--- a/src/Makefile.am	Fri Jul 27 15:44:11 2012 -0400
+++ b/src/Makefile.am	Fri Jul 27 16:02:01 2012 -0400
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@
   ov-cell.h \
   ov-ch-mat.h \
   ov-class.h \
+  ov-classdef.h \
   ov-colon.h \
   ov-complex.h \
   ov-cs-list.h \
@@ -350,6 +351,7 @@
   ov-cell.cc \
   ov-ch-mat.cc \
   ov-class.cc \
+  ov-classdef.cc \
   ov-colon.cc \
   ov-complex.cc \
   ov-cs-list.cc \

--- a/src/octave.cc	Fri Jul 27 15:44:11 2012 -0400
+++ b/src/octave.cc	Fri Jul 27 16:02:01 2012 -0400
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@
 #include "oct-obj.h"
 #include "ops.h"
 #include "ov.h"
+#include "ov-classdef.h"
 #include "ov-range.h"
 #include "toplev.h"
 #include "parse.h"
@@ -682,6 +683,8 @@
 
   install_builtins ();
 
+  install_classdef ();
+
   bool forced_line_editing = false;
 
   bool read_history_file = true;

--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ov-classdef.cc	Fri Jul 27 16:02:01 2012 -0400
@@ -0,0 +1,1415 @@
+/*
+
+Copyright (C) 2012 Michael Goffioul
+
+This file is part of Octave.
+
+Octave is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
+Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at your
+option) any later version.
+
+Octave is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with Octave; see the file COPYING.  If not, see
+<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+*/
+
+#ifdef HAVE_CONFIG_H
+#include <config.h>
+#endif
+
+#include <map>
+
+#include "defun.h"
+#include "ov-builtin.h"
+#include "ov-classdef.h"
+#include "ov-fcn-handle.h"
+#include "ov-typeinfo.h"
+
+static std::map<std::string, cdef_class> all_classes;
+static std::map<std::string, cdef_package> all_packages;
+
+static void
+gripe_method_access (const std::string& from, const cdef_method& meth)
+{
+  error ("%s: method `%s' has %s access and cannot be run in this context",
+	 from.c_str (), meth.get_name ().c_str (),
+	 meth.get_access ().c_str ());
+}
+
+static void
+gripe_property_access (const std::string& from, const cdef_property& prop,
+		       bool is_set = false)
+{
+  if (is_set)
+    error ("%s: property `%s' has %s access and cannot be set in this context",
+	   from.c_str (), prop.get_name ().c_str (),
+	   prop.get_set_access ().c_str ());
+  else
+    error ("%s: property `%s' has %s access and cannot be obtained in this context",
+	   from.c_str (), prop.get_name ().c_str (),
+	   prop.get_get_access ().c_str ());
+}
+
+static octave_value
+make_fcn_handle (octave_builtin::fcn ff, const std::string& nm)
+{
+  octave_value fcn (new octave_builtin (ff, nm));
+
+  octave_value fcn_handle (new octave_fcn_handle (fcn, nm));
+
+  return fcn_handle;
+}
+
+inline octave_value_list
+execute_ov (octave_value val, const octave_value_list& args, int nargout)
+{
+  std::list<octave_value_list> idx (1, args);
+
+  std::string type ("(");
+
+  return val.subsref (type, idx, nargout);
+}
+
+static bool
+check_access (const std::string& req, const std::string& acc)
+{
+  if (req == "private")
+    return true;
+  else if (req == "protected")
+    return (acc != "private");
+  else
+    return (acc == "public");
+}
+
+static std::string
+get_base_name (const std::string& nm)
+{
+  std::string::size_type pos = nm.find_last_of ('.');
+
+  if (pos != std::string::npos)
+    return nm.substr (pos + 1);
+
+  return nm;
+}
+
+static std::string
+superclass_access (const std::string& acc)
+{
+  if (acc == "public")
+    return acc;
+  else
+    return "protected";
+}
+
+static cdef_class
+lookup_class (const std::string& name, bool error_if_not_found = true)
+{
+  std::map<std::string, cdef_class>::iterator it = all_classes.find (name);
+
+  if (it == all_classes.end ())
+    {
+      // FIXME: should look into load-path
+      if (error_if_not_found)
+	error ("class not found: %s", name.c_str ());
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      cdef_class& cls = it->second;
+
+      if (! cls.is_builtin ())
+	{
+	  // FIXME: check whether a class reload is needed
+	}
+
+      if (cls.ok ())
+	return cls;
+      else
+	all_classes.erase (it);
+    }
+
+  return cdef_class ();
+}
+
+static Cell
+lookup_classes (const Cell& cls_names)
+{
+  Cell cls (cls_names.numel (), 1);
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < cls_names.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class c = lookup_class (cls_names(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	cls(i) = to_ov (c);
+      else
+	return Cell ();
+    }
+
+  return cls;
+}
+
+static bool
+is_superclass (const cdef_class& clsa, const cdef_class& clsb,
+	       bool allow_equal = true)
+{
+  if (allow_equal && clsa == clsb)
+    return true;
+  else
+    {
+      Cell c = clsb.get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+      bool retval = false;
+
+      for (int i = 0; ! retval && i < c.numel (); i++)
+	{
+	  cdef_class cls = lookup_class (c(i).string_value ());
+
+	  if (! error_state)
+	    retval = is_superclass (clsa, cls, true);
+	}
+
+      return retval;
+    }
+}
+
+inline bool
+is_strict_superclass (const cdef_class& clsa, const cdef_class& clsb)
+{ return is_superclass (clsa, clsb, false); }
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_get_properties (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      retval(0) = cls.get_properties ();
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_get_methods (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      retval(0) = cls.get_methods ();
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_get_superclasses (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.class")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      Cell classes = cls.get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+      retval(0) = lookup_classes (classes);
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_get_inferiorclasses (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.class")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      Cell classes = cls.get ("InferiorClasses").cell_value ();
+
+      retval(0) = lookup_classes (classes);
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_fromName (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1)
+    {
+      std::string name = args(0).string_value ();
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	retval(0) = to_ov (lookup_class (name));
+      else
+	error ("fromName: invalid class name, expected a string value");
+    }
+  else
+    error ("fromName: invalid number of parameters");
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_fevalStatic (const octave_value_list& args, int nargout)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () > 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	{
+	  std::string meth_name = args(1).string_value ();
+
+	  if (! error_state)
+	    {
+	      cdef_method meth = cls.find_method (meth_name);
+
+	      if (meth.ok ())
+		{
+		  // FIXME: can the context be something else?
