stable 2012.05.30 11:26

1 files changed, 1952 insertions, 1698 deletions

diff --git a/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv b/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
index 058a251cb..0e43a6202 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/syst-aux.mkiv
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
+%D Some of the macros will move to syst-obs as they might become
+%D obsolete once we've redone the bibliography module. Of course
+%D the handy helpers will stay.
+%D
 %D There are some references to \LUA\ variants here but these concern
 %D (often old) experiments, moved from local test modules to here,
 %D cleaned up, but not really used. After all it's not that urgent
@@ -34,13 +38,13 @@
 %D is used in \CONTEXT\ and therefore we might also assume that
 %D some basic functionality is available.
 %D
+%D Some of the macros here are used in the bibliography module. They
+%D will be moved to a separate syst module some once the bib module
+%D is made \MKIV.
+%D
 %D The original files contain previous implementations and notes about
 %D performance. This file will be stripped down in due time.
 
-%D Some of the macros here were only used in the bibliography module. They
-%D have been be moved to a separate syst module since the bib module is no
-%D longer using them. Some more will go away.
-
 \unprotect
 
 %D \macros
@@ -58,21 +62,6 @@
 
 \let\unexpanded\normalprotected
 
-%D As we don't have namespace definers yet, we use a special one:
-
-\newcount\c_syst_helpers_n_of_namespaces \c_syst_helpers_n_of_namespaces\pluseight % 1-8 reserved for catcodes
-
-\def\v_interfaces_prefix_template_system{\number    \c_syst_helpers_n_of_namespaces>>}
-%def\v_interfaces_prefix_template_system{\characters\c_syst_helpers_n_of_namespaces>>} % no \characters yet
-
-\unexpanded\def\installsystemnamespace#1% maybe move this to syst-ini
-  {\ifcsname ??#1\endcsname
-     \writestatus\m!system{duplicate system namespace '#1'}\wait
-   \else
-     \global\advance\c_syst_helpers_n_of_namespaces\plusone
-     \expandafter\edef\csname ??#1\endcsname{\v_interfaces_prefix_template_system}%
-   \fi}
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {normalspace}
 %D
@@ -161,35 +150,34 @@
 \let\@NX          \noexpand
 \def\@EAEA       {\expandafter\expandafter} % can often be avoided
 
-%D Sometimes we pass macros as arguments to commands that don't expand them
-%D before interpretation. Such commands can be enclosed with \type {\expanded},
-%D like:
+%D Sometimes we pass macros as arguments to commands that
+%D don't expand them before interpretation. Such commands can
+%D be enclosed with \type{\expanded}, like:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \expanded{\setupsomething[\alfa]}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Such situations occur for instance when \type{\alfa} is a commalist or when data
-%D stored in macros is fed to index of list commands. If needed, one should use
-%D \type{\noexpand} inside the argument. Later on we will meet some more clever
-%D alternatives to this command. Beware, only the simple one has \type {\noexpand}
-%D before its argument.
+%D Such situations occur for instance when \type{\alfa} is a
+%D commalist or when data stored in macros is fed to index of
+%D list commands. If needed, one should use \type{\noexpand}
+%D inside the argument. Later on we will meet some more clever
+%D alternatives to this command. Beware, only the simple one
+%D has \type {\noexpand} before its argument.
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_expanded\empty
+\let\@@expanded\empty % always long and global (less restores)
 
 \unexpanded\def\expanded#1%
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_expanded{\noexpand#1}\m_syst_helpers_expanded}
+  {\xdef\@@expanded{\noexpand#1}\@@expanded}
 
-\unexpanded\def\startexpanded#1\stopexpanded
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_expanded{#1}\m_syst_helpers_expanded}
+\unexpanded\def\startexpanded#1\stopexpanded % see x-fo for example
+  {\xdef\@@expanded{#1}\@@expanded}
 
 \let\stopexpanded\relax
 
-%D Recent \TEX\ engines have a primitive \type {\expanded} and we will use that when
-%D possible. After all, we can make not expandable macros now.
+%D Recent \TEX's have a primitive \expanded
 
-% We cannot use the next variant as first we need to adapt \type {##}'s
-% in callers:
+% not yet as we need to adapt ##'s in calls
 %
 % \def\expanded#1%
 %   {\normalexpanded{\noexpand#1}}
@@ -200,8 +188,8 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {gobbleoneargument,gobble...arguments}
 %D
-%D The next set of macros just do nothing, except that they get rid of a number of
-%D arguments.
+%D The next set of macros just do nothing, except that they
+%D get rid of a number of arguments.
 
 \def\gobbleoneargument   #1{}
 \def\gobbletwoarguments  #1#2{}
@@ -220,18 +208,6 @@
 \def\gobblefouroptionals [#1][#2][#3][#4]{}
 \def\gobblefiveoptionals [#1][#2][#3][#4][#5]{}
 
-%D Reserved macros for tests:
-
-\let\donothing\empty
-
-\let\m_syst_string_one  \empty
-\let\m_syst_string_two  \empty
-\let\m_syst_string_three\empty
-\let\m_syst_string_four \empty
-
-\let\m_syst_action_yes  \empty
-\let\m_syst_action_nop  \empty
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifnextcharelse}
 %D
@@ -259,8 +235,8 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnextcharelse#1#2#3% #1 should not be {} !
   {\let\charactertoken=#1% = needed here
-   \def\m_syst_action_yes{#2}%
-   \def\m_syst_action_nop{#3}%
+   \def\!!stringa{#2}%
+   \def\!!stringb{#3}%
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_inspect_next_character}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_inspect_next_character
@@ -272,9 +248,9 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_inspect_next_character_indeed
   {\ifx\nexttoken\charactertoken
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\!!stringa
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\!!stringb
    \fi}
 
 %D Because we will mostly use this macro for testing if the next
@@ -298,14 +274,14 @@
 \let\syst_helpers_next_optional_character_token=[
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnextoptionalelse#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_action_yes{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_action_nop{#2}%
+  {\def\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes{#1}%
+   \def\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop{#2}%
    \let\if_next_blank_space_token\iffalse
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_inspect_next_optional_character}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnextoptionalcselse#1#2% \cs \cs (upto 10% faster)
-  {\let\m_syst_action_yes#1%
-   \let\m_syst_action_nop#2%
+  {\let\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes#1%
+   \let\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop#2%
    \let\if_next_blank_space_token\iffalse
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_inspect_next_optional_character}
 
@@ -318,16 +294,16 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_inspect_next_optional_character_indeed
   {\ifx\nexttoken\syst_helpers_next_optional_character_token
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop
    \fi}
 
 \let\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_character_token\bgroup
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnextbgroupelse#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_action_yes{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_action_nop{#2}%
+  {\def\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_command_yes{#1}%
+   \def\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_command_nop{#2}%
    \let\if_next_blank_space_token\iffalse
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_inspect_next_bgroup_character}
 
@@ -340,16 +316,16 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_inspect_next_bgroup_character_indeed
   {\ifx\nexttoken\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_character_token
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_command_yes
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_bgroup_command_nop
    \fi}
 
 \let\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_character_token(
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnextparenthesiselse#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_action_yes{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_action_nop{#2}%
+  {\def\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_command_yes{#1}%
+   \def\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_command_nop{#2}%
    \let\if_next_blank_space_token\iffalse
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_inspect_next_parenthesis_character}
 
@@ -362,39 +338,44 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_inspect_next_parenthesis_character_indeed
   {\ifx\nexttoken\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_character_token
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_command_yes
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_parenthesis_command_nop
    \fi}
 
 %D The next one is handy in predictable situations:
 
 \unexpanded\def\doiffastoptionalcheckelse#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_action_yes{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_action_nop{#2}%
+  {\def\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes{#1}%
+   \def\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop{#2}%
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_do_if_fast_optional_check_else}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doiffastoptionalcheckcselse#1#2% \cs \cs
-  {\let\m_syst_action_yes#1%
-   \let\m_syst_action_nop#2%
+  {\let\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes#1%
+   \let\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop#2%
    \futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_do_if_fast_optional_check_else}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_if_fast_optional_check_else
   {\ifx\nexttoken\syst_helpers_next_optional_character_token
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_yes
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\syst_helpers_next_optional_command_nop
    \fi}
 
-%D This macro uses some auxiliary macros. Although we were able to program quite
-%D complicated things, I only understood these after rereading the \TEX book. The
-%D trick is in using a command with a one character name. Such commands differ from
-%D the longer ones in the fact that trailing spaces are {\em not} skipped. This
-%D enables us to indirectly define a long named macro that gobbles a space. In the
-%D first line we define \type {\blankspace}. Next we make \type {\:} equivalent to
-%D \type {\reinspect...}. This one||character command is expanded before the next
-%D \type {\def} comes into action. This way the space after \type {\:} becomes a
-%D delimiter of the longer named \type {\reinspectnextcharacter}.
+%D This macro uses some auxiliary macros. Although we were able
+%D to program quite complicated things, I only understood these
+%D after rereading the \TEX book. The trick is in using a
+%D command with a one character name. Such commands differ from
+%D the longer ones in the fact that trailing spaces are {\em
+%D not} skipped. This enables us to indirectly define a long
+%D named macro that gobbles a space.
+%D
+%D In the first line we define \type{\blankspace}. Next we
+%D make \type{\:} equivalent to \type{\reinspect...}. This
+%D one||character command is expanded before the next
+%D \type{\def} comes into action. This way the space after
+%D \type{\:} becomes a delimiter of the longer named
+%D \type{\reinspectnextcharacter}.
 
 % try: \expandafter\def\firstofoneargument{\syst_helpers_reinspect_next_character} {...}
 
@@ -421,9 +402,10 @@
 %D    letvalue,letgvalue,getvalue,resetvalue,
 %D    undefinevalue,ignorevalue}
 %D
-%D \TEX's primitive \type {\csname} can be used to construct all kind of commands
-%D that cannot be defined with \type {\def} and \type {\let}. Every macro programmer
-%D sooner or later wants macros like these.
+%D \TEX's primitive \type{\csname} can be used to construct
+%D all kind of commands that cannot be defined with
+%D \type{\def} and \type{\let}. Every macro programmer sooner
+%D or later wants macros like these.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \setvalue   {name}{...} = \def\name{...}
@@ -436,8 +418,9 @@
 %D \resetvalue {name}      = \def\name{}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D As we will see, \CONTEXT\ uses these commands many times, which is mainly due to
-%D its object oriented and parameter driven character.
+%D As we will see, \CONTEXT\ uses these commands many times,
+%D which is mainly due to its object oriented and parameter
+%D driven character.
 
 \def\setvalue     #1{\expandafter \def\csname#1\endcsname}
 \def\setgvalue    #1{\expandafter\gdef\csname#1\endcsname}
@@ -458,20 +441,22 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {globallet,glet}
 %D
-%D In \CONTEXT\ of May 2000 using \type {\globallet} instead of the two
-%D tokens will save us some $300\times4=1200$ bytes of format file on a 32~bit
-%D system. Not that it matters much today. This shortcut is already defined:
+%D In \CONTEXT\ of May 2000 using \type {\globallet}
+%D instead of the two tokens will save us some
+%D $300\times4=1200$ bytes of format file on a 32~bit
+%D system. So:
 
-\unexpanded\def\glet{\global\let}  \let\globallet\glet
+\def\globallet{\global\let}  \let\glet\globallet
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifundefined,doifdefined,
 %D    doifundefinedelse,doifdefinedelse,
 %D    doifalldefinedelse}
 %D
-%D The standard way of testing if a macro is defined is comparing its meaning with
-%D another undefined one, usually \type{\undefined}. To garantee correct working of
-%D the next set of macros, \type{\undefined} may never be defined!
+%D The standard way of testing if a macro is defined is
+%D comparing its meaning with another undefined one, usually
+%D \type{\undefined}. To garantee correct working of the next
+%D set of macros, \type{\undefined} may never be defined!
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \doifundefined      {string}    {...}
@@ -481,12 +466,13 @@
 %D \doifalldefinedelse {commalist} {then ...} {else ...}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Every macroname that \TEX\ builds gets an entry in the hash table, which is of
-%D limited size. It is expected that \ETEX\ will offer a less memory||consuming
-%D alternative.
+%D Every macroname that \TEX\ builds gets an entry in the hash
+%D table, which is of limited size. It is expected that e-\TeX\
+%D will offer a less memory||consuming alternative.
 
-%D Although it will probably never be a big problem, it is good to be aware of the
-%D difference between testing on a macro name to be build by using \type{\csname} and
+%D Although it will probably never be a big problem, it is good
+%D to be aware of the difference between testing on a macro
+%D name to be build by using \type{\csname} and
 %D \type{\endcsname} and testing the \type{\name} directly.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
@@ -495,6 +481,11 @@
 %D \ifundefined\NameB ... \else ... \fi
 %D \stoptyping
 
+% \def\ifundefined#1% obsolete
+%   {\unless\ifcsname#1\endcsname}
+%
+% use a real if like \ifcsname#1\endcsname\else instead
+
 \suppressifcsnameerror\plusone
 
 \def\doifundefinedelse#1%
@@ -520,10 +511,12 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {letbeundefined}
 %D
-%D Testing for being undefined comes down to testing on \type {\relax} when we use
-%D \type {\csname}, but when using \type {\ifx}, we test on being \type
-%D {\undefined}! In \ETEX\ we have \type {\ifcsname} and that way of testing on
-%D existance is not the same as the one described here. Therefore we introduce:
+%D Testing for being undefined comes down to testing on \type
+%D {\relax} when we use \type {\csname}, but when using \type
+%D {\ifx}, we test on being \type {\undefined}! In \ETEX\ we
+%D have \type {\ifcsname} and that way of testing on existance
+%D is not the same as the one described here. Therefore we
+%D introduce:
 
 \def\letbeundefined#1% potential stack buildup when used \global
   {\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\undefined}
@@ -534,11 +527,13 @@
 \def\globalundefine#1% conditional
   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname\expandafter\global\let\csname#1\endcsname\undefined\fi}
 
-%D Beware, being \type {\undefined} in \ETEX\ means that the macro {\em is} defined!
-%D
-%D When we were developing the scientific units module, we encountered different
-%D behavior in text and math mode, which was due to this grouping subtilities. We
-%D therefore decided to use \type{\begingroup} instead of \type{\bgroup}.
+%D Beware, being \type {\undefined} in \ETEX\ means that the macro
+%D {\em is} defined!
+
+%D When we were developing the scientific units module, we
+%D encountered different behavior in text and math mode, which
+%D was due to this grouping subtilities. We therefore decided
+%D to use \type{\begingroup} instead of \type{\bgroup}.
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifalldefinedelse#1%
   {\begingroup
@@ -559,13 +554,15 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {doif,doifelse,doifnot}
 %D
-%D Programming in \TEX\ differs from programming in procedural languages like
-%D \MODULA. This means that one --- well, let me speek for myself --- tries to do
-%D the things in the well known way. Therefore the next set of \type{\ifthenelse}
-%D commands were between the first ones we needed. A few years later, the opposite
-%D became true: when programming in \MODULA, I sometimes miss handy things like
-%D grouping, runtime redefinition, expansion etc. While \MODULA\ taught me to
-%D structure, \TEX\ taught me to think recursive.
+%D Programming in \TEX\ differs from programming in procedural
+%D languages like \MODULA. This means that one --- well, let me
+%D speek for myself --- tries to do the things in the well
+%D known way. Therefore the next set of \type{\ifthenelse}
+%D commands were between the first ones we needed. A few years
+%D later, the opposite became true: when programming in
+%D \MODULA, I sometimes miss handy things like grouping,
+%D runtime redefinition, expansion etc. While \MODULA\ taught
+%D me to structure, \TEX\ taught me to think recursive.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \doif     {string1} {string2} {...}
@@ -574,27 +571,27 @@
 %D \stoptyping
 
 \unexpanded\def\doif#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnot#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifelse#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
@@ -614,24 +611,24 @@
 %D This time, the string is not expanded.
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifemptyelse#1%
-  {\def\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\def\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifempty#1%
-  {\def\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\def\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnotempty#1%
-  {\def\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\def\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
@@ -640,8 +637,9 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifinset,doifnotinset,doifinsetelse}
 %D
-%D We can check if a string is present in a comma separated set of strings.
-%D Depending on the result, some action is taken.
+%D We can check if a string is present in a comma separated
+%D set of strings. Depending on the result, some action is
+%D taken.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \doifinset     {string} {string,...} {...}
@@ -682,119 +680,119 @@
 \def\syst_helpers_do_quit_if_item_in_set     #1],\relax{\firstofoneargument}
 \def\syst_helpers_do_quit_if_item_not_in_set #1],\relax{\gobbleoneargument}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set_else{\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set_else\m_syst_string_two,],\relax}
-\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set     {\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set     \m_syst_string_two,],\relax}
-\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_not_in_set {\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_not_in_set \m_syst_string_two,],\relax}
+\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set_else{\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set_else\!!stringb,],\relax}
+\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set     {\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set     \!!stringb,],\relax}
+\def\syst_helpers_re_do_if_not_in_set {\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_not_in_set \!!stringb,],\relax}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifinsetelse#1% make this two step too
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\thirdofthreearguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_in_set_else
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_set_else#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set_else
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifinset#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_set#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_re_do_if_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnotinset#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_not_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_if_not_in_set#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_re_do_if_not_in_set % ...]{true}
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set_else#1,#2% #2 eats up preceding space
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
    \fi#2}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_two\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
+  {\ifx\!!stringb\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
      \expandafter\thirdofthreearguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_quit_if_item_in_set_else
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set_else
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set#1,#2% #2 eats up preceding space
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_in_set
    \fi#2}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_in_set
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_two\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
+  {\ifx\!!stringb\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_in_set
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_quit_if_item_in_set
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_not_in_set#1,#2% #2 eats up preceding space
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\empty
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
    \fi#2}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_two\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
+  {\ifx\!!stringb\v_syst_helpers_right_optional_bracket
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_quit_if_item_not_in_set
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_check_if_item_not_in_set
@@ -803,8 +801,8 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifcommon,doifnotcommon,doifcommonelse}
 %D
-%D Probably the most time consuming tests are those that test for overlap in sets
-%D of strings.
+%D Probably the most time consuming tests are those that test
+%D for overlap in sets of strings.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \doifcommon     {string,...} {string,...} {...}
@@ -892,16 +890,16 @@
 %D   {processcommalist,processcommacommand,quitcommalist,
 %D    processcommalistwithparameters}
 %D
-%D We've already seen some macros that take care of comma separated lists. Such
-%D list can be processed with
+%D We've already seen some macros that take care of comma
+%D separated lists. Such list can be processed with
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \processcommalist[string,string,...]\commando
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D The user supplied command \type{\commando} receives one argument: the string.
-%D This command permits nesting and spaces after commas are skipped. Empty sets
-%D are no problem.
+%D The user supplied command \type{\commando} receives one
+%D argument: the string. This command permits nesting and
+%D spaces after commas are skipped. Empty sets are no problem.
 %D
 %D \startbuffer
 %D \def\dosomething#1{(#1)}
@@ -922,10 +920,8 @@
 
 \newcount\commalevel
 
-\installsystemnamespace{nextcommalevel}
-
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_do_process_comma_item
-  {\csname\??nextcommalevel\the\commalevel\endcsname}
+  {\csname\s!next\the\commalevel\endcsname}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_process_comma_item
   {\ifx\nexttoken\blankspace
@@ -944,8 +940,9 @@
 \def\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item
   {\futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_do_do_process_comma_item}
 
-%D Empty arguments are not processed. Empty items (\type {,,}) however are
-%D treated. We have to check for the special case \type {[{a,b,c}]}.
+%D Empty arguments are not processed. Empty items (\type{,,})
+%D however are treated. We have to check for the special case
+%D \type{[{a,b,c}]}.
 
 \unexpanded\def\processcommalist[%
   {\futurelet\nexttoken\syst_helpers_do_check_comma_item}
@@ -960,27 +957,27 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_list#1]#2%
   {\global\advance\commalevel \plusone
-   \expandafter\def\csname\??nextcommalevel\the\commalevel\endcsname##1,%
+   \expandafter\def\csname\s!next\the\commalevel\endcsname##1,%
      {#2{##1}\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item}%
    \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_process_comma_item\gobbleoneargument#1,]\relax
    \global\advance\commalevel \minusone }
 
 %D One way of quitting a commalist halfway is:
 
-\unexpanded\def\quitcommalist
+\def\quitcommalist
   {\begingroup\let\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item\syst_helpers_do_quit_comma_list}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_quit_comma_list#1]%
   {\endgroup}
 
-\unexpanded\def\quitprevcommalist
+\def\quitprevcommalist
   {\begingroup\let\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item\syst_helpers_do_quit_prev_comma_list}
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_quit_prev_comma_list#1]%
   {\let\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item\syst_helpers_do_quit_comma_list}
 
-%D The hack we used for checking the next character \type {\doifnextcharelse}
-%D is also used here.
+%D The hack we used for checking the next character
+%D \type {\doifnextcharelse} is also used here.
 
 \let\next\:
 
@@ -994,13 +991,15 @@
 %D
 %D \getbuffer
 
-%D When a list is saved in a macro, we can use a construction like:
+%D When a list is saved in a macro, we can use a construction
+%D like:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \expandafter\processcommalist\expandafter[\list]\command
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Such solutions suit most situations, but we wanted a bit more.
+%D Such solutions suit most situations, but we wanted a bit
+%D more.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \processcommacommand[string,\stringset,string]\commando
@@ -1017,14 +1016,14 @@
 %D \processcommacommand[\first,between,\second]\message
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Commands that are part of the list are expanded, so the use of
-%D this macro has its limits.
+%D Commands that are part of the list are expanded, so the
+%D use of this macro has its limits.
 
 \unexpanded\def\processcommacommand[#1]%
   {\normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}}
 
-%D The argument to \type{\command} is not delimited. Because we often
-%D use \type{[]} as delimiters, we also have:
+%D The argument to \type{\command} is not delimited. Because
+%D we often use \type{[]} as delimiters, we also have:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \processcommalistwithparameters[string,string,...]\command
@@ -1045,18 +1044,13 @@
 %D
 %D Two more:
 
-\let\syst_helpers_comma_list_step\relax
-
 \unexpanded\def\startprocesscommalist[#1]#2\stopprocesscommalist
-  {\def\syst_helpers_comma_list_step##1{\def\currentcommalistitem{##1}#2}%
-   \processcommalist[#1]\syst_helpers_comma_list_step}
+  {\def\currentcommalistcommand##1{\def\currentcommalistitem{##1}#2}%
+   \processcommalist[#1]\currentcommalistcommand}
 
 \unexpanded\def\startprocesscommacommand[#1]#2\stopprocesscommacommand
-  {\def\syst_helpers_comma_list_step##1{\def\currentcommalistitem{##1}#2}%
-   \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}\syst_helpers_comma_list_step}
-
-\let\stopprocesscommalist   \relax
-\let\stopprocesscommacommand\relax
+  {\def\currentcommalistcommand##1{\def\currentcommalistitem{##1}#2}%
+   \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}\currentcommalistcommand}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {processaction,
@@ -1103,8 +1097,8 @@
 % obsolete: \def\expandactions{\let\expandedaction\edef} \expandactions (see mkii)
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_a[#1=>#2][#3]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\s!default
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringb\s!default
      \let\commalistelement\empty
      #2%
    \fi}
@@ -1112,19 +1106,19 @@
 % met \quitcommalist tot meer dan 25\% sneller
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_b[#1=>#2][#3]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_two{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \def\commalistelement{#3}%
      #2%
      \expandafter\quitcommalist
-   \else\ifx\m_syst_string_two\s!unknown
+   \else\ifx\!!stringb\s!unknown
      \def\commalistelement{#3}% beware of loops
      #2%
    \fi\fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\processaction[#1]#2[%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \let\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_a
    \else
      \let\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_b
@@ -1133,23 +1127,23 @@
    \processnextcommalist\relax\relax\syst_helpers_do_process_action[}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_c[#1=>#2][#3]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#3}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{#3}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \def\commalistelement{#3}%
      #2%
      \expandafter\quitprevcommalist
    \else
-     \edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-     \ifx\m_syst_string_one\s!unknown
+     \edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+     \ifx\!!stringa\s!unknown
        \def\commalistelement{#3}%
        #2%
      \fi
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\processfirstactioninset[#1]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\processaction
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_process_first_action_in_set_indeed
@@ -1163,28 +1157,26 @@
    \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}\syst_helpers_do_process_action}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_d[#1=>#2][#3]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#3}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{#3}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \def\commalistelement{#3}%
      #2%
      \expandafter\quitcommalist
    \else
-     \edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-     \ifx\m_syst_string_one\s!unknown
+     \edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+     \ifx\!!stringa\s!unknown
        \def\commalistelement{#3}%
        #2%
      \fi
    \fi}
 
-\installsystemnamespace{nextactionlevel}
-
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_process_all_actions_in_set
-  {\csname\??nextactionlevel\the\processlevel\endcsname}
+  {\csname\s!do\the\processlevel\endcsname}
 
 \unexpanded\def\processallactionsinset[#1]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\processaction
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_process_all_actions_in_set_indeed
@@ -1193,7 +1185,7 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_process_all_actions_in_set_indeed[#1]#2[#3]%
   {\advance\processlevel \plusone
-   \expandafter\def\csname\??nextactionlevel\the\processlevel\endcsname##1%
+   \expandafter\def\csname\s!do\the\processlevel\endcsname##1%
      {\def\syst_helpers_do_do_process_action####1{\syst_helpers_do_compare_process_action_d[####1][##1]}%
       \processcommalist[#3]\syst_helpers_do_do_process_action}%
    \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]}\syst_helpers_do_process_all_actions_in_set
@@ -1205,7 +1197,7 @@
   {#1%
    \let\nexttoken#4%
    \global\advance\commalevel \plusone
-   \expandafter\def\csname\??nextcommalevel\the\commalevel\endcsname##1,%
+   \expandafter\def\csname\s!next\the\commalevel\endcsname##1,%
      {#3{##1}\syst_helpers_do_process_comma_item}%
    \syst_helpers_do_do_process_comma_item#4#5,]\relax
    \global\advance\commalevel\minusone
@@ -1239,48 +1231,46 @@
 %D \doifinsetelse {substring} {string} {then ...} {else ...}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\let\m_syst_sub_string\empty
-
 \unexpanded\def\doifinstringelse#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_sub_string{#1}% expand #1 here
-   \ifx\m_syst_sub_string\empty
+  {\edef\@@@instring{#1}% expand #1 here
+   \ifx\@@@instring\empty
      \expandafter\thirdofthreearguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else_indeed
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else_indeed#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\m_syst_sub_string{#1}%
+  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\@@@instring{#1}%
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifinstring#1%%
-  {\edef\m_syst_sub_string{#1}% expand #1 here
-   \ifx\m_syst_sub_string\empty
+  {\edef\@@@instring{#1}% expand #1 here
+   \ifx\@@@instring\empty
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_indeed
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_indeed#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\m_syst_sub_string{#1}%
+  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\@@@instring{#1}%
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifnotinstring#1%%
-  {\edef\m_syst_sub_string{#1}% expand #1 here
-   \ifx\m_syst_sub_string\empty
+  {\edef\@@@instring{#1}% expand #1 here
+   \ifx\@@@instring\empty
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_not_in_string_indeed
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_if_not_in_string_indeed#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\m_syst_sub_string{#1}%
+  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\@@@instring{#1}%
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
@@ -1290,8 +1280,8 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else#1#2% ##2 can be {abc}
   {\expandafter\def\expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_string_else
-     \expandafter##\expandafter1#1##2##3\_e_o_s_{\unless\if##2@}% expand #1 here
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_string_else\normalexpanded{#2#1}@@\_e_o_s_} % expand #2 here
+     \expandafter##\expandafter1#1##2##3\war{\unless\if##2@}% expand #1 here
+   \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_string_else\normalexpanded{#2#1}@@\war} % expand #2 here
 
 %D The next alternative proved to be upto twice as fast on
 %D tasks like checking reserved words in pretty verbatim
@@ -1307,31 +1297,33 @@
 %D expansion.
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_if_in_csname_else#1#2%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_csname_else##1#1##2##3\_e_o_s_
+  {\def\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_csname_else##1#1##2##3\war
      {\unless\if##2@}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_csname_else#2#1@@\_e_o_s_}
+   \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_do_if_in_csname_else#2#1@@\war}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doifincsnameelse#1#2%
-  {\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_if_in_csname_else{#1}}{#2}%
+  {\edef\@@@instring{#1}%
+   \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_if_in_csname_else\expandafter{\@@@instring}{#2}%
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
 %D \macros
-%D   {doifnumberelse,doifnumber,doifnotnumber}
+%D   {doifnumberelse}
 %D
-%D The next macro executes a command depending of the outcome of a test on
-%D numerals. This is probably one of the fastest test possible, exept from
-%D a less robust 10||step \type {\if}||ladder or some tricky \type {\lcode}
-%D checking.
+%D The next macro executes a command depending of the outcome
+%D of a test on numerals. This is probably one of the fastest
+%D test possible, exept from a less robust 10||step
+%D \type{\if}||ladder or some tricky \type{\lcode} checking.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \doifnumberelse {string} {then ...} {else ...}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D The macro accepts \type {123}, \type {abc}, \type {{}}, \type {\getal} and
-%D \type {\the\count...}. This macro is a rather dirty one.
+%D The macro accepts \type{123}, \type{abc}, \type{{}},
+%D \type{\getal} and \type{\the\count...}. This macro is a
+%D rather dirty one.
 
