-sibling'] = function(list) -- reverse preceding
         for i=ll.ni-1,1,-1 do
             local di = d[i]
             if type(di) == "table" then
-                collected[#collected+1] = di
+                c = c + 1
+                collected[c] = di
             end
         end
     end
@@ -375,7 +390,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 return { }
             end
         else
-            local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+            local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
             if not nns then -- only check tag
                 for l=1,#list do
                     local ll = list[l]
@@ -384,11 +399,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ntg == ltg then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif ntg ~= ltg then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -400,11 +417,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if lns == nns then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif lns ~= nns then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -418,11 +437,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                         if directive then
                             if ok then
                                 local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                                collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                                c = c + 1
+                                collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                             end
                         elseif not ok then
                             local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                            collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                            c = c + 1
+                            collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -430,7 +451,7 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
             return collected
         end
     else
-        local collected, m, p = { }, 0, nil
+        local collected, c, m, p = { }, 0, 0, nil
         for l=1,#list do
             local ll = list[l]
             local ltg = ll.tg
@@ -447,11 +468,13 @@ local function apply_nodes(list,directive,nodes)
                 if directive then
                     if ok then
                         local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                        collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                        c = c + 1
+                        collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                     end
                 elseif not ok then
                     local llp = ll.__p__ ; if llp ~= p then p, m = llp, 1 else m = m + 1 end
-                    collected[#collected+1], ll.mi = ll, m
+                    c = c + 1
+                    collected[c], ll.mi = ll, m
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -462,12 +485,13 @@ end
 local quit_expression = false
 
 local function apply_expression(list,expression,order)
-    local collected = { }
+    local collected, c = { }, 0
     quit_expression = false
     for l=1,#list do
         local ll = list[l]
         if expression(list,ll,l,order) then -- nasty, order alleen valid als n=1
-            collected[#collected+1] = ll
+            c = c + 1
+            collected[c] = ll
         end
         if quit_expression then
             break
@@ -765,7 +789,7 @@ local function nodesettostring(set,nodetest)
         if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
         if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
         tg = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
-        t[#t+1] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
+        t[i] = (directive and tg) or format("not(%s)",tg)
     end
     if nodetest == false then
         return format("not(%s)",concat(t,"|"))
@@ -784,7 +808,7 @@ local function tagstostring(list)
             local ns, tg = li.ns, li.tg
             if not ns or ns == "" then ns = "*" end
             if not tg or tg == "" then tg = "*" end
-            t[#t+1] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
+            t[i] = (tg == "@rt@" and "[root]") or format("%s:%s",ns,tg)
         end
         return concat(t," ")
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
index 0bf488342..bfa64fe65 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-tex.lua
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ local xmlapplylpath = xml.applylpath
 
 local variables = (interfaces and interfaces.variables) or { }
 
+local insertbeforevalue, insertaftervalue = utilities.tables.insertbeforevalue, utilities.tables.insertaftervalue
+
 local starttiming, stoptiming = statistics.starttiming, statistics.stoptiming
 
 local trace_setups   = false  trackers.register("lxml.setups",   function(v) trace_setups   = v end)
@@ -696,12 +698,12 @@ function lxml.installsetup(what,document,setup,where)
         if trace_loading then
             commands.writestatus("lxml","inserting setup %s for %s before %s",setup,document,where)
         end
-        table.insertbeforevalue(sd,setup,where)
+        insertbeforevalue(sd,setup,where)
     elseif what == 4 then
         if trace_loading then
             commands.writestatus("lxml","inserting setup %s for %s after %s",setup,document,where)
         end
-        table.insertaftervalue(sd,setup,where)
+        insertaftervalue(sd,setup,where)
     end
 end
 
@@ -1450,9 +1452,10 @@ function lxml.toparameters(id)
     if e then
         local a = e.at
         if a and next(a) then
-            local setups = { }
+            local setups, s = { }, 0
             for k, v in next, a do
-                setups[#setups+1] = k .. "=" .. v
+                s = s + 1
+                setups[s] = k .. "=" .. v
             end
             setups = concat(setups,",")
             -- tracing
diff --git a/tex/context/base/lxml-xml.lua b/tex/context/base/lxml-xml.lua
index 2a6d56800..2053d2353 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/lxml-xml.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/lxml-xml.lua
@@ -26,15 +26,18 @@ local function all(collected)
     return collected
 end
 
-local function reverse(collected)
-    if collected then
-        local reversed = { }
-        for c=#collected,1,-1 do
-            reversed[#reversed+1] = collected[c]
-        end
-        return reversed
-    end
-end
+--~ local function reverse(collected)
+--~     if collected then
+--~         local reversed, r = { }, 0
+--~         for c=#collected,1,-1 do
+--~             r = r + 1
+--~             reversed[r] = collected[c]
+--~         end
+--~         return reversed
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
+local reverse = table.reversed
 
 local function attribute(collected,name)
     if collected and #collected > 0 then
@@ -125,11 +128,12 @@ end
 
 local function texts(collected)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collection[c]
             if e and e.dt then
-                t[#t+1] = e.dt
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = e.dt
             end
         end
         return t
@@ -172,14 +176,15 @@ end
 
 local function tags(collected,nonamespace)
     if collected then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for c=1,#collected do
             local e = collected[c]
             local ns, tg = e.ns, e.tg
+            n = n + 1
             if nonamespace or ns == "" then
-                t[#t+1] = tg
+                t[n] = tg
             else
-                t[#t+1] = ns .. ":" .. tg
+                t[n] = ns .. ":" .. tg
             end
         end
         return t
diff --git a/tex/context/base/m-database.lua b/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
index 810c8ba39..ffaafa2f3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/m-database.lua
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ end
         for i=1,#data do
             local line = data[i]
             if line ~= "" and (not checker or not lpegmatch(checker,line)) then
-                local result = { } -- we collect as this is nicer in tracing
+                local result, r = { }, 0 -- we collect as this is nicer in tracing
                 local list = lpegmatch(splitter,line)
                 if not found then
                     local setups = settings.setups or ""
@@ -77,20 +77,20 @@ end
                     sprint(ctxcatcodes,before)
                     found = true
                 end
-                result[#result+1] = first
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = first
                 for j=1,#list do
                     result[#result+1] = left
                     if command == "" then
-                        result[#result+1] = list[j]
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = list[j]
                     else
-                        result[#result+1] = command
-                        result[#result+1] = "{"
-                        result[#result+1] = list[j]
-                        result[#result+1] = "}"
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = command
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = "{"
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = list[j]
+                        r = r + 1 ; result[r] = "}"
                     end
-                    result[#result+1] = right
+                    r = r + 1 ; result[r] = right
                 end
-                result[#result+1] = last
+                r = r + 1 ; result[r] = last
                 sprint(ctxcatcodes,result)
             end
         end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/meta-pdf.lua b/tex/context/base/meta-pdf.lua
index 0c77469a8..ad4bcca81 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/meta-pdf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/meta-pdf.lua
@@ -94,11 +94,11 @@ local function flushpath(cmd)
                     local px, py = v[3], v[4] ; v[3], v[4] = (sy*(px-tx)-ry*(py-ty))/d, (sx*(py-ty)-rx*(px-tx))/d -- mpconcat(v[3],v[4])
                     local px, py = v[5], v[6] ; v[5], v[6] = (sy*(px-tx)-ry*(py-ty))/d, (sx*(py-ty)-rx*(px-tx))/d -- mpconcat(v[5],v[6])
                 end
-                path[#path+1] = concat(v," ")
+                path[k] = concat(v," ")
             end
         else
             for k=1,#m_stack_path do
-                path[#path+1] = concat(m_stack_path[k]," ")
+                path[k] = concat(m_stack_path[k]," ")
             end
         end
         flushconcat()
@@ -146,10 +146,13 @@ end
 
 function mps.rlineto(x,y)
     local dx, dy = 0, 0
-    if #m_stack_path > 0 then
-        dx, dy = m_stack_path[#m_stack_path][1], m_stack_path[#m_stack_path][2]
+    local topofstack = #m_stack_path
+    if topofstack > 0 then
+        local msp = m_stack_path[topofstack]
+        dx = msp[1]
+        dy = msp[2]
     end
-    m_stack_path[#m_stack_path+1] = {dx,dy,"l"}
+    m_stack_path[topofstack+1] = {dx,dy,"l"}
 end
 
 function mps.translate(tx,ty)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mlib-pdf.lua b/tex/context/base/mlib-pdf.lua
index 47c93513a..30db3f52c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mlib-pdf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mlib-pdf.lua
@@ -162,64 +162,81 @@ local function curved(ith,pth)
 end
 
 local function flushnormalpath(path, t, open)
-    t = t or { }
-    local pth, ith
+    local pth, ith, nt
+    if t then
+        nt = #t
+    else
+        t = { }
+        nt = 0
+    end
     for i=1,#path do
+        nt = nt + 1
         pth = path[i]
         if not ith then
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f m",pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f m",pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
         elseif curved(ith,pth) then
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",ith.right_x,ith.right_y,pth.left_x,pth.left_y,pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",ith.right_x,ith.right_y,pth.left_x,pth.left_y,pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
         else
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f l",pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord)
         end
         ith = pth
     end
     if not open then
+        nt = nt + 1
         local one = path[1]
         if curved(pth,one) then
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",pth.right_x,pth.right_y,one.left_x,one.left_y,one.x_coord,one.y_coord )
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",pth.right_x,pth.right_y,one.left_x,one.left_y,one.x_coord,one.y_coord )
         else
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",one.x_coord,one.y_coord)
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f l",one.x_coord,one.y_coord)
         end
     elseif #path == 1 then
         -- special case .. draw point
         local one = path[1]
-        t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",one.x_coord,one.y_coord)
+        nt = nt + 1
+        t[nt] = format("%f %f l",one.x_coord,one.y_coord)
     end
     return t
 end
 
 local function flushconcatpath(path, t, open)
-    t = t or { }
-    t[#t+1] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f cm", sx, rx, ry, sy, tx ,ty)
-    local pth, ith
+    local pth, ith, nt
+    if t then
+        nt = #t
+    else
+        t = { }
+        nt = 0
+    end
+    nt = nt + 1
+    t[nt] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f cm", sx, rx, ry, sy, tx ,ty)
     for i=1,#path do
+        nt = nt + 1
         pth = path[i]
         if not ith then
-           t[#t+1] = format("%f %f m",mpconcat(pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord))
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f m",mpconcat(pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord))
         elseif curved(ith,pth) then
             local a, b = mpconcat(ith.right_x,ith.right_y)
             local c, d = mpconcat(pth.left_x,pth.left_y)
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",a,b,c,d,mpconcat(pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord))
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",a,b,c,d,mpconcat(pth.x_coord,pth.y_coord))
         else
-           t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(pth.x_coord, pth.y_coord))
+           t[nt] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(pth.x_coord, pth.y_coord))
         end
         ith = pth
     end
     if not open then
+        nt = nt + 1
         local one = path[1]
         if curved(pth,one) then
             local a, b = mpconcat(pth.right_x,pth.right_y)
             local c, d = mpconcat(one.left_x,one.left_y)
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",a,b,c,d,mpconcat(one.x_coord, one.y_coord))
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f %f %f %f %f c",a,b,c,d,mpconcat(one.x_coord, one.y_coord))
         else
-            t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(one.x_coord,one.y_coord))
+            t[nt] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(one.x_coord,one.y_coord))
         end
     elseif #path == 1 then
         -- special case .. draw point
+        nt = nt + 1
         local one = path[1]
-        t[#t+1] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(one.x_coord,one.y_coord))
+        t[nt] = format("%f %f l",mpconcat(one.x_coord,one.y_coord))
     end
     return t
 end
@@ -475,8 +492,10 @@ local flusher = {
         context.startnointerference()
     end,
     flushfigure = function(literals)
+        local n = #t
         for i=1, #literals do
-            t[#t+1] = literals[i]
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = literals[i]
         end
     end,
     stopfigure = function()
@@ -504,7 +523,7 @@ function metapost.totable(result)
                 local field = fields[f]
                 tt[field] = object[field]
             end
-            t[#t+1] = tt
+            t[o] = tt
         end
         local b = figure:boundingbox()
         return {
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mlib-pps.lua b/tex/context/base/mlib-pps.lua
index e0592ca02..6fae400fc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mlib-pps.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mlib-pps.lua
@@ -109,9 +109,10 @@ function specials.register(str) -- only colors
     local size, content, n, class = match(str,"^%%%%MetaPostSpecial: (%d+) (.*) (%d+) (%d+)$")
     if class then
         -- use lpeg splitter
-        local data = { }
+        local data , d = { }, 0
         for s in gmatch(content,"[^ ]+") do
-            data[#data+1] = s
+            d = d + 1
+            data[d] = s
         end
         class, n = tonumber(class), tonumber(n)
         if class == 3 or class == 4 or class == 5 then
@@ -682,14 +683,15 @@ local do_end_fig         = "; endfig ;"
 local do_safeguard       = ";"
 
 function metapost.texttextsdata()
-    local t, n = { }, 0
+    local t, nt, n = { }, 0, 0
     for n, box in next, textexts do
         if box then
             local wd, ht, dp = box.width/factor, box.height/factor, box.depth/factor
             if trace_textexts then
                 report_mplib("passed textext data %s: (%0.4f,%0.4f,%0.4f)",n,wd,ht,dp)
             end
-            t[#t+1] = format(text_data_template,n,wd,n,ht,n,dp)
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = format(text_data_template,n,wd,n,ht,n,dp)
         else
             break
         end
@@ -782,11 +784,12 @@ function makempy.processgraphics(graphics)
         if io.exists(pdffile) then
             command = format("pstoedit -ssp -dt -f mpost %s %s", pdffile, mpyfile)
             os.execute(command)
-            local result = { }
+            local result, r = { }, 0
             if io.exists(mpyfile) then
                 local data = io.loaddata(mpyfile)
                 for figure in gmatch(data,"beginfig(.-)endfig") do
-                    result[#result+1] = format("begingraphictextfig%sendgraphictextfig ;\n", figure)
+                    r = r + 1
+                    result[r] = format("begingraphictextfig%sendgraphictextfig ;\n", figure)
                 end
                 io.savedata(mpyfile,concat(result,""))
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua b/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
index 7d670b77d..3d87c817e 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mlib-run.lua
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ function metapost.process(mpx, data, trialrun, flusher, multipass, isextrapass,
                     if not metapost.reporterror(result) then
                         if metapost.showlog then
                             local str = (result.term ~= "" and result.term) or "no terminal output"
-                            if not str:is_empty() then
+                            if not string.is_empty(str) then
                                 metapost.lastlog = metapost.lastlog .. "\n" .. str
                                 report_mplib("mp log: %s",str)
                             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua b/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
index f4c501423..a200625bb 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-cld.lua
@@ -268,9 +268,10 @@ end)
 
 local tracedwriter = function(...)
     nofwriters = nofwriters + 1
-    local t, f = { "w : " }, flush
+    local t, f, n = { "w : " }, flush, 0
     flush = function(...)
-        t[#t+1] = concat({...},"",2)
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = concat({...},"",2)
         normalflush(...)
     end
     normalwriter(...)
@@ -411,9 +412,10 @@ local nested = { } context.nested = nested
 
 local function indexer(t,k)
     local f = function(...)
-        local t, savedflush = { }, flush
+        local t, savedflush, n = { }, flush, 0
         flush = function(c,f,s,...) -- catcodes are ignored
-            t[#t+1] = s and concat{f,s,...} or f -- optimized for #args == 1
+            n = n + 1
+            t[n] = s and concat{f,s,...} or f -- optimized for #args == 1
         end
         context[k](...)
         flush = savedflush
@@ -424,9 +426,10 @@ local function indexer(t,k)
 end
 
 local function caller(t,...)
-    local t, savedflush = { }, flush
+    local t, savedflush, n = { }, flush, 0
     flush = function(c,f,s,...) -- catcodes are ignored
-        t[#t+1] = s and concat{f,s,...} or f -- optimized for #args == 1
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s and concat{f,s,...} or f -- optimized for #args == 1
     end
     context(...)
     flush = savedflush
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-clm.lua b/tex/context/base/mult-clm.lua
index 044e31d2b..e2fff18dc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-clm.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-clm.lua
@@ -126,9 +126,11 @@ function mkiv.tolist(t)
     for i=1,#t do
         r[i] = t[i]
     end
+    local n = #r
     for k,v in table.sortedhash(t) do
         if type(k) ~= "number" then
-            r[#r+1] = k .. "=" .. v
+            n = n + 1
+            r[n] = k .. "=" .. v
         end
     end
     return concat(r,", ")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-fin.lua b/tex/context/base/node-fin.lua
index af2ba0421..f7668415d 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-fin.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-fin.lua
@@ -178,10 +178,15 @@ local nsdata, nsnone, nslistwise, nsforced, nsselector, nstrigger
 local current, current_selector, done = 0, 0, false -- nb, stack has a local current !
 
