beta 2011.11.17 23:31

8 files changed, 318 insertions, 96 deletions

diff --git a/tex/context/base/context-version.png b/tex/context/base/context-version.png
index fc4f24730..3603c06cb 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/context-version.png
+++ b/tex/context/base/context-version.png
diff --git a/tex/context/base/mult-aux.mkiv b/tex/context/base/mult-aux.mkiv
index beb6ae5d1..453661d19 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/mult-aux.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/mult-aux.mkiv
@@ -98,14 +98,16 @@
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname detokenizedroot#2parameter\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname root#2parameter\endcsname}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\doinstallparameterhashhandler#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8%
+\unexpanded\def\doinstallparameterhashhandler#1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9%
   {\ifx#2\relax\let#2\empty\fi
    \def#3##1{#4{#1#2}{##1}:}%
    \def#4##1##2{\ifcsname##1:##2\endcsname##1\else\expandafter#5\csname##1:\s!parent\endcsname{##2}\fi}%
    \def#5##1##2{\ifx##1\relax\else#4{##1}{##2}\fi}% is {} needed around ##1 ?
    \def#6{#1#2:}%
    \def#7##1{#1##1:}%
-   \def#8{\ifx#2\empty\else\ifcsname#1#2:\s!parent\endcsname\else\expandafter\let\csname#1#2:\s!parent\endcsname#1\fi\fi}}
+   \def#8{\ifx#2\empty\else\ifcsname#1#2:\s!parent\endcsname\else\expandafter\let\csname#1#2:\s!parent\endcsname#1\fi\fi}%
+   \def#9##1{\expandafter\edef\csname#1##1:\s!parent\endcsname{#1#2}}}
+
 
 \unexpanded\def\installparameterhashhandler#1#2%
   {\normalexpanded
@@ -117,7 +119,8 @@
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname do#2parentparameterhash\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname current#2hash\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname named#2hash\endcsname
-        \expandafter\noexpand\csname check#2parent\endcsname}}
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname check#2parent\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname chaintocurrent#2\endcsname}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\doinstallparametersethandler#1#2#3#4#5% we can speed this up for english
   {\ifx#2\relax\let#2\empty\fi
@@ -199,7 +202,7 @@
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname define#2\endcsname
         {\noexpand#3}% root
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname current#2\endcsname
-        \expandafter\noexpand\csname d@define#2\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname d@define#2\endcsname % sort of public
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname everypreset#2\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname everydefine#2\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname current#2parent\endcsname}}
@@ -207,7 +210,7 @@
 \unexpanded\def\doinstallsetuphandler#1#2#3#4#5#6%
   {\ifx#3\relax\let#3\empty\fi
    \unexpanded\def#2{\dodoubleempty#4}%
-   \unexpanded\def#6{\getparameters[#1#3:]}%
+   \unexpanded\def#6{\getparameters[#1#3:]}% no every ! don't change it
    \newtoks#5%
    \def#4[##1][##2]% maybe helper
      {\let\savedsetupwhatever#3%
@@ -230,7 +233,7 @@
         {\noexpand#1}% \??aa
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname setup#2\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname current#2\endcsname
-        \expandafter\noexpand\csname d@setup#2\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname d@setup#2\endcsname % sort of public
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname everysetup#2\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname setupcurrent#2\endcsname}}
 
