update ucx default tip

4 weeks ago

author
Olaf Wintermann <olaf.wintermann@gmail.com>
date
Sun, 02 Mar 2025 18:10:52 +0100 (4 weeks ago)
changeset 579
e10457d74fe1
parent 578
eb48f716b31c

update ucx

src/server/config/acl.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/conf.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/initconf.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/keyfile.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/mimeconf.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/objconf.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/config/serverconfig.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/config.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/event.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/func.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/httplistener.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/httprequest.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/keyfile_auth.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/ldap_auth.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/log.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/resourcepool.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/daemon/threadpools.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/plugins/postgresql/config.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/plugins/postgresql/pgtest.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/plugins/postgresql/webdav.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/safs/cgi.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/safs/common.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/test/object.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/test/vfs.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/util/object.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/webdav/multistatus.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/webdav/requestparser.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/webdav/webdav.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/webdav/xattrbackend.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/server/webdav/xml.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/tools/wstool.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/Makefile file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/allocator.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/array_list.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/buffer.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/compare.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/allocator.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/array_list.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/buffer.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/collection.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/common.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/compare.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/hash_key.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/hash_map.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/iterator.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/json.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/linked_list.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/list.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/map.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/mempool.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/printf.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/properties.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/streams.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/string.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/test.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/tree.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/cx/utils.h file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/hash_key.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/hash_map.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/iterator.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/json.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/linked_list.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/list.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/map.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/mempool.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/printf.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/properties.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/streams.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/string.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/szmul.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/tree.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
src/ucx/utils.c file | annotate | diff | comparison | revisions
--- a/src/server/config/acl.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/acl.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -57,10 +57,10 @@
 }
 
 void free_acl_file(ACLFile *conf) {
-    cxListDestroy(conf->namedACLs);
-    cxListDestroy(conf->uriACLs);
-    cxListDestroy(conf->pathACLs);
-    cxMempoolDestroy(conf->parser.a->data); // TODO: is there a better way to access the mempool?
+    cxListFree(conf->namedACLs);
+    cxListFree(conf->uriACLs);
+    cxListFree(conf->pathACLs);
+    cxMempoolFree(conf->parser.a->data); // TODO: is there a better way to access the mempool?
     free(conf);
 }
 
--- a/src/server/config/conf.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/conf.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 int cfg_parse_basic_file(ConfigParser *parser, FILE *in) {
     parser->lines_begin = NULL;
     parser->lines_end = NULL;
-    CxMempool *mp = cxBasicMempoolCreate(512);
+    CxMempool *mp = cxMempoolCreateSimple(512);
     CxAllocator *a = (CxAllocator*)mp->allocator;
     parser->a = a;
     parser->mp = mp;
--- a/src/server/config/initconf.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/initconf.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
 #include "initconf.h"
 
 InitConfig *initconfig_load(const char *file) {
-    CxMempool *mp = cxBasicMempoolCreate(512);
+    CxMempool *mp = cxMempoolCreateSimple(512);
     if(!mp) {
         return NULL;
     }
@@ -48,13 +48,13 @@
     
     ConfigNode *init_config = serverconfig_load_file(&parser, file);
     if(!init_config) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     
     InitConfig *conf = cxMalloc(mp->allocator, sizeof(InitConfig));
     if(!conf) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     
@@ -89,5 +89,5 @@
 }
 
 void initconfig_free(InitConfig *conf) {
-    cxMempoolDestroy(conf->mp);
+    cxMempoolFree(conf->mp);
 }
--- a/src/server/config/keyfile.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/keyfile.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
     int r = cfg_parse_basic_file((ConfigParser*)conf, in);
     if(r != 0) {
         fclose(in);
-        cxMempoolDestroy(conf->parser.mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(conf->parser.mp);
         free(conf->file);
         free(conf);
         // TODO: free
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
 }
 
 void free_keyfile_config(KeyfileConfig *conf) {
-    cxMempoolDestroy(conf->parser.mp);
+    cxMempoolFree(conf->parser.mp);
     free(conf->file);
     free(conf);
 }
--- a/src/server/config/mimeconf.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/mimeconf.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
 }
 
 void free_mime_config(MimeConfig *conf) {
-    cxMempoolDestroy(conf->parser.a->data); // TODO: is there a better way to access the mempool?
+    cxMempoolFree(conf->parser.a->data); // TODO: is there a better way to access the mempool?
     free(conf);
 }
 
--- a/src/server/config/objconf.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/objconf.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 
 
 ObjectConfig2* objectconf_load(const char *file) {
-    CxMempool *mp = cxBasicMempoolCreate(512);
+    CxMempool *mp = cxMempoolCreateSimple(512);
     if(!mp) {
         return NULL;
     }
@@ -61,13 +61,13 @@
     
     ConfigNode *obj_config = serverconfig_load_file(&parser, file);
     if(!obj_config) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     
     ObjectConfig2 *conf = cxMalloc(mp->allocator, sizeof(ObjectConfig2));
     if(!conf) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
 }
 
 void objectconf_free(ObjectConfig2 *objconf) {
-    cxMempoolDestroy(objconf->mp);
+    cxMempoolFree(objconf->mp);
 }
 
 int objectconf_validate_directive(ConfigParser2 *parser, ConfigNode *node) {
--- a/src/server/config/serverconfig.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/config/serverconfig.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 #include <cx/utils.h>
 
 ServerConfig* serverconfig_load(const char *file) {
-    CxMempool *mp = cxBasicMempoolCreate(512);
+    CxMempool *mp = cxMempoolCreateSimple(512);
     if(!mp) {
         return NULL;
     }
@@ -54,13 +54,13 @@
     parser.delim = "";
     ConfigNode *root = serverconfig_load_file(&parser, file);
     if(!root) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     
     ServerConfig *scfg = cxMalloc(mp->allocator, sizeof(ServerConfig));
     if(!scfg) {
-        cxMempoolDestroy(mp);
+        cxMempoolFree(mp);
         return NULL;
     }
     scfg->root = root;
@@ -451,7 +451,7 @@
 }
 
 void serverconfig_free(ServerConfig *cfg) {
-    cxMempoolDestroy(cfg->mp);
+    cxMempoolFree(cfg->mp);
 }
 
 ConfigNode* serverconfig_get_node(ConfigNode *parent, ConfigNodeType type, cxstring name) {
--- a/src/server/daemon/config.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/config.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     // load threadpool config
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: Threadpool");
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     // check thread pool config
     if(check_thread_pool_cfg() != 0) {
         /* critical error */
@@ -228,7 +228,7 @@
         /* critical error */
         return NULL;
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
      
     // load Listener config
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: Listener");
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     // we return here, to let the webserver use the runtime info to
     // change the uid if needed
@@ -271,18 +271,18 @@
     cx_foreach(ConfigNode *, logobj, iter) {
         if(!logobj) {
             // error
-            cxListDestroy(list);
+            cxListFree(list);
             return NULL;
         }
         
         int ret = cfg_handle_logfile(serverconfig, logobj);
         if(ret != 0) {
             // cannot initialize log file
-            cxListDestroy(list);
+            cxListFree(list);
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: AccessLog");
     list = serverconfig_get_node_list(serverconf->root, CONFIG_NODE_OBJECT, cx_str("AccessLog"));
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: AuthDB");
     list = serverconfig_get_node_list(serverconf->root, CONFIG_NODE_OBJECT, cx_str("AuthDB"));
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: VirtualServer");
     list = serverconfig_get_node_list(serverconf->root, CONFIG_NODE_OBJECT, cx_str("VirtualServer"));
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: ResourcePool");
     list = serverconfig_get_node_list(serverconf->root, CONFIG_NODE_OBJECT, cx_str("ResourcePool"));
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_DEBUG, "apply config: Dav");
     list = serverconfig_get_node_list(serverconf->root, CONFIG_NODE_OBJECT, cx_str("Dav"));
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@
             return NULL;
         }
     }
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
 
     // set VirtualServer for all listeners
     CxList *ls = serverconfig->listeners;
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@
 
         // search for VirtualServer
         //int b = 0;
-        CxIterator map_iter = cxMapIteratorValues(serverconfig->host_vs);
+        CxMapIterator map_iter = cxMapIteratorValues(serverconfig->host_vs);
         cx_foreach(VirtualServer *, vs, map_iter) {
             if(!cx_strcmp(vsname, (cxstring){vs->name.ptr, vs->name.length})) {
                 listener->default_vs.vs = vs;
@@ -701,7 +701,7 @@
     int ret = 0;
     HttpListener *listener = http_listener_create(&lc);
     if(listener) {
-        listener->default_vs.vs_name = cx_strdup_a(cfg->a, (cxstring){lc.vs.ptr, lc.vs.length}).ptr;
+        listener->default_vs.vs_name = cx_strdup_a(cfg->a, lc.vs).ptr;
         cxListAdd(cfg->listeners, listener);
     } else {
         ret = 1;
@@ -792,12 +792,12 @@
                     cxListAdd(backends, node->args);
                 } else {
                     log_ereport(LOG_MISCONFIG, "DavBackend must have only one value");
-                    cxListDestroy(backends);
+                    cxListFree(backends);
                     return 1;
                 }
             } else {
                 log_ereport(LOG_MISCONFIG, "DavBackend must be a directive");
-                cxListDestroy(backends);
+                cxListFree(backends);
                 return 1;
             }
         }
@@ -841,7 +841,7 @@
         
         cxListAdd(repository->davBackends, davInit);
     }
-    cxListDestroy(backends);
+    cxListFree(backends);
     
     // initialize vfs
     cxstring vfs_class = serverconfig_object_directive_value(obj, cx_str("VFS"));
@@ -906,7 +906,7 @@
             cxListAdd(tokens, &op);
         }
         if(cxListAdd(tokens, &arg->value)) {
-            cxListDestroy(tokens);
+            cxListFree(tokens);
             return 1; // OOM
         }
         arg = arg->next;
@@ -919,7 +919,7 @@
     }
     
     // don't need the token list anymore
-    cxListDestroy(tokens);
+    cxListFree(tokens);
     
     return ret;
 }
--- a/src/server/daemon/event.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/event.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
 void shutdown_eventhandlers_wait(void) {
     log_ereport(LOG_INFORM, "shutdown eventhandlers");
     
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(event_handler_map);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(event_handler_map);
     cx_foreach(EVHandler *, e, i) {
         evhandler_shutdown(e);
     }
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
         evhandler_wait_and_destroy(e);
     }
     
-    cxMapDestroy(event_handler_map);
+    cxMapFree(event_handler_map);
     
     log_ereport(LOG_INFORM, "all eventhandlers closed");
 }
--- a/src/server/daemon/func.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/func.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@
 
 void func_init() {
     function_map = cxHashMapCreate(cxDefaultAllocator, CX_STORE_POINTERS, 256);
-    function_map->simple_destructor = (cx_destructor_func)funcstruct_free;
+    function_map->collection.simple_destructor = (cx_destructor_func)funcstruct_free;
 }
 
 void func_cleanup() {
-    cxMapDestroy(function_map);
+    cxMapFree(function_map);
 }
 
 void add_function(FuncStruct *func) {
--- a/src/server/daemon/httplistener.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/httplistener.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -87,13 +87,13 @@
     if(!listener_socket_map) {
         return 1;
     }
-    listener_socket_map->simple_destructor = (cx_destructor_func)wssocket_free;
+    listener_socket_map->collection.simple_destructor = (cx_destructor_func)wssocket_free;
     
     return 0;
 }
 
 void http_listener_global_shutdown(void) {
-    cxMapDestroy(listener_socket_map);
+    cxMapFree(listener_socket_map);
 }
 
 int start_all_listener() {
--- a/src/server/daemon/httprequest.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/httprequest.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -683,7 +683,7 @@
 void request_free_resources(NSAPISession *sn, NSAPIRequest *rq) {
     if(!rq->resources) return;
     
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(rq->resources);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(rq->resources);
     cx_foreach(ResourceData *, resource, i) {
         resourcepool_free(&sn->sn, &rq->rq, resource);
     }
--- a/src/server/daemon/keyfile_auth.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/keyfile_auth.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
         cxmutstr *groups,
         size_t ngroups)
 {
-    const CxAllocator *a = keyfile->users->allocator;
+    const CxAllocator *a = keyfile->users->collection.allocator;
     
     if(hash.length < 12) {
         // hash too short
--- a/src/server/daemon/ldap_auth.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/ldap_auth.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -488,7 +488,7 @@
             CxHashKey key = cx_hash_key(memberValue.ptr, memberValue.length);
             char *g_member = cxMapGet(group->members, key);
             if(!g_member) {
-                cxmutstr member = cx_strdup_a(group->members->allocator, memberValue);
+                cxmutstr member = cx_strdup_a(group->members->collection.allocator, memberValue);
                 if(!member.ptr) {
                     ret = 1;
                     break;
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@
                 // OOM
                 ldap_memfree(attribute);
                 // free at least some memory
-                cxMapDestroy(group->members);
+                cxMapFree(group->members);
                 pool_free(sn->pool, group);
                 group = NULL;
                 break;
--- a/src/server/daemon/log.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/log.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@
 
 void log_remove_logdup(LogDup *ldup) {
     pthread_mutex_lock(&mutex);
-    CxMutIterator i = cxListMutIterator(log_dup_list);
+    CxIterator i = cxListMutIterator(log_dup_list);
     WSBool finished = 0;
     cx_foreach(LogDup *, dup, i) {
         if(finished) break;
@@ -416,14 +416,14 @@
 }
 
 void shutdown_logging(void) {
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(access_log_files);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(access_log_files);
     cx_foreach(LogFile *, log, i) {
         fclose(log->file);
         free(log);
     }
-    cxMapDestroy(access_log_files);
+    cxMapFree(access_log_files);
     
     if(log_dup_list) {
-        cxListDestroy(log_dup_list);
+        cxListFree(log_dup_list);
     } 
 }
--- a/src/server/daemon/resourcepool.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/resourcepool.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 }
 
 void resource_pool_cleanup(void) {
-    cxMapDestroy(resource_pool_types);
+    cxMapFree(resource_pool_types);
 }
 
 int resourcepool_register_type(const char *type_name, ResourceType *type_info) {
@@ -231,7 +231,8 @@
     if(nsapi_rq && !nsapi_rq->finished) {
         // request processing still ongoing and SAFs will be executed
         // TODO: future ucx cxMapRemove returns, if it actually removed something, therefore use just cxMapRemove
-        if(!cxMapRemoveAndGet(nsapi_rq->resources, cx_hash_key_str(respool->name))) {
+        void *value;
+        if(!cxMapRemoveAndGet(nsapi_rq->resources, cx_hash_key_str(respool->name), &value)) {
             log_ereport(LOG_FAILURE, "resourcepool_free: cannot remove resource from request: potential double free");
         }
     }
--- a/src/server/daemon/threadpools.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/daemon/threadpools.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
 
 void shutdown_threadpools(int timeout) {
     log_ereport(LOG_INFORM, "shutdown threadpools");
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(thread_pool_map);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(thread_pool_map);
     cx_foreach(threadpool_t*, tp, i) {
         threadpool_shutdown(tp, timeout);
     }
@@ -158,6 +158,6 @@
     cx_foreach(threadpool_t*, tp, i) {
         threadpool_shutdown(tp, timeout);
     }
-    cxMapDestroy(thread_pool_map);
-    cxMapDestroy(io_pool_map);
+    cxMapFree(thread_pool_map);
+    cxMapFree(io_pool_map);
 }
--- a/src/server/plugins/postgresql/config.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/plugins/postgresql/config.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@
     
     // convert parserData
     if(!ret) {
-        size_t ntables = parserData.tables->size;
+        size_t ntables = cxListSize(parserData.tables);
         repo->ntables = ntables;
         repo->tables = pool_calloc(pool, ntables, sizeof(PgExtTable));
         if(repo->tables) {
@@ -276,8 +276,8 @@
     }
     
     // cleanup parser
-    cxListDestroy(parserData.tables);
-    cxMapDestroy(parserData.table_lookup);
+    cxListFree(parserData.tables);
+    cxMapFree(parserData.table_lookup);
     
     return ret;
 }
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@
     PgExtTable exttable;
     exttable.table = tabname;
     exttable.isused = 0; // not relevant in config
-    int tableindex = (int)ext->tables->size;
+    int tableindex = (int)cxListSize(ext->tables);
     cxListAdd(ext->tables, &exttable);
     
     if(cxMapPut(ext->table_lookup, cx_hash_key_str(table), (void*)table)) {
--- a/src/server/plugins/postgresql/pgtest.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/plugins/postgresql/pgtest.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
         return NULL;
     }
     
-    CxMempool *mp = cxBasicMempoolCreate(64);
+    CxMempool *mp = cxMempoolCreateSimple(64);
     TestMultistatus *ms = cxMalloc(mp->allocator, sizeof(TestMultistatus));
     ms->doc = doc;
     ms->mp = mp;
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@
 void test_multistatus_destroy(TestMultistatus *ms) {
     if(!ms) return;
     xmlFreeDoc(ms->doc);
-    cxMempoolDestroy(ms->mp);
+    cxMempoolFree(ms->mp);
 }
 
 
@@ -647,7 +647,7 @@
     TestResponse *r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind1: missing /propfind/ response");
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 1, "propfind1: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 1, "propfind1: wrong response count");
     
     TestProperty *p = MAP_GET(r1->properties, "DAV:resourcetype");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(p, "propfind1: missing property 'resourcetype'");
@@ -679,7 +679,7 @@
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind2: missing /propfind/ response");
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 5, "propfind2: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 5, "propfind2: wrong response count");
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/res2");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind2: missing /propfind/res2 response");
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind3: missing /propfind/ response");
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 6, "propfind3: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 6, "propfind3: wrong response count");
     
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/res1");
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind1: missing /propfind/ response");
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 1, "propfind1: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 1, "propfind1: wrong response count");
     
     p = MAP_GET(r1->properties, "DAV:resourcetype");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind1: missing resourcetype property");
@@ -800,7 +800,7 @@
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind2: missing /propfind/ response");
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 5, "propfind2: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 5, "propfind2: wrong response count");
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/res1");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind2: missing /propfind/res1 response");
@@ -834,7 +834,7 @@
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind3: missing /propfind/ response");
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(ms->responses->size == 6, "propfind3: wrong response count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(ms->responses) == 6, "propfind3: wrong response count");
     
     r1 = MAP_GET(ms->responses, "/propfind/res1");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(r1, "propfind3: missing /propfind/res1 response");
--- a/src/server/plugins/postgresql/webdav.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/plugins/postgresql/webdav.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -444,13 +444,13 @@
         ext = NULL;
         numext = 0;
     } else {     
-        numext = pgdav->repository->prop_ext->size;
+        numext = cxMapSize(pgdav->repository->prop_ext);
         ext = pool_calloc(rq->sn->pool, numext, sizeof(PgPropfindExtCol));
         
         if(rq->allprop) {
             // the map pgdav->repository->prop_ext contains all property extensions
             // we can just convert the map to an array
-            CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pgdav->repository->prop_ext);
+            CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pgdav->repository->prop_ext);
             int j = 0;
             cx_foreach(PgPropertyStoreExt *, cfg_ext, i) {
                 PgPropfindExtCol extcol;
@@ -609,7 +609,7 @@
             }
         }
         
-        cxMapDestroy(fieldmap);
+        cxMapFree(fieldmap);
     }
     
     return 0;
--- a/src/server/safs/cgi.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/safs/cgi.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -848,7 +848,9 @@
             }
             value = cx_mutstrn(buf + value_begin, i - value_begin);
             
-            cx_strlower(name);
+            for(int l=0;i<name.length;l++) {
+                name.ptr[l] = tolower(name.ptr[l]);
+            }
             name = cx_strdup_a(a, cx_strtrim((cxstring){name.ptr, name.length}));
             value = cx_strtrim_m(value);
             
--- a/src/server/safs/common.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/safs/common.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 #define COMMONSAF_RET_ERROR -2
 
 static void common_saf_cleanup(void *d) {
-    cxMapDestroy(var_names);
+    cxMapFree(var_names);
 }
 
 void common_saf_init() {
--- a/src/server/test/object.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/test/object.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -536,7 +536,7 @@
     size_t pos = 0;
     NSAPIExpression *expr = expr_parse_logical_expr(pool, tokens, &pos);
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == tokens->size, "wrong token pos");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == cxListSize(tokens), "wrong token pos");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr, "expression is null");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->type == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_IDENTIFIER, "wrong expression type");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_CALL, "wrong expression operator");
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@
     size_t pos = 0;
     NSAPIExpression *expr = expr_parse_logical_expr(pool, tokens, &pos);
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == tokens->size, "wrong token pos");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == cxListSize(tokens), "wrong token pos");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr, "expression is null");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->type == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_IDENTIFIER, "wrong expression type");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_CALL, "wrong expression operator");
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@
     size_t pos = 0;
     NSAPIExpression *expr = expr_parse_logical_expr(pool, tokens, &pos);
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == tokens->size, "wrong token pos");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == cxListSize(tokens), "wrong token pos");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr, "expression is null");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->type == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_IDENTIFIER, "wrong expression type");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_CALL, "wrong expression operator");
@@ -680,7 +680,7 @@
     size_t pos = 0;
     NSAPIExpression *expr = expr_parse_logical_expr(pool, tokens, &pos);
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == tokens->size, "wrong token pos");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(pos == cxListSize(tokens), "wrong token pos");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr, "expression is null");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->type == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_IDENTIFIER, "wrong expression type");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(expr->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_CALL, "wrong expression operator");
--- a/src/server/test/vfs.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/test/vfs.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
 typedef struct TestVFSDir {
     VFSDir dir;
     TestVFSFile *file;
-    CxIterator i;
+    CxMapIterator i;
     cxmutstr name;
 } TestVFSDir;
 
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
         return 1;
     }
     
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(vfs->files);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(vfs->files);
     cx_foreach(TestVFSFile *, f, i) {
         if(f->path.length > dir->path.length && cx_strprefix(cx_strcast(f->path), cx_strcast(dir->path))){
             return 1; // dir not empty
@@ -454,13 +454,13 @@
         cxMapPut(files, cx_hash_key_str(entry.name), dir);
     }
     
-    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(files->size == 4, "wrong files count");
+    UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapSize(files)== 4, "wrong files count");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapGet(files, cx_hash_key_str("file1")), "file1 missing");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapGet(files, cx_hash_key_str("file2")), "file2 missing");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapGet(files, cx_hash_key_str("file3")), "file3 missing");
     UCX_TEST_ASSERT(cxMapGet(files, cx_hash_key_str("file4")), "file4 missing");
     
-    cxMapDestroy(files);
+    cxMapFree(files);
     
     UCX_TEST_END;
     
--- a/src/server/util/object.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/util/object.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
 Expression* condition_create(pool_handle_t *pool, CxList *tokens) {
     size_t pos = 0;
     NSAPIExpression *expression = expr_parse_logical_expr(pool, tokens, &pos);
-    if(!expression || pos != tokens->size) {
+    if(!expression || pos != cxListSize(tokens)) {
         return NULL;
     }
     
@@ -271,11 +271,11 @@
 
 NSAPIExpression* expr_parser_pop(ExprParser *parser) {
     CxList *stack = parser->ex_stack;
-    if(stack->size == 0) {
+    if(cxListSize(stack)== 0) {
         return NULL;
     }
-    NSAPIExpression *ret = *((NSAPIExpression**)cxListAt(stack, stack->size-1));
-    cxListRemove(stack, stack->size-1);
+    NSAPIExpression *ret = *((NSAPIExpression**)cxListAt(stack, cxListSize(stack)-1));
+    cxListRemove(stack, cxListSize(stack)-1);
     return ret;
 }
 
@@ -339,11 +339,11 @@
     exp->right = NULL;
     exp->value.str = func->identifier;
     
-    if(parser->ex_stack->size > 0) {
-        NSAPIExpression *top = *((NSAPIExpression**)cxListAt(parser->ex_stack, parser->ex_stack->size - 1));
+    if(cxListSize(parser->ex_stack) > 0) {
+        NSAPIExpression *top = *((NSAPIExpression**)cxListAt(parser->ex_stack, cxListSize(parser->ex_stack) - 1));
         if(top && top->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_ARG) {
             exp->left = top;
-            cxListRemove(parser->ex_stack, parser->ex_stack->size - 1);
+            cxListRemove(parser->ex_stack, cxListSize(parser->ex_stack) - 1);
         }
     }
     
@@ -418,8 +418,8 @@
             new_op.identifier = (cxstring){NULL,0};
             new_op.expect_value = parser->expect_value;
             new_op.open_parenthesis = FALSE;
-            while(op_stack->size > 0) {
-                ExprOpStackItem *stack_item = cxListAt(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+            while(cxListSize(op_stack) > 0) {
+                ExprOpStackItem *stack_item = cxListAt(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
                 if(stack_item->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_NOOP) {
                     break;
                 }
@@ -430,15 +430,15 @@
                 if(expr_add_operator(parser, stack_item)) {
                     return NULL;
                 }
-                cxListRemove(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+                cxListRemove(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
             }
             cxListAdd(op_stack, &new_op);
             parser->expect_value = TRUE;
             parser->expect_arg = FALSE;
         } else if(token.length == 1 && token.ptr[0] == '(') {
             ExprOpStackItem *prev_op = NULL;
-            if(op_stack->size > 0) {
-                prev_op = cxListAt(op_stack, op_stack->size - 1);
+            if(cxListSize(op_stack) > 0) {
+                prev_op = cxListAt(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack) - 1);
             }
             
             if(prev_op && prev_op->operator == NSAPI_EXPRESSION_CALL) {
@@ -459,10 +459,10 @@
         } else if(token.length == 1 && token.ptr[0] == ')') {
             int found_open_bracket = FALSE;
             ExprOpStackItem stack_item;
-            while(op_stack->size > 0) {
-                ExprOpStackItem *stack_item_ptr = cxListAt(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+            while(cxListSize(op_stack) > 0) {
+                ExprOpStackItem *stack_item_ptr = cxListAt(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
                 stack_item = *stack_item_ptr;
-                cxListRemove(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+                cxListRemove(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
                 if(stack_item.open_parenthesis) {
                     found_open_bracket = TRUE;
                     break;
@@ -498,18 +498,18 @@
         }
     }
     
-    while(op_stack->size > 0) {
-        ExprOpStackItem *stack_item = cxListAt(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+    while(cxListSize(op_stack) > 0) {
+        ExprOpStackItem *stack_item = cxListAt(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
         if(stack_item->open_parenthesis) {
             return NULL;
         }
         if(expr_add_operator(parser, stack_item)) {
             return NULL;
         }
-        cxListRemove(op_stack, op_stack->size-1);
+        cxListRemove(op_stack, cxListSize(op_stack)-1);
     }
     
-    if(ex_stack->size != 1) {
+    if(cxListSize(ex_stack) != 1) {
         return NULL;
     }
     
@@ -531,8 +531,8 @@
     parser.expect_arg = FALSE;
     
     NSAPIExpression *ret = expr_parse_expr(&parser);
-    cxListDestroy(op_stack);
-    cxListDestroy(ex_stack);
+    cxListFree(op_stack);
+    cxListFree(ex_stack);
     
     return ret;
 }
--- a/src/server/webdav/multistatus.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/webdav/multistatus.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
     // write the namespaces definitions
     // key is the namespace prefix
     // the map always contains the "DAV:" namespace with the prefix "D"
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIterator(ms->namespaces);  
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIterator(ms->namespaces);  
     cx_foreach(CxMapEntry*, entry, i) {
         WSNamespace *ns = entry->value;
         writer_put_lit(out, " xmlns:");
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@
     }
     
     // we don't need the properties anymore
-    cxMapDestroy(response->properties);
+    cxMapFree(response->properties);
     
     response->resource.isclosed = TRUE;
     return ret;
--- a/src/server/webdav/requestparser.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/webdav/requestparser.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@
         node = node->next;
     }
     
-    cxMapDestroy(propmap); // no allocated content must be freed
+    cxMapFree(propmap); // no allocated content must be freed
     
     if(ret) {
         // parse_prop failed
@@ -357,7 +357,7 @@
         node = node->next;
     }
     
-    cxMapDestroy(propmap); // allocated content must not be freed
+    cxMapFree(propmap); // allocated content must not be freed
     
     if(set_count + remove_count == 0) {
         *error = PROPPATCH_PARSER_NO_PROPERTIES;
--- a/src/server/webdav/webdav.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/webdav/webdav.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -78,8 +78,8 @@
 #define WEBDAV_RESOURCE_TYPE_COLLECTION "<D:collection/>"
 
 static void webdav_cleanup(void *data) {
-    cxMapDestroy(webdav_type_map);
-    cxMapDestroy(method_handler_map);
+    cxMapFree(webdav_type_map);
+    cxMapFree(method_handler_map);
 }
 
 static WebdavBackend* default_backend_create(Session *sn, Request *rq, pblock *pb, void *initData) {
--- a/src/server/webdav/xattrbackend.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/webdav/xattrbackend.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
         CxAllocator *a,
         CxMap *pmap)
 {
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pmap);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pmap);
     cx_foreach(WebdavProperty*, prop, i) {
         if(request->propname) {
             prop->vtype = WS_VALUE_NO_TYPE;
@@ -322,10 +322,11 @@
                 (const char*)prop->namespace->href,
                 (const char*)prop->name);
         if(!key.data) {
-            cxMapDestroy(pmap);
+            cxMapFree(pmap);
             return 1;
         }
-        void *rmprop = cxMapRemoveAndGet(pmap, key);
+        void *rmprop = NULL;
+        cxMapRemoveAndGet(pmap, key, &rmprop);
         cxFree(a, (void*)key.data);
         
         // TODO: free rmprop
@@ -345,7 +346,7 @@
         }
         
         if(webdav_xattr_put_prop(pmap, prop)) {
-            cxMapDestroy(pmap);
+            cxMapFree(pmap);
             return 1;
         }
         
@@ -506,14 +507,14 @@
 
 int webdav_xattr_put_prop(CxMap *pmap, WebdavProperty *prop) {
     CxHashKey key = webdav_property_key_a(
-            pmap->allocator,
+            pmap->collection.allocator,
             (const char*)prop->namespace->href,
             (const char*)prop->name);
     if(!key.data) {
         return 1;
     }
     int ret = cxMapPut(pmap, key, prop);
-    cxFree(pmap->allocator, (void*)key.data);
+    cxFree(pmap->collection.allocator, (void*)key.data);
     return ret;
 }
 
@@ -698,7 +699,7 @@
     
     if(error) {
         // TODO: free pmap content
-        cxMapDestroy(pmap);
+        cxMapFree(pmap);
         pmap = NULL;
     }
     
@@ -713,7 +714,7 @@
         return (cxmutstr){NULL,0};
     }
     
-    CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pmap);
+    CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(pmap);
     cx_foreach(WebdavProperty*, prop, i) {
         WSXmlData *property_value = NULL;
         if(prop->vtype == WS_VALUE_XML_NODE) {
--- a/src/server/webdav/xml.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/server/webdav/xml.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@
         }
         
         // convert nsmap to a list
-        CxIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(nsmap);
+        CxMapIterator i = cxMapIteratorValues(nsmap);
         WSNamespace *ns;
         cx_foreach(WSNamespace *, ns, i) {
             WebdavNSList *newelm = pool_malloc(pool, sizeof(WebdavNSList));
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@
         }
     }
     
-    cxMapDestroy(nsmap);
+    cxMapFree(nsmap);
     return list;
 }
 
--- a/src/tools/wstool.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/tools/wstool.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -67,14 +67,14 @@
         fprintf(stderr, "Error: No Runtime element in %s\n", configfile);
         return -1;
     }
-    if(list->size != 1) {
+    if(cxListSize(list) != 1) {
         fprintf(stderr, "Error: Multiple Runtime elements in %s\n", configfile);
         return -1;
     }
     ConfigNode *runtime = cxListAt(list, 0);
     cxstring tmp = serverconfig_object_directive_value(runtime, cx_str("Temp"));
     
-    cxListDestroy(list);
+    cxListFree(list);
     
     if(!tmp.ptr) {
         fprintf(stderr, "Error: No Temp directive in Runtime Object\n");
--- a/src/ucx/Makefile	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/Makefile	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -36,13 +36,18 @@
 SRC += buffer.c
 SRC += hash_key.c
 SRC += hash_map.c
+SRC += map.c
 SRC += linked_list.c
 SRC += array_list.c
 SRC += list.c
 SRC += string.c
-SRC += utils.c
 SRC += printf.c
 SRC += compare.c
+SRC += tree.c
+SRC += streams.c
+SRC += json.c
+SRC += properties.c
+SRC += iterator.c
 
 OBJ = $(SRC:%.c=$(BUILD_ROOT)/build/ucx/%$(OBJ_EXT))
 
--- a/src/ucx/allocator.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/allocator.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -28,35 +28,33 @@
 
 #include "cx/allocator.h"
 
-__attribute__((__malloc__, __alloc_size__(2)))
+#include <errno.h>
+
 static void *cx_malloc_stdlib(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) void *d,
+        cx_attr_unused void *d,
         size_t n
 ) {
     return malloc(n);
 }
 
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __alloc_size__(3)))
 static void *cx_realloc_stdlib(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) void *d,
+        cx_attr_unused void *d,
         void *mem,
         size_t n
 ) {
     return realloc(mem, n);
 }
 
-__attribute__((__malloc__, __alloc_size__(2, 3)))
 static void *cx_calloc_stdlib(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) void *d,
-        size_t nelem,
-        size_t n
+        cx_attr_unused void *d,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
 ) {
-    return calloc(nelem, n);
+    return calloc(nmemb, size);
 }
 
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
 static void cx_free_stdlib(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) void *d,
+        cx_attr_unused void *d,
         void *mem
 ) {
     free(mem);
@@ -73,47 +71,96 @@
         &cx_default_allocator_class,
         NULL
 };
-CxAllocator *cxDefaultAllocator = &cx_default_allocator;
+const CxAllocator * const cxDefaultAllocator = &cx_default_allocator;
 
-
-int cx_reallocate(
+int cx_reallocate_(
         void **mem,
         size_t n
 ) {
     void *nmem = realloc(*mem, n);
     if (nmem == NULL) {
-        return 1;
+        return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
     } else {
         *mem = nmem;
         return 0;
     }
 }
 
+int cx_reallocatearray_(
+        void **mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+) {
+    size_t n;
+    if (cx_szmul(nmemb, size, &n)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return 1;
+    } else {
+        void *nmem = realloc(*mem, n);
+        if (nmem == NULL) {
+            return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        } else {
+            *mem = nmem;
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 // IMPLEMENTATION OF HIGH LEVEL API
 
 void *cxMalloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         size_t n
 ) {
     return allocator->cl->malloc(allocator->data, n);
 }
 
 void *cxRealloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         void *mem,
         size_t n
 ) {
     return allocator->cl->realloc(allocator->data, mem, n);
 }
 
-int cxReallocate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+void *cxReallocArray(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void *mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+) {
+    size_t n;
+    if (cx_szmul(nmemb, size, &n)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return NULL;
+    } else {
+        return allocator->cl->realloc(allocator->data, mem, n);
+    }
+}
+
+int cxReallocate_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         void **mem,
         size_t n
 ) {
     void *nmem = allocator->cl->realloc(allocator->data, *mem, n);
     if (nmem == NULL) {
-        return 1;
+        return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    } else {
+        *mem = nmem;
+        return 0;
+    }
+}
+
+int cxReallocateArray_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void **mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+) {
+    void *nmem = cxReallocArray(allocator, *mem, nmemb, size);
+    if (nmem == NULL) {
+        return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
     } else {
         *mem = nmem;
         return 0;
@@ -121,15 +168,15 @@
 }
 
 void *cxCalloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        size_t nelem,
-        size_t n
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
 ) {
-    return allocator->cl->calloc(allocator->data, nelem, n);
+    return allocator->cl->calloc(allocator->data, nmemb, size);
 }
 
 void cxFree(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         void *mem
 ) {
     allocator->cl->free(allocator->data, mem);
--- a/src/ucx/array_list.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/array_list.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,57 +27,269 @@
  */
 
 #include "cx/array_list.h"
+#include "cx/compare.h"
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <string.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+// Default array reallocator
+
+static void *cx_array_default_realloc(
+        void *array,
+        size_t capacity,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        cx_attr_unused CxArrayReallocator *alloc
+) {
+    size_t n;
+    if (cx_szmul(capacity, elem_size, &n)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return NULL;
+    }
+    return realloc(array, n);
+}
+
+CxArrayReallocator cx_array_default_reallocator_impl = {
+        cx_array_default_realloc, NULL, NULL, 0, 0
+};
+
+CxArrayReallocator *cx_array_default_reallocator = &cx_array_default_reallocator_impl;
+
+// Stack-aware array reallocator
+
+static void *cx_array_advanced_realloc(
+        void *array,
+        size_t capacity,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        cx_attr_unused CxArrayReallocator *alloc
+) {
+    // check for overflow
+    size_t n;
+    if (cx_szmul(capacity, elem_size, &n)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return NULL;
+    }
+
+    // retrieve the pointer to the actual allocator
+    const CxAllocator *al = alloc->ptr1;
+
+    // check if the array is still located on the stack
+    void *newmem;
+    if (array == alloc->ptr2) {
+        newmem = cxMalloc(al, n);
+        if (newmem != NULL && array != NULL) {
+            memcpy(newmem, array, n);
+        }
+    } else {
+        newmem = cxRealloc(al, array, n);
+    }
+    return newmem;
+}
+
+struct cx_array_reallocator_s cx_array_reallocator(
+        const struct cx_allocator_s *allocator,
+        const void *stackmem
+) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+    return (struct cx_array_reallocator_s) {
+            cx_array_advanced_realloc,
+            (void*) allocator, (void*) stackmem,
+            0, 0
+    };
+}
 
 // LOW LEVEL ARRAY LIST FUNCTIONS
 
-enum cx_array_copy_result cx_array_copy(
-        void **target,
-        size_t *size,
-        size_t *capacity,
-        size_t index,
-        void const *src,
+static size_t cx_array_align_capacity(
+        size_t cap,
+        size_t alignment,
+        size_t max
+) {
+    if (cap > max - alignment) {
+        return cap;
+    } else {
+        return cap - (cap % alignment) + alignment;
+    }
+}
+
+int cx_array_reserve(
+        void **array,
+        void *size,
+        void *capacity,
+        unsigned width,
         size_t elem_size,
         size_t elem_count,
-        struct cx_array_reallocator_s *reallocator
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
+) {
+    // assert pointers
+    assert(array != NULL);
+    assert(size != NULL);
+    assert(capacity != NULL);
+
+    // default reallocator
+    if (reallocator == NULL) {
+        reallocator = cx_array_default_reallocator;
+    }
+
+    // determine size and capacity
+    size_t oldcap;
+    size_t oldsize;
+    size_t max_size;
+    if (width == 0 || width == sizeof(size_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(size_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(size_t*) size;
+        max_size = SIZE_MAX;
+    } else if (width == sizeof(uint16_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint16_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint16_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT16_MAX;
+    } else if (width == sizeof(uint8_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint8_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint8_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT8_MAX;
+    }
+#if CX_WORDSIZE == 64
+    else if (width == sizeof(uint32_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint32_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint32_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT32_MAX;
+    }
+#endif
+    else {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    // assert that the array is allocated when it has capacity
+    assert(*array != NULL || oldcap == 0);
+
+    // check for overflow
+    if (elem_count > max_size - oldsize) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    // determine new capacity
+    size_t newcap = oldsize + elem_count;
+
+    // reallocate if possible
+    if (newcap > oldcap) {
+        // calculate new capacity (next number divisible by 16)
+        newcap = cx_array_align_capacity(newcap, 16, max_size);
+
+        // perform reallocation
+        void *newmem = reallocator->realloc(
+                *array, newcap, elem_size, reallocator
+        );
+        if (newmem == NULL) {
+            return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        }
+
+        // store new pointer
+        *array = newmem;
+
+        // store new capacity
+        if (width == 0 || width == sizeof(size_t)) {
+            *(size_t*) capacity = newcap;
+        } else if (width == sizeof(uint16_t)) {
+            *(uint16_t*) capacity = (uint16_t) newcap;
+        } else if (width == sizeof(uint8_t)) {
+            *(uint8_t*) capacity = (uint8_t) newcap;
+        }
+#if CX_WORDSIZE == 64
+        else if (width == sizeof(uint32_t)) {
+            *(uint32_t*) capacity = (uint32_t) newcap;
+        }
+#endif
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int cx_array_copy(
+        void **target,
+        void *size,
+        void *capacity,
+        unsigned width,
+        size_t index,
+        const void *src,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
 ) {
     // assert pointers
     assert(target != NULL);
     assert(size != NULL);
+    assert(capacity != NULL);
     assert(src != NULL);
 
-    // determine capacity
-    size_t cap = capacity == NULL ? *size : *capacity;
+    // default reallocator
+    if (reallocator == NULL) {
+        reallocator = cx_array_default_reallocator;
+    }
+
+    // determine size and capacity
+    size_t oldcap;
+    size_t oldsize;
+    size_t max_size;
+    if (width == 0 || width == sizeof(size_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(size_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(size_t*) size;
+        max_size = SIZE_MAX;
+    } else if (width == sizeof(uint16_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint16_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint16_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT16_MAX;
+    } else if (width == sizeof(uint8_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint8_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint8_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT8_MAX;
+    }
+#if CX_WORDSIZE == 64
+    else if (width == sizeof(uint32_t)) {
+        oldcap = *(uint32_t*) capacity;
+        oldsize = *(uint32_t*) size;
+        max_size = UINT32_MAX;
+    }
+#endif
+    else {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    // assert that the array is allocated when it has capacity
+    assert(*target != NULL || oldcap == 0);
+
+    // check for overflow
+    if (index > max_size || elem_count > max_size - index) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return 1;
+    }
 
     // check if resize is required
     size_t minsize = index + elem_count;
-    size_t newsize = *size < minsize ? minsize : *size;
-    bool needrealloc = newsize > cap;
+    size_t newsize = oldsize < minsize ? minsize : oldsize;
 
     // reallocate if possible
-    if (needrealloc) {
-        // a reallocator and a capacity variable must be available
-        if (reallocator == NULL || capacity == NULL) {
-            return CX_ARRAY_COPY_REALLOC_NOT_SUPPORTED;
-        }
-
+    size_t newcap = oldcap;
+    if (newsize > oldcap) {
         // check, if we need to repair the src pointer
         uintptr_t targetaddr = (uintptr_t) *target;
         uintptr_t srcaddr = (uintptr_t) src;
         bool repairsrc = targetaddr <= srcaddr
-                         && srcaddr < targetaddr + cap * elem_size;
+                         && srcaddr < targetaddr + oldcap * elem_size;
 
         // calculate new capacity (next number divisible by 16)
-        cap = newsize - (newsize % 16) + 16;
-        assert(cap > newsize);
+        newcap = cx_array_align_capacity(newsize, 16, max_size);
+        assert(newcap > newsize);
 
         // perform reallocation
         void *newmem = reallocator->realloc(
-                *target, cap, elem_size, reallocator
+                *target, newcap, elem_size, reallocator
         );
         if (newmem == NULL) {
-            return CX_ARRAY_COPY_REALLOC_FAILED;
+            return 1;
         }
 
         // repair src pointer, if necessary
@@ -85,9 +297,8 @@
             src = ((char *) newmem) + (srcaddr - targetaddr);
         }
 
-        // store new pointer and capacity
+        // store new pointer
         *target = newmem;
-        *capacity = cap;
     }
 
     // determine target pointer
@@ -95,16 +306,255 @@
     start += index * elem_size;
 
     // copy elements and set new size
+    // note: no overflow check here, b/c we cannot get here w/o allocation
     memmove(start, src, elem_count * elem_size);
-    *size = newsize;
+
+    // if any of size or capacity changed, store them back
+    if (newsize != oldsize || newcap != oldcap) {
+        if (width == 0 || width == sizeof(size_t)) {
+            *(size_t*) capacity = newcap;
+            *(size_t*) size = newsize;
+        } else if (width == sizeof(uint16_t)) {
+            *(uint16_t*) capacity = (uint16_t) newcap;
+            *(uint16_t*) size = (uint16_t) newsize;
+        } else if (width == sizeof(uint8_t)) {
+            *(uint8_t*) capacity = (uint8_t) newcap;
+            *(uint8_t*) size = (uint8_t) newsize;
+        }
+#if CX_WORDSIZE == 64
+        else if (width == sizeof(uint32_t)) {
+            *(uint32_t*) capacity = (uint32_t) newcap;
+            *(uint32_t*) size = (uint32_t) newsize;
+        }
+#endif
+    }
 
     // return successfully
-    return CX_ARRAY_COPY_SUCCESS;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int cx_array_insert_sorted(
+        void **target,
+        size_t *size,
+        size_t *capacity,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func,
+        const void *sorted_data,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
+) {
+    // assert pointers
+    assert(target != NULL);
+    assert(size != NULL);
+    assert(capacity != NULL);
+    assert(cmp_func != NULL);
+    assert(sorted_data != NULL);
+
+    // default reallocator
+    if (reallocator == NULL) {
+        reallocator = cx_array_default_reallocator;
+    }
+
+    // corner case
+    if (elem_count == 0) return 0;
+
+    // overflow check
+    if (elem_count > SIZE_MAX - *size) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return 1;
+    }
+
+    // store some counts
+    size_t old_size = *size;
+    size_t needed_capacity = old_size + elem_count;
+
+    // if we need more than we have, try a reallocation
+    if (needed_capacity > *capacity) {
+        size_t new_capacity = cx_array_align_capacity(needed_capacity, 16, SIZE_MAX);
+        void *new_mem = reallocator->realloc(
+                *target, new_capacity, elem_size, reallocator
+        );
+        if (new_mem == NULL) {
+            // give it up right away, there is no contract
+            // that requires us to insert as much as we can
+            return 1;  // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        }
+        *target = new_mem;
+        *capacity = new_capacity;
+    }
+
+    // now we have guaranteed that we can insert everything
+    size_t new_size = old_size + elem_count;
+    *size = new_size;
+
+    // declare the source and destination indices/pointers
+    size_t si = 0, di = 0;
+    const char *src = sorted_data;
+    char *dest = *target;
+
+    // find the first insertion point
+    di = cx_array_binary_search_sup(dest, old_size, elem_size, src, cmp_func);
+    dest += di * elem_size;
+
+    // move the remaining elements in the array completely to the right
+    // we will call it the "buffer" for parked elements
+    size_t buf_size = old_size - di;
+    size_t bi = new_size - buf_size;
+    char *bptr = ((char *) *target) + bi * elem_size;
+    memmove(bptr, dest, buf_size * elem_size);
+
+    // while there are both source and buffered elements left,
+    // copy them interleaving
+    while (si < elem_count && bi < new_size) {
+        // determine how many source elements can be inserted
+        size_t copy_len, bytes_copied;
+        copy_len = cx_array_binary_search_sup(
+                src,
+                elem_count - si,
+                elem_size,
+                bptr,
+                cmp_func
+        );
+
+        // copy the source elements
+        bytes_copied = copy_len * elem_size;
+        memcpy(dest, src, bytes_copied);
+        dest += bytes_copied;
+        src += bytes_copied;
+        si += copy_len;
+
+        // when all source elements are in place, we are done
+        if (si >= elem_count) break;
+
+        // determine how many buffered elements need to be restored
+        copy_len = cx_array_binary_search_sup(
+                bptr,
+                new_size - bi,
+                elem_size,
+                src,
+                cmp_func
+        );
+
+        // restore the buffered elements
+        bytes_copied = copy_len * elem_size;
+        memmove(dest, bptr, bytes_copied);
+        dest += bytes_copied;
+        bptr += bytes_copied;
+        bi += copy_len;
+    }
+
+    // still source elements left? simply append them
+    if (si < elem_count) {
+        memcpy(dest, src, elem_size * (elem_count - si));
+    }
+
+    // still buffer elements left?
+    // don't worry, we already moved them to the correct place
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+size_t cx_array_binary_search_inf(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+) {
+    // special case: empty array
+    if (size == 0) return 0;
+
+    // declare a variable that will contain the compare results
+    int result;
+
+    // cast the array pointer to something we can use offsets with
+    const char *array = arr;
+
+    // check the first array element
+    result = cmp_func(elem, array);
+    if (result < 0) {
+        return size;
+    } else if (result == 0) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // special case: there is only one element and that is smaller
+    if (size == 1) return 0;
+
+    // check the last array element
+    result = cmp_func(elem, array + elem_size * (size - 1));
+    if (result >= 0) {
+        return size - 1;
+    }
+
+    // the element is now guaranteed to be somewhere in the list
+    // so start the binary search
+    size_t left_index = 1;
+    size_t right_index = size - 1;
+    size_t pivot_index;
+
+    while (left_index <= right_index) {
+        pivot_index = left_index + (right_index - left_index) / 2;
+        const char *arr_elem = array + pivot_index * elem_size;
+        result = cmp_func(elem, arr_elem);
+        if (result == 0) {
+            // found it!
+            return pivot_index;
+        } else if (result < 0) {
+            // element is smaller than pivot, continue search left
+            right_index = pivot_index - 1;
+        } else {
+            // element is larger than pivot, continue search right
+            left_index = pivot_index + 1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // report the largest upper bound
+    return result < 0 ? (pivot_index - 1) : pivot_index;
+}
+
+size_t cx_array_binary_search(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+) {
+    size_t index = cx_array_binary_search_inf(
+            arr, size, elem_size, elem, cmp_func
+    );
+    if (index < size &&
+            cmp_func(((const char *) arr) + index * elem_size, elem) == 0) {
+        return index;
+    } else {
+        return size;
+    }
+}
+
+size_t cx_array_binary_search_sup(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+) {
+    size_t inf = cx_array_binary_search_inf(
+            arr, size, elem_size, elem, cmp_func
+    );
+    if (inf == size) {
+        // no infimum means, first element is supremum
+        return 0;
+    } else if (cmp_func(((const char *) arr) + inf * elem_size, elem) == 0) {
+        return inf;
+    } else {
+        return inf + 1;
+    }
 }
 
 #ifndef CX_ARRAY_SWAP_SBO_SIZE
 #define CX_ARRAY_SWAP_SBO_SIZE 128
 #endif
+const unsigned cx_array_swap_sbo_size = CX_ARRAY_SWAP_SBO_SIZE;
 
 void cx_array_swap(
         void *arr,
@@ -151,70 +601,58 @@
     struct cx_list_s base;
     void *data;
     size_t capacity;
-    struct cx_array_reallocator_s reallocator;
+    CxArrayReallocator reallocator;
 } cx_array_list;
 
-static void *cx_arl_realloc(
-        void *array,
-        size_t capacity,
-        size_t elem_size,
-        struct cx_array_reallocator_s *alloc
-) {
-    // retrieve the pointer to the list allocator
-    CxAllocator const *al = alloc->ptr1;
-
-    // use the list allocator to reallocate the memory
-    return cxRealloc(al, array, capacity * elem_size);
-}
-
 static void cx_arl_destructor(struct cx_list_s *list) {
     cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
 
     char *ptr = arl->data;
 