 \def\doifnumberelse#1% does not accept counters (fully expandable)
   {\ifcase0\ifcase1#1\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\else1\fi\space
@@ -1340,35 +1332,6 @@
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\def\doifnumber#1%
-  {\ifcase0\ifcase1#1\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\else1\fi\space
-     \expandafter\firstofoneargument
-   \else
-     \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
-   \fi}
-
-\def\doifnotnumber#1%
-  {\ifcase0\ifcase1#1\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\or\else1\fi\space
-     \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
-   \else
-     \expandafter\firstofoneargument
-   \fi}
-
-%D \macros
-%D   {setpercentdimen}
-%D
-%D \starttyping
-%D \scratchdimen=100pt \setpercentdimen\scratchdimen{10\letterpercent}
-%D \scratchdimen=100pt \setpercentdimen\scratchdimen{5pt}
-%D \scratchdimen       \percentdimen   \hsize       {10\letterpercent}
-%D \stoptyping
-
-\def\percentdimen#1#2% dimen percentage (with %)
-  {\dimexpr\ctxcommand{percentageof("#2",\number#1)}\relax}
-
-\unexpanded\def\setpercentdimen#1#2% dimen percentage (with %)
-  {#1=\ctxcommand{percentageof("#2",\number#1)}\relax}
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {makerawcommalist,
 %D    rawdoinsetelse,
@@ -1409,13 +1372,13 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_raw_process_comma_item#1,#2% #2 eats up preceding space
   {\if]#1\else
-     \csname\??nextcommalevel\the\commalevel\endcsname{#1}%
+     \csname\s!next\the\commalevel\endcsname{#1}%
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_raw_process_comma_item
    \fi#2}
 
 \unexpanded\def\rawprocesscommalist[#1]#2% accepteert ook [\cs]
   {\global\advance\commalevel \plusone
-   \expandafter\let\csname\??nextcommalevel\the\commalevel\endcsname#2%
+   \expandafter\let\csname\s!next\the\commalevel\endcsname#2%
    \expandafter\syst_helpers_raw_process_comma_item#1,],% \relax
    \global\advance\commalevel \minusone }
 
@@ -1425,33 +1388,33 @@
 % \def\rawdoifinsetelse#1#2{\doifinstringelse{,#1,}{,#2,}}
 % \def\rawdoifinset    #1#2{\doifinstring    {,#1,}{,#2,}}
 
-\def\m_syst_two_commas{,,}
+\def\@@rawempty{,,}
 
 \unexpanded\def\rawdoifinsetelse#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_sub_string{,#1,}% expand #1 here
-   \ifx\m_syst_sub_string\m_syst_two_commas
+  {\edef\@@@instring{,#1,}% expand #1 here
+   \ifx\@@@instring\@@rawempty
      \expandafter\thirdofthreearguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_raw_do_if_in_set_else
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_raw_do_if_in_set_else#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\m_syst_sub_string{,#1,}%
+  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\@@@instring{,#1,}%
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\rawdoifinset#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_sub_string{,#1,}% expand #1 here
-   \ifx\m_syst_sub_string\m_syst_two_commas
+  {\edef\@@@instring{,#1,}% expand #1 here
+   \ifx\@@@instring\@@rawempty
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_raw_do_if_in_set
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_raw_do_if_in_set#1%%
-  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\m_syst_sub_string{,#1,}%
+  {\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else\@@@instring{,#1,}%
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
@@ -1460,40 +1423,42 @@
 %D Some more raw material:
 
 \def\syst_helpers_do_raw_process_action[#1][#2]%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_do_do_raw_process_action##1,#1=>##2,##3\_e_o_s_
+  {\def\syst_helpers_do_do_raw_process_action##1,#1=>##2,##3\war
      {\if##3@\else
-        \def\m_syst_helpers_process_action{##2}%
+        \def\!!processaction{##2}%
       \fi}%
-   \syst_helpers_do_do_raw_process_action,#2,#1=>,@\_e_o_s_}
+   \syst_helpers_do_do_raw_process_action,#2,#1=>,@\war}
 
 \unexpanded\def\rawprocessaction[#1]#2[#3]%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{undefined}% better \!!undefined
-   \let\m_syst_helpers_process_action\m_syst_string_two
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{undefined}% better \!!undefined
+   \let\!!processaction\!!stringb
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_raw_process_action\expandafter[\s!default][#3]%
    \else
-      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_raw_process_action\expandafter[\m_syst_string_one][#3]%
-      \ifx\m_syst_helpers_process_action\m_syst_string_two
+      \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_raw_process_action\expandafter[\!!stringa][#3]%
+      \ifx\!!processaction\!!stringb
         \expandafter\syst_helpers_do_raw_process_action\expandafter[\s!unknown][#3]%
       \fi
    \fi
-   \ifx\m_syst_helpers_process_action\m_syst_string_two
+   \ifx\!!processaction\!!stringb
    \else
-     \m_syst_helpers_process_action
+     \!!processaction
    \fi}
 
-%D When we process the list \type{a,b,c,d,e}, the raw routine takes over 30\% less
-%D time, when we feed $20+$ character strings we gain about 20\%. Alternatives which
-%D use \type{\futurelet} perform worse. Part of the speedup is due to the
-%D \type{\let} and \type{\expandafter} in the test.
+%D When we process the list \type{a,b,c,d,e}, the raw routine
+%D takes over 30\% less time, when we feed $20+$ character
+%D strings we gain about 20\%. Alternatives which use
+%D \type{\futurelet} perform worse. Part of the speedup is
+%D due to the \type{\let} and \type{\expandafter} in the test.
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dosetvalue,dosetevalue,dosetgvalue,docopyvalue,doresetvalue,
 %D    dogetvalue}
 %D
-%D When we are going to do assignments, we have to take multi||linguality into account.
-%D For the moment we keep things simple and single||lingual.
+%D When we are going to do assignments, we have to take
+%D multi||linguality into account. For the moment we keep
+%D things simple and single||lingual.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \dosetvalue   {label}    {variable}   {value}
@@ -1503,8 +1468,8 @@
 %D \doresetvalue {label}    {variable}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D These macros are in fact auxiliary ones and are not meant for use outside the
-%D assignment macros.
+%D These macros are in fact auxiliary ones and are not meant
+%D for use outside the assignment macros.
 
 \def\dosetvalue#1#2% #3
   {\expandafter\def\csname#1#2\endcsname} % {#3}}
@@ -1527,11 +1492,13 @@
 %D \macros
 %D   {doassign,undoassign,doassignempty}
 %D
-%D Assignments are the backbone of \CONTEXT. Abhorred by the concept of style file
-%D hacking, we took a considerable effort in building a parameterized system.
-%D Unfortunately there is a price to pay in terms of speed. Compared to other
-%D packages and taking the functionality of \CONTEXT\ into account, the total size
-%D of the format file is still very acceptable. Now how are these assignments done.
+%D Assignments are the backbone of \CONTEXT. Abhorred by the
+%D concept of style file hacking, we took a considerable effort
+%D in building a parameterized system. Unfortunately there is a
+%D price to pay in terms of speed. Compared to other packages
+%D and taking the functionality of \CONTEXT\ into account, the
+%D total size of the format file is still very acceptable. Now
+%D how are these assignments done.
 %D
 %D Assignments can be realized with:
 %D
@@ -1552,36 +1519,38 @@
 %D \def\labelvariable{value}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D We do check for the presence of an \type{=} and loudly complain of it's missed. We
-%D will redefine this macro later on, when a more advanced message mechanism is
-%D implemented.
+%D We do check for the presence of an \type{=} and loudly
+%D complain of it's missed. We will redefine this macro later
+%D on, when a more advanced message mechanism is implemented.
 
 \newif\iferrorisfatal
 
-\unexpanded\def\waitonfatalerror
+\def\waitonfatalerror
   {\iferrorisfatal\wait\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\showassignerror#1#2%
+\def\showassignerror#1#2%
   {\writestatus{setup}{missing or ungrouped '=' after '#1' in line #2}%
    \waitonfatalerror}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doassignempty[#1][#2=#3]%
+\def\doassignempty[#1][#2=#3]%
   {\ifcsname#1#2\endcsname\else\dosetvalue{#1}{#2}{#3}\fi}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {getparameters,geteparameters,getgparameters,
 %D    forgetparameters}
 %D
-%D Using the assignment commands directly is not our ideal of user friendly interfacing,
-%D so we take some further steps.
+%D Using the assignment commands directly is not our
+%D ideal of user friendly interfacing, so we take some further
+%D steps.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \getparameters    [label] [...=...,...=...]
 %D \forgetparameters [label] [...=...,...=...]
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Again, the label identifies the category a variable belongs to. The second argument
-%D can be a comma separated list of assignments.
+%D Again, the label identifies the category a variable
+%D belongs to. The second argument can be a comma separated
+%D list of assignments.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \getparameters
@@ -1598,7 +1567,8 @@
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
 %D
-%D In the pre||multi||lingual stadium \CONTEXT\ took the next approach. With
+%D In the pre||multi||lingual stadium \CONTEXT\ took the next
+%D approach. With
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \def\??demo {@@demo}
@@ -1622,16 +1592,20 @@
 %D \def\@@demobeta{2}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Because we want to be able to distinguish the \type{!!} pre||tagged user supplied
-%D variables from internal counterparts, we will introduce a slightly different tag
-%D in the multi||lingual modules. There we will use \type{c!} or \type{v!},
-%D depending on the context.
+%D Because we want to be able to distinguish the \type{!!}
+%D pre||tagged user supplied variables from internal
+%D counterparts, we will introduce a slightly different tag in
+%D the multi||lingual modules. There we will use \type{c!} or
+%D \type{v!}, depending on the context.
+%D
+%D By calling \type{\p!doassign} directly, we save ourselves
+%D some argument passing and gain some speed. Whatever
+%D optimizations we do, this  command will always be one of the
+%D bigger bottlenecks.
 %D
-%D By calling \type{doassign} directly, we save ourselves some argument passing
-%D and gain some speed. Whatever optimizations we do, this command will always be
-%D one of the bigger bottlenecks. The alternative \type{\geteparameters} --- it's
-%D funny to see that this alternative saw the light so lately --- can be used to do
-%D expanded assigments.
+%D The alternative \type{\geteparameters} --- it's funny to
+%D see that this alternative saw the light so lately --- can be
+%D used to do expanded assigments.
 
 \let\currentvalue\empty
 
@@ -1643,46 +1617,46 @@
 
 \let\getexpandedparameters\geteparameters
 
-\unexpanded\def\dogetparameters#1[#2]#3[#4%
+\def\dogetparameters#1[#2]#3[#4%
   {\if\noexpand#4]%
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \let\setsomevalue#1%
-     \def\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign{\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed#2}%
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_parameters
+     \def\p!dogetparameter{\p!doassign#2}%
+     \expandafter\xdogetparameters
    \fi#4}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_parameters#1]%
-  {\xprocesscommaitem#1,],\_e_o_p_}
+\def\xdogetparameters#1]%
+  {\xprocesscommaitem#1,],\@relax@}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_process_comma_item#1,#2% #2 takes space before ,
+\def\xprocesscommaitem#1,#2% #2 takes space before ,
   {\if,#1,% dirty trick for testing #1=empty
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_process_comma_item
+     \expandafter\xprocesscommaitem
    \else\if]#1%
      \doubleexpandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
-     \syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign\_e_o_p_#1==\empty\_e_o_p_
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_process_comma_item
+     \p!dogetparameter\@relax@#1==\empty\@relax@
+     \doubleexpandafter\xprocesscommaitem
    \fi\fi#2}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_assign_error#1#2#3%
+\def\xshowassignerror#1#2#3%
   {\showassignerror{#2}{\the\inputlineno\space(#1)}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_normal#1\_e_o_p_#2=#3=#4#5\_e_o_p_
+\def\p!n!doassign#1\@relax@#2=#3=#4#5\@relax@
   {\ifx\empty#2\empty
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_assign_error
+     \expandafter\xshowassignerror
    \else\ifx#4\empty
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_assign_error
+     \doubleexpandafter\xshowassignerror
    \else
      \doubleexpandafter\setsomevalue
    \fi\fi
    {#1}{#2}{#3}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_error#1\_e_o_p_#2=#3=#4#5\_e_o_p_
+\def\p!e!doassign#1\@relax@#2=#3=#4#5\@relax@
   {\ifx\empty#2\empty
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_assign_error
+     \expandafter\xshowassignerror
    \else\ifx#4\empty
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_assign_error
+     \doubleexpandafter\xshowassignerror
    \else
      \ifcsname#1#2\endcsname
        \expandafter\let\expandafter\currentvalue\csname#1#2\endcsname
@@ -1693,11 +1667,11 @@
    \fi\fi
    {#1}{#2}{#3}}
 
-\let\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_normal
+\let\p!doassign\p!n!doassign
 
-\unexpanded\def\doassign  [#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\dosetvalue  \syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed#1\_e_o_p_#2==\empty\_e_o_p_}
-\unexpanded\def\doeassign [#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\dosetevalue \syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed#1\_e_o_p_#2==\empty\_e_o_p_}
-\unexpanded\def\undoassign[#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\doresetvalue\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed#1\_e_o_p_#2==\empty\_e_o_p_}
+\def\doassign  [#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\dosetvalue  \p!doassign#1\@relax@#2==\empty\@relax@}
+\def\doeassign [#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\dosetevalue \p!doassign#1\@relax@#2==\empty\@relax@}
+\def\undoassign[#1][#2]{\let\setsomevalue\doresetvalue\p!doassign#1\@relax@#2==\empty\@relax@}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {processassignmentlist,processassignmentcommand,
@@ -1714,8 +1688,8 @@
 %D worth the trouble and tokens.
 
 \unexpanded\def\processassignmentlist[#1]#2% #2 == \command{key}{value]
-  {\def\syst_helpers_process_assignment_entry##1{#2}% {##2}{##3} % namespace is ignored
-   \dogetparameters\syst_helpers_process_assignment_entry[][#1]}
+  {\def\doprocessassignmententry##1{#2}% {##2}{##3} % namespace is ignored
+   \dogetparameters\doprocessassignmententry[][#1]}
 
 \unexpanded\def\processassignmentcommand[#1]%
   {\normalexpanded{\processassignmentlist[#1]}}
@@ -1730,8 +1704,9 @@
 
 %D \macros{currentvalue}
 %D
-%D Just in case a \type{\getparameter} argument itself ends up inside a \type
-%D {\write} or other expandable location, our new macro needs a default value.
+%D Just in case a \type{\getparameter} argument itself ends up
+%D inside a \type{\write} or other expandable location, our
+%D new macro needs a default value.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \getparameters[xxx][aaa=bbb]\par
@@ -1741,8 +1716,7 @@
 %D \getparameters[xxx][aaa]\par
 %D \stoptyping
 
-%D \macros
-%D   {expandparameters}
+%D \macros {expandparameters}
 %D
 %D Example usage:
 %D
@@ -1759,27 +1733,26 @@
 %D \startlines
 %D \getbuffer
 %D \stoplines
-%D
+
 %D Here we hook in the code (beware, this is the optimized get **):
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_parameters_normal#1]%
-  {\syst_helpers_process_comma_item#1,],\_e_o_p_}
+\def\xdoget@n@parameters#1]%
+  {\xprocesscommaitem#1,],\@relax@}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_parameters_expanded#1]%
+\def\xdoget@e@parameters#1]%
   {\let\dosetnvalue\setsomevalue
    \let\setsomevalue\dosetevalue
-   \let\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_error
+   \let\p!doassign\p!e!doassign
    \let\setsomevalue\dosetevalue
-   \syst_helpers_process_comma_item#1,],\_e_o_p_
-   \let\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_indeed\syst_helpers_get_parameters_assign_normal
+   \xprocesscommaitem#1,],\@relax@
+   \let\p!doassign\p!n!doassign
    \let\setsomevalue\dosetnvalue
-   \let\syst_helpers_get_parameters\syst_helpers_get_parameters_normal
+   \let\xdogetparameters\xdoget@n@parameters
    \let\currentvalue\empty}
 
-\let\syst_helpers_get_parameters\syst_helpers_get_parameters_normal % **
+\let\xdogetparameters\xdoget@n@parameters % **
 
-\unexpanded\def\expandparameters
-  {\let\syst_helpers_get_parameters\syst_helpers_get_parameters_expanded}
+\def\expandparameters{\let\xdogetparameters\xdoget@e@parameters}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {getemptyparameters}
@@ -1791,9 +1764,9 @@
 %D \getemptyparameters [label] [...=...,...=...]
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\unexpanded\def\getemptyparameters[#1]#2[#3]%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_empty_parameters##1{\doassignempty[#1][##1]}%
-   \processcommalist[#3]\syst_helpers_get_empty_parameters}
+\def\getemptyparameters[#1]#2[#3]%
+  {\def\p!dogetemptyparameter##1{\doassignempty[#1][##1]}%
+   \processcommalist[#3]\p!dogetemptyparameter}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {copyparameters}
@@ -1828,8 +1801,8 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\copyparameters[#1]#2[#3]#4[#5]%
   {\doifnot{#1}{#3}
-     {\def\syst_helpers_copy_parameter{\docopyvalue{#1}{#3}}% ##1
-      \processcommalist[#5]\syst_helpers_copy_parameter}}
+     {\def\docopyparameter{\docopyvalue{#1}{#3}}% ##1
+      \processcommalist[#5]\docopyparameter}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {ifparameters,checkparameters}
@@ -1847,60 +1820,58 @@
 
 \newif\ifparameters
 
-\def\syst_helpers_check_parameters#1=#2#3\_e_o_s_
+\def\p!checkparameters#1=#2#3\war%
   {\if#2@\parametersfalse\else\parameterstrue\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\checkparameters[#1]%
-  {\syst_helpers_check_parameters#1=@@\_e_o_s_}
+\def\checkparameters[#1]%
+  {\p!checkparameters#1=@@\war}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {getfromcommalist,getfromcommacommand,
 %D    commalistelement,
 %D    getcommalistsize,getcommacommandsize}
 %D
-%D It's possible to get an element from a commalist or a command representing
-%D a commalist.
+%D It's possible to get an element from a commalist or a
+%D command representing a commalist.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \getfromcommalist    [string] [n]
 %D \getfromcommacommand [string,\strings,string,...] [n]
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D The difference betwee the two of them is the same as the difference between
-%D \type {\processcomma...}. The found string is stored in \type
-%D {\commalistelement}.
+%D The difference betwee the two of them is the same as the
+%D difference between \type{\processcomma...}. The found string
+%D is stored in \type{\commalistelement}.
 %D
-%D We can calculate the size of a comma separated list by using:
+%D We can calculate the size of a comma separated list by
+%D using:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \getcommalistsize    [string,string,...]
 %D \getcommacommandsize [string,\strings,string,...]
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Afterwards, the length is available in the macro \type {\commalistsize}
-%D (not a \COUNTER).
+%D Afterwards, the length is available in the macro
+%D \type{\commalistsize} (not a \COUNTER).
 
 \newcount\commalistcounter
 
 \def\commalistsize{0}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_comma_list_size#1%
+\def\p!dogetcommalistsize#1%
   {\advance\commalistcounter\plusone}
 
-\unexpanded\def\getcommalistsize#1]% don't loose [{#1}]
+\def\getcommalistsize#1]% don't loose [{#1}]
   {\commalistcounter\zerocount
-   \processcommalist#1]\syst_helpers_get_comma_list_size   % was [{#1}]
+   \processcommalist#1]\p!dogetcommalistsize   % was [{#1}]
    \edef\commalistsize{\the\commalistcounter}}
 
-% \def\getcommacommandsize[#1]%
-%   {\edef\commacommand{#1}%
-%    \scratchtoks\expandafter{\expandafter[\commacommand]}%
-%    \expandafter\getcommalistsize\the\scratchtoks }
+\def\getcommacommandsize[#1]%
+  {\edef\commacommand{#1}%
+   \scratchtoks\expandafter{\expandafter[\commacommand]}%
+   \expandafter\getcommalistsize\the\scratchtoks }
 
-\unexpanded\def\getcommacommandsize[#1]%
-  {\normalexpanded{\getcommalistsize[#1]}}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_get_from_comma_list#1%
+\def\p!dogetfromcommalist#1%
   {\advance\commalistcounter \minusone
    \ifcase\commalistcounter
      \def\commalistelement{#1}%
@@ -1910,7 +1881,7 @@
 \unexpanded\def\getfromcommalist[#1]#2[#3]%
   {\let\commalistelement\empty
    \commalistcounter#3\relax
-   \processcommalist[#1]\syst_helpers_get_from_comma_list}
+   \processcommalist[#1]\p!dogetfromcommalist}
 
 \unexpanded\def\getfromcommacommand[#1]%
   {\normalexpanded{\getfromcommalist[#1]}}
@@ -1948,11 +1919,16 @@
 %D \dogetcommalistelement1\from a,b,c\to\commalistelement
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_comma_list_element#1\from#2,#3,#4,#5,#6,#7,#8\to#9%
+\def\dodogetcommalistelement#1\from#2,#3,#4,#5,#6,#7,#8\to#9%
   {\edef#9{\ifcase#1\relax\or#2\or#3\or#4\or#5\or#6\or#7\or#8\fi}}
 
+\def\dogetcommalistelement#1\from#2\to%
+  {\dodogetcommalistelement#1\from#2,,,,,,\to}
+
+% check sources
+
 \def\dogetcommacommandelement#1\from#2\to%
-  {\expandafter\syst_helpers_get_comma_list_element\expandafter#1\expandafter\from#2,,,,,,\to}
+  {\expandafter\dodogetcommalistelement\expandafter#1\expandafter\from#2,,,,,,\to}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dosingleargument,dodoubleargument,dotripleargument,
@@ -2008,15 +1984,13 @@
 %D us to do some checking, we reimplemented the non||empty
 %D ones.
 