 function states.initialize(namespace,attribute,head)
-    nsdata, nsnone = namespace.data, namespace.none
-    nsforced, nsselector, nslistwise = namespace.forced, namespace.selector, namespace.listwise
-    nstrigger = triggering and namespace.triggering and trigger
-    current, current_selector, done = 0, 0, false -- todo: done cleanup
+    nsdata           = namespace.data
+    nsnone           = namespace.none
+    nsforced         = namespace.forced
+    nsselector       = namespace.selector
+    nslistwise       = namespace.listwise
+    nstrigger        = triggering and namespace.triggering and trigger
+    current          = 0
+    current_selector = 0
+    done             = false -- todo: done cleanup
 end
 
 function states.finalize(namespace,attribute,head) -- is this one ok?
@@ -213,11 +218,13 @@ local function process(namespace,attribute,head,inheritance,default) -- one attr
                 if default and c == inheritance then
                     if current ~= default then
                         head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(nsdata[default]))
-                        current, done = default, true
+                        current = default
+                        done = true
                     end
                 elseif current ~= c then
                     head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(nsdata[c]))
-                    current, done = c, true
+                    current = c
+                    done = true
                 end
                 -- here ? compare selective
                 if id == glue_code then --leader
@@ -250,11 +257,13 @@ local function process(namespace,attribute,head,inheritance,default) -- one attr
             elseif default and inheritance then
                 if current ~= default then
                     head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(nsdata[default]))
-                    current, done = default, true
+                    current = default
+                    done = true
                 end
             elseif current > 0 then
                 head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(nsnone))
-                current, done = 0, true
+                current = 0
+                done = true
             end
         elseif id == hlist_code or id == vlist_code then
             local content = stack.list
@@ -300,21 +309,25 @@ local function selective(namespace,attribute,head,inheritance,default) -- two at
                     if current ~= default then
                         local data = nsdata[default]
                         head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(data[nsforced or has_attribute(stack,nsselector) or nsselector]))
-                        current, done = default, true
+                        current = default
+                        done = true
                     end
                 else
                     local s = has_attribute(stack,nsselector)
                     if current ~= c or current_selector ~= s then
                         local data = nsdata[c]
                         head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(data[nsforced or has_attribute(stack,nsselector) or nsselector]))
-                        current, current_selector, done = c, s, true
+                        current = c
+                        current_selector = s
+                        done = true
                     end
                 end
             elseif default and inheritance then
                 if current ~= default then
                     local data = nsdata[default]
                     head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(data[nsforced or has_attribute(stack,nsselector) or nsselector]))
-                    current, done = default, true
+                    current = default
+                    done = true
                 end
             elseif current > 0 then
                 head = insert_node_before(head,stack,copy_node(nsnone))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-fnt.lua b/tex/context/base/node-fnt.lua
index 7e8fa3694..399cd8642 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-fnt.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-fnt.lua
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ function handlers.characters(head)
                     end
                 end
             end
-            prevfont, prevattr = font, attr
+            prevfont = font
+            prevattr = attr
         end
     end
     if trace_fontrun then
@@ -122,11 +123,13 @@ function handlers.characters(head)
         local n = #processors
         if n > 0 then
             local h, d = processors[1](head,font,0)
-            head, done = h or head, done or d
+            head = h or head
+            done = done or d
             if n > 1 then
                 for i=2,n do
                     local h, d = processors[i](head,font,0)
-                    head, done = h or head, done or d
+                    head = h or head
+                    done = done or d
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -134,11 +137,13 @@ function handlers.characters(head)
         for font, processors in next, usedfonts do
             local n = #processors
             local h, d = processors[1](head,font,0)
-            head, done = h or head, done or d
+            head = h or head
+            done = done or d
             if n > 1 then
                 for i=2,n do
                     local h, d = processors[i](head,font,0)
-                    head, done = h or head, done or d
+                    head = h or head
+                    done = done or d
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -148,11 +153,13 @@ function handlers.characters(head)
         for attribute, processors in next, dynamics do -- attr can switch in between
             local n = #processors
             local h, d = processors[1](head,font,attribute)
-            head, done = h or head, done or d
+            head = h or head
+            done = done or d
             if n > 1 then
                 for i=2,n do
                     local h, d = processors[i](head,font,attribute)
-                    head, done = h or head, done or d
+                    head = h or head
+                    done = done or d
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -161,11 +168,13 @@ function handlers.characters(head)
             for attribute, processors in next, dynamics do -- attr can switch in between
                 local n = #processors
                 local h, d = processors[1](head,font,attribute)
-                head, done = h or head, done or d
+                head = h or head
+                done = done or d
                 if n > 1 then
                     for i=2,n do
                         local h, d = processors[i](head,font,attribute)
-                        head, done = h or head, done or d
+                        head = h or head
+                        done = done or d
                     end
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/node-ini.lua
index 6c48ba21d..f0b9b83fa 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-ini.lua
@@ -232,7 +232,8 @@ local function remove(head, current, free_too)
             free_node(t)
             t = nil
         else
-            t.next, t.prev = nil, nil
+            t.next = nil
+            t.prev = nil
         end
    end
    return head, current, t
@@ -295,10 +296,12 @@ function nodes.replace(head,current,new) -- no head returned if false
     end
     local prev, next = current.prev, current.next
     if next then
-        new.next, next.prev = next, new
+        new.next = next
+        next.prev = new
     end
     if prev then
-        new.prev, prev.next = prev, new
+        new.prev = prev
+        prev.next = new
     end
     if head then
         if head == current then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua b/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
index f576c7ee2..e4380a4ea 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-inj.lua
@@ -188,12 +188,13 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
             trace(head)
         end
         -- in the future variant we will not copy items but refs to tables
-        local done, ky, rl, valid, cx, wx, mk = false, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }
+        local done, ky, rl, valid, cx, wx, mk, nofvalid = false, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, 0
         if has_kerns then -- move outside loop
             local nf, tm = nil, nil
             for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,head) do
                 if n.subtype < 256 then
-                    valid[#valid+1] = n
+                    nofvalid = nofvalid + 1
+                    valid[nofvalid] = n
                     if n.font ~= nf then
                         nf = n.font
                         tm = fontdata[nf].marks
@@ -221,7 +222,8 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
             local nf, tm = nil, nil
             for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,head) do
                 if n.subtype < 256 then
-                    valid[#valid+1] = n
+                    nofvalid = nofvalid + 1
+                    valid[nofvalid] = n
                     if n.font ~= nf then
                         nf = n.font
                         tm = fontdata[nf].marks
@@ -230,7 +232,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 end
             end
         end
-        if #valid > 0 then
+        if nofvalid > 0 then
             -- we can assume done == true because we have cursives and marks
             local cx = { }
             if has_kerns and next(ky) then
@@ -243,7 +245,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 local p_cursbase, p = nil, nil
                 -- since we need valid[n+1] we can also use a "while true do"
                 local t, d, maxt = { }, { }, 0
-                for i=1,#valid do -- valid == glyphs
+                for i=1,nofvalid do -- valid == glyphs
                     local n = valid[i]
                     if not mk[n] then
                         local n_cursbase = has_attribute(n,cursbase)
@@ -307,7 +309,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 end
             end
             if has_marks then
-                for i=1,#valid do
+                for i=1,nofvalid do
                     local p = valid[i]
                     local p_markbase = has_attribute(p,markbase)
                     if p_markbase then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua b/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
index 01dfc3352..9eb431d6b 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-pro.lua
@@ -33,15 +33,15 @@ local actions = tasks.actions("processors",4)
 
 local n = 0
 
-local function reconstruct(head)
-    local t = { }
-    local h = head
+local function reconstruct(head) -- we probably have a better one
+    local t, n, h = { }, 0, head
     while h do
+        n = n + 1
         local id = h.id
-        if id == glyph_code then
-            t[#t+1] = utfchar(h.char)
+        if id == glyph_code then -- todo: disc etc
+            t[n] = utfchar(h.char)
         else
-            t[#t+1] = "[]"
+            t[n] = "[]"
         end
         h = h.next
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-res.lua b/tex/context/base/node-res.lua
index 1487faa66..0a0cd0dc1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-res.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-res.lua
@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@ local nodecodes    = nodes.nodecodes
 
 local glyph_code   = nodecodes.glyph
 
-local reserved = { }
+local reserved, nofreserved = { }, 0
 
 local function register_node(n)
-    reserved[#reserved+1] = n
+    nofreserved = nofreserved + 1
+    reserved[nofreserved] = n
     return n
 end
 
@@ -42,8 +43,8 @@ pool.register = register_node
 
 function pool.cleanup(nofboxes) -- todo
     nodes.tracers.steppers.reset() -- todo: make a registration subsystem
-    local nr, nl = #reserved, 0
-    for i=1,nr do
+    local nl, nr = 0, nofreserved
+    for i=1,nofreserved do
         local ri = reserved[i]
     --  if not (ri.id == glue_spec and not ri.is_writable) then
             free_node(reserved[i])
@@ -60,6 +61,7 @@ function pool.cleanup(nofboxes) -- todo
         end
     end
     reserved = { }
+    nofreserved = 0
     return nr, nl, nofboxes -- can be nil
 end
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-rul.lua b/tex/context/base/node-rul.lua
index a0a18590b..51a7b4d3a 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-rul.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-rul.lua
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ local checkdir = true
 
 -- omkeren class en level -> scheelt functie call in analyze
 
+-- todo: switching inside math
+
 local function processwords(attribute,data,flush,head,parent) -- we have hlistdir and local dir
     local n = head
     if n then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-ser.lua b/tex/context/base/node-ser.lua
index fd211b2c8..f90741aac 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-ser.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-ser.lua
@@ -125,9 +125,10 @@ local function totable(n,flat,verbose)
     end
     if n then
         if flat then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, tn = { }, 0
             while n do
-                t[#t+1] = to_table(n,flat,verbise)
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = to_table(n,flat,verbose)
                 n = n.next
             end
             return t
@@ -219,9 +220,10 @@ local function serialize(root,name,handle,depth,m)
 end
 
 function nodes.serialize(root,name)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root, name, flush, nil, 0)
     return concat(t,"\n")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-spl.lua b/tex/context/base/node-spl.lua
index 8d8c297bd..a942d3cdb 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-spl.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-spl.lua
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ end
 local contextsetups = fonts.definers.specifiers.contextsetups
 
 local function convert(featuresets,name,set,what)
-    local list, numbers = set[what], { }
+    local list, numbers, nofnumbers = set[what], { }, 0
     if list then
         for i=1,#list do
             local feature = list[i]
@@ -126,7 +126,8 @@ local function convert(featuresets,name,set,what)
                 fn = fs and fs.number
             end
             if fn then
-                numbers[#numbers+1] = fn
+                nofnumbers = nofnumbers + 1
+                numbers[nofnumbers] = fn
                 if trace_goodies or trace_optimize then
                     report_fonts("solution %s of '%s' uses feature '%s' with number %s",i,name,feature,fn)
                 end
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ local function convert(featuresets,name,set,what)
                 report_fonts("solution %s has an invalid feature reference '%s'",i,name,tostring(feature))
             end
         end
-        return #numbers > 0 and numbers
+        return nofnumbers > 0 and numbers
     end
 end
 
@@ -179,18 +180,22 @@ function splitters.define(name,parameters)
         end
     else
         if l then
+            local n = #less_set
             for i=1,#l do
                 local ss = contextsetups[l[i]]
                 if ss then
-                    less_set[#less_set+1] = ss.number
+                    n = n + 1
+                    less_set[n] = ss.number
                 end
             end
         end
         if m then
+            local n = #more_set
             for i=1,#m do
                 local ss = contextsetups[m[i]]
                 if ss then
-                    more_set[#more_set+1] = ss.number
+                    n = n + 1
+                    more_set[n] = ss.number
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -198,14 +203,14 @@ function splitters.define(name,parameters)
     if trace_optimize then
         report_fonts("defining solutions '%s', less: '%s', more: '%s'",name,concat(less_set or {}," "),concat(more_set or {}," "))
     end
-    solutions[#solutions+1] = {
+    local nofsolutions = #solutions + 1
+    solutions[nofsolutions] = {
         solution  = solution,
         less      = less_set or { },
         more      = more_set or { },
         settings  = settings, -- for tracing
     }
---~     print(table.serialize(solutions[#solutions]))
-    tex.write(#solutions)
+    tex.write(nofsolutions)
 end
 
 local nofwords, noftries, nofadapted, nofkept, nofparagraphs = 0, 0, 0, 0, 0
@@ -287,13 +292,14 @@ function splitters.split(head)
 end
 
 local function collect_words(list)
-    local words, word = { }, nil
+    local words, w, word = { }, 0, nil
     for current in traverse_ids(whatsit_code,list) do
         if current.subtype == userdefined_code then
             local user_id = current.user_id
             if user_id == 1 then
                 word = { current.value, current, current }
-                words[#words+1] = word
+                w = w + 1
+                words[w] = word
             elseif user_id == 2 then
                 word[3] = current
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/node-tra.lua b/tex/context/base/node-tra.lua
index 78042cf44..d41089e6c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/node-tra.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/node-tra.lua
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ end
 --~     else
 --~         t[#t+1] = format("[%s]",node_type(last_id) or "?")
 --~     end
---~     return table.concat(table.reverse(t)," ")
+--~     return table.concat(table.reversed(t)," ")
 --~ end
 
 
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ end
 -- might move elsewhere
 
 local factor   = number.dimenfactors.pt
-local stripper = lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros
+local stripper = lpeg.patterns.stripzeros
 
 local points = function(n)
     return lpegmatch(stripper,format("%.5fpt",n*factor))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/page-lin.lua b/tex/context/base/page-lin.lua
index 186989839..d31785329 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/page-lin.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/page-lin.lua
@@ -257,9 +257,10 @@ end
 function boxed.stage_two(n,m)
     if #current_list > 0 then
         m = m or lines.scratchbox
-        local t, i = { }, 0
+        local t, tn = { }, 0
         for l in traverse_id(hlist_code,texbox[m].list) do
-            t[#t+1] = copy_node(l)
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = copy_node(l)
         end
         for i=1,#current_list do
             local li = current_list[i]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/s-fnt-10.tex b/tex/context/base/s-fnt-10.tex
index 8214946c6..56f2decb4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/s-fnt-10.tex
+++ b/tex/context/base/s-fnt-10.tex
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ end
    \page
    \egroup}
 
-\endinput
+% \endinput
 
 \starttext
 
@@ -171,6 +171,6 @@ end
 
 % \ShowCompleteFont{name:palatinosansinformalcombold}{20pt}{2}
 % \ShowCompleteFont{name:palatinonovaregular}{11pt}{2}
-% \ShowCompleteFont{name:optimanovaltregular}{11pt}{2}
+\ShowCompleteFont{pirat.ttf}{12pt}{1}
 
 \stoptext
diff --git a/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv b/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
index 83263d1df..dc919a8aa 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/scrn-int.mkiv
@@ -247,6 +247,7 @@
 