-    if (list->simple_destructor) {
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
+    if (list->collection.simple_destructor) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
             cx_invoke_simple_destructor(list, ptr);
-            ptr += list->item_size;
+            ptr += list->collection.elem_size;
         }
     }
-    if (list->advanced_destructor) {
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
+    if (list->collection.advanced_destructor) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
             cx_invoke_advanced_destructor(list, ptr);
-            ptr += list->item_size;
+            ptr += list->collection.elem_size;
         }
     }
 
-    cxFree(list->allocator, arl->data);
-    cxFree(list->allocator, list);
+    cxFree(list->collection.allocator, arl->data);
+    cxFree(list->collection.allocator, list);
 }
 
 static size_t cx_arl_insert_array(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *array,
+        const void *array,
         size_t n
 ) {
     // out of bounds and special case check
-    if (index > list->size || n == 0) return 0;
+    if (index > list->collection.size || n == 0) return 0;
 
     // get a correctly typed pointer to the list
     cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
 
     // do we need to move some elements?
-    if (index < list->size) {
-        char const *first_to_move = (char const *) arl->data;
-        first_to_move += index * list->item_size;
-        size_t elems_to_move = list->size - index;
+    if (index < list->collection.size) {
+        const char *first_to_move = (const char *) arl->data;
+        first_to_move += index * list->collection.elem_size;
+        size_t elems_to_move = list->collection.size - index;
         size_t start_of_moved = index + n;
 
-        if (CX_ARRAY_COPY_SUCCESS != cx_array_copy(
+        if (cx_array_copy(
                 &arl->data,
-                &list->size,
+                &list->collection.size,
                 &arl->capacity,
+                0,
                 start_of_moved,
                 first_to_move,
-                list->item_size,
+                list->collection.elem_size,
                 elems_to_move,
                 &arl->reallocator
         )) {
@@ -228,114 +666,170 @@
     // therefore, it is impossible to leave this function with an invalid array
 
     // place the new elements
-    if (CX_ARRAY_COPY_SUCCESS == cx_array_copy(
+    if (cx_array_copy(
             &arl->data,
-            &list->size,
+            &list->collection.size,
             &arl->capacity,
+            0,
             index,
             array,
-            list->item_size,
+            list->collection.elem_size,
             n,
             &arl->reallocator
     )) {
-        return n;
-    } else {
         // array list implementation is "all or nothing"
         return 0;
+    } else {
+        return n;
+    }
+}
+
+static size_t cx_arl_insert_sorted(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *sorted_data,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    // get a correctly typed pointer to the list
+    cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
+
+    if (cx_array_insert_sorted(
+            &arl->data,
+            &list->collection.size,
+            &arl->capacity,
+            list->collection.cmpfunc,
+            sorted_data,
+            list->collection.elem_size,
+            n,
+            &arl->reallocator
+    )) {
+        // array list implementation is "all or nothing"
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return n;
     }
 }
 
 static int cx_arl_insert_element(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *element
+        const void *element
 ) {
     return 1 != cx_arl_insert_array(list, index, element, 1);
 }
 
 static int cx_arl_insert_iter(
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter,
-        void const *elem,
+        struct cx_iterator_s *iter,
+        const void *elem,
         int prepend
 ) {
-    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle;
-    if (iter->index < list->size) {
+    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.m;
+    if (iter->index < list->collection.size) {
         int result = cx_arl_insert_element(
                 list,
                 iter->index + 1 - prepend,
                 elem
         );
-        if (result == 0 && prepend != 0) {
-            iter->index++;
-            iter->elem_handle = ((char *) iter->elem_handle) + list->item_size;
+        if (result == 0) {
+            iter->elem_count++;
+            if (prepend != 0) {
+                iter->index++;
+                iter->elem_handle = ((char *) iter->elem_handle) + list->collection.elem_size;
+            }
         }
         return result;
     } else {
-        int result = cx_arl_insert_element(list, list->size, elem);
-        iter->index = list->size;
+        int result = cx_arl_insert_element(list, list->collection.size, elem);
+        if (result == 0) {
+            iter->elem_count++;
+            iter->index = list->collection.size;
+        }
         return result;
     }
 }
 
-static int cx_arl_remove(
+static size_t cx_arl_remove(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
-        size_t index
+        size_t index,
+        size_t num,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
     cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
 
     // out-of-bounds check
-    if (index >= list->size) {
-        return 1;
-    }
-
-    // content destruction
-    cx_invoke_destructor(list, ((char *) arl->data) + index * list->item_size);
-
-    // short-circuit removal of last element
-    if (index == list->size - 1) {
-        list->size--;
-        return 0;
+    size_t remove;
+    if (index >= list->collection.size) {
+        remove = 0;
+    } else if (index + num > list->collection.size) {
+        remove = list->collection.size - index;
+    } else {
+        remove = num;
     }
 
-    // just move the elements starting at index to the left
-    int result = cx_array_copy(
+    // easy exit
+    if (remove == 0) return 0;
+
+    // destroy or copy contents
+    if (targetbuf == NULL) {
+        for (size_t idx = index; idx < index + remove; idx++) {
+            cx_invoke_destructor(
+                    list,
+                    ((char *) arl->data) + idx * list->collection.elem_size
+            );
+        }
+    } else {
+        memcpy(
+                targetbuf,
+                ((char *) arl->data) + index * list->collection.elem_size,
+                remove * list->collection.elem_size
+        );
+    }
+
+    // short-circuit removal of last elements
+    if (index + remove == list->collection.size) {
+        list->collection.size -= remove;
+        return remove;
+    }
+
+    // just move the elements to the left
+    cx_array_copy(
             &arl->data,
-            &list->size,
+            &list->collection.size,
             &arl->capacity,
+            0,
             index,
-            ((char *) arl->data) + (index + 1) * list->item_size,
-            list->item_size,
-            list->size - index - 1,
+            ((char *) arl->data) + (index + remove) * list->collection.elem_size,
+            list->collection.elem_size,
+            list->collection.size - index - remove,
             &arl->reallocator
     );
-    if (result == 0) {
-        // decrease the size
-        list->size--;
-    }
-    return result;
+
+    // decrease the size
+    list->collection.size -= remove;
+
+    return remove;
 }
 
 static void cx_arl_clear(struct cx_list_s *list) {
-    if (list->size == 0) return;
+    if (list->collection.size == 0) return;
 
     cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
     char *ptr = arl->data;
 
-    if (list->simple_destructor) {
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
+    if (list->collection.simple_destructor) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
             cx_invoke_simple_destructor(list, ptr);
-            ptr += list->item_size;
+            ptr += list->collection.elem_size;
         }
     }
-    if (list->advanced_destructor) {
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
+    if (list->collection.advanced_destructor) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
             cx_invoke_advanced_destructor(list, ptr);
-            ptr += list->item_size;
+            ptr += list->collection.elem_size;
         }
     }
 
-    memset(arl->data, 0, list->size * list->item_size);
-    list->size = 0;
+    memset(arl->data, 0, list->collection.size * list->collection.elem_size);
+    list->collection.size = 0;
 }
 
 static int cx_arl_swap(
@@ -343,148 +837,157 @@
         size_t i,
         size_t j
 ) {
-    if (i >= list->size || j >= list->size) return 1;
+    if (i >= list->collection.size || j >= list->collection.size) return 1;
     cx_array_list *arl = (cx_array_list *) list;
-    cx_array_swap(arl->data, list->item_size, i, j);
+    cx_array_swap(arl->data, list->collection.elem_size, i, j);
     return 0;
 }
 
 static void *cx_arl_at(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
-    if (index < list->size) {
-        cx_array_list const *arl = (cx_array_list const *) list;
+    if (index < list->collection.size) {
+        const cx_array_list *arl = (const cx_array_list *) list;
         char *space = arl->data;
-        return space + index * list->item_size;
+        return space + index * list->collection.elem_size;
     } else {
         return NULL;
     }
 }
 
-static ssize_t cx_arl_find(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        void const *elem
+static size_t cx_arl_find_remove(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *elem,
+        bool remove
 ) {
-    assert(list->cmpfunc != NULL);
-    assert(list->size < SIZE_MAX / 2);
-    char *cur = ((cx_array_list const *) list)->data;
+    assert(list != NULL);
+    assert(list->collection.cmpfunc != NULL);
+    if (list->collection.size == 0) return 0;
+    char *cur = ((const cx_array_list *) list)->data;
 
-    for (ssize_t i = 0; i < (ssize_t) list->size; i++) {
-        if (0 == list->cmpfunc(elem, cur)) {
+    // optimize with binary search, when sorted
+    if (list->collection.sorted) {
+        size_t i = cx_array_binary_search(
+            cur,
+            list->collection.size,
+            list->collection.elem_size,
+            elem,
+            list->collection.cmpfunc
+        );
+        if (remove && i < list->collection.size) {
+            cx_arl_remove(list, i, 1, NULL);
+        }
+        return i;
+    }
+
+    // fallback: linear search
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
+        if (0 == list->collection.cmpfunc(elem, cur)) {
+            if (remove) {
+                cx_arl_remove(list, i, 1, NULL);
+            }
             return i;
         }
-        cur += list->item_size;
+        cur += list->collection.elem_size;
     }
-
-    return -1;
+    return list->collection.size;
 }
 
 static void cx_arl_sort(struct cx_list_s *list) {
-    assert(list->cmpfunc != NULL);
+    assert(list->collection.cmpfunc != NULL);
     qsort(((cx_array_list *) list)->data,
-          list->size,
-          list->item_size,
-          list->cmpfunc
+          list->collection.size,
+          list->collection.elem_size,
+          list->collection.cmpfunc
     );
 }
 
 static int cx_arl_compare(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        struct cx_list_s const *other
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *other
 ) {
-    assert(list->cmpfunc != NULL);
-    if (list->size == other->size) {
-        char const *left = ((cx_array_list const *) list)->data;
-        char const *right = ((cx_array_list const *) other)->data;
-        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
-            int d = list->cmpfunc(left, right);
+    assert(list->collection.cmpfunc != NULL);
+    if (list->collection.size == other->collection.size) {
+        const char *left = ((const cx_array_list *) list)->data;
+        const char *right = ((const cx_array_list *) other)->data;
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
+            int d = list->collection.cmpfunc(left, right);
             if (d != 0) {
                 return d;
             }
-            left += list->item_size;
-            right += other->item_size;
+            left += list->collection.elem_size;
+            right += other->collection.elem_size;
         }
         return 0;
     } else {
-        return list->size < other->size ? -1 : 1;
+        return list->collection.size < other->collection.size ? -1 : 1;
     }
 }
 
 static void cx_arl_reverse(struct cx_list_s *list) {
-    if (list->size < 2) return;
-    void *data = ((cx_array_list const *) list)->data;
-    size_t half = list->size / 2;
+    if (list->collection.size < 2) return;
+    void *data = ((const cx_array_list *) list)->data;
+    size_t half = list->collection.size / 2;
     for (size_t i = 0; i < half; i++) {
-        cx_array_swap(data, list->item_size, i, list->size - 1 - i);
+        cx_array_swap(data, list->collection.elem_size, i, list->collection.size - 1 - i);
     }
 }
 
-static bool cx_arl_iter_valid(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
-    struct cx_list_s const *list = iter->src_handle;
-    return iter->index < list->size;
+static bool cx_arl_iter_valid(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    const struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.c;
+    return iter->index < list->collection.size;
 }
 
-static void *cx_arl_iter_current(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
+static void *cx_arl_iter_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
     return iter->elem_handle;
 }
 
 static void cx_arl_iter_next(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *itbase = it;
-    if (itbase->remove) {
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter = it;
-        itbase->remove = false;
-        cx_arl_remove(iter->src_handle, iter->index);
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        cx_arl_remove(iter->src_handle.m, iter->index, 1, NULL);
     } else {
-        struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
         iter->index++;
         iter->elem_handle =
                 ((char *) iter->elem_handle)
-                + ((struct cx_list_s const *) iter->src_handle)->item_size;
+                + ((const struct cx_list_s *) iter->src_handle.c)->collection.elem_size;
     }
 }
 
 static void cx_arl_iter_prev(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *itbase = it;
-    struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter = it;
-    cx_array_list *const list = iter->src_handle;
-    if (itbase->remove) {
-        itbase->remove = false;
-        cx_arl_remove(iter->src_handle, iter->index);
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    const cx_array_list *list = iter->src_handle.c;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        cx_arl_remove(iter->src_handle.m, iter->index, 1, NULL);
     }
     iter->index--;
-    if (iter->index < list->base.size) {
+    if (iter->index < list->base.collection.size) {
         iter->elem_handle = ((char *) list->data)
-                            + iter->index * list->base.item_size;
+                            + iter->index * list->base.collection.elem_size;
     }
 }
 
-static bool cx_arl_iter_flag_rm(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter = it;
-    if (iter->mutating) {
-        iter->remove = true;
-        return true;
-    } else {
-        return false;
-    }
-}
 
 static struct cx_iterator_s cx_arl_iterator(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
         bool backwards
 ) {
     struct cx_iterator_s iter;
 
     iter.index = index;
-    iter.src_handle = list;
+    iter.src_handle.c = list;
     iter.elem_handle = cx_arl_at(list, index);
+    iter.elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+    iter.elem_count = list->collection.size;
     iter.base.valid = cx_arl_iter_valid;
     iter.base.current = cx_arl_iter_current;
     iter.base.next = backwards ? cx_arl_iter_prev : cx_arl_iter_next;
-    iter.base.flag_removal = cx_arl_iter_flag_rm;
     iter.base.remove = false;
     iter.base.mutating = false;
 
@@ -495,12 +998,13 @@
         cx_arl_destructor,
         cx_arl_insert_element,
         cx_arl_insert_array,
+        cx_arl_insert_sorted,
         cx_arl_insert_iter,
         cx_arl_remove,
         cx_arl_clear,
         cx_arl_swap,
         cx_arl_at,
-        cx_arl_find,
+        cx_arl_find_remove,
         cx_arl_sort,
         cx_arl_compare,
         cx_arl_reverse,
@@ -508,9 +1012,9 @@
 };
 
 CxList *cxArrayListCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cx_compare_func comparator,
-        size_t item_size,
+        size_t elem_size,
         size_t initial_capacity
 ) {
     if (allocator == NULL) {
@@ -519,29 +1023,20 @@
 
     cx_array_list *list = cxCalloc(allocator, 1, sizeof(cx_array_list));
     if (list == NULL) return NULL;
-
-    list->base.cl = &cx_array_list_class;
-    list->base.allocator = allocator;
-    list->base.cmpfunc = comparator;
+    cx_list_init((CxList*)list, &cx_array_list_class,
+        allocator, comparator, elem_size);
     list->capacity = initial_capacity;
 
-    if (item_size > 0) {
-        list->base.item_size = item_size;
-    } else {
-        item_size = sizeof(void *);
-        cxListStorePointers((CxList *) list);
-    }
-
-    // allocate the array after the real item_size is known
-    list->data = cxCalloc(allocator, initial_capacity, item_size);
-    if (list->data == NULL) {
+    // allocate the array after the real elem_size is known
+    list->data = cxCalloc(allocator, initial_capacity,
+        list->base.collection.elem_size);
+    if (list->data == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
         cxFree(allocator, list);
         return NULL;
-    }
+    } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
     // configure the reallocator
-    list->reallocator.realloc = cx_arl_realloc;
-    list->reallocator.ptr1 = (void *) allocator;
+    list->reallocator = cx_array_reallocator(allocator, NULL);
 
     return (CxList *) list;
 }
--- a/src/ucx/buffer.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/buffer.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,25 +27,41 @@
  */
 
 #include "cx/buffer.h"
-#include "cx/utils.h"
 
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+
+static int buffer_copy_on_write(CxBuffer* buffer) {
+    if (0 == (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE)) return 0;
+    void *newspace = cxMalloc(buffer->allocator, buffer->capacity);
+    if (NULL == newspace) return -1;
+    memcpy(newspace, buffer->space, buffer->size);
+    buffer->space = newspace;
+    buffer->flags &= ~CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE;
+    buffer->flags |= CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS;
+    return 0;
+}
 
 int cxBufferInit(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         void *space,
         size_t capacity,
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         int flags
 ) {
-    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+    if (flags & CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND) {
+        flags |= CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND;
+    }
     buffer->allocator = allocator;
     buffer->flags = flags;
     if (!space) {
         buffer->bytes = cxMalloc(allocator, capacity);
         if (buffer->bytes == NULL) {
-            return 1;
+            return -1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
         }
         buffer->flags |= CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS;
     } else {
@@ -55,42 +71,55 @@
     buffer->size = 0;
     buffer->pos = 0;
 
-    buffer->flush_func = NULL;
-    buffer->flush_target = NULL;
-    buffer->flush_blkmax = 0;
-    buffer->flush_blksize = 4096;
-    buffer->flush_threshold = SIZE_MAX;
+    buffer->flush = NULL;
 
     return 0;
 }
 
+int cxBufferEnableFlushing(
+    CxBuffer *buffer,
+    CxBufferFlushConfig config
+) {
+    buffer->flush = malloc(sizeof(CxBufferFlushConfig));
+    if (buffer->flush == NULL) return -1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    memcpy(buffer->flush, &config, sizeof(CxBufferFlushConfig));
+    return 0;
+}
+
 void cxBufferDestroy(CxBuffer *buffer) {
-    if ((buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS) == CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS) {
+    if (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS) {
         cxFree(buffer->allocator, buffer->bytes);
     }
+    free(buffer->flush);
+    memset(buffer, 0, sizeof(CxBuffer));
 }
 
 CxBuffer *cxBufferCreate(
         void *space,
         size_t capacity,
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         int flags
 ) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
     CxBuffer *buf = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxBuffer));
     if (buf == NULL) return NULL;
     if (0 == cxBufferInit(buf, space, capacity, allocator, flags)) {
         return buf;
     } else {
+        // LCOV_EXCL_START
         cxFree(allocator, buf);
         return NULL;
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
     }
 }
 
 void cxBufferFree(CxBuffer *buffer) {
-    if ((buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS) == CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS) {
-        cxFree(buffer->allocator, buffer->bytes);
-    }
-    cxFree(buffer->allocator, buffer);
+    if (buffer == NULL) return;
+    const CxAllocator *allocator = buffer->allocator;
+    cxBufferDestroy(buffer);
+    cxFree(allocator, buffer);
 }
 
 int cxBufferSeek(
@@ -117,10 +146,11 @@
     npos += offset;
 
     if ((offset > 0 && npos < opos) || (offset < 0 && npos > opos)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
         return -1;
     }
 
-    if (npos >= buffer->size) {
+    if (npos > buffer->size) {
         return -1;
     } else {
         buffer->pos = npos;
@@ -130,12 +160,19 @@
 }
 
 void cxBufferClear(CxBuffer *buffer) {
-    memset(buffer->bytes, 0, buffer->size);
+    if (0 == (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE)) {
+        memset(buffer->bytes, 0, buffer->size);
+    }
     buffer->size = 0;
     buffer->pos = 0;
 }
 
-int cxBufferEof(CxBuffer const *buffer) {
+void cxBufferReset(CxBuffer *buffer) {
+    buffer->size = 0;
+    buffer->pos = 0;
+}
+
+bool cxBufferEof(const CxBuffer *buffer) {
     return buffer->pos >= buffer->size;
 }
 
@@ -147,58 +184,82 @@
         return 0;
     }
 
-    if (cxReallocate(buffer->allocator,
+    const int force_copy_flags = CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE | CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND;
+    if (buffer->flags & force_copy_flags) {
+        void *newspace = cxMalloc(buffer->allocator, newcap);
+        if (NULL == newspace) return -1;
+        memcpy(newspace, buffer->space, buffer->size);
+        buffer->space = newspace;
+        buffer->capacity = newcap;
+        buffer->flags &= ~force_copy_flags;
+        buffer->flags |= CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS;
+        return 0;
+    } else if (cxReallocate(buffer->allocator,
                      (void **) &buffer->bytes, newcap) == 0) {
         buffer->capacity = newcap;
         return 0;
     } else {
-        return -1;
+        return -1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
     }
 }
 
-/**
- * Helps flushing data to the flush target of a buffer.
- *
- * @param buffer the buffer containing the config
- * @param space the data to flush
- * @param size the element size
- * @param nitems the number of items
- * @return the number of items flushed
- */
-static size_t cx_buffer_write_flush_helper(
-        CxBuffer *buffer,
-        unsigned char const *space,
+static size_t cx_buffer_flush_helper(
+        const CxBuffer *buffer,
+        const unsigned char *src,
         size_t size,
         size_t nitems
 ) {
-    size_t pos = 0;
-    size_t remaining = nitems;
-    size_t max_items = buffer->flush_blksize / size;
-    while (remaining > 0) {
-        size_t items = remaining > max_items ? max_items : remaining;
-        size_t flushed = buffer->flush_func(
-                space + pos,
-                size, items,
-                buffer->flush_target);
+    // flush data from an arbitrary source
+    // does not need to be the buffer's contents
+    size_t max_items = buffer->flush->blksize / size;
+    size_t fblocks = 0;
+    size_t flushed_total = 0;
+    while (nitems > 0 && fblocks < buffer->flush->blkmax) {
+        fblocks++;
+        size_t items = nitems > max_items ? max_items : nitems;
+        size_t flushed = buffer->flush->wfunc(
+            src, size, items, buffer->flush->target);
         if (flushed > 0) {
-            pos += (flushed * size);
-            remaining -= flushed;
+            flushed_total += flushed;
+            src += flushed * size;
+            nitems -= flushed;
         } else {
             // if no bytes can be flushed out anymore, we give up
             break;
         }
     }
-    return nitems - remaining;
+    return flushed_total;
+}
+
+static size_t cx_buffer_flush_impl(CxBuffer *buffer, size_t size) {
+    // flush the current contents of the buffer
+    unsigned char *space = buffer->bytes;
+    size_t remaining = buffer->pos / size;
+    size_t flushed_total = cx_buffer_flush_helper(
+        buffer, space, size, remaining);
+
+    // shift the buffer left after flushing
+    // IMPORTANT: up to this point, copy on write must have been
+    // performed already, because we can't do error handling here
+    cxBufferShiftLeft(buffer, flushed_total*size);
+
+    return flushed_total;
+}
+
+size_t cxBufferFlush(CxBuffer *buffer) {
+    if (buffer_copy_on_write(buffer)) return 0;
+    return cx_buffer_flush_impl(buffer, 1);
 }
 
 size_t cxBufferWrite(
-        void const *ptr,
+        const void *ptr,
         size_t size,
         size_t nitems,
         CxBuffer *buffer
 ) {
     // optimize for easy case
     if (size == 1 && (buffer->capacity - buffer->pos) >= nitems) {
+        if (buffer_copy_on_write(buffer)) return 0;
         memcpy(buffer->bytes + buffer->pos, ptr, nitems);
         buffer->pos += nitems;
         if (buffer->pos > buffer->size) {
@@ -207,82 +268,89 @@
         return nitems;
     }
 
-    size_t len;
-    size_t nitems_out = nitems;
+    size_t len, total_flushed = 0;
+cx_buffer_write_retry:
     if (cx_szmul(size, nitems, &len)) {
-        return 0;
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return total_flushed;
     }
-    size_t required = buffer->pos + len;
-    if (buffer->pos > required) {
-        return 0;
+    if (buffer->pos > SIZE_MAX - len) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return total_flushed;
     }
 
+    size_t required = buffer->pos + len;
     bool perform_flush = false;
     if (required > buffer->capacity) {
-        if ((buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) == CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND && required) {
-            if (buffer->flush_blkmax > 0 && required > buffer->flush_threshold) {
+        if (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) {
+            if (buffer->flush != NULL && required > buffer->flush->threshold) {
                 perform_flush = true;
             } else {
                 if (cxBufferMinimumCapacity(buffer, required)) {
-                    return 0;
+                    return total_flushed; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
                 }
             }
         } else {
-            if (buffer->flush_blkmax > 0) {
+            if (buffer->flush != NULL) {
                 perform_flush = true;
             } else {
-                // truncate data to be written, if we can neither extend nor flush
+                // truncate data, if we can neither extend nor flush
                 len = buffer->capacity - buffer->pos;
                 if (size > 1) {
                     len -= len % size;
                 }
-                nitems_out = len / size;
+                nitems = len / size;
             }
         }
     }
 
+    // check here and not above because of possible truncation
     if (len == 0) {
-        return len;
+        return total_flushed;
     }
 
-    if (perform_flush) {
-        size_t flush_max;
-        if (cx_szmul(buffer->flush_blkmax, buffer->flush_blksize, &flush_max)) {
-            return 0;
-        }
-        size_t flush_pos = buffer->flush_func == NULL || buffer->flush_target == NULL
-                           ? buffer->pos
-                           : cx_buffer_write_flush_helper(buffer, buffer->bytes, 1, buffer->pos);
-        if (flush_pos == buffer->pos) {
-            // entire buffer has been flushed, we can reset
-            buffer->size = buffer->pos = 0;
-
-            size_t items_flush; // how many items can also be directly flushed
-            size_t items_keep; // how many items have to be written to the buffer
+    // check if we need to copy
+    if (buffer_copy_on_write(buffer)) return 0;
 
-            items_flush = flush_max >= required ? nitems : (flush_max - flush_pos) / size;
-            if (items_flush > 0) {
-                items_flush = cx_buffer_write_flush_helper(buffer, ptr, size, items_flush / size);
-                // in case we could not flush everything, keep the rest
+    // perform the operation
+    if (perform_flush) {
+        size_t items_flushed;
+        if (buffer->pos == 0) {
+            // if we don't have data in the buffer, but are instructed
+            // to flush, it means that we are supposed to relay the data
+            items_flushed = cx_buffer_flush_helper(buffer, ptr, size, nitems);
+            if (items_flushed == 0) {
+                // we needed to relay data, but could not flush anything
+                // i.e. we have to give up to avoid endless trying
+                return 0;
+            }
+            nitems -= items_flushed;
+            total_flushed += items_flushed;
+            if (nitems > 0) {
+                ptr = ((unsigned char*)ptr) + items_flushed * size;
+                goto cx_buffer_write_retry;
             }
-            items_keep = nitems - items_flush;
-            if (items_keep > 0) {
-                // try again with the remaining stuff
-                unsigned char const *new_ptr = ptr;
-                new_ptr += items_flush * size;
-                // report the directly flushed items as written plus the remaining stuff
-                return items_flush + cxBufferWrite(new_ptr, size, items_keep, buffer);
-            } else {
-                // all items have been flushed - report them as written
-                return nitems;
+            return total_flushed;
+        } else {
+            items_flushed = cx_buffer_flush_impl(buffer, size);
+            if (items_flushed == 0) {
+                // flush target is full, let's try to truncate
+                size_t remaining_space;
+                if (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) {
+                    remaining_space = buffer->flush->threshold > buffer->pos
+                                          ? buffer->flush->threshold - buffer->pos
+                                          : 0;
+                } else {
+                    remaining_space = buffer->capacity > buffer->pos
+                                          ? buffer->capacity - buffer->pos
+                                          : 0;
+                }
+                nitems = remaining_space / size;
+                if (nitems == 0) {
+                    return total_flushed;
+                }
             }
-        } else if (flush_pos == 0) {
-            // nothing could be flushed at all, we immediately give up without writing any data
-            return 0;
-        } else {
-            // we were partially successful, we shift left and try again
-            cxBufferShiftLeft(buffer, flush_pos);
-            return cxBufferWrite(ptr, size, nitems, buffer);
+            goto cx_buffer_write_retry;
         }
     } else {
         memcpy(buffer->bytes + buffer->pos, ptr, len);
@@ -290,9 +358,31 @@
         if (buffer->pos > buffer->size) {
             buffer->size = buffer->pos;
         }
-        return nitems_out;
+        return total_flushed + nitems;
     }
+}
 
+size_t cxBufferAppend(
+        const void *ptr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t nitems,
+        CxBuffer *buffer
+) {
+    size_t pos = buffer->pos;
+    size_t append_pos = buffer->size;
+    buffer->pos = append_pos;    
+    size_t written = cxBufferWrite(ptr, size, nitems, buffer);
+    // the buffer might have been flushed
+    // we must compute a possible delta for the position
+    // expected: pos = append_pos + written
+    // -> if this is not the case, there is a delta
+    size_t delta = append_pos + written*size - buffer->pos;
+    if (delta > pos) {
+        buffer->pos = 0;
+    } else {
+        buffer->pos = pos - delta;
+    }
+    return written;
 }
 
 int cxBufferPut(
@@ -308,6 +398,17 @@
     }
 }
 
+int cxBufferTerminate(CxBuffer *buffer) {
+    bool success = 0 == cxBufferPut(buffer, 0);
+    if (success) {
+        buffer->pos--;
+        buffer->size--;
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return -1;
+    }
+}
+
 size_t cxBufferPutString(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         const char *str
@@ -323,6 +424,7 @@
 ) {
     size_t len;
     if (cx_szmul(size, nitems, &len)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
         return 0;
     }
     if (buffer->pos + len > buffer->size) {
@@ -357,6 +459,7 @@
     if (shift >= buffer->size) {
         buffer->pos = buffer->size = 0;
     } else {
+        if (buffer_copy_on_write(buffer)) return -1;
         memmove(buffer->bytes, buffer->bytes + shift, buffer->size - shift);
         buffer->size -= shift;
 
@@ -373,14 +476,18 @@
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         size_t shift
 ) {
+    if (buffer->size > SIZE_MAX - shift) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        return -1;
+    }
     size_t req_capacity = buffer->size + shift;
     size_t movebytes;
 
     // auto extend buffer, if required and enabled
     if (buffer->capacity < req_capacity) {
-        if ((buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) == CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) {
+        if (buffer->flags & CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND) {
             if (cxBufferMinimumCapacity(buffer, req_capacity)) {
-                return 1;
+                return -1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
             }
             movebytes = buffer->size;
         } else {
@@ -390,8 +497,11 @@
         movebytes = buffer->size;
     }
 
-    memmove(buffer->bytes + shift, buffer->bytes, movebytes);
-    buffer->size = shift + movebytes;
+    if (movebytes > 0) {
+        if (buffer_copy_on_write(buffer)) return -1;
+        memmove(buffer->bytes + shift, buffer->bytes, movebytes);
+        buffer->size = shift + movebytes;
+    }
 
     buffer->pos += shift;
     if (buffer->pos > buffer->size) {
--- a/src/ucx/compare.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/compare.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -30,9 +30,21 @@
 
 #include <math.h>
 
-int cx_cmp_int(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_vcmp_int(int a, int b) {
+    if (a == b) {
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return a < b ? -1 : 1;
+    }
+}
+
+int cx_cmp_int(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     int a = *((const int *) i1);
     int b = *((const int *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_int(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_longint(long int a, long int b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -40,9 +52,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_longint(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_longint(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     long int a = *((const long int *) i1);
     long int b = *((const long int *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_longint(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_longlong(long long a, long long b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -50,9 +66,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_longlong(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_longlong(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     long long a = *((const long long *) i1);
     long long b = *((const long long *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_longlong(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_int16(int16_t a, int16_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -60,9 +80,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_int16(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_int16(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     int16_t a = *((const int16_t *) i1);
     int16_t b = *((const int16_t *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_int16(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_int32(int32_t a, int32_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -70,9 +94,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_int32(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_int32(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     int32_t a = *((const int32_t *) i1);
     int32_t b = *((const int32_t *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_int32(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_int64(int64_t a, int64_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -80,9 +108,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_int64(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_int64(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     int64_t a = *((const int64_t *) i1);
     int64_t b = *((const int64_t *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_int64(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_uint(unsigned int a, unsigned int b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -90,9 +122,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_uint(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_uint(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     unsigned int a = *((const unsigned int *) i1);
     unsigned int b = *((const unsigned int *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_uint(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_ulongint(unsigned long int a, unsigned long int b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -100,9 +136,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_ulongint(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_ulongint(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     unsigned long int a = *((const unsigned long int *) i1);
     unsigned long int b = *((const unsigned long int *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_ulongint(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_ulonglong(unsigned long long a, unsigned long long b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -110,9 +150,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_ulonglong(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_ulonglong(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     unsigned long long a = *((const unsigned long long *) i1);
     unsigned long long b = *((const unsigned long long *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_ulonglong(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_uint16(uint16_t a, uint16_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -120,9 +164,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_uint16(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_uint16(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     uint16_t a = *((const uint16_t *) i1);
     uint16_t b = *((const uint16_t *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_uint16(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_uint32(uint32_t a, uint32_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -130,9 +178,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_uint32(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_uint32(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     uint32_t a = *((const uint32_t *) i1);
     uint32_t b = *((const uint32_t *) i2);
+    return cx_vcmp_uint32(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_uint64(uint64_t a, uint64_t b) {
     if (a == b) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -140,19 +192,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_uint64(void const *i1, void const *i2) {
+int cx_cmp_uint64(const void *i1, const void *i2) {
     uint64_t a = *((const uint64_t *) i1);
     uint64_t b = *((const uint64_t *) i2);
-    if (a == b) {
-        return 0;
-    } else {
-        return a < b ? -1 : 1;
-    }
+    return cx_vcmp_uint64(a, b);
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_float(void const *f1, void const *f2) {
-    float a = *((const float *) f1);
-    float b = *((const float *) f2);
+int cx_vcmp_float(float a, float b) {
     if (fabsf(a - b) < 1e-6f) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -160,12 +206,13 @@
     }
 }
 
-int cx_cmp_double(
-        void const *d1,
-        void const *d2
-) {
-    double a = *((const double *) d1);
-    double b = *((const double *) d2);
+int cx_cmp_float(const void *f1, const void *f2) {
+    float a = *((const float *) f1);
+    float b = *((const float *) f2);
+    return cx_vcmp_float(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_double(double a, double b) {
     if (fabs(a - b) < 1e-14) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -173,12 +220,33 @@
     }
 }
 
+int cx_cmp_double(
+        const void *d1,
+        const void *d2
+) {
+    double a = *((const double *) d1);
+    double b = *((const double *) d2);
+    return cx_vcmp_double(a, b);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_intptr(intptr_t p1, intptr_t p2) {
+    if (p1 == p2) {
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return p1 < p2 ? -1 : 1;
+    }
+}
+
 int cx_cmp_intptr(
-        void const *ptr1,
-        void const *ptr2
+        const void *ptr1,
+        const void *ptr2
 ) {
     intptr_t p1 = *(const intptr_t *) ptr1;
     intptr_t p2 = *(const intptr_t *) ptr2;
+    return cx_vcmp_intptr(p1, p2);
+}
+
+int cx_vcmp_uintptr(uintptr_t p1, uintptr_t p2) {
     if (p1 == p2) {
         return 0;
     } else {
@@ -187,15 +255,23 @@
 }
 
 int cx_cmp_uintptr(
-        void const *ptr1,
-        void const *ptr2
+        const void *ptr1,
+        const void *ptr2
 ) {
     uintptr_t p1 = *(const uintptr_t *) ptr1;
     uintptr_t p2 = *(const uintptr_t *) ptr2;
+    return cx_vcmp_uintptr(p1, p2);
+}
+
+int cx_cmp_ptr(
+        const void *ptr1,
+        const void *ptr2
+) {
+    uintptr_t p1 = (uintptr_t) ptr1;
+    uintptr_t p2 = (uintptr_t) ptr2;
     if (p1 == p2) {
         return 0;
     } else {
         return p1 < p2 ? -1 : 1;
     }
 }
-
--- a/src/ucx/cx/allocator.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/allocator.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file allocator.h
+ * @file allocator.h
  * Interface for custom allocators.
  */
 
@@ -58,16 +58,15 @@
             void *data,
             void *mem,
             size_t n
-    )
-    __attribute__((__warn_unused_result__));
+    );
 
     /**
      * The allocator's calloc() implementation.
      */
     void *(*calloc)(
             void *data,
-            size_t nelem,
-            size_t n
+            size_t nmemb,
+            size_t size
     );
 
     /**
@@ -76,8 +75,7 @@
     void (*free)(
             void *data,
             void *mem
-    )
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+    );
 } cx_allocator_class;
 
 /**
@@ -102,27 +100,28 @@
 /**
  * A default allocator using standard library malloc() etc.
  */
-extern CxAllocator *cxDefaultAllocator;
+cx_attr_export
+extern const CxAllocator * const cxDefaultAllocator;
 
 /**
  * Function pointer type for destructor functions.
  *
  * A destructor function deallocates possible contents and MAY free the memory
- * pointed to by \p memory. Read the documentation of the respective function
- * pointer to learn if a destructor SHALL, MAY, or MUST NOT free the memory in that
- * particular implementation.
+ * pointed to by @p memory. Read the documentation of the respective function
+ * pointer to learn if a destructor SHALL, MAY, or MUST NOT free the memory in
+ * that particular implementation.
  *
  * @param memory a pointer to the object to destruct
   */
-typedef void (*cx_destructor_func)(void *memory) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+typedef void (*cx_destructor_func)(void *memory);
 
 /**
  * Function pointer type for destructor functions.
  *
  * A destructor function deallocates possible contents and MAY free the memory
- * pointed to by \p memory. Read the documentation of the respective function
- * pointer to learn if a destructor SHALL, MAY, or MUST NOT free the memory in that
- * particular implementation.
+ * pointed to by @p memory. Read the documentation of the respective function
+ * pointer to learn if a destructor SHALL, MAY, or MUST NOT free the memory in
+ * that particular implementation.
  *
  * @param data an optional pointer to custom data
  * @param memory a pointer to the object to destruct
@@ -130,108 +129,290 @@
 typedef void (*cx_destructor_func2)(
         void *data,
         void *memory
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(2)));
+);
 
 /**
- * Re-allocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place, if necessary.
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
  *
- * \par Error handling
- * \c errno will be set by realloc() on failure.
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set by realloc() on failure.
  *
  * @param mem pointer to the pointer to allocated block
  * @param n the new size in bytes
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cx_reallocatearray()
  */
-int cx_reallocate(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_reallocate_(
         void **mem,
         size_t n
-)
-__attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ *
+ * The size is calculated by multiplying @p nemb and @p size.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set by realloc() on failure or when the multiplication of
+ * @p nmemb and @p size overflows.
+ *
+ * @param mem pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param nmemb the number of elements
+ * @param size the size of each element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cx_reallocate()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_reallocatearray_(
+        void **mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+);
 
 /**
- * Allocate \p n bytes of memory.
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set by realloc() on failure.
+ *
+ * @param mem (@c void**) pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param n (@c size_t) the new size in bytes
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cx_reallocatearray()
+ */
+#define cx_reallocate(mem, n) cx_reallocate_((void**)(mem), n)
+
+/**
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ *
+ * The size is calculated by multiplying @p nemb and @p size.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set by realloc() on failure or when the multiplication of
+ * @p nmemb and @p size overflows.
+ *
+ * @param mem (@c void**) pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param nmemb (@c size_t) the number of elements
+ * @param size (@c size_t) the size of each element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+#define cx_reallocatearray(mem, nmemb, size) \
+    cx_reallocatearray_((void**)(mem), nmemb, size)
+
+/**
+ * Free a block allocated by this allocator.
+ *
+ * @note Freeing a block of a different allocator is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator
+ * @param mem a pointer to the block to free
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
+void cxFree(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void *mem
+);
+
+/**
+ * Allocate @p n bytes of memory.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator
  * @param n the number of bytes
  * @return a pointer to the allocated memory
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc_ucx
+cx_attr_allocsize(2)
+cx_attr_export
 void *cxMalloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         size_t n
-)
-__attribute__((__malloc__))
-__attribute__((__alloc_size__(2)));
+);
 
 /**
- * Re-allocate the previously allocated block in \p mem, making the new block \p n bytes long.
- * This function may return the same pointer that was passed to it, if moving the memory
- * was not necessary.
+ * Reallocate the previously allocated block in @p mem, making the new block
+ * @p n bytes long.
+ * This function may return the same pointer that was passed to it, if moving
+ * the memory was not necessary.
  *
- * \note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator
  * @param mem pointer to the previously allocated block
  * @param n the new size in bytes
- * @return a pointer to the re-allocated memory
+ * @return a pointer to the reallocated memory
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_dealloc_ucx
+cx_attr_allocsize(3)
+cx_attr_export
 void *cxRealloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         void *mem,
         size_t n
-)
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-__attribute__((__alloc_size__(3)));
+);
 
 /**
- * Re-allocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place, if necessary.
- * This function acts like cxRealloc() using the pointer pointed to by \p mem.
+ * Reallocate the previously allocated block in @p mem, making the new block
+ * @p n bytes long.
+ * This function may return the same pointer that was passed to it, if moving
+ * the memory was not necessary.
+ *
+ * The size is calculated by multiplying @p nemb and @p size.
+ * If that multiplication overflows, this function returns @c NULL and @c errno
+ * will be set.
+ *
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
  *
- * \note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ * @param allocator the allocator
+ * @param mem pointer to the previously allocated block
+ * @param nmemb the number of elements
+ * @param size the size of each element
+ * @return a pointer to the reallocated memory
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_dealloc_ucx
+cx_attr_allocsize(3, 4)
+cx_attr_export
+void *cxReallocArray(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void *mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ * This function acts like cxRealloc() using the pointer pointed to by @p mem.
  *
- * \par Error handling
- * \c errno will be set, if the underlying realloc function does so.
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set, if the underlying realloc function does so.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator
  * @param mem pointer to the pointer to allocated block
  * @param n the new size in bytes
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
  */
-int cxReallocate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxReallocate_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         void **mem,
         size_t n
-)
-__attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ * This function acts like cxRealloc() using the pointer pointed to by @p mem.
+ *
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set, if the underlying realloc function does so.
+ *
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator
+ * @param mem (@c void**) pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param n (@c size_t) the new size in bytes
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+#define cxReallocate(allocator, mem, n) \
+    cxReallocate_(allocator, (void**)(mem), n)
 
 /**
- * Allocate \p nelem elements of \p n bytes each, all initialized to zero.
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ * This function acts like cxReallocArray() using the pointer pointed to
+ * by @p mem.
+ *
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set, if the underlying realloc function does so or the
+ * multiplication of @p nmemb and @p size overflows.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator
- * @param nelem the number of elements
- * @param n the size of each element in bytes
+ * @param mem pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param nmemb the number of elements
+ * @param size the size of each element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero on failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxReallocateArray_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void **mem,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reallocate a previously allocated block and changes the pointer in-place,
+ * if necessary.
+ * This function acts like cxReallocArray() using the pointer pointed to
+ * by @p mem.
+ *
+ * @note Re-allocating a block allocated by a different allocator is undefined.
+ *
+ * @par Error handling
+ * @c errno will be set, if the underlying realloc function does so or the
+ * multiplication of @p nmemb and @p size overflows.
+ *
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator
+ * @param mem (@c void**) pointer to the pointer to allocated block
+ * @param nmemb (@c size_t) the number of elements
+ * @param size (@c size_t) the size of each element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+#define cxReallocateArray(allocator, mem, nmemb, size) \
+        cxReallocateArray_(allocator, (void**) (mem), nmemb, size)
+
+/**
+ * Allocate @p nmemb elements of @p n bytes each, all initialized to zero.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator
+ * @param nmemb the number of elements
+ * @param size the size of each element in bytes
  * @return a pointer to the allocated memory
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc_ucx
+cx_attr_allocsize(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
 void *cxCalloc(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        size_t nelem,
-        size_t n
-)
-__attribute__((__malloc__))
-__attribute__((__alloc_size__(2, 3)));
-
-/**
- * Free a block allocated by this allocator.
- *
- * \note Freeing a block of a different allocator is undefined.
- *
- * @param allocator the allocator
- * @param mem a pointer to the block to free
- */
-void cxFree(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        void *mem
-)
-__attribute__((__nonnull__));
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        size_t nmemb,
+        size_t size
+);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/array_list.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/array_list.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,13 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file array_list.h
- * \brief Array list implementation.
- * \details Also provides several low-level functions for custom array list implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file array_list.h
+ * @brief Array list implementation.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 
@@ -46,23 +44,148 @@
 #endif
 
 /**
+ * The maximum item size in an array list that fits into stack buffer
+ * when swapped.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern const unsigned cx_array_swap_sbo_size;
+
+/**
+ * Declares variables for an array that can be used with the convenience macros.
+ *
+ * @par Examples
+ * @code
+ * // integer array with at most 255 elements
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(int, myarray, uint8_t)
+ *
+ * // array of MyObject* pointers where size and capacity are stored as unsigned int
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(MyObject*, objects, unsigned int)
+ *
+ * // initializing code
+ * cx_array_initialize(myarray, 16); // reserve space for 16
+ * cx_array_initialize(objects, 100); // reserve space for 100
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ * @param type the type of the data
+ * @param name the name of the array
+ * @param size_type the type of the size (should be uint8_t, uint16_t, uint32_t, or size_t)
+ *
+ * @see cx_array_initialize()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_copy()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add_sorted()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_insert_sorted()
+ */
+#define CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(type, name, size_type) \
+    type * name; \
+    /** Array size. */ size_type name##_size; \
+    /** Array capacity. */ size_type name##_capacity
+
+/**
+ * Declares variables for an array that can be used with the convenience macros.
+ *
+ * The size and capacity variables will have @c size_t type.
+ * Use #CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED() to specify a different type.
+ *
+ * @par Examples
+ * @code
+ * // int array
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(int, myarray)
+ *
+ * // initializing code
+ * cx_array_initialize(myarray, 32); // reserve space for 32
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ * @param type the type of the data
+ * @param name the name of the array
+ *
+ * @see cx_array_initialize()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_copy()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add_sorted()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_insert_sorted()
+ */
+#define CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(type, name) CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(type, name, size_t)
+
+/**
+ * Initializes an array with the given capacity.
+ *
+ * The type of the capacity depends on the type used during declaration.
+ *
+ * @par Examples
+ * @code
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(int, arr1, uint8_t)
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(int, arr2) // size and capacity are implicitly size_t
+ *
+ * // initializing code
+ * cx_array_initialize(arr1, 500); // error: maximum for uint8_t is 255
+ * cx_array_initialize(arr2, 500); // OK
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ *
+ * The memory for the array is allocated with stdlib malloc().
+ * @param array the name of the array
+ * @param capacity the initial capacity
+ * @see cx_array_initialize_a()
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED()
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ */
+#define cx_array_initialize(array, capacity) \
+        array##_capacity = capacity; \
+        array##_size = 0; \
+        array = malloc(sizeof(array[0]) * capacity)
+
+/**
+ * Initializes an array with the given capacity using the specified allocator.
+ *
+ * @par Example
+ * @code
+ * CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(int, myarray)
+ *
+ *
+ * const CxAllocator *al = // ...
+ * cx_array_initialize_a(al, myarray, 128);
+ * // ...
+ * cxFree(al, myarray); // don't forget to free with same allocator
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ * The memory for the array is allocated with stdlib malloc().
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator
+ * @param array the name of the array
+ * @param capacity the initial capacity
+ * @see cx_array_initialize()
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED()
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ */
+#define cx_array_initialize_a(allocator, array, capacity) \
+        array##_capacity = capacity; \
+        array##_size = 0; \
+        array = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(array[0]) * capacity)
+
+/**
  * Defines a reallocation mechanism for arrays.
+ * You can create your own, use cx_array_reallocator(), or
+ * use the #cx_array_default_reallocator.
  */
 struct cx_array_reallocator_s {
     /**
-     * Re-allocates space for the given array.
+     * Reallocates space for the given array.
      *
      * Implementations are not required to free the original array.
-     * This allows re-allocation of static memory by allocating heap memory
-     * and copying the array contents. The information in \p data can keep
-     * track of the state of the memory or other additional allocator info.
+     * This allows reallocation of static memory by allocating heap memory
+     * and copying the array contents. The information in the custom fields of
+     * the referenced allocator can be used to track the state of the memory
+     * or to transport other additional data.
      *
      * @param array the array to reallocate
      * @param capacity the new capacity (number of elements)
      * @param elem_size the size of each element
      * @param alloc a reference to this allocator
-     * @return a pointer to the reallocated memory or \c NULL on failure
+     * @return a pointer to the reallocated memory or @c NULL on failure
      */
+    cx_attr_nodiscard
+    cx_attr_nonnull_arg(4)
+    cx_attr_allocsize(2, 3)
     void *(*realloc)(
             void *array,
             size_t capacity,
@@ -89,50 +212,467 @@
 };
 
 /**
- * Return codes for cx_array_copy().
+ * Typedef for the array reallocator struct.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_array_reallocator_s CxArrayReallocator;
+
+/**
+ * A default stdlib-based array reallocator.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern CxArrayReallocator *cx_array_default_reallocator;
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new array reallocator.
+ *
+ * When @p allocator is @c NULL, the stdlib default allocator will be used.
+ *
+ * When @p stackmem is not @c NULL, the reallocator is supposed to be used
+ * @em only for the specific array that is initially located at @p stackmem.
+ * When reallocation is needed, the reallocator checks, if the array is
+ * still located at @p stackmem and copies the contents to the heap.
+ *
+ * @note Invoking this function with both arguments @c NULL will return a
+ * reallocator that behaves like #cx_array_default_reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator this reallocator shall be based on
+ * @param stackmem the address of the array when the array is initially located
+ * on the stack or shall not reallocated in place
+ * @return an array reallocator
  */
-enum cx_array_copy_result {
-    CX_ARRAY_COPY_SUCCESS,
-    CX_ARRAY_COPY_REALLOC_NOT_SUPPORTED,
-    CX_ARRAY_COPY_REALLOC_FAILED,
-};
+cx_attr_export
+CxArrayReallocator cx_array_reallocator(
+        const struct cx_allocator_s *allocator,
+        const void *stackmem
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reserves memory for additional elements.
+ *
+ * This function checks if the @p capacity of the array is sufficient to hold
+ * at least @p size plus @p elem_count elements. If not, a reallocation is
+ * performed with the specified @p reallocator.
+ * You can create your own reallocator by hand, use #cx_array_default_reallocator,
+ * or use the convenience function cx_array_reallocator() to create a custom reallocator.
+ *
+ * This function can be useful to replace subsequent calls to cx_array_copy()
+ * with one single cx_array_reserve() and then - after guaranteeing a
+ * sufficient capacity - use simple memmove() or memcpy().
+ *
+ * The @p width in bytes refers to the size and capacity.
+ * Both must have the same width.
+ * Supported are 0, 1, 2, and 4, as well as 8 if running on a 64 bit
+ * architecture. If set to zero, the native word width is used.
+ *
+ * @param array a pointer to the target array
+ * @param size a pointer to the size of the array
+ * @param capacity a pointer to the capacity of the array
+ * @param width the width in bytes for the @p size and @p capacity or zero for default
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ * @param elem_count the number of expected additional elements
+ * @param reallocator the array reallocator to use
+ * (@c NULL defaults to #cx_array_default_reallocator)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cx_array_reallocator()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_array_reserve(
+        void **array,
+        void *size,
+        void *capacity,
+        unsigned width,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
+);
 