-% no longer a mesage:
-%
-% \unexpanded\def\dosingleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plusone   \dosingleempty    }
-% \unexpanded\def\dodoubleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plustwo   \dodoubleempty    }
-% \unexpanded\def\dotripleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plusthree \dotripleempty    }
-% \unexpanded\def\doquadrupleargument {\let\expectedarguments\plusfour  \doquadrupleempty }
-% \unexpanded\def\doquintupleargument {\let\expectedarguments\plusfive  \doquintupleempty }
-% \unexpanded\def\dosixtupleargument  {\let\expectedarguments\plussix   \dosixtupleempty  }
-% \unexpanded\def\doseventupleargument{\let\expectedarguments\plusseven \doseventupleempty}
+\unexpanded\def\dosingleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plusone   \dosingleempty    }
+\unexpanded\def\dodoubleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plustwo   \dodoubleempty    }
+\unexpanded\def\dotripleargument    {\let\expectedarguments\plusthree \dotripleempty    }
+\unexpanded\def\doquadrupleargument {\let\expectedarguments\plusfour  \doquadrupleempty }
+\unexpanded\def\doquintupleargument {\let\expectedarguments\plusfive  \doquintupleempty }
+\unexpanded\def\dosixtupleargument  {\let\expectedarguments\plussix   \dosixtupleempty  }
+\unexpanded\def\doseventupleargument{\let\expectedarguments\plusseven \doseventupleempty}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {iffirstagument,ifsecondargument,ifthirdargument,
@@ -2039,7 +2013,8 @@
 %D    doquadrupleempty,doquintupleempty,dosixtupeempty,
 %D    doseventupleempty}
 %D
-%D The empty argument supplying macros mentioned before, look like:
+%D The empty argument supplying macros mentioned before, look
+%D like:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \dosingleempty    \command
@@ -2047,11 +2022,11 @@
 %D \dotripleempty    \command
 %D \doquadrupleempty \command
 %D \doquintupleempty \command
-%D \dosixtuple_empty  \command
+%D \dosixtupleempty  \command
 %D \doseventupleempty\command
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D So \type{\dodoubleempty} leads to:
+%D So \type{\dodoubleempty} leades to:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \command[#1][#2]
@@ -2066,16 +2041,16 @@
 \setnewconstant\noexpectedarguments\zerocount
 \setnewconstant\expectedarguments  \zerocount
 
-\unexpanded\def\showargumenterror#1#2%
+\def\showargumenterror#1#2%
   {\writestatus{system}{\number#1 argument(s) expected in line #2}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_argument_error
+\def\doshowargumenterror
   {\ifnum\expectedarguments>\noexpectedarguments
      \showargumenterror{\number\expectedarguments}{\number\inputlineno}%
    \fi
-   \syst_helpers_argument_reset}
+   \noshowargumenterror}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+\def\noshowargumenterror
   {\let\expectedarguments\noexpectedarguments}
 
 % \def\test[#1]{(#1)}
@@ -2099,193 +2074,193 @@
 %D Single:
 
 \unexpanded\def\dosingleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\firstargumenttrue#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_single_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\dosingleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_single_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\dosingleemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    #1[]}
 
 %D Double
 
 \unexpanded\def\dodoubleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_yes#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\dodoubleemptyYESone#1}%
+     {\dodoubleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\dodoubleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\secondargumenttrue#1[{#2}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_double_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\dodoubleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\dodoubleemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    #1[][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_double_empty_two_nop
+\def\dodoubleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_spaced
+     \expandafter\dodoubleemptyonespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_normal
+     \expandafter\dodoubleemptyonenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_spaced#1#2{#1[{#2}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_double_empty_one_normal#1#2{#1[{#2}][]}
+\def\dodoubleemptyonespaced#1#2{#1[{#2}][] }
+\def\dodoubleemptyonenormal#1#2{#1[{#2}][]}
 
 % Three
 
 \unexpanded\def\dotripleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_triple_empty_one_yes#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_triple_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\dotripleemptyYESone#1}%
+     {\dotripleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\dotripleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_yes#1{#2}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\dotripleemptyYEStwo#1{#2}}%
+     {\dotripleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_yes#1#2[#3]%
+\def\dotripleemptyYEStwo#1#2[#3]%
   {\secondargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\thirdargumenttrue#1[{#2}][{#3}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_nop#1{#2}{#3}}}
+     {\dotripleemptyNOPthree#1{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\dotripleemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    #1[][][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_nop
+\def\dotripleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_spaced
+     \expandafter\dotripleemptytwospaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_normal
+     \expandafter\dotripleemptytwonormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_nop
+\def\dotripleemptyNOPthree
   {\thirdargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_spaced
+     \expandafter\dotripleemptythreespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_normal
+     \expandafter\dotripleemptythreenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_spaced  #1#2{#1[{#2}][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_two_normal  #1#2{#1[{#2}][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_spaced#1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_triple_empty_three_normal#1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][]}
+\def\dotripleemptytwospaced    #1#2{#1[{#2}][][] }
+\def\dotripleemptytwonormal    #1#2{#1[{#2}][][]}
+\def\dotripleemptythreespaced#1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][] }
+\def\dotripleemptythreenormal#1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][]}
 
 %D Four:
 
 \unexpanded\def\doquadrupleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_one_yes#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\doquadrupleemptyYESone#1}%
+     {\doquadrupleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\doquadrupleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_yes#1{#2}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\doquadrupleemptyYEStwo#1{#2}}%
+     {\doquadrupleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_yes#1#2[#3]%
+\def\doquadrupleemptyYEStwo#1#2[#3]%
   {\secondargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_yes#1{#2}{#3}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_nop#1{#2}{#3}}}
+     {\doquadrupleemptyYESthree#1{#2}{#3}}%
+     {\doquadrupleemptyNOPthree#1{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_yes#1#2#3[#4]%
+\def\doquadrupleemptyYESthree#1#2#3[#4]%
   {\thirdargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\fourthargumenttrue#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
+     {\doquadrupleemptyNOPfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\doquadrupleemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    #1[][][][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_nop
+\def\doquadrupleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptytwospaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_normal
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptytwonormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_nop
+\def\doquadrupleemptyNOPthree
   {\thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptythreespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_normal
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptythreenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_nop
+\def\doquadrupleemptyNOPfour
   {\fourthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptyfourspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_normal
+     \expandafter\doquadrupleemptyfournormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_spaced      #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_two_normal      #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_spaced  #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_three_normal  #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_spaced #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quadruple_empty_four_normal #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][]}
+\def\doquadrupleemptytwospaced      #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][] }
+\def\doquadrupleemptytwonormal      #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][]}
+\def\doquadrupleemptythreespaced  #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][] }
+\def\doquadrupleemptythreenormal  #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][]}
+\def\doquadrupleemptyfourspaced #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][] }
+\def\doquadrupleemptyfournormal #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][]}
 
 %D Five:
 
 \unexpanded\def\doquintupleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_one_yes#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\doquintupleemptyYESone#1}%
+     {\doquintupleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\doquintupleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_yes#1{#2}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\doquintupleemptyYEStwo#1{#2}}%
+     {\doquintupleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_yes#1#2[#3]%
+\def\doquintupleemptyYEStwo#1#2[#3]%
   {\secondargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_yes#1{#2}{#3}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_nop#1{#2}{#3}}}
+     {\doquintupleemptyYESthree#1{#2}{#3}}%
+     {\doquintupleemptyNOPthree#1{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_yes#1#2#3[#4]%
+\def\doquintupleemptyYESthree#1#2#3[#4]%
   {\thirdargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
+     {\doquintupleemptyYESfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
+     {\doquintupleemptyNOPfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_yes#1#2#3#4[#5]%
+\def\doquintupleemptyYESfour#1#2#3#4[#5]%
   {\fourthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\fifthargumenttrue#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
+     {\doquintupleemptyNOPfive#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\doquintupleemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
@@ -2293,92 +2268,92 @@
    \fifthargumentfalse
    #1[][][][][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_nop
+\def\doquintupleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptytwospaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_normal
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptytwonormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_nop
+\def\doquintupleemptyNOPthree
   {\thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptythreespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_normal
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptythreenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_nop
+\def\doquintupleemptyNOPfour
   {\fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptyfourspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_normal
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptyfournormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_nop
+\def\doquintupleemptyNOPfive
   {\fifthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_spaced
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptyfivespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_normal
+     \expandafter\doquintupleemptyfivenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_spaced        #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_two_normal        #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_spaced    #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_three_normal    #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_spaced   #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_four_normal   #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_spaced #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_quintuple_empty_five_normal #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][]}
+\def\doquintupleemptytwospaced        #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][] }
+\def\doquintupleemptytwonormal        #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][]}
+\def\doquintupleemptythreespaced    #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][] }
+\def\doquintupleemptythreenormal    #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][]}
+\def\doquintupleemptyfourspaced   #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][] }
+\def\doquintupleemptyfournormal   #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][]}
+\def\doquintupleemptyfivespaced #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][] }
+\def\doquintupleemptyfivenormal #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][]}
 
 %D Six
 
 \unexpanded\def\dosixtupleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_one_yes#1}
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyYESone#1}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\dosixtupleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_yes#1{#2}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyYEStwo#1{#2}}%
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_yes#1#2[#3]%
+\def\dosixtupleemptyYEStwo#1#2[#3]%
   {\secondargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_yes#1{#2}{#3}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_nop#1{#2}{#3}}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyYESthree#1{#2}{#3}}%
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPthree#1{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_yes#1#2#3[#4]%
+\def\dosixtupleemptyYESthree#1#2#3[#4]%
   {\thirdargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyYESfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_yes#1#2#3#4[#5]%
+\def\dosixtupleemptyYESfour#1#2#3#4[#5]%
   {\fourthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyYESfive#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}%
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPfive#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_yes#1#2#3#4#5[#6]%
+\def\dosixtupleemptyYESfive#1#2#3#4#5[#6]%
   {\fifthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\sixthargumenttrue#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}}
+     {\dosixtupleemptyNOPsix#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\dosixemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
@@ -2387,112 +2362,112 @@
    \sixthargumentfalse
    #1[][][][][][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_nop
+\def\dosixtupleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosixemptytwospaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_normal
+     \expandafter\dosixemptytwonormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_nop
+\def\dosixtupleemptyNOPthree
   {\thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosixemptythreespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_normal
+     \expandafter\dosixemptythreenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_nop
+\def\dosixtupleemptyNOPfour
   {\fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosixemptyfourspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_normal
+     \expandafter\dosixemptyfournormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_nop
+\def\dosixtupleemptyNOPfive
   {\fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosixemptyfivespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_normal
+     \expandafter\dosixemptyfivenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_nop
+\def\dosixtupleemptyNOPsix
   {\sixthargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosixemptysixspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_normal
+     \expandafter\dosixemptysixnormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_spaced          #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_two_normal          #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_spaced      #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_three_normal      #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_spaced     #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_four_normal     #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_spaced   #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_five_normal   #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_spaced  #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_sixtuple_empty_six_normal  #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][]}
+\def\dosixemptytwospaced          #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][] }
+\def\dosixemptytwonormal          #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][]}
+\def\dosixemptythreespaced      #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][] }
+\def\dosixemptythreenormal      #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][]}
+\def\dosixemptyfourspaced     #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][] }
+\def\dosixemptyfournormal     #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][]}
+\def\dosixemptyfivespaced   #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][] }
+\def\dosixemptyfivenormal   #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][]}
+\def\dosixemptysixspaced  #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][] }
+\def\dosixemptysixnormal  #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][]}
 
 %D Seven:
 
 \unexpanded\def\doseventupleempty#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
+  {\noshowargumenterror
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_one_yes#1}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_one_nop#1}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYESone#1}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPone#1}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_one_yes#1[#2]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYESone#1[#2]%
   {\firstargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_yes#1{#2}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_nop#1{#2}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYEStwo#1{#2}}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPtwo#1{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_yes#1#2[#3]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYEStwo#1#2[#3]%
   {\secondargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_yes#1{#2}{#3}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_nop#1{#2}{#3}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYESthree#1{#2}{#3}}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPthree#1{#2}{#3}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_yes#1#2#3[#4]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYESthree#1#2#3[#4]%
   {\thirdargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYESfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPfour#1{#2}{#3}{#4}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_yes#1#2#3#4[#5]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYESfour#1#2#3#4[#5]%
   {\fourthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYESfive#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPfive#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_yes#1#2#3#4#5[#6]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYESfive#1#2#3#4#5[#6]%
   {\fifthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_yes#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyYESsix#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}%
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPsix#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_yes#1#2#3#4#5#6[#7]%
+\def\doseventupleemptyYESsix#1#2#3#4#5#6[#7]%
   {\sixthargumenttrue
    \doifnextoptionalelse
      {\seventhargumenttrue#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][{#7}]}%
-     {\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_nop#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}{#7}}}
+     {\doseventupleemptyNOPseven#1{#2}{#3}{#4}{#5}{#6}{#7}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_one_nop#1%
+\def\dosevenemptyNOPone#1%
   {\firstargumentfalse
    \secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
@@ -2502,7 +2477,7 @@
    \seventhargumentfalse
    #1[][][][][][][]}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPtwo
   {\secondargumentfalse
    \thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
@@ -2510,81 +2485,73 @@
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptytwospaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_normal
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptytwonormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPthree
   {\thirdargumentfalse
    \fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptythreespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_normal
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptythreenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPfour
   {\fourthargumentfalse
    \fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptyfourspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_normal
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptyfournormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPfive
   {\fifthargumentfalse
    \sixthargumentfalse
    \seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptyfivespaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_normal
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptyfivenormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPsix
   {\sixthargumentfalse
    \seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_spaced
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptysixspaced
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_normal
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptysixnormal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_nop
+\def\doseventupleemptyNOPseven
   {\seventhargumentfalse
    \if_next_blank_space_token
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_spaced
-   \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_normal
-   \fi}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_spaced            #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_two_normal            #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_spaced        #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_three_normal        #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_spaced       #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_four_normal       #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_spaced     #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_five_normal     #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_spaced    #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_six_normal    #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_spaced#1#2#3#4#5#6#7{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][{#7}][] }
-\def\syst_helpers_seventuple_empty_seven_normal#1#2#3#4#5#6#7{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][{#7}][]}
-
-\let\dosingleargument    \dosingleempty
-\let\dodoubleargument    \dodoubleempty
-\let\dotripleargument    \dotripleempty
-\let\doquadrupleargument \doquadrupleempty
-\let\doquintupleargument \doquintupleempty
-\let\dosixtupleargument  \dosixtupleempty
-\let\doseventupleargument\doseventupleempty
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptysevenspaced
+   \else
+     \expandafter\dosevenemptysevennormal
+   \fi}
+
+\def\dosevenemptytwospaced            #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][][] }
+\def\dosevenemptytwonormal            #1#2{#1[{#2}][][][][][][]}
+\def\dosevenemptythreespaced        #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][][] }
+\def\dosevenemptythreenormal        #1#2#3{#1[{#2}][{#3}][][][][][]}
+\def\dosevenemptyfourspaced       #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][][] }
+\def\dosevenemptyfournormal       #1#2#3#4{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][][][][]}
+\def\dosevenemptyfivespaced     #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][][] }
+\def\dosevenemptyfivenormal     #1#2#3#4#5{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][][][]}
+\def\dosevenemptysixspaced    #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][][] }
+\def\dosevenemptysixnormal    #1#2#3#4#5#6{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][][]}
+\def\dosevenemptysevenspaced#1#2#3#4#5#6#7{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][{#7}][] }
+\def\dosevenemptysevennormal#1#2#3#4#5#6#7{#1[{#2}][{#3}][{#4}][{#5}][{#6}][{#7}][]}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {strippedcsname}
@@ -2661,20 +2628,22 @@
 %D worthwile to offer two more alternatives. Watch the build
 %D in protection.
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_complex_or_simple#1#2%
+\def\docomplexorsimple#1#2%
   {\doifnextoptionalelse{\firstargumenttrue#1}{\firstargumentfalse#2}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_complex_or_simple_empty#1%
+\def\docomplexorsimpleempty#1%
   {\doifnextoptionalelse{\firstargumenttrue#1}{\firstargumentfalse#1[]}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\definecomplexorsimple#1%
-  {\unexpanded\edef#1{\syst_helpers_complex_or_simple
-     \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!complex\strippedcsname#1\endcsname
-     \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!simple \strippedcsname#1\endcsname}}
+  {\unexpanded\edef#1%
+     {\noexpand\docomplexorsimple
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!complex\strippedcsname#1\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!simple \strippedcsname#1\endcsname}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\definecomplexorsimpleempty#1%
-  {\unexpanded\edef#1{\syst_helpers_complex_or_simple_empty
-     \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!complex\strippedcsname#1\endcsname}}
+  {\unexpanded\edef#1%
+     {\noexpand\docomplexorsimpleempty
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname\s!complex\strippedcsname#1\endcsname}}
 
 %D These commands are called as:
 %D
@@ -2710,10 +2679,8 @@
 %D We can add additional definitions later when we have defined
 %D \type {\appendtoks}.
 
-\newconditional\c_syst_helpers_permit_spaces_between_groups
-
-\def    \permitspacesbetweengroups{\settrue \c_syst_helpers_permit_spaces_between_groups}
-\def\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups{\setfalse\c_syst_helpers_permit_spaces_between_groups}
+\def    \permitspacesbetweengroups{\let\@@permitspacesbetweengroups\zerocount}
+\def\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups{\let\@@permitspacesbetweengroups\plusone}
 
 \dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
 
@@ -2722,94 +2689,94 @@
 %D potentially being an \type {conditional} token. Okay, these macros
 %D are not called that often but it saves crap when tracing.
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument#1#2%
-  {\let\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_yes#1%
-   \let\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nop#2%
-   \futurelet\nextargument\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_indeed}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_indeed
+\def\dodogetgroupargument
   {\ifx\nextargument\bgroup
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_a
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentA
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_b
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentB
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_a
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_reset
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_yes\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested}
+\def\dodogetgroupargumentA
+  {\noshowargumenterror
+   \dogroupargumentyes\dodogetargument}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_b
-  {\ifconditional\c_syst_helpers_permit_spaces_between_groups
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_f
+\def\dodogetgroupargumentB
+  {\ifcase\@@permitspacesbetweengroups
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentF
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_d
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentD
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_d
-  {\syst_helpers_argument_error
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nop\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested{}}
+\def\dodogetgroupargumentD
+  {\doshowargumenterror
+   \dogroupargumentnop\dodogetargument{}}
 
 \begingroup
-  \def\\ {\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_yes\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nop}
-  \global\let\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_e\\
+  \def\\ {\dogetgroupargument\dogroupargumentyes\dogroupargumentnop}
+  \global\let\dodogetgroupargumentE\\
 \endgroup
 
-\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_f
+\def\dodogetgroupargumentF
   {\ifx\nextargument\blankspace
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_e % g
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentE % G
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_d % h
+     \expandafter\dodogetgroupargumentD % H
    \fi}
 
+\def\dogetgroupargument#1#2%
+  {\let\dogroupargumentyes#1%
+   \let\dogroupargumentnop#2%
+   \futurelet\nextargument\dodogetgroupargument}
+
 \def\dosinglegroupempty#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested
+  {\def\dodogetargument%
      {\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
       #1}%
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
+   \dogetgroupargument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
 
 \def\dodoublegroupempty#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested##1%
-     {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested
+  {\def\dodogetargument##1%
+     {\def\dodogetargument%
         {\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
          #1{##1}}%
-      \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
+      \dogetgroupargument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
+   \dogetgroupargument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
 
 \def\dotriplegroupempty#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested##1%
-     {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested####1%
-        {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested
+  {\def\dodogetargument##1%
+     {\def\dodogetargument####1%
+        {\def\dodogetargument%
            {\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
             #1{##1}{####1}}%
-         \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
-      \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
+         \dogetgroupargument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
+      \dogetgroupargument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
+   \dogetgroupargument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
 
 \def\doquadruplegroupempty#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested##1%
-     {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested####1%
-        {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested########1%
-           {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested
+  {\def\dodogetargument##1%
+     {\def\dodogetargument####1%
+        {\def\dodogetargument########1%
+           {\def\dodogetargument%
               {\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
                #1{##1}{####1}{########1}}%
-            \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\fourthargumenttrue\fourthargumentfalse}%
-         \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
-      \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
+            \dogetgroupargument\fourthargumenttrue\fourthargumentfalse}%
+         \dogetgroupargument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
+      \dogetgroupargument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
+   \dogetgroupargument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
 
 \def\doquintuplegroupempty#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested##1%
-     {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested####1%
-        {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested########1%
-           {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested################1%
-             {\def\syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument_nested
+  {\def\dodogetargument##1%
+     {\def\dodogetargument####1%
+        {\def\dodogetargument########1%
+           {\def\dodogetargument################1%
+             {\def\dodogetargument%
                 {\dontpermitspacesbetweengroups
                  #1{##1}{####1}{########1}{################1}}%
-              \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\fifthargumenttrue\fifthargumentfalse}%
-            \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\fourthargumenttrue\fourthargumentfalse}%
-         \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
-      \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
-   \syst_helpers_get_grouped_argument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
+              \dogetgroupargument\fifthargumenttrue\fifthargumentfalse}%
+            \dogetgroupargument\fourthargumenttrue\fourthargumentfalse}%
+         \dogetgroupargument\thirdargumenttrue\thirdargumentfalse}%
+      \dogetgroupargument\secondargumenttrue\secondargumentfalse}%
+   \dogetgroupargument\firstargumenttrue\firstargumentfalse}
 
 %D These macros can explictly take care of spaces, which means
 %D that the next definition and calls are valid:
@@ -2890,7 +2857,7 @@
 %D nesting is to be expected, we can reuse \type{\wait} within
 %D \type{\wait} itself.
 
-\unexpanded\def\wait
+\def\wait
   {\begingroup
    \read16 to \wait
    \endgroup}
@@ -2921,24 +2888,24 @@
 
     \newtoks\everywritestring
 
-               \def\writedirect  {\immediate\write\statuswrite}
-               \def\writeline    {\writedirect{}}
-    \unexpanded\def\writestring#1{\begingroup\the\everywritestring\writedirect{#1}\endgroup}
+    \def\writedirect  {\immediate\write\statuswrite}
+    \def\writeline    {\writedirect{}}
+    \def\writestring#1{\begingroup\the\everywritestring\writedirect{#1}\endgroup}
 
 \fi
 
-\unexpanded\def\normalwritestatus#1#2%
-  {\writestring{\expandafter\syst_helpers_split_status_yes\expandafter\statuswidth#1%
+\def\normalwritestatus#1#2%
+  {\writestring{\expandafter\dosplitstatus\expandafter\statuswidth#1%
      \space\space\space\space\space\space\space
      \space\space\space\space\space\space\space
      \space\space\space\space\space\space\end
      \space:\space#2}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_split_status_yes#1#2%
-  {\ifcase#1 \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_status_nop\fi#2%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_status_yes\expandafter{\the\numexpr#1+\minusone\relax}}
+\def\dosplitstatus#1#2%
+  {\ifcase#1 \expandafter\nosplitstatus\fi#2%
+   \expandafter\dosplitstatus\expandafter{\the\numexpr#1+\minusone\relax}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_split_status_nop#1\end
+\def\nosplitstatus#1\end
   {}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -2958,13 +2925,13 @@
 
 \newif\ifdebuggerinfo
 
-\unexpanded\def\debuggerinfo#1#2%
+\def\debuggerinfo#1#2%
   {\ifdebuggerinfo
      \writestatus{debugger}{#1:: #2}%
    \fi}
 
-\ifdefined\writestatus \else            \let\writestatus\normalwritestatus \fi
-\ifdefined\writebanner \else \unexpanded\def\writebanner{\writestring}     \fi
+\ifdefined\writestatus \else \let\writestatus\normalwritestatus \fi
+\ifdefined\writebanner \else \def\writebanner{\writestring}     \fi
 
 % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %
 
@@ -2974,13 +2941,13 @@
 %D A raw and dirty alternative for \type {\getparameters}; no
 %D checking is done!
 
-\unexpanded\def\rawsetparameter#1=#2,%
+\def\rawsetparameter#1=#2,%
   {\if]#1\else
      \expandafter\def\csname\rawparameterprefix#1\endcsname{#2}%
      \expandafter\rawsetparameter
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\rawgetparameters[#1][#2% some 5-10% faster
+\def\rawgetparameters[#1][#2% some 5-10% faster
   {\ifx#2]% test is needed, else bomb on [#1][]
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
@@ -3003,28 +2970,28 @@
 %D \type {\redoglobal}. When using only alternatives, one can
 %D reset this mechanism with \type {\resetglobal}.
 