+		  if (meth.check_access ("public"))
+		    {
+		      if (meth.is_static ())
+			retval = meth.execute (args.splice (0, 2), nargout);
+		      else
+			error ("fevalStatic: method `%s' is not static",
+			       meth_name.c_str ());
+		    }
+		  else
+		    gripe_method_access ("fevalStatic", meth);
+		}
+	      else
+		error ("fevalStatic: method not found: %s",
+		       meth_name.c_str ());
+	    }
+	  else
+	    error ("fevalStatic: invalid method name, expected a string value");
+	}
+      error ("fevalStatic: invalid object, expected a meta.class object");
+    }
+  else
+    error ("fevalStatic: invalid arguments");
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+class_getConstant (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 2 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.class")
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = to_cdef (args(0));
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	{
+	  std::string prop_name = args(1).string_value ();
+
+	  if (! error_state)
+	    {
+	      cdef_property prop = cls.find_property (prop_name);
+
+	      if (prop.ok ())
+		{
+		  // FIXME: can the context be something else?
+		  if (prop.check_get_access ("public"))
+		    {
+		      if (prop.is_constant ())
+			retval(0) = prop.get_value ();
+		      else
+			error ("getConstant: property `%s' is not constant",
+			       prop_name.c_str ());
+		    }
+		  else
+		    gripe_property_access ("getConstant", prop);
+		}
+	      else
+		error ("getConstant: property not found: %s",
+		       prop_name.c_str ());
+	    }
+	  else
+	    error ("getConstant: invalid property name, expected a string value");
+	}
+      else
+	error ("getConstant: invalid object, expected a meta.class object");
+    }
+  else
+    error ("getConstant: invalid arguments");
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+#define META_CLASS_CMP(OP, CLSA, CLSB, FUN) \
+static octave_value_list \
+class_ ## OP (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */) \
+{ \
+  octave_value_list retval; \
+\
+  if (args.length () == 2 \
+      && args(0).type_name () == "object" && args(1).type_name () == "object" \
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.class" && args(1).class_name () == "meta.class") \
+    { \
+      cdef_class clsa = to_cdef (args(0)); \
+\
+      cdef_class clsb = to_cdef (args(1)); \
+\
+      if (! error_state) \
+	retval(0) = FUN (CLSA, CLSB); \
+      else \
+	error (#OP ": invalid objects, expected meta.class objects"); \
+    } \
+  else \
+    error (#OP ": invalid arguments"); \
+\
+  return retval; \
+}
+
+META_CLASS_CMP (lt, clsb, clsa, is_strict_superclass)
+META_CLASS_CMP (le, clsb, clsa, is_superclass)
+META_CLASS_CMP (gt, clsa, clsb, is_strict_superclass)
+META_CLASS_CMP (ge, clsa, clsb, is_superclass)
+META_CLASS_CMP (eq, clsa, clsb, operator==)
+META_CLASS_CMP (ne, clsa, clsb, operator!=)
+
+static octave_value_list
+handle_delete (const octave_value_list& /* args */, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  // FIXME: implement this
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static cdef_class
+make_class (const std::string& name, const std::string& super = std::string())
+{
+  cdef_class cls ("meta.class");
+
+  all_classes[name] = cls;
+  cls.put ("ConstructOnLoad", false);
+  cls.put ("ContainingPackage", Matrix ());
+  cls.put ("Description", std::string ());
+  cls.put ("DetailedDescription", std::string ());
+  cls.put ("Events", Cell ());
+  cls.put ("Hidden", false);
+  cls.put ("InferiorClasses", Cell ());
+  cls.put ("Methods", Cell ());
+  cls.put ("Name", name);
+  cls.put ("Properties", Cell ());
+  cls.put ("Sealed", true);
+  if (super.empty ())
+    cls.put ("SuperClasses", Cell ());
+  else
+    cls.put ("SuperClasses", Cell (octave_value (super)));
+
+  return cls;
+}
+
+static cdef_property
+make_property (const cdef_object& cls, const std::string& name,
+	       const octave_value& get_method = Matrix (),
+	       const std::string& get_access = "public",
+	       const octave_value& set_method = Matrix (),
+	       const std::string& set_access = "public")
+{
+  // FIXME: what about default value?
+
+  cdef_property prop ("meta.property");
+
+  prop.put ("Name", name);
+  prop.put ("Description", std::string ());
+  prop.put ("DetailedDescription", std::string ());
+  prop.put ("Abstract", false);
+  prop.put ("Constant", false);
+  prop.put ("GetAccess", get_access);
+  prop.put ("SetAccess", set_access);
+  prop.put ("Dependent", false);
+  prop.put ("Transient", false);
+  prop.put ("Hidden", false);
+  prop.put ("GetObservable", false);
+  prop.put ("SetObservable", false);
+  prop.put ("GetMethod", get_method);
+  prop.put ("SetMethod", set_method);
+  prop.put ("DefiningClass", to_ov (cls));
+
+  return prop;
+}
+
+inline cdef_property
+make_attribute (const cdef_object& cls, const std::string& name)
+{
+  return make_property (cls, name, Matrix (), "public", Matrix (), "private");
+}
+
+static cdef_method
+make_method (const cdef_object& cls, const std::string& name, const octave_value& fcn,
+	     const std::string& m_access = "public", bool is_static = false)
+{
+  cdef_method meth ("meta.method");
+
+  meth.put ("Abstract", false);
+  meth.put ("Access", m_access);
+  meth.put ("DefiningClass", to_ov (cls));
+  meth.put ("Description", std::string ());
+  meth.put ("DetailedDescription", std::string ());
+  meth.put ("Hidden", false);
+  meth.put ("Name", name);
+  meth.put ("Sealed", true);
+  meth.put ("Static", is_static);
+
+  meth.set_function (fcn);
+
+  return meth;
+}
+
+inline cdef_method
+make_method (const cdef_object& cls, const std::string& name, octave_builtin::fcn ff,
+	     const std::string& m_access = "public", bool is_static = false)
+{
+  octave_value fcn (new octave_builtin (ff, name));
+
+  octave_value fcn_handle (new octave_fcn_handle (fcn, name));
+
+  return make_method (cls, name, fcn_handle, m_access, is_static);
+}
+
+static cdef_package
+make_package (const std::string& nm,
+              const std::string& parent = std::string ())
+{
+  cdef_package pack ("meta.package");
+
+  all_packages[nm] = pack;
+  pack.put ("Name", nm);
+  pack.put ("ContainingPackage", to_ov (all_packages[parent]));
+
+  return pack;
+}
+
+DEFINE_OCTAVE_ALLOCATOR (octave_classdef);
+
+int octave_classdef::t_id (-1);
+
+const std::string octave_classdef::t_name ("object");
+
+void
+octave_classdef::register_type (void)
+{
+  t_id = octave_value_typeinfo::register_type
+    (octave_classdef::t_name, "<unknown>", octave_value (new octave_classdef ()));
+}
+
+cdef_class
+cdef_object_rep::get_class (void) const
+{
+  cdef_class cls = lookup_class (class_name ());
+
+  return cls;
+}
+
+string_vector
+cdef_object_rep::map_keys (void) const
+{
+  cdef_class cls = get_class ();
+
+  if (cls.ok ())
+    return cls.get_names ();
+  
+  return string_vector ();
+}
+
+octave_value_list
+handle_cdef_object::subsref (const std::string& type,
+			     const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+			     int nargout, int& skip)
+{
+  skip = 0;
+
+  cdef_class cls = get_class ();
+
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (! cls.ok ())
+    return retval;
+
+  switch (type[0])
+    {
+    case '.':
+	{
+	  std::string name = (idx.front ())(0).string_value ();
+
+	  // FIXME: get the right context; context should also
+	  // be linked to the current executing class (if any)
+	  // such that protected/private methods found in inherited
+	  // classes are correctly resolved.