 /**
  * Copies elements from one array to another.
  *
- * The elements are copied to the \p target array at the specified \p index,
- * overwriting possible elements. The \p index does not need to be in range of
- * the current array \p size. If the new index plus the number of elements added
- * would extend the array's size, and \p capacity is not \c NULL, the remaining
- * capacity is used.
+ * The elements are copied to the @p target array at the specified @p index,
+ * overwriting possible elements. The @p index does not need to be in range of
+ * the current array @p size. If the new index plus the number of elements added
+ * would extend the array's size, the remaining @p capacity is used.
+ *
+ * If the @p capacity is also insufficient to hold the new data, a reallocation
+ * attempt is made with the specified @p reallocator.
+ * You can create your own reallocator by hand, use #cx_array_default_reallocator,
+ * or use the convenience function cx_array_reallocator() to create a custom reallocator.
  *
- * If the capacity is insufficient to hold the new data, a reallocation
- * attempt is made, unless the allocator is set to \c NULL, in which case
- * this function ultimately returns a failure.
+ * The @p width in bytes refers to the size and capacity.
+ * Both must have the same width.
+ * Supported are 0, 1, 2, and 4, as well as 8 if running on a 64 bit
+ * architecture. If set to zero, the native word width is used.
  *
- * @param target the target array
+ * @param target a pointer to the target array
  * @param size a pointer to the size of the target array
- * @param capacity a pointer to the target array's capacity -
- * \c NULL if only the size shall be used to bound the array
+ * @param capacity a pointer to the capacity of the target array
+ * @param width the width in bytes for the @p size and @p capacity or zero for default
  * @param index the index where the copied elements shall be placed
  * @param src the source array
  * @param elem_size the size of one element
  * @param elem_count the number of elements to copy
- * @param reallocator the array re-allocator to use, or \c NULL
- * if re-allocation shall not happen
- * @return zero on success, non-zero error code on failure
+ * @param reallocator the array reallocator to use
+ * (@c NULL defaults to #cx_array_default_reallocator)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cx_array_reallocator()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3, 6)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_array_copy(
+        void **target,
+        void *size,
+        void *capacity,
+        unsigned width,
+        size_t index,
+        const void *src,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
+);
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_copy() with a default layout and
+ * the specified reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param index (@c size_t) the index where the copied elements shall be placed
+ * @param src (@c void*) the source array
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of elements to copy
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_copy()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_copy_a(reallocator, array, index, src, count) \
+    cx_array_copy((void**)&(array), &(array##_size), &(array##_capacity), \
+        sizeof(array##_size), index, src, sizeof((array)[0]), count, \
+        reallocator)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_copy() with a default layout and
+ * the default reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param index (@c size_t) the index where the copied elements shall be placed
+ * @param src (@c void*) the source array
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of elements to copy
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_copy_a()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_copy(array, index, src, count) \
+    cx_array_simple_copy_a(NULL, array, index, src, count)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_reserve() with a default layout and
+ * the specified reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of expected @em additional elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_reserve()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_reserve_a(reallocator, array, count) \
+    cx_array_reserve((void**)&(array), &(array##_size), &(array##_capacity), \
+        sizeof(array##_size), sizeof((array)[0]), count, \
+        reallocator)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_reserve() with a default layout and
+ * the default reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of expected additional elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_reserve_a()
  */
-enum cx_array_copy_result cx_array_copy(
+#define cx_array_simple_reserve(array, count) \
+    cx_array_simple_reserve_a(NULL, array, count)
+
+/**
+ * Adds an element to an array with the possibility of allocating more space.
+ *
+ * The element @p elem is added to the end of the @p target array which contains
+ * @p size elements, already. The @p capacity must point to a variable denoting
+ * the current maximum number of elements the array can hold.
+ *
+ * If the capacity is insufficient to hold the new element, an attempt to
+ * increase the @p capacity is made and the new capacity is written back.
+ *
+ * The \@ SIZE_TYPE is flexible and can be any unsigned integer type.
+ * It is important, however, that @p size and @p capacity are pointers to
+ * variables of the same type.
+ *
+ * @param target (@c void**) a pointer to the target array
+ * @param size (@c SIZE_TYPE*) a pointer to the size of the target array
+ * @param capacity (@c SIZE_TYPE*) a pointer to the capacity of the target array
+ * @param elem_size (@c size_t) the size of one element
+ * @param elem (@c void*) a pointer to the element to add
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+#define cx_array_add(target, size, capacity, elem_size, elem, reallocator) \
+    cx_array_copy((void**)(target), size, capacity, sizeof(*(size)), \
+    *(size), elem, elem_size, 1, reallocator)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_add() with a default layout and
+ * the specified reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param elem the element to add (NOT a pointer, address is automatically taken)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_add_a(reallocator, array, elem) \
+    cx_array_simple_copy_a(reallocator, array, array##_size, &(elem), 1)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro that uses cx_array_add() with a default layout and
+ * the default reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param elem the element to add (NOT a pointer, address is automatically taken)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add_a()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_add(array, elem) \
+    cx_array_simple_add_a(cx_array_default_reallocator, array, elem)
+
+/**
+ * Inserts a sorted array into another sorted array.
+ *
+ * If either the target or the source array is not already sorted with respect
+ * to the specified @p cmp_func, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * If the capacity is insufficient to hold the new data, a reallocation
+ * attempt is made.
+ * You can create your own reallocator by hand, use #cx_array_default_reallocator,
+ * or use the convenience function cx_array_reallocator() to create a custom reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param target a pointer to the target array
+ * @param size a pointer to the size of the target array
+ * @param capacity a pointer to the capacity of the target array
+ * @param cmp_func the compare function for the elements
+ * @param src the source array
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ * @param elem_count the number of elements to insert
+ * @param reallocator the array reallocator to use
+ * (@c NULL defaults to #cx_array_default_reallocator)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3, 5)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_array_insert_sorted(
         void **target,
         size_t *size,
         size_t *capacity,
-        size_t index,
-        void const *src,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func,
+        const void *src,
         size_t elem_size,
         size_t elem_count,
-        struct cx_array_reallocator_s *reallocator
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(1, 2, 5)));
+        CxArrayReallocator *reallocator
+);
+
+/**
+ * Inserts an element into a sorted array.
+ *
+ * If the target array is not already sorted with respect
+ * to the specified @p cmp_func, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * If the capacity is insufficient to hold the new data, a reallocation
+ * attempt is made.
+ *
+ * The \@ SIZE_TYPE is flexible and can be any unsigned integer type.
+ * It is important, however, that @p size and @p capacity are pointers to
+ * variables of the same type.
+ *
+ * @param target (@c void**) a pointer to the target array
+ * @param size (@c SIZE_TYPE*) a pointer to the size of the target array
+ * @param capacity (@c SIZE_TYPE*) a pointer to the capacity of the target array
+ * @param elem_size (@c size_t) the size of one element
+ * @param elem (@c void*) a pointer to the element to add
+ * @param cmp_func (@c cx_cmp_func) the compare function for the elements
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+#define cx_array_add_sorted(target, size, capacity, elem_size, elem, cmp_func, reallocator) \
+    cx_array_insert_sorted((void**)(target), size, capacity, cmp_func, elem, elem_size, 1, reallocator)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro for cx_array_add_sorted() with a default
+ * layout and the specified reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param elem the element to add (NOT a pointer, address is automatically taken)
+ * @param cmp_func (@c cx_cmp_func) the compare function for the elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add_sorted()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_add_sorted_a(reallocator, array, elem, cmp_func) \
+    cx_array_add_sorted(&array, &(array##_size), &(array##_capacity), \
+        sizeof((array)[0]), &(elem), cmp_func, reallocator)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro for cx_array_add_sorted() with a default
+ * layout and the default reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param elem the element to add (NOT a pointer, address is automatically taken)
+ * @param cmp_func (@c cx_cmp_func) the compare function for the elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_add_sorted_a()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_add_sorted(array, elem, cmp_func) \
+    cx_array_simple_add_sorted_a(NULL, array, elem, cmp_func)
+
+/**
+ * Convenience macro for cx_array_insert_sorted() with a default
+ * layout and the specified reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param reallocator (@c CxArrayReallocator*) the array reallocator to use
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param src (@c void*) pointer to the source array
+ * @param n (@c size_t) number of elements in the source array
+ * @param cmp_func (@c cx_cmp_func) the compare function for the elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_insert_sorted()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_insert_sorted_a(reallocator, array, src, n, cmp_func) \
+    cx_array_insert_sorted((void**)(&array), &(array##_size), &(array##_capacity), \
+        cmp_func, src, sizeof((array)[0]), n, reallocator)
 
+/**
+ * Convenience macro for cx_array_insert_sorted() with a default
+ * layout and the default reallocator.
+ *
+ * @param array the name of the array (NOT a pointer or alias to the array)
+ * @param src (@c void*) pointer to the source array
+ * @param n (@c size_t) number of elements in the source array
+ * @param cmp_func (@c cx_cmp_func) the compare function for the elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see CX_ARRAY_DECLARE()
+ * @see cx_array_simple_insert_sorted_a()
+ */
+#define cx_array_simple_insert_sorted(array, src, n, cmp_func) \
+    cx_array_simple_insert_sorted_a(NULL, array, src, n, cmp_func)
+
+/**
+ * Searches the largest lower bound in a sorted array.
+ *
+ * In other words, this function returns the index of the largest element
+ * in @p arr that is less or equal to @p elem with respect to @p cmp_func.
+ * When no such element exists, @p size is returned.
+ *
+ * If @p elem is contained in the array, this is identical to
+ * #cx_array_binary_search().
+ *
+ * If the array is not sorted with respect to the @p cmp_func, the behavior
+ * is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param arr the array to search
+ * @param size the size of the array
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ * @param elem the element to find
+ * @param cmp_func the compare function
+ * @return the index of the largest lower bound, or @p size
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search_sup()
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_array_binary_search_inf(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+);
+
+/**
+ * Searches an item in a sorted array.
+ *
+ * If the array is not sorted with respect to the @p cmp_func, the behavior
+ * is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param arr the array to search
+ * @param size the size of the array
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ * @param elem the element to find
+ * @param cmp_func the compare function
+ * @return the index of the element in the array, or @p size if the element
+ * cannot be found
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search_inf()
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search_sup()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_array_binary_search(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+);
+
+/**
+ * Searches the smallest upper bound in a sorted array.
+ *
+ * In other words, this function returns the index of the smallest element
+ * in @p arr that is greater or equal to @p elem with respect to @p cmp_func.
+ * When no such element exists, @p size is returned.
+ *
+ * If @p elem is contained in the array, this is identical to
+ * #cx_array_binary_search().
+ *
+ * If the array is not sorted with respect to the @p cmp_func, the behavior
+ * is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param arr the array to search
+ * @param size the size of the array
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ * @param elem the element to find
+ * @param cmp_func the compare function
+ * @return the index of the smallest upper bound, or @p size
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search_inf()
+ * @see cx_array_binary_search()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_array_binary_search_sup(
+        const void *arr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        const void *elem,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+);
 
 /**
  * Swaps two array elements.
@@ -142,50 +682,59 @@
  * @param idx1 index of first element
  * @param idx2 index of second element
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_array_swap(
         void *arr,
         size_t elem_size,
         size_t idx1,
         size_t idx2
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
- * Allocates an array list for storing elements with \p item_size bytes each.
+ * Allocates an array list for storing elements with @p elem_size bytes each.
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list will be created as if
- * cxListStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements and the compare function will be automatically set
+ * to cx_cmp_ptr(), if none is given.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator for allocating the list memory
- * (if \c NULL the cxDefaultAllocator will be used)
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
  * @param comparator the comparator for the elements
- * (if \c NULL sort and find functions will not work)
- * @param item_size the size of each element in bytes
+ * (if @c NULL, and the list is not storing pointers, sort and find
+ * functions will not work)
+ * @param elem_size the size of each element in bytes
  * @param initial_capacity the initial number of elements the array can store
  * @return the created list
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxListFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
 CxList *cxArrayListCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cx_compare_func comparator,
-        size_t item_size,
+        size_t elem_size,
         size_t initial_capacity
 );
 
 /**
- * Allocates an array list for storing elements with \p item_size bytes each.
+ * Allocates an array list for storing elements with @p elem_size bytes each.
  *
- * The list will use the cxDefaultAllocator and \em NO compare function.
+ * The list will use the cxDefaultAllocator and @em NO compare function.
  * If you want to call functions that need a compare function, you have to
  * set it immediately after creation or use cxArrayListCreate().
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list will be created as if
- * cxListStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements and the compare function will be automatically set
+ * to cx_cmp_ptr(), if none is given.
  *
- * @param item_size the size of each element in bytes
- * @param initial_capacity the initial number of elements the array can store
+ * @param elem_size (@c size_t) the size of each element in bytes
+ * @param initial_capacity (@c size_t) the initial number of elements the array can store
  * @return the created list
  */
-#define cxArrayListCreateSimple(item_size, initial_capacity) \
-    cxArrayListCreate(NULL, NULL, item_size, initial_capacity)
+#define cxArrayListCreateSimple(elem_size, initial_capacity) \
+    cxArrayListCreate(NULL, NULL, elem_size, initial_capacity)
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/buffer.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/buffer.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@
  */
 
 /**
- * \file buffer.h
+ * @file buffer.h
  *
- * \brief Advanced buffer implementation.
+ * @brief Advanced buffer implementation.
  *
  * Instances of CxBuffer can be used to read from or to write to like one
  * would do with a stream.
@@ -38,10 +38,9 @@
  * can be enabled. See the documentation of the macro constants for more
  * information.
  *
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_BUFFER_H
@@ -50,7 +49,7 @@
 #include "common.h"
 #include "allocator.h"
 
-#ifdef    __cplusplus
+#ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
@@ -61,16 +60,101 @@
 
 /**
  * If this flag is enabled, the buffer will automatically free its contents when destroyed.
+ *
+ * Do NOT set this flag together with #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE. It will be automatically
+ * set when the copy-on-write operations is performed.
  */
 #define CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS 0x01
 
 /**
- * If this flag is enabled, the buffer will automatically extends its capacity.
+ * If this flag is enabled, the buffer will automatically extend its capacity.
  */
 #define CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND 0x02
 
+/**
+ * If this flag is enabled, the buffer will allocate new memory when written to.
+ *
+ * The current contents of the buffer will be copied to the new memory and the flag
+ * will be cleared while the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS flag will be set automatically.
+ */
+#define CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE 0x04
+
+/**
+ * If this flag is enabled, the buffer will copy its contents to a new memory area on reallocation.
+ *
+ * After performing the copy, the flag is automatically cleared.
+ * This flag has no effect on buffers which do not have #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND set, which is why
+ * buffers automatically admit the auto-extend flag when initialized with copy-on-extend enabled.
+ */
+#define CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND 0x08
+
+/**
+ * Function pointer for cxBufferWrite that is compatible with cx_write_func.
+ * @see cx_write_func
+ */
+#define cxBufferWriteFunc  ((cx_write_func) cxBufferWrite)
+/**
+ * Function pointer for cxBufferRead that is compatible with cx_read_func.
+ * @see cx_read_func
+ */
+#define cxBufferReadFunc  ((cx_read_func) cxBufferRead)
+
+/**
+ * Configuration for automatic flushing.
+ */
+struct cx_buffer_flush_config_s {
+    /**
+     * The buffer may not extend beyond this threshold before starting to flush.
+     *
+     * Only used when the buffer uses #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND.
+     * The threshold will be the maximum capacity the buffer is extended to
+     * before flushing.
+     */
+    size_t threshold;
+    /**
+     * The block size for the elements to flush.
+     */
+    size_t blksize;
+    /**
+     * The maximum number of blocks to flush in one cycle.
+     *
+     * @attention while it is guaranteed that cxBufferFlush() will not flush
+     * more blocks, this is not necessarily the case for cxBufferWrite().
+     * After performing a flush cycle, cxBufferWrite() will retry the write
+     * operation and potentially trigger another flush cycle, until the
+     * flush target accepts no more data.
+     */
+    size_t blkmax;
+
+    /**
+     * The target for write function.
+     */
+    void *target;
+
+    /**
+     * The write-function used for flushing.
+     * If NULL, the flushed content gets discarded.
+     */
+    cx_write_func wfunc;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the flush configuration struct.
+ *
+ * @code
+ * struct cx_buffer_flush_config_s {
+ *     size_t threshold;
+ *     size_t blksize;
+ *     size_t blkmax;
+ *     void *target;
+ *     cx_write_func wfunc;
+ * };
+ * @endcode
+ */
+typedef struct cx_buffer_flush_config_s CxBufferFlushConfig;
+
 /** Structure for the UCX buffer data. */
-typedef struct {
+struct cx_buffer_s {
     /** A pointer to the buffer contents. */
     union {
         /**
@@ -83,7 +167,13 @@
         unsigned char *bytes;
     };
     /** The allocator to use for automatic memory management. */
-    CxAllocator const *allocator;
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
+    /**
+     * Optional flush configuration
+     *
+     * @see cxBufferEnableFlushing()
+     */
+    CxBufferFlushConfig *flush;
     /** Current position of the buffer. */
     size_t pos;
     /** Current capacity (i.e. maximum size) of the buffer. */
@@ -91,98 +181,80 @@
     /** Current size of the buffer content. */
     size_t size;
     /**
-     * The buffer may not extend beyond this threshold before starting to flush.
-     * Default is \c SIZE_MAX (flushing disabled when auto extension is enabled).
-     */
-    size_t flush_threshold;
-    /**
-     * The block size for the elements to flush.
-     * Default is 4096 bytes.
-     */
-    size_t flush_blksize;
-    /**
-     * The maximum number of blocks to flush in one cycle.
-     * Zero disables flushing entirely (this is the default).
-     * Set this to \c SIZE_MAX to flush the entire buffer.
-     *
-     * @attention if the maximum number of blocks multiplied with the block size
-     * is smaller than the expected contents written to this buffer within one write
-     * operation, multiple flush cycles are performed after that write.
-     * That means the total number of blocks flushed after one write to this buffer may
-     * be larger than \c flush_blkmax.
-     */
-    size_t flush_blkmax;
-
-    /**
-     * The write function used for flushing.
-     * If NULL, the flushed content gets discarded.
-     */
-    cx_write_func flush_func;
-
-    /**
-     * The target for \c flush_func.
-     */
-    void *flush_target;
-
-    /**
      * Flag register for buffer features.
      * @see #CX_BUFFER_DEFAULT
      * @see #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS
      * @see #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND
+     * @see #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE
      */
     int flags;
-} cx_buffer_s;
+};
 
 /**
  * UCX buffer.
  */
-typedef cx_buffer_s CxBuffer;
+typedef struct cx_buffer_s CxBuffer;
 
 /**
  * Initializes a fresh buffer.
  *
- * \note You may provide \c NULL as argument for \p space.
+ * You may also provide a read-only @p space, in which case
+ * you will need to cast the pointer, and you should set the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE flag.
+ *
+ * You need to set the size manually after initialization, if
+ * you provide @p space which already contains data.
+ *
+ * When you specify stack memory as @p space and decide to use
+ * the auto-extension feature, you @em must use the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND flag, instead of the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND flag.
+ *
+ * @note You may provide @c NULL as argument for @p space.
  * Then this function will allocate the space and enforce
- * the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS flag.
+ * the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS flag. In that case, specifying
+ * copy-on-write should be avoided, because the allocated
+ * space will be leaking after the copy-on-write operation.
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer to initialize
- * @param space pointer to the memory area, or \c NULL to allocate
+ * @param space pointer to the memory area, or @c NULL to allocate
  * new memory
  * @param capacity the capacity of the buffer
  * @param allocator the allocator this buffer shall use for automatic
- * memory management. If \c NULL, the default heap allocator will be used.
+ * memory management
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
  * @param flags buffer features (see cx_buffer_s.flags)
  * @return zero on success, non-zero if a required allocation failed
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__(1)))
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferInit(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         void *space,
         size_t capacity,
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         int flags
 );
 
 /**
- * Allocates and initializes a fresh buffer.
+ * Configures the buffer for flushing.
  *
- * \note You may provide \c NULL as argument for \p space.
- * Then this function will allocate the space and enforce
- * the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS flag.
+ * Flushing can happen automatically when data is written
+ * to the buffer (see cxBufferWrite()) or manually when
+ * cxBufferFlush() is called.
  *
- * @param space pointer to the memory area, or \c NULL to allocate
- * new memory
- * @param capacity the capacity of the buffer
- * @param allocator the allocator to use for allocating the structure and the automatic
- * memory management within the buffer. If \c NULL, the default heap allocator will be used.
- * @param flags buffer features (see cx_buffer_s.flags)
- * @return a pointer to the buffer on success, \c NULL if a required allocation failed
+ * @param buffer the buffer
+ * @param config the flush configuration
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ * @see cxBufferFlush()
+ * @see cxBufferWrite()
  */
-CxBuffer *cxBufferCreate(
-        void *space,
-        size_t capacity,
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        int flags
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxBufferEnableFlushing(
+    CxBuffer *buffer,
+    CxBufferFlushConfig config
 );
 
 /**
@@ -194,22 +266,61 @@
  * @param buffer the buffer which contents shall be destroyed
  * @see cxBufferInit()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cxBufferDestroy(CxBuffer *buffer);
 
 /**
  * Deallocates the buffer.
  *
  * If the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS feature is enabled, this function also destroys
- * the contents. If you \em only want to destroy the contents, use cxBufferDestroy().
+ * the contents. If you @em only want to destroy the contents, use cxBufferDestroy().
+ *
+ * @remark As with all free() functions, this accepts @c NULL arguments in which
+ * case it does nothing.
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer to deallocate
  * @see cxBufferCreate()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_export
 void cxBufferFree(CxBuffer *buffer);
 
 /**
+ * Allocates and initializes a fresh buffer.
+ *
+ * You may also provide a read-only @p space, in which case
+ * you will need to cast the pointer, and you should set the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE flag.
+ * When you specify stack memory as @p space and decide to use
+ * the auto-extension feature, you @em must use the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND flag, instead of the
+ * #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND flag.
+ *
+ * @note You may provide @c NULL as argument for @p space.
+ * Then this function will allocate the space and enforce
+ * the #CX_BUFFER_FREE_CONTENTS flag.
+ *
+ * @param space pointer to the memory area, or @c NULL to allocate
+ * new memory
+ * @param capacity the capacity of the buffer
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use for allocating the structure and the automatic
+ * memory management within the buffer
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
+ * @param flags buffer features (see cx_buffer_s.flags)
+ * @return a pointer to the buffer on success, @c NULL if a required allocation failed
+ */
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxBufferFree, 1)
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxBuffer *cxBufferCreate(
+        void *space,
+        size_t capacity,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        int flags
+);
+
+/**
  * Shifts the contents of the buffer by the given offset.
  *
  * If the offset is positive, the contents are shifted to the right.
@@ -220,7 +331,7 @@
  * are discarded.
  *
  * If the offset is negative, the contents are shifted to the left where the
- * first \p shift bytes are discarded.
+ * first @p shift bytes are discarded.
  * The new size of the buffer is the old size minus the absolute shift value.
  * If this value is larger than the buffer size, the buffer is emptied (but
  * not cleared, see the security note below).
@@ -228,11 +339,11 @@
  * The buffer position gets shifted alongside with the content but is kept
  * within the boundaries of the buffer.
  *
- * \note For situations where \c off_t is not large enough, there are specialized cxBufferShiftLeft() and
- * cxBufferShiftRight() functions using a \c size_t as parameter type.
+ * @note For situations where @c off_t is not large enough, there are specialized cxBufferShiftLeft() and
+ * cxBufferShiftRight() functions using a @c size_t as parameter type.
  *
- * \attention
- * Security Note: The shifting operation does \em not erase the previously occupied memory cells.
+ * @attention
+ * Security Note: The shifting operation does @em not erase the previously occupied memory cells.
  * But you can easily do that manually, e.g. by calling
  * <code>memset(buffer->bytes, 0, shift)</code> for a right shift or
  * <code>memset(buffer->bytes + buffer->size, 0, buffer->capacity - buffer->size)</code>
@@ -240,9 +351,13 @@
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer
  * @param shift the shift offset (negative means left shift)
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero if a required auto-extension fails
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero if a required auto-extension or copy-on-write fails
+ * @see cxBufferShiftLeft()
+ * @see cxBufferShiftRight()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferShift(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         off_t shift
@@ -254,10 +369,12 @@
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer
  * @param shift the shift offset
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero if a required auto-extension fails
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero if a required auto-extension or copy-on-write fails
  * @see cxBufferShift()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferShiftRight(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         size_t shift
@@ -267,15 +384,14 @@
  * Shifts the buffer to the left.
  * See cxBufferShift() for details.
  *
- * \note Since a left shift cannot fail due to memory allocation problems, this
- * function always returns zero.
- *
  * @param buffer the buffer
  * @param shift the positive shift offset
- * @return always zero
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero if the buffer uses copy-on-write and the allocation fails
  * @see cxBufferShift()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferShiftLeft(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         size_t shift
@@ -285,23 +401,25 @@
 /**
  * Moves the position of the buffer.
  *
- * The new position is relative to the \p whence argument.
+ * The new position is relative to the @p whence argument.
  *
- * \li \c SEEK_SET marks the start of the buffer.
- * \li \c SEEK_CUR marks the current position.
- * \li \c SEEK_END marks the end of the buffer.
+ * @li @c SEEK_SET marks the start of the buffer.
+ * @li @c SEEK_CUR marks the current position.
+ * @li @c SEEK_END marks the end of the buffer.
  *
  * With an offset of zero, this function sets the buffer position to zero
- * (\c SEEK_SET), the buffer size (\c SEEK_END) or leaves the buffer position
- * unchanged (\c SEEK_CUR).
+ * (@c SEEK_SET), the buffer size (@c SEEK_END) or leaves the buffer position
+ * unchanged (@c SEEK_CUR).
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer
- * @param offset position offset relative to \p whence
- * @param whence one of \c SEEK_SET, \c SEEK_CUR or \c SEEK_END
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero if the position is invalid
+ * @param offset position offset relative to @p whence
+ * @param whence one of @c SEEK_SET, @c SEEK_CUR or @c SEEK_END
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero if the position is invalid
  *
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferSeek(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         off_t offset,
@@ -312,21 +430,43 @@
  * Clears the buffer by resetting the position and deleting the data.
  *
  * The data is deleted by zeroing it with a call to memset().
+ * If you do not need that, you can use the faster cxBufferReset().
+ *
+ * @note If the #CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE flag is set, this function
+ * will not erase the data and behave exactly as cxBufferReset().
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer to be cleared
+ * @see cxBufferReset()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cxBufferClear(CxBuffer *buffer);
 
 /**
- * Tests, if the buffer position has exceeded the buffer capacity.
+ * Resets the buffer by resetting the position and size to zero.
+ *
+ * The data in the buffer is not deleted. If you need a safe
+ * reset of the buffer, use cxBufferClear().
+ *
+ * @param buffer the buffer to be cleared
+ * @see cxBufferClear()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxBufferReset(CxBuffer *buffer);
+
+/**
+ * Tests, if the buffer position has exceeded the buffer size.
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer to test
- * @return non-zero, if the current buffer position has exceeded the last
- * available byte of the buffer.
+ * @retval true if the current buffer position has exceeded the last
+ * byte of the buffer's contents
+ * @retval false otherwise
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-int cxBufferEof(CxBuffer const *buffer);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+bool cxBufferEof(const CxBuffer *buffer);
 
 
 /**
@@ -336,9 +476,11 @@
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer
  * @param capacity the minimum required capacity for this buffer
- * @return 0 on success or a non-zero value on failure
+ * @retval zero the capacity was already sufficient or successfully increased
+ * @retval non-zero on allocation failure
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferMinimumCapacity(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         size_t capacity
@@ -347,51 +489,155 @@
 /**
  * Writes data to a CxBuffer.
  *
+ * If automatic flushing is not enabled, the data is simply written into the
+ * buffer at the current position and the position of the buffer is increased
+ * by the number of bytes written.
+ *
  * If flushing is enabled and the buffer needs to flush, the data is flushed to
  * the target until the target signals that it cannot take more data by
  * returning zero via the respective write function. In that case, the remaining
  * data in this buffer is shifted to the beginning of this buffer so that the
- * newly available space can be used to append as much data as possible. This
- * function only stops writing more elements, when the flush target and this
+ * newly available space can be used to append as much data as possible.
+ *
+ * This function only stops writing more elements, when the flush target and this
  * buffer are both incapable of taking more data or all data has been written.
- * The number returned by this function is the total number of elements that
- * could be written during the process. It does not necessarily mean that those
- * elements are still in this buffer, because some of them could have also be
- * flushed already.
+ *
+ * If, after flushing, the number of items that shall be written still exceeds
+ * the capacity or flush threshold, this function tries to write all items directly
+ * to the flush target, if possible.
+ *
+ * The number returned by this function is the number of elements from
+ * @c ptr that could be written to either the flush target or the buffer
+ * (so it does not include the number of items that had been already in the buffer
+ * in were flushed during the process).
+ *
+ * @attention
+ * When @p size is larger than one and the contents of the buffer are not aligned
+ * with @p size, flushing stops after all complete items have been flushed, leaving
+ * the mis-aligned part in the buffer.
+ * Afterward, this function only writes as many items as possible to the buffer.
+ *
+ * @note The signature is compatible with the fwrite() family of functions.
  *
- * If automatic flushing is not enabled, the position of the buffer is increased
- * by the number of bytes written.
+ * @param ptr a pointer to the memory area containing the bytes to be written
+ * @param size the length of one element
+ * @param nitems the element count
+ * @param buffer the CxBuffer to write to
+ * @return the total count of elements written
+ * @see cxBufferAppend()
+ * @see cxBufferRead()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxBufferWrite(
+        const void *ptr,
+        size_t size,
+        size_t nitems,
+        CxBuffer *buffer
+);
+
+/**
+ * Appends data to a CxBuffer.
  *
- * \note The signature is compatible with the fwrite() family of functions.
+ * The data is always appended to current data within the buffer,
+ * regardless of the current position.
+ * This is especially useful when the buffer is primarily meant for reading
+ * while additional data is added to the buffer occasionally.
+ * Consequently, the position of the buffer is unchanged after this operation.
+ *
+ * @note The signature is compatible with the fwrite() family of functions.
  *
  * @param ptr a pointer to the memory area containing the bytes to be written
  * @param size the length of one element
  * @param nitems the element count
  * @param buffer the CxBuffer to write to
  * @return the total count of elements written
+ * @see cxBufferWrite()
+ * @see cxBufferRead()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-size_t cxBufferWrite(
-        void const *ptr,
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxBufferAppend(
+        const void *ptr,
         size_t size,
         size_t nitems,
         CxBuffer *buffer
 );
 
 /**
+ * Performs a single flush-run on the specified buffer.
+ *
+ * Does nothing when the position in the buffer is zero.
+ * Otherwise, the data until the current position minus
+ * one is considered for flushing.
+ * Note carefully that flushing will never exceed the
+ * current @em position, even when the size of the
+ * buffer is larger than the current position.
+ *
+ * One flush run will try to flush @c blkmax many
+ * blocks of size @c blksize until either the @p buffer
+ * has no more data to flush or the write function
+ * used for flushing returns zero.
+ *
+ * The buffer is shifted left for that many bytes
+ * the flush operation has successfully flushed.
+ *
+ * @par Example 1
+ * Assume you have a buffer with size 340 and you are
+ * at position 200. The flush configuration is
+ * @c blkmax=4 and @c blksize=64 .
+ * Assume that the entire flush operation is successful.
+ * All 200 bytes on the left hand-side from the current
+ * position are written.
+ * That means, the size of the buffer is now 140 and the
+ * position is zero.
+ *
+ * @par Example 2
+ * Same as Example 1, but now the @c blkmax is 1.
+ * The size of the buffer is now 276 and the position is 136.
+ *
+ * @par Example 3
+ * Same as Example 1, but now assume the flush target
+ * only accepts 100 bytes before returning zero.
+ * That means, the flush operations manages to flush
+ * one complete block and one partial block, ending
+ * up with a buffer with size 240 and position 100.
+ *
+ * @remark Just returns zero when flushing was not enabled with
+ * cxBufferEnableFlushing().
+ *
+ * @remark When the buffer uses copy-on-write, the memory
+ * is copied first, before attempting any flush.
+ * This is, however, considered an erroneous use of the
+ * buffer, because it does not make much sense to put
+ * readonly data into an UCX buffer for flushing, instead
+ * of writing it directly to the target.
+ *
+ * @param buffer the buffer
+ * @return the number of successfully flushed bytes
+ * @see cxBufferEnableFlushing()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxBufferFlush(CxBuffer *buffer);
+
+/**
  * Reads data from a CxBuffer.
  *
  * The position of the buffer is increased by the number of bytes read.
  *
- * \note The signature is compatible with the fread() family of functions.
+ * @note The signature is compatible with the fread() family of functions.
  *
  * @param ptr a pointer to the memory area where to store the read data
  * @param size the length of one element
  * @param nitems the element count
  * @param buffer the CxBuffer to read from
  * @return the total number of elements read
+ * @see cxBufferWrite()
+ * @see cxBufferAppend()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cxBufferRead(
         void *ptr,
         size_t size,
@@ -404,30 +650,55 @@
  *
  * The least significant byte of the argument is written to the buffer. If the
  * end of the buffer is reached and #CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND feature is enabled,
- * the buffer capacity is extended by cxBufferMinimumCapacity(). If the feature is
- * disabled or buffer extension fails, \c EOF is returned.
+ * the buffer capacity is extended by cxBufferMinimumCapacity(). If the feature
+ * is disabled or buffer extension fails, @c EOF is returned.
  *
  * On successful write, the position of the buffer is increased.
  *
+ * If you just want to write a null-terminator at the current position, you
+ * should use cxBufferTerminate() instead.
+ *
  * @param buffer the buffer to write to
  * @param c the character to write
- * @return the byte that has bean written or \c EOF when the end of the stream is
+ * @return the byte that has been written or @c EOF when the end of the stream is
  * reached and automatic extension is not enabled or not possible
+ * @see cxBufferTerminate()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferPut(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         int c
 );
 
 /**
+ * Writes a terminating zero to a buffer at the current position.
+ *
+ * On successful write, @em neither the position @em nor the size of the buffer is
+ * increased.
+ *
+ * The purpose of this function is to have the written data ready to be used as
+ * a C string.
+ *
+ * @param buffer the buffer to write to
+ * @return zero, if the terminator could be written, non-zero otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxBufferTerminate(CxBuffer *buffer);
+
+/**
  * Writes a string to a buffer.
  *
+ * This is a convenience function for <code>cxBufferWrite(str, 1, strlen(str), buffer)</code>.
+ *
  * @param buffer the buffer
  * @param str the zero-terminated string
  * @return the number of bytes written
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cxBufferPutString(
         CxBuffer *buffer,
         const char *str
@@ -439,9 +710,10 @@
  * The current position of the buffer is increased after a successful read.
  *
  * @param buffer the buffer to read from
- * @return the character or \c EOF, if the end of the buffer is reached
+ * @return the character or @c EOF, if the end of the buffer is reached
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxBufferGet(CxBuffer *buffer);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
--- a/src/ucx/cx/collection.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/collection.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file collection.h
- * \brief Common definitions for various collection implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file collection.h
+ * @brief Common definitions for various collection implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_COLLECTION_H
@@ -39,6 +38,7 @@
 
 #include "allocator.h"
 #include "iterator.h"
+#include "compare.h"
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -50,56 +50,125 @@
 #define CX_STORE_POINTERS 0
 
 /**
- * A comparator function comparing two collection elements.
+ * Base attributes of a collection.
  */
-typedef int(*cx_compare_func)(
-        void const *left,
-        void const *right
-);
+struct cx_collection_s {
+    /**
+     * The allocator to use.
+     */
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
+    /**
+     * The comparator function for the elements.
+     */
+    cx_compare_func cmpfunc;
+    /**
+     * The size of each element.
+     */
+    size_t elem_size;
+    /**
+     * The number of currently stored elements.
+     */
+    size_t size;
+    /**
+     * An optional simple destructor for the collection's elements.
+     *
+     * @attention Read the documentation of the particular collection implementation
+     * whether this destructor shall only destroy the contents or also free the memory.
+     */
+    cx_destructor_func simple_destructor;
+    /**
+     * An optional advanced destructor for the collection's elements.
+     *
+     * @attention Read the documentation of the particular collection implementation
+     * whether this destructor shall only destroy the contents or also free the memory.
+     */
+    cx_destructor_func2 advanced_destructor;
+    /**
+     * The pointer to additional data that is passed to the advanced destructor.
+     */
+    void *destructor_data;
+    /**
+     * Indicates if this list is supposed to store pointers
+     * instead of copies of the actual objects.
+     */
+    bool store_pointer;
+    /**
+     * Indicates if this collection is guaranteed to be sorted.
+     * Note that the elements can still be sorted, even when the collection is not aware of that.
+     */
+    bool sorted;
+};
 
 /**
  * Use this macro to declare common members for a collection structure.
+ *
+ * @par Example Use
+ * @code
+ * struct MyCustomSet {
+ *     CX_COLLECTION_BASE;
+ *     MySetElements *data;
+ * }
+ * @endcode
  */
-#define CX_COLLECTION_MEMBERS \
-    /** \
-     * The allocator to use. \
-     */ \
-    CxAllocator const *allocator; \
-    /** \
-     * The comparator function for the elements. \
-     */ \
-    cx_compare_func cmpfunc; \
-    /** \
-     * The size of each element. \
-     */ \
-    size_t item_size; \
-    /** \
-     * The number of currently stored elements. \
-     */ \
-    size_t size; \
-    /** \
-     * An optional simple destructor for the collection's elements. \
-     * \
-     * @attention Read the documentation of the particular collection implementation \
-     * whether this destructor shall only destroy the contents or also free the memory. \
-     */ \
-    cx_destructor_func simple_destructor; \
-    /** \
-     * An optional advanced destructor for the collection's elements. \
-     * \
-     * @attention Read the documentation of the particular collection implementation \
-     * whether this destructor shall only destroy the contents or also free the memory. \
-     */ \
-    cx_destructor_func2 advanced_destructor; \
-    /** \
-     * The pointer to additional data that is passed to the advanced destructor. \
-     */ \
-    void *destructor_data; \
-    /** \
-     * Indicates if this instance of a collection is supposed to store pointers \
-     * instead of copies of the actual objects. \
-     */ \
-    bool store_pointer;
+#define CX_COLLECTION_BASE struct cx_collection_s collection
+
+/**
+ * Returns the number of elements currently stored.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @return (@c size_t) the number of currently stored elements
+ */
+#define cxCollectionSize(c) ((c)->collection.size)
+
+/**
+ * Returns the size of one element.
+ *
+ * If #cxCollectionStoresPointers() returns true, this is the size of a pointer.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @return (@c size_t) the size of one element in bytes
+ */
+#define cxCollectionElementSize(c) ((c)->collection.elem_size)
+
+/**
+ * Indicates whether this collection only stores pointers instead of the actual data.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @retval true if this collection stores only pointers to data
+ * @retval false if this collection stores the actual element's data
+ */
+#define cxCollectionStoresPointers(c) ((c)->collection.store_pointer)
+
+/**
+ * Indicates whether the collection can guarantee that the stored elements are currently sorted.
+ *
+ * This may return false even when the elements are sorted.
+ * It is totally up to the implementation of the collection whether it keeps track of the order of its elements.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @retval true if the elements are currently sorted wrt. the collection's compare function
+ * @retval false if the order of elements is unknown
+ */
+#define cxCollectionSorted(c) ((c)->collection.sorted)
+
+/**
+ * Sets a simple destructor function for this collection.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @param destr the destructor function
+ */
+#define cxDefineDestructor(c, destr) \
+    (c)->collection.simple_destructor = (cx_destructor_func) destr
+
+/**
+ * Sets a simple destructor function for this collection.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @param destr the destructor function
+ */
+#define cxDefineAdvancedDestructor(c, destr, data) \
+    (c)->collection.advanced_destructor = (cx_destructor_func2) destr; \
+    (c)->collection.destructor_data = data
 
 /**
  * Invokes the simple destructor function for a specific element.
@@ -107,11 +176,14 @@
  * Usually only used by collection implementations. There should be no need
  * to invoke this macro manually.
  *
- * @param c the collection
- * @param e the element
+ * When the collection stores pointers, those pointers are directly passed
+ * to the destructor. Otherwise, a pointer to the element is passed.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @param e the element (the type is @c void* or @c void** depending on context)
  */
 #define cx_invoke_simple_destructor(c, e) \
-    (c)->simple_destructor((c)->store_pointer ? (*((void **) (e))) : (e))
+    (c)->collection.simple_destructor((c)->collection.store_pointer ? (*((void **) (e))) : (e))
 
 /**
  * Invokes the advanced destructor function for a specific element.
@@ -119,12 +191,15 @@
  * Usually only used by collection implementations. There should be no need
  * to invoke this macro manually.
  *
- * @param c the collection
- * @param e the element
+ * When the collection stores pointers, those pointers are directly passed
+ * to the destructor. Otherwise, a pointer to the element is passed.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @param e the element (the type is @c void* or @c void** depending on context)
  */
 #define cx_invoke_advanced_destructor(c, e) \
-    (c)->advanced_destructor((c)->destructor_data, \
-    (c)->store_pointer ? (*((void **) (e))) : (e))
+    (c)->collection.advanced_destructor((c)->collection.destructor_data, \
+    (c)->collection.store_pointer ? (*((void **) (e))) : (e))
 
 
 /**
@@ -133,12 +208,15 @@
  * Usually only used by collection implementations. There should be no need
  * to invoke this macro manually.
  *
- * @param c the collection
- * @param e the element
+ * When the collection stores pointers, those pointers are directly passed
+ * to the destructor. Otherwise, a pointer to the element is passed.
+ *
+ * @param c a pointer to a struct that contains #CX_COLLECTION_BASE
+ * @param e the element (the type is @c void* or @c void** depending on context)
  */
 #define cx_invoke_destructor(c, e) \
-    if ((c)->simple_destructor) cx_invoke_simple_destructor(c,e); \
-    if ((c)->advanced_destructor) cx_invoke_advanced_destructor(c,e)
+    if ((c)->collection.simple_destructor) cx_invoke_simple_destructor(c,e); \
+    if ((c)->collection.advanced_destructor) cx_invoke_advanced_destructor(c,e)
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/common.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/common.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,16 +27,15 @@
  */
 
 /**
- * \file common.h
+ * @file common.h
  *
- * \brief Common definitions and feature checks.
+ * @brief Common definitions and feature checks.
  *
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  *
- * \mainpage UAP Common Extensions
+ * @mainpage UAP Common Extensions
  * Library with common and useful functions, macros and data structures.
  * <p>
  * Latest available source:<br>
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@
  * Repositories:<br>
  * <a href="https://sourceforge.net/p/ucx/code">https://sourceforge.net/p/ucx/code</a>
  * -&nbsp;or&nbsp;-
- * <a href="https://develop.uap-core.de/hg/ucx">https://develop.uap-core.de/hg/ucx</a>
+ * <a href="https://uap-core.de/hg/ucx">https://uap-core.de/hg/ucx</a>
  * </p>
  *
  * <h2>LICENCE</h2>
@@ -84,12 +83,14 @@
 #define UCX_VERSION_MAJOR   3
 
 /** Minor UCX version as integer constant. */
-#define UCX_VERSION_MINOR   0
+#define UCX_VERSION_MINOR   1
 
 /** Version constant which ensures to increase monotonically. */
 #define UCX_VERSION (((UCX_VERSION_MAJOR)<<16)|UCX_VERSION_MINOR)
 
-// Common Includes
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       Common includes
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <stddef.h>
@@ -97,11 +98,202 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       Architecture Detection
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#ifndef INTPTR_MAX
+#error Missing INTPTR_MAX definition
+#endif
+#if INTPTR_MAX == INT64_MAX
+/**
+ * The address width in bits on this platform.
+ */
+#define CX_WORDSIZE 64
+#elif INTPTR_MAX == INT32_MAX
+/**
+ * The address width in bits on this platform.
+ */
+#define CX_WORDSIZE 32
+#else
+#error Unknown pointer size or missing size macros!
+#endif
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       Attribute definitions
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#ifndef __GNUC__
+/**
+ * Removes GNU C attributes where they are not supported.
+ */
+#define __attribute__(x)
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * All pointer arguments must be non-NULL.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_nonnull __attribute__((__nonnull__))
+
+/**
+ * The specified pointer arguments must be non-NULL.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_nonnull_arg(...) __attribute__((__nonnull__(__VA_ARGS__)))
+
+/**
+ * The returned value is guaranteed to be non-NULL.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_returns_nonnull __attribute__((__returns_nonnull__))
+
+/**
+ * The attributed function always returns freshly allocated memory.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_malloc __attribute__((__malloc__))
+
+#ifndef __clang__
+/**
+ * The pointer returned by the attributed function is supposed to be freed
+ * by @p freefunc.
+ *
+ * @param freefunc the function that shall be used to free the memory
+ * @param freefunc_arg the index of the pointer argument in @p freefunc
+ */
+#define cx_attr_dealloc(freefunc, freefunc_arg) \
+    __attribute__((__malloc__(freefunc, freefunc_arg)))
+#else
+/**
+ * Not supported in clang.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_dealloc(...)
+#endif // __clang__
+
+/**
+ * Shortcut to specify #cxFree() as deallocator.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_dealloc_ucx cx_attr_dealloc(cxFree, 2)
+
+/**
+ * Specifies the parameters from which the allocation size is calculated.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_allocsize(...) __attribute__((__alloc_size__(__VA_ARGS__)))
+
+
+#ifdef __clang__
+/**
+ * No support for @c null_terminated_string_arg in clang or GCC below 14.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_cstr_arg(idx)
+/**
+ * No support for access attribute in clang.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access(mode, ...)
+#else
+#if __GNUC__ < 10
+/**
+ * No support for access attribute in GCC < 10.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access(mode, ...)
+#else
+/**
+ * Helper macro to define access macros.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access(mode, ...) __attribute__((__access__(mode, __VA_ARGS__)))
+#endif // __GNUC__ < 10
+#if __GNUC__ < 14
+/**
+ * No support for @c null_terminated_string_arg in clang or GCC below 14.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_cstr_arg(idx)
+#else
+/**
+ * The specified argument is expected to be a zero-terminated string.
+ *
+ * @param idx the index of the argument
+ */
+#define cx_attr_cstr_arg(idx) \
+    __attribute__((__null_terminated_string_arg__(idx)))
+#endif // __GNUC__ < 14
+#endif // __clang__
+
+
+/**
+ * Specifies that the function will only read through the given pointer.
+ *
+ * Takes one or two arguments: the index of the pointer and (optionally) the
+ * index of another argument specifying the maximum number of accessed bytes.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access_r(...) cx_attr_access(__read_only__, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+/**
+ * Specifies that the function will read and write through the given pointer.
+ *
+ * Takes one or two arguments: the index of the pointer and (optionally) the
+ * index of another argument specifying the maximum number of accessed bytes.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access_rw(...) cx_attr_access(__read_write__, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+/**
+ * Specifies that the function will only write through the given pointer.
+ *
+ * Takes one or two arguments: the index of the pointer and (optionally) the
+ * index of another argument specifying the maximum number of accessed bytes.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_access_w(...) cx_attr_access(__write_only__, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+#if __STDC_VERSION__ >= 202300L
+
+/**
+ * Do not warn about unused variable.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_unused [[maybe_unused]]
+
+/**
+ * Warn about discarded return value.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_nodiscard [[nodiscard]]
+
+#else // no C23
+
+/**
+ * Do not warn about unused variable.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_unused __attribute__((__unused__))
+
+/**
+ * Warn about discarded return value.
+ */
+#define cx_attr_nodiscard __attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+
+#endif // __STDC_VERSION__
+
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       MSVC specifics
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#ifdef _MSC_VER
+// fix missing _Thread_local support
+#define _Thread_local __declspec(thread)
+#endif // _MSC_VER
+
+#if defined(CX_WINDLL_EXPORT)
+#define cx_attr_export __declspec(dllexport)
+#elif defined(CX_WINDLL)
+#define cx_attr_export __declspec(dllimport)
+#else
+/** Only used for building Windows DLLs. */
+#define cx_attr_export
+#endif // CX_WINDLL / CX_WINDLL_EXPORT
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       Useful function pointers
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 /**
  * Function pointer compatible with fwrite-like functions.
  */
 typedef size_t (*cx_write_func)(
-        void const *,
+        const void *,
         size_t,
         size_t,
         void *
@@ -117,25 +309,59 @@
         void *
 );
 
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       Utility macros
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-// Compiler specific stuff
-
-#ifndef __GNUC__
 /**
- * Removes GNU C attributes where they are not supported.
+ * Determines the number of members in a static C array.
+ *
+ * @attention never use this to determine the size of a dynamically allocated
+ * array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the array identifier
+ * @return the number of elements
  */
-#define __attribute__(x)
-#endif
+#define cx_nmemb(arr) (sizeof(arr)/sizeof((arr)[0]))
+
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//       szmul implementation
+// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-#ifdef _MSC_VER
+#if (__GNUC__ >= 5 || defined(__clang__)) && !defined(CX_NO_SZMUL_BUILTIN)
+#define CX_SZMUL_BUILTIN
+#define cx_szmul(a, b, result) __builtin_mul_overflow(a, b, result)
+#else // no GNUC or clang bultin
+/**
+ * Performs a multiplication of size_t values and checks for overflow.
+  *
+ * @param a (@c size_t) first operand
+ * @param b (@c size_t) second operand
+ * @param result (@c size_t*) a pointer to a variable, where the result should
+ * be stored
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero the multiplication would overflow
+ */
+#define cx_szmul(a, b, result) cx_szmul_impl(a, b, result)
 
-// fix missing ssize_t definition
-#include <BaseTsd.h>
-typedef SSIZE_T ssize_t;
+/**
+ * Implementation of cx_szmul() when no compiler builtin is available.
+ *
+ * Do not use in application code.
+ *
+ * @param a first operand
+ * @param b second operand
+ * @param result a pointer to a variable, where the result should
+ * be stored
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero the multiplication would overflow
+ */
+#if __cplusplus
+extern "C"
+#endif
+cx_attr_export int cx_szmul_impl(size_t a, size_t b, size_t *result);
+#endif // cx_szmul
 
-// fix missing _Thread_local support
-#define _Thread_local __declspec(thread)
 
-#endif
 
 #endif // UCX_COMMON_H
--- a/src/ucx/cx/compare.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/compare.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file compare.h
- * \brief A collection of simple compare functions.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file compare.h
+ * @brief A collection of simple compare functions.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_COMPARE_H
@@ -44,174 +43,518 @@
 #endif
 