@@ -270,32 +273,70 @@
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname everysetup#2\endcsname
         \expandafter\noexpand\csname setupcurrent#2\endcsname}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\installcommandhandler#1#2#3% \??self name \??parent (can be \??self)
+\unexpanded\def\doinstallautosetuphandler#1#2#3#4#5#6%
+  {\ifx#3\relax\let#3\empty\fi
+   \unexpanded\def#2{\dotripleempty#4}%
+   \unexpanded\def#6{\getparameters[#1#3:]}%
+   \newtoks#5%
+   \def#4[##1][##2][##3]%
+     {\let\savedsetupwhatever#3%
+      \ifthirdargument
+        \def\docommand####1%
+          {\edef#3{####1}%
+           \getparameters[#1#3:][\s!parent=#1##2,##3]%
+           \the#5}%
+        \processcommalist[##1]\docommand
+      \else\ifsecondargument
+        \def\docommand####1%
+          {\edef#3{####1}%
+           \getparameters[#1#3:][##2]%
+           \the#5}%
+        \processcommalist[##1]\docommand
+      \else
+        \let#3\empty
+        \getparameters[#1:][##1]%
+        \the#5%
+      \fi\fi
+      \let#3\savedsetupwhatever}}
+
+\unexpanded\def\installautosetuphandler#1#2%
+  {\normalexpanded
+     {\doinstallautosetuphandler
+        {\noexpand#1}% \??aa
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname setup#2\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname current#2\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname d@setup#2\endcsname % sort of public
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname everysetup#2\endcsname
+        \expandafter\noexpand\csname setupcurrent#2\endcsname}}
+
+\def\installbasicparameterhandler#1#2%
   {\installparameterhandler    {#1}{#2}%
    \installparameterhashhandler{#1}{#2}%
    \installparametersethandler {#1}{#2}%
-   \installrootparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
-   \installdefinehandler       {#1}{#2}{#3}%
-   \installsetuphandler        {#1}{#2}%
-   \installattributehandler    {#1}{#2}}
+   \installrootparameterhandler{#1}{#2}}
+
+\unexpanded\def\installcommandhandler#1#2#3% \??self name \??parent (can be \??self)
+  {\installbasicparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
+   \installdefinehandler        {#1}{#2}{#3}%
+   \installsetuphandler         {#1}{#2}%
+   \installattributehandler     {#1}{#2}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\installswitchcommandhandler#1#2#3% \??self name \??parent (can be \??self)
-  {\installparameterhandler    {#1}{#2}%
-   \installparameterhashhandler{#1}{#2}%
-   \installparametersethandler {#1}{#2}%
-   \installrootparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
-   \installdefinehandler       {#1}{#2}{#3}%
-   \installswitchsetuphandler  {#1}{#2}%
-   \installattributehandler    {#1}{#2}}
+  {\installbasicparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
+   \installdefinehandler        {#1}{#2}{#3}%
+   \installswitchsetuphandler   {#1}{#2}%
+   \installattributehandler     {#1}{#2}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\installsimplecommandhandler#1#2#3% no define (experiment)
-  {\installparameterhandler    {#1}{#2}%
-   \installparameterhashhandler{#1}{#2}%
-   \installparametersethandler {#1}{#2}%
-   \installrootparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
-   \installsetuphandler        {#1}{#2}%
-   \installattributehandler    {#1}{#2}}
+\unexpanded\def\installautocommandhandler#1#2#3% automatically defined cloned setups
+  {\installbasicparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
+   \installdefinehandler        {#1}{#2}{#3}%
+   \installautosetuphandler     {#1}{#2}%
+   \installattributehandler     {#1}{#2}}
 
+\unexpanded\def\installsimplecommandhandler#1#2#3% no define (experiment)
+  {\installbasicparameterhandler{#1}{#2}%
+   \installsetuphandler         {#1}{#2}%
+   \installattributehandler     {#1}{#2}}
 
 \unexpanded\def\installnamespace#1%
   {\setvalue{????#1}{@@@@#1}}
diff --git a/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv b/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
index 86f5effe5..80196c098 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/pack-rul.mkiv
@@ -936,6 +936,10 @@
   {\installcommandhandler{#1}{#2}{#3}%
    \installinheritedframed{#2}}
 
+\unexpanded\def\installframedautocommandhandler#1#2#3%
+  {\installautocommandhandler{#1}{#2}{#3}%
+   \installinheritedframed{#2}}
+
 % done
 
 \def\c!fr!analyze{fr:analyze} % private option
diff --git a/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf b/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
index e904eb043..c0e065411 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf b/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
index 3b51dc7e0..61e3e61e4 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
+++ b/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
diff --git a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
index 113d1e665..18467fb41 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
+++ b/tex/context/base/strc-des.mkiv
@@ -15,6 +15,9 @@
 
 \registerctxluafile{strc-des}{1.001}
 
+%D TODO: commandhandler
+%D TODO: \startxxx[reference=...]
+
 %D In order to be more flexible with theorems Aditya Mahajan added
 %D support for titles and endsymbols. At the same time we added more
 %D flexible support for inheriting numbers.
@@ -1093,6 +1096,8 @@
    \c!command=,
    \c!titlecommand=]
 
+% way=bychapter,prefix=yes,prefixsegments=2:2
+
 \setupenumerations
   [\c!location=\v!top,
    \c!text=,
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.lua b/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.lua
index de52b933c..fffda698f 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.lua
@@ -49,8 +49,11 @@ local vpack_node_list         = node.vpack
 local slide_node_list         = node.slide
 local flush_node_list         = node.flush_list
 