 \def\doinsertcomment#1%
   {\begingroup
+   \doifelse\@@ccoption\v!max{\let\@@ccopen\s!true}{\let\@@ccopen\s!false}%
    \ctxlua{backends.codeinjections.presetsymbollist("\@@ccsymbol")}%
    % in between predefined symbols are dealt with
    \ctxlua{backends.codeinjections.registercomment {
@@ -273,7 +274,6 @@
 \def\dostartcomment[#1][#2][#3]%
   {\bgroup
    \doifassignmentelse{#1}{\getparameters[\??cc][#1]}{\getparameters[\??cc][\c!title=#1,#2]}%
-   \doifelse\@@ccoption\v!max{\let\@@ccopen\s!true}{\let\@@ccopen\s!false}%
    \setcurrentbuffer{\v!comment\v!buffer}%
    \dostartbuffer[\v!comment\v!buffer][\v!comment\v!buffer][\e!start\v!comment][\e!stop\v!comment]}
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/sort-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/sort-ini.lua
index 6511cd427..fb40c81a5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/sort-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/sort-ini.lua
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ with any demand so nothign here is frozen.</p>
 local utf = unicode.utf8
 local gsub, rep, sub, sort, concat = string.gsub, string.rep, string.sub, table.sort, table.concat
 local utfbyte, utfchar = utf.byte, utf.char
-local utfcharacters, utfvalues, strcharacters = string.utfcharacters, string.utfvalues, string.characters
+local utfcharacters = string.utfcharacters
 local next, type, tonumber, rawget, rawset = next, type, tonumber, rawget, rawset
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ local function preparetables(data)
     end
     local mtm = {
         __index = function(t,k)
-            local n
+            local n, nn
             if k then
                 if trace_tests then
                     report_sorters("simplifing character 0x%04x %s",utfbyte(k),k)
@@ -153,8 +153,10 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                     local ml = rawget(t,l)
                     if ml then
                         n = { }
+                        nn = 0
                         for i=1,#ml do
-                            n[#n+1] = ml[i] + (t.__delta or 0)
+                            nn = nn + 1
+                            n[nn] = ml[i] + (t.__delta or 0)
                         end
                         if trace_tests then
                             report_sorters(" 2 order: %s",concat(n," "))
@@ -168,6 +170,7 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                             report_sorters(" 3 shape: %s",s)
                         end
                         n = { }
+                        nn = 0
                         for l in utfcharacters(s) do
                             local ml = rawget(t,l)
                             if ml then
@@ -176,7 +179,8 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                                 end
                                 if ml then
                                     for i=1,#ml do
-                                        n[#n+1] = ml[i]
+                                        nn = nn + 1
+                                        n[nn] = ml[i]
                                     end
                                 end
                             else
@@ -188,7 +192,8 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                                     local ml = rawget(t,l)
                                     if ml then
                                         for i=1,#ml do
-                                            n[#n+1] = ml[i] + (t.__delta or 0)
+                                            nn = nn + 1
+                                            n[nn] = ml[i] + (t.__delta or 0)
                                         end
                                     end
                                 end
@@ -200,6 +205,7 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                     end
                     if not n then
                         n = { 0 }
+                     -- nn = 1
                         if trace_tests then
                             report_sorters(" 7 order: 0")
                         end
@@ -207,6 +213,7 @@ local function preparetables(data)
                 end
             else
                 n =  { 0 }
+             -- nn = 1
                 if trace_tests then
                     report_sorters(" 8 order: 0")
                 end
@@ -266,10 +273,12 @@ local function setlanguage(l,m,d)
     --
     local seq = utilities.parsers.settings_to_array(method or "") -- check the list
     sequence = { }
+    local nofsequence = 0
     for i=1,#seq do
         local s = seq[i]
         if validmethods[s] then
-            sequence[#sequence+1] = s
+            nofsequence = nofsequence + 1
+            sequence[nofsequence] = s
         else
             report_sorters("invalid sorter method '%s' in '%s'",s,method)
         end
@@ -434,6 +443,7 @@ function splitters.utf(str) -- we could append m and u but this is cleaner, s is
     end
 
     local m_case, z_case, p_case, m_mapping, z_mapping, p_mapping, char, byte, n = { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, 0
+    local nm, nz, np = 0, 0, 0
     for sc in utfcharacters(str) do
         local b = utfbyte(sc)
         if b >= digitsoffset then
@@ -456,9 +466,12 @@ function splitters.utf(str) -- we could append m and u but this is cleaner, s is
             p_case[n] = b
             char[n] = sc
             byte[n] = b
-            m_mapping[#m_mapping+1] = b
-            z_mapping[#z_mapping+1] = b
-            p_mapping[#p_mapping+1] = b
+            nm = nm + 1
+            nz = nz + 1
+            np = np + 1
+            m_mapping[nm] = b
+            z_mapping[nz] = b
+            p_mapping[np] = b
         else
             local l = lower[sc]
             n = n + 1
@@ -474,15 +487,18 @@ function splitters.utf(str) -- we could append m and u but this is cleaner, s is
             char[n], byte[n] = sc, b
             local msc = m_mappings[sc]
             for i=1,#msc do
-                m_mapping[#m_mapping+1] = msc[i]
+                nm = nm + 1
+                m_mapping[nm] = msc[i]
             end
             local zsc = z_mappings[sc]
             for i=1,#zsc do
-                z_mapping[#z_mapping+1] = zsc[i]
+                nz = nz + 1
+                z_mapping[nz] = zsc[i]
             end
             local psc = p_mappings[sc]
             for i=1,#psc do
-                p_mapping[#p_mapping+1] = psc[i]
+                np = np + 1
+                p_mapping[np] = psc[i]
             end
         end
     end
@@ -503,15 +519,6 @@ function splitters.utf(str) -- we could append m and u but this is cleaner, s is
     return t
 end
 
-
-function table.remap(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    for k,v in next, t do
-        tt[v]  = k
-    end
-    return tt
-end
-
 local function pack(entry)
     local t = { }
     local split = entry.split
diff --git a/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua b/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
index d58eaa329..9e29398cc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/spac-ver.lua
@@ -624,18 +624,20 @@ end
 
 local trace_list, tracing_info, before, after = { }, false, "", ""
 
+local stripzeros, topoints = utilities.formatters.stripzeros, number.topoints
+
 local function glue_to_string(glue)
     local spec = glue.spec
     local t = { points(spec.width) }
     if spec.stretch_order and spec.stretch_order ~= 0 then
         t[#t+1] = format("plus %s%s",spec.stretch/65536,fillcodes[spec.stretch_order])
     elseif spec.stretch and spec.stretch ~= 0 then
-        t[#t+1] = format("plus %s",utilities.formatters.strip_zeros(number.topoints(spec.stretch)))
+        t[#t+1] = format("plus %s",stripzeros(topoints(spec.stretch)))
     end
     if spec.shrink_order and spec.shrink_order ~= 0 then
         t[#t+1] = format("minus %s%s",spec.shrink/65536,fillcodes[spec.shrink_order])
     elseif spec.shrink and spec.shrink ~= 0 then
-        t[#t+1] = format("minus %s",utilities.formatters.strip_zeros(number.topoints(spec.shrink)))
+        t[#t+1] = format("minus %s",stripzeros(topoints(spec.shrink)))
     end
     return concat(t," ")
 end
@@ -648,9 +650,9 @@ local function nodes_to_string(head)
         if id == penalty_code then
             t[#t+1] = format("%s:%s",ty,current.penalty)
         elseif id == glue_code then
-            t[#t+1] = format("%s:%s",ty,utilities.formatters.strip_zeros(number.topoints(current.spec.width)))
+            t[#t+1] = format("%s:%s",ty,stripzeros(topoints(current.spec.width)))
         elseif id == kern_code then
-            t[#t+1] = format("%s:%s",ty,utilities.formatters.strip_zeros(number.topoints(current.kern)))
+            t[#t+1] = format("%s:%s",ty,stripzeros(topoints(current.kern)))
         else
             t[#t+1] = ty
         end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-bkm.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-bkm.lua
index 87327618c..08f26c88f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-bkm.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-bkm.lua
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ function bookmarks.place()
     if next(names) then
         local list = lists.filtercollected(names,"all",nil,lists.collected,forced)
         if #list > 0 then
-            local levels, lastlevel = { }, 1
+            local levels, noflevels, lastlevel = { }, 0, 1
             for i=1,#list do
                 local li = list[i]
                 local metadata = li.metadata
@@ -133,7 +133,8 @@ function bookmarks.place()
                                 title = concat(sections.typesetnumber(sectiondata,"direct",numberspec,sectiondata)) .. " " .. title
                             end
                         end
-                        levels[#levels+1] = {
+                        noflevels = noflevels + 1
+                        levels[noflevels] = {
                             lastlevel,
                             stripped(title), -- can be replaced by converter
                             li.references, -- has internal and realpage
@@ -142,7 +143,6 @@ function bookmarks.place()
                     end
                 end
             end
---~ print(table.serialize(levels))
             bookmarks.finalize(levels)
         end
         function bookmarks.place() end -- prevent second run
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
index 06e4c2534..68e3ba155 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
@@ -676,18 +676,32 @@
 \def\@@doenumerationtext
   {\ifconditional\enumerationnumberenabled
      \iftrialtypesetting
-       \doenumerationfullnumber\showdntext
+       \doenumerationfullnumberyes
        \doenumerationcouplingsymbol
      \else
        \doenumerationregistercoupling
-       \doenumerationfullnumber\showdntext
+       \doenumerationfullnumberyes
        \doenumerationcouplingsymbol
      \fi
    \else
-     \doenumerationfullnumber\showdnpuretext
+     \doenumerationfullnumbernop
    \fi}
 
-\def\doenumerationfullnumber#1% text, title
+\def\doenumerationfullnumberyes % text, title
+  {\begingroup
+   \dosetdescriptionattributes\c!headstyle\c!headcolor
+   \the\everyenumeration
+   \descriptionparameter\c!command{\strut\showdntext\doenumerationnumber\doenumerationextratext}%
+   \endgroup}
+
+\def\doenumerationfullnumbernop % text, title
+  {\begingroup
+   \dosetdescriptionattributes\c!headstyle\c!headcolor
+   \the\everyenumeration
+   \descriptionparameter\c!command{\strut\showdnpuretext\doenumerationextratext}%
+   \endgroup}
+
+\def\doenumerationfullnumber#1% text, title (used in notes) .. todo
   {\begingroup
    \dosetdescriptionattributes\c!headstyle\c!headcolor
    \the\everyenumeration
@@ -696,14 +710,15 @@
 
 \def\doenumerationextratext
   {\doif{\descriptionparameter\c!title}\v!yes
-     {\begingroup
-      \dosetdescriptionattributes\c!titlestyle\c!titlecolor
-      \hskip\descriptionparameter\c!titledistance
-      \descriptionparameter\c!titlecommand
-         {\descriptionparameter\c!titleleft
-          \begstrut\@@dodoenumerationtext\endstrut
-          \descriptionparameter\c!titleright}%
-      \endgroup}}
+     {\doifsomething\@@dodoenumerationtext
+        {\begingroup
+         \dosetdescriptionattributes\c!titlestyle\c!titlecolor
+         \hskip\descriptionparameter\c!titledistance
+         \descriptionparameter\c!titlecommand
+            {\descriptionparameter\c!titleleft
+             \begstrut\@@dodoenumerationtext\endstrut
+             \descriptionparameter\c!titleright}%
+         \endgroup}}}
 
 \def\doenumerationsavecounter     {\savestructurecounter[\currentdescriptionnumber]}
 \def\doenumerationrestorecounter  {\restorestructurecounter[\currentdescriptionnumber]}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-doc.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-doc.lua
index 322322e2a..1b8dfeb6f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-doc.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-doc.lua
@@ -725,57 +725,7 @@ function sections.fullnumber(depth,what)
     end
 end
 
---~ function sections.directnumber(depth,what)
---~     local sectiondata = sections.findnumber(depth,what)
---~     return sectiondata and sections.typesetnumber(sectiondata,'direct',sectiondata) or ""
---~ end
-
 function sections.getnumber(depth,what) -- redefined here
     local sectiondata = sections.findnumber(depth,what)
     texwrite((sectiondata and sectiondata.numbers[depth]) or 0)
 end
-
---~             local done, preceding = false, false
---~             local function process(index,result) -- move to outer
---~                 -- todo: too much (100 steps)
---~                 local number = numbers and (numbers[index] or 0)
---~                 local ownnumber = ownnumbers and ownnumbers[index] or ""
---~                 if number > criterium or (ownnumber ~= "") then
---~                     local block = (entry.block ~= "" and entry.block) or sections.currentblock() -- added
---~                     if preceding then
---~                         local separator = sets.get("structure:separators",block,separatorset,preceding,".")
---~                         if separator then
---~                             if result then
---~                                 result[#result+1] = ignoreprocessor(separator)
---~                             else
---~                                 sprintprocessor(ctxcatcodes,separator)
---~                             end
---~                         end
---~                         preceding = false
---~                     end
---~                     if result then
---~                         if ownnumber ~= "" then
---~                             result[#result+1] = ownnumber
---~                         elseif conversion and conversion ~= "" then -- traditional (e.g. used in itemgroups)
---~                             result[#result+1] = converters.convert(conversion,number,true)
---~                         else
---~                             local theconversion = sets.get("structure:conversions",block,conversionset,index,"numbers")
---~                             result[#result+1] = converters.convert(theconversion,number,true)
---~                         end
---~                     else
---~                         if ownnumber ~= "" then
---~                             sprintprocessor(ctxcatcodes,ownnumber)
---~                         elseif conversion and conversion ~= "" then -- traditional (e.g. used in itemgroups)
---~                             context.convertnumber(conversion,number)
---~                         else
---~                             local theconversion = sets.get("structure:conversions",block,conversionset,index,"numbers")
---~                             sprintprocessor(ctxcatcodes,theconversion,function(str)
---~                                 return format("\\convertnumber{%s}{%s}",str or "numbers",number)
---~                             end)
---~                         end
---~                     end
---~                     preceding, done = index, true
---~                 else
---~                     preceding = preceding or false
---~                 end
---~             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-lst.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-lst.lua
index 9709e7180..7b6448aca 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-lst.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-lst.lua
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ local matchingtilldepth, numberatdepth = sections.matchingtilldepth, sections.nu
 
 -- -- -- -- -- --
 
-function table.zerostrippedconcat(t,separator)
+local function zerostrippedconcat(t,separator) -- for the moment not public
     local f, l = 1, #t
     for i=f,l do
         if t[i] == 0 then
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ local splitter = lpeg.splitat(":")
 
 local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nested) -- names is hash or string
     local numbers, depth = documents.data.numbers, documents.data.depth
-    local result, detail = { }, nil
+    local result, nofresult, detail = { }, 0, nil
     local block = false -- all
     criterium = gsub(criterium or ""," ","") -- not needed
     -- new, will be applied stepwise
@@ -230,7 +230,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
             local v = collected[i]
             local r = v.references
             if r and r.section == 0 then
-                result[#result+1] = v
+                nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                result[nofresult] = v
             end
         end
     elseif all or criterium == variables.all or criterium == variables.text then
@@ -243,7 +244,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
                     local name = metadata.name or false
                     local sectionnumber = (r.section == 0) or sections.collected[r.section]
                     if forced[name] or (sectionnumber and not metadata.nolist and (all or names[name])) then -- and not sectionnumber.hidenumber then
-                        result[#result+1] = v
+                        nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                        result[nofresult] = v
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -271,7 +273,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
                                     end
                                 end
                                 if ok then
-                                    result[#result+1] = v
+                                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                                    result[nofresult] = v
                                 end
                             end
                         end
@@ -304,7 +307,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
                                     end
                                 end
                                 if ok then
-                                    result[#result+1] = v
+                                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                                    result[nofresult] = v
                                 end
                             end
                         end
@@ -335,7 +339,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
                                     end
                                 end
                                 if ok then
-                                    result[#result+1] = v
+                                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                                    result[nofresult] = v
                                 end
                             end
                         end
@@ -372,7 +377,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names, criterium, number, collected, forced, nest
                         local cnumbers = sectionnumber.numbers
                         if cnumbers then
                             if (all or names[metadata.name or false]) and #cnumbers >= depth and matchingtilldepth(depth,cnumbers,parent) then
-                                result[#result+1] = v
+                                nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                                result[nofresult] = v
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -405,7 +411,7 @@ function lists.process(specification)
     for i=1,#lists.result do
         local r = lists.result[i]
         local m = r.metadata
-        local s = specials and r.numberdata and specials[table.zerostrippedconcat(r.numberdata.numbers,".")] or ""
+        local s = specials and r.numberdata and specials[zerostrippedconcat(r.numberdata.numbers,".")] or ""
         context.processlistofstructure(m.name,m.kind,i,s)
     end
 end
@@ -441,17 +447,6 @@ function lists.location(n)
     texsprint(l.references.internal or n)
 end
 