 /**
+ * A comparator function comparing two arbitrary values.
+ *
+ * All functions from compare.h with the cx_cmp prefix are
+ * compatible with this signature and can be used as
+ * compare function for collections, or other implementations
+ * that need to be type-agnostic.
+ *
+ * For simple comparisons the cx_vcmp family of functions
+ * can be used, but they are NOT compatible with this function
+ * pointer.
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+typedef int (*cx_compare_func)(
+    const void *left,
+    const void *right
+);
+
+/**
  * Compares two integers of type int.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to integer one
  * @param i2 pointer to integer two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_int(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_int(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type int.
+ *
+ * @param i1 integer one
+ * @param i2 integer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_int(int i1, int i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type long int.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to long integer one
  * @param i2 pointer to long integer two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_longint(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_longint(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type long int.
+ *
+ * @param i1 long integer one
+ * @param i2 long integer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_longint(long int i1, long int i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type long long.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to long long one
  * @param i2 pointer to long long two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_longlong(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type long long.
+ *
+ * @param i1 long long int one
+ * @param i2 long long int two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_longlong(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_longlong(long long int i1, long long int i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type int16_t.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param i1 pointer to int16_t one
+ * @param i2 pointer to int16_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_int16(const void *i1, const void *i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type int16_t.
  *
- * @param i1 pointer to int16_t one
- * @param i2 pointer to int16_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @param i1 int16_t one
+ * @param i2 int16_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_int16(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_int16(int16_t i1, int16_t i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type int32_t.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to int32_t one
  * @param i2 pointer to int32_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_int32(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type int32_t.
+ *
+ * @param i1 int32_t one
+ * @param i2 int32_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_int32(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_int32(int32_t i1, int32_t i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type int64_t.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param i1 pointer to int64_t one
+ * @param i2 pointer to int64_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_int64(const void *i1, const void *i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type int64_t.
  *
- * @param i1 pointer to int64_t one
- * @param i2 pointer to int64_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @param i1 int64_t one
+ * @param i2 int64_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_int64(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_int64(int64_t i1, int64_t i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type unsigned int.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param i1 pointer to unsigned integer one
+ * @param i2 pointer to unsigned integer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_uint(const void *i1, const void *i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type unsigned int.
  *
- * @param i1 pointer to unsigned integer one
- * @param i2 pointer to unsigned integer two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @param i1 unsigned integer one
+ * @param i2 unsigned integer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_uint(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_uint(unsigned int i1, unsigned int i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type unsigned long int.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to unsigned long integer one
  * @param i2 pointer to unsigned long integer two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_ulongint(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_ulongint(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type unsigned long int.
+ *
+ * @param i1 unsigned long integer one
+ * @param i2 unsigned long integer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_ulongint(unsigned long int i1, unsigned long int i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type unsigned long long.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to unsigned long long one
  * @param i2 pointer to unsigned long long two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_ulonglong(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type unsigned long long.
+ *
+ * @param i1 unsigned long long one
+ * @param i2 unsigned long long two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_ulonglong(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_ulonglong(unsigned long long int i1, unsigned long long int i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type uint16_t.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param i1 pointer to uint16_t one
+ * @param i2 pointer to uint16_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_uint16(const void *i1, const void *i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type uint16_t.
  *
- * @param i1 pointer to uint16_t one
- * @param i2 pointer to uint16_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @param i1 uint16_t one
+ * @param i2 uint16_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_uint16(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_uint16(uint16_t i1, uint16_t i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type uint32_t.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param i1 pointer to uint32_t one
+ * @param i2 pointer to uint32_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_uint32(const void *i1, const void *i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type uint32_t.
  *
- * @param i1 pointer to uint32_t one
- * @param i2 pointer to uint32_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @param i1 uint32_t one
+ * @param i2 uint32_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_uint32(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_uint32(uint32_t i1, uint32_t i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two integers of type uint64_t.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param i1 pointer to uint64_t one
  * @param i2 pointer to uint64_t two
- * @return -1, if *i1 is less than *i2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *i1 is greater than *i2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_uint64(void const *i1, void const *i2);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_uint64(const void *i1, const void *i2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two integers of type uint64_t.
+ *
+ * @param i1 uint64_t one
+ * @param i2 uint64_t two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_uint64(uint64_t i1, uint64_t i2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two real numbers of type float with precision 1e-6f.
  *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
  * @param f1 pointer to float one
  * @param f2 pointer to float two
- * @return -1, if *f1 is less than *f2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *f1 is greater than *f2
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_float(const void *f1, const void *f2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares two real numbers of type float with precision 1e-6f.
+ *
+ * @param f1 float one
+ * @param f2 float two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_float(float f1, float f2);
 
-int cx_cmp_float(void const *f1, void const *f2);
+/**
+ * Compares two real numbers of type double with precision 1e-14.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param d1 pointer to double one
+ * @param d2 pointer to double two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_double(const void *d1, const void *d2);
 
 /**
  * Compares two real numbers of type double with precision 1e-14.
  *
- * @param d1 pointer to double one
- * @param d2 pointer to double two
- * @return -1, if *d1 is less than *d2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *d1 is greater than *d2
+ * @param d1 double one
+ * @param d2 double two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_double(
-        void const *d1,
-        void const *d2
-);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_double(double d1, double d2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares the integer representation of two pointers.
+ *
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param ptr1 pointer to pointer one (const intptr_t*)
+ * @param ptr2 pointer to pointer two (const intptr_t*)
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_intptr(const void *ptr1, const void *ptr2);
 
 /**
  * Compares the integer representation of two pointers.
  *
- * @param ptr1 pointer to pointer one (intptr_t const*)
- * @param ptr2 pointer to pointer two (intptr_t const*)
- * @return -1 if *ptr1 is less than *ptr2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *ptr1 is greater than *ptr2
+ * @param ptr1 pointer one
+ * @param ptr2 pointer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_intptr(
-        void const *ptr1,
-        void const *ptr2
-);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_intptr(intptr_t ptr1, intptr_t ptr2);
 
 /**
  * Compares the unsigned integer representation of two pointers.
  *
- * @param ptr1 pointer to pointer one (uintptr_t const*)
- * @param ptr2 pointer to pointer two (uintptr_t const*)
- * @return -1 if *ptr1 is less than *ptr2, 0 if both are equal,
- * 1 if *ptr1 is greater than *ptr2
+ * @note the parameters deliberately have type @c void* to be
+ * compatible with #cx_compare_func without the need of a cast.
+ *
+ * @param ptr1 pointer to pointer one (const uintptr_t*)
+ * @param ptr2 pointer to pointer two (const uintptr_t*)
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
  */
-int cx_cmp_uintptr(
-        void const *ptr1,
-        void const *ptr2
-);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_uintptr(const void *ptr1, const void *ptr2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares the unsigned integer representation of two pointers.
+ *
+ * @param ptr1 pointer one
+ * @param ptr2 pointer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vcmp_uintptr(uintptr_t ptr1, uintptr_t ptr2);
+
+/**
+ * Compares the pointers specified in the arguments without dereferencing.
+ *
+ * @param ptr1 pointer one
+ * @param ptr2 pointer two
+ * @retval -1 if the left argument is less than the right argument
+ * @retval 0 if both arguments are equal
+ * @retval 1 if the left argument is greater than the right argument
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_cmp_ptr(const void *ptr1, const void *ptr2);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/hash_key.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/hash_key.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file hash_key.h
- * \brief Interface for map implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file hash_key.h
+ * @brief Interface for map implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 
@@ -39,6 +38,7 @@
 #define UCX_HASH_KEY_H
 
 #include "common.h"
+#include "string.h"
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 /** Internal structure for a key within a hash map. */
 struct cx_hash_key_s {
     /** The key data. */
-    void const *data;
+    const void *data;
     /**
      * The key data length.
      */
@@ -62,15 +62,21 @@
 typedef struct cx_hash_key_s CxHashKey;
 
 /**
- * Computes a murmur2 32 bit hash.
+ * Computes a murmur2 32-bit hash.
  *
- * You need to initialize \c data and \c len in the key struct.
+ * You need to initialize @c data and @c len in the key struct.
  * The hash is then directly written to that struct.
  *
- * \note If \c data is \c NULL, the hash is defined as 1574210520.
+ * Usually you should not need this function.
+ * Use cx_hash_key(), instead.
+ *
+ * @note If @c data is @c NULL, the hash is defined as 1574210520.
  *
  * @param key the key, the hash shall be computed for
+ * @see cx_hash_key()
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_hash_murmur(CxHashKey *key);
 
 /**
@@ -81,8 +87,10 @@
  * @param str the string
  * @return the hash key
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-CxHashKey cx_hash_key_str(char const *str);
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
+CxHashKey cx_hash_key_str(const char *str);
 
 /**
  * Computes a hash key from a byte array.
@@ -91,9 +99,11 @@
  * @param len the length
  * @return the hash key
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_r(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
 CxHashKey cx_hash_key_bytes(
-        unsigned char const *bytes,
+        const unsigned char *bytes,
         size_t len
 );
 
@@ -108,9 +118,11 @@
  * @param len the length of object in memory
  * @return the hash key
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_r(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
 CxHashKey cx_hash_key(
-        void const *obj,
+        const void *obj,
         size_t len
 );
 
@@ -120,7 +132,18 @@
  * @param str the string
  * @return the hash key
  */
-#define cx_hash_key_cxstr(str) cx_hash_key((void*)(str).ptr, (str).length)
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxHashKey cx_hash_key_cxstr(cxstring str) {
+    return cx_hash_key(str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Computes a hash key from a UCX string.
+ *
+ * @param str (@c cxstring or @c cxmutstr) the string
+ * @return (@c CxHashKey) the hash key
+ */
+#define cx_hash_key_cxstr(str) cx_hash_key_cxstr(cx_strcast(str))
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/hash_map.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/hash_map.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file hash_map.h
- * \brief Hash map implementation.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file hash_map.h
+ * @brief Hash map implementation.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_HASH_MAP_H
@@ -68,23 +67,27 @@
 /**
  * Creates a new hash map with the specified number of buckets.
  *
- * If \p buckets is zero, an implementation defined default will be used.
+ * If @p buckets is zero, an implementation defined default will be used.
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created map will be created as if
- * cxMapStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created map stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements.
  *
  * @note Iterators provided by this hash map implementation provide the remove operation.
  * The index value of an iterator is incremented when the iterator advanced without removal.
- * In other words, when the iterator is finished, \c index==size .
+ * In other words, when the iterator is finished, @c index==size .
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
  * @param itemsize the size of one element
  * @param buckets the initial number of buckets in this hash map
  * @return a pointer to the new hash map
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxMapFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
 CxMap *cxHashMapCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         size_t itemsize,
         size_t buckets
 );
@@ -92,23 +95,22 @@
 /**
  * Creates a new hash map with a default number of buckets.
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created map will be created as if
- * cxMapStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created map stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements.
  *
  * @note Iterators provided by this hash map implementation provide the remove operation.
  * The index value of an iterator is incremented when the iterator advanced without removal.
- * In other words, when the iterator is finished, \c index==size .
+ * In other words, when the iterator is finished, @c index==size .
  *
- * @param itemsize the size of one element
- * @return a pointer to the new hash map
+ * @param itemsize (@c size_t) the size of one element
+ * @return (@c CxMap*) a pointer to the new hash map
  */
-#define cxHashMapCreateSimple(itemsize) \
-    cxHashMapCreate(cxDefaultAllocator, itemsize, 0)
+#define cxHashMapCreateSimple(itemsize) cxHashMapCreate(NULL, itemsize, 0)
 
 /**
  * Increases the number of buckets, if necessary.
  *
- * The load threshold is \c 0.75*buckets. If the element count exceeds the load
+ * The load threshold is @c 0.75*buckets. If the element count exceeds the load
  * threshold, the map will be rehashed. Otherwise, no action is performed and
  * this function simply returns 0.
  *
@@ -121,9 +123,11 @@
  * @note If the specified map is not a hash map, the behavior is undefined.
  *
  * @param map the map to rehash
- * @return zero on success, non-zero if a memory allocation error occurred
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero if a memory allocation error occurred
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxMapRehash(CxMap *map);
 
 
--- a/src/ucx/cx/iterator.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/iterator.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file iterator.h
- * \brief Interface for iterator implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file iterator.h
+ * @brief Interface for iterator implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_ITERATOR_H
@@ -39,51 +38,41 @@
 
 #include "common.h"
 
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
 /**
- * The base of mutating and non-mutating iterators.
+ * Common data for all iterators.
  */
 struct cx_iterator_base_s {
     /**
-     * True iff the iterator points to valid data.
+     * True if the iterator points to valid data.
      */
-    __attribute__ ((__nonnull__))
-    bool (*valid)(void const *);
+    bool (*valid)(const void *);
 
     /**
      * Returns a pointer to the current element.
      *
      * When valid returns false, the behavior of this function is undefined.
      */
-    __attribute__ ((__nonnull__))
-    void *(*current)(void const *);
+    void *(*current)(const void *);
 
     /**
      * Original implementation in case the function needs to be wrapped.
      */
-    __attribute__ ((__nonnull__))
-    void *(*current_impl)(void const *);
+    void *(*current_impl)(const void *);
 
     /**
      * Advances the iterator.
      *
      * When valid returns false, the behavior of this function is undefined.
      */
-    __attribute__ ((__nonnull__))
     void (*next)(void *);
-
-    /**
-     * Flag current element for removal, if possible.
-     *
-     * When valid returns false, the behavior of this function is undefined.
-     */
-    __attribute__ ((__nonnull__))
-    bool (*flag_removal)(void *);
-
     /**
      * Indicates whether this iterator may remove elements.
      */
     bool mutating;
-
     /**
      * Internal flag for removing the current element when advancing.
      */
@@ -91,138 +80,82 @@
 };
 
 /**
- * Internal iterator struct - use CxMutIterator.
+ * Convenience type definition for the base structure of an iterator.
+ * @see #CX_ITERATOR_BASE
+ */
+typedef struct cx_iterator_base_s CxIteratorBase;
+
+/**
+ * Declares base attributes for an iterator.
+ * Must be the first member of an iterator structure.
  */
-struct cx_mut_iterator_s {
+#define CX_ITERATOR_BASE struct cx_iterator_base_s base
+
+/**
+ * Internal iterator struct - use CxIterator.
+ */
+struct cx_iterator_s {
+    /**
+     * Inherited common data for all iterators.
+     */
+    CX_ITERATOR_BASE;
 
     /**
-     * The base properties of this iterator.
-     */
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s base;
-
-    /**
-     * Handle for the current element, if required.
+     * Handle for the current element.
      */
     void *elem_handle;
 
     /**
      * Handle for the source collection, if any.
      */
-    void *src_handle;
-
-    /**
-     * Field for storing a key-value pair.
-     * May be used by iterators that iterate over k/v-collections.
-     */
-    struct {
+    union {
         /**
-         * A pointer to the key.
+         * Access for mutating iterators.
          */
-        void const *key;
+        void *m;
         /**
-         * A pointer to the value.
+         * Access for normal iterators.
          */
-        void *value;
-    } kv_data;
-
-    /**
-     * Field for storing a slot number.
-     * May be used by iterators that iterate over multi-bucket collections.
-     */
-    size_t slot;
+        const void *c;
+    } src_handle;
 
     /**
      * If the iterator is position-aware, contains the index of the element in the underlying collection.
      * Otherwise, this field is usually uninitialized.
      */
     size_t index;
+
+    /**
+     * The size of an individual element.
+     */
+    size_t elem_size;
+
+    /**
+     * May contain the total number of elements, if known.
+     * Shall be set to @c SIZE_MAX when the total number is unknown during iteration.
+     */
+    size_t elem_count;
 };
 
 /**
- * Mutating iterator value type.
- *
- * An iterator points to a certain element in an (possibly unbounded) chain of elements.
- * Iterators that are based on collections (which have a defined "first" element), are supposed
- * to be "position-aware", which means that they keep track of the current index within the collection.
- *
- * @note Objects that are pointed to by an iterator are mutable through that iterator. However, if the
- * iterator is based on a collection and the underlying collection is mutated by other means than this iterator
- * (e.g. elements added or removed), the iterator becomes invalid (regardless of what cxIteratorValid() returns)
- * and MUST be re-obtained from the collection.
+ * Iterator type.
  *
- * @see CxIterator
- */
-typedef struct cx_mut_iterator_s CxMutIterator;
-
-/**
- * Internal iterator struct - use CxIterator.
- */
-struct cx_iterator_s {
-
-    /**
-     * The base properties of this iterator.
-     */
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s base;
-
-    /**
-     * Handle for the current element, if required.
-     */
-    void *elem_handle;
-
-    /**
-     * Handle for the source collection, if any.
-     */
-    void const *src_handle;
-
-    /**
-     * Field for storing a key-value pair.
-     * May be used by iterators that iterate over k/v-collections.
-     */
-    struct {
-        /**
-         * A pointer to the key.
-         */
-        void const *key;
-        /**
-         * A pointer to the value.
-         */
-        void *value;
-    } kv_data;
-
-    /**
-     * Field for storing a slot number.
-     * May be used by iterators that iterate over multi-bucket collections.
-     */
-    size_t slot;
-
-    /**
-     * If the iterator is position-aware, contains the index of the element in the underlying collection.
-     * Otherwise, this field is usually uninitialized.
-     */
-    size_t index;
-};
-
-/**
- * Iterator value type.
  * An iterator points to a certain element in a (possibly unbounded) chain of elements.
  * Iterators that are based on collections (which have a defined "first" element), are supposed
  * to be "position-aware", which means that they keep track of the current index within the collection.
  *
  * @note Objects that are pointed to by an iterator are always mutable through that iterator. However,
- * this iterator cannot mutate the collection itself (add or remove elements) and any mutation of the
- * collection by other means makes this iterator invalid (regardless of what cxIteratorValid() returns).
- *
- * @see CxMutIterator
+ * any concurrent mutation of the collection other than by this iterator makes this iterator invalid,
+ * and it must not be used anymore.
  */
 typedef struct cx_iterator_s CxIterator;
 
 /**
  * Checks if the iterator points to valid data.
  *
- * This is especially false for past-the-end iterators.
- *
  * @param iter the iterator
- * @return true iff the iterator points to valid data
+ * @retval true if the iterator points to valid data
+ * @retval false if the iterator already moved past the end
  */
 #define cxIteratorValid(iter) (iter).base.valid(&(iter))
 
@@ -233,6 +166,7 @@
  *
  * @param iter the iterator
  * @return a pointer to the current element
+ * @see cxIteratorValid()
  */
 #define cxIteratorCurrent(iter) (iter).base.current(&iter)
 
@@ -244,15 +178,27 @@
 #define cxIteratorNext(iter) (iter).base.next(&iter)
 
 /**
- * Flags the current element for removal.
+ * Flags the current element for removal, if this iterator is mutating.
+ *
+ * Does nothing for non-mutating iterators.
  *
  * @param iter the iterator
- * @return false if this iterator cannot remove the element
  */
-#define cxIteratorFlagRemoval(iter) (iter).base.flag_removal(&iter)
+#define cxIteratorFlagRemoval(iter) (iter).base.remove |= (iter).base.mutating
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a reference to an arbitrary iterator.
+ *
+ * This is useful for APIs that expect some iterator as an argument.
+ *
+ * @param iter the iterator
+ * @return (@c struct @c cx_iterator_base_s*) a pointer to the iterator
+ */
+#define cxIteratorRef(iter) &((iter).base)
 
 /**
  * Loops over an iterator.
+ *
  * @param type the type of the elements
  * @param elem the name of the iteration variable
  * @param iter the iterator
@@ -260,4 +206,108 @@
 #define cx_foreach(type, elem, iter) \
 for (type elem; cxIteratorValid(iter) && (elem = (type)cxIteratorCurrent(iter)) != NULL ; cxIteratorNext(iter))
 
+
+/**
+ * Creates an iterator for the specified plain array.
+ *
+ * The @p array can be @c NULL in which case the iterator will be immediately
+ * initialized such that #cxIteratorValid() returns @c false.
+ *
+ * This iterator yields the addresses of the array elements.
+ * If you want to iterator over an array of pointers, you can
+ * use cxIteratorPtr() to create an iterator which directly
+ * yields the stored pointers.
+ *
+ * @param array a pointer to the array (can be @c NULL)
+ * @param elem_size the size of one array element
+ * @param elem_count the number of elements in the array
+ * @return an iterator for the specified array
+ * @see cxIteratorPtr()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxIterator(
+        const void *array,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a mutating iterator for the specified plain array.
+ *
+ * While the iterator is in use, the array may only be altered by removing
+ * elements through #cxIteratorFlagRemoval(). Every other change to the array
+ * will bring this iterator to an undefined state.
+ *
+ * When @p remove_keeps_order is set to @c false, removing an element will only
+ * move the last element to the position of the removed element, instead of
+ * moving all subsequent elements by one. Usually, when the order of elements is
+ * not important, this parameter should be set to @c false.
+ *
+ * The @p array can be @c NULL in which case the iterator will be immediately
+ * initialized such that #cxIteratorValid() returns @c false.
+ *
+ *
+ * @param array a pointer to the array (can be @c NULL)
+ * @param elem_size the size of one array element
+ * @param elem_count the number of elements in the array
+ * @param remove_keeps_order @c true if the order of elements must be preserved
+ * when removing an element
+ * @return an iterator for the specified array
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxMutIterator(
+        void *array,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        bool remove_keeps_order
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates an iterator for the specified plain pointer array.
+ *
+ * This iterator assumes that every element in the array is a pointer
+ * and yields exactly those pointers during iteration (while in contrast
+ * an iterator created with cxIterator() would return the addresses
+ * of those pointers within the array).
+ *
+ * @param array a pointer to the array (can be @c NULL)
+ * @param elem_count the number of elements in the array
+ * @return an iterator for the specified array
+ * @see cxIterator()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxIteratorPtr(
+        const void *array,
+        size_t elem_count
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a mutating iterator for the specified plain pointer array.
+ *
+ * This is the mutating variant of cxIteratorPtr(). See also
+ * cxMutIterator().
+ *
+ * @param array a pointer to the array (can be @c NULL)
+ * @param elem_count the number of elements in the array
+ * @param remove_keeps_order @c true if the order of elements must be preserved
+ * when removing an element
+ * @return an iterator for the specified array
+ * @see cxMutIterator()
+ * @see cxIteratorPtr()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxMutIteratorPtr(
+        void *array,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        bool remove_keeps_order
+);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+#endif
+
 #endif // UCX_ITERATOR_H
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/json.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,1390 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+/**
+ * @file json.h
+ * @brief Interface for parsing data from JSON files.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ */
+
+#ifndef UCX_JSON_H
+#define UCX_JSON_H
+
+#include "common.h"
+#include "allocator.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "buffer.h"
+#include "array_list.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+
+/**
+ * The type of the parsed token.
+ */
+enum cx_json_token_type {
+    /**
+     * No complete token parsed, yet.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN,
+    /**
+     * The presumed token contains syntactical errors.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR,
+    /**
+     * A "begin of array" '[' token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_ARRAY,
+    /**
+     * A "begin of object" '{' token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_OBJECT,
+    /**
+     * An "end of array" ']' token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_ARRAY,
+    /**
+     * An "end of object" '}' token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_OBJECT,
+    /**
+     * A colon ':' token separating names and values.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_NAME_SEPARATOR,
+    /**
+     * A comma ',' token separating object entries or array elements.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_VALUE_SEPARATOR,
+    /**
+     * A string token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING,
+    /**
+     * A number token that can be represented as integer.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_INTEGER,
+    /**
+     * A number token that cannot be represented as integer.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_NUMBER,
+    /**
+     * A literal token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_LITERAL,
+    /**
+     * A white-space token.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TOKEN_SPACE
+};
+
+/**
+ * The type of some JSON value.
+ */
+enum cx_json_value_type {
+    /**
+     * Reserved.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NOTHING, // this allows us to always return non-NULL values
+    /**
+     * A JSON object.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_OBJECT,
+    /**
+     * A JSON array.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_ARRAY,
+    /**
+     * A string.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_STRING,
+    /**
+     * A number that contains an integer.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_INTEGER,
+    /**
+     * A number, not necessarily an integer.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NUMBER,
+    /**
+     * A literal (true, false, null).
+     */
+    CX_JSON_LITERAL
+};
+
+/**
+ * JSON literal types.
+ */
+enum cx_json_literal {
+    /**
+     * The @c null literal.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NULL,
+    /**
+     * The @c true literal.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_TRUE,
+    /**
+     * The @c false literal.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_FALSE
+};
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the token type enum.
+ */
+typedef enum cx_json_token_type CxJsonTokenType;
+/**
+ * Type alias for the value type enum.
+ */
+typedef enum cx_json_value_type CxJsonValueType;
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the JSON parser interface.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_s CxJson;
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the token struct.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_token_s CxJsonToken;
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the JSON value struct.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_value_s CxJsonValue;
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for the JSON array struct.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_array_s CxJsonArray;
+/**
+ * Type alias for the JSON object struct.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_object_s CxJsonObject;
+/**
+ * Type alias for a JSON string.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_mutstr_s CxJsonString;
+/**
+ * Type alias for a number that can be represented as 64-bit signed integer.
+ */
+typedef int64_t CxJsonInteger;
+/**
+ * Type alias for number that is not an integer.
+ */
+typedef double CxJsonNumber;
+/**
+ * Type alias for a JSON literal.
+ */
+typedef enum cx_json_literal CxJsonLiteral;
+
+/**
+ * Type alias for a key/value pair in a JSON object.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_obj_value_s CxJsonObjValue;
+
+/**
+ * JSON array structure.
+ */
+struct cx_json_array_s {
+    /**
+     * The array data.
+     */
+    CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(CxJsonValue*, array);
+};
+
+/**
+ * JSON object structure.
+ */
+struct cx_json_object_s {
+    /**
+     * The key/value entries.
+     */
+    CX_ARRAY_DECLARE(CxJsonObjValue, values);
+    /**
+     * The original indices to reconstruct the order in which the members were added.
+     */
+    size_t *indices;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Structure for a key/value entry in a JSON object.
+ */
+struct cx_json_obj_value_s {
+    /**
+     * The key (or name in JSON terminology) of the value.
+     */
+    cxmutstr name;
+    /**
+     * The value.
+     */
+    CxJsonValue *value;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Structure for a JSON value.
+ */
+struct cx_json_value_s {
+    /**
+     * The allocator with which the value was allocated.
+     *
+     * Required for recursively deallocating memory of objects and arrays.
+     */
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
+    /**
+     * The type of this value.
+     *
+     * Specifies how the @c value union shall be resolved.
+     */
+    CxJsonValueType type;
+    /**
+     * The value data.
+     */
+    union {
+        /**
+         * The array data if type is #CX_JSON_ARRAY.
+         */
+        CxJsonArray array;
+        /**
+         * The object data if type is #CX_JSON_OBJECT.
+         */
+        CxJsonObject object;
+        /**
+         * The string data if type is #CX_JSON_STRING.
+         */
+        CxJsonString string;
+        /**
+         * The integer if type is #CX_JSON_INTEGER.
+         */
+        CxJsonInteger integer;
+        /**
+         * The number if type is #CX_JSON_NUMBER.
+         */
+        CxJsonNumber number;
+        /**
+         * The literal type if type is #CX_JSON_LITERAL.
+         */
+        CxJsonLiteral literal;
+    } value;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Internally used structure for a parsed token.
+ * 
+ * You should never need to use this in your code.
+ */
+struct cx_json_token_s {
+    /**
+     * The token type.
+     */
+    CxJsonTokenType tokentype;
+    /**
+     * True, if the @c content must be passed to cx_strfree().
+     */
+    bool allocated;
+    /**
+     * The token text, if any.
+     *
+     * This is not necessarily set when the token type already
+     * uniquely identifies the content.
+     */
+    cxmutstr content;
+};
+
+/**
+ * The JSON parser interface.
+ */
+struct cx_json_s {
+    /**
+     * The allocator used for produced JSON values.
+     */
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
+    /**
+     * The input buffer.
+     */
+    CxBuffer buffer;
+
+    /**
+     * Used internally.
+     *
+     * Remembers the prefix of the last uncompleted token.
+     */
+    CxJsonToken uncompleted;
+
+    /**
+     * A pointer to an intermediate state of the currently parsed value.
+     *
+     * Never access this value manually.
+     */
+    CxJsonValue *parsed;
+
+    /**
+     * A pointer to an intermediate state of a currently parsed object member.
+     *
+     * Never access this value manually.
+     */
+    CxJsonObjValue uncompleted_member;
+
+    /**
+     * State stack.
+     */
+    CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(int, states, unsigned);
+
+    /**
+     * Value buffer stack.
+     */
+    CX_ARRAY_DECLARE_SIZED(CxJsonValue*, vbuf, unsigned);
+
+    /**
+     * Internally reserved memory for the state stack.
+     */
+    int states_internal[8];
+
+    /**
+     * Internally reserved memory for the value buffer stack.
+     */
+    CxJsonValue* vbuf_internal[8];
+};
+
+/**
+ * Status codes for the json interface.
+ */
+enum cx_json_status {
+    /**
+     * Everything is fine.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NO_ERROR,
+    /**
+     * The input buffer does not contain more data.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NO_DATA,
+    /**
+     * The input ends unexpectedly.
+     *
+     * Refill the buffer with cxJsonFill() to complete the json data.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA,
+    /**
+     * Not used as a status and never returned by any function.
+     *
+     * You can use this enumerator to check for all "good" status results
+     * by checking if the status is less than @c CX_JSON_OK.
+     *
+     * A "good" status means, that you can refill data and continue parsing.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_OK,
+    /**
+     * The input buffer has never been filled.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_NULL_DATA,
+    /**
+     * Allocating memory for the internal buffer failed.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED,
+    /**
+     * Allocating memory for a json value failed.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED,
+    /**
+     * A number value is incorrectly formatted.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_NUMBER,
+    /**
+     * The tokenizer found something unexpected.
+     */
+    CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN
+};
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for the json status enum.
+ */
+typedef enum cx_json_status CxJsonStatus;
+
+/**
+ * The JSON writer settings.
+ */
+struct cx_json_writer_s {
+    /**
+     * Set true to enable pretty output.
+     */
+    bool pretty;
+    /**
+     * Set false to output the members in the order in which they were added.
+     */
+    bool sort_members;
+    /**
+     * The maximum number of fractional digits in a number value.
+     * The default value is 6 and values larger than 15 are reduced to 15.
+     * Note, that the actual number of digits may be lower, depending on the concrete number.
+     */
+    uint8_t frac_max_digits;
+    /**
+     * Set true to use spaces instead of tab characters.
+     * Indentation is only used in pretty output.
+     */
+    bool indent_space;
+    /**
+     * If @c indent_space is true, this is the number of spaces per tab.
+     * Indentation is only used in pretty output.
+     */
+    uint8_t indent;
+    /**
+     * Set true to enable escaping of the slash character (solidus).
+     */
+    bool escape_slash;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for the json writer.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_json_writer_s CxJsonWriter;
+
+/**
+ * Creates a default writer configuration for compact output.
+ *
+ * @return new JSON writer settings
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonWriter cxJsonWriterCompact(void);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a default writer configuration for pretty output.
+ *
+ * @param use_spaces false if you want tabs, true if you want four spaces instead
+ * @return new JSON writer settings
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonWriter cxJsonWriterPretty(bool use_spaces);
+
+/**
+ * Writes a JSON value to a buffer or stream.
+ *
+ * This function blocks until either all data is written, or an error occurs.
+ * The write operation is not atomic in the sense that it might happen
+ * that the data is only partially written when an error occurs with no
+ * way to indicate how much data was written.
+ * To avoid this problem, you can use a CxBuffer as @p target which is
+ * unlikely to fail a write operation and either use the buffer's flush
+ * feature to relay the data or use the data in the buffer manually to
+ * write it to the actual target.
+ *
+ * @param target the buffer or stream where to write to
+ * @param value the value that shall be written
+ * @param wfunc the write function to use
+ * @param settings formatting settings (or @c NULL to use a compact default)
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero when no or not all data could be written
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonWrite(
+    void* target,
+    const CxJsonValue* value,
+    cx_write_func wfunc,
+    const CxJsonWriter* settings
+);
+
+/**
+ * Initializes the json interface.
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ * @param allocator the allocator that shall be used for the produced values
+ * @see cxJsonDestroy()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
+void cxJsonInit(CxJson *json, const CxAllocator *allocator);
+
+/**
+ * Destroys the json interface.
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ * @see cxJsonInit()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxJsonDestroy(CxJson *json);
+
+/**
+ * Destroys and re-initializes the json interface.
+ *
+ * You might want to use this, to reset the parser after
+ * encountering a syntax error.
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline void cxJsonReset(CxJson *json) {
+    const CxAllocator *allocator = json->allocator;
+    cxJsonDestroy(json);
+    cxJsonInit(json, allocator);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Fills the input buffer.
+ *
+ * @remark The JSON interface tries to avoid copying the input data.
+ * When you use this function and cxJsonNext() interleaving,
+ * no copies are performed. However, you must not free the
+ * pointer to the data in that case. When you invoke the fill
+ * function more than once before calling cxJsonNext(),
+ * the additional data is appended - inevitably leading to
+ * an allocation of a new buffer and copying the previous contents.
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ * @param buf the source buffer
+ * @param len the length of the source buffer
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero internal allocation error
+ * @see cxJsonFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonFilln(CxJson *json, const char *buf, size_t len);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxJsonFill(
+        CxJson *json,
+        cxstring str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxJsonFill(
+        CxJson *json,
+        cxmutstr str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cxJsonFill(
+        CxJson *json,
+        const char *str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str, strlen(str));
+}
+
+extern "C" {
+#else // __cplusplus
+/**
+ * Fills the input buffer.
+ *
+ * The JSON interface tries to avoid copying the input data.
+ * When you use this function and cxJsonNext() interleaving,
+ * no copies are performed. However, you must not free the
+ * pointer to the data in that case. When you invoke the fill
+ * function more than once before calling cxJsonNext(),
+ * the additional data is appended - inevitably leading to
+ * an allocation of a new buffer and copying the previous contents.
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ * @param str the source string
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero internal allocation error
+ * @see cxJsonFilln()
+ */
+#define cxJsonFill(json, str) _Generic((str), \
+    cxstring: cx_json_fill_cxstr,             \
+    cxmutstr: cx_json_fill_mutstr,            \
+    char*: cx_json_fill_str,                  \
+    const char*: cx_json_fill_str)            \
+    (json, str)
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_json_fill_cxstr(
+        CxJson *json,
+        cxstring str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_json_fill_mutstr(
+        CxJson *json,
+        cxmutstr str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cx_json_fill_str(
+        CxJson *json,
+        const char *str
+) {
+    return cxJsonFilln(json, str, strlen(str));
+}
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new (empty) JSON object.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @return the new JSON object or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutObj()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddValues()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateObj(const CxAllocator* allocator);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new (empty) JSON array.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @return the new JSON array or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutArr()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddValues()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateArr(const CxAllocator* allocator);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON number value.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @param num the numeric value
+ * @return the new JSON value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutNumber()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddNumbers()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateNumber(const CxAllocator* allocator, double num);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON number value based on an integer.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @param num the numeric value
+ * @return the new JSON value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutInteger()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddIntegers()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateInteger(const CxAllocator* allocator, int64_t num);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON string.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @param str the string data
+ * @return the new JSON value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonCreateString()
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutString()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddStrings()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateString(const CxAllocator* allocator, const char *str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON string.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @param str the string data
+ * @return the new JSON value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonCreateCxString()
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutCxString()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddCxStrings()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateCxString(const CxAllocator* allocator, cxstring str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON literal.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator to use
+ * @param lit the type of literal
+ * @return the new JSON value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPutLiteral()
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddLiterals()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateLiteral(const CxAllocator* allocator, CxJsonLiteral lit);
+
+/**
+ * Adds number values to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param num the array of values
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddNumbers(CxJsonValue* arr, const double* num, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Adds number values, of which all are integers, to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param num the array of values
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddIntegers(CxJsonValue* arr, const int64_t* num, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Adds strings to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * The strings will be copied with the allocator of the array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param str the array of strings
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddCxStrings()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddStrings(CxJsonValue* arr, const char* const* str, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Adds strings to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * The strings will be copied with the allocator of the array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param str the array of strings
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ * @see cxJsonArrAddStrings()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddCxStrings(CxJsonValue* arr, const cxstring* str, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Adds literals to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param lit the array of literal types
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddLiterals(CxJsonValue* arr, const CxJsonLiteral* lit, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Add arbitrary values to a JSON array.
+ *
+ * @attention In contrast to all other add functions, this function adds the values
+ * directly to the array instead of copying them.
+ *
+ * @param arr the JSON array
+ * @param val the values
+ * @param count the number of elements
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonArrAddValues(CxJsonValue* arr, CxJsonValue* const* val, size_t count);
+
+/**
+ * Adds or replaces a value within a JSON object.
+ *
+ * The value will be directly added and not copied.
+ *
+ * @note If a value with the specified @p name already exists,
+ * it will be (recursively) freed with its own allocator.
+ *
+ * @param obj the JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the value
+ * @param child the value
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxJsonObjPut(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, CxJsonValue* child);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON object and adds it to an existing object.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateObj()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutObj(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON array and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateArr()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutArr(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON number and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @param num the numeric value
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateNumber()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutNumber(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, double num);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON number, based on an integer, and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @param num the numeric value
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateInteger()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutInteger(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, int64_t num);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON string and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * The string data is copied.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @param str the string data
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateString()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(3)
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutString(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, const char* str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON string and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * The string data is copied.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @param str the string data
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateCxString()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutCxString(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, cxstring str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new JSON literal and adds it to an object.
+ *
+ * @param obj the target JSON object
+ * @param name the name of the new value
+ * @param lit the type of literal
+ * @return the new value or @c NULL if allocation fails
+ * @see cxJsonObjPut()
+ * @see cxJsonCreateLiteral()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutLiteral(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, CxJsonLiteral lit);
+
+/**
+ * Recursively deallocates the memory of a JSON value.
+ *
+ * @remark The type of each deallocated value will be changed
+ * to #CX_JSON_NOTHING and values of such type will be skipped
+ * by the de-allocation. That means, this function protects
+ * you from double-frees when you are accidentally freeing
+ * a nested value and then the parent value (or vice versa).
+ *
+ * @param value the value
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+void cxJsonValueFree(CxJsonValue *value);
+
+/**
+ * Tries to obtain the next JSON value.
+ *
+ * Before this function can be called, the input buffer needs
+ * to be filled with cxJsonFill().
+ *
+ * When this function returns #CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA, you can
+ * add the missing data with another invocation of cxJsonFill()
+ * and then repeat the call to cxJsonNext().
+ *
+ * @param json the json interface
+ * @param value a pointer where the next value shall be stored
+ * @retval CX_JSON_NO_ERROR successfully retrieve the @p value
+ * @retval CX_JSON_NO_DATA there is no (more) data in the buffer to read from
+ * @retval CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA an incomplete value was read
+ * and more data needs to be filled
+ * @retval CX_JSON_NULL_DATA the buffer was never initialized
+ * @retval CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED allocating internal buffer space failed
+ * @retval CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED allocating memory for a CxJsonValue failed
+ * @retval CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_NUMBER the JSON text contains an illegally formatted number
+ * @retval CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN JSON syntax error
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(2)
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonStatus cxJsonNext(CxJson *json, CxJsonValue **value);
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a JSON object.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is a JSON object
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsObject(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_OBJECT;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a JSON array.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is a JSON array
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsArray(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_ARRAY;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a string.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is a string
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsString(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_STRING;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a JSON number.
+ *
+ * This function will return true for both floating point and
+ * integer numbers.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is a JSON number
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsInteger()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsNumber(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_NUMBER || value->type == CX_JSON_INTEGER;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is an integer number.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is an integer number
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsNumber()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsInteger(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_INTEGER;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a JSON literal.
+ *
+ * JSON literals are @c true, @c false, and @c null.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is a JSON literal
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsTrue()
+ * @see cxJsonIsFalse()
+ * @see cxJsonIsNull()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsLiteral(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->type == CX_JSON_LITERAL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is a Boolean literal.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is either @c true or @c false
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsTrue()
+ * @see cxJsonIsFalse()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsBool(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxJsonIsLiteral(value) && value->value.literal != CX_JSON_NULL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is @c true.
+ *
+ * @remark Be advised, that this is not the same as
+ * testing @c !cxJsonIsFalse(v).
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is @c true
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsBool()
+ * @see cxJsonIsFalse()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsTrue(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxJsonIsLiteral(value) && value->value.literal == CX_JSON_TRUE;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is @c false.
+ *
+ * @remark Be advised, that this is not the same as
+ * testing @c !cxJsonIsTrue(v).
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is @c false
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsBool()
+ * @see cxJsonIsTrue()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsFalse(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxJsonIsLiteral(value) && value->value.literal == CX_JSON_FALSE;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified value is @c null.
+ *
+ * @param value a pointer to the value
+ * @retval true the value is @c null
+ * @retval false otherwise
+ * @see cxJsonIsLiteral()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonIsNull(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxJsonIsLiteral(value) && value->value.literal == CX_JSON_NULL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a C string from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a string, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as C string
+ * @see cxJsonIsString()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+static inline char *cxJsonAsString(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->value.string.ptr;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a UCX string from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a string, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as UCX string
+ * @see cxJsonIsString()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline cxstring cxJsonAsCxString(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cx_strcast(value->value.string);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a mutable UCX string from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a string, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as mutable UCX string
+ * @see cxJsonIsString()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline cxmutstr cxJsonAsCxMutStr(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->value.string;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a double-precision floating point value from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON number, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as double
+ * @see cxJsonIsNumber()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline double cxJsonAsDouble(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    if (value->type == CX_JSON_INTEGER) {
+        return (double) value->value.integer;
+    } else {
+        return value->value.number;
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a 64-bit signed integer from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON number, the behavior is undefined.
+ * If it is a JSON number, but not an integer, the value will be
+ * converted to an integer, possibly losing precision.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as double
+ * @see cxJsonIsNumber()
+ * @see cxJsonIsInteger()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int64_t cxJsonAsInteger(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    if (value->type == CX_JSON_INTEGER) {
+        return value->value.integer;
+    } else {
+        return (int64_t) value->value.number;
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Obtains a Boolean value from the given JSON value.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON literal, the behavior is undefined.
+ * The @c null literal is interpreted as @c false.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the value represented as double
+ * @see cxJsonIsLiteral()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline bool cxJsonAsBool(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->value.literal == CX_JSON_TRUE;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Returns the size of a JSON array.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON array, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return the size of the array
+ * @see cxJsonIsArray()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxJsonArrSize(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return value->value.array.array_size;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Returns an element from a JSON array.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON array, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * This function guarantees to return a value. If the index is
+ * out of bounds, the returned value will be of type
+ * #CX_JSON_NOTHING, but never @c NULL.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @param index the index in the array
+ * @return the value at the specified index
+ * @see cxJsonIsArray()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue *cxJsonArrGet(const CxJsonValue *value, size_t index);
+
+/**
+ * Returns an iterator over the JSON array elements.
+ *
+ * The iterator yields values of type @c CxJsonValue* .
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON array, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return an iterator over the array elements
+ * @see cxJsonIsArray()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxJsonArrIter(const CxJsonValue *value);
+
+/**
+ * Returns an iterator over the JSON object members.
+ *
+ * The iterator yields values of type @c CxJsonObjValue* which
+ * contain the name and value of the member.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON object, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON value
+ * @return an iterator over the object members
+ * @see cxJsonIsObject()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxJsonObjIter(const CxJsonValue *value);
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonObjGet()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxJsonValue *cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(const CxJsonValue *value, cxstring name);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+
+static inline CxJsonValue *cxJsonObjGet(const CxJsonValue *value, cxstring name) {
+    return cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(value, name);
+}
+
+static inline CxJsonValue *cxJsonObjGet(const CxJsonValue *value, cxmutstr name) {
+    return cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(value, cx_strcast(name));
+}
+
+static inline CxJsonValue *cxJsonObjGet(const CxJsonValue *value, const char *name) {
+    return cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(value, cx_str(name));
+}
+
+extern "C" {
+#else
+/**
+ * Returns a value corresponding to a key in a JSON object.
+ *
+ * If the @p value is not a JSON object, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * This function guarantees to return a JSON value. If the
+ * object does not contain @p name, the returned JSON value
+ * will be of type #CX_JSON_NOTHING, but never @c NULL.
+ *
+ * @param value the JSON object
+ * @param name the key to look up
+ * @return the value corresponding to the key
+ * @see cxJsonIsObject()
+ */
+#define cxJsonObjGet(value, name) _Generic((name), \
+        cxstring: cx_json_obj_get_cxstr,           \
+        cxmutstr: cx_json_obj_get_mutstr,          \
+        char*: cx_json_obj_get_str,                \
+        const char*: cx_json_obj_get_str)          \
+        (value, name)
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonObjGet()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+static inline CxJsonValue *cx_json_obj_get_mutstr(const CxJsonValue *value, cxmutstr name) {
+    return cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(value, cx_strcast(name));
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxJsonObjGet()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline CxJsonValue *cx_json_obj_get_str(const CxJsonValue *value, const char *name) {
+    return cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(value, cx_str(name));
+}
+#endif
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif /* UCX_JSON_H */
+
--- a/src/ucx/cx/linked_list.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/linked_list.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,13 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file linked_list.h
- * \brief Linked list implementation.
- * \details Also provides several low-level functions for custom linked list implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file linked_list.h
+ * @brief Linked list implementation.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_LINKED_LIST_H
@@ -46,55 +44,56 @@
 #endif
 
 /**
- * Set this flag to true, if you want to disable the use of SBO for
- * linked list swap operations.
- */
-extern bool CX_DISABLE_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO;
-
-/**
- * Allocates a linked list for storing elements with \p item_size bytes each.
+ * Allocates a linked list for storing elements with @p elem_size bytes each.
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list will be created as if
- * cxListStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements and the compare function will be automatically set
+ * to cx_cmp_ptr(), if none is given.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator for allocating the list nodes
- * (if \c NULL the cxDefaultAllocator will be used)
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
  * @param comparator the comparator for the elements
- * (if \c NULL sort and find functions will not work)
- * @param item_size the size of each element in bytes
+ * (if @c NULL, and the list is not storing pointers, sort and find
+ * functions will not work)
+ * @param elem_size the size of each element in bytes
  * @return the created list
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxListFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
 CxList *cxLinkedListCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cx_compare_func comparator,
-        size_t item_size
+        size_t elem_size
 );
 
 /**
- * Allocates a linked list for storing elements with \p item_size bytes each.
+ * Allocates a linked list for storing elements with @p elem_size bytes each.
  *
  * The list will use cxDefaultAllocator and no comparator function. If you want
  * to call functions that need a comparator, you must either set one immediately
  * after list creation or use cxLinkedListCreate().
  *
- * If \p item_size is CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list will be created as if
- * cxListStorePointers() was called immediately after creation.
+ * If @p elem_size is #CX_STORE_POINTERS, the created list stores pointers instead of
+ * copies of the added elements and the compare function will be automatically set
+ * to cx_cmp_ptr(), if none is given.
  *
- * @param item_size the size of each element in bytes
- * @return the created list
+ * @param elem_size (@c size_t) the size of each element in bytes
+ * @return (@c CxList*) the created list
  */
-#define cxLinkedListCreateSimple(item_size) \
-    cxLinkedListCreate(NULL, NULL, item_size)
+#define cxLinkedListCreateSimple(elem_size) \
+    cxLinkedListCreate(NULL, NULL, elem_size)
 
 /**
  * Finds the node at a certain index.
  *
  * This function can be used to start at an arbitrary position within the list.
- * If the search index is large than the start index, \p loc_advance must denote
- * the location of some sort of \c next pointer (i.e. a pointer to the next node).
+ * If the search index is large than the start index, @p loc_advance must denote
+ * the location of some sort of @c next pointer (i.e. a pointer to the next node).
  * But it is also possible that the search index is smaller than the start index
  * (e.g. in cases where traversing a list backwards is faster) in which case
- * \p loc_advance must denote the location of some sort of \c prev pointer
+ * @p loc_advance must denote the location of some sort of @c prev pointer
  * (i.e. a pointer to the previous node).
  *
  * @param start a pointer to the start node
@@ -103,165 +102,191 @@
  * @param index the search index
  * @return the node found at the specified index
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 void *cx_linked_list_at(
-        void const *start,
+        const void *start,
         size_t start_index,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         size_t index
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
- * Finds the index of an element within a linked list.
+ * Finds the node containing an element within a linked list.
  *
  * @param start a pointer to the start node
  * @param loc_advance the location of the pointer to advance
- * @param loc_data the location of the \c data pointer within your node struct
- * @param cmp_func a compare function to compare \p elem against the node data
+ * @param loc_data the location of the @c data pointer within your node struct
+ * @param cmp_func a compare function to compare @p elem against the node data
  * @param elem a pointer to the element to find
- * @return the index of the element or a negative value if it could not be found
+ * @param found_index an optional pointer where the index of the found node
+ * (given that @p start has index 0) is stored
+ * @return the index of the element, if found - unspecified if not found
  */
-ssize_t cx_linked_list_find(
-        void const *start,
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 4, 5)
+cx_attr_export
+void *cx_linked_list_find(
+        const void *start,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         ptrdiff_t loc_data,
         cx_compare_func cmp_func,
-        void const *elem
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+        const void *elem,
+        size_t *found_index
+);
 
 /**
  * Finds the first node in a linked list.
  *
- * The function starts with the pointer denoted by \p node and traverses the list
+ * The function starts with the pointer denoted by @p node and traverses the list
  * along a prev pointer whose location within the node struct is
- * denoted by \p loc_prev.
+ * denoted by @p loc_prev.
  *
  * @param node a pointer to a node in the list
- * @param loc_prev the location of the \c prev pointer
+ * @param loc_prev the location of the @c prev pointer
  * @return a pointer to the first node
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void *cx_linked_list_first(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
  * Finds the last node in a linked list.
  *
- * The function starts with the pointer denoted by \p node and traverses the list
+ * The function starts with the pointer denoted by @p node and traverses the list
  * along a next pointer whose location within the node struct is
- * denoted by \p loc_next.
+ * denoted by @p loc_next.
  *
  * @param node a pointer to a node in the list
- * @param loc_next the location of the \c next pointer
+ * @param loc_next the location of the @c next pointer
  * @return a pointer to the last node
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_returns_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void *cx_linked_list_last(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
  * Finds the predecessor of a node in case it is not linked.
  *
- * \remark If \p node is not contained in the list starting with \p begin, the behavior is undefined.
+ * @remark If @p node is not contained in the list starting with @p begin, the behavior is undefined.
  *
  * @param begin the node where to start the search
- * @param loc_next the location of the \c next pointer
+ * @param loc_next the location of the @c next pointer
  * @param node the successor of the node to find
- * @return the node or \c NULL if \p node has no predecessor
+ * @return the node or @c NULL if @p node has no predecessor
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void *cx_linked_list_prev(
-        void const *begin,
+        const void *begin,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
-        void const *node
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+        const void *node
+);
 
 /**
  * Adds a new node to a linked list.
  * The node must not be part of any list already.
  *
- * \remark One of the pointers \p begin or \p end may be \c NULL, but not both.
+ * @remark One of the pointers @p begin or @p end may be @c NULL, but not both.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (if your list has one)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  * @param new_node a pointer to the node that shall be appended
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(5)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_add(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
         void *new_node
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(5)));
+);
 