-local new_glue                = nodes.pool.glue
-local new_kern                = nodes.pool.kern
+local nodepool                = nodes.pool
+
+local new_glue                = nodepool.glue
+local new_kern                = nodepool.kern
+local new_penalty             = nodepool.penalty
 
 local v_stretch               = variables.stretch
 local v_normal                = variables.normal
@@ -434,6 +437,26 @@ function xtables.reflow_height()
     data.currentcolumn = 0
 end
 
+local function showspans(data)
+    local rows = data.rows
+    local nofcolumns = data.nofcolumns
+    local nofrows = data.nofrows
+    for r=1,nofrows do
+        local line = { }
+        for c=1,nofcolumns do
+            local cell =rows[r][c]
+            if cell.list then
+                line[#line+1] = "list"
+            elseif cell.span then
+                line[#line+1] = "span"
+            else
+                line[#line+1] = "none"
+            end
+        end
+        report_xtable("%3d : %s",r,concat(line," "))
+    end
+end
+
 function xtables.construct()
     local rows = data.rows
     local heights = data.heights
@@ -452,20 +475,7 @@ function xtables.construct()
     -- ranges can be mixes so we collect
 
     if trace_xtable then
-        for r=1,data.nofrows do
-            local line = { }
-            for c=1,data.nofcolumns do
-                local cell =rows[r][c]
-                if cell.list then
-                    line[#line+1] = "list"
-                elseif cell.span then
-                    line[#line+1] = "span"
-                else
-                    line[#line+1] = "none"
-                end
-            end
-            report_xtable("%3d : %s",r,concat(line," "))
-        end
+        showspans(data)
     end
 
     local ranges = {
@@ -493,8 +503,12 @@ function xtables.construct()
             start = new_kern(leftmargindistance)
             stop = start
         end
+        local hasspan = false
         for c=1,nofcolumns do
             local drc = row[c]
+            if not hasspan then
+                hasspan = drc.span
+            end
             local list = drc.list
             if list then
                 list.shift = list.height + list.depth
@@ -530,21 +544,26 @@ function xtables.construct()
                 kern.prev = stop
              -- stop = kern
             end
-            return start, heights[r] + depths[r]
+            return start, heights[r] + depths[r], hasspan
         end
     end
     local function collect_range(range)
-        local result = { }
+        local result, nofr = { }, 0
         local nofrange = #range
         for i=1,#range do
             local r = range[i]
-            local row = rows[r]
-            local list, size = packaged_column(r)
+         -- local row = rows[r]
+            local list, size, hasspan = packaged_column(r)
             if list then
-                result[#result+1] = {
+                if hasspan and nofr > 0 then
+                    result[nofr][4] = true
+                end
+                nofr = nofr + 1
+                result[nofr] = {
                     hpack_node_list(list),
                     size,
                     i < nofrange and rowdistance > 0 and rowdistance or false, -- might move
+                    false
                 }
             end
         end
@@ -577,7 +596,9 @@ local function inject(row,copy,package)
         context(new_kern(row[2]))
         context_endvbox()
         context_nointerlineskip() -- figure out a better way
-        if row[3] then
+        if row[4] then
+            -- nothing as we have a span
+        elseif row[3] then
             context_blank(row[3] .. "sp")
         else
             context(new_glue(0))
diff --git a/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.mkvi b/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.mkvi
index d29ede5a1..a848642a3 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.mkvi
+++ b/tex/context/base/tabl-xtb.mkvi
@@ -95,7 +95,11 @@
 \newcount\x_table_nesting
 \newcount\x_table_skip_mode    % 1 = skip
 
-\installframedcommandhandler \??lt {xtable} \??lt
+% \setupxtable[one][parent][a=b,c=d]
+% \setupxtable[one]        [a=b,c=d]
+% \setupxtable             [a=b,c=d]
+
+\installframedautocommandhandler \??lt {xtable} \??lt
 
 \appendtoks
     \checkxtableparent % so we can deal with undefined settings, not that it's efficient
@@ -162,7 +166,7 @@
   {\x_table_prepare{#settings}%
    \let\start_x_table\normal_start_x_table}
 
-%D We can also define xtables:
+%D We can also define xtables.
 