+	  std::string context = "public";
+
+	  cdef_method meth = cls.find_method (name);
+
+	  if (meth.ok ())
+	    {
+	      if (meth.check_access (context))
+		{
+		  int _nargout = (type.length () > 2 ? 1 : nargout);
+
+		  octave_value_list args;
+
+		  skip = 1;
+
+		  if (type.length () > 1 && type[1] == '(')
+		    {
+		      std::list<octave_value_list>::const_iterator it = idx.begin ();
+
+		      args = *++it;
+
+		      skip++;
+		    }
+
+		  if (meth.is_static ())
+		    retval = meth.execute (args, _nargout);
+		  else
+		    {
+		      refcount++;
+		      retval = meth.execute (cdef_object (this), args, _nargout);
+		    }
+		}
+	      else
+		gripe_method_access ("subsref", meth);
+	    }
+
+	  if (skip == 0 && ! error_state)
+	    {
+	      cdef_property prop = cls.find_property (name);
+
+	      if (prop.ok ())
+		{
+		  if (prop.check_get_access (context))
+		    {
+		      refcount++;
+		      retval(0) = prop.get_value (cdef_object (this));
+
+		      skip = 1;
+		    }
+		  else
+		    gripe_property_access ("subsref", prop);
+		}
+	      else
+		error ("subsref: unknown method or property: %s", name.c_str ());
+	    }
+	  break;
+	}
+    default:
+      error ("object cannot be indexed with `%c'", type[0]);
+      break;
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+cdef_method
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::find_method (const std::string& nm)
+{
+  method_iterator it = method_map.find (nm);
+
+  if (it == method_map.end ())
+    {
+      // FIXME: look into class directory
+    }
+  else
+    {
+      cdef_method& meth = it->second;
+
+      // FIXME: check if method reload needed
+
+      if (meth.ok ())
+	return meth;
+    }
+
+  // Look into superclasses
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	{
+	  cdef_method meth = cls.find_method (nm);
+
+	  if (meth.ok ())
+	    return meth;
+	}
+    }
+
+  return cdef_method ();
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::install_method (const cdef_method& meth)
+{
+  method_map[meth.get_name ()] = meth;
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::load_all_methods (void)
+{
+  // FIXME: re-scan class directory
+}
+
+Cell
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::get_methods (void)
+{
+  std::map<std::string,cdef_method> meths;
+
+  std::map<std::string,int> count;
+
+  count["public"] = count["protected"] = count["private"] = 0;
+
+  find_methods (meths, count);
+
+  if (! error_state)
+    {
+      Cell c (count["public"] + count["protected"], 1);
+
+      int idx = 0;
+
+      for (std::map<std::string,cdef_method>::const_iterator it = meths.begin ();
+	   it != meths.end (); ++it)
+	if (::check_access ("protected", it->second.get_access ()))
+	  c (idx++, 0) = to_ov (it->second);
+
+      return c;
+    }
+
+  return Cell ();
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::find_methods (std::map<std::string,cdef_method>& meths,
+					  std::map<std::string,int>& count)
+{
+  load_all_methods ();
+
+  method_const_iterator it;
+
+  for (it = method_map.begin (); it != method_map.end (); ++it)
+    {
+      std::string nm = it->second.get_name ();
+
+      if (meths.find (nm) == meths.end ())
+	{
+	  std::string acc = it->second.get_access ();
+
+	  meths[nm] = it->second;
+	  count[acc]++;
+	}
+    }
+
+  // Look into superclasses
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	cls.get_rep ()->find_methods (meths, count);
+      else
+	break;
+    }
+}
+
+cdef_property
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::find_property (const std::string& nm)
+{
+  property_iterator it = property_map.find (nm);
+
+  if (it != property_map.end ())
+    {
+      cdef_property& prop = it->second;
+
+      if (prop.ok ())
+	return prop;
+    }
+
+  // Look into superclasses
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	{
+	  cdef_property prop = cls.find_property (nm);
+
+	  if (prop.ok ())
+	    return prop;
+	}
+    }
+
+  return cdef_property ();
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::install_property (const cdef_property& prop)
+{
+  property_map[prop.get_name ()] = prop;
+}
+
+Cell
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::get_properties (void)
+{
+  std::map<std::string,cdef_property> props;
+
+  std::map<std::string,int> count;
+
+  count["public"] = count["protected"] = count["private"] = 0;
+
+  find_properties (props, count);
+
+  if (! error_state)
+    {
+      Cell c (count["public"] + count["protected"], 1);
+
+      int idx = 0;
+
+      for (std::map<std::string,cdef_property>::const_iterator it = props.begin ();
+	   it != props.end (); ++it)
+	if (::check_access ("protected", it->second.get_get_access ()))
+	  c (idx++, 0) = to_ov (it->second);
+
+      return c;
+    }
+
+  return Cell ();
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::find_properties (std::map<std::string,cdef_property>& props,
+					     std::map<std::string,int>& count)
+{
+  property_const_iterator it;
+
+  for (it = property_map.begin (); it != property_map.end (); ++it)
+    {
+      std::string nm = it->second.get_name ();
+
+      if (props.find (nm) == props.end ())
+	{
+	  std::string acc = it->second.get_get_access ();
+
+	  props[nm] = it->second;
+	  count[acc]++;
+	}
+    }
+
+  // Look into superclasses
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	cls.get_rep ()->find_properties (props, count);
+      else
+	break;
+    }
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::find_names (std::map<std::string,std::string>& names,
+					std::map<std::string,int>& count)
+{
+  load_all_methods ();
+
+  for (method_const_iterator it = method_map.begin ();
+       it != method_map.end(); ++it)
+    {
+      std::string nm = it->second.get_name ();
+
+      if (names.find (nm) == names.end ())
+	{
+	  std::string acc = it->second.get_access ();
+
+	  names[nm] = acc;
+	  count[acc]++;
+	}
+    }
+
+  for (property_const_iterator it = property_map.begin ();
+       it != property_map.end (); ++it)
+    {
+      std::string nm = it->second.get_name ();
+
+      if (names.find (nm) == names.end ())
+	{
+	  std::string acc = it->second.get_get_access ();
+
+	  names[nm] = acc;
+	  count[acc]++;
+	}
+    }
+
+  // Look into superclasses
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	cls.get_rep ()->find_names (names, count);
+      else
+	break;
+    }
+}
+
+string_vector
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::get_names (void)
+{
+  std::map<std::string,std::string> names;
+
+  std::map<std::string,int> count;
+
+  count["public"] = count["protected"] = count["private"] = 0;
+
+  find_names (names, count);
+
+  if (! error_state)
+    {
+      string_vector v (count["public"]);
+
+      int idx = 0;
+      for (std::map<std::string,std::string>::const_iterator it = names.begin ();
+	   it != names.end (); ++it)
+	{
+	  if (it->second == "public")
+	      v[idx++] = it->first;
+	}
+
+      return v.sort (true);
+    }
+
+  return string_vector ();
+}
+
+void
+cdef_class::cdef_class_rep::delete_object (cdef_object obj)
+{
+  method_iterator it = method_map.find ("delete");
+
+  if (it != method_map.end ())
+    {
+      std::string cls_name = obj.class_name ();
+
+      obj.set_class_name (get ("Name").string_value ());
+
+      it->second.execute (obj, octave_value_list (), 0);
+
+      obj.set_class_name (cls_name);
+    }
+
+  // FIXME: should we destroy corresponding properties here?
+
+  // Call "delete" in super classes
+
+  Cell super_classes = get ("SuperClasses").cell_value ();