 /**
  * Prepends a new node to a linked list.
  * The node must not be part of any list already.
  *
- * \remark One of the pointers \p begin or \p end may be \c NULL, but not both.
+ * @remark One of the pointers @p begin or @p end may be @c NULL, but not both.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (if your list has one)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  * @param new_node a pointer to the node that shall be prepended
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(5)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_prepend(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
         void *new_node
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(5)));
+);
 
 /**
  * Links two nodes.
  *
- * @param left the new predecessor of \p right
- * @param right the new successor of \p left
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param left the new predecessor of @p right
+ * @param right the new successor of @p left
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_link(
         void *left,
         void *right,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
  * Unlinks two nodes.
  *
  * If right is not the successor of left, the behavior is undefined.
  *
- * @param left the predecessor of \p right
- * @param right the successor of \p left
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param left the predecessor of @p right
+ * @param right the successor of @p left
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_unlink(
         void *left,
         void *right,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__));
+);
 
 /**
  * Inserts a new node after a given node of a linked list.
  * The new node must not be part of any list already.
  *
- * \note If you specify \c NULL as the \p node to insert after, this function needs either the \p begin or
- * the \p end pointer to determine the start of the list. Then the new node will be prepended to the list.
+ * @note If you specify @c NULL as the @p node to insert after, this function needs either the @p begin or
+ * the @p end pointer to determine the start of the list. Then the new node will be prepended to the list.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (if your list has one)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
- * @param node the node after which to insert (\c NULL if you want to prepend the node to the list)
- * @param new_node a pointer to the node that shall be prepended
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param node the node after which to insert (@c NULL if you want to prepend the node to the list)
+ * @param new_node a pointer to the node that shall be inserted
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(6)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_insert(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
@@ -269,28 +294,30 @@
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
         void *node,
         void *new_node
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(6)));
+);
 
 /**
  * Inserts a chain of nodes after a given node of a linked list.
  * The chain must not be part of any list already.
  *
  * If you do not explicitly specify the end of the chain, it will be determined by traversing
- * the \c next pointer.
+ * the @c next pointer.
  *
- * \note If you specify \c NULL as the \p node to insert after, this function needs either the \p begin or
- * the \p end pointer to determine the start of the list. If only the \p end pointer is specified, you also need
- * to provide a valid \p loc_prev location.
+ * @note If you specify @c NULL as the @p node to insert after, this function needs either the @p begin or
+ * the @p end pointer to determine the start of the list. If only the @p end pointer is specified, you also need
+ * to provide a valid @p loc_prev location.
  * Then the chain will be prepended to the list.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (if your list has one)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
- * @param node the node after which to insert (\c NULL to prepend the chain to the list)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param node the node after which to insert (@c NULL to prepend the chain to the list)
  * @param insert_begin a pointer to the first node of the chain that shall be inserted
  * @param insert_end a pointer to the last node of the chain (or NULL if the last node shall be determined)
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(6)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_insert_chain(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
@@ -299,44 +326,136 @@
         void *node,
         void *insert_begin,
         void *insert_end
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(6)));
+);
+
+/**
+ * Inserts a node into a sorted linked list.
+ * The new node must not be part of any list already.
+ *
+ * If the list starting with the node pointed to by @p begin is not sorted
+ * already, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (required)
+ * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param new_node a pointer to the node that shall be inserted
+ * @param cmp_func a compare function that will receive the node pointers
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 5, 6)
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_linked_list_insert_sorted(
+        void **begin,
+        void **end,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        void *new_node,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+);
+
+/**
+ * Inserts a chain of nodes into a sorted linked list.
+ * The chain must not be part of any list already.
+ *
+ * If either the list starting with the node pointed to by @p begin or the list
+ * starting with @p insert_begin is not sorted, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @attention In contrast to cx_linked_list_insert_chain(), the source chain
+ * will be broken and inserted into the target list so that the resulting list
+ * will be sorted according to @p cmp_func. That means, each node in the source
+ * chain may be re-linked with nodes from the target list.
+ *
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (required)
+ * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (if your list has one)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param insert_begin a pointer to the first node of the chain that shall be inserted
+ * @param cmp_func a compare function that will receive the node pointers
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 5, 6)
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_linked_list_insert_sorted_chain(
+        void **begin,
+        void **end,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        void *insert_begin,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+);
+
+/**
+ * Removes a chain of nodes from the linked list.
+ *
+ * If one of the nodes to remove is the beginning (resp. end) node of the list and if @p begin (resp. @p end)
+ * addresses are provided, the pointers are adjusted accordingly.
+ *
+ * The following combinations of arguments are valid (more arguments are optional):
+ * @li @p loc_next and @p loc_prev (ancestor node is determined by using the prev pointer, overall O(1) performance)
+ * @li @p loc_next and @p begin (ancestor node is determined by list traversal, overall O(n) performance)
+ *
+ * @remark The @c next and @c prev pointers of the removed node are not cleared by this function and may still be used
+ * to traverse to a former adjacent node in the list, or within the chain.
+ *
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (optional)
+ * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (optional)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param node the start node of the chain
+ * @param num the number of nodes to remove
+ * @return the actual number of nodes that were removed (can be less when the list did not have enough nodes)
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(5)
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_linked_list_remove_chain(
+        void **begin,
+        void **end,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        void *node,
+        size_t num
+);
 
 /**
  * Removes a node from the linked list.
  *
- * If the node to remove is the begin (resp. end) node of the list and if \p begin (resp. \p end)
+ * If the node to remove is the beginning (resp. end) node of the list and if @p begin (resp. @p end)
  * addresses are provided, the pointers are adjusted accordingly.
  *
  * The following combinations of arguments are valid (more arguments are optional):
- * \li \p loc_next and \p loc_prev (ancestor node is determined by using the prev pointer, overall O(1) performance)
- * \li \p loc_next and \p begin (ancestor node is determined by list traversal, overall O(n) performance)
+ * @li @p loc_next and @p loc_prev (ancestor node is determined by using the prev pointer, overall O(1) performance)
+ * @li @p loc_next and @p begin (ancestor node is determined by list traversal, overall O(n) performance)
  *
- * \remark The \c next and \c prev pointers of the removed node are not cleared by this function and may still be used
+ * @remark The @c next and @c prev pointers of the removed node are not cleared by this function and may still be used
  * to traverse to a former adjacent node in the list.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (optional)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (optional)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (optional)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  * @param node the node to remove
  */
-void cx_linked_list_remove(
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(5)
+static inline void cx_linked_list_remove(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
         void *node
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(5)));
-
+) {
+    cx_linked_list_remove_chain(begin, end, loc_prev, loc_next, node, 1);
+}
 
 /**
- * Determines the size of a linked list starting with \p node.
+ * Determines the size of a linked list starting with @p node.
+ *
  * @param node the first node
- * @param loc_next the location of the \c next pointer within the node struct
- * @return the size of the list or zero if \p node is \c NULL
+ * @param loc_next the location of the @c next pointer within the node struct
+ * @return the size of the list or zero if @p node is @c NULL
  */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_linked_list_size(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
 );
 
@@ -344,24 +463,26 @@
  * Sorts a linked list based on a comparison function.
  *
  * This function can work with linked lists of the following structure:
- * \code
+ * @code
  * typedef struct node node;
  * struct node {
  *   node* prev;
  *   node* next;
  *   my_payload data;
  * }
- * \endcode
+ * @endcode
  *
  * @note This is a recursive function with at most logarithmic recursion depth.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (required)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (required)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (optional)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if not present)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
- * @param loc_data the location of the \c data pointer within your node struct
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if not present)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param loc_data the location of the @c data pointer within your node struct
  * @param cmp_func the compare function defining the sort order
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 6)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_sort(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
@@ -369,44 +490,48 @@
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
         ptrdiff_t loc_data,
         cx_compare_func cmp_func
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(1, 6)));
+);
 
 
 /**
  * Compares two lists element wise.
  *
- * \note Both list must have the same structure.
+ * @attention Both list must have the same structure.
  *
- * @param begin_left the begin of the left list (\c NULL denotes an empty list)
- * @param begin_right the begin of the right list  (\c NULL denotes an empty list)
+ * @param begin_left the beginning of the left list (@c NULL denotes an empty list)
+ * @param begin_right the beginning of the right list  (@c NULL denotes an empty list)
  * @param loc_advance the location of the pointer to advance
- * @param loc_data the location of the \c data pointer within your node struct
+ * @param loc_data the location of the @c data pointer within your node struct
  * @param cmp_func the function to compare the elements
- * @return the first non-zero result of invoking \p cmp_func or: negative if the left list is smaller than the
+ * @return the first non-zero result of invoking @p cmp_func or: negative if the left list is smaller than the
  * right list, positive if the left list is larger than the right list, zero if both lists are equal.
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(5)
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_linked_list_compare(
-        void const *begin_left,
-        void const *begin_right,
+        const void *begin_left,
+        const void *begin_right,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         ptrdiff_t loc_data,
         cx_compare_func cmp_func
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(5)));
+);
 
 /**
  * Reverses the order of the nodes in a linked list.
  *
- * @param begin a pointer to the begin node pointer (required)
+ * @param begin a pointer to the beginning node pointer (required)
  * @param end a pointer to the end node pointer (optional)
- * @param loc_prev the location of a \c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
- * @param loc_next the location of a \c next pointer within your node struct (required)
+ * @param loc_prev the location of a @c prev pointer within your node struct (negative if your struct does not have one)
+ * @param loc_next the location of a @c next pointer within your node struct (required)
  */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_linked_list_reverse(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
-) __attribute__((__nonnull__(1)));
+);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- a/src/ucx/cx/list.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/list.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file list.h
- * \brief Interface for list implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file list.h
+ * @brief Interface for list implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_LIST_H
@@ -53,15 +52,18 @@
  * Structure for holding the base data of a list.
  */
 struct cx_list_s {
-    CX_COLLECTION_MEMBERS
+    /**
+     * Common members for collections.
+     */
+    CX_COLLECTION_BASE;
     /**
      * The list class definition.
      */
-    cx_list_class const *cl;
+    const cx_list_class *cl;
     /**
      * The actual implementation in case the list class is delegating.
      */
-    cx_list_class const *climpl;
+    const cx_list_class *climpl;
 };
 
 /**
@@ -72,28 +74,39 @@
      * Destructor function.
      *
      * Implementations SHALL invoke the content destructor functions if provided
-     * and SHALL deallocate the list memory, if an allocator is provided.
+     * and SHALL deallocate the entire list memory.
      */
-    void (*destructor)(struct cx_list_s *list);
+    void (*deallocate)(struct cx_list_s *list);
 
     /**
      * Member function for inserting a single element.
-     * Implementors SHOULD see to performant implementations for corner cases.
      */
     int (*insert_element)(
             struct cx_list_s *list,
             size_t index,
-            void const *data
+            const void *data
     );
 
     /**
      * Member function for inserting multiple elements.
-     * Implementors SHOULD see to performant implementations for corner cases.
+     *
+     * @see cx_list_default_insert_array()
      */
     size_t (*insert_array)(
             struct cx_list_s *list,
             size_t index,
-            void const *data,
+            const void *data,
+            size_t n
+    );
+
+    /**
+     * Member function for inserting sorted elements into a sorted list.
+     *
+     * @see cx_list_default_insert_sorted()
+     */
+    size_t (*insert_sorted)(
+            struct cx_list_s *list,
+            const void *sorted_data,
             size_t n
     );
 
@@ -101,17 +114,26 @@
      * Member function for inserting an element relative to an iterator position.
      */
     int (*insert_iter)(
-            struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter,
-            void const *elem,
+            struct cx_iterator_s *iter,
+            const void *elem,
             int prepend
     );
 
     /**
-     * Member function for removing an element.
+     * Member function for removing elements.
+     *
+     * Implementations SHALL check if @p targetbuf is set and copy the elements
+     * to the buffer without invoking any destructor.
+     * When @p targetbuf is not set, the destructors SHALL be invoked.
+     *
+     * The function SHALL return the actual number of elements removed, which
+     * might be lower than @p num when going out of bounds.
      */
-    int (*remove)(
+    size_t (*remove)(
             struct cx_list_s *list,
-            size_t index
+            size_t index,
+            size_t num,
+            void *targetbuf
     );
 
     /**
@@ -121,6 +143,8 @@
 
     /**
      * Member function for swapping two elements.
+     *
+     * @see cx_list_default_swap()
      */
     int (*swap)(
             struct cx_list_s *list,
@@ -132,29 +156,35 @@
      * Member function for element lookup.
      */
     void *(*at)(
-            struct cx_list_s const *list,
+            const struct cx_list_s *list,
             size_t index
     );
 
     /**
-     * Member function for finding an element.
+     * Member function for finding and optionally removing an element.
      */
-    ssize_t (*find)(
-            struct cx_list_s const *list,
-            void const *elem
+    size_t (*find_remove)(
+            struct cx_list_s *list,
+            const void *elem,
+            bool remove
     );
 
     /**
-     * Member function for sorting the list in-place.
+     * Member function for sorting the list.
+     *
+     * @see cx_list_default_sort()
      */
     void (*sort)(struct cx_list_s *list);
 
     /**
-     * Member function for comparing this list to another list of the same type.
+     * Optional member function for comparing this list
+     * to another list of the same type.
+     * If set to @c NULL, comparison won't be optimized.
      */
+    cx_attr_nonnull
     int (*compare)(
-            struct cx_list_s const *list,
-            struct cx_list_s const *other
+            const struct cx_list_s *list,
+            const struct cx_list_s *other
     );
 
     /**
@@ -166,65 +196,159 @@
      * Member function for returning an iterator pointing to the specified index.
      */
     struct cx_iterator_s (*iterator)(
-            struct cx_list_s const *list,
+            const struct cx_list_s *list,
             size_t index,
             bool backward
     );
 };
 
 /**
+ * Default implementation of an array insert.
+ *
+ * This function uses the element insert function for each element of the array.
+ *
+ * Use this in your own list class if you do not want to implement an optimized
+ * version for your list.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param index the index where to insert the data
+ * @param data a pointer to the array of data to insert
+ * @param n the number of elements to insert
+ * @return the number of elements actually inserted
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_list_default_insert_array(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        size_t index,
+        const void *data,
+        size_t n
+);
+
+/**
+ * Default implementation of a sorted insert.
+ *
+ * This function uses the array insert function to insert consecutive groups
+ * of sorted data.
+ *
+ * The source data @em must already be sorted wrt. the list's compare function.
+ *
+ * Use this in your own list class if you do not want to implement an optimized
+ * version for your list.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param sorted_data a pointer to the array of pre-sorted data to insert
+ * @param n the number of elements to insert
+ * @return the number of elements actually inserted
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_list_default_insert_sorted(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *sorted_data,
+        size_t n
+);
+
+/**
+ * Default unoptimized sort implementation.
+ *
+ * This function will copy all data to an array, sort the array with standard
+ * qsort, and then copy the data back to the list memory.
+ *
+ * Use this in your own list class if you do not want to implement an optimized
+ * version for your list.
+ *
+ * @param list the list that shall be sorted
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_list_default_sort(struct cx_list_s *list);
+
+/**
+ * Default unoptimized swap implementation.
+ *
+ * Use this in your own list class if you do not want to implement an optimized
+ * version for your list.
+ *
+ * @param list the list in which to swap
+ * @param i index of one element
+ * @param j index of the other element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero when indices are out of bounds or memory
+ * allocation for the temporary buffer fails
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_list_default_swap(struct cx_list_s *list, size_t i, size_t j);
+
+/**
+ * Initializes a list struct.
+ *
+ * Only use this function if you are creating your own list implementation.
+ * The purpose of this function is to be called in the initialization code
+ * of your list, to set certain members correctly.
+ *
+ * This is particularly important when you want your list to support
+ * #CX_STORE_POINTERS as @p elem_size. This function will wrap the list
+ * class accordingly and make sure that you can implement your list as if
+ * it was only storing objects and the wrapper will automatically enable
+ * the feature of storing pointers.
+ *
+ * @par Example
+ *
+ * @code
+ * CxList *myCustomListCreate(
+ *         const CxAllocator *allocator,
+ *         cx_compare_func comparator,
+ *         size_t elem_size
+ * ) {
+ *     if (allocator == NULL) {
+ *         allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+ *     }
+ *
+ *     MyCustomList *list = cxCalloc(allocator, 1, sizeof(MyCustomList));
+ *     if (list == NULL) return NULL;
+ *
+ *     // initialize
+ *     cx_list_init((CxList*)list, &my_custom_list_class,
+ *             allocator, comparator, elem_size);
+ *
+ *     // ... some more custom stuff ...
+ *
+ *     return (CxList *) list;
+ * }
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ * @param list the list to initialize
+ * @param cl the list class
+ * @param allocator the allocator for the elements
+ * @param comparator a compare function for the elements
+ * @param elem_size the size of one element
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_list_init(
+    struct cx_list_s *list,
+    struct cx_list_class_s *cl,
+    const struct cx_allocator_s *allocator,
+    cx_compare_func comparator,
+    size_t elem_size
+);
+
+/**
  * Common type for all list implementations.
  */
 typedef struct cx_list_s CxList;
 
 /**
- * Advises the list to store copies of the objects (default mode of operation).
- *
- * Retrieving objects from this list will yield pointers to the copies stored
- * within this list.
- *
- * @param list the list
- * @see cxListStorePointers()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-void cxListStoreObjects(CxList *list);
-
-/**
- * Advises the list to only store pointers to the objects.
- *
- * Retrieving objects from this list will yield the original pointers stored.
- *
- * @note This function forcibly sets the element size to the size of a pointer.
- * Invoking this function on a non-empty list that already stores copies of
- * objects is undefined.
- *
- * @param list the list
- * @see cxListStoreObjects()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-void cxListStorePointers(CxList *list);
-
-/**
- * Returns true, if this list is storing pointers instead of the actual data.
- *
- * @param list
- * @return true, if this list is storing pointers
- * @see cxListStorePointers()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline bool cxListIsStoringPointers(CxList const *list) {
-    return list->store_pointer;
-}
-
-/**
  * Returns the number of elements currently stored in the list.
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @return the number of currently stored elements
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline size_t cxListSize(CxList const *list) {
-    return list->size;
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxListSize(const CxList *list) {
+    return list->collection.size;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -232,15 +356,17 @@
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param elem a pointer to the element to add
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on memory allocation failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero memory allocation failure
  * @see cxListAddArray()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListAdd(
         CxList *list,
-        void const *elem
+        const void *elem
 ) {
-    return list->cl->insert_element(list, list->size, elem);
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
+    return list->cl->insert_element(list, list->collection.size, elem);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -249,9 +375,9 @@
  * This method is more efficient than invoking cxListAdd() multiple times.
  *
  * If there is not enough memory to add all elements, the returned value is
- * less than \p n.
+ * less than @p n.
  *
- * If this list is storing pointers instead of objects \p array is expected to
+ * If this list is storing pointers instead of objects @p array is expected to
  * be an array of pointers.
  *
  * @param list the list
@@ -259,48 +385,70 @@
  * @param n the number of elements to add
  * @return the number of added elements
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline size_t cxListAddArray(
         CxList *list,
-        void const *array,
+        const void *array,
         size_t n
 ) {
-    return list->cl->insert_array(list, list->size, array, n);
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
+    return list->cl->insert_array(list, list->collection.size, array, n);
 }
 
 /**
  * Inserts an item at the specified index.
  *
- * If \p index equals the list \c size, this is effectively cxListAdd().
+ * If @p index equals the list @c size, this is effectively cxListAdd().
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param index the index the element shall have
  * @param elem a pointer to the element to add
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on memory allocation failure
- * or when the index is out of bounds
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero memory allocation failure or the index is out of bounds
  * @see cxListInsertAfter()
  * @see cxListInsertBefore()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListInsert(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *elem
+        const void *elem
 ) {
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
     return list->cl->insert_element(list, index, elem);
 }
 
 /**
+ * Inserts an item into a sorted list.
+ *
+ * If the list is not sorted already, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param elem a pointer to the element to add
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero memory allocation failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxListInsertSorted(
+        CxList *list,
+        const void *elem
+) {
+    list->collection.sorted = true; // guaranteed by definition
+    const void *data = list->collection.store_pointer ? &elem : elem;
+    return list->cl->insert_sorted(list, data, 1) == 0;
+}
+
+/**
  * Inserts multiple items to the list at the specified index.
- * If \p index equals the list size, this is effectively cxListAddArray().
+ * If @p index equals the list size, this is effectively cxListAddArray().
  *
  * This method is usually more efficient than invoking cxListInsert()
  * multiple times.
  *
  * If there is not enough memory to add all elements, the returned value is
- * less than \p n.
+ * less than @p n.
  *
- * If this list is storing pointers instead of objects \p array is expected to
+ * If this list is storing pointers instead of objects @p array is expected to
  * be an array of pointers.
  *
  * @param list the list
@@ -309,37 +457,70 @@
  * @param n the number of elements to add
  * @return the number of added elements
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline size_t cxListInsertArray(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *array,
+        const void *array,
         size_t n
 ) {
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
     return list->cl->insert_array(list, index, array, n);
 }
 
 /**
+ * Inserts a sorted array into a sorted list.
+ *
+ * This method is usually more efficient than inserting each element separately,
+ * because consecutive chunks of sorted data are inserted in one pass.
+ *
+ * If there is not enough memory to add all elements, the returned value is
+ * less than @p n.
+ *
+ * If this list is storing pointers instead of objects @p array is expected to
+ * be an array of pointers.
+ *
+ * If the list is not sorted already, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param array a pointer to the elements to add
+ * @param n the number of elements to add
+ * @return the number of added elements
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxListInsertSortedArray(
+        CxList *list,
+        const void *array,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    list->collection.sorted = true; // guaranteed by definition
+    return list->cl->insert_sorted(list, array, n);
+}
+
+/**
  * Inserts an element after the current location of the specified iterator.
  *
  * The used iterator remains operational, but all other active iterators should
  * be considered invalidated.
  *
- * If \p iter is not a list iterator, the behavior is undefined.
- * If \p iter is a past-the-end iterator, the new element gets appended to the list.
+ * If @p iter is not a list iterator, the behavior is undefined.
+ * If @p iter is a past-the-end iterator, the new element gets appended to the list.
  *
  * @param iter an iterator
  * @param elem the element to insert
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on memory allocation failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero memory allocation failure
  * @see cxListInsert()
  * @see cxListInsertBefore()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListInsertAfter(
-        CxMutIterator *iter,
-        void const *elem
+        CxIterator *iter,
+        const void *elem
 ) {
-    return ((struct cx_list_s *) iter->src_handle)->cl->insert_iter(iter, elem, 0);
+    CxList* list = (CxList*)iter->src_handle.m;
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
+    return list->cl->insert_iter(iter, elem, 0);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -348,21 +529,24 @@
  * The used iterator remains operational, but all other active iterators should
  * be considered invalidated.
  *
- * If \p iter is not a list iterator, the behavior is undefined.
- * If \p iter is a past-the-end iterator, the new element gets appended to the list.
+ * If @p iter is not a list iterator, the behavior is undefined.
+ * If @p iter is a past-the-end iterator, the new element gets appended to the list.
  *
  * @param iter an iterator
  * @param elem the element to insert
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on memory allocation failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero memory allocation failure
  * @see cxListInsert()
  * @see cxListInsertAfter()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListInsertBefore(
-        CxMutIterator *iter,
-        void const *elem
+        CxIterator *iter,
+        const void *elem
 ) {
-    return ((struct cx_list_s *) iter->src_handle)->cl->insert_iter(iter, elem, 1);
+    CxList* list = (CxList*)iter->src_handle.m;
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
+    return list->cl->insert_iter(iter, elem, 1);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -373,26 +557,97 @@
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param index the index of the element
- * @return zero on success, non-zero if the index is out of bounds
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero index out of bounds
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListRemove(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
-    return list->cl->remove(list, index);
+    return list->cl->remove(list, index, 1, NULL) == 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Removes and returns the element at the specified index.
+ *
+ * No destructor is called and instead the element is copied to the
+ * @p targetbuf which MUST be large enough to hold the removed element.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param index the index of the element
+ * @param targetbuf a buffer where to copy the element
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero index out of bounds
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cxListRemoveAndGet(
+        CxList *list,
+        size_t index,
+        void *targetbuf
+) {
+    return list->cl->remove(list, index, 1, targetbuf) == 0;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Removes multiple element starting at the specified index.
+ *
+ * If an element destructor function is specified, it is called for each
+ * element. It is guaranteed that the destructor is called before removing
+ * the element, however, due to possible optimizations it is neither guaranteed
+ * that the destructors are invoked for all elements before starting to remove
+ * them, nor that the element is removed immediately after the destructor call
+ * before proceeding to the next element.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param index the index of the element
+ * @param num the number of elements to remove
+ * @return the actual number of removed elements
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxListRemoveArray(
+        CxList *list,
+        size_t index,
+        size_t num
+) {
+    return list->cl->remove(list, index, num, NULL);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Removes and returns multiple element starting at the specified index.
+ *
+ * No destructor is called and instead the elements are copied to the
+ * @p targetbuf which MUST be large enough to hold all removed elements.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param index the index of the element
+ * @param num the number of elements to remove
+ * @param targetbuf a buffer where to copy the elements
+ * @return the actual number of removed elements
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(4)
+static inline size_t cxListRemoveArrayAndGet(
+        CxList *list,
+        size_t index,
+        size_t num,
+        void *targetbuf
+) {
+    return list->cl->remove(list, index, num, targetbuf);
 }
 
 /**
  * Removes all elements from this list.
  *
- * If an element destructor function is specified, it is called for each
+ * If element destructor functions are specified, they are called for each
  * element before removing them.
  *
  * @param list the list
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline void cxListClear(CxList *list) {
+    list->collection.sorted = true; // empty lists are always sorted
     list->cl->clear(list);
 }
 
@@ -405,14 +660,17 @@
  * @param list the list
  * @param i the index of the first element
  * @param j the index of the second element
- * @return zero on success, non-zero if one of the indices is out of bounds
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero one of the indices is out of bounds
+ * or the swap needed extra memory but allocation failed
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxListSwap(
         CxList *list,
         size_t i,
         size_t j
 ) {
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
     return list->cl->swap(list, i, j);
 }
 
@@ -421,11 +679,11 @@
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param index the index of the element
- * @return a pointer to the element or \c NULL if the index is out of bounds
+ * @return a pointer to the element or @c NULL if the index is out of bounds
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline void *cxListAt(
-        CxList *list,
+        const CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     return list->cl->at(list, index);
@@ -442,9 +700,10 @@
  * @param index the index where the iterator shall point at
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline CxIterator cxListIteratorAt(
-        CxList const *list,
+        const CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     return list->cl->iterator(list, index, false);
@@ -461,9 +720,10 @@
  * @param index the index where the iterator shall point at
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline CxIterator cxListBackwardsIteratorAt(
-        CxList const *list,
+        const CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     return list->cl->iterator(list, index, true);
@@ -480,8 +740,10 @@
  * @param index the index where the iterator shall point at
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-CxMutIterator cxListMutIteratorAt(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxListMutIteratorAt(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index
 );
@@ -498,8 +760,10 @@
  * @param index the index where the iterator shall point at
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-CxMutIterator cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxIterator cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index
 );
@@ -514,8 +778,9 @@
  * @param list the list
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxIterator cxListIterator(CxList const *list) {
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxIterator cxListIterator(const CxList *list) {
     return list->cl->iterator(list, 0, false);
 }
 
@@ -529,8 +794,9 @@
  * @param list the list
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxMutIterator cxListMutIterator(CxList *list) {
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxIterator cxListMutIterator(CxList *list) {
     return cxListMutIteratorAt(list, 0);
 }
 
@@ -545,9 +811,10 @@
  * @param list the list
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxIterator cxListBackwardsIterator(CxList const *list) {
-    return list->cl->iterator(list, list->size - 1, true);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxIterator cxListBackwardsIterator(const CxList *list) {
+    return list->cl->iterator(list, list->collection.size - 1, true);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -560,39 +827,75 @@
  * @param list the list
  * @return a new iterator
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxMutIterator cxListMutBackwardsIterator(CxList *list) {
-    return cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(list, list->size - 1);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxIterator cxListMutBackwardsIterator(CxList *list) {
+    return cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(list, list->collection.size - 1);
 }
 
 /**
- * Returns the index of the first element that equals \p elem.
+ * Returns the index of the first element that equals @p elem.
  *
  * Determining equality is performed by the list's comparator function.
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param elem the element to find
- * @return the index of the element or a negative
- * value when the element is not found
+ * @return the index of the element or the size of the list when the element is not found
+ * @see cxListIndexValid()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline ssize_t cxListFind(
-        CxList const *list,
-        void const *elem
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline size_t cxListFind(
+        const CxList *list,
+        const void *elem
 ) {
-    return list->cl->find(list, elem);
+    return list->cl->find_remove((CxList*)list, elem, false);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if the specified index is within bounds.
+ *
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param index the index
+ * @retval true if the index is within bounds
+ * @retval false if the index is out of bounds
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline bool cxListIndexValid(const CxList *list, size_t index) {
+    return index < list->collection.size;
 }
 
 /**
- * Sorts the list in-place.
+ * Removes and returns the index of the first element that equals @p elem.
+ *
+ * Determining equality is performed by the list's comparator function.
  *
- * \remark The underlying sort algorithm is implementation defined.
+ * @param list the list
+ * @param elem the element to find and remove
+ * @return the index of the now removed element or the list size
+ * when the element is not found or could not be removed
+ * @see cxListIndexValid()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxListFindRemove(
+        CxList *list,
+        const void *elem
+) {
+    return list->cl->find_remove(list, elem, true);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sorts the list.
+ *
+ * @remark The underlying sort algorithm is implementation defined.
  *
  * @param list the list
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline void cxListSort(CxList *list) {
     list->cl->sort(list);
+    list->collection.sorted = true;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -600,8 +903,10 @@
  *
  * @param list the list
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline void cxListReverse(CxList *list) {
+    // still sorted, but not according to the cmp_func
+    list->collection.sorted = false;
     list->cl->reverse(list);
 }
 
@@ -613,34 +918,40 @@
  *
  * @param list the list
  * @param other the list to compare to
- * @return zero, if both lists are equal element wise,
- * negative if the first list is smaller, positive if the first list is larger
+ * @retval zero both lists are equal element wise
+ * @retval negative the first list is smaller
+ * or the first non-equal element in the first list is smaller
+ * @retval positive the first list is larger
+ * or the first non-equal element in the first list is larger
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 int cxListCompare(
-        CxList const *list,
-        CxList const *other
+        const CxList *list,
+        const CxList *other
 );
 
 /**
  * Deallocates the memory of the specified list structure.
  *
- * Also calls content a destructor function, depending on the configuration
- * in CxList.content_destructor_type.
- *
- * This function itself is a destructor function for the CxList.
+ * Also calls the content destructor functions for each element, if specified.
  *
- * @param list the list which shall be destroyed
+ * @param list the list which shall be freed
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-void cxListDestroy(CxList *list);
+cx_attr_export
+void cxListFree(CxList *list);
 
 /**
  * A shared instance of an empty list.
  *
- * Writing to that list is undefined.
+ * Writing to that list is not allowed.
+ *
+ * You can use this is a placeholder for initializing CxList pointers
+ * for which you do not want to reserve memory right from the beginning.
  */
-extern CxList * const cxEmptyList;
+cx_attr_export
+extern CxList *const cxEmptyList;
 
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
--- a/src/ucx/cx/map.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/map.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file map.h
- * \brief Interface for map implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file map.h
+ * @brief Interface for map implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_MAP_H
@@ -52,17 +51,37 @@
 /** Type for a map entry. */
 typedef struct cx_map_entry_s CxMapEntry;
 
+/** Type for a map iterator. */
+typedef struct cx_map_iterator_s CxMapIterator;
+
 /** Type for map class definitions. */
 typedef struct cx_map_class_s cx_map_class;
 
 /** Structure for the UCX map. */
 struct cx_map_s {
-    CX_COLLECTION_MEMBERS
+    /**
+     * Base attributes.
+     */
+    CX_COLLECTION_BASE;
     /** The map class definition. */
     cx_map_class *cl;
 };
 
 /**
+ * A map entry.
+ */
+struct cx_map_entry_s {
+    /**
+     * A pointer to the key.
+     */
+    const CxHashKey *key;
+    /**
+     * A pointer to the value.
+     */
+    void *value;
+};
+
+/**
  * The type of iterator for a map.
  */
 enum cx_map_iterator_type {
@@ -81,25 +100,92 @@
 };
 
 /**
+ * Internal iterator struct - use CxMapIterator.
+ */
+struct cx_map_iterator_s {
+    /**
+     * Inherited common data for all iterators.
+     */
+    CX_ITERATOR_BASE;
+
+    /**
+     * Handle for the source map.
+     */
+    union {
+        /**
+         * Access for mutating iterators.
+         */
+        CxMap *m;
+        /**
+         * Access for normal iterators.
+         */
+        const CxMap *c;
+    } map;
+
+    /**
+     * Handle for the current element.
+     *
+     * @attention Depends on the map implementation, do not assume a type (better: do not use!).
+     */
+    void *elem;
+
+    /**
+     * Reserved memory for a map entry.
+     *
+     * If a map implementation uses an incompatible layout, the iterator needs something
+     * to point to during iteration which @em is compatible.
+     */
+    CxMapEntry entry;
+
+    /**
+     * Field for storing the current slot number.
+     *
+     * (Used internally)
+     */
+    size_t slot;
+
+    /**
+     * Counts the elements successfully.
+     * It usually does not denote a stable index within the map as it would be for arrays.
+     */
+    size_t index;
+
+    /**
+     * The size of a value stored in this map.
+     */
+    size_t elem_size;
+
+    /**
+     * May contain the total number of elements, if known.
+     * Set to @c SIZE_MAX when the total number is unknown during iteration.
+     *
+     * @remark The UCX implementations of #CxMap always know the number of elements they store.
+     */
+    size_t elem_count;
+
+    /**
+     * The type of this iterator.
+     */
+    enum cx_map_iterator_type type;
+};
+
+/**
  * The class definition for arbitrary maps.
  */
 struct cx_map_class_s {
     /**
      * Deallocates the entire memory.
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__))
-    void (*destructor)(struct cx_map_s *map);
+    void (*deallocate)(struct cx_map_s *map);
 
     /**
      * Removes all elements.
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__))
     void (*clear)(struct cx_map_s *map);
 
     /**
      * Add or overwrite an element.
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__))
     int (*put)(
             CxMap *map,
             CxHashKey key,
@@ -109,143 +195,122 @@
     /**
      * Returns an element.
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
     void *(*get)(
-            CxMap const *map,
+            const CxMap *map,
             CxHashKey key
     );
 
     /**
      * Removes an element.
+     *
+     * Implementations SHALL check if @p targetbuf is set and copy the elements
+     * to the buffer without invoking any destructor.
+     * When @p targetbuf is not set, the destructors SHALL be invoked.
+     *
+     * The function SHALL return zero when the @p key was found and
+     * non-zero, otherwise. 
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__))
-    void *(*remove)(
+    int (*remove)(
             CxMap *map,
             CxHashKey key,
-            bool destroy
+            void *targetbuf
     );
 
     /**
      * Creates an iterator for this map.
      */
-    __attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-    CxIterator (*iterator)(CxMap const *map, enum cx_map_iterator_type type);
-};
-
-/**
- * A map entry.
- */
-struct cx_map_entry_s {
-    /**
-     * A pointer to the key.
-     */
-    CxHashKey const *key;
-    /**
-     * A pointer to the value.
-     */
-    void *value;
+    CxMapIterator (*iterator)(const CxMap *map, enum cx_map_iterator_type type);
 };
 
 /**
  * A shared instance of an empty map.
  *
- * Writing to that map is undefined.
- */
-extern CxMap *const cxEmptyMap;
-
-/**
- * Advises the map to store copies of the objects (default mode of operation).
+ * Writing to that map is not allowed.
  *
- * Retrieving objects from this map will yield pointers to the copies stored
- * within this list.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
+ * You can use this is a placeholder for initializing CxMap pointers
+ * for which you do not want to reserve memory right from the beginning.
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapStoreObjects(CxMap *map) {
-    map->store_pointer = false;
-}
-
-/**
- * Advises the map to only store pointers to the objects.
- *
- * Retrieving objects from this list will yield the original pointers stored.
- *
- * @note This function forcibly sets the element size to the size of a pointer.
- * Invoking this function on a non-empty map that already stores copies of
- * objects is undefined.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @see cxMapStoreObjects()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapStorePointers(CxMap *map) {
-    map->store_pointer = true;
-    map->item_size = sizeof(void *);
-}
-
+cx_attr_export
+extern CxMap *const cxEmptyMap;
 
 /**
  * Deallocates the memory of the specified map.
  *
- * @param map the map to be destroyed
+ * Also calls the content destructor functions for each element, if specified.
+ *
+ * @param map the map to be freed
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapDestroy(CxMap *map) {
-    map->cl->destructor(map);
-}
+cx_attr_export
+void cxMapFree(CxMap *map);
 
 
 /**
  * Clears a map by removing all elements.
  *
+ * Also calls the content destructor functions for each element, if specified.
+ *
  * @param map the map to be cleared
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline void cxMapClear(CxMap *map) {
     map->cl->clear(map);
 }
 
-
-// TODO: set-like map operations (union, intersect, difference)
+/**
+ * Returns the number of elements in this map.
+ *
+ * @param map the map
+ * @return the number of stored elements
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxMapSize(const CxMap *map) {
+    return map->collection.size;
+}
 
 /**
  * Creates a value iterator for a map.
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * When the map is storing pointers, those pointers are returned.
+ * Otherwise, the iterator iterates over pointers to the memory within the map where the
+ * respective elements are stored.
+ *
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
  * @return an iterator for the currently stored values
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxIterator cxMapIteratorValues(CxMap const *map) {
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxMapIterator cxMapIteratorValues(const CxMap *map) {
     return map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_VALUES);
 }
 
 /**
  * Creates a key iterator for a map.
  *
- * The elements of the iterator are keys of type CxHashKey.
+ * The elements of the iterator are keys of type CxHashKey and the pointer returned
+ * during iterator shall be treated as @c const @c CxHashKey* .
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
  * @return an iterator for the currently stored keys
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxIterator cxMapIteratorKeys(CxMap const *map) {
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxMapIterator cxMapIteratorKeys(const CxMap *map) {
     return map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_KEYS);
 }
 
 /**
  * Creates an iterator for a map.
  *
- * The elements of the iterator are key/value pairs of type CxMapEntry.
+ * The elements of the iterator are key/value pairs of type CxMapEntry and the pointer returned
+ * during iterator shall be treated as @c const @c CxMapEntry* .
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
@@ -253,8 +318,9 @@
  * @see cxMapIteratorKeys()
  * @see cxMapIteratorValues()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxIterator cxMapIterator(CxMap const *map) {
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxMapIterator cxMapIterator(const CxMap *map) {
     return map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_PAIRS);
 }
 
@@ -262,35 +328,45 @@
 /**
  * Creates a mutating iterator over the values of a map.
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * When the map is storing pointers, those pointers are returned.
+ * Otherwise, the iterator iterates over pointers to the memory within the map where the
+ * respective elements are stored.
+ *
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
  * @return an iterator for the currently stored values
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIteratorValues(CxMap *map);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIteratorValues(CxMap *map);
 
 /**
  * Creates a mutating iterator over the keys of a map.
  *
- * The elements of the iterator are keys of type CxHashKey.
+ * The elements of the iterator are keys of type CxHashKey and the pointer returned
+ * during iterator shall be treated as @c const @c CxHashKey* .
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
  * @return an iterator for the currently stored keys
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIteratorKeys(CxMap *map);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIteratorKeys(CxMap *map);
 
 /**
  * Creates a mutating iterator for a map.
  *
- * The elements of the iterator are key/value pairs of type CxMapEntry.
+ * The elements of the iterator are key/value pairs of type CxMapEntry and the pointer returned
+ * during iterator shall be treated as @c const @c CxMapEntry* .
  *
- * \note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore the order
+ * @note An iterator iterates over all elements successively. Therefore, the order
  * highly depends on the map implementation and may change arbitrarily when the contents change.
  *
  * @param map the map to create the iterator for
@@ -298,21 +374,14 @@
  * @see cxMapMutIteratorKeys()
  * @see cxMapMutIteratorValues()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIterator(CxMap *map);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIterator(CxMap *map);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // end the extern "C" block here, because we want to start overloading
-
-/**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxMapPut(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey const &key,
@@ -321,16 +390,7 @@
     return map->cl->put(map, key, value);
 }
 
-
-/**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxMapPut(
         CxMap *map,
         cxstring const &key,
@@ -339,15 +399,7 @@
     return map->cl->put(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), value);
 }
 
-/**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cxMapPut(
         CxMap *map,
         cxmutstr const &key,
@@ -356,378 +408,133 @@
     return map->cl->put(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), value);
 }
 
-/**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
 static inline int cxMapPut(
         CxMap *map,
-        char const *key,
+        const char *key,
         void *value
 ) {
     return map->cl->put(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), value);
 }
 
-/**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cxMapGet(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey const &key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, key);
 }
 
-/**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cxMapGet(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         cxstring const &key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key));
 }
 
-/**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cxMapGet(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         cxmutstr const &key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key));
 }
 
-/**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
 static inline void *cxMapGet(
-        CxMap const *map,
-        char const *key
+        const CxMap *map,
+        const char *key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_str(key));
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * Always invokes the destructor function, if any, on the removed element.
- * If this map is storing pointers and you just want to retrieve the pointer
- * without invoking the destructor, use cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- * If you just want to detach the element from the map without invoking the
- * destructor or returning the element, use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapRemove(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxMapRemove(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey const &key
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, key, true);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * Always invokes the destructor function, if any, on the removed element.
- * If this map is storing pointers and you just want to retrieve the pointer
- * without invoking the destructor, use cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- * If you just want to detach the element from the map without invoking the
- * destructor or returning the element, use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapRemove(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxstring const &key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), true);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * Always invokes the destructor function, if any, on the removed element.
- * If this map is storing pointers and you just want to retrieve the pointer
- * without invoking the destructor, use cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- * If you just want to detach the element from the map without invoking the
- * destructor or returning the element, use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapRemove(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxmutstr const &key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), true);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, key, nullptr);
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * Always invokes the destructor function, if any, on the removed element.
- * If this map is storing pointers and you just want to retrieve the pointer
- * without invoking the destructor, use cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- * If you just want to detach the element from the map without invoking the
- * destructor or returning the element, use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapRemove(
-        CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), true);
-}
-
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * In general, you should only use this function if the map does not own
- * the data and there is a valid reference to the data somewhere else
- * in the program. In all other cases it is preferable to use
- * cxMapRemove() or cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemove()
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapDetach(
-        CxMap *map,
-        CxHashKey const &key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, key, false);
-}
-
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * In general, you should only use this function if the map does not own
- * the data and there is a valid reference to the data somewhere else
- * in the program. In all other cases it is preferable to use
- * cxMapRemove() or cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemove()
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapDetach(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxMapRemove(
         CxMap *map,
         cxstring const &key
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), false);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), nullptr);
 }
 
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * In general, you should only use this function if the map does not own
- * the data and there is a valid reference to the data somewhere else
- * in the program. In all other cases it is preferable to use
- * cxMapRemove() or cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemove()
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapDetach(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxMapRemove(
         CxMap *map,
         cxmutstr const &key
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), false);
-}
-
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * In general, you should only use this function if the map does not own
- * the data and there is a valid reference to the data somewhere else
- * in the program. In all other cases it is preferable to use
- * cxMapRemove() or cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemove()
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cxMapDetach(
-        CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), false);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), nullptr);
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * This function can be used when the map is storing pointers,
- * in order to retrieve the pointer from the map without invoking
- * any destructor function. Sometimes you do not want the pointer
- * to be returned - in that case (instead of suppressing the "unused
- * result" warning) you can use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * If this map is not storing pointers, this function behaves like
- * cxMapRemove() and returns \c NULL.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cxMapRemoveAndGet(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cxMapRemove(
         CxMap *map,
-        CxHashKey key
+        const char *key
 ) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, key, !map->store_pointer);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), nullptr);
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cxMapRemoveAndGet(
+        CxMap *map,
+        CxHashKey key,
+        void *targetbuf
+) {
+    return map->cl->remove(map, key, targetbuf);
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * This function can be used when the map is storing pointers,
- * in order to retrieve the pointer from the map without invoking
- * any destructor function. Sometimes you do not want the pointer
- * to be returned - in that case (instead of suppressing the "unused
- * result" warning) you can use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * If this map is not storing pointers, this function behaves like
- * cxMapRemove() and returns \c NULL.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cxMapRemoveAndGet(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cxMapRemoveAndGet(
         CxMap *map,
-        cxstring key
+        cxstring key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), !map->store_pointer);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), targetbuf);
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * This function can be used when the map is storing pointers,
- * in order to retrieve the pointer from the map without invoking
- * any destructor function. Sometimes you do not want the pointer
- * to be returned - in that case (instead of suppressing the "unused
- * result" warning) you can use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * If this map is not storing pointers, this function behaves like
- * cxMapRemove() and returns \c NULL.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cxMapRemoveAndGet(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cxMapRemoveAndGet(
         CxMap *map,
-        cxmutstr key
+        cxmutstr key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), !map->store_pointer);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), targetbuf);
 }
 
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * This function can be used when the map is storing pointers,
- * in order to retrieve the pointer from the map without invoking
- * any destructor function. Sometimes you do not want the pointer
- * to be returned - in that case (instead of suppressing the "unused
- * result" warning) you can use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * If this map is not storing pointers, this function behaves like
- * cxMapRemove() and returns \c NULL.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cxMapRemoveAndGet(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cxMapRemoveAndGet(
         CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
+        const char *key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), !map->store_pointer);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), targetbuf);
 }
 
 #else // __cplusplus
 
 /**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
+ * @copydoc cxMapPut()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cx_map_put(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key,
@@ -737,14 +544,9 @@
 }
 
 /**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
+ * @copydoc cxMapPut()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cx_map_put_cxstr(
         CxMap *map,
         cxstring key,
@@ -754,14 +556,9 @@
 }
 
 /**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
+ * @copydoc cxMapPut()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
 static inline int cx_map_put_mustr(
         CxMap *map,
         cxmutstr key,
@@ -771,17 +568,13 @@
 }
 
 /**
- * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
+ * @copydoc cxMapPut()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
 static inline int cx_map_put_str(
         CxMap *map,
-        char const *key,
+        const char *key,
         void *value
 ) {
     return map->cl->put(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), value);
@@ -790,75 +583,75 @@
 /**
  * Puts a key/value-pair into the map.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @param value the value
- * @return 0 on success, non-zero value on failure
+ * A possible existing value will be overwritten.
+ * If destructor functions are specified, they are called for
+ * the overwritten element.
+ *
+ * If this map is storing pointers, the @p value pointer is written
+ * to the map. Otherwise, the memory is copied from @p value with
+ * memcpy().
+ *
+ * The @p key is always copied.
+ *
+ * @param map (@c CxMap*) the map
+ * @param key (@c CxHashKey, @c char*, @c cxstring, or @c cxmutstr) the key
+ * @param value (@c void*) the value
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero value on memory allocation failure
  */
 #define cxMapPut(map, key, value) _Generic((key), \
     CxHashKey: cx_map_put,                        \
     cxstring: cx_map_put_cxstr,                   \
     cxmutstr: cx_map_put_mustr,                   \
     char*: cx_map_put_str,                        \
-    char const*: cx_map_put_str)                  \
+    const char*: cx_map_put_str)                  \
     (map, key, value)
 
 /**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
+ * @copydoc cxMapGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cx_map_get(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, key);
 }
 
 /**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
+ * @copydoc cxMapGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cx_map_get_cxstr(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         cxstring key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key));
 }
 
 /**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
+ * @copydoc cxMapGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
 static inline void *cx_map_get_mustr(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         cxmutstr key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key));
 }
 
 /**
- * Retrieves a value by using a key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
+ * @copydoc cxMapGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
 static inline void *cx_map_get_str(
-        CxMap const *map,
-        char const *key
+        const CxMap *map,
+        const char *key
 ) {
     return map->cl->get(map, cx_hash_key_str(key));
 }
@@ -866,268 +659,166 @@
 /**
  * Retrieves a value by using a key.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the value
+ * If this map is storing pointers, the stored pointer is returned.
+ * Otherwise, a pointer to the element within the map's memory
+ * is returned (which is valid as long as the element stays in the map).
+ *
+ * @param map (@c CxMap*) the map
+ * @param key (@c CxHashKey, @c char*, @c cxstring, or @c cxmutstr) the key
+ * @return (@c void*) the value
  */
 #define cxMapGet(map, key) _Generic((key), \
     CxHashKey: cx_map_get,                 \
     cxstring: cx_map_get_cxstr,            \
     cxmutstr: cx_map_get_mustr,            \
     char*: cx_map_get_str,                 \
-    char const*: cx_map_get_str)           \
+    const char*: cx_map_get_str)           \
     (map, key)
 
 /**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemove()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_remove(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_map_remove(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, key, true);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, key, NULL);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemove()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_map_remove_cxstr(
+        CxMap *map,
+        cxstring key
+) {
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), NULL);
 }
 
 /**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemove()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_remove_cxstr(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_map_remove_mustr(
         CxMap *map,
-        cxstring key
+        cxmutstr key
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), true);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), NULL);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemove()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cx_map_remove_str(
+        CxMap *map,
+        const char *key
+) {
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), NULL);
 }
 
 /**
  * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_remove_mustr(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxmutstr key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), true);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
+ * Always invokes the destructors functions, if any, on the removed element.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_remove_str(
-        CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), true);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * Always invokes the destructor function, if any, on the removed element.
- * If this map is storing pointers and you just want to retrieve the pointer
- * without invoking the destructor, use cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- * If you just want to detach the element from the map without invoking the
- * destructor or returning the element, use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
+ * @param map (@c CxMap*) the map
+ * @param key (@c CxHashKey, @c char*, @c cxstring, or @c cxmutstr) the key
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero the key was not found
+ * 
  * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
  */
 #define cxMapRemove(map, key) _Generic((key), \
     CxHashKey: cx_map_remove,                 \
     cxstring: cx_map_remove_cxstr,            \
     cxmutstr: cx_map_remove_mustr,            \
     char*: cx_map_remove_str,                 \
-    char const*: cx_map_remove_str)           \
+    const char*: cx_map_remove_str)           \
     (map, key)
 
 /**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_detach(
-        CxMap *map,
-        CxHashKey key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, key, false);
-}
-
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemoveAndGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_detach_cxstr(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cx_map_remove_and_get(
         CxMap *map,
-        cxstring key
+        CxHashKey key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), false);
-}
-
-/**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_detach_mustr(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxmutstr key
-) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), false);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, key, targetbuf);
 }
 