 \appendtoks
     \setuevalue{\e!start\currentxtable}{\start_named_x_table{\currentxtable}}%
@@ -214,28 +218,34 @@
         footer              = "\xtableparameter\c!footer",
    } }%
    \begingroup
-     \let\start_x_row \start_x_row_reflow_width
-     \let\stop_x_row  \stop_x_row_reflow_width
-     \let\start_x_cell\start_x_cell_reflow_width
-     \let\stop_x_cell \stop_x_cell_reflow_width
+     \let\start_x_row_yes \start_x_row_reflow_width_yes
+     \let\start_x_row_nop \start_x_row_reflow_width_nop
+     \let\stop_x_row      \stop_x_row_reflow_width
+     \let\start_x_cell_yes\start_x_cell_reflow_width_yes
+     \let\start_x_cell_nop\start_x_cell_reflow_width_nop
+     \let\stop_x_cell     \stop_x_cell_reflow_width
      \settrialtypesetting
      \x_table_get_buffer
      \ctxcommand{x_table_reflow_width()}\relax
    \endgroup
    \begingroup
-     \let\start_x_row \start_x_row_reflow_height
-     \let\stop_x_row  \stop_x_row_reflow_height
-     \let\start_x_cell\start_x_cell_reflow_height
-     \let\stop_x_cell \stop_x_cell_reflow_height
+     \let\start_x_row_yes \start_x_row_reflow_height_yes
+     \let\start_x_row_nop \start_x_row_reflow_height_nop
+     \let\stop_x_row      \stop_x_row_reflow_height
+     \let\start_x_cell_yes\start_x_cell_reflow_height_yes
+     \let\start_x_cell_nop\start_x_cell_reflow_height_nop
+     \let\stop_x_cell     \stop_x_cell_reflow_height
      \settrialtypesetting
      \x_table_get_buffer
      \ctxcommand{x_table_reflow_height()}\relax
    \endgroup
    \begingroup
-     \let\start_x_row \start_x_row_construct
-     \let\stop_x_row  \stop_x_row_construct
-     \let\start_x_cell\start_x_cell_construct
-     \let\stop_x_cell \stop_x_cell_construct
+     \let\start_x_row_yes \start_x_row_construct_yes
+     \let\start_x_row_nop \start_x_row_construct_nop
+     \let\stop_x_row      \stop_x_row_construct
+     \let\start_x_cell_yes\start_x_cell_construct_yes
+     \let\start_x_cell_nop\start_x_cell_construct_nop
+     \let\stop_x_cell     \stop_x_cell_construct
      \x_table_get_buffer
      \ctxcommand{x_table_construct()}\relax
    \endgroup
@@ -284,27 +294,31 @@
 
 \unexpanded\def\startxrow
   {\begingroup
-   \dosingleempty\start_x_row}
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_row_yes\start_x_row_nop}
 
-\def\start_x_row_reflow_width[#settings]%
-  {\iffirstargument
-     \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
-   \fi
+\def\start_x_row_reflow_width_yes[#settings]%
+  {\setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
    \ctxcommand{x_table_next_row()}}
 
+\def\start_x_row_reflow_width_nop
+  {\ctxcommand{x_table_next_row()}}
+
 \def\stop_x_row_reflow_width
   {}
 
-\let\start_x_row_reflow_height\start_x_row_reflow_width
-\let\stop_x_row_reflow_height \stop_x_row_reflow_width
+\let\start_x_row_reflow_height_yes\start_x_row_reflow_width_yes
+\let\start_x_row_reflow_height_nop\start_x_row_reflow_width_nop
+\let\stop_x_row_reflow_height     \stop_x_row_reflow_width
 
-\def\start_x_row_construct[#settings]%
-  {\iffirstargument
-     \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
-   \fi
+\def\start_x_row_construct_yes[#settings]%
+  {\setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
    \dostarttagged\t!tablerow\empty
    \ctxcommand{x_table_next_row()}}
 
+\def\start_x_row_construct_nop
+  {\dostarttagged\t!tablerow\empty
+   \ctxcommand{x_table_next_row()}}
+
 \def\stop_x_row_construct
   {\dostoptagged}
 
@@ -313,7 +327,7 @@
    \endgroup}
 
 \unexpanded\def\startxcell
-  {\dosingleempty\start_x_cell}
+  {\doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_cell_yes\start_x_cell_nop}
 
 \unexpanded\def\stopxcell
   {\stop_x_cell}
@@ -345,36 +359,42 @@
 % Although this becomes kind of messy. It saves already time that we only check
 % for it when we have settings.
 