-\unexpanded\def\resetglobal
+\def\resetglobal
   {\let\redoglobal\relax
    \let\dodoglobal\relax}
 
 \resetglobal
 
-\unexpanded\def\doglobal
+\def\doglobal
   {\ifx\redoglobal\relax
      \let\redoglobal\global
-     \let\dodoglobal\syst_helpers_dodo_global
+     \let\dodoglobal\@@dodoglobal
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_dodo_global
+\def\@@dodoglobal
   {\resetglobal\global}
 
 \def\saveglobal
-  {\let\syst_helpers_dodo_global\dodoglobal
-   \let\syst_helpers_redo_global\redoglobal}
+  {\let\@@dodoglobal\dodoglobal
+   \let\@@redoglobal\redoglobal}
 
 \def\restoreglobal
-  {\let\redoglobal\syst_helpers_redo_global
-   \let\dodoglobal\syst_helpers_dodo_global}
+  {\let\redoglobal\@@redoglobal
+   \let\dodoglobal\@@dodoglobal}
 
 %D A very useful application of this macro is \type {\newif},
 %D \TEX's fake boolean type. Not being a primitive,
@@ -3067,7 +3034,7 @@
      \unexpanded\expandafter\def
    \fi#1}
 
-\unexpanded\def\redefine#1%
+\def\redefine#1%
   {\ifdefined#1%
      \message{[\noexpand#1is redefined]}%
    \fi
@@ -3095,46 +3062,76 @@
 %
 % [\test]
 
+% todo: pick up keywords:
+%
+% \starttexdefinition unexpanded bagger ....
+
+% \bgroup \obeylines
+%
+% \gdef\starttexdefinition%
+%   {\bgroup%
+%    \obeylines%
+%    \dostarttexdefinition}
+%
+% \gdef\dostarttexdefinition #1
+%   {\catcode\endoflineasciicode\ignorecatcode%
+%    \doifinstringelse\letterhash{\detokenize{#1}}\dodostarttexdefinition\nonostarttexdefinition#1
+%   }
+%
+% \gdef\dodostarttexdefinition#1 #2
+%   {\dododostarttexdefinition{#1}{#2}}
+%
+% \gdef\dododostarttexdefinition#1#2#3\stoptexdefinition%
+%   {\egroup%
+%    \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname#2{#3}}
+%
+% \gdef\nonostarttexdefinition#1
+%   {\nononostarttexdefinition{#1}{}}
+%
+% \gdef\nononostarttexdefinition#1#2#3\stoptexdefinition%
+%   {\egroup%
+%    \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#3}}
+%
+% \egroup
+
 \def\s!unexpanded{unexpanded}
 
 \bgroup \obeylines
 
-\global\let\stoptexdefinition\relax
-
-\unexpanded\gdef\starttexdefinition%
+\gdef\starttexdefinition%
   {\bgroup%
    \obeylines%
-   \syst_helpers_start_tex_definition}
+   \dostarttexdefinition}
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition #1
+\gdef\dostarttexdefinition #1
   {\catcode\endoflineasciicode\ignorecatcode%
-   \doifinstringelse\letterhash{\detokenize{#1}}\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_nop#1
+   \doifinstringelse\letterhash{\detokenize{#1}}\dodostarttexdefinition\nonostarttexdefinition#1
   }
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes#1 #2
+\gdef\dodostarttexdefinition#1 #2
   {\edef\texdefinitionname{#1}%
    \ifx\texdefinitionname\s!unexpanded%
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes_unexpanded%
+     \expandafter\dododostarttexdefinitionU%
    \else%
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes_normal%
+     \expandafter\dododostarttexdefinitionN%
    \fi%
    {#1}#2
    }
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes_unexpanded#1#2 #3
+\gdef\dododostarttexdefinitionU#1#2 #3
                                        #4\stoptexdefinition%
   {\egroup% #1=unexpanded
    \unexpanded\expandafter\def\csname#2\endcsname#3{#4}}
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_yes_normal#1#2
+\gdef\dododostarttexdefinitionN#1#2
                                     #3\stoptexdefinition%
   {\egroup%
    \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname#2{#3}}
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_nop#1
-  {\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_nop_indeed{#1}{}}
+\gdef\nonostarttexdefinition#1
+  {\nononostarttexdefinition{#1}{}}
 
-\gdef\syst_helpers_start_tex_definition_nop_indeed#1#2#3\stoptexdefinition%
+\gdef\nononostarttexdefinition#1#2#3\stoptexdefinition%
   {\egroup%
    \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#3}}
 
@@ -3144,8 +3141,8 @@
 
 % This is a first variant, more might be added:
 
-\unexpanded\def\starttexcode{\unprotect}
-\unexpanded\def\stoptexcode {\protect}
+\def\starttexcode{\unprotect}
+\def\stoptexcode {\protect}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {newcounter,
@@ -3205,7 +3202,7 @@
 
 \def\zerocountervalue{0}
 
-\unexpanded\def\newcounter#1%
+\def\newcounter#1%
   {\dodoglobal\let#1\zerocountervalue}
 
 %D Nowadays we don't mind a few more tokens if we can gain a
@@ -3220,14 +3217,14 @@
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_increment(#1{\doifnextcharelse,{\syst_helpers_do_do_do_increment#1}{\syst_helpers_do_do_do_increment#1,\plusone}}
 \def\syst_helpers_do_do_decrement(#1{\doifnextcharelse,{\syst_helpers_do_do_do_decrement#1}{\syst_helpers_do_do_do_decrement#1,\plusone}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\fastincrement#1{\dodoglobal\edef#1{\the\numexpr#1+\plusone \relax}}
-\unexpanded\def\fastdecrement#1{\dodoglobal\edef#1{\the\numexpr#1+\minusone\relax}}
+\def\fastincrement#1{\dodoglobal\edef#1{\the\numexpr#1+\plusone \relax}}
+\def\fastdecrement#1{\dodoglobal\edef#1{\the\numexpr#1+\minusone\relax}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\increment{\doifnextcharelse(\syst_helpers_do_do_increment\syst_helpers_do_increment}
-\unexpanded\def\decrement{\doifnextcharelse(\syst_helpers_do_do_decrement\syst_helpers_do_decrement}
+\def\increment{\doifnextcharelse(\syst_helpers_do_do_increment\syst_helpers_do_increment}
+\def\decrement{\doifnextcharelse(\syst_helpers_do_do_decrement\syst_helpers_do_decrement}
 
-\unexpanded\def\incrementvalue#1{\expandafter\increment\csname#1\endcsname}
-\unexpanded\def\decrementvalue#1{\expandafter\decrement\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\incrementvalue#1{\expandafter\increment\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\decrementvalue#1{\expandafter\decrement\csname#1\endcsname}
 
 %D \macros
 %D  {newsignal}
@@ -3248,9 +3245,9 @@
 
 \newdimen\maximumsignal % step is about 0.00025pt
 
-\unexpanded\def\newsignal#1%
+\def\newsignal#1%
   {\ifdefined#1\else
-     \advance\maximumsignal 2\scaledpoint % to be save in rounding
+     \advance\maximumsignal 2sp % to be save in rounding
      \edef#1{\the\maximumsignal}%
    \fi}
 
@@ -3265,9 +3262,9 @@
 %D \stoptyping
 
 \def\checkedstrippedcsname#1% this permits \strippedcsname{\xxx} and \strippedcsname{xxx}
-  {\expandafter\syst_helpers_checked_stripped_csname\string#1}
+  {\expandafter\docheckedstrippedcsname\string#1}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_checked_stripped_csname#1%
+\def\docheckedstrippedcsname#1%
   {\if\noexpand#1\letterbackslash\else#1\fi}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -3275,14 +3272,15 @@
 %D
 %D We will use this one in:
 
-\unexpanded\def\savenormalmeaning#1%
+\def\savenormalmeaning#1%
   {\ifcsname normal\strippedcsname#1\endcsname \else
-     \expandafter\let\csname normal\strippedcsname#1\endcsname#1%
+     \letvalue{normal\strippedcsname#1}#1%
    \fi}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dorecurse,recurselevel,recursedepth,
-%D    dostepwiserecurse}
+%D    dostepwiserecurse,
+%D    for}
 %D
 %D \TEX\ does not offer us powerfull for||loop mechanisms. On
 %D the other hand its recursion engine is quite unique. We
@@ -3328,79 +3326,77 @@
 \def\recursedepth{\the\outerrecurse}
 \def\recurselevel{0}
 
-\let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\relax
+\let\nextrecurse\relax
 
-\installsystemnamespace{recurseindex}
-\installsystemnamespace{recurseaction}
+\def\@@irecurse{@@ir@@} % ecurse} % stepper
+\def\@@arecurse{@@ar@@} % ecurse} % action
 
 \unexpanded\def\dostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4% can be made faster by postponing #4
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname{#4}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \ifnum#3>\zerocount\relax
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname{#4}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \ifnum#3>0\relax
      \ifnum#2<#1\relax
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+       \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
      \else
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse
+       \let\nextrecurse\dodostepwiserecurse
      \fi
    \else
-     \ifnum#3<\zerocount\relax
+     \ifnum#3<0\relax
        \ifnum#1<#2\relax
-         \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+         \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
        \else
-         \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse
+         \let\nextrecurse\dodostepwisereverse
        \fi
      \else
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+       \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
      \fi
-   \fi\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_stepwise_next{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
+   \fi\normalexpanded{\nextrecurse{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse#1#2#3% from to step
+\def\dodostepwiserecurse#1#2#3% from to step
   {\ifnum#1>#2\relax
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_nop
+     \expandafter\nodostepwiserecurse
    \else
      \def\recurselevel{#1}%
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_yes\expandafter
+     \doubleexpandafter\redostepwiserecurse\expandafter
    \fi\expandafter{\the\numexpr\recurselevel+#3\relax}{#2}{#3}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-  {\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname}
+\unexpanded\def\expandrecursecontent
+  {\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_yes
-  {\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-   \syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse}
+\unexpanded\def\redostepwiserecurse
+  {\expandrecursecontent\dodostepwiserecurse}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse#1#2#3% from to step
+\unexpanded\def\dodostepwisereverse#1#2#3% from to step
   {\ifnum#1<#2\relax
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_nop
+     \expandafter\nodostepwiserecurse
    \else
      \def\recurselevel{#1}%
      \innerrecurse#1\relax
      \advance\innerrecurse#3\relax
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse_yes\expandafter
+     \doubleexpandafter\redostepwisereverse\expandafter
    \fi\expandafter{\the\innerrecurse}{#2}{#3}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse_yes
-  {\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-   \syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse}
+\unexpanded\def\redostepwisereverse
+  {\expandrecursecontent\dodostepwisereverse}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
-  {\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_nop\relax}
+\unexpanded\def\exitstepwiserecurse
+  {\nodostepwiserecurse\relax}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse_nop#1#2#3#4%
-  {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
-   \global\advance\outerrecurse\minusone}
+\unexpanded\def\nodostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4%
+  {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
+   \global\advance\outerrecurse \minusone}
 
-% \unexpanded\def\nonostepwiserecurse#1#2#3%
-%   {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
-%    \global\advance\outerrecurse\minusone}
+\unexpanded\def\nonostepwiserecurse#1#2#3%
+  {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
+   \global\advance\outerrecurse \minusone}
 
 \unexpanded\def\dorecurse#1%
-  {\dostepwiserecurse\plusone{#1}\plusone}
+  {\dostepwiserecurse1{#1}1}
 
-\def\doexpandedrecurse#1#2% user macro (also was \doxprecurse)
+\def\doexpandedrecurse#1#2%
   {\ifnum#1>\zerocount
-     #2\expandafter\doexpandedrecurse\expandafter{\the\numexpr#1-\plusone\relax}{#2}%
+     #2\expandafter\doexpandedrecurse\expandafter{\the\numexpr#1-1\relax}{#2}%
    \fi}
 
 %D As we can see here, the simple command \type{\dorecurse} is
@@ -3426,48 +3422,47 @@
   {\ifcase#1\relax
      \expandafter\gobbletwoarguments
    \or
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_y
+     \expandafter\ydorecurse
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_x
+     \expandafter\xdorecurse
    \fi{#1}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_x#1#2%
+\unexpanded\def\xdorecurse#1#2%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \expandafter\gdef\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname{#2}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed\expandafter1\expandafter{\number#1}}
+   \expandafter\gdef\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname{#2}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \expandafter\dodorecurse\expandafter1\expandafter{\number#1}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_y#1#2%
+\unexpanded\def\ydorecurse#1#2%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
    \let\recurselevel\!!plusone
    #2%
-   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
+   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
    \global\advance\outerrecurse \minusone}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed#1#2% from to
+\unexpanded\def\dodorecurse#1#2% from to
   {\ifnum#1>#2\relax
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_nop
+     \expandafter\nodorecurse
    \else
      \def\recurselevel{#1}%
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_yes
+     \doubleexpandafter\redorecurse
    \fi\expandafter{\the\numexpr\recurselevel+\plusone\relax}{#2}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed#1#2% from to
+\unexpanded\def\dodorecurse#1#2% from to
   {\ifnum#1>#2\relax
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_nop
+     \expandafter\nodorecurse
    \else
      \def\recurselevel{#1}%
      \innerrecurse#1\advance\innerrecurse\plusone
-     \doubleexpandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_yes
+     \doubleexpandafter\redorecurse
    \fi\expandafter{\the\innerrecurse}{#2}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_yes
-  {\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-   \syst_helpers_recurse_indeed}
+\unexpanded\def\redorecurse
+  {\expandrecursecontent\dodorecurse}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed_nop#1#2#3%
-  {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
+\unexpanded\def\nodorecurse#1#2#3%
+  {\expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
    \global\advance\outerrecurse \minusone }
 
 %D \macros
@@ -3488,33 +3483,32 @@
 %D When needed, one can call for \type{\looplevel} and
 %D \type{\loopdepth}.
 
-\let\endofloop\donothing % maybe \syst_helpers_loop_end
+\let\endofloop\donothing
 
 \unexpanded\def\doloop#1%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \expandafter\gdef\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname{#1}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \let\endofloop\syst_helpers_loop
-   \syst_helpers_loop1} % no \plusone else \recurselevel wrong
+   \expandafter\gdef\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname{#1}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \let\endofloop\dodoloop
+   \dodoloop1} % no \plusone else \recurselevel wrong
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_loop#1%
+\unexpanded\def\dodoloop#1%
   {\def\recurselevel{#1}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_loop_yes\expandafter{\the\numexpr\recurselevel+\plusone\relax}}
+   \expandafter\redoloop\expandafter{\the\numexpr\recurselevel+\plusone\relax}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_loop_yes
-  {\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-   \endofloop}
+\unexpanded\def\redoloop
+  {\expandrecursecontent\endofloop}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_loop_nop#1%
-  {\let\endofloop\syst_helpers_loop % new, permits nested \doloop's
-   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
+\unexpanded\def\nodoloop#1%
+  {\let\endofloop\dodoloop % new, permits nested \doloop's
+   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
    \global\advance\outerrecurse\minusone}
 
 \unexpanded\def\exitloop                     % \exitloop quits at end
-  {\let\endofloop\syst_helpers_loop_nop}
+  {\let\endofloop\nodoloop}
 
 \unexpanded\def\exitloopnow#1\endofloop % \exitloopnow quits directly
-  {\syst_helpers_loop_nop}
+  {\nodoloop}
 
 %D The loop is executed at least once, so beware of situations
 %D like:
@@ -3554,113 +3548,94 @@
 %D \dorecurse{3}{\expanded{\definesymbol[test-\recurselevel][xx-\recurselevel]}}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\def\syst_helpers_recurse_content
-  {\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
+\def\expandrecursecontent
+  {\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
      \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter{\expandafter\recurselevel\expandafter}\expandafter{\recursedepth}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_x#1#2%
+\unexpanded\def\xdorecurse#1#2%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#2}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_recurse_indeed\expandafter1\expandafter{\number#1}}
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#2}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \expandafter\dodorecurse\expandafter1\expandafter{\number#1}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_recurse_y#1#2%
+\unexpanded\def\ydorecurse#1#2%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
    \let\recurselevel\!!plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#2}%
-   \syst_helpers_recurse_content
-   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#2}%
+   \expandrecursecontent
+   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recurselevel\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
    \global\advance\outerrecurse \minusone}
 
 \unexpanded\def\dostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4% can be made faster by postponing #4
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \ifnum#3>\zerocount\relax
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \ifnum#3>0\relax
      \ifnum#2<#1\relax
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+       \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
      \else
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse
+       \let\nextrecurse\dodostepwiserecurse
      \fi
    \else
-     \ifnum#3<\zerocount\relax
+     \ifnum#3<0\relax
        \ifnum#1<#2\relax
-         \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+         \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
        \else
-         \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse
+         \let\nextrecurse\dodostepwisereverse
        \fi
      \else
-       \let\syst_helpers_stepwise_next\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+       \let\nextrecurse\exitstepwiserecurse
      \fi
-   \fi\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_stepwise_next{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
+   \fi\normalexpanded{\nextrecurse{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doloop#1%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#1}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \let\endofloop\syst_helpers_loop
-   \syst_helpers_loop1} % no \plusone else \recurselevel wrong
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#1}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \let\endofloop\dodoloop
+   \dodoloop1} % no \plusone else \recurselevel wrong
 
 % faster
 
-% \unexpanded\def\dostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4% can be made faster by postponing #4
-%   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-%    \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
-%    \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-%    \csname @swr%
-%      \ifnum#3>\zerocount
-%        \ifnum#2<#1\else d\fi
-%      \else\ifnum#3<\zerocount
-%        \ifnum#1<#2\else r\fi
-%      \fi\fi
-%    \expandafter\endcsname\normalexpanded{{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
-
-% \let\@swr \syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
-% \let\@swrd\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse
-% \let\@swrr\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse
-
-\installsystemnamespace{recursestepwise}
-
 \unexpanded\def\dostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4% can be made faster by postponing #4
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
-   \csname\??recursestepwise
+   \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+   \csname @swr%
      \ifnum#3>\zerocount
        \ifnum#2<#1\else d\fi
      \else\ifnum#3<\zerocount
        \ifnum#1<#2\else r\fi
      \fi\fi
    \expandafter\endcsname\normalexpanded{{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
- % \expandafter\endcsname\expandafter{\number#1\expandafter}\expandafter{\number#2\expandafter}\expandafter{\number#3}}
 
-\letvalue{\??recursestepwise  }\syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
-\letvalue{\??recursestepwise d}\syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse
-\letvalue{\??recursestepwise r}\syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse
+\let\@swr \exitstepwiserecurse
+\let\@swrd\dodostepwiserecurse
+\let\@swrr\dodostepwisereverse
 
 % quite okay too, but untested
 %
 % \def\dostepwiserecurse#1#2#3#4% can be made faster by postponing #4
 %   {\global\advance\outerrecurse \plusone
-%    \global\expandafter\def\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
-%    \global\expandafter\let\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
+%    \global\expandafter\def\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1##2{#4}%
+%    \global\expandafter\let\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recurselevel
 %    \normalexpanded
 %      {\ifnum#3>\zerocount
 %         \ifnum#2<#1
-%           \syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+%           \exitstepwiserecurse
 %         \else
-%           \syst_helpers_stepwise_recurse
+%           \dodostepwiserecurse
 %         \fi
 %       \else
 %         \ifnum#3<\zerocount
 %           \ifnum#1<#2
-%             \syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+%             \exitstepwiserecurse
 %           \else
-%             \syst_helpers_stepwise_reverse
+%             \dodostepwisereverse
 %           \fi
 %         \else
-%           \syst_helpers_stepwise_exit
+%           \exitstepwiserecurse
 %         \fi
 %       \fi{\number#1}{\number#2}{\number#3}}}
 
@@ -3668,22 +3643,21 @@
 
 \newcount\fastloopindex
 \newcount\fastloopfinal
-
-\let\m_syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs\relax
+\let\fastloopcs\relax
 
 \unexpanded\def\dofastloopcs#1#2%
-  {\let\m_syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs#2%
+  {\let\fastloopcs#2
    \fastloopindex\plusone
    \fastloopfinal#1\relax
-   \syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs}
+   \dodofastloopcs}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs
+\unexpanded\def\dodofastloopcs
   {\ifnum\fastloopindex>\fastloopfinal
-     \let\m_syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs\relax
+     \let\fastloopcs\relax
    \else
-     \m_syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs
+     \fastloopcs
      \advance\fastloopindex\plusone
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_fast_loop_cs
+     \expandafter\dodofastloopcs
    \fi}
 
 % Helper:
@@ -3719,10 +3693,10 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\doloopoverlist#1#2%
   {\global\advance\outerrecurse\plusone
-   \expandafter\gdef\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname##1{\edef\recursestring{##1}#2}%
-   \expandafter\glet\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname\recursestring
-   \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]{\expandafter\noexpand\csname\??recurseaction\recursedepth\endcsname}}%
-   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recursestring\csname\??recurseindex\recursedepth\endcsname
+   \expandafter\gdef\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname##1{\edef\recursestring{##1}#2}%
+   \expandafter\glet\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname\recursestring
+   \normalexpanded{\processcommalist[#1]{\expandafter\noexpand\csname\@@arecurse\recursedepth\endcsname}}%
+   \expandafter\let\expandafter\recursestring\csname\@@irecurse\recursedepth\endcsname
    \global\advance\outerrecurse\minusone}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -3750,20 +3724,20 @@
 %     \EveryPar{y } \everypar{before } [before] \par
 % }
 
-\installsystemnamespace{extraevery}
+% retrofit this into mkii
+
+\def\dowithevery#1%
+  {\expandafter\removetoks\expandafter\the\csname t\strippedcsname#1\endcsname\from#1%
+   \expandafter\appendtoks\expandafter\the\csname t\strippedcsname#1\endcsname\to  #1%
+   \csname t\strippedcsname#1\endcsname}
 
-\unexpanded\def\newevery#1#2%
+\def\newevery#1#2%
   {\ifx#1\everypar\else\newtoks#1\fi% we test for redefinition elsewhere
    \ifx#2\relax\else\ifdefined#2\else
-     \expandafter\newtoks\csname\??extraevery\strippedcsname#1\endcsname
-     \def#2{\syst_helpers_every#1}%
+     \expandafter\newtoks\csname t\strippedcsname#1\endcsname
+     \def#2{\dowithevery#1}%
    \fi\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_every#1%
-  {\expandafter\removetoks\expandafter\the\csname\??extraevery\strippedcsname#1\endcsname\from#1%
-   \expandafter\appendtoks\expandafter\the\csname\??extraevery\strippedcsname#1\endcsname\to  #1%
-   \csname\??extraevery\strippedcsname#1\endcsname}
-
 %D This one permits definitions like:
 
 \newevery \everypar  \EveryPar % we get a warning which is ok
@@ -3771,23 +3745,7 @@
 
 %D and how about:
 
-% \newtoks \neverypar
-% \newtoks \neveryendpar
-%
-% \normalprotected\def\syst_helpers_forgotten_endpar
-%   {\the\neveryendpar\normalpar}
-%
-% \unexpanded\def\forgeteverypar
-%   {\everypar{\the\neverypar}%
-%    \let\endpar\syst_helpers_forgotten_endpar}
-%
-% \unexpanded\def\finishpar
-%   {\ifvmode\else\par\fi}
-
-\newtoks \neverypar
-
-\unexpanded\def\forgeteverypar
-  {\everypar{\the\neverypar}}
+\newevery \neverypar  \NeveryPar
 
 %D Which we're going to use indeed! When the second argument
 %D equals \type {\relax}, the first token list is created
@@ -3859,10 +3817,10 @@
 %D Both commands accept the prefix \type{\doglobal} for global
 %D assignments.
 
-\unexpanded\def\convertvalue#1\to
+\def\convertvalue#1\to
   {\expandafter\convertcommand\csname#1\endcsname\to}
 
-\unexpanded\def\defconvertedvalue#1#2% less sensitive for \to
+\def\defconvertedvalue#1#2% less sensitive for \to
   {\expandafter\defconvertedcommand\expandafter#1\csname#2\endcsname}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -3885,10 +3843,10 @@
 %D \doifassignmentelse {...} {then ...} {else ...}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\def\syst_helpers_check_if_assignment_else#1=#2#3\_e_o_p_{\if#2@}%
+\def\docheckifassignmentelse#1=#2#3\@end@{\if#2@}%
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifassignmentelse#1% expandable
-  {\expandafter\syst_helpers_check_if_assignment_else\detokenize{#1}=@@\_e_o_p_
+\def\doifassignmentelse#1% expandable
+  {\expandafter\docheckifassignmentelse\detokenize{#1}=@@\@end@
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
@@ -3896,12 +3854,23 @@
 
 \newif\ifassignment
 
-\unexpanded\def\docheckassignment#1%
-  {\expandafter\syst_helpers_check_if_assignment_else\detokenize{#1}=@@\_e_o_p_
-     \assignmentfalse
-   \else
-     \assignmenttrue
-   \fi}
+% \def\docheckassignmentindeed#1=#2#3\@end@{\if#2@\assignmentfalse\else\assignmenttrue\fi}
+%
+% \def\docheckassignment#1%
+%   {\expandafter\docheckassignmentindeed\detokenize{#1}=@@\@end@}
+
+% D \macros
+% D   {convertasciiafter}
+% D
+% D Sometimes we need to convert an argument to a string (letters
+% D only), for instance when we compare it with another string:
+% D
+% D \starttyping
+% D \convertasciiafter\doifinstringelse{em}{\ascii}{...}
+% D \stoptyping
+%
+% \def\convertasciiafter#1#2%
+%   {\expandafter#1\expandafter{\detokenize{#2}}}
 
 %D In \ETEX\ we can use \type {\detokenize} and gain some
 %D speed, but in general far less that 1\% for \type
@@ -3910,17 +3879,17 @@
 %D something I found out when primitives like \type
 %D {\jobname} were fed (or something undefined).
 
-\unexpanded\def\convertargument#1\to#2{\dodoglobal\edef#2{\detokenize{#1}}}
-\unexpanded\def\convertcommand #1\to#2{\dodoglobal\edef#2{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}} % hm, only second is also ok
+\def\convertargument#1\to#2{\dodoglobal\edef#2{\detokenize{#1}}}
+\def\convertcommand #1\to#2{\dodoglobal\edef#2{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}} % hm, only second is also ok
 
-\unexpanded\def\defconvertedargument #1#2{\edef#1{\detokenize{#2}}}
-\unexpanded\def\defconvertedcommand  #1#2{\edef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}}
-\unexpanded\def\edefconvertedargument#1#2{\edef#1{#2}%
-                                          \edef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}}
-\unexpanded\def\gdefconvertedargument#1#2{\xdef#1{\detokenize{#2}}}
-\unexpanded\def\gdefconvertedcommand #1#2{\xdef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}}
-\unexpanded\def\xdefconvertedargument#1#2{\xdef#1{#2}%
-                                          \xdef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}}
+\def\defconvertedargument #1#2{\edef#1{\detokenize{#2}}}
+\def\defconvertedcommand  #1#2{\edef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}}
+\def\edefconvertedargument#1#2{\edef#1{#2}%
+                                    \edef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}}
+\def\gdefconvertedargument#1#2{\xdef#1{\detokenize{#2}}}
+\def\gdefconvertedcommand #1#2{\xdef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}}
+\def\xdefconvertedargument#1#2{\xdef#1{#2}%
+                                    \xdef#1{\detokenize\expandafter{#1}}}
 
 %D When you try to convert a primitive command, you'll find
 %D out that the \ETEX\ method fails on for instance \type
@@ -3941,11 +3910,14 @@
 %D argument are completely redundant.
 