 /**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemoveAndGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-static inline void cx_map_detach_str(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cx_map_remove_and_get_cxstr(
         CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
+        cxstring key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    (void) map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), false);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), targetbuf);
 }
 
 /**
- * Detaches a key/value-pair from the map by using the key
- * without invoking the destructor.
- *
- * In general, you should only use this function if the map does not own
- * the data and there is a valid reference to the data somewhere else
- * in the program. In all other cases it is preferable to use
- * cxMapRemove() or cxMapRemoveAndGet().
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @see cxMapRemove()
- * @see cxMapRemoveAndGet()
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemoveAndGet()
  */
-#define cxMapDetach(map, key) _Generic((key), \
-    CxHashKey: cx_map_detach,                 \
-    cxstring: cx_map_detach_cxstr,            \
-    cxmutstr: cx_map_detach_mustr,            \
-    char*: cx_map_detach_str,                 \
-    char const*: cx_map_detach_str)           \
-    (map, key)
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+static inline int cx_map_remove_and_get_mustr(
+        CxMap *map,
+        cxmutstr key,
+        void *targetbuf
+) {
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), targetbuf);
+}
 
 /**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
+ * @copydoc cxMapRemoveAndGet()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cx_map_remove_and_get(
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(3)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cx_map_remove_and_get_str(
         CxMap *map,
-        CxHashKey key
+        const char *key,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, key, !map->store_pointer);
+    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), targetbuf);
 }
 
 /**
  * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cx_map_remove_and_get_cxstr(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxstring key
-) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), !map->store_pointer);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
+ * This function will copy the contents of the removed element
+ * to the target buffer, which must be guaranteed to be large enough
+ * to hold the element (the map's element size).
+ * The destructor functions, if any, will @em not be called.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cx_map_remove_and_get_mustr(
-        CxMap *map,
-        cxmutstr key
-) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_cxstr(key), !map->store_pointer);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
+ * If this map is storing pointers, the element is the pointer itself
+ * and not the object it points to.
  *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__, __warn_unused_result__))
-static inline void *cx_map_remove_and_get_str(
-        CxMap *map,
-        char const *key
-) {
-    return map->cl->remove(map, cx_hash_key_str(key), !map->store_pointer);
-}
-
-/**
- * Removes a key/value-pair from the map by using the key.
+ * @param map (@c CxMap*) the map
+ * @param key (@c CxHashKey, @c char*, @c cxstring, or @c cxmutstr) the key
+ * @param targetbuf (@c void*) the buffer where the element shall be copied to
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero the key was not found
  *
- * This function can be used when the map is storing pointers,
- * in order to retrieve the pointer from the map without invoking
- * any destructor function. Sometimes you do not want the pointer
- * to be returned - in that case (instead of suppressing the "unused
- * result" warning) you can use cxMapDetach().
- *
- * If this map is not storing pointers, this function behaves like
- * cxMapRemove() and returns \c NULL.
- *
- * @param map the map
- * @param key the key
- * @return the stored pointer or \c NULL if either the key is not present
- * in the map or the map is not storing pointers
- * @see cxMapStorePointers()
- * @see cxMapDetach()
+ * @see cxMapRemove()
  */
-#define cxMapRemoveAndGet(map, key) _Generic((key), \
+#define cxMapRemoveAndGet(map, key, targetbuf) _Generic((key), \
     CxHashKey: cx_map_remove_and_get,               \
     cxstring: cx_map_remove_and_get_cxstr,          \
     cxmutstr: cx_map_remove_and_get_mustr,          \
     char*: cx_map_remove_and_get_str,               \
-    char const*: cx_map_remove_and_get_str)         \
-    (map, key)
+    const char*: cx_map_remove_and_get_str)         \
+    (map, key, targetbuf)
 
 #endif // __cplusplus
 
--- a/src/ucx/cx/mempool.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/mempool.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file mempool.h
- * \brief Interface for memory pool implementations.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file mempool.h
+ * @brief Interface for memory pool implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_MEMPOOL_H
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@
  */
 struct cx_mempool_s {
     /** The provided allocator. */
-    CxAllocator const *allocator;
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
 
     /**
      * A destructor that shall be automatically registered for newly allocated memory.
@@ -77,35 +76,35 @@
 typedef struct cx_mempool_s CxMempool;
 
 /**
+ * Deallocates a memory pool and frees the managed memory.
+ *
+ * @param pool the memory pool to free
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+void cxMempoolFree(CxMempool *pool);
+
+/**
  * Creates an array-based memory pool with a shared destructor function.
  *
  * This destructor MUST NOT free the memory.
  *
  * @param capacity the initial capacity of the pool
- * @param destr the destructor function to use for allocated memory
- * @return the created memory pool or \c NULL if allocation failed
+ * @param destr optional destructor function to use for allocated memory
+ * @return the created memory pool or @c NULL if allocation failed
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxMempoolFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
 CxMempool *cxMempoolCreate(size_t capacity, cx_destructor_func destr);
 
 /**
  * Creates a basic array-based memory pool.
  *
- * @param capacity the initial capacity of the pool
- * @return the created memory pool or \c NULL if allocation failed
+ * @param capacity (@c size_t) the initial capacity of the pool
+ * @return (@c CxMempool*) the created memory pool or @c NULL if allocation failed
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-static inline CxMempool *cxBasicMempoolCreate(size_t capacity) {
-    return cxMempoolCreate(capacity, NULL);
-}
-
-/**
- * Destroys a memory pool and frees the managed memory.
- *
- * @param pool the memory pool to destroy
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-void cxMempoolDestroy(CxMempool *pool);
+#define cxMempoolCreateSimple(capacity) cxMempoolCreate(capacity, NULL)
 
 /**
  * Sets the destructor function for a specific allocated memory object.
@@ -116,13 +115,26 @@
  * @param memory the object allocated in the pool
  * @param fnc the destructor function
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 void cxMempoolSetDestructor(
         void *memory,
         cx_destructor_func fnc
 );
 
 /**
+ * Removes the destructor function for a specific allocated memory object.
+ *
+ * If the memory is not managed by a UCX memory pool, the behavior is undefined.
+ * The destructor MUST NOT free the memory.
+ *
+ * @param memory the object allocated in the pool
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxMempoolRemoveDestructor(void *memory);
+
+/**
  * Registers foreign memory with this pool.
  *
  * The destructor, in contrast to memory allocated by the pool, MUST free the memory.
@@ -131,11 +143,13 @@
  * If that allocation fails, this function will return non-zero.
  *
  * @param pool the pool
- * @param memory the object allocated in the pool
+ * @param memory the object to register (MUST NOT be already allocated in the pool)
  * @param destr the destructor function
- * @return zero on success, non-zero on failure
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cxMempoolRegister(
         CxMempool *pool,
         void *memory,
--- a/src/ucx/cx/printf.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/printf.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file printf.h
- * \brief Wrapper for write functions with a printf-like interface.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file printf.h
+ * @brief Wrapper for write functions with a printf-like interface.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_PRINTF_H
@@ -41,52 +40,74 @@
 #include "string.h"
 #include <stdarg.h>
 
+/**
+ * Attribute for printf-like functions.
+ * @param fmt_idx index of the format string parameter
+ * @param arg_idx index of the first formatting argument
+ */
+#define cx_attr_printf(fmt_idx, arg_idx) \
+    __attribute__((__format__(printf, fmt_idx, arg_idx)))
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
+
 /**
- * A \c fprintf like function which writes the output to a stream by
+ * The maximum string length that fits into stack memory.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern const unsigned cx_printf_sbo_size;
+
+/**
+ * A @c fprintf like function which writes the output to a stream by
  * using a write_func.
  *
  * @param stream the stream the data is written to
  * @param wfc the write function
  * @param fmt format string
  * @param ... additional arguments
- * @return the total number of bytes written
+ * @return the total number of bytes written or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__(1, 2, 3), __format__(printf, 3, 4)))
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3)
+cx_attr_printf(3, 4)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(3)
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_fprintf(
         void *stream,
         cx_write_func wfc,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const char *fmt,
         ...
 );
 
 /**
- * A \c vfprintf like function which writes the output to a stream by
+ * A @c vfprintf like function which writes the output to a stream by
  * using a write_func.
  *
  * @param stream the stream the data is written to
  * @param wfc the write function
  * @param fmt format string
  * @param ap argument list
- * @return the total number of bytes written
+ * @return the total number of bytes written or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
  * @see cx_fprintf()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(3)
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_vfprintf(
         void *stream,
         cx_write_func wfc,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const char *fmt,
         va_list ap
 );
 
 /**
- * A \c asprintf like function which allocates space for a string
+ * A @c asprintf like function which allocates space for a string
  * the result is written to.
  *
- * \note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated,
+ * unless there was an error, in which case the string's pointer
+ * will be @c NULL.
  *
  * @param allocator the CxAllocator used for allocating the string
  * @param fmt format string
@@ -94,32 +115,39 @@
  * @return the formatted string
  * @see cx_strfree_a()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__(1, 2), __format__(printf, 2, 3)))
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2)
+cx_attr_printf(2, 3)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_asprintf_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        const char *fmt,
         ...
 );
 
 /**
- * A \c asprintf like function which allocates space for a string
+ * A @c asprintf like function which allocates space for a string
  * the result is written to.
  *
- * \note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated,
+ * unless there was an error, in which case the string's pointer
+ * will be @c NULL.
  *
- * @param fmt format string
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) format string
  * @param ... additional arguments
- * @return the formatted string
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the formatted string
  * @see cx_strfree()
  */
 #define cx_asprintf(fmt, ...) \
     cx_asprintf_a(cxDefaultAllocator, fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
 
 /**
-* A \c vasprintf like function which allocates space for a string
+* A @c vasprintf like function which allocates space for a string
  * the result is written to.
  *
- * \note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated,
+ * unless there was an error, in which case the string's pointer
+ * will be @c NULL.
  *
  * @param allocator the CxAllocator used for allocating the string
  * @param fmt format string
@@ -127,37 +155,247 @@
  * @return the formatted string
  * @see cx_asprintf_a()
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_vasprintf_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        const char *fmt,
         va_list ap
 );
 
 /**
-* A \c vasprintf like function which allocates space for a string
+* A @c vasprintf like function which allocates space for a string
  * the result is written to.
  *
- * \note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated,
+ * unless there was in error, in which case the string's pointer
+ * will be @c NULL.
  *
- * @param fmt format string
- * @param ap argument list
- * @return the formatted string
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) format string
+ * @param ap (@c va_list) argument list
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the formatted string
  * @see cx_asprintf()
  */
 #define cx_vasprintf(fmt, ap) cx_vasprintf_a(cxDefaultAllocator, fmt, ap)
 
 /**
- * A \c printf like function which writes the output to a CxBuffer.
+ * A @c printf like function which writes the output to a CxBuffer.
+ *
+ * @param buffer (@c CxBuffer*) a pointer to the buffer the data is written to
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) the format string
+ * @param ... additional arguments
+ * @return (@c int) the total number of bytes written or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ * @see cx_fprintf()
+ * @see cxBufferWrite()
+ */
+#define cx_bprintf(buffer, fmt, ...) cx_fprintf((void*)buffer, \
+    cxBufferWriteFunc, fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which reallocates the string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string, if successful, is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
  *
- * @param buffer a pointer to the buffer the data is written to
+ * @param str (@c char**) a pointer to the string buffer
+ * @param len (@c size_t*) a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) the format string
+ * @param ... additional arguments
+ * @return (@c int) the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+#define cx_sprintf(str, len, fmt, ...) cx_sprintf_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, len, fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which reallocates the string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string, if successful, is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @attention The original buffer MUST have been allocated with the same allocator!
+ *
+ * @param alloc the allocator to use
+ * @param str a pointer to the string buffer
+ * @param len a pointer to the length of the buffer
  * @param fmt the format string
  * @param ... additional arguments
- * @return the total number of bytes written
- * @see ucx_fprintf()
+ * @return the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3, 4)
+cx_attr_printf(4, 5)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(4)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_sprintf_a(
+        CxAllocator *alloc,
+        char **str,
+        size_t *len,
+        const char *fmt,
+        ...
+);
+
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which reallocates the string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string, if successful, is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @param str (@c char**) a pointer to the string buffer
+ * @param len (@c size_t*) a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) the format string
+ * @param ap (@c va_list) argument list
+ * @return (@c int) the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+#define cx_vsprintf(str, len, fmt, ap) cx_vsprintf_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, len, fmt, ap)
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which reallocates the string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @attention The original buffer MUST have been allocated with the same allocator!
+ *
+ * @param alloc the allocator to use
+ * @param str a pointer to the string buffer
+ * @param len a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param fmt the format string
+ * @param ap argument list
+ * @return the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(4)
+cx_attr_access_rw(2)
+cx_attr_access_rw(3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vsprintf_a(
+        CxAllocator *alloc,
+        char **str,
+        size_t *len,
+        const char *fmt,
+        va_list ap
+);
+
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which allocates a new string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * The location of the resulting string will @em always be stored to @p str. When the buffer
+ * was sufficiently large, @p buf itself will be stored to the location of @p str.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string, if successful, is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * 
+ * @remark When a new string needed to be allocated, the contents of @p buf will be
+ * poisoned after the call, because this function tries to produce the string in @p buf, first.
+ *
+ * @param buf (@c char*) a pointer to the buffer
+ * @param len (@c size_t*) a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param str (@c char**) a pointer where the location of the result shall be stored
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) the format string
+ * @param ... additional arguments
+ * @return (@c int) the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
  */
-#define cx_bprintf(buffer, fmt, ...) cx_fprintf((CxBuffer*)buffer, \
-    (cx_write_func) cxBufferWrite, fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
+#define cx_sprintf_s(buf, len, str, fmt, ...) cx_sprintf_sa(cxDefaultAllocator, buf, len, str, fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which allocates a new string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * The location of the resulting string will @em always be stored to @p str. When the buffer
+ * was sufficiently large, @p buf itself will be stored to the location of @p str.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string, if successful, is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @remark When a new string needed to be allocated, the contents of @p buf will be
+ * poisoned after the call, because this function tries to produce the string in @p buf, first.
+ *
+ * @param alloc the allocator to use
+ * @param buf a pointer to the buffer
+ * @param len a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param str a pointer where the location of the result shall be stored
+ * @param fmt the format string
+ * @param ... additional arguments
+ * @return the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 4, 5)
+cx_attr_printf(5, 6)
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(5)
+cx_attr_access_rw(2)
+cx_attr_access_rw(3)
+cx_attr_access_rw(4)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_sprintf_sa(
+        CxAllocator *alloc,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t *len,
+        char **str,
+        const char *fmt,
+        ...
+);
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which allocates a new string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * The location of the resulting string will @em always be stored to @p str. When the buffer
+ * was sufficiently large, @p buf itself will be stored to the location of @p str.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @remark When a new string needed to be allocated, the contents of @p buf will be
+ * poisoned after the call, because this function tries to produce the string in @p buf, first.
+ *
+ * @param buf (@c char*) a pointer to the buffer
+ * @param len (@c size_t*) a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param str (@c char**) a pointer where the location of the result shall be stored
+ * @param fmt (@c char*) the format string
+ * @param ap (@c va_list) argument list
+ * @return (@c int) the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+#define cx_vsprintf_s(buf, len, str, fmt, ap) cx_vsprintf_sa(cxDefaultAllocator, buf, len, str, fmt, ap)
+
+/**
+ * An @c sprintf like function which allocates a new string when the buffer is not large enough.
+ *
+ * The size of the buffer will be updated in @p len when necessary.
+ *
+ * The location of the resulting string will @em always be stored to @p str. When the buffer
+ * was sufficiently large, @p buf itself will be stored to the location of @p str.
+ *
+ * @note The resulting string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @remark When a new string needed to be allocated, the contents of @p buf will be
+ * poisoned after the call, because this function tries to produce the string in @p buf, first.
+ *
+ * @param alloc the allocator to use
+ * @param buf a pointer to the buffer
+ * @param len a pointer to the length of the buffer
+ * @param str a pointer where the location of the result shall be stored
+ * @param fmt the format string
+ * @param ap argument list
+ * @return the length of produced string or an error code from stdlib printf implementation
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(5)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_vsprintf_sa(
+        CxAllocator *alloc,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t *len,
+        char **str,
+        const char *fmt,
+        va_list ap
+);
+
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/properties.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,667 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+/**
+ * @file properties.h
+ * @brief Interface for parsing data from properties files.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ */
+
+#ifndef UCX_PROPERTIES_H
+#define UCX_PROPERTIES_H
+
+#include "common.h"
+#include "string.h"
+#include "map.h"
+#include "buffer.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * Configures the expected characters for the properties parser.
+ */
+struct cx_properties_config_s {
+    /**
+     * The key/value delimiter that shall be used.
+     * This is '=' by default.
+     */
+    char delimiter;
+
+    /**
+     * The first comment character.
+     * This is '#' by default.
+     */
+    char comment1;
+
+    /**
+     * The second comment character.
+     * This is not set by default.
+     */
+    char comment2;
+
+    /**
+     * The third comment character.
+     * This is not set by default.
+     */
+    char comment3;
+
+    /*
+     * The character, when appearing at the end of a line, continues that line.
+     * This is '\' by default.
+     */
+    /**
+     * Reserved for future use.
+     */
+    char continuation;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for the properties config.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_properties_config_s CxPropertiesConfig;
+
+/**
+ * Default properties configuration.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern const CxPropertiesConfig cx_properties_config_default;
+
+/**
+ * Status codes for the properties interface.
+ */
+enum cx_properties_status {
+    /**
+     * Everything is fine.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR,
+    /**
+     * The input buffer does not contain more data.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA,
+    /**
+     * The input ends unexpectedly.
+     *
+     * This either happens when the last line does not terminate with a line
+     * break, or when the input ends with a parsed key but no value.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA,
+    /**
+     * Not used as a status and never returned by any function.
+     *
+     * You can use this enumerator to check for all "good" status results
+     * by checking if the status is less than @c CX_PROPERTIES_OK.
+     *
+     * A "good" status means, that you can refill data and continue parsing.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_OK,
+    /**
+     * Input buffer is @c NULL.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_NULL_INPUT,
+    /**
+     * The line contains a delimiter, but no key.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_EMPTY_KEY,
+    /**
+     * The line contains data, but no delimiter.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_MISSING_DELIMITER,
+    /**
+     * More internal buffer was needed, but could not be allocated.
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED,
+    /**
+     * Initializing the properties source failed.
+     *
+     * @see cx_properties_read_init_func
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_READ_INIT_FAILED,
+    /**
+     * Reading from a properties source failed.
+     *
+     * @see cx_properties_read_func
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_READ_FAILED,
+    /**
+     * Sinking a k/v-pair failed.
+     *
+     * @see cx_properties_sink_func
+     */
+    CX_PROPERTIES_SINK_FAILED,
+};
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for the properties status enum.
+ */
+typedef enum cx_properties_status CxPropertiesStatus;
+
+/**
+ * Interface for working with properties data.
+ */
+struct cx_properties_s {
+    /**
+     * The configuration.
+     */
+    CxPropertiesConfig config;
+
+    /**
+     * The text input buffer.
+     */
+    CxBuffer input;
+
+    /**
+     * Internal buffer.
+     */
+    CxBuffer buffer;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for the properties interface.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_properties_s CxProperties;
+
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for a properties sink.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_properties_sink_s CxPropertiesSink;
+
+/**
+ * A function that consumes a k/v-pair in a sink.
+ *
+ * The sink could be e.g. a map and the sink function would be calling
+ * a map function to store the k/v-pair.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface that wants to sink a k/v-pair
+ * @param sink the sink
+ * @param key the key
+ * @param value the value
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero sinking the k/v-pair failed
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef int(*cx_properties_sink_func)(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSink *sink,
+        cxstring key,
+        cxstring value
+);
+
+/**
+ * Defines a sink for k/v-pairs.
+ */
+struct cx_properties_sink_s {
+    /**
+     * The sink object.
+     */
+    void *sink;
+    /**
+     * Optional custom data.
+     */
+    void *data;
+    /**
+     * A function for consuming k/v-pairs into the sink.
+     */
+    cx_properties_sink_func sink_func;
+};
+
+
+/**
+ * Typedef for a properties source.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_properties_source_s CxPropertiesSource;
+
+/**
+ * A function that reads data from a source.
+ *
+ * When the source is depleted, implementations SHALL provide an empty
+ * string in the @p target and return zero.
+ * A non-zero return value is only permitted in case of an error.
+ *
+ * The meaning of the optional parameters is implementation-dependent.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface that wants to read from the source
+ * @param src the source
+ * @param target a string buffer where the read data shall be stored
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero reading the data failed
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef int(*cx_properties_read_func)(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src,
+        cxstring *target
+);
+
+/**
+ * A function that may initialize additional memory for the source.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface that wants to read from the source
+ * @param src the source
+ * @retval zero initialization was successful
+ * @retval non-zero otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef int(*cx_properties_read_init_func)(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src
+);
+
+/**
+ * A function that cleans memory initialized by the read_init_func.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface that wants to read from the source
+ * @param src the source
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef void(*cx_properties_read_clean_func)(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src
+);
+
+/**
+ * Defines a properties source.
+ */
+struct cx_properties_source_s {
+    /**
+     * The source object.
+     *
+     * For example a file stream or a string.
+     */
+    void *src;
+    /**
+     * Optional additional data pointer.
+     */
+    void *data_ptr;
+    /**
+     * Optional size information.
+     */
+    size_t data_size;
+    /**
+     * A function that reads data from the source.
+     */
+    cx_properties_read_func read_func;
+    /**
+     * Optional function that may prepare the source for reading data.
+     */
+    cx_properties_read_init_func read_init_func;
+    /**
+     * Optional function that cleans additional memory allocated by the
+     * read_init_func.
+     */
+    cx_properties_read_clean_func read_clean_func;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Initialize a properties interface.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param config the properties configuration
+ * @see cxPropertiesInitDefault()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxPropertiesInit(CxProperties *prop, CxPropertiesConfig config);
+
+/**
+ * Destroys the properties interface.
+ *
+ * @note Even when you are certain that you did not use the interface in a
+ * way that caused a memory allocation, you should call this function anyway.
+ * Future versions of the library might add features that need additional memory
+ * and you really don't want to search the entire code where you might need
+ * add call to this function.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxPropertiesDestroy(CxProperties *prop);
+
+/**
+ * Destroys and re-initializes the properties interface.
+ *
+ * You might want to use this, to reset the parser after
+ * encountering a syntax error.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline void cxPropertiesReset(CxProperties *prop) {
+    CxPropertiesConfig config = prop->config;
+    cxPropertiesDestroy(prop);
+    cxPropertiesInit(prop, config);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Initialize a properties parser with the default configuration.
+ *
+ * @param prop (@c CxProperties*) the properties interface
+ * @see cxPropertiesInit()
+ */
+#define cxPropertiesInitDefault(prop) \
+    cxPropertiesInit(prop, cx_properties_config_default)
+
+/**
+ * Fills the input buffer with data.
+ *
+ * After calling this function, you can parse the data by calling
+ * cxPropertiesNext().
+ *
+ * @remark The properties interface tries to avoid allocations.
+ * When you use this function and cxPropertiesNext() interleaving,
+ * no allocations are performed. However, you must not free the
+ * pointer to the data in that case. When you invoke the fill
+ * function more than once before calling cxPropertiesNext(),
+ * the additional data is appended - inevitably leading to
+ * an allocation of a new buffer and copying the previous contents.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param buf a pointer to the data
+ * @param len the length of the data
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero a memory allocation was necessary but failed
+ * @see cxPropertiesFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxPropertiesFilln(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        const char *buf,
+        size_t len
+);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxPropertiesFill(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxstring str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxPropertiesFill(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxmutstr str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cxPropertiesFill(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        const char *str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str, strlen(str));
+}
+
+extern "C" {
+#else // __cplusplus
+/**
+ * Fills the input buffer with data.
+ *
+ * After calling this function, you can parse the data by calling
+ * cxPropertiesNext().
+ *
+ * @attention The properties interface tries to avoid allocations.
+ * When you use this function and cxPropertiesNext() interleaving,
+ * no allocations are performed. However, you must not free the
+ * pointer to the data in that case. When you invoke the fill
+ * function more than once before calling cxPropertiesNext(),
+ * the additional data is appended - inevitably leading to
+ * an allocation of a new buffer and copying the previous contents.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param str the text to fill in
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero a memory allocation was necessary but failed
+ * @see cxPropertiesFilln()
+ */
+#define cxPropertiesFill(prop, str) _Generic((str), \
+    cxstring: cx_properties_fill_cxstr,             \
+    cxmutstr: cx_properties_fill_mutstr,            \
+    char*: cx_properties_fill_str,                  \
+    const char*: cx_properties_fill_str)            \
+    (prop, str)
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxPropertiesFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_properties_fill_cxstr(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxstring str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxPropertiesFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_properties_fill_mutstr(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxmutstr str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+
+/**
+ * @copydoc cxPropertiesFill()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(2)
+static inline int cx_properties_fill_str(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        const char *str
+) {
+    return cxPropertiesFilln(prop, str, strlen(str));
+}
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * Specifies stack memory that shall be used as internal buffer.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param buf a pointer to stack memory
+ * @param capacity the capacity of the stack memory
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxPropertiesUseStack(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t capacity
+);
+
+/**
+ * Retrieves the next key/value-pair.
+ *
+ * This function returns zero as long as there are key/value-pairs found.
+ * If no more key/value-pairs are found, #CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA is returned.
+ *
+ * When an incomplete line is encountered, #CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA is
+ * returned, and you can add more data with #cxPropertiesFill().
+ *
+ * @remark The incomplete line will be stored in an internal buffer, which is
+ * allocated on the heap, by default. If you want to avoid allocations,
+ * you can specify sufficient space with cxPropertiesUseStack() after
+ * initialization with cxPropertiesInit().
+ *
+ * @attention The returned strings will point into a buffer that might not be
+ * available later. It is strongly recommended to copy the strings for further
+ * use.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param key a pointer to the cxstring that shall contain the property name
+ * @param value a pointer to the cxstring that shall contain the property value
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR (zero) a key/value pair was found
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA there is no (more) data in the input buffer
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA the data in the input buffer is incomplete
+ * (fill more data and try again)
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_NULL_INPUT the input buffer was never filled
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_EMPTY_KEY the properties data contains an illegal empty key
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_MISSING_DELIMITER the properties data contains a line without delimiter
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED an internal allocation was necessary but failed
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesStatus cxPropertiesNext(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxstring *key,
+        cxstring *value
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a properties sink for an UCX map.
+ *
+ * The values stored in the map will be pointers to freshly allocated,
+ * zero-terminated C strings (@c char*), which means the @p map should have been
+ * created with #CX_STORE_POINTERS.
+ *
+ * The default stdlib allocator will be used, unless you specify a custom
+ * allocator in the optional @c data field of the returned sink.
+ *
+ * @param map the map that shall consume the k/v-pairs.
+ * @return the sink
+ * @see cxPropertiesLoad()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesSink cxPropertiesMapSink(CxMap *map);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a properties source based on an UCX string.
+ *
+ * @param str the string
+ * @return the properties source
+ * @see cxPropertiesLoad()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesStringSource(cxstring str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a properties source based on C string with the specified length.
+ *
+ * @param str the string
+ * @param len the length
+ * @return the properties source
+ * @see cxPropertiesLoad()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_r(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesCstrnSource(const char *str, size_t len);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a properties source based on a C string.
+ *
+ * The length will be determined with strlen(), so the string MUST be
+ * zero-terminated.
+ *
+ * @param str the string
+ * @return the properties source
+ * @see cxPropertiesLoad()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesCstrSource(const char *str);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a properties source based on an FILE.
+ *
+ * @param file the file
+ * @param chunk_size how many bytes may be read in one operation
+ *
+ * @return the properties source
+ * @see cxPropertiesLoad()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_r(1)
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesFileSource(FILE *file, size_t chunk_size);
+
+
+/**
+ * Loads properties data from a source and transfers it to a sink.
+ *
+ * This function tries to read as much data from the source as possible.
+ * When the source was completely consumed and at least on k/v-pair was found,
+ * the return value will be #CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR.
+ * When the source was consumed but no k/v-pairs were found, the return value
+ * will be #CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA.
+ * In case the source data ends unexpectedly, the #CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA
+ * is returned. In that case you should call this function again with the same
+ * sink and either an updated source or the same source if the source is able to
+ * yield the missing data.
+ *
+ * The other result codes apply, according to their description.
+ *
+ * @param prop the properties interface
+ * @param sink the sink
+ * @param source the source
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR (zero) a key/value pair was found
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_READ_INIT_FAILED initializing the source failed
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_READ_FAILED reading from the source failed
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_SINK_FAILED sinking the properties into the sink failed
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA the source did not provide any key/value pairs
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA the source did not provide enough data
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_EMPTY_KEY the properties data contains an illegal empty key
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_MISSING_DELIMITER the properties data contains a line without delimiter
+ * @retval CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED an internal allocation was necessary but failed
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+CxPropertiesStatus cxPropertiesLoad(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSink sink,
+        CxPropertiesSource source
+);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+#endif
+
+#endif // UCX_PROPERTIES_H
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/streams.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2021 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+/**
+ * @file streams.h
+ *
+ * @brief Utility functions for data streams.
+ *
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ */
+
+#ifndef UCX_STREAMS_H
+#define UCX_STREAMS_H
+
+#include "common.h"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
+ *
+ * @param src the source stream
+ * @param dest the destination stream
+ * @param rfnc the read function
+ * @param wfnc the write function
+ * @param buf a pointer to the copy buffer or @c NULL if a buffer
+ * shall be implicitly created on the heap
+ * @param bufsize the size of the copy buffer - if @p buf is @c NULL you can
+ * set this to zero to let the implementation decide
+ * @param n the maximum number of bytes that shall be copied.
+ * If this is larger than @p bufsize, the content is copied over multiple
+ * iterations.
+ * @return the total number of bytes copied
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3, 4)
+cx_attr_access_r(1)
+cx_attr_access_w(2)
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_stream_bncopy(
+        void *src,
+        void *dest,
+        cx_read_func rfnc,
+        cx_write_func wfnc,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t bufsize,
+        size_t n
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
+ *
+ * @param src (@c void*) the source stream
+ * @param dest (@c void*) the destination stream
+ * @param rfnc (@c cx_read_func) the read function
+ * @param wfnc (@c cx_write_func) the write function
+ * @param buf (@c char*) a pointer to the copy buffer or @c NULL if a buffer
+ * shall be implicitly created on the heap
+ * @param bufsize (@c size_t) the size of the copy buffer - if @p buf is
+ * @c NULL you can set this to zero to let the implementation decide
+ * @return total number of bytes copied
+ */
+#define cx_stream_bcopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, buf, bufsize) \
+    cx_stream_bncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, buf, bufsize, SIZE_MAX)
+
+/**
+ * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
+ *
+ * The data is temporarily stored in a stack allocated buffer.
+ *
+ * @param src the source stream
+ * @param dest the destination stream
+ * @param rfnc the read function
+ * @param wfnc the write function
+ * @param n the maximum number of bytes that shall be copied.
+ * @return total number of bytes copied
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(1)
+cx_attr_access_w(2)
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_stream_ncopy(
+        void *src,
+        void *dest,
+        cx_read_func rfnc,
+        cx_write_func wfnc,
+        size_t n
+);
+
+/**
+ * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
+ *
+ * The data is temporarily stored in a stack allocated buffer.
+ *
+ * @param src (@c void*) the source stream
+ * @param dest (@c void*) the destination stream
+ * @param rfnc (@c cx_read_func) the read function
+ * @param wfnc (@c cx_write_func) the write function
+ * @return total number of bytes copied
+ */
+#define cx_stream_copy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc) \
+    cx_stream_ncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, SIZE_MAX)
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif // UCX_STREAMS_H
--- a/src/ucx/cx/string.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/string.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,12 +26,11 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 /**
- * \file string.h
- * \brief Strings that know their length.
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ * @file string.h
+ * @brief Strings that know their length.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
  */
 
 #ifndef UCX_STRING_H
@@ -41,13 +40,18 @@
 #include "allocator.h"
 
 /**
+ * The maximum length of the "needle" in cx_strstr() that can use SBO.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern const unsigned cx_strstr_sbo_size;
+
+/**
  * The UCX string structure.
  */
 struct cx_mutstr_s {
     /**
      * A pointer to the string.
-     * \note The string is not necessarily \c NULL terminated.
-     * Always use the length.
+     * @note The string is not necessarily @c NULL terminated.
      */
     char *ptr;
     /** The length of the string */
@@ -65,10 +69,9 @@
 struct cx_string_s {
     /**
      * A pointer to the immutable string.
-     * \note The string is not necessarily \c NULL terminated.
-     * Always use the length.
+     * @note The string is not necessarily @c NULL terminated.
      */
-    char const *ptr;
+    const char *ptr;
     /** The length of the string */
     size_t length;
 };
@@ -93,7 +96,7 @@
     /**
      * Optional array of more delimiters.
      */
-    cxstring const *delim_more;
+    const cxstring *delim_more;
     /**
      * Length of the array containing more delimiters.
      */
@@ -144,11 +147,11 @@
 /**
  * A literal initializer for an UCX string structure.
  *
- * The argument MUST be a string (const char*) \em literal.
+ * The argument MUST be a string (const char*) @em literal.
  *
  * @param literal the string literal
  */
-#define CX_STR(literal) (cxstring){literal, sizeof(literal) - 1}
+#define CX_STR(literal) ((cxstring){literal, sizeof(literal) - 1})
 
 #endif
 
@@ -156,9 +159,9 @@
 /**
  * Wraps a mutable string that must be zero-terminated.
  *
- * The length is implicitly inferred by using a call to \c strlen().
+ * The length is implicitly inferred by using a call to @c strlen().
  *
- * \note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
+ * @note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
  * If you do want a copy, use cx_strdup() on the return value of this function.
  *
  * If you need to wrap a constant string, use cx_str().
@@ -168,26 +171,31 @@
  *
  * @see cx_mutstrn()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_mutstr(char *cstring);
 
 /**
  * Wraps a string that does not need to be zero-terminated.
  *
- * The argument may be \c NULL if the length is zero.
+ * The argument may be @c NULL if the length is zero.
  *
- * \note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
+ * @note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
  * If you do want a copy, use cx_strdup() on the return value of this function.
  *
  * If you need to wrap a constant string, use cx_strn().
  *
- * @param cstring  the string to wrap (or \c NULL, only if the length is zero)
+ * @param cstring  the string to wrap (or @c NULL, only if the length is zero)
  * @param length   the length of the string
  * @return the wrapped string
  *
  * @see cx_mutstr()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_rw(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_mutstrn(
         char *cstring,
         size_t length
@@ -196,9 +204,9 @@
 /**
  * Wraps a string that must be zero-terminated.
  *
- * The length is implicitly inferred by using a call to \c strlen().
+ * The length is implicitly inferred by using a call to @c strlen().
  *
- * \note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
+ * @note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
  * If you do want a copy, use cx_strdup() on the return value of this function.
  *
  * If you need to wrap a non-constant string, use cx_mutstr().
@@ -208,88 +216,137 @@
  *
  * @see cx_strn()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
-cxstring cx_str(char const *cstring);
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
+cxstring cx_str(const char *cstring);
 
 
 /**
  * Wraps a string that does not need to be zero-terminated.
  *
- * The argument may be \c NULL if the length is zero.
+ * The argument may be @c NULL if the length is zero.
  *
- * \note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
+ * @note the wrapped string will share the specified pointer to the string.
  * If you do want a copy, use cx_strdup() on the return value of this function.
  *
  * If you need to wrap a non-constant string, use cx_mutstrn().
  *
- * @param cstring  the string to wrap (or \c NULL, only if the length is zero)
+ * @param cstring  the string to wrap (or @c NULL, only if the length is zero)
  * @param length   the length of the string
  * @return the wrapped string
  *
  * @see cx_str()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_r(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strn(
-        char const *cstring,
+        const char *cstring,
         size_t length
 );
 
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline cxstring cx_strcast(cxmutstr str) {
+    return cx_strn(str.ptr, str.length);
+}
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline cxstring cx_strcast(cxstring str) {
+    return str;
+}
+extern "C" {
+#else
+/**
+ * Internal function, do not use.
+ * @param str
+ * @return
+ * @see cx_strcast()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline cxstring cx_strcast_m(cxmutstr str) {
+    return (cxstring) {str.ptr, str.length};
+}
+/**
+ * Internal function, do not use.
+ * @param str
+ * @return
+ * @see cx_strcast()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline cxstring cx_strcast_c(cxstring str) {
+    return str;
+}
+
 /**
 * Casts a mutable string to an immutable string.
 *
-* \note This is not seriously a cast. Instead you get a copy
+* Does nothing for already immutable strings.
+*
+* @note This is not seriously a cast. Instead, you get a copy
 * of the struct with the desired pointer type. Both structs still
 * point to the same location, though!
 *
-* @param str the mutable string to cast
-* @return an immutable copy of the string pointer
+* @param str (@c cxstring or @c cxmutstr) the string to cast
+* @return (@c cxstring) an immutable copy of the string pointer
 */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-cxstring cx_strcast(cxmutstr str);
+#define cx_strcast(str) _Generic((str), \
+        cxmutstr: cx_strcast_m, \
+        cxstring: cx_strcast_c) \
+        (str)
+#endif
 
 /**
- * Passes the pointer in this string to \c free().
- *
- * The pointer in the struct is set to \c NULL and the length is set to zero.
+ * Passes the pointer in this string to @c free().
  *
- * \note There is no implementation for cxstring, because it is unlikely that
- * you ever have a \c char \c const* you are really supposed to free. If you
- * encounter such situation, you should double-check your code.
+ * The pointer in the struct is set to @c NULL and the length is set to zero
+ * which means that this function protects you against double-free.
+ *
+ * @note There is no implementation for cxstring, because it is unlikely that
+ * you ever have a <code>const char*</code> you are really supposed to free.
+ * If you encounter such situation, you should double-check your code.
  *
  * @param str the string to free
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_strfree(cxmutstr *str);
 
 /**
  * Passes the pointer in this string to the allocators free function.
  *
- * The pointer in the struct is set to \c NULL and the length is set to zero.
+ * The pointer in the struct is set to @c NULL and the length is set to zero
+ * which means that this function protects you against double-free.
  *
- * \note There is no implementation for cxstring, because it is unlikely that
- * you ever have a \c char \c const* you are really supposed to free. If you
- * encounter such situation, you should double-check your code.
+ * @note There is no implementation for cxstring, because it is unlikely that
+ * you ever have a <code>const char*</code> you are really supposed to free.
+ * If you encounter such situation, you should double-check your code.
  *
  * @param alloc the allocator
  * @param str the string to free
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_strfree_a(
-        CxAllocator const *alloc,
+        const CxAllocator *alloc,
         cxmutstr *str
 );
 
 /**
  * Returns the accumulated length of all specified strings.
+ * 
+ * If this sum overflows, errno is set to EOVERFLOW.
  *
- * \attention if the count argument is larger than the number of the
+ * @attention if the count argument is larger than the number of the
  * specified strings, the behavior is undefined.
  *
  * @param count    the total number of specified strings
  * @param ...      all strings
  * @return the accumulated length of all strings
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_strlen(
         size_t count,
         ...
@@ -299,23 +356,29 @@
  * Concatenates strings.
  *
  * The resulting string will be allocated by the specified allocator.
- * So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree_a() eventually.
+ * So developers @em must pass the return value to cx_strfree_a() eventually.
  *
- * If \p str already contains a string, the memory will be reallocated and
+ * If @p str already contains a string, the memory will be reallocated and
  * the other strings are appended. Otherwise, new memory is allocated.
  *
- * \note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation.
+ * If memory allocation fails, the pointer in the returned string will
+ * be @c NULL. Depending on the allocator, @c errno might be set.
+ *
+ * @note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation for the
+ * resulting string.
  * It is also guaranteed that the returned string is zero-terminated.
  *
  * @param alloc the allocator to use
  * @param str   the string the other strings shall be concatenated to
  * @param count the number of the other following strings to concatenate
- * @param ...   all other strings
+ * @param ...   all other UCX strings
  * @return the concatenated string
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strcat_ma(
-        CxAllocator const *alloc,
+        const CxAllocator *alloc,
         cxmutstr str,
         size_t count,
         ...
@@ -325,15 +388,19 @@
  * Concatenates strings and returns a new string.
  *
  * The resulting string will be allocated by the specified allocator.
- * So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree_a() eventually.
+ * So developers @em must pass the return value to cx_strfree_a() eventually.
  *
- * \note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation.
+* If memory allocation fails, the pointer in the returned string will
+ * be @c NULL. Depending on the allocator, @c errno might be set.
+ *
+ * @note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation for the
+ * resulting string.
  * It is also guaranteed that the returned string is zero-terminated.
  *
- * @param alloc the allocator to use
- * @param count the number of the other following strings to concatenate
- * @param ...   all other strings
- * @return the concatenated string
+ * @param alloc (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator to use
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of the other following strings to concatenate
+ * @param ...   all other UCX strings
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the concatenated string
  */
 #define cx_strcat_a(alloc, count, ...) \
 cx_strcat_ma(alloc, cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0), count, __VA_ARGS__)
@@ -341,15 +408,19 @@
 /**
  * Concatenates strings and returns a new string.
  *
- * The resulting string will be allocated by standard \c malloc().
- * So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree() eventually.
+ * The resulting string will be allocated by standard @c malloc().
+ * So developers @em must pass the return value to cx_strfree() eventually.
  *
- * \note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation.
+* If memory allocation fails, the pointer in the returned string will
+ * be @c NULL and @c errno might be set.
+ *
+ * @note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation for the
+ * resulting string.
  * It is also guaranteed that the returned string is zero-terminated.
  *
- * @param count   the number of the other following strings to concatenate
- * @param ...     all other strings
- * @return the concatenated string
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of the other following strings to concatenate
+ * @param ... all other UCX strings
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the concatenated string
  */
 #define cx_strcat(count, ...) \
 cx_strcat_ma(cxDefaultAllocator, cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0), count, __VA_ARGS__)
@@ -357,19 +428,23 @@
 /**
  * Concatenates strings.
  *
- * The resulting string will be allocated by standard \c malloc().
- * So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree() eventually.
+ * The resulting string will be allocated by standard @c malloc().
+ * So developers @em must pass the return value to cx_strfree() eventually.
  *
- * If \p str already contains a string, the memory will be reallocated and
+ * If @p str already contains a string, the memory will be reallocated and
  * the other strings are appended. Otherwise, new memory is allocated.
  *
- * \note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation.
+* If memory allocation fails, the pointer in the returned string will
+ * be @c NULL and @c errno might be set.
+ *
+ * @note It is guaranteed that there is only one allocation for the
+ * resulting string.
  * It is also guaranteed that the returned string is zero-terminated.
  *
- * @param str     the string the other strings shall be concatenated to
- * @param count   the number of the other following strings to concatenate
- * @param ...     all other strings
- * @return the concatenated string
+ * @param str (@c cxmutstr) the string the other strings shall be concatenated to
+ * @param count (@c size_t) the number of the other following strings to concatenate
+ * @param ... all other strings
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the concatenated string
  */
 #define cx_strcat_m(str, count, ...) \
 cx_strcat_ma(cxDefaultAllocator, str, count, __VA_ARGS__)
@@ -377,19 +452,20 @@
 /**
  * Returns a substring starting at the specified location.
  *
- * \attention the new string references the same memory area as the
- * input string and is usually \em not zero-terminated.
+ * @attention the new string references the same memory area as the
+ * input string and is usually @em not zero-terminated.
  * Use cx_strdup() to get a copy.
  *
  * @param string input string
  * @param start  start location of the substring
- * @return a substring of \p string starting at \p start
+ * @return a substring of @p string starting at @p start
  *
  * @see cx_strsubsl()
  * @see cx_strsubs_m()
  * @see cx_strsubsl_m()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strsubs(
         cxstring string,
         size_t start
@@ -398,23 +474,24 @@
 /**
  * Returns a substring starting at the specified location.
  *
- * The returned string will be limited to \p length bytes or the number
- * of bytes available in \p string, whichever is smaller.
+ * The returned string will be limited to @p length bytes or the number
+ * of bytes available in @p string, whichever is smaller.
  *
- * \attention the new string references the same memory area as the
- * input string and is usually \em not zero-terminated.
+ * @attention the new string references the same memory area as the
+ * input string and is usually @em not zero-terminated.
  * Use cx_strdup() to get a copy.
  *
  * @param string input string
  * @param start  start location of the substring
  * @param length the maximum length of the returned string
- * @return a substring of \p string starting at \p start
+ * @return a substring of @p string starting at @p start
  *
  * @see cx_strsubs()
  * @see cx_strsubs_m()
  * @see cx_strsubsl_m()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strsubsl(
         cxstring string,
         size_t start,
@@ -424,19 +501,20 @@
 /**
  * Returns a substring starting at the specified location.
  *
- * \attention the new string references the same memory area as the
- * input string and is usually \em not zero-terminated.
+ * @attention the new string references the same memory area as the
+ * input string and is usually @em not zero-terminated.
  * Use cx_strdup() to get a copy.
  *
  * @param string input string
  * @param start  start location of the substring
- * @return a substring of \p string starting at \p start
+ * @return a substring of @p string starting at @p start
  *
  * @see cx_strsubsl_m()
  * @see cx_strsubs()
  * @see cx_strsubsl()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strsubs_m(
         cxmutstr string,
         size_t start
@@ -445,23 +523,24 @@
 /**
  * Returns a substring starting at the specified location.
  *
- * The returned string will be limited to \p length bytes or the number
- * of bytes available in \p string, whichever is smaller.
+ * The returned string will be limited to @p length bytes or the number
+ * of bytes available in @p string, whichever is smaller.
  *
- * \attention the new string references the same memory area as the
- * input string and is usually \em not zero-terminated.
+ * @attention the new string references the same memory area as the
+ * input string and is usually @em not zero-terminated.
  * Use cx_strdup() to get a copy.
  *
  * @param string input string
  * @param start  start location of the substring
  * @param length the maximum length of the returned string
- * @return a substring of \p string starting at \p start
+ * @return a substring of @p string starting at @p start
  *
  * @see cx_strsubs_m()
  * @see cx_strsubs()
  * @see cx_strsubsl()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strsubsl_m(
         cxmutstr string,
         size_t start,
@@ -476,11 +555,12 @@
  *
  * @param string the string where to locate the character
  * @param chr    the character to locate
- * @return       a substring starting at the first location of \p chr
+ * @return       a substring starting at the first location of @p chr
  *
  * @see cx_strchr_m()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strchr(
         cxstring string,
         int chr
@@ -494,11 +574,12 @@
  *
  * @param string the string where to locate the character
  * @param chr    the character to locate
- * @return       a substring starting at the first location of \p chr
+ * @return       a substring starting at the first location of @p chr
  *
  * @see cx_strchr()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strchr_m(
         cxmutstr string,
         int chr
@@ -512,11 +593,12 @@
  *
  * @param string the string where to locate the character
  * @param chr    the character to locate
- * @return       a substring starting at the last location of \p chr
+ * @return       a substring starting at the last location of @p chr
  *
  * @see cx_strrchr_m()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strrchr(
         cxstring string,
         int chr
@@ -530,11 +612,12 @@
  *
  * @param string the string where to locate the character
  * @param chr    the character to locate
- * @return       a substring starting at the last location of \p chr
+ * @return       a substring starting at the last location of @p chr
  *
  * @see cx_strrchr()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strrchr_m(
         cxmutstr string,
         int chr
@@ -544,19 +627,20 @@
  * Returns a substring starting at the location of the first occurrence of the
  * specified string.
  *
- * If \p haystack does not contain \p needle, an empty string is returned.
+ * If @p haystack does not contain @p needle, an empty string is returned.
  *
- * If \p needle is an empty string, the complete \p haystack is
+ * If @p needle is an empty string, the complete @p haystack is
  * returned.
  *
  * @param haystack the string to be scanned
  * @param needle  string containing the sequence of characters to match
  * @return       a substring starting at the first occurrence of
- *               \p needle, or an empty string, if the sequence is not
+ *               @p needle, or an empty string, if the sequence is not
  *               contained
  * @see cx_strstr_m()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strstr(
         cxstring haystack,
         cxstring needle
@@ -566,19 +650,20 @@
  * Returns a substring starting at the location of the first occurrence of the
  * specified string.
  *
- * If \p haystack does not contain \p needle, an empty string is returned.
+ * If @p haystack does not contain @p needle, an empty string is returned.
  *
- * If \p needle is an empty string, the complete \p haystack is
+ * If @p needle is an empty string, the complete @p haystack is
  * returned.
  *
  * @param haystack the string to be scanned
  * @param needle  string containing the sequence of characters to match
  * @return       a substring starting at the first occurrence of
- *               \p needle, or an empty string, if the sequence is not
+ *               @p needle, or an empty string, if the sequence is not
  *               contained
  * @see cx_strstr()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strstr_m(
         cxmutstr haystack,
         cxstring needle
@@ -587,16 +672,19 @@
 /**
  * Splits a given string using a delimiter string.
  *
- * \note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
- * \p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
+ * @note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
+ * @p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
  *
  * @param string the string to split
  * @param delim  the delimiter
  * @param limit the maximum number of split items
- * @param output a pre-allocated array of at least \p limit length
+ * @param output a preallocated array of at least @p limit length
  * @return the actual number of split items
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(4, 3)
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_strsplit(
         cxstring string,
         cxstring delim,
@@ -607,13 +695,13 @@
 /**
  * Splits a given string using a delimiter string.
  *
- * The array pointed to by \p output will be allocated by \p allocator.
+ * The array pointed to by @p output will be allocated by @p allocator.
  *
- * \note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
- * \p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
+ * @note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
+ * @p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
  *
- * \attention If allocation fails, the \c NULL pointer will be written to
- * \p output and the number returned will be zero.
+ * @attention If allocation fails, the @c NULL pointer will be written to
+ * @p output and the number returned will be zero.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator to use for allocating the resulting array
  * @param string the string to split
@@ -623,9 +711,12 @@
  * written to
  * @return the actual number of split items
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_strsplit_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring string,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit,
@@ -636,16 +727,19 @@
 /**
  * Splits a given string using a delimiter string.
  *
- * \note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
- * \p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
+ * @note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
+ * @p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
  *
  * @param string the string to split
  * @param delim  the delimiter
  * @param limit the maximum number of split items
- * @param output a pre-allocated array of at least \p limit length
+ * @param output a preallocated array of at least @p limit length
  * @return the actual number of split items
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(4, 3)
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_strsplit_m(
         cxmutstr string,
         cxstring delim,
@@ -656,13 +750,13 @@
 /**
  * Splits a given string using a delimiter string.
  *
- * The array pointed to by \p output will be allocated by \p allocator.
+ * The array pointed to by @p output will be allocated by @p allocator.
  *
- * \note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
- * \p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
+ * @note The resulting array contains strings that point to the source
+ * @p string. Use cx_strdup() to get copies.
  *
- * \attention If allocation fails, the \c NULL pointer will be written to
- * \p output and the number returned will be zero.
+ * @attention If allocation fails, the @c NULL pointer will be written to
+ * @p output and the number returned will be zero.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator to use for allocating the resulting array
  * @param string the string to split
@@ -672,9 +766,12 @@
  * written to
  * @return the actual number of split items
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
 size_t cx_strsplit_ma(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxmutstr string,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit,
@@ -686,10 +783,11 @@
  *
  * @param s1 the first string
  * @param s2 the second string
- * @return negative if \p s1 is smaller than \p s2, positive if \p s1 is larger
- * than \p s2, zero if both strings equal
+ * @return negative if @p s1 is smaller than @p s2, positive if @p s1 is larger
+ * than @p s2, zero if both strings equal
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_strcmp(
         cxstring s1,
         cxstring s2
@@ -700,10 +798,11 @@
  *
  * @param s1 the first string
  * @param s2 the second string
- * @return negative if \p s1 is smaller than \p s2, positive if \p s1 is larger
- * than \p s2, zero if both strings equal ignoring case
+ * @return negative if @p s1 is smaller than @p s2, positive if @p s1 is larger
+ * than @p s2, zero if both strings equal ignoring case
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_strcasecmp(
         cxstring s1,
         cxstring s2
@@ -716,13 +815,15 @@
  *
  * @param s1 the first string
  * @param s2 the second string
- * @return negative if \p s1 is smaller than \p s2, positive if \p s1 is larger
- * than \p s2, zero if both strings equal
+ * @return negative if @p s1 is smaller than @p s2, positive if @p s1 is larger
+ * than @p s2, zero if both strings equal
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_strcmp_p(
-        void const *s1,
-        void const *s2
+        const void *s1,
+        const void *s2
 );
 