---~ function lists.stamp(n)
---~     local l = lists.result[n]
---~     local numberdata = l.numberdata
---~     if numberdata then
---~         local numbers = numberdata.numbers
---~         if numbers then
---~             tex.sprint(table.zerostrippedconcat(numbers,"."))
---~         end
---~     end
---~ end
-
 function lists.sectionnumber(name,n,spec)
     local data = lists.result[n]
     local sectiondata = sections.collected[data.references.section]
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-lst.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-lst.mkiv
index 4a88da083..f752051d7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-lst.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-lst.mkiv
@@ -264,7 +264,8 @@
 \setuplistalternative[b][\c!distance=5em,\c!width=2em,\c!stretch=10em,\c!command=\hfill]
 \setuplistalternative[c][\c!distance=5em,\c!width=0pt,\c!stretch=10em,\c!command=\hskip.5em\listdots\hskip.5em\relax]
 
-\def\listdots{\leaders\hbox to .5em{\hss.\hss}\hfill}
+%def\listdots{\leaders \hbox to .5em{\hss.\hss}\hfill}
+\def\listdots{\gleaders\hbox to .5em{\hss.\hss}\hfill}
 
 % \setvalue{\??li\c!alternative}{\getvalue{\??li\c!alternative b}} % ?
 % \getvalue{\??li\c!alternative} % ?
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
index 97cf2c7d1..183ef65a1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-not.mkiv
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
    \c!width=\defaultnotewidth,
    \c!height=\textheight,
    \c!numbercommand=\high,
-   \c!command=\noteparameter\c!numbercommand, % downward compatible
+   \c!command=, % \noteparameter\c!numbercommand, % (command in enumeration) too messy, called twice
    \c!separator=,% \@@koseparator,
    \c!textcommand=\high,
    \c!textstyle=\tx,
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
index 459cbb9bb..3dddc6bc5 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
@@ -552,11 +552,12 @@ function exporters.lists.generic(data)
     end
     if numberdata then
         local numbers = numberdata.numbers
-        local t = { }
+        local t, tn = { }, 0
         for i=1,#numbers do
             local n = numbers[i]
             if n ~= 0 then
-                t[#t+1] = n
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = n
             end
         end
         useddata.number = concat(t,".")
@@ -1162,21 +1163,23 @@ function references.setinternalreference(prefix,tag,internal,view)
     if innermethod == "page" then
         return unsetvalue
     else
-        local t = { } -- maybe add to current
+        local t, tn = { }, 0 -- maybe add to current
         if tag then
             if prefix and prefix ~= "" then
                 prefix = prefix .. ":"
                 for ref in gmatch(tag,"[^,]+") do
-                    t[#t+1] = prefix .. ref
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = prefix .. ref
                 end
             else
                 for ref in gmatch(tag,"[^,]+") do
-                    t[#t+1] = ref
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = ref
                 end
             end
         end
         if internal and innermethod == "names" then -- mixed or page
-            t[#t+1] = "aut:" .. internal
+            t[tn] = "aut:" .. internal
         end
         local destination = references.mark(t,nil,nil,view) -- returns an attribute
         texcount.lastdestinationattribute = destination
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-reg.lua b/tex/context/base/strc-reg.lua
index abab0959a..7e392ba72 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-reg.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-reg.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['strc-reg'] = {
 
 local next, type = next, type
 local texwrite, texcount = tex.write, tex.count
-local format, gmatch, concat, remove = string.format, string.gmatch, table.concat, table.remove
+local format, gmatch = string.format, string.gmatch
+local equal, concat, remove = table.are_equal, table.concat, table.remove
 local utfchar = utf.char
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local allocate, mark = utilities.storage.allocate, utilities.storage.mark
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
     if not criterium or criterium == "" then criterium = variables.all end
     local data = documents.data
     local numbers, depth = data.numbers, data.depth
-    local hash, result, all, detail = { }, { }, not names or names == "" or names == variables.all, nil
+    local hash, result, nofresult, all, detail = { }, { }, 0, not names or names == "" or names == variables.all, nil
     if not all then
         for s in gmatch(names,"[^, ]+") do
             hash[s] = true
@@ -54,11 +55,13 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
         for i=1,#collected do
             local v = collected[i]
             if all then
-                result[#result+1] = v
+                nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                result[nofresult] = v
             else
                 local vmn = v.metadata and v.metadata.name
                 if hash[vmn] then
-                    result[#result+1] = v
+                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                    result[nofresult] = v
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -78,7 +81,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
                             end
                         end
                         if ok then
-                            result[#result+1] = v
+                            nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                            result[nofresult] = v
                         end
                     end
                 else
@@ -92,7 +96,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
                             end
                         end
                         if ok then
-                            result[#result+1] = v
+                            nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                            result[nofresult] = v
                         end
                     end
                 end
@@ -123,7 +128,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
                         end
                     end
                     if ok then
-                        result[#result+1] = v
+                        nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                        result[nofresult] = v
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -152,7 +158,8 @@ local function filtercollected(names,criterium,number,collected,prevmode)
                         local cnumbers = sectionnumber.numbers
                         if cnumbers then
                             if (all or hash[metadata.name or false]) and #cnumbers >= depth and matchingtilldepth(depth,cnumbers) then
-                                result[#result+1] = v
+                                nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                                result[nofresult] = v
                             end
                         end
                     end
@@ -394,13 +401,15 @@ local function crosslinkseewords(result) -- all words
                 local seeparent = seeparents[text]
                 if seeparent then
                     local seeindex = seewords[text]
-                    local s, d, w, l = { }, data.split, seeparent.split, data.list
+                    local s, ns, d, w, l = { }, 0, data.split, seeparent.split, data.list
                     -- trick: we influence sorting by adding fake subentries
                     for i=1,#d do
-                        s[#s+1] = d[i] -- parent
+                        ns = ns + 1
+                        s[ns] = d[i] -- parent
                     end
                     for i=1,#w do
-                        s[#s+1] = w[i] -- see
+                        ns = ns + 1
+                        s[ns] = w[i] -- see
                     end
                     data.split = s
                     -- we also register a fake extra list entry so that the
@@ -416,7 +425,6 @@ local function crosslinkseewords(result) -- all words
     end
 end
 
-
 local function removeemptyentries(result)
     local i, n, m = 1, #result, 0
     while i <= n do
@@ -465,53 +473,61 @@ function registers.sort(data,options)
 end
 
 function registers.unique(data,options)
-    local result, prev, equal = { }, nil, table.are_equal
+    local result, nofresult, prev = { }, 0, nil
     local dataresult = data.result
     for k=1,#dataresult do
         local v = dataresult[k]
-        if not prev then
-            result[#result+1], prev = v, v
-        else
+        if prev then
             local pr, vr = prev.references, v.references
             if not equal(prev.list,v.list) then
-                result[#result+1], prev = v, v
+                -- ok
             elseif pr.realpage ~= vr.realpage then
-                result[#result+1], prev = v, v
+                -- ok
             else
                 local pl, vl = pr.lastrealpage, vr.lastrealpage
                 if pl or vl then
                     if not vl then
-                        result[#result+1], prev = v, v
+                        -- ok
                     elseif not pl then
-                        result[#result+1], prev = v, v
+                        -- ok
                     elseif pl ~= vl then
-                        result[#result+1], prev = v, v
+                        -- ok
+                    else
+                        v = nil
                     end
+                else
+                    v = nil
                 end
             end
         end
+        if v then
+            nofresult = nofresult + 1
+            result[nofresult] = v
+            prev = v
+        end
     end
     data.result = result
 end
 
-function registers.finalize(data,options)
+function registers.finalize(data,options) -- maps character to index (order)
     local result = data.result
     data.metadata.nofsorted = #result
-    local split, lasttag, s, d = { }, nil, nil, nil
-    -- maps character to index (order)
+    local split, nofsplit, lasttag, done, nofdone = { }, 0, nil, nil, 0
+    local firstofsplit = sorters.firstofsplit
     for k=1,#result do
         local v = result[k]
-        local entry, tag = sorters.firstofsplit(v)
+        local entry, tag = firstofsplit(v)
         if tag ~= lasttag then
             if trace_registers then
                 report_registers("splitting at %s",tag)
             end
-            d = { }
-            s = { tag = tag, data = d }
-            split[#split+1] = s
+            done, nofdone = { }, 0
+            nofsplit = nofsplit + 1
+            split[nofsplit] = { tag = tag, data = done }
             lasttag = tag
         end
-        d[#d+1] = v
+        nofdone = nofdone + 1
+        done[nofdone] = v
     end
     data.result = split
 end
@@ -576,19 +592,6 @@ local function pagenumber(entry,prefixspec,pagespec)
     )
 end
 
--- local usedtags = { }
--- for i=1,#result do
---     usedtags[#usedtags+1] = result[i].tag
--- end
--- context.setvalue("usedregistertags",concat(usedtags,",")) -- todo: { } and escape special chars
-
---~ local function remove(pages,i) -- todo: use table.remove(pages,i)
---~     for j=i,#pages-1 do
---~         pages[j] = pages[j+1]
---~     end
---~     pages[#pages] = nil
---~ end
-
 local function collapsedpage(pages)
     for i=2,#pages do
         local first, second = pages[i-1], pages[i]
@@ -649,10 +652,10 @@ end
 
 function collapsepages(pages)
     while collapsedpage(pages) do end
+    return #pages
 end
 
 function registers.flush(data,options,prefixspec,pagespec)
-    local equal = table.are_equal
     local collapse_singles = options.compress == variables.yes
     local collapse_ranges  = options.compress == variables.all
     local result = data.result
@@ -716,7 +719,7 @@ function registers.flush(data,options,prefixspec,pagespec)
                 if collapse_singles or collapse_ranges then
                     -- we collapse ranges and keep existing ranges as they are
                     -- so we get prebuilt as well as built ranges
-                    local first, last, prev, pages, dd = entry, nil, entry, { }, d
+                    local first, last, prev, pages, dd, nofpages = entry, nil, entry, { }, d, 0
                     while dd < #data do
                         dd = dd + 1
                         local next = data[dd]
@@ -730,28 +733,32 @@ function registers.flush(data,options,prefixspec,pagespec)
                             --~ first = nil
                                 break
                             elseif next.references.lastrealpage then
-                                pages[#pages+1] = first and { first, last or first } or { entry, entry }
-                                pages[#pages+1] = { next, next }
+                                nofpages = nofpages + 1
+                                pages[nofpages] = first and { first, last or first } or { entry, entry }
+                                nofpages = nofpages + 1
+                                pages[nofpages] = { next, next }
                                 first, last, prev = nil, nil, nil
                             elseif not first then
                                 first, prev = next, next
                             elseif next.references.realpage - prev.references.realpage == 1 then -- 1 ?
                                 last, prev = next, next
                             else
-                                pages[#pages+1] = { first, last or first }
+                                nofpages = nofpages + 1
+                                pages[nofpages] = { first, last or first }
                                 first, last, prev = next, nil, next
                             end
                         end
                     end
                     if first then
-                        pages[#pages+1] = { first, last or first }
+                        nofpages = nofpages + 1
+                        pages[nofpages] = { first, last or first }
                     end
-                    if collapse_ranges and #pages > 1 then
-                        collapsepages(pages)
+                    if collapse_ranges and nofpages > 1 then
+                        nofpages = collapsepages(pages)
                     end
-                    if #pages > 0 then -- or 0
+                    if nofpages > 0 then -- or 0
                         d = dd
-                        for p=1,#pages do
+                        for p=1,nofpages do
                             local first, last = pages[p][1], pages[p][2]
                             if first == last then
                                 if first.references.lastrealpage then
@@ -793,9 +800,10 @@ function registers.flush(data,options,prefixspec,pagespec)
                 end
                 context.stopregisterpages()
             elseif kind == 'see' then
-                local t = { }
+                local t, nt = { }, 0
                 while true do
-                    t[#t+1] = entry
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    t[nt] = entry
                     if d == #data then
                         break
                     else
@@ -810,8 +818,7 @@ function registers.flush(data,options,prefixspec,pagespec)
                     end
                 end
                 context.startregisterseewords()
-                local n = #t
-                for i=1,n do
+                for i=1,nt do
                     local entry = t[i]
                     local processor = entry.processors and entry.processors[1] or ""
                     local seeindex  = entry.references.seeindex or ""
diff --git a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
index 62252bf06..b95d72d7f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.lua
@@ -264,18 +264,20 @@ end
 
 statistics.register("loaded tex modules", function()
     if next(modstatus) then
-        local t, f = { }, { }
+        local t, f, nt, nf = { }, { }, 0, 0
         for k, v in table.sortedhash(modstatus) do
             k = file.basename(k)
             if v == 0 then
-                f[#f+1] = k
+                nf = nf + 1
+                f[nf] = k
             else
-                t[#t+1] = k
+                nt = nt + 1
+                t[nt] = k
             end
         end
-        local ts = (#t>0 and format(" (%s)",concat(t," "))) or ""
-        local fs = (#f>0 and format(" (%s)",concat(f," "))) or ""
-        return format("%s requested, %s found%s, %s missing%s",#t+#f,#t,ts,#f,fs)
+        local ts = (nt>0 and format(" (%s)",concat(t," "))) or ""
+        local fs = (nf>0 and format(" (%s)",concat(f," "))) or ""
+        return format("%s requested, %s found%s, %s missing%s",nt+nf,nt,ts,nf,fs)
     else
         return nil
     end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.mkiv b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.mkiv
index 55b8528ae..aa2891689 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/supp-fil.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/supp-fil.mkiv
@@ -39,11 +39,8 @@
   \def\f!parentpath   {..}
 \fi
 
-% \def\openinputfile #1#2{\immediate\openin #1="#2"\relax} \def\closeinputfile #1{\immediate\closein #1}
-% \def\openoutputfile#1#2{\immediate\openout#1="#2"\relax} \def\closeoutputfile#1{\immediate\closeout#1}
-
-\def\openinputfile #1#2{\immediate\openin #1=#2\relax} \def\closeinputfile #1{\immediate\closein #1}
-\def\openoutputfile#1#2{\immediate\openout#1=#2\relax} \def\closeoutputfile#1{\immediate\closeout#1}
+\def\openinputfile #1#2{\immediate\openin #1={#2}} \def\closeinputfile #1{\immediate\closein #1}
+\def\openoutputfile#1#2{\immediate\openout#1={#2}} \def\closeoutputfile#1{\immediate\closeout#1}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {pushendofline,popendofline}
@@ -191,7 +188,7 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\input{\normalinput}
 