 %D \macros
-%D   {showvalue}
+%D   {showvalue,showargument}
 %D
-%D Ahandy macro, for testing purposes only:
+%D Two handy macros for testing purposes only:
+
+\def\showvalue#1%
+  {\expandafter\show\csname#1\endcsname}
 
-\unexpanded\def\showvalue#1%
+\def\showvalue#1%
   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
      \expandafter\show\csname#1\endcsname
    \else
@@ -3966,11 +3938,11 @@
 %D
 %D Watch the one level expansion of the second argument.
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifmeaningelse#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\meaning#1}%
-   \def \m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{\meaning\m_syst_string_two}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+\def\doifmeaningelse#1#2%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\meaning#1}%
+   \def \!!stringb{#2}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{\meaning\!!stringb}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
@@ -3988,14 +3960,14 @@
 %D \doifsamestringelse{\jobname}{oeps}{YES}{NO}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\def\syst_helpers_if_samestring_else#1#2#3#4%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#3}}}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#4}}}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two\expandafter#1\else\expandafter#2\fi}
+\def\@@doifsamestringelse#1#2#3#4%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#3}}}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#4}}}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb\expandafter#1\else\expandafter#2\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifsamestringelse{\syst_helpers_if_samestring_else\firstoftwoarguments\secondoftwoarguments}
-\unexpanded\def\doifsamestring    {\syst_helpers_if_samestring_else\firstofoneargument \gobbleoneargument   }
-\unexpanded\def\doifnotsamestring {\syst_helpers_if_samestring_else\gobbleoneargument  \firstofoneargument  }
+\def\doifsamestringelse{\@@doifsamestringelse\firstoftwoarguments\secondoftwoarguments}
+\def\doifsamestring    {\@@doifsamestringelse\firstofoneargument \gobbleoneargument   }
+\def\doifnotsamestring {\@@doifsamestringelse\gobbleoneargument  \firstofoneargument  }
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {ConvertToConstant,ConvertConstantAfter}
@@ -4023,10 +3995,10 @@
 %D In examples~2 and~3 both arguments equal, in~1 and~4
 %D they differ.
 
-\unexpanded\def\ConvertToConstant#1#2#3%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#3}}%
-   #1{\m_syst_string_one}{\m_syst_string_two}}
+\def\ConvertToConstant#1#2#3%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#2}}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{\expandafter\detokenize\expandafter{#3}}%
+   #1{\!!stringa}{\!!stringb}}
 
 %D When the argument \type{#1} consists of commands, we had
 %D better use
@@ -4055,14 +4027,14 @@
 %D
 %D where \type{...} can be anything legally \TEX.
 
-\unexpanded\def\CheckConstantAfter#1#2%
+\def\CheckConstantAfter#1#2%
   {\expandafter\convertargument\v!prefix!\to\ascii
    \convertargument#1\to#2\relax
    \doifinstringelse\ascii{#2}
      {\expandafter\convertargument#1\to#2}
      {}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\ConvertConstantAfter#1#2#3%
+\def\ConvertConstantAfter#1#2#3%
   {\CheckConstantAfter{#2}\asciia
    \CheckConstantAfter{#3}\asciib
    #1{\asciia}{\asciib}}
@@ -4078,7 +4050,7 @@
 %D
 %D We don't explicitly test if the macro is defined.
 
-\unexpanded\def\assignifempty#1#2% can be sped up
+\def\assignifempty#1#2% can be sped up
   {\doifsomething{#1}{\def#1{#2}}} % {\doifnot{#1}{}{\def#1{#2}}}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -4122,13 +4094,11 @@
 %D
 %D results in: \type{\message{Hello world!}}.
 
-\let\syst_helpers_grab_indeed\relax
+\def\dograbuntil#1#2%
+  {\def\next##1#1{#2{##1}}\next}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_grab#1#2%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_grab_indeed##1#1{#2{##1}}\syst_helpers_grab_indeed}
-
-\unexpanded\def\grabuntil#1%
-  {\expandafter\syst_helpers_grab\expandafter{\csname#1\endcsname}}
+\def\grabuntil#1%
+  {\expandafter\dograbuntil\expandafter{\csname#1\endcsname}}
 
 %D The next command build on this mechanism:
 %D
@@ -4152,15 +4122,13 @@
 %D is related to these commands. This one simply throws away
 %D everything preceding \type{\command}.
 
-\let\syst_helpers_gobble_indeed\relax
-
-\unexpanded\def\processbetween#1#2%
+\def\processbetween#1#2%
   {\setvalue{\s!start#1}{\grabuntil{\s!stop#1}{#2}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\gobbleuntil#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_gobble_indeed##1#1{}\syst_helpers_gobble_indeed}
+\def\gobbleuntil#1%
+  {\def\next##1#1{}\next}
 
-\unexpanded\def\gobbleuntilrelax#1\relax
+\def\gobbleuntilrelax#1\relax
   {}
 
 %D The next one simply expands the pickup up tokens.
@@ -4169,10 +4137,8 @@
 %D \processuntil{sequence}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\let\syst_helpers_until_indeed\relax
-
-\unexpanded\def\processuntil#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_until_indeed##1#1{##1}\syst_helpers_until_indeed}
+\def\processuntil#1%
+  {\def\next##1#1{##1}\next}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {groupedcommand}
@@ -4217,7 +4183,7 @@
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \def\rightword%
-%D   {\groupedcommand{\hfill\hbox}{\parfillskip\zeropoint}}
+%D   {\groupedcommand{\hfill\hbox}{\parfillskip\!!zeropoint}}
 %D
 %D .......... \rightword{the right way}
 %D \stoptyping
@@ -4236,85 +4202,45 @@
 %D to be {\bold bold} or not, that's the question
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D This alternative checks for a \type {\bgroup} token first. The internal
-%D alternative does not accept the box handling mentioned before, but further
-%D nesting works all right. The extra \type {\bgroup}||\type {\egroup} is needed to
-%D keep \type {\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after} both into sight and local.
-
-\let\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after \relax
-\let\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before\relax
+%D This alternative checks for a \type{\bgroup} token first.
+%D The internal alternative does not accept the box handling
+%D mentioned before, but further nesting works all right. The
+%D extra \type{\bgroup}||\type{\egroup} is needed to keep
+%D \type{\AfterGroup} both into sight and local.
 
-% keep:
-%
-% \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_normal#1#2%
-%   {\bgroup
-%    \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before{\bgroup#1\bgroup\aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after}% can't we remove the second \bgroup
-%    \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after {#2\egroup\egroup}% and one \egroup here?
-%    \afterassignment\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before
-%    \let\next=}
-
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_normal#1#2%
+\def\HandleGroup#1#2%
   {\bgroup
-   \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after {#2}%
-   \afterassignment\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_normal_before
+   \def\BeforeGroup{\bgroup#1\bgroup\aftergroup\AfterGroup}% can't we remove the second \bgroup
+   \def\AfterGroup {#2\egroup\egroup}%                     % and one \egroup here?
+   \afterassignment\BeforeGroup
    \let\next=}
 
-\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_normal_before
+\def\HandleSimpleGroup#1#2% no inner group (so no kerning interference)
   {\bgroup
-   \m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before
-   \bgroup
-   \aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_normal_after}
-
-\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_normal_after
-  {\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after
-   \egroup
-   \egroup}
-
-% keep:
-%
-% \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_simple#1#2% no inner group (so no kerning interference)
-%   {\bgroup
-%    %def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before{\bgroup#1\aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after}% interferes
-%    \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before{\bgroup\aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after#1}%
-%    \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after {#2\egroup}%
-%    \afterassignment\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before
-%    \let\next=}
-
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_simple#1#2% no inner group (so no kerning interference)
-  {\bgroup
-   \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after {#2}%
-   \afterassignment\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_simple_before
+   %def\BeforeGroup{\bgroup#1\aftergroup\AfterGroup}% interferes
+   \def\BeforeGroup{\bgroup\aftergroup\AfterGroup#1}%
+   \def\AfterGroup {#2\egroup}%
+   \afterassignment\BeforeGroup
    \let\next=}
 
-\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_simple_before
-  {\bgroup
-   \aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_simple_after
-   \m_syst_helpers_handle_group_before}
+% \def\HandleNoGroup#1#2%
+%   {\def\AfterGroup{#2\egroup}%
+%    \bgroup\aftergroup\AfterGroup#1}
 
-\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_simple_after
-  {\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after
-   \egroup}%
-
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop
+\def\HandleNoGroup % retrofit into mkii
   {\ifnum\currentgrouptype=\semisimplegroupcode
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop_a
+     \expandafter\HandleNoGroupA
    \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop_b
+     \expandafter\HandleNoGroupB
    \fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop_a#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after{#2\endgroup}%
-   \begingroup
-   \aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after
-   #1}
+\def\HandleNoGroupA#1#2%
+  {\def\AfterGroup{#2\endgroup}%
+   \begingroup\aftergroup\AfterGroup#1}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop_b#1#2%
-  {\def\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after{#2\egroup}%
-   \bgroup
-   \aftergroup\m_syst_helpers_handle_group_after
-   #1}
+\def\HandleNoGroupB#1#2%
+  {\def\AfterGroup{#2\egroup}%
+   \bgroup\aftergroup\AfterGroup#1}
 
 %D I considered it a nuisance that
 %D
@@ -4329,10 +4255,10 @@
 %D implementation became:
 
 \unexpanded\def\groupedcommand#1#2%
-  {\doifnextbgroupelse{\syst_helpers_handle_group_normal{#1}{#2}}{\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop{#1}{#2}}}
+  {\doifnextbgroupelse{\HandleGroup{#1}{#2}}{\HandleNoGroup{#1}{#2}}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\simplegroupedcommand#1#2%
-  {\doifnextbgroupelse{\syst_helpers_handle_group_simple{#1}{#2}}{\syst_helpers_handle_group_nop{#1}{#2}}}
+  {\doifnextbgroupelse{\HandleSimpleGroup{#1}{#2}}{\HandleNoGroup{#1}{#2}}}
 
 %D Users should be aware of the fact that grouping can
 %D interfere with ones paragraph settings that are executed
@@ -4362,10 +4288,10 @@
 %D \type{CAPITALS}. This suggestion is feasible, because
 %D \CONTEXT only defines lowcased macros.
 
-\unexpanded\def\showdefinederror#1#2%
+\def\showdefinederror#1#2%
   {\writestatus\m!system{#1 #2 replaces a macro, use CAPITALS!}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\checkdefined#1#2#3%
+\def\checkdefined#1#2#3%
   {\doifdefined{#3}{\showdefinederror{#2}{#3}}}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -4487,13 +4413,10 @@
 %D   ... \par
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\let\syst_helpers_next_par\relax
-\let\syst_helpers_next_arg\relax
-
 \unexpanded\def\dowithpargument#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_next_par##1 \par{#1{##1}}%
-   \def\syst_helpers_next_arg##1{#1{##1}}%
-   \doifnextbgroupelse\syst_helpers_next_arg{\doifnextcharelse\par{#1{}}\syst_helpers_next_par}}
+  {\def\nextpar##1 \par{#1{##1}}%
+   \def\nextarg##1{#1{##1}}%
+   \doifnextbgroupelse\nextarg{\doifnextcharelse\par{#1{}}\nextpar}}
 
 %D The \type{p} in the previous command stands for paragraph.
 %D When we want to act upon words we can use the \type{w}
@@ -4517,13 +4440,10 @@
 %D   ...
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\let\syst_helpers_next_war\relax
-\let\syst_helpers_next_arg\relax
-
 \unexpanded\def\dowithwargument#1%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_next_war##1 {#1{##1}}%
-   \def\syst_helpers_next_arg##1{#1{##1}}%
-   \doifnextbgroupelse\syst_helpers_next_arg\syst_helpers_next_war}
+  {\def\nextwar##1 {#1{##1}}%
+   \def\nextarg##1{#1{##1}}%
+   \doifnextbgroupelse\nextarg\nextwar}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dorepeat,dorepeatwithcommand}
@@ -4556,12 +4476,12 @@
 %D specification is missing, the command executes once.
 
 \unexpanded\def\dorepeatwithcommand[#1]%
-  {\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command#1*\empty*\relax}
+  {\dodorepeatwithcommand#1*\empty*\relax}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command#1*#2#3*#4\relax#5%
-  {\ifx#2\empty\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_again[#1]#5\else\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_indeed{#1}{#2}{#3}#5\fi}
+\def\dodorepeatwithcommand#1*#2#3*#4\relax#5%
+  {\ifx#2\empty\redorepeatwithcommand[#1]#5\else\dododorepeatwithcommand{#1}{#2}{#3}#5\fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_indeed#1#2#3#4%
+\def\dododorepeatwithcommand#1#2#3#4%
   {\ifx#2\empty % redundant but gives cleaner extensions
      #4{#1}%
    \else\ifnum#1<\zerocount
@@ -4573,7 +4493,7 @@
      \dorecurse{#1}{#4{#2#3}}%
    \fi\fi\fi}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_again[#1]#2%
+\def\redorepeatwithcommand[#1]#2%
   {#2{#1}}
 
 %D The extension hook permits something like:
@@ -4583,11 +4503,11 @@
 %D
 %D \catcode`\*=\superscriptcatcode
 %D
-%D \gdef\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_again[#1]%
+%D \gdef\redorepeatwithcommand[#1]%
 %D   {\redodorepeatwithcommand#1*\empty*\relax}
 %D
 %D \gdef\redodorepeatwithcommand#1*#2#3*#4\relax#5%
-%D   {\syst_helpers_repeat_with_command_indeed{#1}{#2}{#3}#5}
+%D   {\dododorepeatwithcommand{#1}{#2}{#3}#5}
 %D
 %D \egroup
 %D \stoptyping
@@ -4595,6 +4515,14 @@
 %D although one may wonder if changing the catcode of \type {*} is wise.
 
 %D \macros
+%D   {normalbgroup,normalgroup}
+%D
+%D No comment.
+
+\let\normalbgroup\bgroup
+\let\normalegroup\egroup
+
+%D \macros
 %D   {doifstringinstringelse}
 %D
 %D The next macro is meant for situations where both strings
@@ -4611,7 +4539,7 @@
 %D
 %D A bit faster is:
 
-\def\syst_helpers_if_instring_else_indeed#1%
+\def\pp!doifstringinstringelse#1%
   {\if#1@%
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
@@ -4619,9 +4547,9 @@
    \fi}
 
 \def\doifstringinstringelse#1#2%
-  {\expandafter\def\expandafter\syst_helpers_if_instring_else\expandafter##\expandafter1#1##2##3\_e_o_s_
-     {\syst_helpers_if_instring_else_indeed##2}%
-   \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\syst_helpers_if_instring_else\expandafter#2#1@@\_e_o_s_}
+  {\expandafter\def\expandafter\p!doifstringinstringelse\expandafter##\expandafter1#1##2##3\war
+     {\pp!doifstringinstringelse##2}%
+   \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\p!doifstringinstringelse\expandafter#2#1@@\war}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {appendtoks,prependtoks,appendtoksonce,prependtoksonce,
@@ -4641,39 +4569,36 @@
 %D These macros are clones of the ones implemented in page~378 of
 %D Knuth's \TeX book.
 
-\newtoks\t_syst_helpers_scratch
-\let    \m_syst_helpers_scratch\empty
-
-% no longer \def but \let to target toks
+\newtoks\@@scratchtoks
 
-\unexpanded\def\appendtoks     {\syst_helpers_append_toks      \relax}
-\unexpanded\def\prependtoks    {\syst_helpers_prepend_toks     \relax}
-\unexpanded\def\appendtoksonce {\syst_helpers_append_toks_once \relax}
-\unexpanded\def\prependtoksonce{\syst_helpers_prepend_toks_once\relax}
+\unexpanded\def\appendtoks     {\doappendtoks     \relax}
+\unexpanded\def\prependtoks    {\doprependtoks    \relax}
+\unexpanded\def\appendtoksonce {\doappendtoksonce \relax}
+\unexpanded\def\prependtoksonce{\doprependtoksonce\relax}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_append_toks_indeed
-  {\dodoglobal\m_syst_helpers_scratch\doubleexpandafter{\expandafter\the\expandafter\m_syst_helpers_scratch\the\t_syst_helpers_scratch}}
+\def\dodoappendtoks
+  {\dodoglobal\@@toks\doubleexpandafter{\expandafter\the\expandafter\@@toks\the\@@scratchtoks}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_prepend_toks_indeed
-  {\dodoglobal\m_syst_helpers_scratch\doubleexpandafter{\expandafter\the\expandafter\t_syst_helpers_scratch\the\m_syst_helpers_scratch}}
+\def\dodoprependtoks
+  {\dodoglobal\@@toks\doubleexpandafter{\expandafter\the\expandafter\@@scratchtoks\the\@@toks}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_append_toks#1\to#2%
-  {\let\m_syst_helpers_scratch#2%
-   \t_syst_helpers_scratch\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}\syst_helpers_append_toks_indeed}
+\def\doappendtoks#1\to#2%
+  {\def\@@toks{#2}%
+   \@@scratchtoks\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}\dodoappendtoks}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_prepend_toks#1\to#2%
-  {\let\m_syst_helpers_scratch#2%
-   \t_syst_helpers_scratch\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}\syst_helpers_prepend_toks_indeed}
+\def\doprependtoks#1\to#2%
+  {\def\@@toks{#2}%
+   \@@scratchtoks\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}\dodoprependtoks}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_append_toks_once#1\to#2%
-  {\let\m_syst_helpers_scratch#2%
-   \t_syst_helpers_scratch\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}%
-   \doifintokselse\t_syst_helpers_scratch\m_syst_helpers_scratch\donothing\syst_helpers_append_toks_indeed}
+\def\doappendtoksonce#1\to#2%
+  {\def\@@toks{#2}%
+   \@@scratchtoks\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}%
+   \doifintokselse\@@scratchtoks\@@toks\donothing\dodoappendtoks}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_prepend_toks_once#1\to#2%
-  {\let\m_syst_helpers_scratch#2%
-   \t_syst_helpers_scratch\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}%
-   \doifintokselse\t_syst_helpers_scratch\m_syst_helpers_scratch\donothing\syst_helpers_prepend_toks_indeed}
+\def\doprependtoksonce#1\to#2%
+  {\def\@@toks{#2}%
+   \@@scratchtoks\expandafter{\gobbleoneargument#1}%
+   \doifintokselse\@@scratchtoks\@@toks\donothing\dodoprependtoks}
 
 %D The test macro:
 
@@ -4691,27 +4616,70 @@
 % {\scratchtoks{a\relax b} \removetoks \relax\from\scratchtoks [\showthe\scratchtoks]}
 
 \unexpanded\def\removetoks#1\from#2%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_remove_toks##1#1##2\empty\empty\empty##3\_e_o_t_
-     {\def\m_syst_string_one{##3}%
-      \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty#2{##1}\else#2{##1##2}\fi}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_remove_toks\the#2\empty\empty\empty#1\empty\empty\empty\_e_o_t_}
+  {\def\doremovetoks##1#1##2\empty\empty\empty##3\\%
+     {\def\!!stringa{##3}%
+      \ifx\!!stringa\empty#2{##1}\else#2{##1##2}\fi}%
+   \expandafter\doremovetoks\the#2\empty\empty\empty#1\empty\empty\empty\\}
 
 %D Also:
 
-\unexpanded\def\appendetoks #1\to{\normalexpanded{\appendtoks #1}\to}
-\unexpanded\def\prependetoks#1\to{\normalexpanded{\prependtoks#1}\to}
+\unexpanded\def\appendetoks #1\to{\normalexpanded{\noexpand\appendtoks #1}\to}
+\unexpanded\def\prependetoks#1\to{\normalexpanded{\noexpand\prependtoks#1}\to}
 
 %D Hm.
 
-\unexpanded\def\flushtoks#1% nb: can reassing to #1 again, hence the indirectness
-  {\t_syst_helpers_scratch#1\relax
+\def\flushtoks#1% nb: can reassing to #1 again, hence the indirectness
+  {\@@scratchtoks#1\relax
    \dodoglobal#1\emptytoks
-   \the\t_syst_helpers_scratch\relax}
+   \the\@@scratchtoks\relax}
 
 % better: \def\flushtoks#1{\normalexpanded{\noexpand\dodoglobal#1\emptytoks\the#\relax}}
 
 \let\dotoks\the
 
+% The following code is obsolete (and names are reused for the more
+% advanced counter mechanism and those macros are not compatible!
+%
+% %D \macros
+% %D   {makecounter,pluscounter,minuscounter,
+% %D    resetcounter,setcounter,countervalue}
+% %D
+% %D Declaring, setting and resetting \COUNTERS\ can be done
+% %D with the next set of commands.
+% %D
+% %D \starttyping
+% %D \makecounter   {name}
+% %D \pluscounter   {name}
+% %D \minuscounter  {name}
+% %D \resetcounter  {name}
+% %D \setcounter    {name} {value}
+% %D \countervalue  {name}
+% %D \stoptyping
+%
+% \def\makecounter#1%
+%   {\global\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\zerocountervalue} % see earlier
+%
+% \def\countervalue#1%
+%   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname\csname#1\endcsname\fi}
+%
+% \def\pluscounter#1%
+%   {\expandafter\xdef\csname#1\endcsname{\the\numexpr\csname#1\endcsname+\plusone\relax}}
+%
+% \def\minuscounter#1%
+%   {\expandafter\xdef\csname#1\endcsname{\the\numexpr\csname#1\endcsname-\plusone\relax}}
+%
+% \def\resetcounter#1%
+%   {\global\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\zerocountervalue}
+%
+% \def\setcounter#1#2%
+%   {\expandafter\xdef\csname#1\endcsname{\the\numexpr#2\relax}}
+%
+% \def\savecounter#1%
+%   {\expandafter\xdef\csname ! #1 !\endcsname{\the\numexpr\csname#1\endcsname\relax}}
+%
+% \def\restorecounter#1%
+%   {\expandafter\xdef\csname#1\endcsname{\the\numexpr\csname ! #1 !\endcsname\relax}}
+
 %D \macros
 %D   {beforesplitstring,aftersplitstring}
 %D
@@ -4729,35 +4697,33 @@
 %D Both implementations show some insight in the manipulation
 %D of arguments.
 
-\let\syst_helpers_split_string\relax
-
-\unexpanded\def\beforesplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1#2##2#2##3\\%
+\def\beforesplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1#2##2#2##3\\%
      {\def#3{##1}}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string#1#2#2\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring#1#2#2\\}
 
-\unexpanded\def\aftersplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1#2##2@@@##3\\%
+\def\aftersplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1#2##2@@@##3\\%
      {\def#3{##2}}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string#1@@@#2@@@\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring#1@@@#2@@@\\}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {splitstring,greedysplitstring}
 %D
 %D A bonus macro.
 