-\def\before_x_cell_settings
-  {\letxtableparameter\c!nx\plusone
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_width_yes[#settings]%
+  {\setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
+   \ifnum\x_table_nesting>\plusone
+     \letxtableparameter\c!width \v!fit  % overloads given width
+     \letxtableparameter\c!height\v!fit  % overloads given height
+   \fi
+   %
+   \letxtableparameter\c!nx\plusone
    \letxtableparameter\c!ny\plusone
    \letxtableparameter\c!nc\plusone
-   \letxtableparameter\c!nr\plusone}
-
-\def\after_x_cell_settings
-  {\x_table_nx\directxtableparameter\c!nc\relax
+   \letxtableparameter\c!nr\plusone
+   %
+   \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
+   %
+   \x_table_nx\directxtableparameter\c!nc\relax
    \x_table_ny\directxtableparameter\c!nr\relax
    \ifnum\x_table_nx=\plusone
      \x_table_nx\directxtableparameter\c!nx\relax
    \fi
    \ifnum\x_table_ny=\plusone
      \x_table_ny\directxtableparameter\c!ny\relax
-   \fi}
+   \fi
+   %
+   \x_table_distance\xtableparameter\c!distance\relax
+   \ctxcommand{x_table_init_reflow_width()}%
+   \inheritedxtableframed\bgroup
+   \begin_of_cell}
 
-\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_width[#settings]%
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_width_nop
   {\setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
    \ifnum\x_table_nesting>\plusone
      \letxtableparameter\c!width \v!fit  % overloads given width
      \letxtableparameter\c!height\v!fit  % overloads given height
    \fi
-   \iffirstargument
-     \before_x_cell_settings
-     \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
-     \after_x_cell_settings
-   \else
-     \x_table_nx\plusone
-     \x_table_ny\plusone
-   \fi
+   \x_table_nx\plusone
+   \x_table_ny\plusone
    \x_table_distance\xtableparameter\c!distance\relax
    \ctxcommand{x_table_init_reflow_width()}%
    \inheritedxtableframed\bgroup
@@ -386,15 +406,26 @@
    \egroup
    \ctxcommand{x_table_set_reflow_width()}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_height[#settings]%
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_height_yes[#settings]%
   {\setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
    \ctxcommand{x_table_init_reflow_height()}%
    \ifcase\x_table_skip_mode % can be sped up
      \ifnum\x_table_nesting>\plusone
        \letxtableparameter\c!height\v!fit  % overloads given height
      \fi
-     \iffirstargument
-       \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
+     \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
+     \relax
+     \letxtableparameter\c!width\x_table_width  % overloads given width
+     \inheritedxtableframed\bgroup
+     \begin_of_cell
+   \fi}
+
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_reflow_height_nop
+  {\setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
+   \ctxcommand{x_table_init_reflow_height()}%
+   \ifcase\x_table_skip_mode % can be sped up
+     \ifnum\x_table_nesting>\plusone
+       \letxtableparameter\c!height\v!fit  % overloads given height
      \fi
      \relax
      \letxtableparameter\c!width\x_table_width  % overloads given width
@@ -410,12 +441,20 @@
    \egroup
    \ctxcommand{x_table_set_reflow_height()}}
 
-\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_construct[#settings]%
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_construct_yes[#settings]%
+  {\dostarttagged\t!tablecell\empty % can't we just tag the box
+   \setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
+   \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
+   \letxtableparameter\c!width \x_table_width  % overloads given width
+   \letxtableparameter\c!height\x_table_height % overloads given height
+   \ctxcommand{x_table_init_construct()}%
+   \inheritedxtableframed\bgroup
+   \begin_of_cell
+   \dotagxtablecell}
+
+\unexpanded\def\start_x_cell_construct_nop
   {\dostarttagged\t!tablecell\empty % can't we just tag the box
    \setbox\x_table_box\hbox\bgroup
-   \iffirstargument
-     \setupcurrentxtable[#settings]%
-   \fi
    \letxtableparameter\c!width \x_table_width  % overloads given width
    \letxtableparameter\c!height\x_table_height % overloads given height
    \ctxcommand{x_table_init_construct()}%
@@ -495,6 +534,118 @@
 