-\def\inputgivenfile#1{\normalinput"#1"\relax}
+\def\inputgivenfile#1{\normalinput{#1}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {readfile,ReadFile}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/toks-ini.lua b/tex/context/base/toks-ini.lua
index 7a4c221a4..f8b5b9439 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/toks-ini.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/toks-ini.lua
@@ -57,9 +57,10 @@ tokens.letter = function(chr) return createtoken(utfbyte(chr), 11) end
 tokens.other  = function(chr) return createtoken(utfbyte(chr), 12) end
 
 tokens.letters = function(str)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     for chr in string.utfvalues(str) do
-        t[#t+1] = createtoken(chr, 11)
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = createtoken(chr, 11)
     end
     return t
 end
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ local letter = command_id("letter")
 local other  = command_id("other_char")
 
 function collectors.install(tag,end_cs)
-    local data  = { }
+    local data, d = { }, 0
     collectordata[tag] = data
     local endcs = csname_id(end_cs)
     while true do
@@ -111,7 +112,8 @@ function collectors.install(tag,end_cs)
         elseif a == call and registered[b] then
             expand()
         else
-            data[#data+1] = t
+            d = d + 1
+            data[d] = t
         end
     end
 end
@@ -135,31 +137,38 @@ function collectors.show(tag, method)
 end
 
 function collectors.defaultwords(t,str)
-    t[#t+1] = tokens.bgroup
-    t[#t+1] = createtoken("red")
+    local n = #t
+    n = n + 1
+    t[n] = tokens.bgroup
+    n = n + 1
+    t[n] = createtoken("red")
     for i=1,#str do
-        t[#t+1] = tokens.other('*')
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = tokens.other('*')
     end
-    t[#t+1] = tokens.egroup
+    n = n + 1
+    t[n] = tokens.egroup
 end
 
 function collectors.dowithwords(tag,handle)
-    local t, w = { }, { }
+    local t, w, tn, wn = { }, { }, 0, 0
     handle = handle or collectors.defaultwords
     local tagdata = collectordata[tag]
     for k=1,#tagdata do
         local v = tagdata[k]
         if v[1] == letter then
-            w[#w+1] = v[2]
+            wn = wn + 1
+            w[wn] = v[2]
         else
-            if #w > 0 then
+            if wn > 0 then
                 handle(t,w)
-                w = { }
+                wn = 0
             end
-            t[#t+1] = v
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = v
         end
     end
-    if #w > 0 then
+    if wn > 0 then
         handle(t,w)
     end
     collectordata[tag] = t
@@ -297,35 +306,35 @@ function remapper.convert(tag,toks)
     local skipping = 0
     -- todo: math
     if data then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, n = { }, 0
         for s=1,#toks do
             local tok = toks[s]
             local one, two = tok[1], tok[2]
             if one == 11 or one == 12 then
                 if two == leftbracket then
                     skipping = skipping + 1
-                    t[#t+1] = tok
+                    n = n + 1 ; t[n] = tok
                 elseif two == rightbracket then
                     skipping = skipping - 1
-                    t[#t+1] = tok
+                    n = n + 1 ; t[n] = tok
                 elseif skipping == 0 then
                     local new = data[two]
                     if new then
                         if #new > 1 then
                             for n=1,#new do
-                                t[#t+1] = new[n]
+                                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = new[n]
                             end
                         else
-                            t[#t+1] = new[1]
+                            n = n + 1 ; t[n] = new[1]
                         end
                     else
-                        t[#t+1] = tok
+                        n = n + 1 ; t[n] = tok
                     end
                 else
-                    t[#t+1] = tok
+                    n = n + 1 ; t[n] = tok
                 end
             else
-                t[#t+1] = tok
+                n = n + 1 ; t[n] = tok
             end
         end
         return t
diff --git a/tex/context/base/trac-inf.lua b/tex/context/base/trac-inf.lua
index 7bd7a7ca4..aa224cf38 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/trac-inf.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/trac-inf.lua
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-inf'] = {
 
 local format = string.format
 local clock = os.gettimeofday or os.clock -- should go in environment
+local write_nl = texio.write_nl
 
 statistics       = statistics or { }
 local statistics = statistics
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ end
 
 function statistics.show(reporter)
     if statistics.enable then
-        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) texio.write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
+        if not reporter then reporter = function(tag,data,n) write_nl(tag .. " " .. data) end end
         -- this code will move
         local register = statistics.register
         register("luatex banner", function()
@@ -131,18 +132,24 @@ function statistics.show(reporter)
                 reporter(s[1],r,n)
             end
         end
-        texio.write_nl("") -- final newline
+        write_nl("") -- final newline
         statistics.enable = false
     end
 end
 
+
+local template, nn = nil, 0 -- we only calcute it once
+
 function statistics.showjobstat(tag,data,n)
     if type(data) == "table" then
         for i=1,#data do
             statistics.showjobstat(tag,data[i],n)
         end
     else
-        texio.write_nl(format("%-15s: %s - %s","mkiv lua stats",tag:rpadd(n," "),data))
+        if not template or n > nn then
+            template, n = format("%%-%ss: %%-%ss - %%s",15,n), nn
+        end
+        write_nl(format(template,"mkiv lua stats",tag,data))
     end
 end
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/trac-set.lua b/tex/context/base/trac-set.lua
index 9ae215817..f4e152b14 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/trac-set.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/trac-set.lua
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['trac-set'] = { -- might become u
 
 local type, next, tostring = type, next, tostring
 local concat = table.concat
-local format, find, lower, gsub, partialescapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.partialescapedpattern
+local format, find, lower, gsub, escapedpattern = string.format, string.find, string.lower, string.gsub, string.escapedpattern
 local is_boolean = string.is_boolean
 local settings_to_hash = utilities.parsers.settings_to_hash
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ local function set(t,what,newvalue)
         for name, functions in next, data do
             if done[name] then
                 -- prevent recursion due to wildcards
-            elseif find(name,partialescapedpattern(w)) then
+            elseif find(name,escapedpattern(w,true)) then
                 done[name] = true
                 for i=1,#functions do
                     functions[i](value)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/typo-krn.lua b/tex/context/base/typo-krn.lua
index 83f2e9102..91849db85 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/typo-krn.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/typo-krn.lua
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ function kerns.set(factor)
         tasks.enableaction("processors","typesetters.kerns.handler")
         enabled = true
     end
-    if factor > 0 then
+    if factor ~= 0 then
         local a = factors[factor]
         if not a then
             a = #mapping + 1
diff --git a/tex/context/base/typo-spa.lua b/tex/context/base/typo-spa.lua
index c375b9fb5..e351cc9f7 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/typo-spa.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/typo-spa.lua
@@ -65,7 +65,9 @@ local function process(namespace,attribute,head)
                     map = map[start.char]
                     unset_attribute(start,attribute) -- needed?
                     if map then
-                        local left, right, alternative = map.left, map.right, map.alternative
+                        local left = map.left
+                        local right = map.right
+                        local alternative = map.alternative
                         local quad = quaddata[start.font]
                         local prev = start.prev
                         if left and left ~= 0 and prev then
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-fmt.lua b/tex/context/base/util-fmt.lua
index e94782c32..e049d0b94 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-fmt.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-fmt.lua
@@ -35,9 +35,9 @@ local stripper      = Cs((number + 1)^0)
 --~ lpegmatch(stripper,str)
 --~ print(#str, os.clock()-ts, lpegmatch(stripper,sample))
 
-lpeg.patterns.strip_zeros = stripper
+lpeg.patterns.stripzeros = stripper
 
-function formatters.strip_zeros(str)
+function formatters.stripzeros(str)
     return lpegmatch(stripper,str)
 end
 
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-lua.lua b/tex/context/base/util-lua.lua
index 3aecbfa26..6ad325fcf 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-lua.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-lua.lua
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ utilities.report = utilities.report or print
 function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: cleanup=false strip=true
     utilities.report("lua: compiling %s into %s",luafile,lucfile)
     os.remove(lucfile)
-    local command = "-o " .. string.quote(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quote(luafile)
+    local command = "-o " .. string.quoted(lucfile) .. " " .. string.quoted(luafile)
     if strip ~= false then
         command = "-s " .. command
     end
@@ -24,3 +24,25 @@ function utilities.lua.compile(luafile,lucfile,cleanup,strip) -- defaults: clean
     end
     return done
 end
+
+--~ local getmetatable, type = getmetatable, type
+
+--~ local types = { }
+
+--~ function utilities.lua.registerdatatype(d,name)
+--~     types[getmetatable(d)] = name
+--~ end
+
+--~ function utilities.lua.datatype(d)
+--~     local t = type(d)
+--~     if t == "userdata" then
+--~         local m = getmetatable(d)
+--~         return m and types[m] or "userdata"
+--~     else
+--~         return t
+--~     end
+--~ end
+
+--~ utilities.lua.registerdatatype(lpeg.P("!"),"lpeg")
+
+--~ print(utilities.lua.datatype(lpeg.P("oeps")))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-pck.lua b/tex/context/base/util-pck.lua
index cd1fc510e..c802a09ed 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-pck.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-pck.lua
@@ -17,12 +17,13 @@ local packers     = utilities.packers
 packers.version   = 1.00
 
 local function hashed(t)
-    local s = { }
+    local s, ns = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do
+        ns = ns + 1
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "={" .. hashed(v) .. "}"
+            s[ns] = k .. "={" .. hashed(v) .. "}"
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            s[ns] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     sort(s)
@@ -30,9 +31,10 @@ local function hashed(t)
 end
 
 local function simplehashed(t)
-    local s = { }
+    local s, ns = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do
-        s[#s+1] = k.. "=" .. v
+        ns = ns + 1
+        s[ns] = k .. "=" .. v
     end
     sort(s)
     return concat(s,",")
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua b/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
index e1a2ebbed..08fe2f686 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-prs.lua
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ parsers.patterns  = parsers.patterns or { }
 local P, R, V, C, Ct, Carg = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.V, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.Carg
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
 local concat, format, gmatch = table.concat, string.format, string.gmatch
-local tostring, type, next = tostring, type, next
+local tostring, type, next, setmetatable = tostring, type, next, setmetatable
 local sortedhash = table.sortedhash
 
 local escape, left, right = P("\\"), P('{'), P('}')
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ end
 
 function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
     if h then
-        local t, s = { }, table.sortedkeys(h)
+        local t, tn, s = { }, 0, table.sortedkeys(h)
         omit = omit and table.tohash(omit)
         for i=1,#s do
             local key = s[i]
@@ -142,15 +142,19 @@ function parsers.hash_to_string(h,separator,yes,no,strict,omit)
                 if type(value) == "boolean" then
                     if yes and no then
                         if value then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. yes
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. yes
                         elseif not strict then
-                            t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. no
+                            tn = tn + 1
+                            t[tn] = key .. '=' .. no
                         end
                     elseif value or not strict then
-                        t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
+                        tn = tn + 1
+                        t[tn] = key .. '=' .. tostring(value)
                     end
                 else
-                    t[#t+1] = key .. '=' .. value
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = key .. '=' .. value
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -177,10 +181,11 @@ function parsers.settings_to_set(str,t) -- tohash? -- todo: lpeg -- duplicate an
 end
 
 function parsers.simple_hash_to_string(h, separator)
-    local t = { }
+    local t, tn = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(h) do
         if v then
-            t[#t+1] = k
+            tn = tn + 1
+            t[tn] = k
         end
     end
     return concat(t,separator or ",")
@@ -198,8 +203,16 @@ end
 function parsers.getparameters(self,class,parentclass,settings)
     local sc = self[class]
     if not sc then
-        sc = table.clone(self[parent])
+        sc = { }
         self[class] = sc
+        if parentclass then
+            local sp = self[parentclass]
+            if not sp then
+                sp = { }
+                self[parentclass] = sp
+            end
+            setmetatable(sc, { __index = sp })
+        end
     end
     parsers.settings_to_hash(settings,sc)
 end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua b/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
index 415918a44..14c425dfc 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-seq.lua
@@ -19,8 +19,12 @@ local format, gsub, concat, gmatch = string.format, string.gsub, table.concat, s
 local type, loadstring = type, loadstring
 
 utilities            = utilities or { }
-utilities.sequencers = utilities.sequencers or { }
-local sequencers     = utilities.sequencers
+local tables         = utilities.tables
+
+local sequencers     = { }
+utilities.sequencers = sequencers
+
+local removevalue, insertaftervalue, insertbeforevalue = tables.removevalue, tables.insertaftervalue, tables.insertbeforevalue
 
 local function validaction(action)
     local g = _G
@@ -45,23 +49,23 @@ end
 
 function sequencers.prependgroup(t,group,where)
     local list, order = t.list, t.order
-    table.removevalue(order,group)
-    table.insertbeforevalue(order,where,group)
+    removevalue(order,group)
+    insertbeforevalue(order,where,group)
     list[group] = { }
 end
 
 function sequencers.appendgroup(t,group,where)
     local list, order = t.list, t.order
-    table.removevalue(order,group)
-    table.insertaftervalue(order,where,group)
+    removevalue(order,group)
+    insertaftervalue(order,where,group)
     list[group] = { }
 end
 
 function sequencers.prependaction(t,group,action,where,kind,force)
     local g = t.list[group]
     if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
-        table.removevalue(g,action)
-        table.insertbeforevalue(g,where,action)
+        removevalue(g,action)
+        insertbeforevalue(g,where,action)
         t.kind[action] = kind
     end
 end
@@ -69,8 +73,8 @@ end
 function sequencers.appendaction(t,group,action,where,kind,force)
     local g = t.list[group]
     if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
-        table.removevalue(g,action)
-        table.insertaftervalue(g,where,action)
+        removevalue(g,action)
+        insertaftervalue(g,where,action)
         t.kind[action] = kind
     end
 end
@@ -87,7 +91,7 @@ end
 function sequencers.removeaction(t,group,action,force)
     local g = t.list[group]
     if g and (force or validaction(action)) then
-        table.removevalue(g,action)
+        removevalue(g,action)
     end
 end
 
@@ -114,7 +118,7 @@ end]]
 
 function sequencers.tostring(t)
     local list, order, kind, gskip, askip = t.list, t.order, t.kind, t.gskip, t.askip
-    local vars, calls, args = { }, { }, nil
+    local vars, calls, args, n = { }, { }, nil, 0
     for i=1,#order do
         local group = order[i]
         if not gskip[group] then
@@ -123,8 +127,9 @@ function sequencers.tostring(t)
                 local action = actions[i]
                 if not askip[action] then
                     local localized = localize(action)
-                    vars [#vars +1] = format("local %s = %s", localized, action)
-                    calls[#calls+1] = format("  %s(...) -- %s %i", localized, group, i)
+                    n = n + 1
+                    vars [n] = format("local %s = %s", localized, action)
+                    calls[n] = format("  %s(...) -- %s %i", localized, group, i)
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -148,7 +153,7 @@ end]]
 
 function sequencers.nodeprocessor(t,n)
     local list, order, kind, gskip, askip = t.list, t.order, t.kind, t.gskip, t.askip
-    local vars, calls, args = { }, { }, nil
+    local vars, calls, args, n = { }, { }, nil, 0
     if n == 0 then
         args = ""
     elseif n == 1 then
@@ -172,11 +177,12 @@ function sequencers.nodeprocessor(t,n)
                 local action = actions[i]
                 if not askip[action] then
                     local localized = localize(action)
-                    vars[#vars+1] = format("local %s = %s",localized,action)
+                    n = n + 1
+                    vars[n] = format("local %s = %s",localized,action)
                     if kind[action] == "nohead" then
-                        calls[#calls+1] = format("        ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
+                        calls[n] = format("        ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
                     else
-                        calls[#calls+1] = format("  head, ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
+                        calls[n] = format("  head, ok = %s(head%s) done = done or ok -- %s %i",localized,args,group,i)
                     end
                 end
             end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-sto.lua b/tex/context/base/util-sto.lua
index 34787be9b..19b8093c9 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-sto.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-sto.lua
@@ -98,3 +98,14 @@ function storage.setinitializer(data,initialize)
     end
     setmetatable(data, m)
 end
+
+local keyisvalue = { __index = function(t,k)
+    t[k] = k
+    return k
+end }
+
+function storage.sparse(t)
+    t = t or { }
+    setmetatable(t,keyisvalue)
+    return t
+end
diff --git a/tex/context/base/util-tab.lua b/tex/context/base/util-tab.lua
index 6c0ae8970..ea440e736 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/util-tab.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/util-tab.lua
@@ -15,14 +15,15 @@ local concat, insert, remove = table.concat, table.insert, table.remove
 local setmetatable = setmetatable
 
 function tables.definetable(target) -- defines undefined tables
-    local composed, t = nil, { }
+    local composed, t, n = nil, { }, 0
     for name in gmatch(target,"([^%.]+)") do
+        n = n + 1
         if composed then
             composed = composed .. "." .. name
         else
             composed = name
         end
-        t[#t+1] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
+        t[n] = format("%s = %s or { }",composed,composed)
     end
     return concat(t,"\n")
 end
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ function tables.accesstable(target)
     return t
 end
 