-\unexpanded\def\splitstring#1\at#2\to#3\and#4%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1#2##2\empty\empty\empty##3\\%
+\def\splitstring#1\at#2\to#3\and#4%
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1#2##2\empty\empty\empty##3\\%
      {\def#3{##1}%
-      \def\syst_helpers_split_string{##3}%
-      \ifx\syst_helpers_split_string\empty
+      \def\dosplitstring{##3}%
+      \ifx\dosplitstring\empty
         \let#4\empty
       \else
         \def#4{##2}%
       \fi}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string#1\empty\empty\empty#2\empty\empty\empty\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring#1\empty\empty\empty#2\empty\empty\empty\\}
 
-\unexpanded\def\greedysplitstring#1\at#2\to#3\and#4%
+\def\greedysplitstring#1\at#2\to#3\and#4%
   {\edef\asciib{#1}%
    \let\asciic\asciib
    \let#3\empty
@@ -4779,20 +4745,20 @@
 %D    aftertestandsplitstring,
 %D    testandsplitstring}
 
-\unexpanded\def\beforetestandsplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1#2##2#2##3##4\\%
+\def\beforetestandsplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1#2##2#2##3##4\\%
      {\ifx##3\empty\let#3\empty\else\def#3{##1}\fi}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string#1#2#2\empty\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring#1#2#2\empty\\}
 
-\unexpanded\def\aftertestandsplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string ##1#2##2@@@##3##4\\%
+\def\aftertestandsplitstring#1\at#2\to#3%
+  {\def\dosplitstring ##1#2##2@@@##3##4\\%
      {\ifx##3\empty\let#3\empty\else\def#3{##2}\fi}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string #1@@@#2@@@\empty\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring #1@@@#2@@@\empty\\}
 
 \def\testandsplitstring#1\at#2\to#3\and#4%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1#2##2#2##3##4\\%
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1#2##2#2##3##4\\%
      {\ifx##3\empty\let#3\empty\let#4\empty\else\def#3{##1}\def#4{##2}\fi}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string#1#2#2\empty\\}
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring#1#2#2\empty\\}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {removesubstring}
@@ -4805,9 +4771,9 @@
 %D
 %D Which in terms of \TEX\ looks like:
 
-\unexpanded\def\removesubstring#1\from#2\to#3%
-  {\splitstring#2\to\m_syst_string_one\and\m_syst_string_two
-   \dodoglobal#3{\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two}}
+\def\removesubstring#1\from#2\to#3%
+  {\splitstring#2\to\!!stringa\and\!!stringb
+   \dodoglobal#3{\!!stringa\!!stringb}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {appendtocommalist,prependtocommalist,
@@ -4882,9 +4848,9 @@
      {\dodoglobal\edef#2{#1\ifx#2\empty\else,#2\fi}}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\robustdoifinsetelse#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#1}}}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#2}}}%
-   \rawdoifinsetelse\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two}
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#1}}}%
+   \edef\!!stringb{\detokenize\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#2}}}%
+   \rawdoifinsetelse\!!stringa\!!stringb}
 
 \unexpanded\def\robustaddtocommalist#1#2% {item} \cs
   {\robustdoifinsetelse{#1}#2\resetglobal
@@ -4894,11 +4860,11 @@
   {\robustdoifinsetelse{#1}#2\resetglobal
      {\dodoglobal\edef#2{#1\ifx#2\empty\else,#2\fi}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\xsplitstring#1#2% \cs {str}
-  {\def\syst_helpers_split_string##1,#2,##2,#2,##3\\%
-     {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\bcleanedupcommalist##1\empty\empty\relax}%
-      \edef\m_syst_string_two{\acleanedupcommalist##2,,\relax}}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_split_string\expandafter,#1,,#2,,#2,\\}
+\def\xsplitstring#1#2% \cs {str}
+  {\def\dosplitstring##1,#2,##2,#2,##3\\%
+     {\edef\!!stringa{\bcleanedupcommalist##1\empty\empty\relax}%
+      \edef\!!stringb{\acleanedupcommalist##2,,\relax}}%
+   \expandafter\dosplitstring\expandafter,#1,,#2,,#2,\\}
 
 \def\bcleanedupcommalist#1#2#3\relax{\if#1,\else#1\fi\if#2,\else#2\fi#3}
 \def\bcleanedupcommalist#1#2\relax{\if#1,\else#1\fi#2}
@@ -4906,12 +4872,12 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\removefromcommalist#1#2% to be sped up
   {\rawdoifinsetelse{#1}#2%
-     {\normalexpanded{\xsplitstring\noexpand#2{#1}}%
+     {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\xsplitstring\noexpand#2{#1}}%
       \dodoglobal\edef#2%
-        {\ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
-           \m_syst_string_two
+        {\ifx\!!stringa\empty
+           \!!stringb
          \else
-           \m_syst_string_one\ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty\else,\m_syst_string_two\fi
+           \!!stringa\ifx\!!stringb\empty\else,\!!stringb\fi
          \fi}}
      \resetglobal}
 
@@ -4931,35 +4897,52 @@
 %D \substituteincommalist{old}{new}{list}
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\def\syst_helpers_substitute_in_comma_list_step#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_three{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_three
-     \ifx\m_syst_string_two\empty \else
-       \edef\m_syst_string_four{\ifx\m_syst_string_four\empty\else\m_syst_string_four,\fi\m_syst_string_two}%
-     \fi
+\def\substituteincommalist#1#2#3% old, new, list (slooow)
+  {\edef\!!stringb{#1}%
+   \edef\!!stringd{#2}%
+   \let\!!stringa#3%
+   \let#3\empty
+   \def\dosubstituteincommalist##1%
+     {\edef\!!stringc{##1}%
+      \ifx\!!stringb\!!stringc
+        \ifx\!!stringd\empty\else
+          \edef#3{#3\ifx#3\empty\else,\fi\!!stringd}%
+        \fi
+        \def\docommand####1{\edef#3{#3,####1}}%
+      \else
+        \edef#3{#3\ifx#3\empty\else,\fi##1}%
+      \fi}%
+   \expandafter\rawprocesscommacommand\expandafter[\!!stringa]\dosubstituteincommalist}
+
+%D A not so useful macro:
+
+\def\dodofrontstrip[#1#2]#3%
+  {\ifx#1\space
+     \def#3{#2}%
    \else
-     \edef\m_syst_string_four{\ifx\m_syst_string_four\empty\else\m_syst_string_four,\fi#1}%
+     \def#3{#1#2}%
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\substituteincommalist#1#2#3% old, new, list (slooow)
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \let\m_syst_string_four\empty
-   \normalexpanded{\rawprocesscommacommand[#3]}\syst_helpers_substitute_in_comma_list_step
-   \let#3\m_syst_string_four}
+\def\dofrontstrip#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty \else
+     \expandafter\dodofrontstrip\expandafter[#1]#1%
+   \fi}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {replaceincommalist}
 %D
-%D The next macro can be used to replace an indexed element in a commalist:
+%D The next macro can be used to replace an indexed element
+%D in a commalist:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \replaceincommalist\MyList{2}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D Element~2 will be replaced by the current meaning of the macro \type
-%D {\newcommalistelement}. The old meaning is saved in \type {\commalistelement}.
-%D The replacement honors grouped items, like in:
+%D Element~2 will be replaced by the current meaning of the macro
+%D \type {\newcommalistelement}. The old meaning is saved in
+%D \type {\commalistelement}. The replacement honors grouped items,
+%D like in:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \def\MyList{a,b,c,d,e,f}   \replaceincommalist\MyList{3}
@@ -4967,50 +4950,43 @@
 %D \def\MyList{a,{b,c},d,e,f} \replaceincommalist\MyList{3}
 %D \def\MyList{a,b,c,{d,e,f}} \replaceincommalist\MyList{3}
 %D \stoptyping
-%D
-%D This macro was used in the bibtex code (and is probably no longer needed).
-
-\newcount\c_syst_helpers_comma_list_index
-\let     \m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\empty
 
 \let\newcommalistelement\empty
 
-\def\syst_helpers_replace_in_comma_list_step#1%
-  {\ifnum\commalistcounter=\c_syst_helpers_comma_list_index\relax
-     \ifx\newcommalistelement\empty\else
-       \ifx\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\empty
-         \let\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\newcommalistelement
-       \else
-         \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\def\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter
-           \m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter
-             {\expandafter\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\expandafter,\newcommalistelement}%
-       \fi
-     \fi
-     \def\commalistelement{#1}%
-   \else
-     \ifx\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\empty
-       \ifx\nexttoken\bgroup % is known -)
-         \def\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target{{#1}}%
-       \else
-         \def\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target{#1}%
-       \fi
-     \else
-       \ifx\nexttoken\bgroup % is known -)
-         \expandafter\def\expandafter\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\expandafter{\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target,{#1}}%
-       \else
-         \expandafter\def\expandafter\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\expandafter{\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target,#1}%
-       \fi
-     \fi
-   \fi
-   \advance\commalistcounter\plusone}
-
-\unexpanded\def\replaceincommalist#1#2% #1 = commalistelement #2 = position starts at 1
-  {\c_syst_helpers_comma_list_index#2\relax
-   \let\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target\empty
+\def\replaceincommalist#1#2% #1 = commalistelement #2 = position starts at 1
+  {\def\doreplaceincommalist##1%
+     {\ifnum\commalistcounter=#2\relax
+        \ifx\newcommalistelement\empty\else
+          \ifx\newcommalist\empty
+            \let\newcommalist\newcommalistelement
+          \else
+            \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\def\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter
+              \newcommalist\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter
+                {\expandafter\newcommalist\expandafter,\newcommalistelement}%
+          \fi
+        \fi
+        \def\commalistelement{##1}%
+      \else
+        \ifx\newcommalist\empty
+          \ifx\nexttoken\bgroup % is known -)
+            \def\newcommalist{{##1}}%
+          \else
+            \def\newcommalist{##1}%
+          \fi
+        \else
+          \ifx\nexttoken\bgroup % is known -)
+            \expandafter\def\expandafter\newcommalist\expandafter{\newcommalist,{##1}}%
+          \else
+            \expandafter\def\expandafter\newcommalist\expandafter{\newcommalist,##1}%
+          \fi
+        \fi
+      \fi
+      \advance\commalistcounter\plusone}%
    \let\commalistelement\empty
+   \let\newcommalist\empty
    \commalistcounter\plusone
-   \expandafter\processcommalist\expandafter[#1]\syst_helpers_replace_in_comma_list_step
-   \dodoglobal\let#1\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_target}
+   \expandafter\processcommalist\expandafter[#1]\doreplaceincommalist
+   \dodoglobal\let#1\newcommalist}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {globalprocesscommalist}
@@ -5021,17 +4997,15 @@
 %D handling comma lists in alignments. In these situations the
 %D next macro can be of use.
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global\empty
-
-\def\syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global_step#1,%
+\def\globalprocesscommaitem#1,%
   {\if]#1\else
-     \m_syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global{#1}%
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global_step
+     \globalcommacommand{#1}%
+     \expandafter\globalprocesscommaitem
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\globalprocesscommalist[#1]#2%
-  {\global\let\m_syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global#2%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_comma_list_command_global_step#1,],}
+\def\globalprocesscommalist[#1]#2%
+  {\global\let\globalcommacommand#2%
+   \expandafter\globalprocesscommaitem#1,],}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {withoutpt,PtToCm,
@@ -5108,36 +5082,36 @@
 %D
 %D Beware: global!
 
-\installsystemnamespace{localpushedmacro}
-\installsystemnamespace{globalpushedmacro}
+\def\@sl@{@sl@}
+\def\@sg@{@sg@}
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\empty
+\let\@@pushedmacro\empty
 
-\unexpanded\def\globalpushmacro#1%
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_push_macro{\string#1}%
-   \ifcsname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \else
-     \expandafter\newcount\csname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname
+\def\globalpushmacro#1%
+  {\xdef\@@pushedmacro{\string#1}%
+   \ifcsname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \else
+     \expandafter\newcount\csname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname
    \fi
-   \global\advance\csname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\the\csname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname#1}
-
-\unexpanded\def\globalpopmacro#1%
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_push_macro{\string#1}%
-   \global\expandafter\let\expandafter#1\csname\the\csname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname
-   \global\advance\csname\??globalpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \minusone}
-
-\unexpanded\def\localpushmacro#1% this one can be used to push a value over an \egroup
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_push_macro{\string#1}%
-   \ifcsname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \else
-     \expandafter\newcount\csname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname
+   \global\advance\csname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \plusone
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\the\csname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname\@@pushedmacro\endcsname#1}
+
+\def\globalpopmacro#1%
+  {\xdef\@@pushedmacro{\string#1}%
+   \global\expandafter\let\expandafter#1\csname\the\csname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname\@@pushedmacro\endcsname
+   \global\advance\csname\@sg@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \minusone}
+
+\def\localpushmacro#1% this one can be used to push a value over an \egroup
+  {\xdef\@@pushedmacro{\string#1}%
+   \ifcsname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \else
+     \expandafter\newcount\csname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname
    \fi
-   \global\advance\csname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \plusone
-   \global\expandafter\let\csname\the\csname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname#1}
+   \global\advance\csname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \plusone
+   \global\expandafter\let\csname\the\csname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname\@@pushedmacro\endcsname#1}
 
-\unexpanded\def\localpopmacro#1%
-  {\xdef\m_syst_helpers_push_macro{\string#1}%
-   \expandafter\let\expandafter#1\csname\the\csname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname
-   \global\advance\csname\??localpushedmacro\m_syst_helpers_push_macro\endcsname \minusone }
+\def\localpopmacro#1%
+  {\xdef\@@pushedmacro{\string#1}%
+   \expandafter\let\expandafter#1\csname\the\csname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname\@@pushedmacro\endcsname
+   \global\advance\csname\@sl@\@@pushedmacro\endcsname \minusone }
 
 \let\pushmacro\localpushmacro
 \let\popmacro \localpopmacro
@@ -5159,28 +5133,49 @@
 %D These examples show us that an optional can be used. The
 %D value provided is added to \type{\localhsize}.
 
+% todo: a fast non argument variant
+
 \newdimen\localhsize
 
+% \def\complexsetlocalhsize[#1]% don't change !
+%   {\localhsize\hsize
+%    \ifnum\hangafter<\zerocount
+%      \advance\localhsize\ifdim\hangindent>\zeropoint-\fi\hangindent
+%    \fi
+%    \advance\localhsize -\leftskip
+%    \advance\localhsize -\rightskip
+%    \advance\localhsize #1\relax}
+%
+% \def\simplesetlocalhsize
+%   {\complexsetlocalhsize[\zeropoint]}
+%
+% \definecomplexorsimple\setlocalhsize
+
 \unexpanded\def\setlocalhsize % don't change !
   {\doifnextoptionalelse
      \syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_yes
      \syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop
-  {\localhsize\availablehsize}
+% \def\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop
+%   {\localhsize\hsize
+%    \ifnum\hangafter<\zerocount
+%      \advance\localhsize\ifdim\hangindent>\zeropoint-\fi\hangindent
+%    \fi
+%    \advance\localhsize -\leftskip
+%    \advance\localhsize -\rightskip}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_yes[#1]%
-  {\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop
-   \advance\localhsize#1\relax}
-
-\def\availablehsize
-  {\dimexpr
-     \hsize-\leftskip-\rightskip
+\def\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop
+  {\localhsize\dimexpr
+     \hsize -\leftskip -\rightskip
      \ifnum\hangafter<\zerocount
        \ifdim\hangindent>\zeropoint-\else+\fi\hangindent
      \fi
    \relax}
 
+\def\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_yes[#1]%
+  {\syst_helpers_set_local_hsize_nop
+   \advance\localhsize#1\relax}
+
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifvalue,doifnotvalue,doifelsevalue,
 %D    doifnothing,doifsomething,doifelsenothing,
@@ -5192,84 +5187,81 @@
 %D tokens per call. Anyone familiar with the not||values
 %D ones, can derive their meaning from the definitions.
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifvalue#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+\def\doifvalue#1#2%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}\edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifnotvalue#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+\def\doifnotvalue#1#2%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}\edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifelsevalue#1#2%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \edef\m_syst_string_two{#2}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_two
+\def\doifelsevalue#1#2%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}\edef\!!stringb{#2}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringb
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifnothing#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifnothing#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifsomething#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifsomething#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifelsenothing#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifelsenothing#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifsomethingelse#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifsomethingelse#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifvaluenothing#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifvaluenothing#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifvaluesomething#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifvaluesomething#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifelsevaluenothing#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\csname#1\endcsname}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifelsevaluenothing#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\csname#1\endcsname}%
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
@@ -5316,9 +5308,9 @@
    \processcommalist[#3]\syst_helpers_do_common_check_all
    \ifdone\expandafter#1\else\expandafter#2\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifallcommonelse{\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\firstoftwoarguments\secondoftwoarguments}
-\unexpanded\def\doifallcommon    {\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\firstofonearguments\gobbleoneargument   }
-\unexpanded\def\doifnotallcommon {\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\gobbleoneargument  \firstofonearguments }
+\def\doifallcommonelse{\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\firstoftwoarguments\secondoftwoarguments}
+\def\doifallcommon    {\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\firstofonearguments\gobbleoneargument   }
+\def\doifnotallcommon {\syst_helpers_do_if_all_common_else\gobbleoneargument  \firstofonearguments }
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {DOIF,DOIFELSE,DOIFNOT}
@@ -5336,42 +5328,39 @@
 %D
 %D We have to use a two||step implementation, because the
 %D expansion has to take place outside \type{\uppercase}.
-%D
-%D These might up as \LUA based helpers (i.e. considere these
-%D obsolete:
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_IF#1#2%
-  {\uppercase{\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
+  {\uppercase{{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_IF_NOT#1#2%
-  {\uppercase{\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
+  {\uppercase{{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_IF_ELSE#1#2%
-  {\uppercase{\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
+  {\uppercase{{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
 \unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_do_IF_INSTRING_ELSE#1#2%
-  {\uppercase{\syst_helpers_do_if_in_string_else{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
+  {\uppercase{{$#1$}{$#2$}}%
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\DOIF             #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF              {#1}{#2}}}% will become obsolete
-\unexpanded\def\DOIFNOT          #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_NOT          {#1}{#2}}}% will become obsolete
-\unexpanded\def\DOIFELSE         #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_ELSE         {#1}{#2}}}% will become obsolete
-\unexpanded\def\DOIFINSTRINGELSE #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_INSTRING_ELSE{#1}{#2}}}% will become obsolete
+\unexpanded\def\DOIF             #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF              {#1}{#2}}}
+\unexpanded\def\DOIFNOT          #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_NOT          {#1}{#2}}}
+\unexpanded\def\DOIFELSE         #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_ELSE         {#1}{#2}}}
+\unexpanded\def\DOIFINSTRINGELSE #1#2{\normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_do_IF_INSTRING_ELSE{#1}{#2}}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dosingleargumentwithset,
@@ -5407,25 +5396,25 @@
 %D \starttyping
 %D \definesomething[alfa,beta,...][variable=...,...]
 %D \stoptyping
+%D
+%D Now a whole bunch of variables like \type{\@@xxalfavariable}
+%D and \type{\@@xxbetavariable} is defined.
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command\empty
-\let\syst_helpers_with_set_step     \relax
-
-\def\syst_helpers_with_set_double[#1][#2]%
+\def\dodoublewithset[#1][#2]%
   {\doifsomething{#1}
-     {\def\syst_helpers_with_set_step##1{\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command[##1][#2]}%
-      \processcommalist[#1]\syst_helpers_with_set_step}}
+     {\def\@@dodowithsetcommand##1{\@@dowithsetcommand[##1][#2]}%
+      \processcommalist[#1]\@@dodowithsetcommand}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_with_set_triple[#1][#2][#3]%
+\def\dotriplewithset[#1][#2][#3]%
   {\doifsomething{#1}
-     {\def\syst_helpers_with_set_step##1{\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command[##1][#2][#3]}%
-      \processcommalist[#1]\syst_helpers_with_set_step}}
+     {\def\@@dodowithsetcommand##1{\@@dowithsetcommand[##1][#2][#3]}%
+      \processcommalist[#1]\@@dodowithsetcommand}}
 
-\def\dodoubleemptywithset   #1{\let\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command#1\dodoubleempty   \syst_helpers_with_set_double} % \command
-\def\dodoubleargumentwithset#1{\let\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command#1\dodoubleargument\syst_helpers_with_set_double} % \command
+\def\dodoubleemptywithset   #1{\let\@@dowithsetcommand#1\dodoubleempty   \dodoublewithset} % \command
+\def\dodoubleargumentwithset#1{\let\@@dowithsetcommand#1\dodoubleargument\dodoublewithset} % \command
 
-\def\dotripleemptywithset   #1{\let\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command#1\dotripleempty   \syst_helpers_with_set_triple} % \command
-\def\dotripleargumentwithset#1{\let\m_syst_helpers_with_set_command#1\dotripleargument\syst_helpers_with_set_triple} % \command
+\def\dotripleemptywithset   #1{\let\@@dowithsetcommand#1\dotripleempty   \dotriplewithset} % \command
+\def\dotripleargumentwithset#1{\let\@@dowithsetcommand#1\dotripleargument\dotriplewithset} % \command
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {stripcharacters,stripspaces}
@@ -5452,18 +5441,16 @@
 %D As we can see below, spaces following a control sequence are
 %D to enclosed in \type{{}}.
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_strip_character\empty
-
-\unexpanded\def\stripcharacter#1\from#2\to#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_strip_character##1#1##2\end
-     {\edef\m_syst_helpers_strip_character{\m_syst_helpers_strip_character##1}%
-      \doifnotempty{##2}{\syst_helpers_strip_character##2\end}}%
-   \let\m_syst_helpers_strip_character\empty
-   \edef\m_syst_string_one{#2}%
-   \expandafter\syst_helpers_strip_character\m_syst_string_one#1\end
-   \dodoglobal\let#3\m_syst_helpers_strip_character}
+\def\stripcharacter#1\from#2\to#3%
+  {\def\dostripcharacter##1#1##2\end
+     {\edef\!!strippedstring{\!!strippedstring##1}%
+      \doifnotempty{##2}{\dostripcharacter##2\end}}%
+   \let\!!strippedstring\empty
+   \edef\!!stringa{#2}%
+   \expandafter\dostripcharacter\!!stringa#1\end
+   \dodoglobal\let#3\!!strippedstring}
 
-\unexpanded\def\stripspaces\from#1\to#2% will become \unspacestring#1\from#2
+\def\stripspaces\from#1\to#2% will become \unspacestring#1\from#2
   {\stripcharacter{ }\from#1\to#2}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -5472,7 +5459,7 @@
 %D The next macro does the same but is more compatible with other macros,
 %D like \type {\convert...}.
 
-\unexpanded\def\unspacestring#1\to#2%
+\def\unspacestring#1\to#2%
   {\stripcharacter{ }\from#1\to#2}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -5495,6 +5482,8 @@
 %D We can of course gobble more arguments using the
 %D appropriate gobbling command.
 
+\newif\ifexecuted % general purpose
+
 \def\executeifdefined#1% #2 / never change this one again
   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
      \csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname\expandafter\gobbleoneargument
@@ -5521,15 +5510,65 @@
 
 %D Is this one still needed?
 
-\def\syst_helpers_if_some_space_else#1 #2#3\_e_o_s_{\if\noexpand#2@}
+\def\p!doifsomespaceelse#1 #2#3\war{\if\noexpand#2@}
 
-\def\doifsomespaceelse#1%                     % #2#3%
-  {\syst_helpers_if_some_space_else#1 @ @\_e_o_s_ % #3\else#2\fi}
+\def\doifsomespaceelse#1%     % #2#3%
+  {\p!doifsomespaceelse#1 @ @\war  % #3\else#2\fi}
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
+% %D \macros
+% %D   {adaptdimension,balancedimensions}
+% %D
+% %D Again we introduce some macros that are closely related to
+% %D an interface aspect of \CONTEXT. The first command can be
+% %D used to adapt a \DIMENSION.
+% %D
+% %D \starttyping
+% %D \adaptdimension {dimension} {value}
+% %D \stoptyping
+% %D
+% %D When the value is preceed by a \type{+} or minus, the
+% %D dimension is advanced accordingly, otherwise it gets the
+% %D value.
+%
+% \def\doadaptdimension#1#2\\#3\\%
+%   {\if#1+%
+%      \dodoglobal\advance
+%    \else\if#1-%
+%      \dodoglobal\advance
+%    \else
+%      \dodoglobal
+%    \fi\fi
+%    #3 #1#2\relax}
+%
+% \def\adaptdimension#1#2%
+%   {\expandafter\doadaptdimension#2\\#1\\}
+%
+% %D A second command takes two \DIMENSIONS. Both are adapted,
+% %D depending on the sign of the given value.
+% %D maat. This time we take the value as it is, and don't look
+% %D explicitly at the preceding sign.
+% %D
+% %D \starttyping
+% %D \balancedimensions {dimension 1} {dimension 2} {value}
+% %D \stoptyping
+% %D
+% %D When a positive value is given, the first dimension is
+% %D incremented, the second ond is decremented. A negative value
+% %D has the opposite result.
+%
+% \def\balancedimensions#1#2#3%
+%   {\scratchdimen#3\relax
+%    \redoglobal\advance#1  \scratchdimen
+%    \dodoglobal\advance#2 -\scratchdimen}
+%
+% %D Both commands can be preceded by \type{\doglobal}. Here we
+% %D use \type{\redo} first, because \type{\dodo} resets the
+% %D global character.
+
 %D \macros
 %D   {processseparatedlist}
 %D
@@ -5561,61 +5600,56 @@
 %D Therefore we smuggle a \type {\relax} in front of the
 %D argument, which we remove afterwards.
 
-\let\syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step\relax
-
-\def\syst_helpers_process_separated_list#1]#2[#3]#4%
-   {\def\syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step##1##2#3%
-      {\def\m_syst_string_one{##2}% suggested by VZ
+\def\doprocessseparatedlist#1]#2[#3]#4%
+   {\def\dodoprocessseparatedlist##1##2#3%
+      {\def\!!stringa{##2}% suggested by VZ
        \if]##1%
-         \let\syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step\relax
-       \else\ifx\blankspace\m_syst_string_one
+         \let\dodoprocessseparatedlist\relax
+       \else\ifx\blankspace\!!stringa
          #4{##1}%
        \else\if]##2%
-         \let\syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step\relax
+         \let\dodoprocessseparatedlist\relax
        \else
          #4{##1##2}%
        \fi\fi\fi
-       \syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step}%
-    \expandafter\syst_helpers_process_separated_list_step\gobbleoneargument#1#3]#3}
+       \dodoprocessseparatedlist}%
+    \expandafter\dodoprocessseparatedlist\gobbleoneargument#1#3]#3}
 
-\unexpanded\def\processseparatedlist[%
-  {\syst_helpers_process_separated_list\relax}
+\def\processseparatedlist[%
+  {\doprocessseparatedlist\relax}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {processlist}
 %D
-%D An even more general list processing macro is the following one:
+%D An even more general list processing macro is the
+%D following one:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \processlist{beginsym}{endsym}{separator}\docommand list
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D This one supports arbitrary open and close symbols as well as user
-%D defined separators.
+%D This one supports arbitrary open and close symbols as well
+%D as user defined separators.
 %D
 %D \starttyping
 %D \processlist(){=>}\docommand(a=>b=>c=>d)
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\let\syst_helpers_process_any_list       \relax
-\let\syst_helpers_process_any_list_indeed\relax
-\let\syst_helpers_process_any_list_step  \relax
-
-\unexpanded\def\processlist#1#2#3#4% no blank skipping !
-  {\def\syst_helpers_process_any_list_indeed##1#2%
-     {\def\syst_helpers_process_any_list_step####1####2#3%
+\def\processlist#1#2#3#4% no blank skipping !
+  {\def\doprocesslist##1#2%
+     {\def\dodoprocesslist####1####2#3%
         {\ifx#2####1%
-           \let\syst_helpers_process_any_list_step\relax
+           \let\dodoprocesslist\relax
          \else\ifx#2####2%
-           \let\syst_helpers_process_any_list_step\relax
+           \let\dodoprocesslist\relax
          \else
            #4{####1####2}%
          \fi\fi
-         \syst_helpers_process_any_list_step}%
-      \expandafter\syst_helpers_process_any_list_step\gobbleoneargument##1#3#2#3}%
-   \def\syst_helpers_process_any_list#1%
-     {\syst_helpers_process_any_list_indeed\relax}%
-    \syst_helpers_process_any_list}
+         \dodoprocesslist}%
+      \expandafter\dodoprocesslist\gobbleoneargument##1#3#2#3}%
+   \def\dodoprocesslist#1%
+     {\doprocesslist\relax}%
+   \dodoprocesslist}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {processassignlist}
@@ -5631,12 +5665,12 @@
 %D This command can be integrated in \type{\getparameters}, but
 %D we decided best not to do so.
 