+
+  for (int i = 0; i < super_classes.numel (); i++)
+    {
+      cdef_class cls = lookup_class (super_classes(i).string_value ());
+
+      if (!error_state)
+	cls.delete_object (obj);
+    }
+}
+
+octave_value
+cdef_property::cdef_property_rep::get_value (const cdef_object& obj)
+{
+  // FIXME: should check whether we're already in get accessor method
+
+  octave_value retval;
+ 
+  octave_value get_fcn = get ("GetMethod");
+
+  std::string get_access = get ("GetAccess").string_value ();
+
+  if (get_access != "public")
+    {
+      // FIXME: should check the current call stack
+    }
+
+  if (get_fcn.is_empty ())
+    retval = obj.get (get ("Name").string_value ());
+  else
+    {
+      octave_value_list args;
+
+      args(0) = to_ov (obj);
+      
+      args = execute_ov (get_fcn, args, 1);
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	retval = args(0);
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+bool
+cdef_property::check_get_access (const std::string& req) const
+{
+  return ::check_access (req, get_get_access ());
+}
+
+bool
+cdef_property::check_set_access (const std::string& req) const
+{
+  return ::check_access (req, get_set_access ());
+}
+
+void
+cdef_method::cdef_method_rep::check_method (void)
+{
+  // FIXME: check whether re-load is needed
+}
+
+octave_value_list
+cdef_method::cdef_method_rep::execute (const octave_value_list& args,
+				       int nargout)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (! get ("Abstract").bool_value ())
+    {
+      check_method ();
+
+      if (function.is_defined ())
+	{
+	  retval = execute_ov (function, args, nargout);
+	}
+    }
+  else
+    error ("%s: cannot execute abstract method",
+	   get ("Name").string_value ().c_str ());
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+octave_value_list
+cdef_method::cdef_method_rep::execute (const cdef_object& obj,
+				       const octave_value_list& args,
+				       int nargout)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (! get ("Abstract").bool_value ())
+    {
+      check_method ();
+
+      octave_value_list new_args;
+
+      if (function.is_defined ())
+	{
+	  new_args.resize (args.length () + 1);
+
+	  new_args(0) = to_ov (obj);
+	  for (int i = 0; i < args.length (); i++)
+	    new_args(i+1) = args(i);
+
+	  retval = execute_ov (function, new_args, nargout);
+	}
+    }
+  else
+    error ("%s: cannot execute abstract method",
+	   get ("Name").string_value ().c_str ());
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+bool
+cdef_method::check_access (const std::string& req) const
+{
+  return ::check_access (req, get_access ());
+}
+
+static cdef_package
+lookup_package (const std::string& name)
+{
+  std::map<std::string, cdef_package>::const_iterator it = all_packages.find (name);
+
+  if (it != all_packages.end ())
+    {
+      cdef_package pack = it->second;
+
+      if (pack.ok ())
+        return pack;
+      else
+        error ("invalid package: %s", name.c_str ());
+    }
+  else
+    error ("package not found: %s", name.c_str ());
+
+  return cdef_package ();
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+package_fromName (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1)
+    {
+      std::string name = args(0).string_value ();
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	retval(0) = to_ov (lookup_package (name));
+      else
+	error ("fromName: invalid package name, expected a string value");
+    }
+  else
+    error ("fromName: invalid number of parameters");
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+package_get_classes (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval (1, Matrix ());
+
+  if (args.length () == 1 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.package")
+    {
+      cdef_package pack (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      retval(0) = pack.get_classes ();
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+package_get_functions (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval (1, Matrix ());
+
+  if (args.length () == 0 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.package")
+    {
+      cdef_package pack (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      retval(0) = pack.get_functions ();
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+static octave_value_list
+package_get_packages (const octave_value_list& args, int /* nargout */)
+{
+  octave_value_list retval (1, Matrix ());
+
+  if (args.length () == 0 && args(0).type_name () == "object"
+      && args(0).class_name () == "meta.package")
+    {
+      cdef_package pack (to_cdef (args(0)));
+
+      retval(0) = pack.get_packages ();
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+void
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::install_class (const cdef_class& cls,
+                                               const std::string& nm)
+{
+  class_map[nm] = cls;
+}
+
+void
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::install_function (const octave_value& fcn,
+                                                  const std::string& nm)
+{
+  function_map[nm] = fcn;
+}
+
+void
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::install_package (const cdef_package& pack,
+                                                 const std::string& nm)
+{
+  package_map[nm] = pack;
+}
+
+octave_value_list
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::subsref (const std::string& type,
+                                         const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+                                         int nargout, int& skip)
+{
+  return handle_cdef_object::subsref (type, idx, nargout, skip);
+}
+
+template<class T1, class T2>
+Cell
+map2Cell (const std::map<T1, T2>& m)
+{
+  Cell retval (1, m.size ());
+  int i = 0;
+
+  for (typename std::map<T1, T2>::const_iterator it = m.begin ();
+       it != m.end (); ++it, ++i)
+    {
+      retval(i) = to_ov (it->second);
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+Cell
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::get_classes (void) const
+{ return map2Cell (class_map); }
+
+Cell
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::get_functions (void) const
+{ return map2Cell (function_map); }
+
+Cell
+cdef_package::cdef_package_rep::get_packages (void) const
+{ return map2Cell (package_map); }
+
+octave_value_list
+octave_classdef::subsref (const std::string& type,
+			const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+			int nargout)
+{
+  int skip = 0;
+  octave_value_list retval;
+
+  // FIXME: should check "subsref" method first
+
+  retval = object.subsref (type, idx, nargout, skip);
+
+  if (! error_state)
+    {
+      if (type.length () > skip && idx.size () > skip)
+	retval = retval(0).next_subsref (nargout, type, idx, skip);
+    }
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+void
+install_classdef (void)
+{
+  octave_classdef::register_type ();
+
+  /* meta classes */
+  cdef_class handle = make_class ("handle");
+  cdef_class meta_class = make_class ("meta.class", "handle");
+  cdef_class meta_property = make_class ("meta.property", "handle");
+  cdef_class meta_method = make_class ("meta.method", "handle");
+  cdef_class meta_event = make_class ("meta.event", "handle");
+  cdef_class meta_package = make_class ("meta.package", "handle");
+  cdef_class meta_dynproperty = make_class ("meta.dynamicproperty", "handle");
+
+  /* meta.class properties */