 /**
@@ -732,99 +833,93 @@
  *
  * @param s1 the first string
  * @param s2 the second string
- * @return negative if \p s1 is smaller than \p s2, positive if \p s1 is larger
- * than \p s2, zero if both strings equal ignoring case
+ * @return negative if @p s1 is smaller than @p s2, positive if @p s1 is larger
+ * than @p s2, zero if both strings equal ignoring case
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 int cx_strcasecmp_p(
-        void const *s1,
-        void const *s2
+        const void *s1,
+        const void *s2
 );
 
 
 /**
  * Creates a duplicate of the specified string.
  *
- * The new string will contain a copy allocated by \p allocator.
+ * The new string will contain a copy allocated by @p allocator.
  *
- * \note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator to use
  * @param string the string to duplicate
  * @return a duplicate of the string
  * @see cx_strdup()
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
-cxmutstr cx_strdup_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+cxmutstr cx_strdup_a_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring string
 );
 
 /**
  * Creates a duplicate of the specified string.
  *
- * The new string will contain a copy allocated by standard
- * \c malloc(). So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree().
+ * The new string will contain a copy allocated by @p allocator.
+ *
+ * @note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
  *
- * \note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
- *
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator to use
  * @param string the string to duplicate
- * @return a duplicate of the string
- * @see cx_strdup_a()
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) a duplicate of the string
+ * @see cx_strdup()
+ * @see cx_strfree_a()
  */
-#define cx_strdup(string) cx_strdup_a(cxDefaultAllocator, string)
-
-
-/**
- * Creates a duplicate of the specified string.
- *
- * The new string will contain a copy allocated by \p allocator.
- *
- * \note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
- *
- * @param allocator the allocator to use
- * @param string the string to duplicate
- * @return a duplicate of the string
- * @see cx_strdup_m()
- */
-#define cx_strdup_ma(allocator, string) cx_strdup_a(allocator, cx_strcast(string))
+#define cx_strdup_a(allocator, string) \
+    cx_strdup_a_((allocator), cx_strcast(string))
 
 /**
  * Creates a duplicate of the specified string.
  *
  * The new string will contain a copy allocated by standard
- * \c malloc(). So developers \em must pass the return value to cx_strfree().
+ * @c malloc(). So developers @em must pass the return value to cx_strfree().
  *
- * \note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
+ * @note The returned string is guaranteed to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * @param string the string to duplicate
- * @return a duplicate of the string
- * @see cx_strdup_ma()
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) a duplicate of the string
+ * @see cx_strdup_a()
+ * @see cx_strfree()
  */
-#define cx_strdup_m(string) cx_strdup_a(cxDefaultAllocator, cx_strcast(string))
+#define cx_strdup(string) cx_strdup_a(cxDefaultAllocator, string)
 
 /**
  * Omits leading and trailing spaces.
  *
- * \note the returned string references the same memory, thus you
- * must \em not free the returned memory.
+ * @note the returned string references the same memory, thus you
+ * must @em not free the returned memory.
  *
  * @param string the string that shall be trimmed
  * @return the trimmed string
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxstring cx_strtrim(cxstring string);
 
 /**
  * Omits leading and trailing spaces.
  *
- * \note the returned string references the same memory, thus you
- * must \em not free the returned memory.
+ * @note the returned string references the same memory, thus you
+ * must @em not free the returned memory.
  *
  * @param string the string that shall be trimmed
  * @return the trimmed string
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strtrim_m(cxmutstr string);
 
 /**
@@ -832,10 +927,11 @@
  *
  * @param string the string to check
  * @param prefix the prefix the string should have
- * @return \c true, if and only if the string has the specified prefix,
- * \c false otherwise
+ * @return @c true, if and only if the string has the specified prefix,
+ * @c false otherwise
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strprefix(
         cxstring string,
         cxstring prefix
@@ -846,10 +942,11 @@
  *
  * @param string the string to check
  * @param suffix the suffix the string should have
- * @return \c true, if and only if the string has the specified suffix,
- * \c false otherwise
+ * @return @c true, if and only if the string has the specified suffix,
+ * @c false otherwise
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strsuffix(
         cxstring string,
         cxstring suffix
@@ -860,10 +957,11 @@
  *
  * @param string the string to check
  * @param prefix the prefix the string should have
- * @return \c true, if and only if the string has the specified prefix,
- * \c false otherwise
+ * @return @c true, if and only if the string has the specified prefix,
+ * @c false otherwise
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strcaseprefix(
         cxstring string,
         cxstring prefix
@@ -874,42 +972,22 @@
  *
  * @param string the string to check
  * @param suffix the suffix the string should have
- * @return \c true, if and only if the string has the specified suffix,
- * \c false otherwise
+ * @return @c true, if and only if the string has the specified suffix,
+ * @c false otherwise
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strcasesuffix(
         cxstring string,
         cxstring suffix
 );
 
 /**
- * Converts the string to lower case.
- *
- * The change is made in-place. If you want a copy, use cx_strdup(), first.
- *
- * @param string the string to modify
- * @see cx_strdup()
- */
-void cx_strlower(cxmutstr string);
-
-/**
- * Converts the string to upper case.
+ * Replaces a string with another string.
  *
- * The change is made in-place. If you want a copy, use cx_strdup(), first.
+ * Replaces at most @p replmax occurrences.
  *
- * @param string the string to modify
- * @see cx_strdup()
- */
-void cx_strupper(cxmutstr string);
-
-/**
- * Replaces a pattern in a string with another string.
- *
- * The pattern is taken literally and is no regular expression.
- * Replaces at most \p replmax occurrences.
- *
- * The returned string will be allocated by \p allocator and is guaranteed
+ * The returned string will be allocated by @p allocator and is guaranteed
  * to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * If allocation fails, or the input string is empty,
@@ -917,80 +995,76 @@
  *
  * @param allocator the allocator to use
  * @param str the string where replacements should be applied
- * @param pattern the pattern to search for
+ * @param search the string to search for
  * @param replacement the replacement string
  * @param replmax maximum number of replacements
  * @return the resulting string after applying the replacements
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
 cxmutstr cx_strreplacen_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring str,
-        cxstring pattern,
+        cxstring search,
         cxstring replacement,
         size_t replmax
 );
 
 /**
- * Replaces a pattern in a string with another string.
+ * Replaces a string with another string.
  *
- * The pattern is taken literally and is no regular expression.
- * Replaces at most \p replmax occurrences.
+ * Replaces at most @p replmax occurrences.
  *
- * The returned string will be allocated by \c malloc() and is guaranteed
+ * The returned string will be allocated by @c malloc() and is guaranteed
  * to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * If allocation fails, or the input string is empty,
  * the returned string will be empty.
  *
- * @param str the string where replacements should be applied
- * @param pattern the pattern to search for
- * @param replacement the replacement string
- * @param replmax maximum number of replacements
- * @return the resulting string after applying the replacements
+ * @param str (@c cxstring) the string where replacements should be applied
+ * @param search (@c cxstring) the string to search for
+ * @param replacement (@c cxstring) the replacement string
+ * @param replmax (@c size_t) maximum number of replacements
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the resulting string after applying the replacements
  */
-#define cx_strreplacen(str, pattern, replacement, replmax) \
-cx_strreplacen_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, pattern, replacement, replmax)
+#define cx_strreplacen(str, search, replacement, replmax) \
+cx_strreplacen_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, search, replacement, replmax)
 
 /**
- * Replaces a pattern in a string with another string.
+ * Replaces a string with another string.
  *
- * The pattern is taken literally and is no regular expression.
- *
- * The returned string will be allocated by \p allocator and is guaranteed
+ * The returned string will be allocated by @p allocator and is guaranteed
  * to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * If allocation fails, or the input string is empty,
  * the returned string will be empty.
  *
- * @param allocator the allocator to use
- * @param str the string where replacements should be applied
- * @param pattern the pattern to search for
- * @param replacement the replacement string
- * @return the resulting string after applying the replacements
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator to use
+ * @param str (@c cxstring) the string where replacements should be applied
+ * @param search (@c cxstring) the string to search for
+ * @param replacement (@c cxstring) the replacement string
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the resulting string after applying the replacements
  */
-#define cx_strreplace_a(allocator, str, pattern, replacement) \
-cx_strreplacen_a(allocator, str, pattern, replacement, SIZE_MAX)
+#define cx_strreplace_a(allocator, str, search, replacement) \
+cx_strreplacen_a(allocator, str, search, replacement, SIZE_MAX)
 
 /**
- * Replaces a pattern in a string with another string.
+ * Replaces a string with another string.
  *
- * The pattern is taken literally and is no regular expression.
- * Replaces at most \p replmax occurrences.
- *
- * The returned string will be allocated by \c malloc() and is guaranteed
+ * The returned string will be allocated by @c malloc() and is guaranteed
  * to be zero-terminated.
  *
  * If allocation fails, or the input string is empty,
  * the returned string will be empty.
  *
- * @param str the string where replacements should be applied
- * @param pattern the pattern to search for
- * @param replacement the replacement string
- * @return the resulting string after applying the replacements
+ * @param str (@c cxstring) the string where replacements should be applied
+ * @param search (@c cxstring) the string to search for
+ * @param replacement (@c cxstring) the replacement string
+ * @return (@c cxmutstr) the resulting string after applying the replacements
  */
-#define cx_strreplace(str, pattern, replacement) \
-cx_strreplacen_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, pattern, replacement, SIZE_MAX)
+#define cx_strreplace(str, search, replacement) \
+cx_strreplacen_a(cxDefaultAllocator, str, search, replacement, SIZE_MAX)
 
 /**
  * Creates a string tokenization context.
@@ -1000,27 +1074,24 @@
  * @param limit the maximum number of tokens that shall be returned
  * @return a new string tokenization context
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok(
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok_(
         cxstring str,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit
 );
 
 /**
-* Creates a string tokenization context for a mutable string.
-*
-* @param str the string to tokenize
-* @param delim the delimiter (must not be empty)
-* @param limit the maximum number of tokens that shall be returned
-* @return a new string tokenization context
-*/
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__))
-CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok_m(
-        cxmutstr str,
-        cxstring delim,
-        size_t limit
-);
+ * Creates a string tokenization context.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to tokenize
+ * @param delim the delimiter string (must not be empty)
+ * @param limit (@c size_t) the maximum number of tokens that shall be returned
+ * @return (@c CxStrtokCtx) a new string tokenization context
+ */
+#define cx_strtok(str, delim, limit) \
+    cx_strtok_(cx_strcast(str), cx_strcast(delim), (limit))
 
 /**
  * Returns the next token.
@@ -1032,7 +1103,10 @@
  * @return true if successful, false if the limit or the end of the string
  * has been reached
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_w(2)
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strtok_next(
         CxStrtokCtx *ctx,
         cxstring *token
@@ -1042,6 +1116,8 @@
  * Returns the next token of a mutable string.
  *
  * The token will point to the source string.
+ *
+ * @attention
  * If the context was not initialized over a mutable string, modifying
  * the data of the returned token is undefined behavior.
  *
@@ -1050,7 +1126,10 @@
  * @return true if successful, false if the limit or the end of the string
  * has been reached
  */
-__attribute__((__warn_unused_result__, __nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_access_w(2)
+cx_attr_export
 bool cx_strtok_next_m(
         CxStrtokCtx *ctx,
         cxmutstr *token
@@ -1063,13 +1142,985 @@
  * @param delim array of more delimiters
  * @param count number of elements in the array
  */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_r(2, 3)
+cx_attr_export
 void cx_strtok_delim(
         CxStrtokCtx *ctx,
-        cxstring const *delim,
+        const cxstring *delim,
         size_t count
 );
 
+/* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- *
+ *                string to number conversion functions                      *
+ * ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtos_lc_(cxstring str, short *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoi_lc_(cxstring str, int *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtol_lc_(cxstring str, long *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoll_lc_(cxstring str, long long *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoi8_lc_(cxstring str, int8_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoi16_lc_(cxstring str, int16_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoi32_lc_(cxstring str, int32_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoi64_lc_(cxstring str, int64_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtous_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned short *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtou_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned int *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoul_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned long *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoull_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned long long *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtou8_lc_(cxstring str, uint8_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtou16_lc_(cxstring str, uint16_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtou32_lc_(cxstring str, uint32_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtou64_lc_(cxstring str, uint64_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtoz_lc_(cxstring str, size_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a single precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the necessary representation would exceed the limits defined in libc's float.h.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the float variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param decsep the decimal separator
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtof_lc_(cxstring str, float *output, char decsep, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a double precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the necessary representation would exceed the limits defined in libc's float.h.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the float variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param decsep the decimal separator
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+cx_attr_access_w(2) cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2) cx_attr_export
+int cx_strtod_lc_(cxstring str, double *output, char decsep, const char *groupsep);
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtos_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtos_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoi_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtol_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtol_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoll_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoll_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi8_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoi8_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi16_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoi16_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi32_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoi32_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi64_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoi64_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtous_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtous_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtou_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoul_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoul_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoull_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoull_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou8_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtou8_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou16_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtou16_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou32_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtou32_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou64_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtou64_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @param groupsep (@c const @c char*) each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoz_lc(str, output, base, groupsep) cx_strtoz_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtos(str, output, base) cx_strtos_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi(str, output, base) cx_strtoi_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtol(str, output, base) cx_strtol_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoll(str, output, base) cx_strtoll_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi8(str, output, base) cx_strtoi8_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi16(str, output, base) cx_strtoi16_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi32(str, output, base) cx_strtoi32_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoi64(str, output, base) cx_strtoi64_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoz(str, output, base) cx_strtoz_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtous(str, output, base) cx_strtous_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou(str, output, base) cx_strtou_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoul(str, output, base) cx_strtoul_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtoull(str, output, base) cx_strtoull_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou8(str, output, base) cx_strtou8_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou16(str, output, base) cx_strtou16_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou32(str, output, base) cx_strtou32_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character or an unsupported base.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the target datatype is too small.
+ *
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose the set of group separators, use the @c _lc variant of this function (e.g. cx_strtoz_lc()).
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the integer variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param base 2, 8, 10, or 16
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtou64(str, output, base) cx_strtou64_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, base, ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a single precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the necessary representation would exceed the limits defined in libc's float.h.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the float variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param decsep the decimal separator
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtof_lc(str, output, decsep, groupsep) cx_strtof_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, decsep, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a double precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the double variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @param decsep the decimal separator
+ * @param groupsep each character in this string is treated as group separator and ignored during conversion
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtod_lc(str, output, decsep, groupsep) cx_strtod_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, decsep, groupsep)
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a single precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ * It sets errno to ERANGE when the necessary representation would exceed the limits defined in libc's float.h.
+ *
+ * The decimal separator is assumed to be a dot character.
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose a different format, use cx_strtof_lc().
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the float variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtof(str, output) cx_strtof_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, '.', ",")
+
+/**
+ * Converts a string to a double precision floating point number.
+ *
+ * The function returns non-zero when conversion is not possible.
+ * In that case the function sets errno to EINVAL when the reason is an invalid character.
+ *
+ * The decimal separator is assumed to be a dot character.
+ * The comma character is treated as group separator and ignored during parsing.
+ * If you want to choose a different format, use cx_strtof_lc().
+ *
+ * @param str the string to convert
+ * @param output a pointer to the double variable where the result shall be stored
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero conversion was not possible
+ */
+#define cx_strtod(str, output) cx_strtod_lc_(cx_strcast(str), output, '.', ",")
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 } // extern "C"
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/test.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,338 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2017 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+ 
+/**
+ * @file: test.h
+ * 
+ * UCX Test Framework.
+ * 
+ * Usage of this test framework:
+ *
+ * **** IN HEADER FILE: ****
+ *
+ * <code>
+ * CX_TEST(function_name);
+ * CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE(subroutine_name, paramlist); // optional
+ * </code>
+ *
+ * **** IN SOURCE FILE: ****
+ * <code>
+ * CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE(subroutine_name, paramlist) {
+ *   // tests with CX_TEST_ASSERT()
+ * }
+ * 
+ * CX_TEST(function_name) {
+ *   // memory allocation and other stuff here
+ *   #CX_TEST_DO {
+ *     // tests with CX_TEST_ASSERT() and/or
+ *     // calls with CX_TEST_CALL_SUBROUTINE() here
+ *   }
+ *   // cleanup of memory here
+ * }
+ * </code>
+ * 
+ * @attention Do not call own functions within a test, that use
+ * CX_TEST_ASSERT() macros and are not defined by using CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE().
+ *
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef UCX_TEST_H
+#define	UCX_TEST_H
+
+#include "common.h"
+
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+#include <setjmp.h>
+
+#ifdef	__cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+#ifndef __FUNCTION__
+/**
+ * Alias for the <code>__func__</code> preprocessor macro.
+ * Some compilers use <code>__func__</code> and others use __FUNCTION__.
+ * We use __FUNCTION__ so we define it for those compilers which use
+ * <code>__func__</code>.
+ */
+#define __FUNCTION__ __func__
+#endif
+
+#if !defined(__clang__) && __GNUC__ > 3
+#pragma GCC diagnostic ignored "-Wclobbered"
+#endif
+
+/** Type for the CxTestSuite. */
+typedef struct CxTestSuite CxTestSuite;
+
+/** Pointer to a test function. */
+typedef void(*CxTest)(CxTestSuite *, void *, cx_write_func);
+
+/** Type for the internal list of test cases. */
+typedef struct CxTestSet CxTestSet;
+
+/** Structure for the internal list of test cases. */
+struct CxTestSet {
+    
+    /** Test case. */
+    CxTest test;
+    
+    /** Pointer to the next list element. */
+    CxTestSet *next;
+};
+
+/**
+ * A test suite containing multiple test cases.
+ */
+struct CxTestSuite {
+    
+    /** The number of successful tests after the suite has been run. */
+    unsigned int success;
+    
+    /** The number of failed tests after the suite has been run. */
+    unsigned int failure;
+
+    /** The optional name of this test suite. */
+    const char *name;
+    
+    /**
+     * Internal list of test cases.
+     * Use cx_test_register() to add tests to this list.
+     */
+    CxTestSet *tests;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new test suite.
+ * @param name optional name of the suite
+ * @return a new test suite
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_cstr_arg(1)
+cx_attr_malloc
+static inline CxTestSuite* cx_test_suite_new(const char *name) {
+    CxTestSuite* suite = (CxTestSuite*) malloc(sizeof(CxTestSuite));
+    if (suite != NULL) {
+        suite->name = name;
+        suite->success = 0;
+        suite->failure = 0;
+        suite->tests = NULL;
+    }
+
+    return suite;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Deallocates a test suite.
+ *
+ * @param suite the test suite to free
+ */
+static inline void cx_test_suite_free(CxTestSuite* suite) {
+    if (suite == NULL) return;
+    CxTestSet *l = suite->tests;
+    while (l != NULL) {
+        CxTestSet *e = l;
+        l = l->next;
+        free(e);
+    }
+    free(suite);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Registers a test function with the specified test suite.
+ * 
+ * @param suite the suite, the test function shall be added to
+ * @param test the test function to register
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cx_test_register(CxTestSuite* suite, CxTest test) {
+    CxTestSet *t = (CxTestSet*) malloc(sizeof(CxTestSet));
+    if (t) {
+        t->test = test;
+        t->next = NULL;
+        if (suite->tests == NULL) {
+            suite->tests = t;
+        } else {
+            CxTestSet *last = suite->tests;
+            while (last->next) {
+                last = last->next;
+            }
+            last->next = t;
+        }
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return 1;
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Runs a test suite and writes the test log to the specified stream.
+ * @param suite the test suite to run
+ * @param out_target the target buffer or file to write the output to
+ * @param out_writer the write function writing to @p out_target
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline void cx_test_run(CxTestSuite *suite,
+                               void *out_target, cx_write_func out_writer) {
+    if (suite->name == NULL) {
+        out_writer("*** Test Suite ***\n", 1, 19, out_target);
+    } else {
+        out_writer("*** Test Suite : ", 1, 17, out_target);
+        out_writer(suite->name, 1, strlen(suite->name), out_target);
+        out_writer(" ***\n", 1, 5, out_target);
+    }
+    suite->success = 0;
+    suite->failure = 0;
+    for (CxTestSet *elem = suite->tests; elem; elem = elem->next) {
+        elem->test(suite, out_target, out_writer);
+    }
+    out_writer("\nAll test completed.\n", 1, 21, out_target);
+    char total[80];
+    int len = snprintf(
+            total, 80,
+            "  Total:   %u\n  Success: %u\n  Failure: %u\n\n",
+            suite->success + suite->failure, suite->success, suite->failure
+    );
+    out_writer(total, 1, len, out_target);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Runs a test suite and writes the test log to the specified FILE stream.
+ * @param suite (@c CxTestSuite*) the test suite to run
+ * @param file (@c FILE*) the target file to write the output to
+ */
+#define cx_test_run_f(suite, file) cx_test_run(suite, (void*)file, (cx_write_func)fwrite)
+
+/**
+ * Runs a test suite and writes the test log to stdout.
+ * @param suite (@c CxTestSuite*) the test suite to run
+ */
+#define cx_test_run_stdout(suite) cx_test_run_f(suite, stdout)
+
+/**
+ * Macro for a #CxTest function header.
+ * 
+ * Use this macro to declare and/or define a #CxTest function.
+ * 
+ * @param name the name of the test function
+ */
+#define CX_TEST(name) void name(CxTestSuite* _suite_,void *_output_, cx_write_func _writefnc_)
+
+/**
+ * Defines the scope of a test.
+ *
+ * @code
+ * CX_TEST(my_test_name) {
+ *     // setup code
+ *     CX_TEST_DO {
+ *         // your tests go here
+ *     }
+ *     // tear down code
+ * }
+ * @endcode
+ *
+ * @attention Any CX_TEST_ASSERT() calls must be performed in scope of
+ * #CX_TEST_DO.
+ */
+#define CX_TEST_DO _writefnc_("Running ", 1, 8, _output_);\
+        _writefnc_(__FUNCTION__, 1, strlen(__FUNCTION__), _output_);\
+        _writefnc_("... ", 1, 4, _output_);\
+        jmp_buf _env_;\
+        for (unsigned int _cx_test_loop_ = 0 ;\
+             _cx_test_loop_ == 0 && !setjmp(_env_);\
+             _writefnc_("success.\n", 1, 9, _output_),\
+             _suite_->success++, _cx_test_loop_++)
+
+/**
+ * Checks a test assertion.
+ * If the assertion is correct, the test carries on. If the assertion is not
+ * correct, the specified message (terminated by a dot and a line break) is
+ * written to the test suites output stream.
+ * @param condition (@c bool) the condition to check
+ * @param message (@c char*) the message that shall be printed out on failure
+ */
+#define CX_TEST_ASSERTM(condition,message) if (!(condition)) { \
+        const char *_assert_msg_ = message; \
+        _writefnc_(_assert_msg_, 1, strlen(_assert_msg_), _output_); \
+        _writefnc_(".\n", 1, 2, _output_); \
+        _suite_->failure++; \
+        longjmp(_env_, 1);\
+    } (void) 0
+
+/**
+ * Checks a test assertion.
+ * If the assertion is correct, the test carries on. If the assertion is not
+ * correct, the specified message (terminated by a dot and a line break) is
+ * written to the test suites output stream.
+ * @param condition (@c bool) the condition to check
+ */
+#define CX_TEST_ASSERT(condition) CX_TEST_ASSERTM(condition, #condition " failed")
+
+/**
+ * Macro for a test subroutine function header.
+ * 
+ * Use this to declare and/or define a subroutine that can be called by using
+ * CX_TEST_CALL_SUBROUTINE().
+ * 
+ * @param name the name of the subroutine
+ * @param ... the parameter list
+ * 
+ * @see CX_TEST_CALL_SUBROUTINE()
+ */
+#define CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE(name,...) void name(CxTestSuite* _suite_,\
+        void *_output_, cx_write_func _writefnc_, jmp_buf _env_, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+/**
+ * Macro for calling a test subroutine.
+ * 
+ * Subroutines declared with CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE() can be called by using this
+ * macro.
+ * 
+ * @remark You may <b>only</b> call subroutines within a #CX_TEST_DO block.
+ * 
+ * @param name the name of the subroutine
+ * @param ... the argument list
+ * 
+ * @see CX_TEST_SUBROUTINE()
+ */
+#define CX_TEST_CALL_SUBROUTINE(name,...) \
+        name(_suite_,_output_,_writefnc_,_env_,__VA_ARGS__)
+
+#ifdef	__cplusplus
+}
+#endif
+
+#endif	/* UCX_TEST_H */
+
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/cx/tree.h	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,1428 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+/**
+ * @file tree.h
+ * @brief Interface for tree implementations.
+ * @author Mike Becker
+ * @author Olaf Wintermann
+ * @copyright 2-Clause BSD License
+ */
+
+#ifndef UCX_TREE_H
+#define UCX_TREE_H
+
+#include "common.h"
+
+#include "collection.h"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+/**
+ * A depth-first tree iterator.
+ *
+ * This iterator is not position-aware in a strict sense, as it does not assume
+ * a particular order of elements in the tree. However, the iterator keeps track
+ * of the number of nodes it has passed in a counter variable.
+ * Each node, regardless of the number of passes, is counted only once.
+ *
+ * @note Objects that are pointed to by an iterator are mutable through that
+ * iterator. However, if the
+ * underlying data structure is mutated by other means than this iterator (e.g.
+ * elements added or removed), the iterator becomes invalid (regardless of what
+ * cxIteratorValid() returns).
+ *
+ * @see CxIterator
+ */
+typedef struct cx_tree_iterator_s {
+    /**
+     * Base members.
+     */
+    CX_ITERATOR_BASE;
+    /**
+     * Indicates whether the subtree below the current node shall be skipped.
+     */
+    bool skip;
+    /**
+     * Set to true, when the iterator shall visit a node again
+     * when all it's children have been processed.
+     */
+    bool visit_on_exit;
+    /**
+     * True, if this iterator is currently leaving the node.
+     */
+    bool exiting;
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the children linked list.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_children;
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the next pointer.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_next;
+    /**
+     * The total number of distinct nodes that have been passed so far.
+     */
+    size_t counter;
+    /**
+     * The currently observed node.
+     *
+     * This is the same what cxIteratorCurrent() would return.
+     */
+    void *node;
+    /**
+     * Stores a copy of the next pointer of the visited node.
+     * Allows freeing a node on exit without corrupting the iteration.
+     */
+    void *node_next;
+    /**
+     * Internal stack.
+     * Will be automatically freed once the iterator becomes invalid.
+     *
+     * If you want to discard the iterator before, you need to manually
+     * call cxTreeIteratorDispose().
+     */
+    void **stack;
+    /**
+     * Internal capacity of the stack.
+     */
+    size_t stack_capacity;
+    union {
+        /**
+         * Internal stack size.
+         */
+        size_t stack_size;
+        /**
+         * The current depth in the tree.
+         */
+        size_t depth;
+    };
+} CxTreeIterator;
+
+/**
+ * An element in a visitor queue.
+ */
+struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s {
+    /**
+     * The tree node to visit.
+     */
+    void *node;
+    /**
+     * The depth of the node.
+     */
+    size_t depth;
+    /**
+     * The next element in the queue or @c NULL.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *next;
+};
+
+/**
+ * A breadth-first tree iterator.
+ *
+ * This iterator needs to maintain a visitor queue that will be automatically
+ * freed once the iterator becomes invalid.
+ * If you want to discard the iterator before, you MUST manually call
+ * cxTreeVisitorDispose().
+ *
+ * This iterator is not position-aware in a strict sense, as it does not assume
+ * a particular order of elements in the tree. However, the iterator keeps track
+ * of the number of nodes it has passed in a counter variable.
+ * Each node, regardless of the number of passes, is counted only once.
+ *
+ * @note Objects that are pointed to by an iterator are mutable through that
+ * iterator. However, if the
+ * underlying data structure is mutated by other means than this iterator (e.g.
+ * elements added or removed), the iterator becomes invalid (regardless of what
+ * cxIteratorValid() returns).
+ *
+ * @see CxIterator
+ */
+typedef struct cx_tree_visitor_s {
+    /**
+     * Base members.
+     */
+    CX_ITERATOR_BASE;
+    /**
+     * Indicates whether the subtree below the current node shall be skipped.
+     */
+    bool skip;
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the children linked list.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_children;
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the next pointer.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_next;
+    /**
+     * The total number of distinct nodes that have been passed so far.
+     */
+    size_t counter;
+    /**
+     * The currently observed node.
+     *
+     * This is the same what cxIteratorCurrent() would return.
+     */
+    void *node;
+    /**
+     * The current depth in the tree.
+     */
+    size_t depth;
+    /**
+     * The next element in the visitor queue.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *queue_next;
+    /**
+     * The last element in the visitor queue.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *queue_last;
+} CxTreeVisitor;
+
+/**
+ * Releases internal memory of the given tree iterator.
+ * @param iter the iterator
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline void cxTreeIteratorDispose(CxTreeIterator *iter) {
+    free(iter->stack);
+    iter->stack = NULL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Releases internal memory of the given tree visitor.
+ * @param visitor the visitor
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline void cxTreeVisitorDispose(CxTreeVisitor *visitor) {
+    struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *q = visitor->queue_next;
+    while (q != NULL) {
+        struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *next = q->next;
+        free(q);
+        q = next;
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Advises the iterator to skip the subtree below the current node and
+ * also continues the current loop.
+ *
+ * @param iterator (@c CxTreeIterator) the iterator
+ */
+#define cxTreeIteratorContinue(iterator) (iterator).skip = true; continue
+
+/**
+ * Advises the visitor to skip the subtree below the current node and
+ * also continues the current loop.
+ *
+ * @param visitor (@c CxTreeVisitor) the visitor
+ */
+#define cxTreeVisitorContinue(visitor) cxTreeIteratorContinue(visitor)
+
+/**
+ * Links a node to a (new) parent.
+ *
+ * If the node has already a parent, it is unlinked, first.
+ * If the parent has children already, the node is @em appended to the list
+ * of all currently existing children.
+ *
+ * @param parent the parent node
+ * @param node the node that shall be linked
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @see cx_tree_unlink()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_tree_link(
+        void *parent,
+        void *node,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Unlinks a node from its parent.
+ *
+ * If the node has no parent, this function does nothing.
+ *
+ * @param node the node that shall be unlinked from its parent
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @see cx_tree_link()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cx_tree_unlink(
+        void *node,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Macro that can be used instead of the magic value for infinite search depth.
+ */
+#define CX_TREE_SEARCH_INFINITE_DEPTH 0
+
+/**
+ * Function pointer for a search function.
+ *
+ * A function of this kind shall check if the specified @p node
+ * contains the given @p data or if one of the children might contain
+ * the data.
+ *
+ * The function should use the returned integer to indicate how close the
+ * match is, where a negative number means that it does not match at all.
+ * Zero means exact match and a positive number is an implementation defined
+ * measure for the distance to an exact match.
+ *
+ * For example if a tree stores file path information, a node that is
+ * describing a parent directory of a filename that is searched, shall
+ * return a positive number to indicate that a child node might contain the
+ * searched item. On the other hand, if the node denotes a path that is not a
+ * prefix of the searched filename, the function would return -1 to indicate
+ * that the search does not need to be continued in that branch.
+ *
+ * @param node the node that is currently investigated
+ * @param data the data that is searched for
+ *
+ * @return 0 if the node contains the data,
+ * positive if one of the children might contain the data,
+ * negative if neither the node, nor the children contains the data
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef int (*cx_tree_search_data_func)(const void *node, const void *data);
+
+
+/**
+ * Function pointer for a search function.
+ *
+ * A function of this kind shall check if the specified @p node
+ * contains the same @p data as @p new_node or if one of the children might
+ * contain the data.
+ *
+ * The function should use the returned integer to indicate how close the
+ * match is, where a negative number means that it does not match at all.
+ * Zero means exact match and a positive number is an implementation defined
+ * measure for the distance to an exact match.
+ *
+ * For example if a tree stores file path information, a node that is
+ * describing a parent directory of a filename that is searched, shall
+ * return a positive number to indicate that a child node might contain the
+ * searched item. On the other hand, if the node denotes a path that is not a
+ * prefix of the searched filename, the function would return -1 to indicate
+ * that the search does not need to be continued in that branch.
+ *
+ * @param node the node that is currently investigated
+ * @param new_node a new node with the information which is searched
+ *
+ * @return 0 if @p node contains the same data as @p new_node,
+ * positive if one of the children might contain the data,
+ * negative if neither the node, nor the children contains the data
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef int (*cx_tree_search_func)(const void *node, const void *new_node);
+
+/**
+ * Searches for data in a tree.
+ *
+ * When the data cannot be found exactly, the search function might return a
+ * closest result which might be a good starting point for adding a new node
+ * to the tree (see also #cx_tree_add()).
+ *
+ * Depending on the tree structure it is not necessarily guaranteed that the
+ * "closest" match is uniquely defined. This function will search for a node
+ * with the best match according to the @p sfunc (meaning: the return value of
+ * @p sfunc which is closest to zero). If that is also ambiguous, an arbitrary
+ * node matching the criteria is returned.
+ *
+ * @param root the root node
+ * @param depth the maximum depth (zero=indefinite, one=just root)
+ * @param data the data to search for
+ * @param sfunc the search function
+ * @param result where the result shall be stored
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return zero if the node was found exactly, positive if a node was found that
+ * could contain the node (but doesn't right now), negative if the tree does not
+ * contain any node that might be related to the searched data
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_tree_search_data(
+        const void *root,
+        size_t depth,
+        const void *data,
+        cx_tree_search_data_func sfunc,
+        void **result,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Searches for a node in a tree.
+ *
+ * When no node with the same data can be found, the search function might
+ * return a closest result which might be a good starting point for adding the
+ * new node to the tree (see also #cx_tree_add()).
+ *
+ * Depending on the tree structure it is not necessarily guaranteed that the
+ * "closest" match is uniquely defined. This function will search for a node
+ * with the best match according to the @p sfunc (meaning: the return value of
+ * @p sfunc which is closest to zero). If that is also ambiguous, an arbitrary
+ * node matching the criteria is returned.
+ *
+ * @param root the root node
+* @param depth the maximum depth (zero=indefinite, one=just root)
+ * @param node the node to search for
+ * @param sfunc the search function
+ * @param result where the result shall be stored
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return zero if the node was found exactly, positive if a node was found that
+ * could contain the node (but doesn't right now), negative if the tree does not
+ * contain any node that might be related to the searched data
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_tree_search(
+        const void *root,
+        size_t depth,
+        const void *node,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        void **result,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a depth-first iterator for a tree with the specified root node.
+ *
+ * @note A tree iterator needs to maintain a stack of visited nodes, which is
+ * allocated using stdlib malloc().
+ * When the iterator becomes invalid, this memory is automatically released.
+ * However, if you wish to cancel the iteration before the iterator becomes
+ * invalid by itself, you MUST call cxTreeIteratorDispose() manually to release
+ * the memory.
+ *
+ * @remark The returned iterator does not support cxIteratorFlagRemoval().
+ *
+ * @param root the root node
+ * @param visit_on_exit set to true, when the iterator shall visit a node again
+ * after processing all children
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the new tree iterator
+ * @see cxTreeIteratorDispose()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxTreeIterator cx_tree_iterator(
+        void *root,
+        bool visit_on_exit,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a breadth-first iterator for a tree with the specified root node.
+ *
+ * @note A tree visitor needs to maintain a queue of to be visited nodes, which
+ * is allocated using stdlib malloc().
+ * When the visitor becomes invalid, this memory is automatically released.
+ * However, if you wish to cancel the iteration before the visitor becomes
+ * invalid by itself, you MUST call cxTreeVisitorDispose() manually to release
+ * the memory.
+ *
+ * @remark The returned iterator does not support cxIteratorFlagRemoval().
+ *
+ * @param root the root node
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the new tree visitor
+ * @see cxTreeVisitorDispose()
+ */
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+CxTreeVisitor cx_tree_visitor(
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Describes a function that creates a tree node from the specified data.
+ * The first argument points to the data the node shall contain and
+ * the second argument may be used for additional data (e.g. an allocator).
+ * Functions of this type shall either return a new pointer to a newly
+ * created node or @c NULL when allocation fails.
+ *
+ * @note the function may leave the node pointers in the struct uninitialized.
+ * The caller is responsible to set them according to the intended use case.
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1)
+typedef void *(*cx_tree_node_create_func)(const void *, void *);
+
+/**
+ * The local search depth for a new subtree when adding multiple elements.
+ * The default value is 3.
+ * This variable is used by #cx_tree_add_array() and #cx_tree_add_iter() to
+ * implement optimized insertion of multiple elements into a tree.
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+extern unsigned int cx_tree_add_look_around_depth;
+
+/**
+ * Adds multiple elements efficiently to a tree.
+ *
+ * Once an element cannot be added to the tree, this function returns, leaving
+ * the iterator in a valid state pointing to the element that could not be
+ * added.
+ * Also, the pointer of the created node will be stored to @p failed.
+ * The integer returned by this function denotes the number of elements obtained
+ * from the @p iter that have been successfully processed.
+ * When all elements could be processed, a @c NULL pointer will be written to
+ * @p failed.
+ *
+ * The advantage of this function compared to multiple invocations of
+ * #cx_tree_add() is that the search for the insert locations is not always
+ * started from the root node.
+ * Instead, the function checks #cx_tree_add_look_around_depth many parent nodes
+ * of the current insert location before starting from the root node again.
+ * When the variable is set to zero, only the last found location is checked
+ * again.
+ *
+ * Refer to the documentation of #cx_tree_add() for more details.
+ *
+ * @param iter a pointer to an arbitrary iterator
+ * @param num the maximum number of elements to obtain from the iterator
+ * @param sfunc a search function
+ * @param cfunc a node creation function
+ * @param cdata optional additional data
+ * @param root the root node of the tree
+ * @param failed location where the pointer to a failed node shall be stored
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the number of nodes created and added
+ * @see cx_tree_add()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
+cx_attr_access_w(6)
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_tree_add_iter(
+        struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter,
+        size_t num,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **failed,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Adds multiple elements efficiently to a tree.
+ *
+ * Once an element cannot be added to the tree, this function returns, storing
+ * the pointer of the created node to @p failed.
+ * The integer returned by this function denotes the number of elements from
+ * the @p src array that have been successfully processed.
+ * When all elements could be processed, a @c NULL pointer will be written to
+ * @p failed.
+ *
+ * The advantage of this function compared to multiple invocations of
+ * #cx_tree_add() is that the search for the insert locations is not always
+ * started from the root node.
+ * Instead, the function checks #cx_tree_add_look_around_depth many parent nodes
+ * of the current insert location before starting from the root node again.
+ * When the variable is set to zero, only the last found location is checked
+ * again.
+ *
+ * Refer to the documentation of #cx_tree_add() for more details.
+ *
+ * @param src a pointer to the source data array
+ * @param num the number of elements in the @p src array
+ * @param elem_size the size of each element in the @p src array
+ * @param sfunc a search function
+ * @param cfunc a node creation function
+ * @param cdata optional additional data
+ * @param failed location where the pointer to a failed node shall be stored
+ * @param root the root node of the tree
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the number of array elements successfully processed
+ * @see cx_tree_add()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 4, 5, 7, 8)
+cx_attr_access_w(7)
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cx_tree_add_array(
+        const void *src,
+        size_t num,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **failed,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Adds data to a tree.
+ *
+ * An adequate location where to add the new tree node is searched with the
+ * specified @p sfunc.
+ *
+ * When a location is found, the @p cfunc will be invoked with @p cdata.
+ *
+ * The node returned by @p cfunc will be linked into the tree.
+ * When @p sfunc returned a positive integer, the new node will be linked as a
+ * child. The other children (now siblings of the new node) are then checked
+ * with @p sfunc, whether they could be children of the new node and re-linked
+ * accordingly.
+ *
+ * When @p sfunc returned zero and the found node has a parent, the new
+ * node will be added as sibling - otherwise, the new node will be added
+ * as a child.
+ *
+ * When @p sfunc returned a negative value, the new node will not be added to
+ * the tree and this function returns a non-zero value.
+ * The caller should check if @p cnode contains a node pointer and deal with the
+ * node that could not be added.
+ *
+ * This function also returns a non-zero value when @p cfunc tries to allocate
+ * a new node but fails to do so. In that case, the pointer stored to @p cnode
+ * will be @c NULL.
+ *
+ * Multiple elements can be added more efficiently with
+ * #cx_tree_add_array() or #cx_tree_add_iter().
+ *
+ * @param src a pointer to the data
+ * @param sfunc a search function
+ * @param cfunc a node creation function
+ * @param cdata optional additional data
+ * @param cnode the location where a pointer to the new node is stored
+ * @param root the root node of the tree
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return zero when a new node was created and added to the tree,
+ * non-zero otherwise
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
+cx_attr_access_w(5)
+cx_attr_export
+int cx_tree_add(
+        const void *src,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **cnode,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+
+/**
+ * Tree class type.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_tree_class_s cx_tree_class;
+
+/**
+ * Base structure that can be used for tree nodes in a #CxTree.
+ */
+struct cx_tree_node_base_s {
+    /**
+     * Pointer to the parent.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_node_base_s *parent;
+    /**
+     * Pointer to the first child.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_node_base_s *children;
+    /**
+     * Pointer to the last child.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_node_base_s *last_child;
+    /**
+     * Pointer to the previous sibling.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_node_base_s *prev;
+    /**
+     * Pointer to the next sibling.
+     */
+    struct cx_tree_node_base_s *next;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Structure for holding the base data of a tree.
+ */
+struct cx_tree_s {
+    /**
+     * The tree class definition.
+     */
+    const cx_tree_class *cl;
+
+    /**
+     * Allocator to allocate new nodes.
+     */
+    const CxAllocator *allocator;
+
+    /**
+     * A pointer to the root node.
+     *
+     * Will be @c NULL when @c size is 0.
+     */
+    void *root;
+
+    /**
+     * A function to create new nodes.
+     *
+     * Invocations to this function will receive a pointer to this tree
+     * structure as second argument.
+     *
+     * Nodes MAY use #cx_tree_node_base_s as base layout, but do not need to.
+     */
+    cx_tree_node_create_func node_create;
+
+    /**
+     * An optional simple destructor for the tree nodes.
+     */
+    cx_destructor_func simple_destructor;
+
+    /**
+     * An optional advanced destructor for the tree nodes.
+     */
+    cx_destructor_func2 advanced_destructor;
+
+    /**
+     * The pointer to additional data that is passed to the advanced destructor.
+     */
+    void *destructor_data;
+
+    /**
+     * A function to compare two nodes.
+     */
+    cx_tree_search_func search;
+
+    /**
+     * A function to compare a node with data.
+     */
+    cx_tree_search_data_func search_data;
+
+    /**
+     * The number of currently stored elements.
+     */
+    size_t size;
+
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the parent pointer.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_parent;
+
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the children linked list.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_children;
+
+    /**
+     * Optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to the last child
+     * in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer).
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_last_child;
+
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the previous sibling pointer.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_prev;
+
+    /**
+     * Offset in the node struct for the next sibling pointer.
+     */
+    ptrdiff_t loc_next;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Macro to roll out the #cx_tree_node_base_s structure with a custom
+ * node type.
+ *
+ * Must be used as first member in your custom tree struct.
+ *
+ * @param type the data type for the nodes
+ */
+#define CX_TREE_NODE_BASE(type) \
+    type *parent; \
+    type *children;\
+    type *last_child;\
+    type *prev;\
+    type *next
+
+/**
+ * Macro for specifying the layout of a base node tree.
+ *
+ * When your tree uses #CX_TREE_NODE_BASE, you can use this
+ * macro in all tree functions that expect the layout parameters
+ * @c loc_parent, @c loc_children, @c loc_last_child, @c loc_prev,
+ * and @c loc_next.
+ */
+#define cx_tree_node_base_layout \
+    offsetof(struct cx_tree_node_base_s, parent),\
+    offsetof(struct cx_tree_node_base_s, children),\
+    offsetof(struct cx_tree_node_base_s, last_child),\
+    offsetof(struct cx_tree_node_base_s, prev),  \
+    offsetof(struct cx_tree_node_base_s, next)
+
+/**
+ * The class definition for arbitrary trees.
+ */
+struct cx_tree_class_s {
+    /**
+     * Member function for inserting a single element.
+     *
+     * Implementations SHALL NOT simply invoke @p insert_many as this comes
+     * with too much overhead.
+     */
+    int (*insert_element)(
+            struct cx_tree_s *tree,
+            const void *data
+    );
+
+    /**
+     * Member function for inserting multiple elements.
+     *
+     * Implementations SHALL avoid to perform a full search in the tree for
+     * every element even though the source data MAY be unsorted.
+     */
+    size_t (*insert_many)(
+            struct cx_tree_s *tree,
+            struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter,
+            size_t n
+    );
+
+    /**
+     * Member function for finding a node.
+     */
+    void *(*find)(
+            struct cx_tree_s *tree,
+            const void *subtree,
+            const void *data,
+            size_t depth
+    );
+};
+
+/**
+ * Common type for all tree implementations.
+ */
+typedef struct cx_tree_s CxTree;
+
+
+/**
+ * Destroys a node and it's subtree.
+ *
+ * It is guaranteed that the simple destructor is invoked before
+ * the advanced destructor, starting with the leaf nodes of the subtree.
+ *
+ * When this function is invoked on the root node of the tree, it destroys the
+ * tree contents, but - in contrast to #cxTreeFree() - not the tree
+ * structure, leaving an empty tree behind.
+ *
+ * @note The destructor function, if any, will @em not be invoked. That means
+ * you will need to free the removed subtree by yourself, eventually.
+ *
+ * @attention This function will not free the memory of the nodes with the
+ * tree's allocator, because that is usually done by the advanced destructor
+ * and would therefore result in a double-free.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param node the node to remove
+ * @see cxTreeFree()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxTreeDestroySubtree(CxTree *tree, void *node);
+
+
+/**
+ * Destroys the tree contents.
+ *
+ * It is guaranteed that the simple destructor is invoked before
+ * the advanced destructor, starting with the leaf nodes of the subtree.
+ *
+ * This is a convenience macro for invoking #cxTreeDestroySubtree() on the
+ * root node of the tree.
+ *
+ * @attention Be careful when calling this function when no destructor function
+ * is registered that actually frees the memory of nodes. In that case you will
+ * need a reference to the (former) root node of the tree somewhere or
+ * otherwise you will be leaking memory.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @see cxTreeDestroySubtree()
+ */
+#define cxTreeClear(tree) cxTreeDestroySubtree(tree, tree->root)
+
+/**
+ * Deallocates the tree structure.
+ *
+ * The destructor functions are invoked for each node, starting with the leaf
+ * nodes.
+ * It is guaranteed that for each node the simple destructor is invoked before
+ * the advanced destructor.
+ *
+ * @attention This function will only invoke the destructor functions
+ * on the nodes.
+ * It will NOT additionally free the nodes with the tree's allocator, because
+ * that would cause a double-free in most scenarios where the advanced
+ * destructor is already freeing the memory.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree to free
+ */
+cx_attr_export
+void cxTreeFree(CxTree *tree);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new tree structure based on the specified layout.
+ *
+ * The specified @p allocator will be used for creating the tree struct
+ * and SHALL be used by @p create_func to allocate memory for the nodes.
+ *
+ * @note This function will also register an advanced destructor which
+ * will free the nodes with the allocator's free() method.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator that shall be used
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator will be used)
+ * @param create_func a function that creates new nodes
+ * @param search_func a function that compares two nodes
+ * @param search_data_func a function that compares a node with data
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the new tree
+ * @see cxTreeCreateSimple()
+ * @see cxTreeCreateWrapped()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2, 3, 4)
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxTreeFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
+CxTree *cxTreeCreate(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func create_func,
+        cx_tree_search_func search_func,
+        cx_tree_search_data_func search_data_func,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new tree structure based on a default layout.
+ *
+ * Nodes created by @p create_func MUST contain #cx_tree_node_base_s as first
+ * member (or at least respect the default offsets specified in the tree
+ * struct) and they MUST be allocated with the specified allocator.
+ *
+ * @note This function will also register an advanced destructor which
+ * will free the nodes with the allocator's free() method.
+ *
+ * @param allocator (@c CxAllocator*) the allocator that shall be used
+ * @param create_func (@c cx_tree_node_create_func) a function that creates new nodes
+ * @param search_func (@c cx_tree_search_func) a function that compares two nodes
+ * @param search_data_func (@c cx_tree_search_data_func)  a function that compares a node with data
+ * @return (@c CxTree*) the new tree
+ * @see cxTreeCreate()
+ */
+#define cxTreeCreateSimple(\
+    allocator, create_func, search_func, search_data_func \
+) cxTreeCreate(allocator, create_func, search_func, search_data_func, \
+cx_tree_node_base_layout)
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new tree structure based on an existing tree.
+ *
+ * The specified @p allocator will be used for creating the tree struct.
+ *
+ * @attention This function will create an incompletely defined tree structure
+ * where neither the create function, the search function, nor a destructor
+ * will be set. If you wish to use any of this functionality for the wrapped
+ * tree, you need to specify those functions afterwards.
+ *
+ * @param allocator the allocator that was used for nodes of the wrapped tree
+ * (if @c NULL, a default stdlib allocator is assumed)
+ * @param root the root node of the tree that shall be wrapped
+ * @param loc_parent offset in the node struct for the parent pointer
+ * @param loc_children offset in the node struct for the children linked list
+ * @param loc_last_child optional offset in the node struct for the pointer to
+ * the last child in the linked list (negative if there is no such pointer)
+ * @param loc_prev optional offset in the node struct for the prev pointer
+ * @param loc_next offset in the node struct for the next pointer
+ * @return the new tree
+ * @see cxTreeCreate()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(2)
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_malloc
+cx_attr_dealloc(cxTreeFree, 1)
+cx_attr_export
+CxTree *cxTreeCreateWrapped(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+);
+
+/**
+ * Inserts data into the tree.
+ *
+ * @remark For this function to work, the tree needs specified search and
+ * create functions, which might not be available for wrapped trees
+ * (see #cxTreeCreateWrapped()).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param data the data to insert
+ * @retval zero success
+ * @retval non-zero failure
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline int cxTreeInsert(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *data
+) {
+    return tree->cl->insert_element(tree, data);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Inserts elements provided by an iterator efficiently into the tree.
+ *
+ * @remark For this function to work, the tree needs specified search and
+ * create functions, which might not be available for wrapped trees
+ * (see #cxTreeCreateWrapped()).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param iter the iterator providing the elements
+ * @param n the maximum number of elements to insert
+ * @return the number of elements that could be successfully inserted
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxTreeInsertIter(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        CxIteratorBase *iter,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    return tree->cl->insert_many(tree, iter, n);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Inserts an array of data efficiently into the tree.
+ *
+ * @remark For this function to work, the tree needs specified search and
+ * create functions, which might not be available for wrapped trees
+ * (see #cxTreeCreateWrapped()).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param data the array of data to insert
+ * @param elem_size the size of each element in the array
+ * @param n the number of elements in the array
+ * @return the number of elements that could be successfully inserted
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static inline size_t cxTreeInsertArray(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *data,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    if (n == 0) return 0;
+    if (n == 1) return 0 == cxTreeInsert(tree, data) ? 1 : 0;
+    CxIterator iter = cxIterator(data, elem_size, n);
+    return cxTreeInsertIter(tree, cxIteratorRef(iter), n);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Searches the data in the specified tree.
+ *
+ * @remark For this function to work, the tree needs a specified @c search_data
+ * function, which might not be available wrapped trees
+ * (see #cxTreeCreateWrapped()).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param data the data to search for
+ * @return the first matching node, or @c NULL when the data cannot be found
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline void *cxTreeFind(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *data
+) {
+    return tree->cl->find(tree, tree->root, data, 0);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Searches the data in the specified subtree.
+ *
+ * When @p max_depth is zero, the depth is not limited.
+ * The @p subtree_root itself is on depth 1 and its children have depth 2.
+ *
+ * @note When @p subtree_root is not part of the @p tree, the behavior is
+ * undefined.
+ *
+ * @remark For this function to work, the tree needs a specified @c search_data
+ * function, which might not be the case for wrapped trees
+ * (see #cxTreeCreateWrapped()).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param data the data to search for
+ * @param subtree_root the node where to start
+ * @param max_depth the maximum search depth
+ * @return the first matching node, or @c NULL when the data cannot be found
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline void *cxTreeFindInSubtree(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *data,
+        void *subtree_root,
+        size_t max_depth
+) {
+    return tree->cl->find(tree, subtree_root, data, max_depth);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Determines the size of the specified subtree.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param subtree_root the root node of the subtree
+ * @return the number of nodes in the specified subtree
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxTreeSubtreeSize(CxTree *tree, void *subtree_root);
+
+/**
+ * Determines the depth of the specified subtree.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param subtree_root the root node of the subtree
+ * @return the tree depth including the @p subtree_root
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxTreeSubtreeDepth(CxTree *tree, void *subtree_root);
+
+/**
+ * Determines the depth of the entire tree.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @return the tree depth, counting the root as one
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+cx_attr_export
+size_t cxTreeDepth(CxTree *tree);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a depth-first iterator for the specified tree starting in @p node.
+ *
+ * If the node is not part of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree to iterate
+ * @param node the node where to start
+ * @param visit_on_exit true, if the iterator shall visit a node again when
+ * leaving the subtree
+ * @return a tree iterator (depth-first)
+ * @see cxTreeVisit()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxTreeIterator cxTreeIterateSubtree(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *node,
+        bool visit_on_exit
+) {
+    return cx_tree_iterator(
+            node, visit_on_exit,
+            tree->loc_children, tree->loc_next
+    );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a breadth-first iterator for the specified tree starting in @p node.
+ *
+ * If the node is not part of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree to iterate
+ * @param node the node where to start
+ * @return a tree visitor (a.k.a. breadth-first iterator)
+ * @see cxTreeIterate()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxTreeVisitor cxTreeVisitSubtree(CxTree *tree, void *node) {
+    return cx_tree_visitor(
+            node, tree->loc_children, tree->loc_next
+    );
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a depth-first iterator for the specified tree.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree to iterate
+ * @param visit_on_exit true, if the iterator shall visit a node again when
+ * leaving the subtree
+ * @return a tree iterator (depth-first)
+ * @see cxTreeVisit()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxTreeIterator cxTreeIterate(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        bool visit_on_exit
+) {
+    return cxTreeIterateSubtree(tree, tree->root, visit_on_exit);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Creates a breadth-first iterator for the specified tree.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree to iterate
+ * @return a tree visitor (a.k.a. breadth-first iterator)
+ * @see cxTreeIterate()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_nodiscard
+static inline CxTreeVisitor cxTreeVisit(CxTree *tree) {
+    return cxTreeVisitSubtree(tree, tree->root);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Sets the (new) parent of the specified child.
+ *
+ * If the @p child is not already member of the tree, this function behaves
+ * as #cxTreeAddChildNode().
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param parent the (new) parent of the child
+ * @param child the node to add
+ * @see cxTreeAddChildNode()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxTreeSetParent(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        void *child
+);
+
+/**
+ * Adds a new node to the tree.
+ *
+ * If the @p child is already member of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ * Use #cxTreeSetParent() if you want to move a subtree to another location.
+ *
+ * @attention The node may be externally created, but MUST obey the same rules
+ * as if it was created by the tree itself with #cxTreeAddChild() (e.g. use
+ * the same allocator).
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param parent the parent of the node to add
+ * @param child the node to add
+ * @see cxTreeSetParent()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxTreeAddChildNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        void *child
+);
+
+/**
+ * Creates a new node and adds it to the tree.
+ *
+ * With this function you can decide where exactly the new node shall be added.
+ * If you specified an appropriate search function, you may want to consider
+ * leaving this task to the tree by using #cxTreeInsert().
+ *
+ * Be aware that adding nodes at arbitrary locations in the tree might cause
+ * wrong or undesired results when subsequently invoking #cxTreeInsert() and
+ * the invariant imposed by the search function does not hold any longer.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param parent the parent node of the new node
+ * @param data the data that will be submitted to the create function
+ * @return zero when the new node was created, non-zero on allocation failure
+ * @see cxTreeInsert()
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+int cxTreeAddChild(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        const void *data
+);
+
+/**
+ * A function that is invoked when a node needs to be re-linked to a new parent.
+ *
+ * When a node is re-linked, sometimes the contents need to be updated.
+ * This callback is invoked by #cxTreeRemoveNode() and #cxTreeDestroyNode()
+ * so that those updates can be applied when re-linking the children of the
+ * removed node.
+ *
+ * @param node the affected node
+ * @param old_parent the old parent of the node
+ * @param new_parent the new parent of the node
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+typedef void (*cx_tree_relink_func)(
+        void *node,
+        const void *old_parent,
+        const void *new_parent
+);
+
+/**
+ * Removes a node and re-links its children to its former parent.
+ *
+ * If the node is not part of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @note The destructor function, if any, will @em not be invoked. That means
+ * you will need to free the removed node by yourself, eventually.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param node the node to remove (must not be the root node)
+ * @param relink_func optional callback to update the content of each re-linked
+ * node
+ * @return zero on success, non-zero if @p node is the root node of the tree
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxTreeRemoveNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *node,
+        cx_tree_relink_func relink_func
+);
+
+/**
+ * Removes a node and it's subtree from the tree.
+ *
+ * If the node is not part of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * @note The destructor function, if any, will @em not be invoked. That means
+ * you will need to free the removed subtree by yourself, eventually.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param node the node to remove
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull
+cx_attr_export
+void cxTreeRemoveSubtree(CxTree *tree, void *node);
+
+/**
+ * Destroys a node and re-links its children to its former parent.
+ *
+ * If the node is not part of the tree, the behavior is undefined.
+ *
+ * It is guaranteed that the simple destructor is invoked before
+ * the advanced destructor.
+ *
+ * @attention This function will not free the memory of the node with the
+ * tree's allocator, because that is usually done by the advanced destructor
+ * and would therefore result in a double-free.
+ *
+ * @param tree the tree
+ * @param node the node to destroy (must not be the root node)
+ * @param relink_func optional callback to update the content of each re-linked
+ * node
+ * @return zero on success, non-zero if @p node is the root node of the tree
+ */
+cx_attr_nonnull_arg(1, 2)
+cx_attr_export
+int cxTreeDestroyNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *node,
+        cx_tree_relink_func relink_func
+);
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+} // extern "C"
+#endif
+
+#endif //UCX_TREE_H
--- a/src/ucx/cx/utils.h	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
@@ -1,195 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
- *
- * Copyright 2021 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
- *
- * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
- * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
- *
- *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
- *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
- *
- *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
- *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
- *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
- *
- * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
- * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
- * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
- * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
- * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
- * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
- * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
- * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
- * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
- * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
- * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
- */
-
-/**
- * \file utils.h
- *
- * \brief General purpose utility functions.
- *
- * \author Mike Becker
- * \author Olaf Wintermann
- * \version 3.0
- * \copyright 2-Clause BSD License
- */
-
-#ifndef UCX_UTILS_H
-#define UCX_UTILS_H
-
-#include "common.h"
-
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-extern "C" {
-#endif
-
-/**
- * Convenience macro for a for loop that counts from zero to n-1.
- */
-#define cx_for_n(varname, n) for (size_t varname = 0 ; (varname) < (n) ; (varname)++)
-
-/**
- * Convenience macro for swapping two pointers.
- */
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-#define cx_swap_ptr(left, right) do {auto cx_tmp_swap_var = left; left = right; right = cx_tmp_swap_var;} while(0)
-#else
-#define cx_swap_ptr(left, right) do {void *cx_tmp_swap_var = left; left = right; right = cx_tmp_swap_var;} while(0)
-#endif
-
-// cx_szmul() definition
-
-#if (__GNUC__ >= 5 || defined(__clang__)) && !defined(CX_NO_SZMUL_BUILTIN)
-#define CX_SZMUL_BUILTIN
-
-/**
- * Alias for \c __builtin_mul_overflow.
- *
- * Performs a multiplication of size_t values and checks for overflow.
- *
- * @param a first operand
- * @param b second operand
- * @param result a pointer to a size_t, where the result should
- * be stored
- * @return zero, if no overflow occurred and the result is correct, non-zero
- * otherwise
- */
-#define cx_szmul(a, b, result) __builtin_mul_overflow(a, b, result)
-
-#else // no GNUC or clang bultin
-
-/**
- * Performs a multiplication of size_t values and checks for overflow.
-  *
- * @param a first operand
- * @param b second operand
- * @param result a pointer to a size_t, where the result should
- * be stored
- * @return zero, if no overflow occurred and the result is correct, non-zero
- * otherwise
- */
-#define cx_szmul(a, b, result) cx_szmul_impl(a, b, result)
-
-/**
- * Performs a multiplication of size_t values and checks for overflow.
- *
- * This is a custom implementation in case there is no compiler builtin
- * available.
- *
- * @param a first operand
- * @param b second operand
- * @param result a pointer to a size_t where the result should be stored
- * @return zero, if no overflow occurred and the result is correct, non-zero
- * otherwise
- */
-int cx_szmul_impl(size_t a, size_t b, size_t *result);
-
-#endif // cx_szmul
-
-
-/**
- * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
- *
- * @param src the source stream
- * @param dest the destination stream
- * @param rfnc the read function
- * @param wfnc the write function
- * @param buf a pointer to the copy buffer or \c NULL if a buffer
- * shall be implicitly created on the heap
- * @param bufsize the size of the copy buffer - if \p buf is \c NULL you can
- * set this to zero to let the implementation decide
- * @param n the maximum number of bytes that shall be copied.
- * If this is larger than \p bufsize, the content is copied over multiple
- * iterations.
- * @return the total number of bytes copied
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__(1, 2, 3, 4)))
-size_t cx_stream_bncopy(
-        void *src,
-        void *dest,
-        cx_read_func rfnc,
-        cx_write_func wfnc,
-        char *buf,
-        size_t bufsize,
-        size_t n
-);
-
-/**
- * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
- *
- * @param src the source stream
- * @param dest the destination stream
- * @param rfnc the read function
- * @param wfnc the write function
- * @param buf a pointer to the copy buffer or \c NULL if a buffer
- * shall be implicitly created on the heap
- * @param bufsize the size of the copy buffer - if \p buf is \c NULL you can
- * set this to zero to let the implementation decide
- * @return total number of bytes copied
- */
-#define cx_stream_bcopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, buf, bufsize) \
-    cx_stream_bncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, buf, bufsize, SIZE_MAX)
-
-/**
- * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
- *
- * The data is temporarily stored in a stack allocated buffer.
- *
- * @param src the source stream
- * @param dest the destination stream
- * @param rfnc the read function
- * @param wfnc the write function
- * @param n the maximum number of bytes that shall be copied.
- * @return total number of bytes copied
- */
-__attribute__((__nonnull__))
-size_t cx_stream_ncopy(
-        void *src,
-        void *dest,
-        cx_read_func rfnc,
-        cx_write_func wfnc,
-        size_t n
-);
-
-/**
- * Reads data from a stream and writes it to another stream.
- *
- * The data is temporarily stored in a stack allocated buffer.
- *
- * @param src the source stream
- * @param dest the destination stream
- * @param rfnc the read function
- * @param wfnc the write function
- * @return total number of bytes copied
- */
-#define cx_stream_copy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc) \
-    cx_stream_ncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc, SIZE_MAX)
-
-#ifdef __cplusplus
-}
-#endif
-
-#endif // UCX_UTILS_H
--- a/src/ucx/hash_key.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/hash_key.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 #include <string.h>
 