-\unexpanded\def\processassignlist#1[#2]#3%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_process_assign_list_assign[##1=##2=##3]%
+\def\processassignlist#1[#2]#3%
+  {\def\p!dodogetparameter[##1=##2=##3]%
      {\doifnot{##3}\relax{#3{##1}}}%
-   \def\syst_helpers_process_assign_list_step##1%
-     {\syst_helpers_process_assign_list_assign[##1==\relax]}%
-   \processcommalist[#2]\syst_helpers_process_assign_list_step}
+   \def\p!dogetparameter##1%
+     {\p!dodogetparameter[##1==\relax]}%
+   \processcommalist[#2]\p!dogetparameter}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {untextargument
@@ -5653,22 +5687,20 @@
 %D They remove braces and backslashes and give us something to
 %D sort.
 
-\let\m_syst_helpers_untexed\empty
-
-\unexpanded\def\untexsomething
+\def\untexsomething
   {\begingroup
    \catcode\leftbraceasciicode \ignorecatcode
    \catcode\rightbraceasciicode\ignorecatcode
    \escapechar\minusone
-   \syst_helpers_untex_something}
+   \dountexsomething}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_untex_something#1#2\to#3%
-  {\doglobal#1#2\to\m_syst_helpers_untexed
+\def\dountexsomething#1#2\to#3%
+  {\doglobal#1#2\to\untexedargument
    \endgroup
-   \let#3\m_syst_helpers_untexed}
+   \let#3\untexedargument}
 
-\unexpanded\def\untexargument{\untexsomething\convertargument}
-\unexpanded\def\untexcommand {\untexsomething\convertcommand}
+\def\untexargument{\untexsomething\convertargument}
+\def\untexcommand {\untexsomething\convertcommand}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {ScaledPointsToBigPoints,ScaledPointsToWholeBigPoints}
@@ -5693,14 +5725,14 @@
 % \PointsToWholeBigPoints{10.53941pt}\test \test
 % \PointsToWholeBigPoints{10.53942pt}\test \test
 
-\unexpanded\def\PointsToBigPoints#1#2%
+\def\PointsToBigPoints#1#2%
   {\edef#2{\withoutpt\the\dimexpr.996264\dimexpr#1\relax\relax}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\PointsToWholeBigPoints#1#2%
+\def\PointsToWholeBigPoints#1#2%
   {\edef#2{\the\numexpr\dimexpr.996264\dimexpr#1\relax\relax/\maxcard\relax}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\ScaledPointsToBigPoints     #1{\PointsToBigPoints     {\number#1\scaledpoint}}
-\unexpanded\def\ScaledPointsToWholeBigPoints#1{\PointsToWholeBigPoints{\number#1\scaledpoint}}
+\def\ScaledPointsToBigPoints     #1{\PointsToBigPoints     {\number#1\scaledpoint}}
+\def\ScaledPointsToWholeBigPoints#1{\PointsToWholeBigPoints{\number#1\scaledpoint}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {PointsToReal}
@@ -5712,8 +5744,9 @@
 %D \PointsToReal {dimension} \target
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\unexpanded\def\PointsToReal#1#2%
-  {\edef#2{\withoutpt\the\dimexpr#1}}
+\def\PointsToReal#1#2%
+  {\scratchdimen#1%
+   \edef#2{\withoutpt\the\scratchdimen}}
 
 %D \macros
 %D  {dontleavehmode}
@@ -5744,17 +5777,16 @@
 %D
 %D And finaly we got the following alternative, one that avoids
 %D interfering grouping at the cost of a box.
-%D
-%D \starttyping
-%D \newbox\b_syst_helpers_dlh
-%D
-%D \unexpanded\def\dontleavehmode
-%D   {\ifhmode\else \ifmmode\else
-%D      \setbox\b_syst_helpers_dlh\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint\everymath\emptytoks$ $}\unhbox\b_syst_helpers_dlh
-%D    \fi \fi}
-%D \stoptyping
-%D
-%D But, as we run a recent version of \TEX, we can use the new primitive:
+
+\newbox\@@dlhbox
+
+\unexpanded\def\dontleavehmode
+  {\ifhmode\else \ifmmode\else
+     \setbox\@@dlhbox\hbox{\mathsurround\zeropoint\everymath\emptytoks$ $}\unhbox\@@dlhbox
+   \fi \fi}
+
+%D But, if you run a recent version of \TEX, we can use the new
+%D primitive:
 
 \ifdefined\normalquitvmode \let\dontleavehmode\normalquitvmode \fi
 
@@ -5768,17 +5800,14 @@
 %D \lowercasestring somestring\to\somestring
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
-%D The first argument may be a \type{\macro}.
+%D the first argument may be a \type{\macro}.
 
-\unexpanded\def\uppercasestring#1\to#2%
+\def\uppercasestring#1\to#2%
   {\uppercase\expandafter{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\edef\expandafter#2\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#1}}}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\lowercasestring#1\to#2%
+\def\lowercasestring#1\to#2%
   {\lowercase\expandafter{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\edef\expandafter#2\expandafter{\normalexpanded{#1}}}}
 
-%D These macros are sort of obsolete as we never use uppercase this
-%D way.
-
 %D \macros
 %D   {handletokens}
 %D
@@ -5814,26 +5843,25 @@
 %D takes a real counter. The macro can be preceded by \type
 %D {\doglobal}.
 
-\def\syst_helpers_count_token#1% obeys {}
-  {\def\m_syst_string_three{#1}%
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_two\m_syst_string_three \else
-     \ifx\m_syst_string_one\m_syst_string_three
-       \advance\scratchcounter\plusone
-     \fi
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_count_token
-   \fi}
-
-\unexpanded\def\counttoken#1\in#2\to#3%
+\def\counttoken#1\in#2\to#3%
   {\scratchcounter\zerocount
-   \def\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \def\m_syst_string_two{\end}%
-   \syst_helpers_count_token#2\end
+   \def\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \def\!!stringb{\end}%
+   \def\docounttoken##1% obeys {}
+     {\def\!!stringc{##1}%
+      \ifx\!!stringb\!!stringc \else
+        \ifx\!!stringa\!!stringc
+          \advance\scratchcounter\plusone
+        \fi
+        \expandafter\docounttoken
+      \fi}%
+   \docounttoken#2\end
    \dodoglobal#3\scratchcounter}
 
-\unexpanded\def\counttokens#1\to#2%
+\def\counttokens#1\to#2%
   {\scratchcounter\zerocount
-   \def\syst_helpers_count_token##1{\advance\scratchcounter\plusone}%
-   \handletokens#1\with\syst_helpers_count_token
+   \def\docounttoken##1{\advance\scratchcounter\plusone}%
+   \handletokens#1\with\docounttoken
    \dodoglobal#2\scratchcounter}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -5843,17 +5871,17 @@
 %D Consider for instance the macro for which I originally
 %D wrote this token handler.
 
-\unexpanded\def\splitofftokens#1\from#2\to#3% slow but hardly used
+\def\splitofftokens#1\from#2\to#3% slow but hardly used
   {\ifnum#1>\zerocount
      \scratchcounter#1\relax
-     \def\syst_helpers_split_off_tokens##1%
+     \def\dosplitofftokens##1%
        {\ifnum\scratchcounter>\zerocount
           \advance\scratchcounter \minusone
           \edef#3{#3##1}%
         \fi}%
    % \let#3\empty % #3 can be #2, so:
      \expandafter\let\expandafter#3\expandafter\empty
-     \expandafter\handletokens#2\with\syst_helpers_split_off_tokens
+     \expandafter\handletokens#2\with\dosplitofftokens
    \else
      \edef#3{#2}%
    \fi}
@@ -5890,27 +5918,27 @@
 %D way we can handle the sentinal, a blank space and grouped
 %D tokens.
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_handle_tokens % \nexthandledtoken is part of interface
-  {\futurelet\nexthandledtoken\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed}
+\def\dohandletokens % \nexthandledtoken is part of interface
+  {\futurelet\nexthandledtoken\dodohandletokens}
 
 \def\handletokens#1\with#2%
-  {\gdef\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_command{#2}% permits more complex #2's
-   \syst_helpers_handle_tokens#1\end}
+  {\gdef\dododohandletokens{#2}% permits more complex #2's
+   \dohandletokens#1\end}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed
+\def\dodohandletokens
   {\ifx\nexthandledtoken\blankspace
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed_one
+     \expandafter\dodohandletokensone
    \else\ifx\nexthandledtoken\end
      \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\gobbletwoarguments % also gobble the \end
    \else
-     \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed_two
+     \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\dodohandletokenstwo
    \fi\fi *}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed_one * %
-  {\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_command{ }\syst_helpers_handle_tokens}
+\def\dodohandletokensone * %
+  {\dododohandletokens{ }\dohandletokens}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_indeed_two *#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_handle_tokens_command{#1}\syst_helpers_handle_tokens}
+\def\dodohandletokenstwo *#1%
+  {\dododohandletokens{#1}\dohandletokens}
 
 %D This macro is tested on:
 %D
@@ -5993,35 +6021,130 @@
 %D This macro is first used in the tabulation macros.
 
 \unexpanded\def\processcontent#1%
-  {\begingroup\expandafter\syst_helpers_process_content\csname#1\endcsname}
+  {\begingroup\expandafter\doprocesscontent\csname#1\endcsname}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_process_content#1#2#3%
-  {\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_process_content##1#1%
+\unexpanded\def\doprocesscontent#1#2#3%
+  {\unexpanded\def\doprocesscontent##1#1%
      {\endgroup\def#2{##1}#3}%
-   \syst_helpers_process_content}
+   \doprocesscontent}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dogobblesingleempty, dogobbledoubleempty}
 %D
 %D These two macros savely grab and dispose two arguments.
 
-\def\dogobblesingleempty{\dosingleempty\syst_helpers_gobble_single_empty}
-\def\dogobbledoubleempty{\dodoubleempty\syst_helpers_gobble_double_empty}
+\def\dogobblesingleempty{\dosingleempty\dodogobblesingleempty}
+\def\dogobbledoubleempty{\dodoubleempty\dodogobbledoubleempty}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_gobble_single_empty    [#1]{}
-\def\syst_helpers_gobble_double_empty[#1][#2]{}
+\def\dodogobblesingleempty    [#1]{}
+\def\dodogobbledoubleempty[#1][#2]{}
 
 \let\gobblesingleempty\dogobblesingleempty % also used
 \let\gobbledoubleempty\dogobbledoubleempty % also used
 
 %D \macros
+%D   {sortcommalist,sortcommacommand,
+%D    donumericcompare,comparedresult}
+%D
+%D Sometimes we need to sort a commalist, so here is Taco's
+%D solution. This will in many cases be a list that is stored
+%D in a \type{\csname}, so both commalist and commacommands are
+%D supported. The sorting algorithm is very simple, so the list
+%D should not be too long or sorting will be very slow.
+%D
+%D \starttyping
+%D \sortcommalist[10,2,4,5,6,1,2,3,4,10,20]\donumericcompare
+%D
+%D \def\test{10,2,4,5,6,1,2,3,4,10,20}
+%D
+%D \sortcommacommand[\test]\donumericcompare
+%D \stoptyping
+%D
+%D In both cases, the result is available in the macro \type
+%D {\sortedcommalist}.
+%D
+%D Parameter \type{#2} is a macro that should accept two
+%D parameters, and it has to decide which one is larger, by
+%D setting the counter \type{\comparedresult} to~0 (for equal),
+%D 1~(if it's first argument is larger), or~2 (if it's second
+%D argument is larger).
+%D
+%D As said, these macro are largely written by Taco, and are
+%D (maybe therefore) also the first application of \type
+%D {\replaceincommalist}.
+
+\newcount\comparedresult
+
+\def\sortcommacommand[#1]%
+  {\expandafter\sortcommalist\expandafter[#1]}
+
+\def\sortcommalist[#1]#2%
+  {\getcommalistsize[#1]%
+   \ifnum\commalistsize>1
+     \let\sortedcommalist\empty
+     \let\comparecommand#2%
+     \processcommalist[#1]\dosortcommacommand
+   \else
+     \def\sortedcommalist{#1}%
+   \fi}
+
+\def\dosortcommacommand#1%
+  {\ifx\sortedcommalist\empty
+     \def\sortedcommalist{#1}%
+   \else
+     \def\!!tempa{#1}%
+     \ifx\!!tempa\empty\else
+       \scratchcounter\plusone
+       \expandafter\getcommalistsize\expandafter[\sortedcommalist]%
+       \expandafter\processcommalist\expandafter[\sortedcommalist]\docompareitems
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+%D All those \type{\expandafter}'s are there because I do not
+%D want to use \type{\edef}.
+
+\def\docompareitems#1%
+  {\doifnotempty{#1}
+     {\expandafter\comparecommand\expandafter{\!!tempa}{#1}\relax
+     %\ifcase\compareresult % equal
+      \ifnum\comparedresult<2
+        \ifnum\scratchcounter=\commalistsize
+          \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\def
+            \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\sortedcommalist
+              \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter{\expandafter\sortedcommalist\expandafter,\!!tempa}%
+        \fi
+     %\or % new element larger
+     %  \ifnum\scratchcounter=\commalistsize
+     %    \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\def
+     %      \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\sortedcommalist
+     %        \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter{\expandafter\sortedcommalist\expandafter,\!!tempa}%
+     %  \fi
+      \else % old element larger
+        \expandafter\def\expandafter\newcommalistelement\expandafter{\!!tempa,#1}%
+        \replaceincommalist\sortedcommalist\scratchcounter
+        \expandafter\quitcommalist
+      \fi}%
+      \advance\scratchcounter \plusone} % bug, was \minusone
+
+%D The macro \type{\donumericcompare} considers everything
+%D that is not a number to be larger than any number.
+
+% 0: both are equal, 1: #1 is larger, 2: #2 is larger
+
+\def\thenumericcompare#1#2% no \relax es inside hee
+  {\doifnumberelse{#1}
+     {\doifnumberelse{#2}{\ifnum#1>#2 \plusone\else\ifnum#1<#2 \plustwo\else\zerocount\fi\fi}\plustwo}
+     \plusone}
+
+\def\donumericcompare
+  {\comparedresult\thenumericcompare}
+
+%D \macros
 %D   {@True, @False, @Not, @And}
 %D
 %D Some predicate logic functions, used in for instance the
 %D math module.
 
-% These have rather ugly names ... will change:
-
 \def\@True    {00}
 \def\@False   {01}
 \def\@Not   #1{0\ifcase#11 \or\expandafter 1\else \expandafter 0\fi}
@@ -6044,10 +6167,10 @@
 %D assignment inside a box. The \type{\empty}'s permits
 %D gobbling while preventing spurious \type{\relax}'s.
 
-\unexpanded\def\setdimensionwithunit#1#2#3% number unit dimension / nice trick
+\def\setdimensionwithunit#1#2#3% number unit dimension / nice trick
   {\afterassignment\gobblefourarguments#1=#2#3pt\relax\empty\empty\empty\empty}
 
-\unexpanded\def\freezedimensionwithunit#1#2%
+\def\freezedimensionwithunit#1#2%
   {\setdimensionwithunit\scratchdimen#1{#2}\edef#1{\the\scratchdimen}}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -6056,25 +6179,25 @@
 %D Not that fast I guess, but here's a way to test for token
 %D registers being empty.
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifsometokselse#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifsometokselse#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifsometoks#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifsometoks#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifemptytoks#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
-   \ifx\m_syst_string_one\empty
+\def\doifemptytoks#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{\the#1}% one level expansion so quite ok
+   \ifx\!!stringa\empty
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
    \else
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
@@ -6089,9 +6212,9 @@
 
 \def\syst_helpers_strict_inspect_next_character% no user macro !
   {\ifx\nexttoken\charactertoken
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_yes
+     \expandafter\!!stringa
    \else
-     \expandafter\m_syst_action_nop
+     \expandafter\!!stringb
    \fi}
 
 % better: push/pop
@@ -6144,14 +6267,10 @@
 %D
 %D Concatenate commalists:
 
-\let\syst_helpers_serialize_comma_list_step\relax
-
-\def\syst_helpers_serialize_comma_list_step#1%
-  {\edef\serializedcommalist{\serializedcommalist#1}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\serializecommalist[#1]%
+\def\serializecommalist[#1]%
   {\let\serializedcommalist\empty
-   \processcommacommand[#1]\syst_helpers_serialize_comma_list_step}
+   \def\docommand##1{\edef\serializedcommalist{\serializedcommalist##1}}%
+   \processcommacommand[#1]\docommand}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {purenumber}
@@ -6227,7 +6346,7 @@
 \def\filterfromvalue#1#2#3% value max n
   {\expandafter\doubleexpandafter\csname         % we use the fact that an
      \expandafter\ifx\csname#1\endcsname\relax   % undefined cs has become \relax
-       \strippedcsname\gobbleoneargument         % which we then gobble here
+       \strippedcsname\gobbleoneargument % which we then gobble here
      \else
        \dofilterfromstr{#2}{#3}%
      \fi
@@ -6245,27 +6364,13 @@
 %D ... \measure{mywidth} ...
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\installsystemnamespace{measure}
+\def\??dm{@@dm} % brrr
 
 \unexpanded\def\definemeasure
-  {\dodoubleargument\syst_helpers_define_measure}
+  {\dodoubleargument\dodefinemeasure}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_define_measure[#1][#2]%
-  {\expandafter\def\csname\??measure#1\endcsname{#2}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\freezemeasure
-  {\dodoubleargument\syst_helpers_freeze_measure}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_freede_measure[#1][#2]%
-  {\expandafter\edef\csname\??measure#1\endcsname{\the\dimexpr#2}}
-
-\unexpanded\def\setmeasure #1#2{\expandafter\def \csname\??measure#1\endcsname{#2}}             % quick way
-\unexpanded\def\setgmeasure#1#2{\expandafter\gdef\csname\??measure#1\endcsname{#2}}             % quick way
-\unexpanded\def\setemeasure#1#2{\expandafter\edef\csname\??measure#1\endcsname{\the\dimexpr#2}} % quick way
-\unexpanded\def\setxmeasure#1#2{\expandafter\xdef\csname\??measure#1\endcsname{\the\dimexpr#2}} % quick way
-
-\def\measure#1% maybe \dimexpr ... \relax
-  {\ifcsname\??measure#1\endcsname\csname\??measure#1\endcsname\else\zeropoint\fi}
+\def\dodefinemeasure[#1][#2]%
+  {\expandafter\def\csname\??dm#1\endcsname{#2}}
 
 % #2 could be omitted, but we want to support spaces
 %
@@ -6273,21 +6378,13 @@
 % \setmeasure {xx} {1cm}
 % \setmeasure {xxx}{1cm}
 
-%D \macros
-%D   {dividedsize}
-%D
-%D This one can be used inside a measure (used in m4all):
-%D
-%D \starttyping
-%D \definemeasure[columnwidth][\dividedsize\textwidth{1em}{3}]
-%D \stoptyping
+\unexpanded\def\setmeasure #1#2{\expandafter\def \csname\??dm#1\endcsname{#2}} % quick way
+\unexpanded\def\setemeasure#1#2{\expandafter\edef\csname\??dm#1\endcsname{#2}} % quick way
+\unexpanded\def\setgmeasure#1#2{\expandafter\gdef\csname\??dm#1\endcsname{#2}} % quick way
+\unexpanded\def\setxmeasure#1#2{\expandafter\xdef\csname\??dm#1\endcsname{#2}} % quick way
 
-\def\dividedsize#1#2#3% size gap n
-  {\dimexpr
-     \ifnum\dimexpr#1\relax>\plusone
-       (\dimexpr#1\relax-\numexpr#3-\plusone\relax\dimexpr#2\relax)/#3\else#1%
-     \fi
-   \relax}
+\def\measure#1% maybe \dimexpr ... \relax
+  {\ifcsname\??dm#1\endcsname\csname\??dm#1\endcsname\else\zeropoint\fi}
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {doifdimensionelse}
@@ -6295,9 +6392,9 @@
 %D This is a dirty one: we simply append a unit and discard it when needed.
 
 \def\doifdimensionelse#1%
-  {\afterassignment\syst_helpers_if_dimension_else\scratchdimen#1pt\relax}
+  {\afterassignment\dodoifdimensionelse\scratchdimen#1pt\relax}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_if_dimension_else#1%
+\def\dodoifdimensionelse#1%
   {\ifx#1\relax
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \else % #1=p ... t\relax
@@ -6321,57 +6418,53 @@
 %D \NC 1       \NC  \doifdimenstringelse      {1}{yes}{no} \NC \NR
 %D \stoptabulate
 
-\installsystemnamespace{dimenchecka}
-\installsystemnamespace{dimencheckb}
-\installsystemnamespace{dimencheckc}
-
 \def\doifdimenstringelse#1{\normalexpanded{\noexpand\dodimenteststageone#1}\empty\empty]}
 
-\def\dodimenteststageone  #1#2{\csname \??dimenchecka\ifcsname \??dimenchecka#2\endcsname#2\else x\fi\endcsname#2}
-\def\dodimenteststagetwo  #1#2{\csname \??dimencheckb\ifcsname \??dimencheckb#2\endcsname#2\else x\fi\endcsname#2}
-\def\dodimenteststagethree #1]{\csname \??dimencheckc\ifcsname \??dimencheckc#1\endcsname#1\else x\fi\endcsname}
-
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka x\endcsname\dodimenteststagethree
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb x\endcsname\dodimenteststagethree
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc x\endcsname\secondoftwoarguments
-
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka.\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka,\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka1\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka2\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka3\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka4\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka5\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka6\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka7\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka8\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka9\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimenchecka0\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
-
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb1\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb2\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb3\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb4\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb5\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb6\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb7\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb8\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb9\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckb0\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
-
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc pt\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc pc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc in\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc bp\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc cm\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc mm\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc dd\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc cc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc sp\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc ex\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc em\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc nd\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
-\expandafter\let\csname \??dimencheckc nc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\def\dodimenteststageone  #1#2{\csname d!1!\ifcsname d!1!#2\endcsname#2\else x\fi\endcsname#2}
+\def\dodimenteststagetwo  #1#2{\csname d!2!\ifcsname d!2!#2\endcsname#2\else x\fi\endcsname#2}
+\def\dodimenteststagethree #1]{\csname d!3!\ifcsname d!3!#1\endcsname#1\else x\fi\endcsname}
+
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!x\endcsname\dodimenteststagethree
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!x\endcsname\dodimenteststagethree
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!x\endcsname\secondoftwoarguments
+
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!.\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!,\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!1\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!2\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!3\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!4\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!5\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!6\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!7\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!8\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!9\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+\expandafter\let\csname d!1!0\endcsname\dodimenteststageone
+
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!1\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!2\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!3\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!4\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!5\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!6\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!7\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!8\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!9\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+\expandafter\let\csname d!2!0\endcsname\dodimenteststagetwo
+
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!pt\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!pc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!in\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!bp\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!cm\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!mm\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!dd\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!cc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!sp\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!ex\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!em\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!nd\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
+\expandafter\let\csname d!3!nc\endcsname\firstoftwoarguments
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {comparedimension,comparedimensioneps}
@@ -6409,51 +6502,51 @@
 
 % \copycsname xxx\endcsname\csname ..\endcsname
 
-\unexpanded\def\copycsname{\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\let\expandafter\expandafter\csname}
+\def\copycsname{\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\let\expandafter\expandafter\csname}
 
 % \letcscsname    \crap               \csname ..\endcsname
 % \letcsnamecs    \csname ..\endcsname\crap
 % \letcsnamecsname\csname ..\endcsname\csname ..\endcsname
 
-\unexpanded\def\letcscsname    {\expandafter\let\expandafter}
-\unexpanded\def\letcsnamecs    {\expandafter\let}
-\unexpanded\def\letcsnamecsname{\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\let\expandafter\expandafter}
+\def\letcscsname    {\expandafter\let\expandafter}
+\def\letcsnamecs    {\expandafter\let}
+\def\letcsnamecsname{\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\let\expandafter\expandafter}
 
 % another one, add an item to a commalist
 
-\unexpanded\def\addvalue#1#2% cs item
+\def\addvalue#1#2% cs item
   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname\else\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\empty\fi
    \normalexpanded{\noexpand\addtocommalist{#2}\expandafter\noexpand\csname#1\endcsname}}
 
 \def\unspaced#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_unspaced#1\end}
+  {\dounspaced#1\end}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_unspaced#1%
+\def\dounspaced#1%
   {\ifx#1\end
      \expandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \ifx#1\blankspace\else#1\fi
    \fi
-   \syst_helpers_unspaced}
+   \dounspaced}
 
-\unexpanded\def\unspaceargument#1\to#2%
+\def\unspaceargument#1\to#2%
   {\scratchcounter\catcode\spaceasciicode
    \catcode\spaceasciicode\ignorecatcode
    \scantextokens{\edef#2{#1}}%
    \catcode\spaceasciicode\scratchcounter}
 
-\unexpanded\def\unspaceafter#1#2%
+\def\unspaceafter#1#2%
   {\unspaceargument#2\to\ascii
    \expandafter#1\expandafter{\ascii}}
 
 % sometimes handy:
 
-\unexpanded\def\doifhasspaceelse#1%
-  {\edef\m_syst_string_one{#1}%
-   \normalexpanded{\syst_helpers_if_has_space_else#1\space}\empty\relax}
+\def\doifhasspaceelse#1%
+  {\edef\!!stringa{#1}%
+   \normalexpanded{\noexpand\dodoifhasspaceelse#1\space}\empty\relax}
 
-\unexpanded\def\syst_helpers_if_has_space_else#1 #2#3\relax % \space\empty\relax
-  {\ifx\m_syst_string_one\space
+\def\dodoifhasspaceelse#1 #2#3\relax % \space\empty\relax
+  {\ifx\!!stringa\space
      \expandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else\ifx#2\empty
      \doubleexpandafter\secondoftwoarguments
@@ -6463,35 +6556,67 @@
 
 % this will replace loadfile once and alike !!! todo
 
-\installsystemnamespace{flag}
+\def\@flg@{@flg@}
+
+\def\setflag  #1{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\let\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname\zerocount}
+\def\resetflag#1{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\let\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname\plusone}
 
-\unexpanded\def\setflag  #1{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\let\csname\??flag#1\endcsname\zerocount}
-\unexpanded\def\resetflag#1{\expandafter\dodoglobal\expandafter\let\csname\??flag#1\endcsname\plusone}
+\let\ifflagged\ifcase
 
-\def\flag#1{\csname\??flag#1\endcsname}
+\def\flag#1{\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname}
 
 \def\doifelseflagged#1%
-  {\expandafter\ifx\csname\??flag#1\endcsname\relax
+  {\expandafter\ifx\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname\relax
      \expandafter\secondoftwoarguments
-   \else\ifcase\csname\??flag#1\endcsname
+   \else\ifcase\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname
      \doubleexpandafter\firstoftwoarguments
    \else
      \doubleexpandafter\secondoftwoarguments
    \fi\fi}
 
 \def\doifnotflagged#1%
-  {\expandafter\ifx\csname\??flag#1\endcsname\relax
+  {\expandafter\ifx\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname\relax
      \expandafter\firstofoneargument
-   \else\ifcase\csname\??flag#1\endcsname
+   \else\ifcase\csname\@flg@#1\endcsname
      \doubleexpandafter\gobbleoneargument
    \else
      \doubleexpandafter\firstofoneargument
    \fi\fi}
 
-\unexpanded\def\inheritparameter[#1]#2[#3]#4[#5]% tag tokey fromkey
+\def\inheritparameter[#1]#2[#3]#4[#5]% tag tokey fromkey
   {\expandafter\def\csname#1#3\expandafter\endcsname\expandafter{\csname#1#5\endcsname}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_if_non_zero_positive_else#1#2\end % #3#4%
+% \buildarray[test][aa,bb,cc,dd,ee,ff]
+% \setarrayelement{test}{1}{qq}
+% \arrayelement{test}{1}
+% \arraylength{test}
+%
+% \def\buildarray[#1][#2]%
+%   {\scratchcounter=0
+%    \def\docommand##1%
+%      {\advance\scratchcounter by 1
+%       \setvalue{@@aa#1\the\scratchcounter}{##1}}%
+%    \processcommalist[#2]\docommand
+%    \setevalue{@@aa#1}{\the\scratchcounter}}%
+%
+% \def\setarrayelement#1#2{\setvalue{@@aa#1#2}}
+% \def\arrayelement   #1#2{\getvalue{@@aa#1#2}}
+% \def\arraylength      #1{\getvalue{@@aa#1}}
+
+% \newsignal\junksignal
+%
+% \def\setjunksignal%
+%   {\ifhmode
+%      \hskip\junksignal
+%      \let\removejunkspaces\doremovejunkspaces
+%    \else
+%      \let\removejunkspaces\relax
+%    \fi}
+%
+% \def\doremovejunkspaces%
+%   {\doloop{\ifdim\lastskip=\junksignal\unskip\else\exitloop\fi}}
+
+\def\dodoifnonzeropositiveelse#1#2\end % #3#4%
   {\ifx#1\relax
      \ifcase\scratchcounter
        \endgroup
@@ -6506,42 +6631,45 @@
    \fi}
 
 \def\doifnonzeropositiveelse#1%
-  {\begingroup\afterassignment\syst_helpers_if_non_zero_positive_else\scratchcounter=0#1\relax\empty\end}
+  {\begingroup\afterassignment\dodoifnonzeropositiveelse\scratchcounter=0#1\relax\empty\end}
 
 % here ?
 