+  meta_class.install_property (make_attribute (meta_class, "ConstructOnLoad"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_property  (meta_class, "ContainingPackage"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_property  (meta_class, "Description"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_property  (meta_class, "DetailedDescription"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_property  (meta_class, "Events"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_attribute (meta_class, "Hidden"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_class, "InferiorClasses",
+		      make_fcn_handle (class_get_inferiorclasses, "meta.class>get.InferiorClasses"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property  (meta_class, "Methods",
+		       make_fcn_handle (class_get_methods, "meta.class>get.Methods"),
+		       "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property  (meta_class, "MethodList",
+		       make_fcn_handle (class_get_methods, "meta.class>get.MethodList"),
+		       "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_attribute (meta_class, "Name"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property  (meta_class, "Properties",
+		       make_fcn_handle (class_get_properties, "meta.class>get.Properties"),
+		       "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property  (meta_class, "PropertyList",
+		       make_fcn_handle (class_get_properties, "meta.class>get.PropertyList"),
+		       "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property (make_attribute (meta_class, "Sealed"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_class, "SuperClasses",
+		      make_fcn_handle (class_get_superclasses, "meta.class>get.SuperClasses"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_class.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_class, "SuperClassList",
+		      make_fcn_handle (class_get_superclasses, "meta.class>get.SuperClassList"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  /* meta.class methods */
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "fromName", class_fromName,
+					  "public", true));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "fevalStatic", class_fevalStatic,
+					  "public", false));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "getConstant", class_getConstant,
+					  "public", false));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "eq", class_eq));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "ne", class_ne));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "lt", class_lt));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "le", class_le));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "gt", class_gt));
+  meta_class.install_method (make_method (meta_class, "ge", class_ge));
+
+  /* meta.method properties */
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Abstract"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Access"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "DefiningClass"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Description"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "DetailedDescription"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Hidden"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Name"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Sealed"));
+  meta_method.install_property (make_attribute (meta_method, "Static"));
+
+  /* meta.property properties */
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Name"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Description"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "DetailedDescription"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Abstract"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Constant"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "GetAccess"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "SetAccess"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Dependent"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Transient"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "Hidden"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "GetObservable"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "SetObservable"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "GetMethod"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "SetMethod"));
+  meta_property.install_property (make_attribute (meta_property, "DefiningClass"));
+  /* meta.property events */
+  // FIXME: add events
+
+  /* handle methods */
+  handle.install_method (make_method (handle, "delete", handle_delete));
+
+  /* meta.package properties */
+  meta_package.install_property (make_attribute (meta_package, "Name"));
+  meta_package.install_property (make_property  (meta_package, "ContainingPackage"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "ClassList",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_classes, "meta.package>get.ClassList"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "Classes",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_classes, "meta.package>get.Classes"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "FunctionList",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_functions, "meta.package>get.FunctionList"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "Functions",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_functions, "meta.package>get.Functions"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "PackageList",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_packages, "meta.package>get.PackageList"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_property
+      (make_property (meta_package, "Packages",
+		      make_fcn_handle (package_get_packages, "meta.package>get.Packages"),
+		      "public", Matrix (), "private"));
+  meta_package.install_method (make_method (meta_package, "fromName", package_fromName,
+                                            "public", true));
+
+  /* create "meta" package */
+  cdef_package package_meta = make_package ("meta");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_class,       "class");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_property,    "property");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_method,      "method");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_package,     "package");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_event,       "event");
+  package_meta.install_class (meta_dynproperty, "dynproperty");
+}
+
+DEFUN (__meta_get_class__, args, , "")
+{
+  octave_value retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1)
+    {
+      std::string cname = args(0).string_value ();
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	retval = to_ov (lookup_class (cname));
+      else
+	error ("invalid class name, expected a string value");
+    }
+  else
+    print_usage ();
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+DEFUN (__meta_get_package__, args, , "")
+{
+  octave_value retval;
+
+  if (args.length () == 1)
+    {
+      std::string cname = args(0).string_value ();
+
+      if (! error_state)
+	retval = to_ov (lookup_package (cname));
+      else
+	error ("invalid package name, expected a string value");
+    }
+  else
+    print_usage ();
+
+  return retval;
+}
+
+/*
+;;; Local Variables: ***
+;;; mode: C++ ***
+;;; End: ***
+*/

--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ov-classdef.h	Fri Jul 27 16:02:01 2012 -0400
@@ -0,0 +1,741 @@
+/*
+
+Copyright (C) 2012 Michael Goffioul
+
+This file is part of Octave.