-function table.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
+function tables.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
     if value then
         for i=1,#t do
             if t[i] == value then
@@ -46,7 +47,7 @@ function table.removevalue(t,value) -- todo: n
     end
 end
 
-function table.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
+function tables.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
     for i=1,#t do
         if t[i] == extra then
             remove(t,i)
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ function table.insertbeforevalue(t,value,extra)
     insert(t,1,extra)
 end
 
-function table.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
+function tables.insertaftervalue(t,value,extra)
     for i=1,#t do
         if t[i] == extra then
             remove(t,i)
diff --git a/tex/context/base/x-mathml.lua b/tex/context/base/x-mathml.lua
index 9ea128ef3..209f575e1 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/x-mathml.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/x-mathml.lua
@@ -450,17 +450,6 @@ function lxml.mml.stripped(str)
     tex.sprint(ctxcatcodes,str:strip())
 end
 
-function table.keys_as_string(t)
-    local k = { }
-    for k,_ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = k
-    end
-    return concat(k,"")
-end
-
---~ local leftdelimiters  = "[" .. table.keys_as_string(l_replacements) .. "]"
---~ local rightdelimiters = "[" .. table.keys_as_string(r_replacements) .. "]"
-
 function characters.remapentity(chr,slot)
     texsprint(format("{\\catcode%s=13\\xdef%s{\\string%s}}",slot,utfchar(slot),chr))
 end
diff --git a/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua b/tex/generic/context/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
index fdf07d31c..0cdeaeba6 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  : 10/22/10 16:46:39
+-- merge date  : 10/29/10 11:35:59
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['l-string'] = {
 
 local string = string
 local sub, gsub, find, match, gmatch, format, char, byte, rep, lower = string.sub, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.gmatch, string.format, string.char, string.byte, string.rep, string.lower
-local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
+local lpegmatch, S, C, Ct = lpeg.match, lpeg.S, lpeg.C, lpeg.Ct
 
 -- some functions may disappear as they are not used anywhere
 
@@ -22,157 +22,75 @@ if not string.split then
 
     -- this will be overloaded by a faster lpeg variant
 
-    function string:split(pattern)
-        if #self > 0 then
-            local t = { }
-            for s in gmatch(self..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
-                t[#t+1] = s
+    function string.split(str,pattern)
+        local t = { }
+        if #str > 0 then
+            local n = 1
+            for s in gmatch(str..pattern,"(.-)"..pattern) do
+                t[n] = s
+                n = n + 1
             end
-            return t
-        else
-            return { }
         end
+        return t
     end
 
 end
 
-string.patterns = { }
-
-local escapes = {
-    ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
-    ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
-    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
-    ["("] = "%(", [")"] = "%)",
-    ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
-}
-
-string.patterns.escapes = escapes
-
-function string:esc() -- variant 2
-    return (gsub(self,"(.)",escapes))
-end
-
-function string:unquote()
-    return (gsub(self,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return (gsub(str,"^([\"\'])(.*)%1$","%2"))
 end
 
---~ function string:unquote()
---~     if find(self,"^[\'\"]") then
---~         return sub(self,2,-2)
+--~ function stringunquoted(str)
+--~     if find(str,"^[\'\"]") then
+--~         return sub(str,2,-2)
 --~     else
---~         return self
+--~         return str
 --~     end
 --~ end
 
-function string:quote() -- we could use format("%q")
-    return format("%q",self)
+function string.quoted(str)
+    return format("%q",str) -- always "
 end
 
-function string:count(pattern) -- variant 3
+function string.count(str,pattern) -- variant 3
     local n = 0
-    for _ in gmatch(self,pattern) do
+    for _ in gmatch(str,pattern) do -- not for utf
         n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function string:limit(n,sentinel)
-    if #self > n then
+function string.limit(str,n,sentinel)
+    if #str > n then
         sentinel = sentinel or " ..."
-        return sub(self,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
+        return sub(str,1,(n-#sentinel)) .. sentinel
     else
-        return self
-    end
-end
-
---~ function string:strip() -- the .- is quite efficient
---~  -- return match(self,"^%s*(.-)%s*$") or ""
---~  -- return match(self,'^%s*(.*%S)') or '' -- posted on lua list
---~     return find(s,'^%s*$') and '' or match(s,'^%s*(.*%S)')
---~ end
-
-do -- roberto's variant:
-    local space    = lpeg.S(" \t\v\n")
-    local nospace  = 1 - space
-    local stripper = space^0 * lpeg.C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0)
-    function string.strip(str)
-        return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
-    end
-end
-
-function string:is_empty()
-    return not find(self,"%S")
-end
-
-function string:enhance(pattern,action)
-    local ok, n = true, 0
-    while ok do
-        ok = false
-        self = gsub(self,pattern, function(...)
-            ok, n = true, n + 1
-            return action(...)
-        end)
+        return str
     end
-    return self, n
 end
 
-if not string.characters then
-
-    local function nextchar(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, sub(str,index,index)
-    end
-    function string:characters()
-        return nextchar, self, 0
-    end
-    local function nextbyte(str, index)
-        index = index + 1
-        return (index <= #str) and index or nil, byte(sub(str,index,index))
-    end
-    function string:bytes()
-        return nextbyte, self, 0
-    end
-
-end
+local space    = S(" \t\v\n")
+local nospace  = 1 - space
+local stripper = space^0 * C((space^0 * nospace^1)^0) -- roberto's code
 
-function string:rpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return self .. rep(chr or " ",m)
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.strip(str)
+    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or ""
 end
 
-function string:lpadd(n,chr)
-    local m = n-#self
-    if m > 0 then
-        return rep(chr or " ",m) .. self
-    else
-        return self
-    end
+function string.is_empty(str)
+    return not find(str,"%S")
 end
 
-string.padd = string.rpadd
-
 local patterns_escapes = {
-    ["-"] = "%-",
-    ["."] = "%.",
-    ["+"] = "%+",
-    ["*"] = "%*",
     ["%"] = "%%",
-    ["("] = "%)",
-    [")"] = "%)",
-    ["["] = "%[",
-    ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
 }
 
-function string:escapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",patterns_escapes))
-end
-
 local simple_escapes = {
     ["-"] = "%-",
     ["."] = "%.",
@@ -180,22 +98,28 @@ local simple_escapes = {
     ["*"] = ".*",
 }
 
-function string:partialescapedpattern()
-    return (gsub(self,".",simple_escapes))
-end
-
-function string:tohash()
-    local t = { }
-    for s in gmatch(self,"([^, ]+)") do -- lpeg
-        t[s] = true
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return (gsub(str,".",simple_escapes))
+    else
+        return (gsub(str,".",patterns_escapes))
     end
-    return t
 end
 
-local pattern = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.C(1)^0)
-
-function string:totable()
-    return lpegmatch(pattern,self)
+function string.topattern(str,lowercase,strict)
+    if str == "" then
+        return ".*"
+    else
+        str = gsub(str,".",simple_escapes)
+        if lowercase then
+            str = lower(str)
+        end
+        if strict then
+            return "^" .. str .. "$"
+        else
+            return str
+        end
+    end
 end
 
 --~ local t = {
@@ -211,6 +135,8 @@ end
 --~     print(string.tabtospace(t[k]))
 --~ end
 
+-- The following functions might end up in another namespace.
+
 function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     -- we don't handle embedded newlines
     while true do
@@ -230,30 +156,22 @@ function string.tabtospace(str,tab)
     return str
 end
 
-function string:compactlong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","")
-    self = gsub(self,"^ *","")
-    return self
-end
+--~ local template = string.striplong([[
+--~   aaaa
+--~   bb
+--~   cccccc
+--~ ]])
 
-function string:striplong() -- strips newlines and leading spaces
-    self = gsub(self,"^%s*","")
-    self = gsub(self,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
-    return self
+function string.striplong(str) -- strips all leading spaces
+    str = gsub(str,"^%s*","")
+    str = gsub(str,"[\n\r]+ *","\n")
+    return str
 end
 
-function string:topattern(lowercase,strict)
-    if lowercase then
-        self = lower(self)
-    end
-    self = gsub(self,".",simple_escapes)
-    if self == "" then
-        self = ".*"
-    elseif strict then
-        self = "^" .. self .. "$"
-    end
-    return self
-end
+-- obsolete names:
+
+string.quote   = string.quoted
+string.unquote = string.unquoted
 
 end -- closure
 
@@ -275,15 +193,29 @@ local patterns = lpeg.patterns
 local P, R, S, Ct, C, Cs, Cc, V = lpeg.P, lpeg.R, lpeg.S, lpeg.Ct, lpeg.C, lpeg.Cs, lpeg.Cc, lpeg.V
 local match = lpeg.match
 
+local utfcharacters    = string.utfcharacters
+local utfgmatch        = unicode and unicode.utf8.gmatch
+
 local digit, sign      = R('09'), S('+-')
 local cr, lf, crlf     = P("\r"), P("\n"), P("\r\n")
-local utf8byte         = R("\128\191")
+local utf8next         = R("\128\191")
+local escaped          = P("\\") * P(1)
+local squote           = P("'")
+local dquote           = P('"')
 
-patterns.utf8byte      = utf8byte
 patterns.utf8one       = R("\000\127")
-patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8byte * utf8byte
-patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8byte * utf8byte * utf8byte
+patterns.utf8two       = R("\194\223") * utf8next
+patterns.utf8three     = R("\224\239") * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utf8four      = R("\240\244") * utf8next * utf8next * utf8next
+patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
+
+local utf8char         = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
+local validutf8char    = utf8char^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
+
+patterns.utf8          = utf8char
+patterns.utf8char      = utf8char
+patterns.validutf8     = validutf8char
+patterns.validutf8char = validutf8char
 
 patterns.digit         = digit
 patterns.sign          = sign
@@ -310,17 +242,28 @@ patterns.nonspace      = 1 - patterns.space
 patterns.nonspacer     = 1 - patterns.spacer
 patterns.whitespace    = patterns.eol + patterns.spacer
 patterns.nonwhitespace = 1 - patterns.whitespace
-patterns.utf8          = patterns.utf8one + patterns.utf8two + patterns.utf8three + patterns.utf8four
-patterns.utfbom        = P('\000\000\254\255') + P('\255\254\000\000') + P('\255\254') + P('\254\255') + P('\239\187\191')
-patterns.validutf8     = patterns.utf8^0 * P(-1) * Cc(true) + Cc(false)
 patterns.comma         = P(",")
 patterns.commaspacer   = P(",") * patterns.spacer^0
 patterns.period        = P(".")
-
-patterns.undouble      = P('"')/"" * (1-P('"'))^0 * P('"')/""
-patterns.unsingle      = P("'")/"" * (1-P("'"))^0 * P("'")/""
+patterns.escaped       = escaped
+patterns.squote        = squote
+patterns.dquote        = dquote
+patterns.undouble      = (dquote/"") * ((escaped + (1-dquote))^0) * (dquote/"")
+patterns.unsingle      = (squote/"") * ((escaped + (1-squote))^0) * (squote/"")
+patterns.unquoted      = patterns.undouble + patterns.unsingle -- more often undouble
 patterns.unspacer      = ((patterns.spacer^1)/"")^0
 
+local unquoted = Cs(patterns.unquoted * P(-1)) -- not C
+
+function string.unquoted(str)
+    return match(unquoted,str) or str
+end
+
+--~ print(string.unquoted("test"))
+--~ print(string.unquoted([["t\"est"]]))
+--~ print(string.unquoted([["t\"est"x]]))
+--~ print(string.unquoted("\'test\'"))
+
 function lpeg.anywhere(pattern) --slightly adapted from website
     return P { P(pattern) + 1 * V(1) } -- why so complex?
 end
@@ -336,8 +279,8 @@ local content  = (empty + nonempty)^1
 
 local capture = Ct(content^0)
 
-function string:splitlines()
-    return match(capture,self)
+function string.splitlines(str)
+    return match(capture,str)
 end
 
 patterns.textline = content
@@ -353,12 +296,12 @@ local function splitat(separator,single)
     local splitter = (single and splitters_s[separator]) or splitters_m[separator]
     if not splitter then
         separator = P(separator)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
         if single then
-            local other, any = C((1 - separator)^0), P(1)
+            local any = P(1)
             splitter = other * (separator * C(any^0) + "") -- ?
             splitters_s[separator] = splitter
         else
-            local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
             splitter = other * (separator * other)^0
             splitters_m[separator] = splitter
         end
@@ -379,16 +322,16 @@ function lpeg.split(separator,str)
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:split(separator)
+function string.split(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         c = Ct(splitat(separator))
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
-lpeg.splitters = cache
+--~ lpeg.splitters = cache -- no longer public
 
 local cache = { }
 
@@ -396,22 +339,22 @@ function lpeg.checkedsplit(separator,str)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
     return match(c,str)
 end
 
-function string:checkedsplit(separator)
+function string.checkedsplit(str,separator)
     local c = cache[separator]
     if not c then
         separator = P(separator)
-        local other = C((1 - separator)^0)
+        local other = C((1 - separator)^1)
         c = Ct(separator^0 * other * (separator^1 * other)^0)
         cache[separator] = c
     end
-    return match(c,self)
+    return match(c,str)
 end
 
 --~ function lpeg.append(list,pp)
@@ -434,7 +377,9 @@ local function f2(s) local c1, c2         = f1(s,1,2) return   c1 * 64 + c2
 local function f3(s) local c1, c2, c3     = f1(s,1,3) return  (c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3            -   925824 end
 local function f4(s) local c1, c2, c3, c4 = f1(s,1,4) return ((c1 * 64 + c2) * 64 + c3) * 64 + c4 - 63447168 end
 
-patterns.utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+local utf8byte = patterns.utf8one/f1 + patterns.utf8two/f2 + patterns.utf8three/f3 + patterns.utf8four/f4
+
+patterns.utf8byte = utf8byte
 
 --~ local str = " a b c d "
 
@@ -473,22 +418,25 @@ function lpeg.keeper(str)
     end
 end
 
+-- Just for fun I looked at the used bytecode and
+-- p = (p and p + pp) or pp gets one more (testset).
+
 function lpeg.replacer(t)
     if #t > 0 then
         local p
         for i=1,#t do
             local ti= t[i]
             local pp = P(ti[1]) / ti[2]
-            p = (p and p + pp ) or pp
+            if p then
+                p = p + pp
+            else
+                p = pp
+            end
         end
         return Cs((p + 1)^0)
     end
 end
 
---~ print(utf.check(""))
---~ print(utf.check("abcde"))
---~ print(utf.check("abcde\255\123"))
-
 local splitters_f, splitters_s = { }, { }
 
 function lpeg.firstofsplit(separator) -- always return value
@@ -512,6 +460,7 @@ function lpeg.secondofsplit(separator) -- nil if not split
 end
 
 function lpeg.balancer(left,right)
+    left, right = P(left), P(right)
     return P { left * ((1 - left - right) + V(1))^0 * right }
 end
 
@@ -524,6 +473,179 @@ end
 --~ print(7,match(lpeg.secondofsplit(":"),"bc"))
 --~ print(9,match(lpeg.secondofsplit(":","123"),"bc"))
 