-\unexpanded\def\dosetrawvalue #1#2#3{\expandafter \def\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
-\unexpanded\def\dosetrawevalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\edef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
-\unexpanded\def\dosetrawgvalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\gdef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
-\unexpanded\def\dosetrawxvalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\xdef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
+\def\dosetrawvalue #1#2#3{\expandafter \def\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
+\def\dosetrawevalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\edef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
+\def\dosetrawgvalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\gdef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
+\def\dosetrawxvalue#1#2#3{\expandafter\xdef\csname#1#2\endcsname{#3}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\getrawparameters      {\dogetparameters\dosetrawvalue }
-\unexpanded\def\getraweparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawevalue}
-\unexpanded\def\getrawgparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawgvalue}
-\unexpanded\def\getrawxparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawxvalue}
+\def\getrawparameters      {\dogetparameters\dosetrawvalue }
+\def\getraweparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawevalue}
+\def\getrawgparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawgvalue}
+\def\getrawxparameters     {\dogetparameters\dosetrawxvalue}
 
-\unexpanded\def\globalgetrawparameters{\dogetparameters\dosetrawgvalue} % obsolete
+\def\globalgetrawparameters{\dogetparameters\dosetrawgvalue} % obsolete
 
-%D Sort of obsolete:
-
-\newcount\c_syst_helpers_mod
+\def\splitskip#1%
+  {\scratchskip#1\relax
+   \dimen0\scratchskip
+   \dimen2\gluestretch\scratchskip
+   \dimen4\glueshrink\scratchskip}
+
+\newcount\modcounter
 
-\unexpanded\def\dosetmodulo#1#2#3%
-  {\c_syst_helpers_mod#1\divide\c_syst_helpers_mod#2\multiply\c_syst_helpers_mod#2%
-   #3#1\advance#3-\c_syst_helpers_mod}
+\def\dosetmodulo#1#2#3%
+  {\modcounter#1\divide\modcounter#2\multiply\modcounter#2%
+   #3#1\advance#3-\modcounter}
 
-\unexpanded\def\dosetdivision#1#2#3%
+\def\dosetdivision#1#2#3%
   {#3#1\divide#3 #2\relax}
 
-\unexpanded\def\DoMod#1by#2to#3{\dosetmodulo  {#1}{#2}{#3}}
-\unexpanded\def\DoDiv#1by#2to#3{\dosetdivision{#1}{#2}{#3}}
+\def\DoMod#1by#2to#3{\dosetmodulo  {#1}{#2}{#3}}
+\def\DoDiv#1by#2to#3{\dosetdivision{#1}{#2}{#3}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_unprotected#1\par
+\def\dounprotected#1\par
   {#1\protect}
 
-\unexpanded\def\unprotected
-  {\unprotect
-   \syst_helpers_unprotected}
+\def\unprotected
+  {\unprotect\dounprotected}
 
 % awaiting the definitive implementation
 
@@ -6555,21 +6683,20 @@
 \def\elapsedtime   {\ctxcommand{elapsedtime()}}
 \let\elapsedseconds \elapsedtime
 
-\newcount\c_syst_helpers_test_feature_n
+\newcount\featuretest
 
 \unexpanded\def\testfeature#1#2%
-  {\def\syst_helpers_test_feature_step
-     {\advance\c_syst_helpers_test_feature_n\plusone
-      \ifnum\c_syst_helpers_test_feature_n>#1\else#2\expandafter\syst_helpers_test_feature_step\fi}%
+  {\def\dotestfeature
+     {\advance\featuretest \plusone
+      \ifnum\featuretest>#1\else#2\expandafter\dotestfeature\fi}%
    \retestfeature}
 
-\unexpanded\def\retestfeature % timer support is new per 10/5/2005
+\def\retestfeature % timer support is new per 10/5/2005
   {\bgroup
    \ifcase\interactionmode\let\wait\relax\fi
    \writestatus\m!system{starting feature test}\wait
    \resettimer
-   \c_syst_helpers_test_feature_n\zerocount
-   \syst_helpers_test_feature_step
+   \featuretest\zerocount \dotestfeature
    \writestatus\m!system{feature test done (\elapsedseconds s)}%
    \wait
    \egroup}
@@ -6592,7 +6719,7 @@
 %D \freezedimenmacro\leftmargindistance
 %D \stoptyping
 
-\unexpanded\def\freezedimenmacro#1%
+\def\freezedimenmacro#1%
   {\edef#1{\the\dimexpr#1}}
 
 %D The next macro negates a macro (dimension or number, or actually, whatever.
@@ -6608,19 +6735,191 @@
 \def\gobbleassigndimen#1\\{}
 
 \def\assigndimen#1#2%
-  {\afterassignment\gobbleassigndimen#1=#2\zeropoint\\}
+  {\afterassignment\gobbleassigndimen#1=#2\!!zeropoint\\}
+
+\def\setusage#1%
+  {\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\iftrue}
+
+\def\resetusage#1%
+  {\expandafter\let\csname#1\endcsname\iffalse}
+
+\def\ifusage#1%
+  {\ifcsname#1\endcsname\else
+     \resetusage{#1}%
+   \fi
+   \csname#1\endcsname}
+
+%D Very handy, more efficient than \type{{}}, and more readable
+%D than \type {\empty}.
+
+\let\donothing\empty
+
+% The following macros are used in XML handling.
+
+\setvalue{@u@s@"}#1#2"{#2} \setvalue{@g@s@"}#1#2"{\scratchtoks{#2}}
+\setvalue{@u@s@'}#1#2'{#2} \setvalue{@g@s@'}#1#2'{\scratchtoks{#2}}
+\setvalue{@u@s@ }#1#2 {#2} \setvalue{@g@s@ }#1#2 {\scratchtoks{#2}}
+
+\def\unstringed#1{\csname\ifcsname @u@s@#1\endcsname @u@s@#1\else\s!empty\fi\endcsname#1}
+\def\grabstring#1{\csname\ifcsname @g@s@#1\endcsname @g@s@#1\else\s!empty\fi\endcsname#1}
+
+\def\dowithgrabbedstring#1%
+  {\def\@@dowithgrabbedstring{#1}%
+   \afterassignment\@@dowithgrabbedstring\grabstring}
+
+\def\expifequalelse#1#2%
+  {\@@ifequal#1\relax\relax\@@and#2\relax\relax\@@then}
+
+\def\@@ifequal#1#2\@@and#3%
+  {\ifx#1\relax
+     \ifx#3\relax
+       \doubleexpandafter\@@if@@equal@@true
+     \else
+       \doubleexpandafter\@@if@@equal@@false
+     \fi
+   \else
+     \ifx#3\relax
+       \tripleexpandafter\@@if@@equal@@false
+     \else\ifx#1#3%
+       % go on
+     \else
+       \tripleexpandafter\@@if@@equal@@false
+     \fi\fi
+   \fi
+   \@@ifequal#2\@@and}
+
+\def\@@if@@equal@@true #1\@@then#2#3{#2}
+\def\@@if@@equal@@false#1\@@then#2#3{#3}
 
-\unexpanded\def\appended#1#2#3{\expandafter#1\expandafter#2\expandafter{#2#3}}
-\unexpanded\def\appendvalue #1{\expandafter\appended\expandafter \def\csname#1\endcsname}
-\unexpanded\def\appendgvalue#1{\expandafter\appended\expandafter\gdef\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\appended#1#2#3{\expandafter#1\expandafter#2\expandafter{#2#3}}
+\def\appendvalue #1{\expandafter\appended\expandafter \def\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\appendgvalue#1{\expandafter\appended\expandafter\gdef\csname#1\endcsname}
 
-\unexpanded\def\prepended#1#2#3%
-  {\t_syst_helpers_scratch{#3}%
+\def\prepended#1#2#3%
+  {\scratchtoks{#3}%
    \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter#2\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter
-     {\expandafter\the\expandafter\t_syst_helpers_scratch#2}}
+     {\expandafter\the\expandafter\scratchtoks#2}}
+
+\def\prependvalue #1{\expandafter\prepended\expandafter \def\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\prependgvalue#1{\expandafter\prepended\expandafter\gdef\csname#1\endcsname}
+
+%D \macros
+%D   {compresscommacommandnrs,compresscommalistnrs,compressedcommalistnrs,
+%D    compresscommacommand,compresscommalist,compressedcommalist,
+%D    reversecommacommand,reversecommalist,reversedcommalist}
+%D
+%D The following two list processing macros are needed by Taco's
+%D bibliography module. The numbers compressor converts the
+%D list in a list of ranges. The normal compressor remove duplicate
+%D and empty entries.
+%D
+%D This is now obsolete (and more a \LUA\ thing anyway).
+
+\def\compresscommalistnrs[#1]%
+  {\let\compressedlist\empty
+   \!!counta\maxdimen
+   \!!countb\maxdimen
+   \processcommalist[#1]\docompresslistnrs
+   \ifnum\!!counta=\maxdimen\else\dodocompresslistnrs\fi}
+
+\def\compresscommacommandnrs[#1]%
+  {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\compresscommalistnrs[#1]}}
+
+\def\docompresslistnrs#1%
+  {\edef\commalistelement{#1}%
+   \ifx\commalistelement\empty\else
+     \ifnum\!!counta=\maxdimen
+       \!!counta\commalistelement\relax
+       \!!countb\!!counta
+     \else
+       \advance\!!countb\plusone
+       \ifnum\commalistelement>\!!countb
+         \advance\!!countb\minusone
+         \dodocompresslistnrs
+         \!!counta\commalistelement\relax
+         \!!countb\!!counta
+       \fi
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+\def\dodocompresslistnrs
+  {\edef\compressedlist
+     {\ifx\compressedlist\empty\else\compressedlist,\fi
+       {\the\!!counta}{\ifnum\!!countb>\!!counta\the\!!countb\fi}}}
+
+%D \def\test#1{{\tttf#1->\compresscommalistnrs[#1]\defconvertedcommand\ascii\compressedlist\ascii}}
+%D \startlines
+%D \test{}
+%D \test{1}
+%D \test{1,3}
+%D \test{1,3,4}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,8}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,5,8,10}
+%D \test{1,3,4,5,8,10,11}
+%D \test{1,,3,,4,,5,,8,,10,,11,}
+%D \stoplines
+
+\def\compresscommalist[#1]%
+  {\let\compressedlist\empty
+   \let\!!stringa\empty
+   \processcommalist[#1]\docompresslist}
+
+\def\compresscommacommand[#1]%
+  {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\compresscommalist[#1]}}
+
+\def\docompresslist#1%
+  {\edef\commalistelement{#1}%
+   \ifx\commalistelement\empty \else
+     \ifx\!!stringa\commalistelement \else
+       \ifx\compressedlist\empty
+         \def\compressedlist{#1}%
+       \else
+         \appended\def\compressedlist{,#1}%
+       \fi
+       \let\!!stringa\commalistelement
+     \fi
+   \fi}
+
+%D \def\test#1{{\tttf#1->\compresscommalist[#1]\defconvertedcommand\ascii\compressedlist\ascii}}
+%D \startlines
+%D \test{}
+%D \test{1}
+%D \test{1,3}
+%D \test{1,3,4}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,8}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,5,8,10}
+%D \test{1,3,4,5,8,10,11}
+%D \test{1,,3,,4,,5,,8,,10,,11,}
+%D \stoplines
+
+\def\reversecommalist[#1]%
+  {\let\reversedlist\empty
+   \processcommalist[#1]\doreverselist}
 
-\unexpanded\def\prependvalue #1{\expandafter\prepended\expandafter \def\csname#1\endcsname}
-\unexpanded\def\prependgvalue#1{\expandafter\prepended\expandafter\gdef\csname#1\endcsname}
+\def\doreverselist#1%
+  {\ifx\reversedlist\empty
+     \def\reversedlist{#1}%
+   \else
+     \prepended\def\reversedlist{#1,}%
+   \fi}
+
+\def\reversecommacommand[#1]%
+  {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\reversecommalist[#1]}}
+
+%D \def\test#1{{\tttf#1->\reversecommalist[#1]\defconvertedcommand\ascii\reversedlist\ascii}}
+%D \startlines
+%D \test{}
+%D \test{1}
+%D \test{1,3}
+%D \test{1,3,4}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,8}
+%D \test{1,3,3,4,5,5,8,10}
+%D \test{1,3,4,5,8,10,11}
+%D \test{1,,3,,4,,5,,8,,10,,11,}
+%D \stoplines
 
 %D \macros
 %D   {dowithrange}
@@ -6628,11 +6927,44 @@
 %D This one is for Mojca Miklavec, who made me aware of the fact that
 %D \type {page-imp.tex} was not the best place to hide it.
 
-\unexpanded\def\dowithrange#1#2% #2 takes number
+\def\dowithrange#1#2% #2 takes number
   {\splitstring#1\at:\to\fromrange\and\torange
    \ifx\torange\empty\let\torange\fromrange\fi
    \dostepwiserecurse\fromrange\torange1{#2{\recurselevel}}}
+
+%D \macros {uncompresslist}
+%D
+%D When given a list like \type{1,4-7,9} as argument, this macro
+%D will store the expanded commalist in \type{\uncompressedlist}.
+%D
+%D \startbuffer
+%D \def\MojcaHasToDoTheTasks[#1]#2%
+%D   {{\uncompresslist[#1]%
+%D     \def\processitem##1{I have to do ##1 #2\par}%
+%D     \processcommacommand[\uncompressedlist]\processitem}}
+%D
+%D \MojcaHasToDoTheTasks [1-4,7,9-11] {until tomorrow}
+%D \stopbuffer
+%D
+%D Here is an example of how to use \type {\uncompresslist}:
+%D \typebuffer
+%D
+%D The output of this is:
+%D
+%D \getbuffer
 
+\def\uncompresslist[#1]% by TH
+  {\let\uncompressedlist\empty
+   \def\docompressedlistitem##1-##2-%
+     {\expandafter\dorecurse\expandafter
+        {\the\numexpr1+##2-##1\relax}%
+        {\expandafter\appendtocommalist\expandafter{\the\numexpr##1-1+####1\relax}\uncompressedlist}}%
+   \def\douncompresslist##1%
+     {\doifinstringelse{-}{##1}
+        {\docompressedlistitem##1-}
+        {\appendtocommalist{##1}\uncompressedlist}}%
+   \processcommalist[#1]\douncompresslist}
+
 %D \macros
 %D   {ignoreimplicitspaces}
 %D
@@ -6645,7 +6977,7 @@
 %D
 %D \typebuffer \getbuffer
 
-\unexpanded\def\ignoreimplicitspaces
+\def\ignoreimplicitspaces
   {\doifnextcharelse\relax\relax\relax}
 
 %D \macros
@@ -6653,39 +6985,74 @@
 %D
 %D Not that sophisticated but sometimes users (like in metafun).
 
-\def\syst_helpers_process_word#1 #2\_e_o_w_
-  {\doifsomething{#1}{\processword{#1} \syst_helpers_process_word#2 \_e_o_w_}}
+\def\doprocesswords#1 #2\od
+  {\doifsomething{#1}{\processword{#1} \doprocesswords#2 \od}}
+% {\doifsomething{\detokenize{#1}}{\processword{#1} \doprocesswords#2 \od}} % to be tested
 
 \def\processwords#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_process_word#1 \_e_o_w_}% no \unskip
+  {\doprocesswords#1 \od}% no \unskip
 
 \let\processword\relax
 
-%D \macros
-%D   {startnointerference}
-%D
-%D \starttyping
-%D \startnointerference
-%D all kind of code
-%D \stopnointerference
-%D \stoptyping
+% new
+%
+% \startnointerference
+% all kind of code
+% \stopnointerference
 
-\newbox\b_syst_helpers_no_interference
+\newbox\nointerferencebox
 
 \unexpanded\def\startnointerference % not even grouped !
-  {\setbox\b_syst_helpers_no_interference\vbox
+  {\setbox\nointerferencebox\vbox
    \bgroup}
 
 \unexpanded\def\stopnointerference
   {\egroup
-   \setbox\b_syst_helpers_no_interference\emptybox}
+   \setbox\nointerferencebox\emptybox}
+
+% \def\appendtovaluelist#1#2%
+%   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
+%      \expandafter\ifx\csname#1\endcsname\empty
+%        \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#2}%
+%      \else
+%        \expandafter\def\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
+%           \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter{\csname#1\endcsname,#2}%
+%      \fi
+%    \else
+%      \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#2}%
+%    \fi}
+%
+% or
+%
+% \def\appendtovaluelist#1%
+%   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
+%      \expandafter\ifx\csname#1\endcsname\empty
+%        \expandafter\noappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
+%      \else
+%        \expandafter\doappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
+%      \fi
+%    \else
+%      \expandafter\noappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\endcsname
+%    \fi}
+
+% \def\doappendtovaluelist#1#2{\expandafter\def\expandafter#1\expandafter{#1,#2}}
+% \def\noappendtovaluelist#1#2{\def#1{#2}}
+
+% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{aap}
+% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{noot}
+% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{mies}
+
+% \showvalue{mylist}
 
 %D A variant for \type {\executeifdefined}:
 
+% \def\expandcheckedcsname#1#2#3%
+%   {\csname#1\ifcsname#1#2\endcsname#2\else#3\fi\endcsname}
+
 \def\expandcheckedcsname#1#2% #2 is often a \xxxparameter  so let's expand it once
-  {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\syst_helpers_expand_checked_csname{#1}{#2}}}
+  {\normalexpanded{\noexpand\doexpandcheckedcsname{#1}{#2}}}
 
-\def\syst_helpers_expand_checked_csname#1#2#3%
+\def\doexpandcheckedcsname#1#2#3%
   {\csname#1\ifcsname#1#2\endcsname#2\else#3\fi\endcsname}
 
 %D Signal. Some fonts have a char0 rendering so we need to make sure that it
@@ -6693,41 +7060,7 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\signalcharacter{\char\zerocount} % \zwj
 
-%D A few secial variants of commands defined here. Some more will be moved here (e.g.
-%D from table modules.
-
-\def\dodirectdoubleempty#1#2% used in math (lookahead issues)
-  {\ifx#2[%
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_one_yes
-   \else
-     \expandafter\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_one_nop
-   \fi#1#2}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_one_yes#1[#2]#3%
-  {\ifx#3[\else\expandafter\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_two_nop\fi#1[#2]#3}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_one_nop#1{#1[][]}
-\def\syst_helpers_direct_double_empty_two_nop#1[#2]{#1[#2][]}
-
-%D Used in math definitions (in an type {\edef}):
-
-%D \startbuffer
-%D [\docheckedpair{}]
-%D [\docheckedpair{a}]
-%D [\docheckedpair{a,b}]
-%D [\docheckedpair{a,b,c}]
-%D \stopbuffer
-%D
-%D \typebuffer \startlines \getbuffer \stoplines
-
-\def\docheckedpair#1%
-  {\syst_helpers_checked_pair#1,,\_o_e_p_}
-
-\def\syst_helpers_checked_pair#1,#2,#3\_o_e_p_
-  {#1,#2}
-
-%D Here are some nasty helpers. They can be used to fill often expanded token
-%D lists efficiently (see tabulate for an example).
+%D Here are some nasty helpers:
 
 \def\constantnumber#1%
   {\ifcase#1\zerocount
@@ -6778,53 +7111,8 @@
      {#1}%
    \fi}
 
-% %D Maybe some day (moved from cont-new):
-% %D
-% %D \starttyping
-% %D \the\dimexpr(\dimchoice {7pt}{{<10pt}{8pt}{<12pt}{9pt}{<15pt}{10pt}{=11pt}{12pt}})
-% %D \the\dimexpr(\dimchoice{11pt}{{<10pt}{8pt}{<12pt}{9pt}{<15pt}{10pt}{=11pt}{12pt}})
-% %D \the\dimexpr(\dimchoice{14pt}{{<10pt}{8pt}{<12pt}{9pt}{<15pt}{10pt}{=11pt}{12pt}})
-% %D \stoptyping
-%
-% \def\syst_helpers_choice_finish#1\empty{}
-%
-% \def\syst_helpers_choice_dim#1#2#3%
-%   {\ifdim#1#2%
-%      #3\expandafter\syst_helpers_choice_finish
-%    \else
-%      \expandafter\syst_helpers_choice_dim
-%    \fi{#1}}
-%
-% \def\syst_helpers_choice_num#1#2#3%
-%   {\ifnum#1#2%
-%      #3\expandafter\syst_helpers_choice_finish
-%    \else
-%      \expandafter\syst_helpers_choice_num
-%    \fi{#1}}
-%
-% \def\dimchoice#1#2{\syst_helpers_choice_dim{#1}#2{=#1}{#1}\empty}
-% \def\numchoice#1#2{\syst_helpers_choice_num{#1}#2{=#1}{#1}\empty}
-
-%D \macros
-%D   {getsubstring}
-%D \startbuffer
-%D
-%D \getsubstring{4}{}{Who Wants This}
-%D \getsubstring{4}{9}{Who Wants This}
-%D \getsubstring{9}{-2}{Who Wants This}
-%D \getsubstring{1}{5}{Who Wants This}
-%D \stopbuffer
-%D
-%D \typebuffer
-%D
-%D \startlines
-%D \getbuffer
-%D \stoplines
-
-% expandable:
-
-%def\getsubstring#1#2#3{\cldcontext{utf.sub([[#3]],tonumber("#1"),tonumber("#2"))}}
-\def\getsubstring#1#2#3{\ctxcommand{getsubstring(\!!bs#3\!!es,"#1","#2")}}
+%D These can be used when constructing often reused token lists,
+%D as we do with tabulates.
 
 \protect \endinput
 
@@ -6886,37 +7174,3 @@
 %         nothing
 %     }
 % \stopchoice
-
-% \def\appendtovaluelist#1#2%
-%   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
-%      \expandafter\ifx\csname#1\endcsname\empty
-%        \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#2}%
-%      \else
-%        \expandafter\def\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
-%           \expandafter\expandafter\expandafter{\csname#1\endcsname,#2}%
-%      \fi
-%    \else
-%      \expandafter\def\csname#1\endcsname{#2}%
-%    \fi}
-%
-% or
-%
-% \def\appendtovaluelist#1%
-%   {\ifcsname#1\endcsname
-%      \expandafter\ifx\csname#1\endcsname\empty
-%        \expandafter\noappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
-%      \else
-%        \expandafter\doappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\expandafter\expandafter\endcsname
-%      \fi
-%    \else
-%      \expandafter\noappendtovaluelist\csname#1\expandafter\endcsname
-%    \fi}
-%
-% \def\doappendtovaluelist#1#2{\expandafter\def\expandafter#1\expandafter{#1,#2}}
-% \def\noappendtovaluelist#1#2{\def#1{#2}}
-%
-% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{aap}
-% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{noot}
-% \appendtovaluelist{mylist}{mies}
-%
-% \showvalue{mylist}