+
+Octave is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
+Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at your
+option) any later version.
+
+Octave is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with Octave; see the file COPYING.  If not, see
+<http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+*/
+
+#if !defined (octave_classdef_h)
+#define octave_classdef_h 1
+
+#include <string>
+
+#include "oct-map.h"
+#include "oct-refcount.h"
+#include "ov-base.h"
+
+class cdef_object;
+class cdef_class;
+class cdef_property;
+class cdef_method;
+class cdef_package;
+
+class
+cdef_object_rep
+{
+public:
+  friend class cdef_object;
+
+public:
+  cdef_object_rep (void)
+      : refcount (1), cname () { }
+
+  cdef_object_rep (const std::string& nm)
+      : refcount (1), cname (nm) { }
+
+  virtual ~cdef_object_rep (void) { }
+
+  virtual cdef_class get_class (void) const;
+
+  virtual void set_class (const cdef_object&)
+    { error ("set_class: invalid object"); }
+
+  virtual cdef_object_rep* clone (void) const
+    {
+      error ("clone: invalid object");
+      return new cdef_object_rep ();
+    }
+
+  virtual void put (const std::string&, const octave_value&)
+    { error ("put: invalid object"); }
+
+  virtual octave_value get (const std::string&) const
+    {
+      error ("get: invalid object");
+      return octave_value ();
+    }
+
+  virtual octave_value_list subsref (const std::string&,
+				     const std::list<octave_value_list>&,
+				     int, int&)
+    {
+      error ("subsref: invalid object");
+      return octave_value_list ();
+    }
+
+  virtual string_vector map_keys(void) const;
+
+  virtual bool is_valid (void) const { return false; }
+
+  std::string class_name (void) const { return cname; }
+
+  void set_class_name (const std::string& nm)
+    { cname = nm; }
+
+protected:
+  /* reference count */
+  octave_refcount<int> refcount;
+
+  /* class name */
+  std::string cname;
+};
+
+class
+cdef_object
+{
+public:
+  /* FIXME: use a null object */
+  cdef_object (void)
+      : rep (new cdef_object_rep ()) { }
+
+  cdef_object (const cdef_object& obj)
+    : rep (obj.rep)
+    {
+      rep->refcount++;
+    }
+
+  cdef_object (cdef_object_rep *r)
+      : rep (r) { }
+
+  virtual ~cdef_object (void)
+    {
+      if (--rep->refcount == 0)
+	delete rep;
+    }
+
+  cdef_object& operator = (const cdef_object& obj)
+    {
+      if (rep != obj.rep)
+	{
+	  if (--rep->refcount == 0)
+	    delete rep;
+
+	  rep = obj.rep;
+	  rep->refcount++;
+	}
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  cdef_class get_class (void) const;
+
+  void set_class_name (const std::string& nm)
+    { rep->set_class_name (nm); }
+
+  std::string class_name (void) const
+    { return rep->class_name (); }
+
+  cdef_object clone (void) const
+    { return cdef_object (rep->clone ()); }
+
+  void put (const std::string& pname, const octave_value& val)
+    { rep->put (pname, val); }
+
+  octave_value get (const std::string& pname) const
+    { return rep->get (pname); }
+
+  octave_value_list subsref (const std::string& type,
+			     const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+			     int nargout, int& skip)
+    { return rep->subsref (type, idx, nargout, skip); }
+
+  string_vector map_keys (void) const { return rep->map_keys (); }
+
+  const cdef_object_rep* get_rep (void) const { return rep; }
+
+  bool ok (void) const { return rep->is_valid (); }
+
+protected:
+  cdef_object_rep* get_rep (void) { return rep; }
+
+private:
+  cdef_object_rep *rep;
+};
+
+class
+handle_cdef_object : public cdef_object_rep
+{
+public:
+  handle_cdef_object (void)
+      : cdef_object_rep () { }
+
+  handle_cdef_object (const std::string& nm)
+      : cdef_object_rep (nm) { }
+
+  cdef_object_rep* clone (void) const
+    {
+      handle_cdef_object *obj = const_cast<handle_cdef_object *> (this);
+      obj->refcount++;
+      return obj;
+    }
+
+  void put (const std::string& pname, const octave_value& val)
+    { map.assign (pname, val); }
+
+  octave_value get (const std::string& pname) const
+    {
+      Cell val = map.contents (pname);
+
+      if (val.numel () > 0)
+	return val(0, 0);
+      else
+	{
+	  error ("get: unknown slot: %s", pname.c_str ());
+	  return octave_value ();
+	}
+    }
+
+  octave_value_list subsref (const std::string& type,
+			     const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+			     int nargout, int& skip);
+
+  bool is_valid (void) const { return true; }
+
+protected:
+  Octave_map map;
+};
+
+class
+cdef_class : public cdef_object
+{
+private:
+
+  class
+  cdef_class_rep : public handle_cdef_object
+  {
+  public:
+    cdef_class_rep (const std::string& nm)
+	: handle_cdef_object (nm) { }
+
+    cdef_method find_method (const std::string& nm);
+
+    void install_method (const cdef_method& meth);
+
+    Cell get_methods (void);
+
+    cdef_property find_property (const std::string& nm);
+
+    void install_property (const cdef_property& prop);
+
+    Cell get_properties (void);
+
+    string_vector get_names (void);
+
+    void set_directory (const std::string& dir) { directory = dir; }
+
+    std::string get_directory (void) const { return directory; }
+
+    void delete_object (cdef_object obj);
+
+  private:
+    void load_all_methods (void);
+
+    void find_names (std::map<std::string,std::string>& names,
+		     std::map<std::string,int>& count);
+    
+    void find_properties (std::map<std::string,cdef_property>& props,
+			  std::map<std::string,int>& count);
+    
+    void find_methods (std::map<std::string,cdef_method>& meths,
+		       std::map<std::string,int>& count);
+
+  private:
+    std::string directory;
+
+    std::map<std::string,cdef_method> method_map;
+
+    std::map<std::string,cdef_property> property_map;
+
+    typedef std::map<std::string,cdef_method>::iterator method_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string,cdef_method>::const_iterator method_const_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string,cdef_property>::iterator property_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string,cdef_property>::const_iterator property_const_iterator;
+  };
+
+public:
+  // Create and invalid class object
+  cdef_class (void)
+      : cdef_object () { }
+
+  cdef_class (const std::string& nm)
+      : cdef_object (new cdef_class_rep (nm)) { }
+
+  cdef_class (const cdef_class& cls)
+      : cdef_object (cls) { }
+
+  cdef_class (const cdef_object& obj)
+      : cdef_object (obj)
+    {
+      // This should never happen...