+--~ -- slower:
+--~
+--~ function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+--~     local n, pattern = 0, (lpeg.P(pattern)/function() n = n + 1 end  + lpeg.P(1))^0
+--~     return function(str) n = 0 ; lpegmatch(pattern,str) ; return n end
+--~ end
+
+local nany = utf8char/""
+
+function lpeg.counter(pattern)
+    pattern = Cs((P(pattern)/" " + nany)^0)
+    return function(str)
+        return #match(pattern,str)
+    end
+end
+
+if utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local n = 0
+            for _ in utfgmatch(str,what) do
+                n = n + 1
+            end
+            return n
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+else
+
+    local cache = { }
+
+    function lpeg.count(str,what) -- replaces string.count
+        if type(what) == "string" then
+            local p = cache[what]
+            if not p then
+                p = Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0)
+                cache[p] = p
+            end
+            return #match(p,str)
+        else -- 4 times slower but still faster than / function
+            return #match(Cs((P(what)/" " + nany)^0),str)
+        end
+    end
+
+end
+
+local patterns_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["%"] = "%%",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["+"] = "%+", ["-"] = "%-", ["*"] = "%*",
+    ["["] = "%[", ["]"] = "%]",
+    ["("] = "%)", [")"] = "%)",
+ -- ["{"] = "%{", ["}"] = "%}"
+ -- ["^"] = "%^", ["$"] = "%$",
+}
+
+local simple_escapes = { -- also defines in l-string
+    ["-"] = "%-",
+    ["."] = "%.",
+    ["?"] = ".",
+    ["*"] = ".*",
+}
+
+local p = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / patterns_escapes + P(1))^0)
+local s = Cs((S("-.+*%()[]") / simple_escapes   + P(1))^0)
+
+function string.escapedpattern(str,simple)
+    if simple then
+        return match(s,str)
+    else
+        return match(p,str)
+    end
+end
+
+-- utf extensies
+
+lpeg.UP = lpeg.P
+
+if utfcharacters then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfcharacters(str) do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+
+elseif utfgmatch then
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        for uc in utfgmatch(str,".") do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        return p
+    end
+
+else
+
+    function lpeg.US(str)
+        local p
+        local f = function(uc)
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(uc)
+            else
+                p = P(uc)
+            end
+        end
+        match((utf8char/f)^0,str)
+        return p
+    end
+
+end
+
+local range = Cs(utf8byte) * (Cs(utf8byte) + Cc(false))
+
+local utfchar = unicode and unicode.utf8 and unicode.utf8.char
+
+function lpeg.UR(str,more)
+    local first, last
+    if type(str) == "number" then
+        first = str
+        last = more or first
+    else
+        first, last = match(range,str)
+        if not last then
+            return P(str)
+        end
+    end
+    if first == last then
+        return P(str)
+    elseif utfchar and last - first < 8 then -- a somewhat arbitrary criterium
+        local p
+        for i=first,last do
+            if p then
+                p = p + P(utfchar(i))
+            else
+                p = P(utfchar(i))
+            end
+        end
+        return p -- nil when invalid range
+    else
+        local f = function(b)
+            return b >= first and b <= last
+        end
+        return utf8byte / f -- nil when invalid range
+    end
+end
+
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.R("ab","cd","gh"))
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.P("a","b","c"))
+--~ lpeg.print(lpeg.S("a","b","c"))
+
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.P("á") + lpeg.P("à")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UP("áà")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.US("àá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR("aá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR("àá")))
+--~ print(lpeg.count("äáàa",lpeg.UR(0x0000,0xFFFF)))
+
 end -- closure
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
@@ -541,8 +663,12 @@ local type, tonumber = type, tonumber
 boolean = boolean or { }
 local boolean = boolean
 
+-- function boolean.tonumber(b)
+--     return b and 1 or 0 -- test and test and return or return
+-- end
+
 function boolean.tonumber(b)
-    if b then return 1 else return 0 end
+    if b then return 1 else return 0 end -- test and return or return
 end
 
 function toboolean(str,tolerant)
@@ -566,6 +692,8 @@ function toboolean(str,tolerant)
     end
 end
 
+string.toboolean = toboolean
+
 function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     if type(str) == "string" then
         if str == "true" or str == "yes" or str == "on" or str == "t" then
@@ -577,14 +705,6 @@ function string.is_boolean(str,default)
     return default
 end
 
-function boolean.alwaystrue()
-    return true
-end
-
-function boolean.falsetrue()
-    return false
-end
-
 end -- closure
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
@@ -698,24 +818,26 @@ end
 -- extra functions, some might go (when not used)
 
 function table.strip(tab)
-    local lst = { }
+    local lst, l = { }, 0
     for i=1,#tab do
         local s = gsub(tab[i],"^%s*(.-)%s*$","%1")
         if s == "" then
             -- skip this one
         else
-            lst[#lst+1] = s
+            l = l + 1
+            lst[l] = s
         end
     end
     return lst
 end
 
 function table.keys(t)
-    local k = { }
+    local keys, k = { }, 0
     for key, _ in next, t do
-        k[#k+1] = key
+        k = k + 1
+        keys[k] = key
     end
-    return k
+    return keys
 end
 
 local function compare(a,b)
@@ -728,9 +850,10 @@ local function compare(a,b)
 end
 
 local function sortedkeys(tab)
-    local srt, kind = { }, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
+    local srt, kind, s = { }, 0, 0 -- 0=unknown 1=string, 2=number 3=mixed
     for key,_ in next, tab do
-        srt[#srt+1] = key
+        s = s + 1
+        srt[s] = key
         if kind == 3 then
             -- no further check
         else
@@ -753,10 +876,11 @@ local function sortedkeys(tab)
 end
 
 local function sortedhashkeys(tab) -- fast one
-    local srt = { }
+    local srt, s = { }, 0
     for key,_ in next, tab do
         if key then
-            srt[#srt+1] = key
+            s= s + 1
+            srt[s] = key
         end
     end
     sort(srt)
@@ -770,8 +894,7 @@ local function nothing() end
 
 local function sortedhash(t)
     if t then
-        local s = sortedhashkeys(t) -- maybe just sortedkeys
-        local n = 0
+        local n, s = 0, sortedkeys(t) -- the robust one
         local function kv(s)
             n = n + 1
             local k = s[n]
@@ -787,20 +910,30 @@ table.sortedhash  = sortedhash
 table.sortedpairs = sortedhash
 
 function table.append(t, list)
-    for _,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,v)
+    local n = #t
+    for i=1,#list do
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.prepend(t, list)
-    for k,v in next, list do
-        insert(t,k,v)
+    local nl = #list
+    local nt = nl + #t
+    for i=#t,1,-1 do
+        t[nt] = t[i]
+        nt = nt - 1
+    end
+    for i=1,#list do
+        t[i] = list[i]
     end
+    return t
 end
 
 function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
     t = t or { }
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst = { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             t[k] = v
@@ -810,7 +943,7 @@ function table.merge(t, ...) -- first one is target
 end
 
 function table.merged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, lst = { }, { ... }
     for i=1,#lst do
         for k, v in next, lst[i] do
             tmp[k] = v
@@ -820,22 +953,24 @@ function table.merged(...)
 end
 
 function table.imerge(t, ...)
-    local lst = {...}
+    local lst, nt = { ... }, #t
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            t[#t+1] = nst[j]
+            nt = nt + 1
+            t[nt] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return t
 end
 
 function table.imerged(...)
-    local tmp, lst = { }, {...}
+    local tmp, ntmp, lst = { }, 0, {...}
     for i=1,#lst do
         local nst = lst[i]
         for j=1,#nst do
-            tmp[#tmp+1] = nst[j]
+            ntmp = ntmp + 1
+            tmp[ntmp] = nst[j]
         end
     end
     return tmp
@@ -911,11 +1046,14 @@ function table.tohash(t,value)
 end
 
 function table.fromhash(t)
-    local h = { }
+    local hsh, h = { }, 0
     for k, v in next, t do -- no ipairs here
-        if v then h[#h+1] = k end
+        if v then
+            h = h + 1
+            hsh[h] = k
+        end
     end
-    return h
+    return hsh
 end
 
 table.serialize_functions = true
@@ -936,20 +1074,23 @@ local function simple_table(t)
             n = n + 1
         end
         if n == #t then
-            local tt = { }
+            local tt, nt = { }, 0
             for i=1,#t do
                 local v = t[i]
                 local tv = type(v)
                 if tv == "number" then
+                    nt = nt + 1
                     if hexify then
-                        tt[#tt+1] = format("0x%04X",v)
+                        tt[nt] = format("0x%04X",v)
                     else
-                        tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
+                        tt[nt] = tostring(v) -- tostring not needed
                     end
                 elseif tv == "boolean" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = tostring(v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = tostring(v)
                 elseif tv == "string" then
-                    tt[#tt+1] = format("%q",v)
+                    nt = nt + 1
+                    tt[nt] = format("%q",v)
                 else
                     tt = nil
                     break
@@ -1255,10 +1396,11 @@ end
 --~ 'return' : return     { }
 --~ number   : [number] = { }
 
-function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
-    local t = { }
+function table.serialize(root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify) -- can be faster if flush == false and t as argument
+    local t, n = { }, 0
     local function flush(s)
-        t[#t+1] = s
+        n = n + 1
+        t[n] = s
     end
     serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     return concat(t,"\n")
@@ -1284,12 +1426,13 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     if f then
         local maxtab = table.tofile_maxtab
         if maxtab > 1 then
-            local t = { }
+            local t, n = { }, 0
             local function flush(s)
-                t[#t+1] = s
-                if #t > maxtab then
+                n = n + 1
+                t[n] = s
+                if n > maxtab then
                     f:write(concat(t,"\n"),"\n") -- hm, write(sometable) should be nice
-                    t = { }
+                    t, n = { }, 0 -- we could recycle t if needed
                 end
             end
             serialize(root,name,flush,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
@@ -1305,52 +1448,72 @@ function table.tofile(filename,root,name,reduce,noquotes,hexify)
     end
 end
 
-local function flatten(t,f,complete) -- is this used? meybe a variant with next, ...
-    for i=1,#t do
-        local v = t[i]
-        if type(v) == "table" then
-            if complete or type(v[1]) == "table" then
-                flatten(v,f,complete)
+local function flattened(t,f,depth)
+    if f == nil then
+        f = { }
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    elseif tonumber(f) then
+        -- assume then only two arguments are given
+        depth = f
+        f = { }
+    elseif not depth then
+        depth = 0xFFFF
+    end
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        if type(k) ~= "number" then
+            if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+                flattened(v,f,depth-1)
             else
-                f[#f+1] = v
+                f[k] = v
             end
+        end
+    end
+    local n = #f
+    for k=1,#t do
+        local v = t[k]
+        if depth > 0 and type(v) == "table" then
+            flattened(v,f,depth-1)
+            n = #f
         else
-            f[#f+1] = v
+            n = n + 1
+            f[n] = v
         end
     end
-end
-
-function table.flatten(t)
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,true)
     return f
 end
 
-function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
-    local f = { }
-    flatten(t,f,false)
-    return f
-end
-
-table.flattenonelevel = table.unnest
-
--- a better one:
+table.flattened = flattened
 
-local function flattened(t,f)
-    if not f then
+local function unnest(t,f) -- only used in mk, for old times sake
+    if not f then          -- and only relevant for token lists
         f = { }
     end
-    for k, v in next, t do
+    for i=1,#t do
+        local v = t[i]
         if type(v) == "table" then
-            flattened(v,f)
+            if type(v[1]) == "table" then
+                unnest(v,f)
+            else
+                f[#f+1] = v
+            end
         else
-            f[k] = v
+            f[#f+1] = v
         end
     end
     return f
 end
 
-table.flattened = flattened
+function table.unnest(t) -- bad name
+    return unnest(t)
+end
+
+--~ function table.unnest(t) -- for old times sake, undocumented (only in mk)
+--~     return flattened(t,1)
+--~ end
+
+--~ function table.are_equal(a,b)
+--~     return table.serialize(a) == table.serialize(b)
+--~ end
 
 local function are_equal(a,b,n,m) -- indexed
     if a and b and #a == #b then
@@ -1376,7 +1539,7 @@ end
 
 local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     for ka, va in next, a do
-        local vb = b[k]
+        local vb = b[ka]
         if va == vb then
             -- same
         elseif type(va) == "table" and  type(vb) == "table" then
@@ -1390,8 +1553,8 @@ local function identical(a,b) -- assumes same structure
     return true
 end
 
-table.are_equal = are_equal
 table.identical = identical
+table.are_equal = are_equal
 
 -- maybe also make a combined one
 
@@ -1417,14 +1580,14 @@ function table.contains(t, v)
 end
 
 function table.count(t)
-    local n, e = 0, next(t)
-    while e do
-        n, e = n + 1, next(t,e)
+    local n = 0
+    for k, v in next, t do
+        n = n + 1
     end
     return n
 end
 
-function table.swapped(t,s)
+function table.swapped(t,s) -- hash
     local n = { }
     if s then
 --~         for i=1,#s do
@@ -1446,55 +1609,34 @@ function table.swapped(t,s)
     return n
 end
 
---~ function table.are_equal(a,b)
---~     return table.serialize(a) == table.serialize(b)
---~ end
-
-function table.clone(t,p) -- t is optional or nil or table
-    if not p then
-        t, p = { }, t or { }
-    elseif not t then
-        t = { }
-    end
-    setmetatable(t, { __index = function(_,key) return p[key] end }) -- why not __index = p ?
-    return t
-end
-
-function table.hexed(t,seperator)
-    local tt = { }
-    for i=1,#t do tt[i] = format("0x%04X",t[i]) end
-    return concat(tt,seperator or " ")
-end
-
-function table.swaphash(h) -- needs another name
-    local r = { }
-    for k,v in next, h do
-        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
-    end
-    return r
-end
-
-function table.reverse(t)
-    local tt = { }
-    if #t > 0 then
-        for i=#t,1,-1 do
-            tt[#tt+1] = t[i]
+function table.reversed(t)
+    if t then
+        local tt, tn = { }, #t
+        if tn > 0 then
+            local ttn = 0
+            for i=tn,1,-1 do
+                ttn = ttn + 1
+                tt[ttn] = t[i]
+            end
         end
+        return tt
     end
-    return tt
 end
 
 function table.sequenced(t,sep,simple) -- hash only
-    local s = { }
+    local s, n = { }, 0
     for k, v in sortedhash(t) do
         if simple then
             if v == true then
-                s[#s+1] = k
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k
             elseif v and v~= "" then
-                s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+                n = n + 1
+                s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
             end
         else
-            s[#s+1] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
+            n = n + 1
+            s[n] = k .. "=" .. tostring(v)
         end
     end
     return concat(s, sep or " | ")
@@ -1504,7 +1646,7 @@ function table.print(...)
     table.tohandle(print,...)
 end
 
--- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and will comment them later -- -- --
+-- -- -- obsolete but we keep them for a while and might comment them later -- -- --
 
 -- roughly: copy-loop : unpack : sub == 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.45 (so in critical apps, use unpack)
 
@@ -1519,14 +1661,7 @@ function table.is_empty(t)
 end
 
 function table.has_one_entry(t)
-    local n = next(t)
-    return n and not next(t,n)
-end
-
-function table.replace(a,b)
-    for k,v in next, b do
-        a[k] = v
-    end
+    return t and not next(t,next(t))
 end
 
 end -- closure
@@ -1694,7 +1829,7 @@ end
 file.isreadable = file.is_readable -- depricated
 file.iswritable = file.is_writable -- depricated
 
--- todo: lpeg
+-- todo: lpeg \\ / .. does not save much
 
 local checkedsplit = string.checkedsplit
 
@@ -1709,7 +1844,7 @@ end
 
 -- we can hash them weakly
 
---~ function file.old_collapse_path(str) -- fails on b.c/..
+--~ function file.collapsepath(str) -- fails on b.c/..
 --~     str = gsub(str,"\\","/")
 --~     if find(str,"/") then
 --~         str = gsub(str,"^%./",(gsub(getcurrentdir(),"\\","/")) .. "/") -- ./xx in qualified
@@ -1733,7 +1868,7 @@ end
 --~ Of course there are some optimizations too. Finally we had to deal with
 --~ windows drive prefixes and thinsg like sys://.
 