 \let\stopembeddedxtable\relax
 
+%D This is an experiment! Beware: you can create loops by using nested
+%D references to already chained settings.
+%D
+%D \startbuffer
+%D \setupxtable[suffix][align=middle,foregroundcolor=red]
+%D \setupxtable[blabla][foregroundstyle=slanted]
+%D \setupxtable[bold]  [foregroundstyle=bold]
+%D
+%D \startxtable[frame=off]
+%D     \startxtablehead
+%D         \startxrow[bold]
+%D             \startxcell[suffix] a 0 \stopxcell
+%D             \startxcell[blabla] a 1 \stopxcell
+%D             \startxcell         a 2 \stopxcell
+%D         \stopxrow
+%D     \stopxtablehead
+%D     \startxtablebody
+%D         \startxrow \startxcell[suffix][ny=2] a 1 \stopxcell \startxcell b 1 \stopxcell \startxcell c 1 \stopxcell \stopxrow
+%D         \startxrow                                          \startxcell b 2 \stopxcell \startxcell c 2 \stopxcell \stopxrow
+%D         \startxrow \startxcell[suffix]       a 3 \stopxcell \startxcell b 3 \stopxcell \startxcell c 3 \stopxcell \stopxrow
+%D         \startxrow \startxcell[suffix]       a 4 \stopxcell \startxcell b 4 \stopxcell \startxcell c 4 \stopxcell \stopxrow
+%D         \startxrow \startxcell[suffix]       a 5 \stopxcell \startxcell b 5 \stopxcell \startxcell c 5 \stopxcell \stopxrow
+%D     \stopxtablebody
+%D \stopxtable
+%D \stopbuffer
+%D
+%D \typebuffer \placetable{}{\getbuffer}
+
+\appendtoks
+    \letvalue{\??lt\currentxtable\s!check}\relax % faster than checking parent
+\to \everysetupxtable
+
+% groups
+
+\unexpanded\def\startxgroup
+  {\begingroup
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_group_delayed_one\relax}
+
+\unexpanded\def\stopxgroup
+  {\endgroup}
+
+\def\start_x_group_delayed_one[#tag]%
+% {\ifcsname\namedxtablehash{#tag}\s!parent\endcsname
+  {\ifcsname\??lt#tag\s!check\endcsname
+     \expandafter\start_x_group_delayed_two
+   \else
+     \expandafter\setupcurrentxtable
+   \fi[#tag]}
+
+\def\start_x_group_delayed_two[#tag]%
+  {\ifx\currentxtable\empty \else
+     \chaintocurrentxtable{#tag}%
+   \fi
+   \edef\currentxtable{#tag}%
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\setupcurrentxtable\relax}
+
+\let\startxrowgroup \startxgroup
+\let\stopxrowgroup  \stopxgroup
+\let\startxcellgroup\startxgroup
+\let\stopxcellgroup \stopxgroup
+
+% cells (maybe also check for 1 etc but it becomes messy)
+
+\unexpanded\def\startxcell
+  {\begingroup
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_cell_delayed_one\start_x_cell_nop}
+
+\def\start_x_cell_delayed_one[#tag]%
+% {\ifcsname\namedxtablehash{#tag}\s!parent\endcsname
+  {\ifcsname\??lt#tag\s!check\endcsname
+     \expandafter\start_x_cell_delayed_two
+   \else
+     \expandafter\start_x_cell_yes
+   \fi[#tag]}
+
+\def\start_x_cell_delayed_two[#tag]%
+  {\ifx\currentxtable\empty \else
+     \chaintocurrentxtable{#tag}%
+   \fi
+   \edef\currentxtable{#tag}%
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_cell_yes\start_x_cell_nop}
+
+\unexpanded\def\stopxcell
+  {\stop_x_cell
+   \endgroup}
+
+% rows
+
+\unexpanded\def\startxrow
+  {\begingroup
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_row_delayed_one\start_x_row_nop}
+
+\def\start_x_row_delayed_one[#tag]%
+% {\ifcsname\namedxtablehash{#tag}\s!parent\endcsname
+  {\ifcsname\??lt#tag\s!check\endcsname
+     \expandafter\start_x_row_delayed_two
+   \else
+     \expandafter\start_x_row_yes
+   \fi[#tag]}
+
+\def\start_x_row_delayed_two[#tag]%
+  {\ifx\currentxtable\empty \else
+     \chaintocurrentxtable{#tag}%
+   \fi
+   \edef\currentxtable{#tag}%
+   \doifnextoptionalelse\start_x_row_yes\start_x_row_nop}
+
+\unexpanded\def\stopxrow
+  {\stop_x_row
+   \endgroup}
+
 \protect
 
 % \continueifinputfile{tabl-xtb.mkvi}
+