+      if (class_name () != "meta.class")
+	error ("internal error: invalid assignment from %s to meta.class object",
+	       class_name ().c_str ());
+    }
+
+  cdef_class& operator = (const cdef_class& cls)
+    {
+      cdef_object::operator= (cls);
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  cdef_class& operator = (const cdef_object& obj)
+    {
+      if (obj.class_name () == "meta.class")
+	cdef_object::operator= (obj);
+      else
+	error ("internal error: invalid assignment from %s to meta.class object",
+	       class_name ().c_str ());
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  cdef_method find_method (const std::string& nm);
+
+  void install_method (const cdef_method& meth)
+    { get_rep ()->install_method (meth); }
+
+  Cell get_methods (void) { return get_rep ()->get_methods (); }
+
+  cdef_property find_property (const std::string& nm);
+  
+  void install_property (const cdef_property& prop)
+    { get_rep ()->install_property (prop); }
+
+  Cell get_properties (void) { return get_rep ()->get_properties (); }
+
+  string_vector get_names (void) { return get_rep ()->get_names (); }
+
+  void set_directory (const std::string& dir)
+    { get_rep ()->set_directory (dir); }
+
+  std::string get_directory (void) const
+    { return get_rep ()->get_directory (); }
+
+  std::string get_name (void) const
+    { return get ("Name").string_value (); }
+
+  bool is_builtin (void) const
+    { return get_directory ().empty (); }
+
+  void delete_object (cdef_object obj)
+    { get_rep ()->delete_object (obj); }
+
+private:
+  cdef_class_rep* get_rep (void)
+    { return dynamic_cast<cdef_class_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+  
+  const cdef_class_rep* get_rep (void) const
+    { return dynamic_cast<const cdef_class_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+
+  friend bool operator == (const cdef_class&, const cdef_class&);
+  friend bool operator != (const cdef_class&, const cdef_class&);
+};
+
+inline bool
+operator == (const cdef_class& clsa, const cdef_class& clsb)
+// FIXME: is this really the right way to check class equality?
+{ return (clsa.get_rep () == clsb.get_rep ()); }
+
+inline bool
+operator != (const cdef_class& clsa, const cdef_class& clsb)
+{ return ! (clsa == clsb); }
+
+class
+cdef_property : public cdef_object
+{
+private:
+
+  class
+  cdef_property_rep : public handle_cdef_object
+  {
+  public:
+    cdef_property_rep (const std::string& nm)
+	: handle_cdef_object (nm) { }
+
+    octave_value get_value (void) const { return default_value; }
+
+    octave_value get_value (const cdef_object& obj);
+
+    void set_value (const octave_value& val) { default_value = val; }
+
+    void set_value (const cdef_object& obj, const octave_value& val);
+
+  private:
+    octave_value default_value;
+  };
+
+public:
+  cdef_property (void) : cdef_object () { }
+
+  cdef_property (const std::string& nm)
+      : cdef_object (new cdef_property_rep (nm)) { }
+
+  cdef_property (const cdef_property& prop)
+      : cdef_object (prop) { }
+
+  cdef_property (const cdef_object& obj)
+      : cdef_object (obj)
+    {
+      // This should never happen...
+      if (class_name () != "meta.property")
+	error ("internal error: invalid assignment from %s to meta.property object",
+	       class_name ().c_str ());
+    }
+
+  cdef_property& operator = (const cdef_property& prop)
+    {
+      cdef_object::operator= (prop);
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  octave_value get_value (const cdef_object& obj)
+    { return get_rep ()->get_value (obj); }
+
+  octave_value get_value (void) { return get_rep ()->get_value (); }
+
+  void set_value (const cdef_object& obj, const octave_value& val)
+    { get_rep ()->set_value (obj, val); }
+
+  void set_value (const octave_value& val) { get_rep ()->set_value (val); }
+ 
+  std::string get_get_access (void) const
+    { return get ("GetAccess").string_value (); }
+  
+  std::string get_set_access (void) const
+    { return get ("SetAccess").string_value (); }
+
+  bool check_get_access (const std::string& acc) const;
+  
+  bool check_set_access (const std::string& acc) const;
+
+  std::string get_name (void) const
+    { return get ("Name").string_value (); }
+
+  bool is_constant (void) const
+    { return get ("Constant").bool_value (); }
+
+private:
+  cdef_property_rep* get_rep (void)
+    { return dynamic_cast<cdef_property_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+  
+  const cdef_property_rep* get_rep (void) const
+    { return dynamic_cast<const cdef_property_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+};
+
+class
+cdef_method : public cdef_object
+{
+private:
+
+  class
+  cdef_method_rep : public handle_cdef_object
+  {
+  public:
+    cdef_method_rep (const std::string& nm)
+	: handle_cdef_object (nm) { }
+
+    octave_value get_function (void) const { return function; }
+
+    void set_function (const octave_value& fcn)
+      { function = fcn; }
+
+    octave_value_list execute (const octave_value_list& args, int nargout);
+
+    octave_value_list execute (const cdef_object& obj,
+			       const octave_value_list& args, int nargout);
+
+  private:
+    void check_method (void);
+
+  private:
+    octave_value function;
+  };
+
+public:
+  cdef_method (void) : cdef_object () { }
+
+  cdef_method (const std::string& nm)
+      : cdef_object (new cdef_method_rep (nm)) { }
+
+  cdef_method (const cdef_property& prop)
+      : cdef_object (prop) { }
+
+  cdef_method (const cdef_object& obj)
+      : cdef_object (obj)
+    {
+      // This should never happen...