-function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
+function file.collapsepath(str,anchor)
     if anchor and not find(str,"^/") and not find(str,"^%a:") then
         str = getcurrentdir() .. "/" .. str
     end
@@ -1788,8 +1923,10 @@ function file.collapse_path(str,anchor)
     end
 end
 
+file.collapse_path = file.collapsepath
+
 --~ local function test(str)
---~    print(string.format("%-20s %-15s %-15s",str,file.collapse_path(str),file.collapse_path(str,true)))
+--~    print(string.format("%-20s %-15s %-15s",str,file.collapsepath(str),file.collapsepath(str,true)))
 --~ end
 --~ test("a/b.c/d") test("b.c/d") test("b.c/..")
 --~ test("/") test("c:/..") test("sys://..")
@@ -2847,12 +2984,13 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
             trace(head)
         end
         -- in the future variant we will not copy items but refs to tables
-        local done, ky, rl, valid, cx, wx, mk = false, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }
+        local done, ky, rl, valid, cx, wx, mk, nofvalid = false, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, { }, 0
         if has_kerns then -- move outside loop
             local nf, tm = nil, nil
             for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,head) do
                 if n.subtype < 256 then
-                    valid[#valid+1] = n
+                    nofvalid = nofvalid + 1
+                    valid[nofvalid] = n
                     if n.font ~= nf then
                         nf = n.font
                         tm = fontdata[nf].marks
@@ -2880,7 +3018,8 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
             local nf, tm = nil, nil
             for n in traverse_id(glyph_code,head) do
                 if n.subtype < 256 then
-                    valid[#valid+1] = n
+                    nofvalid = nofvalid + 1
+                    valid[nofvalid] = n
                     if n.font ~= nf then
                         nf = n.font
                         tm = fontdata[nf].marks
@@ -2889,7 +3028,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 end
             end
         end
-        if #valid > 0 then
+        if nofvalid > 0 then
             -- we can assume done == true because we have cursives and marks
             local cx = { }
             if has_kerns and next(ky) then
@@ -2902,7 +3041,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 local p_cursbase, p = nil, nil
                 -- since we need valid[n+1] we can also use a "while true do"
                 local t, d, maxt = { }, { }, 0
-                for i=1,#valid do -- valid == glyphs
+                for i=1,nofvalid do -- valid == glyphs
                     local n = valid[i]
                     if not mk[n] then
                         local n_cursbase = has_attribute(n,cursbase)
@@ -2966,7 +3105,7 @@ function injections.handler(head,where,keep)
                 end
             end
             if has_marks then
-                for i=1,#valid do
+                for i=1,nofvalid do
                     local p = valid[i]
                     local p_markbase = has_attribute(p,markbase)
                     if p_markbase then
@@ -3795,13 +3934,13 @@ function tfm.scale(tfmtable, scaledpoints, relativeid)
                         local ivc = vc[i]
                         local key = ivc[1]
                         if key == "right" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*hdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*hdelta }
                         elseif key == "down" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta }
                         elseif key == "rule" then
-                            tt[#tt+1] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta, ivc[3]*hdelta }
+                            tt[i] = { key, ivc[2]*vdelta, ivc[3]*hdelta }
                         else -- not comment
-                            tt[#tt+1] = ivc -- shared since in cache and untouched
+                            tt[i] = ivc -- shared since in cache and untouched
                         end
                     end
                     chr.commands = tt
@@ -4783,9 +4922,18 @@ local baselines = allocate {
     ['romn'] = 'Roman baseline'
 }
 
-local verbosescripts    = allocate(table.swaphash(scripts  ))
-local verboselanguages  = allocate(table.swaphash(languages))
-local verbosefeatures   = allocate(table.swaphash(features ))
+
+local function swap(h) -- can be a tables.swap when we get a better name
+    local r = { }
+    for k, v in next, h do
+        r[v] = lower(gsub(k," ",""))
+    end
+    return r
+end
+
+local verbosescripts    = allocate(swap(scripts  ))
+local verboselanguages  = allocate(swap(languages))
+local verbosefeatures   = allocate(swap(features ))
 
 tables.scripts          = scripts
 tables.languages        = languages
@@ -4806,12 +4954,6 @@ for k, v in next, verbosefeatures do
     verbosefeatures[lower(k)] = v
 end
 
--- can be sped up by local tables
-
-function tables.totag(id) -- not used
-    return format("%4s",lower(id))
-end
-
 local function resolve(tab,id)
     if tab and id then
         id = lower(id)
@@ -5325,21 +5467,23 @@ fonts.map.addtounicode = function(data,filename)
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], ns = unicode, tounicode16(unicode), ns + 1
                     end
                 else
-                    local t = { }
+                    local t, n = { }, 0
                     for l=1,nplit do
                         local base = split[l]
                         local u = unicodes[base] or (aglmap and aglmap[base])
                         if not u then
                             break
                         elseif type(u) == "table" then
-                            t[#t+1] = u[1]
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = u[1]
                         else
-                            t[#t+1] = u
+                            n = n + 1
+                            t[n] = u
                         end
                     end
-                    if #t == 0 then -- done then
+                    if n == 0 then -- done then
                         -- nothing
-                    elseif #t == 1 then
+                    elseif n == 1 then
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], nl, unicode = t[1], tounicode16(t[1]), nl + 1, true
                     else
                         originals[index], tounicode[index], nl, unicode = t, tounicode16sequence(t), nl + 1, true
@@ -5499,13 +5643,13 @@ if not modules then modules = { } end modules ['font-otf'] = {
 
 local utf = unicode.utf8
 
-local concat, utfbyte = table.concat, utf.byte
+local utfbyte = utf.byte
 local format, gmatch, gsub, find, match, lower, strip = string.format, string.gmatch, string.gsub, string.find, string.match, string.lower, string.strip
 local type, next, tonumber, tostring = type, next, tonumber, tostring
 local abs = math.abs
 local getn = table.getn
 local lpegmatch = lpeg.match
-local reverse = table.reverse
+local reversed, concat = table.reversed, table.concat
 local ioflush = io.flush
 
 local allocate = utilities.storage.allocate
@@ -5543,7 +5687,7 @@ local definers       = fonts.definers
 
 otf.glists           = { "gsub", "gpos" }
 
-otf.version          = 2.705 -- beware: also sync font-mis.lua
+otf.version          = 2.706 -- beware: also sync font-mis.lua
 otf.cache            = containers.define("fonts", "otf", otf.version, true)
 
 local loadmethod     = "table" -- table, mixed, sparse
@@ -6454,6 +6598,7 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
     local luatex = data.luatex
     local indices, unicodes, multiples, internals = { }, { }, { }, { }
     local mapmap = data.map or raw.map
+    local mapenc = nil -- will go away
     if not mapmap then
         report_otf("no map in %s",filename)
         mapmap = { }
@@ -6463,6 +6608,7 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
         mapmap = { }
         data.map.map = mapmap
     else
+        mapenc = mapmap.enc -- will go away
         mapmap = mapmap.map
     end
     local criterium = fonts.privateoffset
@@ -6486,41 +6632,53 @@ actions["prepare unicodes"] = function(data,filename,raw)
                     indices[unicode] = index
                     unicodes[name] = unicode
                 end
+                -- maybe deal with altuni here in the future but first we need
+                -- to encounter a proper font that sets them
             else
                 -- message that something is wrong
             end
         end
     end
     -- beware: the indices table is used to initialize the tfm table
-    for unicode, index in next, mapmap do
-        if not internals[index] then
-            local name = glyphs[index].name
-            if name then
-                local un = unicodes[name]
-                if not un then
-                    unicodes[name] = unicode -- or 0
-                elseif type(un) == "number" then -- tonumber(un)
-                    if un ~= unicode then
-                        multiples[#multiples+1] = name
-                        unicodes[name] = { un, unicode }
-                        indices[unicode] = index
-                    end
-                else
-                    local ok = false
-                    for u=1,#un do
-                        if un[u] == unicode then
-                            ok = true
-                            break
+    local encname = lower(data.enc_name or (mapenc and mapenc[1] and mapenc[1].enc_name) or "") -- mapenc will go away
+ -- will become: local encname = lower(data.enc_name or "")
+    if encname == "" or encname == "unicodebmp" or encname == "unicodefull" then -- maybe find(encname,"unicode")
+        if trace_loading then
+            report_otf("using extra unicode map")
+        end
+        -- ok -- we can also consider using the altuni
+        for unicode, index in next, mapmap do
+            if not internals[index] then
+                local name = glyphs[index].name
+                if name then
+                    local un = unicodes[name]
+                    if not un then
+                        unicodes[name] = unicode -- or 0
+                    elseif type(un) == "number" then -- tonumber(un)
+                        if un ~= unicode then
+                            multiples[#multiples+1] = name
+                            unicodes[name] = { un, unicode }
+                            indices[unicode] = index
+                        end
+                    else
+                        local ok = false
+                        for u=1,#un do
+                            if un[u] == unicode then
+                                ok = true
+                                break
+                            end
+                        end
+                        if not ok then
+                            multiples[#multiples+1] = name
+                            un[#un+1] = unicode
+                            indices[unicode] = index
                         end
-                    end
-                    if not ok then
-                        multiples[#multiples+1] = name
-                        un[#un+1] = unicode
-                        indices[unicode] = index
                     end
                 end
             end
         end
+    else
+        report_otf("warning: non unicode map '%s', only using glyph unicode data",encname or "whatever")
     end
     if trace_loading then
         if #multiples > 0 then
@@ -6549,7 +6707,7 @@ actions["reorganize lookups"] = function(data,filename,raw)
                 for _, vv in next, v.rules do
                     local c = vv.coverage
                     if c and c.before then
-                        c.before = reverse(c.before)
+                        c.before = reversed(c.before)
                     end
                 end
             end
@@ -7068,8 +7226,8 @@ local function copytotfm(data,cache_id) -- we can save a copy when we reorder th
         local glyphs, pfminfo, metadata = data.glyphs or { }, data.pfminfo or { }, data.metadata or { }
         local luatex = data.luatex
         local unicodes = luatex.unicodes -- names to unicodes
-        local indices = luatex.indices        local mode = data.mode or "base"
-
+        local indices = luatex.indices
+        local mode = data.mode or "base"
         local characters, parameters, math_parameters, descriptions = { }, { }, { }, { }
         local designsize = metadata.designsize or metadata.design_size or 100
         if designsize == 0 then
@@ -8099,7 +8257,7 @@ local zwj      = 0x200D
 local wildcard = "*"
 local default  = "dflt"
 
-local split_at_space = lpeg.splitters[" "] or lpeg.Ct(lpeg.splitat(" ")) -- no trailing or multiple spaces anyway
+local split_at_space = lpeg.Ct(lpeg.splitat(" ")) -- no trailing or multiple spaces anyway
 
 local nodecodes     = nodes.nodecodes
 local whatcodes     = nodes.whatcodes
@@ -8205,9 +8363,9 @@ local function gref(n)
         local num, nam = { }, { }
         for i=1,#n do
             local ni = n[i]
-            num[#num+1] = format("U+%04X",ni)
-            local dni = descriptions[ni]
-            nam[#num] = (dni and dni.name) or "?"
+            local di = descriptions[ni]
+            num[i] = format("U+%04X",ni)
+            nam[i] = di and di.name or "?"
         end
         return format("%s (%s)",concat(num," "), concat(nam," "))
     end
@@ -10177,13 +10335,14 @@ otf.features.prepare = { }
 
 local function split(replacement,original,cache,unicodes)
     -- we can cache this too, but not the same (although unicode is a unique enough hash)
-    local o, t, n = { }, { }, 0
+    local o, t, n, no = { }, { }, 0, 0
     for s in gmatch(original,"[^ ]+") do
         local us = unicodes[s]
+        no = no + 1
         if type(us) == "number" then -- tonumber(us)
-            o[#o+1] = us
+            o[no] = us
         else
-            o[#o+1] = us[1]
+            o[no] = us[1]
         end
     end
     for s in gmatch(replacement,"[^ ]+") do
@@ -10200,9 +10359,11 @@ end
 
 local function uncover(covers,result,cache,unicodes)
     -- lpeg hardly faster (.005 sec on mk)
+    local nofresults = #result
     for n=1,#covers do
         local c = covers[n]
         local cc = cache[c]
+        nofresults = nofresults + 1
         if not cc then
             local t = { }
             for s in gmatch(c,"[^ ]+") do
@@ -10216,9 +10377,9 @@ local function uncover(covers,result,cache,unicodes)
                 end
             end
             cache[c] = t
-            result[#result+1] = t
+            result[nofresults] = t
         else
-            result[#result+1] = cc
+            result[nofresults] = cc
         end
     end
 end
@@ -10260,16 +10421,17 @@ local function prepare_lookups(tfmdata)
         --~ end
         end,
         multiple = function (p,lookup,glyph,unicode)
-            local old, new = unicode, { }
+            local old, new, nnew = unicode, { }, 0
             local m = multiple[lookup]
             if not m then m = { } multiple[lookup] = m end
             m[old] = new
             for pc in gmatch(p[2],"[^ ]+") do
                 local upc = unicodes[pc]
+                nnew = nnew + 1
                 if type(upc) == "number" then
-                    new[#new+1] = upc
+                    new[nnew] = upc
                 else
-                    new[#new+1] = upc[1]
+                    new[nnew] = upc[1]
                 end
             end
         --~ if trace_lookups then
@@ -10277,16 +10439,17 @@ local function prepare_lookups(tfmdata)
         --~ end
         end,
         alternate = function(p,lookup,glyph,unicode)
-            local old, new = unicode, { }
+            local old, new, nnew = unicode, { }, 0
             local a = alternate[lookup]
             if not a then a = { } alternate[lookup] = a end
             a[old] = new
             for pc in gmatch(p[2],"[^ ]+") do
                 local upc = unicodes[pc]
+                nnew = nnew + 1
                 if type(upc) == "number" then
-                    new[#new+1] = upc
+                    new[nnew] = upc
                 else
-                    new[#new+1] = upc[1]
+                    new[nnew] = upc[1]
                 end
             end
         --~ if trace_lookups then
@@ -10480,7 +10643,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 contextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do -- does #rules>1 happen often?
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
                                 local coverage = rule.coverage
@@ -10496,7 +10659,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                         uncover(after,sequence,cache,unicodes)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
@@ -10516,7 +10680,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 reversecontextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
                                 local reversecoverage = rule.reversecoverage
@@ -10536,7 +10700,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
                                         -- this is different from normal coverage, we assume only replacements
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups, replacements }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups, replacements }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
@@ -10556,7 +10721,7 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                 contexts = { }
                                 contextchain[lookupname] = contexts
                             end
-                            local t = { }
+                            local t, nt = { }, 0
                             for nofrules=1,#rules do
                                 -- nearly the same as coverage so we could as well rename it
                                 local rule = rules[nofrules]
@@ -10576,7 +10741,8 @@ local function prepare_contextchains(tfmdata)
                                         uncover(back,sequence,cache,unicodes)
                                     end
                                     if sequence[1] then
-                                        t[#t+1] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
+                                        nt = nt + 1
+                                        t[nt] = { nofrules, lookuptype, sequence, start, stop, rule.lookups }
                                         for unic, _ in next, sequence[start] do
                                             local cu = contexts[unic]
                                             if not cu then
@@ -15035,14 +15201,15 @@ local sortedhashkeys = table.sortedhashkeys
 function tfm.hashfeatures(specification)
     local features = specification.features
     if features then
-        local t = { }
+        local t, tn = { }, 0
         local normal = features.normal
         if normal and next(normal) then
             local f = sortedhashkeys(normal)
             for i=1,#f do
                 local v = f[i]
                 if v ~= "number" and v ~= "features" then -- i need to figure this out, features
-                    t[#t+1] = v .. '=' .. tostring(normal[v])
+                    tn = tn + 1
+                    t[tn] = v .. '=' .. tostring(normal[v])
                 end
             end
         end
@@ -15051,13 +15218,15 @@ function tfm.hashfeatures(specification)
             local f = sortedhashkeys(vtf)
             for i=1,#f do
                 local v = f[i]
-                t[#t+1] = v .. '=' .. tostring(vtf[v])
+                tn = tn + 1
+                t[tn] = v .. '=' .. tostring(vtf[v])
             end
         end
---~ if specification.mathsize then
---~     t[#t+1] = "mathsize=" .. specification.mathsize
---~ end
-        if #t > 0 then
+    --~ if specification.mathsize then
+    --~     tn = tn + 1
+    --~     t[tn] = "mathsize=" .. specification.mathsize
+    --~ end
+        if tn > 0 then
             return concat(t,"+")
         end
     end
@@ -15642,7 +15811,7 @@ local function colonized(specification) -- xetex mode
     list = { }
     lpegmatch(pattern,specification.specification)
  -- for k, v in next, list do
- --     list[k] = v:is_boolean()
+ --     list[k] = is_boolean(v)
  --     if type(list[a]) == "nil" then
  --         list[k] = v
  --     end