+      if (class_name () != "meta.method")
+	error ("internal error: invalid assignment from %s to meta.method object",
+	       class_name ().c_str ());
+    }
+
+  cdef_method& operator = (const cdef_method& meth)
+    {
+      cdef_object::operator= (meth);
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  /* normal invokation */
+  octave_value_list execute (const octave_value_list& args, int nargout)
+    { return get_rep ()->execute (args, nargout); }
+
+  /* dot-invokation: object is pushed as 1st argument */
+  octave_value_list execute (const cdef_object& obj,
+			     const octave_value_list& args, int nargout)
+    { return get_rep ()->execute (obj, args, nargout); }
+
+  std::string get_access (void) const
+    { return get ("Access").string_value (); }
+
+  bool check_access (const std::string& req) const;
+  
+  std::string get_name (void) const
+    { return get ("Name").string_value (); }
+
+  bool is_static (void) const
+    { return get ("Static").bool_value (); }
+
+  void set_function (const octave_value& fcn)
+    { get_rep ()->set_function (fcn); }
+
+private:
+  cdef_method_rep* get_rep (void)
+    { return dynamic_cast<cdef_method_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+  
+  const cdef_method_rep* get_rep (void) const
+    { return dynamic_cast<const cdef_method_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+};
+
+inline cdef_class
+cdef_object::get_class (void) const
+{ return rep->get_class (); }
+
+inline cdef_method
+cdef_class::find_method (const std::string& nm)
+{ return get_rep ()->find_method (nm); }
+
+inline cdef_property
+cdef_class::find_property (const std::string& nm)
+{ return get_rep ()->find_property (nm); }
+
+class
+cdef_package : public cdef_object
+{
+private:
+
+  class
+  cdef_package_rep : public handle_cdef_object
+  {
+  public:
+    cdef_package_rep (const std::string& nm)
+      : handle_cdef_object (nm) { }
+
+    void install_class (const cdef_class& cls, const std::string& nm);
+
+    void install_function (const octave_value& fcn, const std::string& nm);
+
+    void install_package (const cdef_package& pack, const std::string& nm);
+
+    octave_value_list subsref (const std::string& type,
+                               const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx,
+                               int nargout, int& skip);
+
+    Cell get_classes (void) const;
+
+    Cell get_functions (void) const;
+
+    Cell get_packages (void) const;
+
+  private:
+    std::map<std::string, cdef_class> class_map;
+    std::map<std::string, octave_value> function_map;
+    std::map<std::string, cdef_package> package_map;
+
+    typedef std::map<std::string, cdef_class>::iterator class_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, cdef_class>::const_iterator class_const_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, octave_value>::iterator function_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, octave_value>::const_iterator function_const_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, cdef_package>::iterator package_iterator;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, cdef_package>::const_iterator package_const_iterator;
+  };
+
+public:
+  cdef_package (void) : cdef_object () { }
+
+  cdef_package (const std::string& nm)
+      : cdef_object (new cdef_package_rep (nm)) { }
+
+  cdef_package (const cdef_object& obj)
+      : cdef_object (obj)
+    {
+      // This should never happen...
+      if (class_name () != "meta.package")
+	error ("internal error: invalid assignment from %s to meta.package object",
+	       class_name ().c_str ());
+    }
+
+  cdef_package& operator = (const cdef_package& pack)
+    {
+      cdef_object::operator= (pack);
+
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+  void install_class (const cdef_class& cls, const std::string& nm)
+    { get_rep ()->install_class (cls, nm); }
+
+  void install_function (const octave_value& fcn, const std::string& nm)
+    { get_rep ()->install_function (fcn, nm); }
+
+  void install_package (const cdef_package& pack, const std::string& nm)
+    { get_rep ()->install_package (pack, nm); }
+
+  Cell get_classes (void) const
+    { return get_rep ()->get_classes (); }
+
+  Cell get_functions (void) const
+    { return get_rep ()->get_functions (); }
+
+  Cell get_packages (void) const
+    { return get_rep ()->get_packages (); }
+
+private:
+  cdef_package_rep* get_rep (void)
+    { return dynamic_cast<cdef_package_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+  
+  const cdef_package_rep* get_rep (void) const
+    { return dynamic_cast<const cdef_package_rep *> (cdef_object::get_rep ()); }
+};
+
+class
+octave_classdef : public octave_base_value
+{
+public:
+  octave_classdef (void)
+      : octave_base_value (), object () { }
+
+  octave_classdef (const cdef_object& obj)
+      : octave_base_value (), object (obj) { }
+
+  octave_classdef (const octave_classdef& obj)
+      : octave_base_value (obj), object (obj.object) { }
+
+  octave_base_value* clone (void) const
+    { return new octave_classdef (object.clone ()); }
+
+  octave_base_value* empty_clone (void) const
+    { return new octave_classdef (); }
+
+  cdef_object get_object (void) const
+    { return object; }
+
+  bool is_defined (void) const { return true; }
+
+  bool is_map (void) const { return true; }
+
+  bool print_as_scalar (void) const { return true; }
+
+  void print(std::ostream& os, bool pr_as_read_syntax = false) const
+    {
+      // FIXME: should call "display" method
+      print_raw(os, pr_as_read_syntax);
+      newline(os);
+    }
+
+  void print_raw(std::ostream& os, bool /* pr_as_read_syntax */ = false) const
+    {
+      os << object.class_name () << " object";
+    }
+
+  octave_value_list subsref (const std::string& type,
+			     const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx, int nargout);
+
+  octave_value subsref (const std::string& type,
+			const std::list<octave_value_list>& idx)
+    {
+      octave_value_list retval = subsref (type, idx, 1);
+      return (retval.length () > 0 ? retval(0) : octave_value ());
+    }
+
+  string_vector map_keys (void) const { return object.map_keys (); }
+
+  dim_vector dims (void) const { return dim_vector (1, 1); }
+
+private:
+  cdef_object object;
+
+private:
+  DECLARE_OCTAVE_ALLOCATOR
+
+public:
+  int type_id (void) const { return t_id; }
+  std::string type_name (void) const { return t_name; }
+  std::string class_name (void) const { return object.class_name (); }
+
+  static int static_type_id (void) { return t_id; }
+  static std::string static_type_name (void) { return t_name; }
+  static std::string static_class_name (void) { return "<unknown>"; }
+  static void register_type (void);
+
+private:
+  static int t_id;
+
+  static const std::string t_name;
+};
+
+inline octave_value
+to_ov (const cdef_object& obj)
+{
+  if (obj.ok ())
+    return octave_value (new octave_classdef (obj));
+  else
+    return octave_value (Matrix ());
+}
+
+inline octave_value
+to_ov (const octave_value& ov)
+{ return ov; }
+
+inline cdef_object
+to_cdef (const octave_value& val)
+{
+  if (val.type_name () == "object")
+    return dynamic_cast<octave_classdef *> (val.internal_rep ())->get_object ();
+  else
+    {
+      warning ("trying to cast non-object into object");
+      return cdef_object ();
+    }
+}
+
+inline cdef_object
+to_cdef (const cdef_object& obj)
+{ return obj; }
+
+OCTINTERP_API void install_classdef (void);
+
+#endif
+
+/*
+;;; Local Variables: ***
+;;; mode: C++ ***
+;;; End: ***
+*/