 void cx_hash_murmur(CxHashKey *key) {
-    unsigned char const *data = key->data;
+    const unsigned char *data = key->data;
     if (data == NULL) {
         // extension: special value for NULL
         key->hash = 1574210520u;
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 
     unsigned m = 0x5bd1e995;
     unsigned r = 24;
-    unsigned h = 25 ^ len;
+    unsigned h = 25 ^ (unsigned) len;
     unsigned i = 0;
     while (len >= 4) {
         unsigned k = data[i + 0] & 0xFF;
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
     key->hash = h;
 }
 
-CxHashKey cx_hash_key_str(char const *str) {
+CxHashKey cx_hash_key_str(const char *str) {
     CxHashKey key;
     key.data = str;
     key.len = str == NULL ? 0 : strlen(str);
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
 }
 
 CxHashKey cx_hash_key_bytes(
-        unsigned char const *bytes,
+        const unsigned char *bytes,
         size_t len
 ) {
     CxHashKey key;
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
 }
 
 CxHashKey cx_hash_key(
-        void const *obj,
+        const void *obj,
         size_t len
 ) {
     CxHashKey key;
--- a/src/ucx/hash_map.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/hash_map.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@
  */
 
 #include "cx/hash_map.h"
-#include "cx/utils.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
 #include <assert.h>
+#include <errno.h>
 
 struct cx_hash_map_element_s {
     /** A pointer to the next element in the current bucket. */
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 
 static void cx_hash_map_clear(struct cx_map_s *map) {
     struct cx_hash_map_s *hash_map = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
-    cx_for_n(i, hash_map->bucket_count) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < hash_map->bucket_count; i++) {
         struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elem = hash_map->buckets[i];
         if (elem != NULL) {
             do {
@@ -53,9 +53,9 @@
                 // invoke the destructor
                 cx_invoke_destructor(map, elem->data);
                 // free the key data
-                cxFree(map->allocator, (void *) elem->key.data);
+                cxFree(map->collection.allocator, (void *) elem->key.data);
                 // free the node
-                cxFree(map->allocator, elem);
+                cxFree(map->collection.allocator, elem);
                 // proceed
                 elem = next;
             } while (elem != NULL);
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
             hash_map->buckets[i] = NULL;
         }
     }
-    map->size = 0;
+    map->collection.size = 0;
 }
 
 static void cx_hash_map_destructor(struct cx_map_s *map) {
@@ -72,10 +72,10 @@
 
     // free the buckets
     cx_hash_map_clear(map);
-    cxFree(map->allocator, hash_map->buckets);
+    cxFree(map->collection.allocator, hash_map->buckets);
 
     // free the map structure
-    cxFree(map->allocator, map);
+    cxFree(map->collection.allocator, map);
 }
 
 static int cx_hash_map_put(
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
         void *value
 ) {
     struct cx_hash_map_s *hash_map = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
-    CxAllocator const *allocator = map->allocator;
+    const CxAllocator *allocator = map->collection.allocator;
 
     unsigned hash = key.hash;
     if (hash == 0) {
@@ -103,34 +103,31 @@
 
     if (elm != NULL && elm->key.hash == hash && elm->key.len == key.len &&
         memcmp(elm->key.data, key.data, key.len) == 0) {
-        // overwrite existing element
-        if (map->store_pointer) {
+        // overwrite existing element, but call destructors first
+        cx_invoke_destructor(map, elm->data);
+        if (map->collection.store_pointer) {
             memcpy(elm->data, &value, sizeof(void *));
         } else {
-            memcpy(elm->data, value, map->item_size);
+            memcpy(elm->data, value, map->collection.elem_size);
         }
     } else {
         // allocate new element
         struct cx_hash_map_element_s *e = cxMalloc(
                 allocator,
-                sizeof(struct cx_hash_map_element_s) + map->item_size
+                sizeof(struct cx_hash_map_element_s) + map->collection.elem_size
         );
-        if (e == NULL) {
-            return -1;
-        }
+        if (e == NULL) return -1;
 
         // write the value
-        if (map->store_pointer) {
+        if (map->collection.store_pointer) {
             memcpy(e->data, &value, sizeof(void *));
         } else {
-            memcpy(e->data, value, map->item_size);
+            memcpy(e->data, value, map->collection.elem_size);
         }
 
         // copy the key
         void *kd = cxMalloc(allocator, key.len);
-        if (kd == NULL) {
-            return -1;
-        }
+        if (kd == NULL) return -1;
         memcpy(kd, key.data, key.len);
         e->key.data = kd;
         e->key.len = key.len;
@@ -145,7 +142,7 @@
         e->next = elm;
 
         // increase the size
-        map->size++;
+        map->collection.size++;
     }
 
     return 0;
@@ -164,26 +161,37 @@
         prev->next = elm->next;
     }
     // free element
-    cxFree(hash_map->base.allocator, (void *) elm->key.data);
-    cxFree(hash_map->base.allocator, elm);
+    cxFree(hash_map->base.collection.allocator, (void *) elm->key.data);
+    cxFree(hash_map->base.collection.allocator, elm);
     // decrease size
-    hash_map->base.size--;
+    hash_map->base.collection.size--;
 }
 
 /**
  * Helper function to avoid code duplication.
  *
+ * If @p remove is true, and @p targetbuf is @c NULL, the element
+ * will be destroyed when found.
+ *
+ * If @p remove is true, and @p targetbuf is set, the element will
+ * be copied to that buffer and no destructor function is called.
+ *
+ * If @p remove is false, @p targetbuf must not be non-null and
+ * either the pointer, when the map is storing pointers, is copied
+ * to the target buffer, or a pointer to the stored object will
+ * be copied to the target buffer.
+ *
  * @param map the map
  * @param key the key to look up
+ * @param targetbuf see description
  * @param remove flag indicating whether the looked up entry shall be removed
- * @param destroy flag indicating whether the destructor shall be invoked
- * @return a pointer to the value corresponding to the key or \c NULL
+ * @return zero, if the key was found, non-zero otherwise
  */
-static void *cx_hash_map_get_remove(
+static int cx_hash_map_get_remove(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key,
-        bool remove,
-        bool destroy
+        void *targetbuf,
+        bool remove
 ) {
     struct cx_hash_map_s *hash_map = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
 
@@ -199,82 +207,87 @@
     while (elm && elm->key.hash <= hash) {
         if (elm->key.hash == hash && elm->key.len == key.len) {
             if (memcmp(elm->key.data, key.data, key.len) == 0) {
-                void *data = NULL;
-                if (destroy) {
-                    cx_invoke_destructor(map, elm->data);
+                if (remove) {
+                    if (targetbuf == NULL) {
+                        cx_invoke_destructor(map, elm->data);
+                    } else {
+                        memcpy(targetbuf, elm->data, map->collection.elem_size);
+                    }
+                    cx_hash_map_unlink(hash_map, slot, prev, elm);
                 } else {
-                    if (map->store_pointer) {
+                    assert(targetbuf != NULL);
+                    void *data = NULL;
+                    if (map->collection.store_pointer) {
                         data = *(void **) elm->data;
                     } else {
                         data = elm->data;
                     }
+                    memcpy(targetbuf, &data, sizeof(void *));
                 }
-                if (remove) {
-                    cx_hash_map_unlink(hash_map, slot, prev, elm);
-                }
-                return data;
+                return 0;
             }
         }
         prev = elm;
         elm = prev->next;
     }
 
-    return NULL;
+    return 1;
 }
 
 static void *cx_hash_map_get(
-        CxMap const *map,
+        const CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key
 ) {
     // we can safely cast, because we know the map stays untouched
-    return cx_hash_map_get_remove((CxMap *) map, key, false, false);
+    void *ptr = NULL;
+    int found = cx_hash_map_get_remove((CxMap *) map, key, &ptr, false);
+    return found == 0 ? ptr : NULL;
 }
 
-static void *cx_hash_map_remove(
+static int cx_hash_map_remove(
         CxMap *map,
         CxHashKey key,
-        bool destroy
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return cx_hash_map_get_remove(map, key, true, destroy);
+    return cx_hash_map_get_remove(map, key, targetbuf, true);
 }
 
-static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_entry(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
-    // struct has to have a compatible signature
-    return (struct cx_map_entry_s *) &(iter->kv_data);
+static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_entry(const void *it) {
+    const CxMapIterator *iter = it;
+    // we have to cast away const, because of the signature
+    return (void*) &iter->entry;
 }
 
-static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_key(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
-    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem_handle;
+static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_key(const void *it) {
+    const CxMapIterator *iter = it;
+    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem;
     return &elm->key;
 }
 
-static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_value(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
-    struct cx_hash_map_s const *map = iter->src_handle;
-    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem_handle;
-    if (map->base.store_pointer) {
+static void *cx_hash_map_iter_current_value(const void *it) {
+    const CxMapIterator *iter = it;
+    const CxMap *map = iter->map.c;
+    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem;
+    if (map->collection.store_pointer) {
         return *(void **) elm->data;
     } else {
         return elm->data;
     }
 }
 
-static bool cx_hash_map_iter_valid(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
-    return iter->elem_handle != NULL;
+static bool cx_hash_map_iter_valid(const void *it) {
+    const CxMapIterator *iter = it;
+    return iter->elem != NULL;
 }
 
 static void cx_hash_map_iter_next(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
-    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem_handle;
+    CxMapIterator *iter = it;
+    CxMap *map = iter->map.m;
+    struct cx_hash_map_s *hmap = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
+    struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = iter->elem;
 
     // remove current element, if asked
     if (iter->base.remove) {
-        // obtain mutable pointer to the map
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *miter = it;
-        struct cx_hash_map_s *map = miter->src_handle;
 
         // clear the flag
         iter->base.remove = false;
@@ -284,18 +297,18 @@
 
         // search the previous element
         struct cx_hash_map_element_s *prev = NULL;
-        if (map->buckets[iter->slot] != elm) {
-            prev = map->buckets[iter->slot];
+        if (hmap->buckets[iter->slot] != elm) {
+            prev = hmap->buckets[iter->slot];
             while (prev->next != elm) {
                 prev = prev->next;
             }
         }
 
         // destroy
-        cx_invoke_destructor((struct cx_map_s *) map, elm->data);
+        cx_invoke_destructor(map, elm->data);
 
         // unlink
-        cx_hash_map_unlink(map, iter->slot, prev, elm);
+        cx_hash_map_unlink(hmap, iter->slot, prev, elm);
 
         // advance
         elm = next;
@@ -306,84 +319,73 @@
     }
 
     // search the next bucket, if required
-    struct cx_hash_map_s const *map = iter->src_handle;
-    while (elm == NULL && ++iter->slot < map->bucket_count) {
-        elm = map->buckets[iter->slot];
+    while (elm == NULL && ++iter->slot < hmap->bucket_count) {
+        elm = hmap->buckets[iter->slot];
     }
+    iter->elem = elm;
 
-    // fill the struct with the next element
-    iter->elem_handle = elm;
-    if (elm == NULL) {
-        iter->kv_data.key = NULL;
-        iter->kv_data.value = NULL;
-    } else {
-        iter->kv_data.key = &elm->key;
-        if (map->base.store_pointer) {
-            iter->kv_data.value = *(void **) elm->data;
+    // copy data to a location where the iterator can point to
+    // we need to do it here, because the iterator function call
+    // must not modify the iterator (the parameter is const)
+    if (elm != NULL) {
+        iter->entry.key = &elm->key;
+        if (iter->map.c->collection.store_pointer) {
+            iter->entry.value = *(void **) elm->data;
         } else {
-            iter->kv_data.value = elm->data;
+            iter->entry.value = elm->data;
         }
     }
 }
 
-static bool cx_hash_map_iter_flag_rm(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter = it;
-    if (iter->mutating) {
-        iter->remove = true;
-        return true;
-    } else {
-        return false;
-    }
-}
-
-static CxIterator cx_hash_map_iterator(
-        CxMap const *map,
+static CxMapIterator cx_hash_map_iterator(
+        const CxMap *map,
         enum cx_map_iterator_type type
 ) {
-    CxIterator iter;
+    CxMapIterator iter;
 
-    iter.src_handle = map;
-    iter.base.valid = cx_hash_map_iter_valid;
-    iter.base.next = cx_hash_map_iter_next;
+    iter.map.c = map;
+    iter.elem_count = map->collection.size;
 
     switch (type) {
         case CX_MAP_ITERATOR_PAIRS:
+            iter.elem_size = sizeof(CxMapEntry);
             iter.base.current = cx_hash_map_iter_current_entry;
             break;
         case CX_MAP_ITERATOR_KEYS:
+            iter.elem_size = sizeof(CxHashKey);
             iter.base.current = cx_hash_map_iter_current_key;
             break;
         case CX_MAP_ITERATOR_VALUES:
+            iter.elem_size = map->collection.elem_size;
             iter.base.current = cx_hash_map_iter_current_value;
             break;
         default:
-            assert(false);
+            assert(false); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
     }
 
-    iter.base.flag_removal = cx_hash_map_iter_flag_rm;
+    iter.base.valid = cx_hash_map_iter_valid;
+    iter.base.next = cx_hash_map_iter_next;
     iter.base.remove = false;
     iter.base.mutating = false;
 
     iter.slot = 0;
     iter.index = 0;
 
-    if (map->size > 0) {
+    if (map->collection.size > 0) {
         struct cx_hash_map_s *hash_map = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
         struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = hash_map->buckets[0];
         while (elm == NULL) {
             elm = hash_map->buckets[++iter.slot];
         }
-        iter.elem_handle = elm;
-        iter.kv_data.key = &elm->key;
-        if (map->store_pointer) {
-            iter.kv_data.value = *(void **) elm->data;
+        iter.elem = elm;
+        iter.entry.key = &elm->key;
+        if (map->collection.store_pointer) {
+            iter.entry.value = *(void **) elm->data;
         } else {
-            iter.kv_data.value = elm->data;
+            iter.entry.value = elm->data;
         }
     } else {
-        iter.elem_handle = NULL;
-        iter.kv_data.key = NULL;
-        iter.kv_data.value = NULL;
+        iter.elem = NULL;
     }
 
     return iter;
@@ -399,10 +401,14 @@
 };
 
 CxMap *cxHashMapCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         size_t itemsize,
         size_t buckets
 ) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+
     if (buckets == 0) {
         // implementation defined default
         buckets = 16;
@@ -416,21 +422,20 @@
     map->bucket_count = buckets;
     map->buckets = cxCalloc(allocator, buckets,
                             sizeof(struct cx_hash_map_element_s *));
-    if (map->buckets == NULL) {
+    if (map->buckets == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
         cxFree(allocator, map);
         return NULL;
-    }
+    } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
     // initialize base members
     map->base.cl = &cx_hash_map_class;
-    map->base.allocator = allocator;
+    map->base.collection.allocator = allocator;
 
     if (itemsize > 0) {
-        map->base.store_pointer = false;
-        map->base.item_size = itemsize;
+        map->base.collection.elem_size = itemsize;
     } else {
-        map->base.store_pointer = true;
-        map->base.item_size = sizeof(void *);
+        map->base.collection.elem_size = sizeof(void *);
+        map->base.collection.store_pointer = true;
     }
 
     return (CxMap *) map;
@@ -438,20 +443,22 @@
 
 int cxMapRehash(CxMap *map) {
     struct cx_hash_map_s *hash_map = (struct cx_hash_map_s *) map;
-    if (map->size > ((hash_map->bucket_count * 3) >> 2)) {
+    if (map->collection.size > ((hash_map->bucket_count * 3) >> 2)) {
 
-        size_t new_bucket_count = (map->size * 5) >> 1;
+        size_t new_bucket_count = (map->collection.size * 5) >> 1;
+        if (new_bucket_count < hash_map->bucket_count) {
+            errno = EOVERFLOW;
+            return 1;
+        }
         struct cx_hash_map_element_s **new_buckets = cxCalloc(
-                map->allocator,
+                map->collection.allocator,
                 new_bucket_count, sizeof(struct cx_hash_map_element_s *)
         );
 
-        if (new_buckets == NULL) {
-            return 1;
-        }
+        if (new_buckets == NULL) return 1;
 
         // iterate through the elements and assign them to their new slots
-        cx_for_n(slot, hash_map->bucket_count) {
+        for (size_t slot = 0; slot < hash_map->bucket_count; slot++) {
             struct cx_hash_map_element_s *elm = hash_map->buckets[slot];
             while (elm != NULL) {
                 struct cx_hash_map_element_s *next = elm->next;
@@ -482,7 +489,7 @@
 
         // assign result to the map
         hash_map->bucket_count = new_bucket_count;
-        cxFree(map->allocator, hash_map->buckets);
+        cxFree(map->collection.allocator, hash_map->buckets);
         hash_map->buckets = new_buckets;
     }
     return 0;
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/iterator.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include "cx/iterator.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+static bool cx_iter_valid(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->index < iter->elem_count;
+}
+
+static void *cx_iter_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->elem_handle;
+}
+
+static void *cx_iter_current_ptr(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    return *(void**)iter->elem_handle;
+}
+
+static void cx_iter_next_fast(void *it) {
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        iter->elem_count--;
+        // only move the last element when we are not currently aiming
+        // at the last element already
+        if (iter->index < iter->elem_count) {
+            void *last = ((char *) iter->src_handle.m)
+                         + iter->elem_count * iter->elem_size;
+            memcpy(iter->elem_handle, last, iter->elem_size);
+        }
+    } else {
+        iter->index++;
+        iter->elem_handle = ((char *) iter->elem_handle) + iter->elem_size;
+    }
+}
+
+static void cx_iter_next_slow(void *it) {
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        iter->elem_count--;
+
+        // number of elements to move
+        size_t remaining = iter->elem_count - iter->index;
+        if (remaining > 0) {
+            memmove(
+                    iter->elem_handle,
+                    ((char *) iter->elem_handle) + iter->elem_size,
+                    remaining * iter->elem_size
+            );
+        }
+    } else {
+        iter->index++;
+        iter->elem_handle = ((char *) iter->elem_handle) + iter->elem_size;
+    }
+}
+
+CxIterator cxMutIterator(
+        void *array,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        bool remove_keeps_order
+) {
+    CxIterator iter;
+
+    iter.index = 0;
+    iter.src_handle.m = array;
+    iter.elem_handle = array;
+    iter.elem_size = elem_size;
+    iter.elem_count = array == NULL ? 0 : elem_count;
+    iter.base.valid = cx_iter_valid;
+    iter.base.current = cx_iter_current;
+    iter.base.next = remove_keeps_order ? cx_iter_next_slow : cx_iter_next_fast;
+    iter.base.remove = false;
+    iter.base.mutating = true;
+
+    return iter;
+}
+
+CxIterator cxIterator(
+        const void *array,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        size_t elem_count
+) {
+    CxIterator iter = cxMutIterator((void*)array, elem_size, elem_count, false);
+    iter.base.mutating = false;
+    return iter;
+}
+
+CxIterator cxMutIteratorPtr(
+        void *array,
+        size_t elem_count,
+        bool remove_keeps_order
+) {
+    CxIterator iter = cxMutIterator(array, sizeof(void*), elem_count, remove_keeps_order);
+    iter.base.current = cx_iter_current_ptr;
+    return iter;
+}
+
+CxIterator cxIteratorPtr(
+        const void *array,
+        size_t elem_count
+) {
+    CxIterator iter = cxMutIteratorPtr((void*) array, elem_count, false);
+    iter.base.mutating = false;
+    return iter;
+}
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/json.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,1447 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include "cx/json.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <inttypes.h>
+
+/*
+ * RFC 8259
+ * https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc8259
+ */
+
+static CxJsonValue cx_json_value_nothing = {.type = CX_JSON_NOTHING};
+
+static int json_cmp_objvalue(const void *l, const void *r) {
+    const CxJsonObjValue *left = l;
+    const CxJsonObjValue *right = r;
+    return cx_strcmp(cx_strcast(left->name), cx_strcast(right->name));
+}
+
+static CxJsonObjValue *json_find_objvalue(const CxJsonValue *obj, cxstring name) {
+    assert(obj->type == CX_JSON_OBJECT);
+    CxJsonObjValue kv_dummy;
+    kv_dummy.name = cx_mutstrn((char*) name.ptr, name.length);
+    size_t index = cx_array_binary_search(
+            obj->value.object.values,
+            obj->value.object.values_size,
+            sizeof(CxJsonObjValue),
+            &kv_dummy,
+            json_cmp_objvalue
+    );
+    if (index == obj->value.object.values_size) {
+        return NULL;
+    } else {
+        return &obj->value.object.values[index];
+    }
+}
+
+static int json_add_objvalue(CxJsonValue *objv, CxJsonObjValue member) {
+    assert(objv->type == CX_JSON_OBJECT);
+    const CxAllocator * const al = objv->allocator;
+    CxJsonObject *obj = &(objv->value.object);
+
+    // determine the index where we need to insert the new member
+    size_t index = cx_array_binary_search_sup(
+        obj->values,
+        obj->values_size,
+        sizeof(CxJsonObjValue),
+        &member, json_cmp_objvalue
+    );
+
+    // is the name already present?
+    if (index < obj->values_size && 0 == json_cmp_objvalue(&member, &obj->values[index])) {
+        // free the original value
+        cx_strfree_a(al, &obj->values[index].name);
+        cxJsonValueFree(obj->values[index].value);
+        // replace the item
+        obj->values[index] = member;
+
+        // nothing more to do
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // determine the old capacity and reserve for one more element
+    CxArrayReallocator arealloc = cx_array_reallocator(al, NULL);
+    size_t oldcap = obj->values_capacity;
+    if (cx_array_simple_reserve_a(&arealloc, obj->values, 1)) return 1;
+
+    // check the new capacity, if we need to realloc the index array
+    size_t newcap = obj->values_capacity;
+    if (newcap > oldcap) {
+        if (cxReallocateArray(al, &obj->indices, newcap, sizeof(size_t))) {
+            return 1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // check if append or insert
+    if (index < obj->values_size) {
+        // move the other elements
+        memmove(
+            &obj->values[index+1],
+            &obj->values[index],
+            (obj->values_size - index) * sizeof(CxJsonObjValue)
+        );
+        // increase indices for the moved elements
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < obj->values_size ; i++) {
+            if (obj->indices[i] >= index) {
+                obj->indices[i]++;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // insert the element and set the index
+    obj->values[index] = member;
+    obj->indices[obj->values_size] = index;
+    obj->values_size++;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static void token_destroy(CxJsonToken *token) {
+    if (token->allocated) {
+        cx_strfree(&token->content);
+    }
+}
+
+static bool json_isdigit(char c) {
+    // TODO: remove once UCX has public API for this
+    return c >= '0' && c <= '9';
+}
+
+static bool json_isspace(char c) {
+    // TODO: remove once UCX has public API for this
+    return c == ' ' || c == '\t' || c == '\r' || c == '\n' || c == '\v' || c == '\f';
+}
+
+static int num_isexp(const char *content, size_t length, size_t pos) {
+    if (pos >= length) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    int ok = 0;
+    for (size_t i = pos; i < length; i++) {
+        char c = content[i];
+        if (json_isdigit(c)) {
+            ok = 1;
+        } else if (i == pos) {
+            if (!(c == '+' || c == '-')) {
+                return 0;
+            }
+        } else {
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return ok;
+}
+
+static CxJsonTokenType token_numbertype(const char *content, size_t length) {
+    if (length == 0) return CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR;
+
+    if (content[0] != '-' && !json_isdigit(content[0])) {
+        return CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    CxJsonTokenType type = CX_JSON_TOKEN_INTEGER;
+    for (size_t i = 1; i < length; i++) {
+        if (content[i] == '.') {
+            if (type == CX_JSON_TOKEN_NUMBER) {
+                return CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR; // more than one decimal separator
+            }
+            type = CX_JSON_TOKEN_NUMBER;
+        } else if (content[i] == 'e' || content[i] == 'E') {
+            return num_isexp(content, length, i + 1) ? CX_JSON_TOKEN_NUMBER : CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR;
+        } else if (!json_isdigit(content[i])) {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR; // char is not a digit, decimal separator or exponent sep
+        }
+    }
+
+    return type;
+}
+
+static CxJsonToken token_create(CxJson *json, bool isstring, size_t start, size_t end) {
+    cxmutstr str = cx_mutstrn(json->buffer.space + start, end - start);
+    bool allocated = false;
+    if (json->uncompleted.tokentype != CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+        allocated = true;
+        str = cx_strcat_m(json->uncompleted.content, 1, str);
+        if (str.ptr == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
+            return (CxJsonToken){CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN, false, {NULL, 0}};
+        } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
+    }
+    json->uncompleted = (CxJsonToken){0};
+    CxJsonTokenType ttype;
+    if (isstring) {
+        ttype = CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING;
+    } else {
+        cxstring s = cx_strcast(str);
+        if (!cx_strcmp(s, CX_STR("true")) || !cx_strcmp(s, CX_STR("false"))
+            || !cx_strcmp(s, CX_STR("null"))) {
+            ttype = CX_JSON_TOKEN_LITERAL;
+        } else {
+            ttype = token_numbertype(str.ptr, str.length);
+        }
+    }
+    if (ttype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR) {
+        if (allocated) {
+            cx_strfree(&str);
+        }
+        return (CxJsonToken){CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR, false, {NULL, 0}};
+    }
+    return (CxJsonToken){ttype, allocated, str};
+}
+
+static CxJsonTokenType char2ttype(char c) {
+    switch (c) {
+        case '[': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_ARRAY;
+        }
+        case '{': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_OBJECT;
+        }
+        case ']': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_ARRAY;
+        }
+        case '}': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_OBJECT;
+        }
+        case ':': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_NAME_SEPARATOR;
+        }
+        case ',': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_VALUE_SEPARATOR;
+        }
+        case '"': {
+            return CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING;
+        }
+        default: {
+            if (json_isspace(c)) {
+                return CX_JSON_TOKEN_SPACE;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN;
+}
+
+static enum cx_json_status token_parse_next(CxJson *json, CxJsonToken *result) {
+    // check if there is data in the buffer
+    if (cxBufferEof(&json->buffer)) {
+        return json->uncompleted.tokentype == CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN ?
+            CX_JSON_NO_DATA : CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+    }
+
+    // current token type and start index
+    CxJsonTokenType ttype = json->uncompleted.tokentype;
+    size_t token_part_start = json->buffer.pos;
+
+    bool escape_end_of_string = ttype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING
+        && json->uncompleted.content.ptr[json->uncompleted.content.length-1] == '\\';
+
+    for (size_t i = json->buffer.pos; i < json->buffer.size; i++) {
+        char c = json->buffer.space[i];
+        if (ttype != CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING) {
+            // currently non-string token
+            CxJsonTokenType ctype = char2ttype(c); // start of new token?
+            if (ttype == CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+                if (ctype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_SPACE) {
+                    json->buffer.pos++;
+                    continue;
+                } else if (ctype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING) {
+                    // begin string
+                    ttype = CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING;
+                    token_part_start = i;
+                } else if (ctype != CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+                    // single-char token
+                    json->buffer.pos = i + 1;
+                    *result = (CxJsonToken){ctype, false, {NULL, 0}};
+                    return CX_JSON_NO_ERROR;
+                } else {
+                    ttype = CX_JSON_TOKEN_LITERAL; // number or literal
+                    token_part_start = i;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // finish token
+                if (ctype != CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+                    *result = token_create(json, false, token_part_start, i);
+                    if (result->tokentype == CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+                        return CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                    }
+                    if (result->tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_ERROR) {
+                        return CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_NUMBER;
+                    }
+                    json->buffer.pos = i;
+                    return CX_JSON_NO_ERROR;
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            // currently inside a string
+            if (escape_end_of_string) {
+                escape_end_of_string = false;
+            } else {
+                if (c == '"') {
+                    *result = token_create(json, true, token_part_start, i + 1);
+                    if (result->tokentype == CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+                        return CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                    }
+                    json->buffer.pos = i + 1;
+                    return CX_JSON_NO_ERROR;
+                } else if (c == '\\') {
+                    escape_end_of_string = true;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (ttype != CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+        // uncompleted token
+        size_t uncompleted_len = json->buffer.size - token_part_start;
+        if (json->uncompleted.tokentype == CX_JSON_NO_TOKEN) {
+            // current token is uncompleted
+            // save current token content
+            CxJsonToken uncompleted = {
+                ttype, true,
+                cx_strdup(cx_strn(json->buffer.space + token_part_start, uncompleted_len))
+            };
+            if (uncompleted.content.ptr == NULL) {
+                return CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+            }
+            json->uncompleted = uncompleted;
+        } else {
+            // previously we also had an uncompleted token
+            // combine the uncompleted token with the current token
+            assert(json->uncompleted.allocated);
+            cxmutstr str = cx_strcat_m(json->uncompleted.content, 1,
+                cx_strn(json->buffer.space + token_part_start, uncompleted_len));
+            if (str.ptr == NULL) {
+                return CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+            }
+            json->uncompleted.content = str;
+        }
+        // advance the buffer position - we saved the stuff in the uncompleted token
+        json->buffer.pos += uncompleted_len;
+    }
+
+    return CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+}
+
+// converts a Unicode codepoint to utf8
+static unsigned codepoint_to_utf8(uint32_t codepoint, char *output_buf) {
+    if (codepoint <= 0x7F) {
+        *output_buf = (char)codepoint;
+        return 1;
+    } else if (codepoint <= 0x7FF) {
+        output_buf[0] = (char)(0xC0 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x1F));
+        output_buf[1] = (char)(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F));
+        return 2;
+    } else if (codepoint <= 0xFFFF) {
+        output_buf[0] = (char)(0xE0 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x0F));
+        output_buf[1] = (char)(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F));
+        output_buf[2] = (char)(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F));
+        return 3;
+    } else if (codepoint <= 0x10FFFF) {
+        output_buf[0] = (char)(0xF0 | ((codepoint >> 18) & 0x07));
+        output_buf[1] = (char)(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 12) & 0x3F));
+        output_buf[2] = (char)(0x80 | ((codepoint >> 6) & 0x3F));
+        output_buf[3] = (char)(0x80 | (codepoint & 0x3F));
+        return 4;
+    }
+    
+    return 0; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+}
+
+// converts a utf16 surrogate pair to utf8
+static inline uint32_t utf16pair_to_codepoint(uint16_t c0, uint16_t c1) {
+    return ((c0 - 0xD800) << 10) + (c1 - 0xDC00) + 0x10000;
+}
+
+static unsigned unescape_unicode_string(cxstring str, char *utf8buf) {
+    // str is supposed to start with "\uXXXX" or "\uXXXX\uXXXX"
+    // remaining bytes in the string are ignored (str may be larger!)
+
+    if (str.length < 6 || str.ptr[0] != '\\' || str.ptr[1] != 'u') {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    unsigned utf8len = 0;
+    cxstring ustr1 = { str.ptr + 2, 4};
+    uint16_t utf16a, utf16b;
+    if (!cx_strtou16_lc(ustr1, &utf16a, 16, "")) {
+        uint32_t codepoint;
+        if (utf16a < 0xD800 || utf16a > 0xE000) {
+            // character is in the Basic Multilingual Plane
+            // and encoded as a single utf16 char
+            codepoint = utf16a;
+            utf8len = codepoint_to_utf8(codepoint, utf8buf);
+        } else if (utf16a >= 0xD800 && utf16a <= 0xDBFF) {
+            // character is encoded as a surrogate pair
+            // get next 6 bytes
+            if (str.length >= 12) {
+                if (str.ptr[6] == '\\' && str.ptr[7] == 'u') {
+                    cxstring ustr2 = { str.ptr+8, 4 };
+                    if (!cx_strtou16_lc(ustr2, &utf16b, 16, "")
+                            && utf16b >= 0xDC00 && utf16b <= 0xDFFF) {
+                        codepoint = utf16pair_to_codepoint(utf16a, utf16b);
+                        utf8len = codepoint_to_utf8(codepoint, utf8buf);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return utf8len;
+}
+
+static cxmutstr unescape_string(const CxAllocator *a, cxmutstr str) {
+    // note: this function expects that str contains the enclosing quotes!
+
+    cxmutstr result;
+    result.length = 0;
+    result.ptr = cxMalloc(a, str.length - 1);
+    if (result.ptr == NULL) return result; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+
+    bool u = false;
+    for (size_t i = 1; i < str.length - 1; i++) {
+        char c = str.ptr[i];
+        if (u) {
+            u = false;
+            if (c == 'n') {
+                c = '\n';
+            } else if (c == '"') {
+                c = '"';
+            } else if (c == 't') {
+                c = '\t';
+            } else if (c == 'r') {
+                c = '\r';
+            } else if (c == '\\') {
+                c = '\\';
+            } else if (c == '/') {
+                c = '/'; // always unescape, we don't need settings here
+            } else if (c == 'f') {
+                c = '\f';
+            } else if (c == 'b') {
+                c = '\b';
+            } else if (c == 'u') {
+                char utf8buf[4];
+                unsigned utf8len = unescape_unicode_string(
+                    cx_strn(str.ptr + i - 1, str.length + 1 - i),
+                    utf8buf
+                );
+                if(utf8len > 0) {
+                    i += utf8len < 4 ? 4 : 10;
+                    // add all bytes from utf8buf except the last char
+                    // to the result (last char will be added below)
+                    utf8len--;
+                    c = utf8buf[utf8len];
+                    for (unsigned x = 0; x < utf8len; x++) {
+                        result.ptr[result.length++] = utf8buf[x];
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    // decoding failed, ignore the entire sequence
+                    result.ptr[result.length++] = '\\';
+                }
+            } else {
+                // TODO: discuss the behavior for unrecognized escape sequences
+                //       most parsers throw an error here - we just ignore it
+                result.ptr[result.length++] = '\\';
+            }
+
+            result.ptr[result.length++] = c;
+        } else {
+            if (c == '\\') {
+                u = true;
+            } else {
+                result.ptr[result.length++] = c;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    result.ptr[result.length] = 0;
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+static cxmutstr escape_string(cxmutstr str, bool escape_slash) {
+    // note: this function produces the string without enclosing quotes
+    // the reason is that we don't want to allocate memory just for that
+    CxBuffer buf = {0};
+
+    bool all_printable = true;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < str.length; i++) {
+        unsigned char c = str.ptr[i];
+        bool escape = c < 0x20 || c == '\\' || c == '"'
+            || (escape_slash && c == '/');
+
+        if (all_printable && escape) {
+            size_t capa = str.length + 32;
+            char *space = malloc(capa);
+            if (space == NULL) return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
+            cxBufferInit(&buf, space, capa, NULL, CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND);
+            cxBufferWrite(str.ptr, 1, i, &buf);
+            all_printable = false;
+        }
+        if (escape) {
+            cxBufferPut(&buf, '\\');
+            if (c == '\"') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, '\"');
+            } else if (c == '\n') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, 'n');
+            } else if (c == '\t') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, 't');
+            } else if (c == '\r') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, 'r');
+            } else if (c == '\\') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, '\\');
+            } else if (c == '/') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, '/');
+            } else if (c == '\f') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, 'f');
+            } else if (c == '\b') {
+                cxBufferPut(&buf, 'b');
+            } else {
+                char code[6];
+                snprintf(code, sizeof(code), "u%04x", (unsigned int) c);
+                cxBufferPutString(&buf, code);
+            }
+        } else if (!all_printable) {
+            cxBufferPut(&buf, c);
+        }
+    }
+    if (!all_printable) {
+        str = cx_mutstrn(buf.space, buf.size);
+    }
+    cxBufferDestroy(&buf);
+    return str;
+}
+
+static CxJsonValue* json_create_value(CxJson *json, CxJsonValueType type) {
+    CxJsonValue *v = cxCalloc(json->allocator, 1, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+
+    // initialize the value
+    v->type = type;
+    v->allocator = json->allocator;
+    if (type == CX_JSON_ARRAY) {
+        cx_array_initialize_a(json->allocator, v->value.array.array, 16);
+        if (v->value.array.array == NULL) goto create_json_value_exit_error; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    } else if (type == CX_JSON_OBJECT) {
+        cx_array_initialize_a(json->allocator, v->value.object.values, 16);
+        v->value.object.indices = cxCalloc(json->allocator, 16, sizeof(size_t));
+        if (v->value.object.values == NULL ||
+            v->value.object.indices == NULL)
+            goto create_json_value_exit_error; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    }
+
+    // add the new value to a possible parent
+    if (json->vbuf_size > 0) {
+        CxJsonValue *parent = json->vbuf[json->vbuf_size - 1];
+        assert(parent != NULL);
+        if (parent->type == CX_JSON_ARRAY) {
+            CxArrayReallocator value_realloc = cx_array_reallocator(json->allocator, NULL);
+            if (cx_array_simple_add_a(&value_realloc, parent->value.array.array, v)) {
+                goto create_json_value_exit_error; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+            }
+        } else if (parent->type == CX_JSON_OBJECT) {
+            // the member was already created after parsing the name
+            assert(json->uncompleted_member.name.ptr != NULL);
+            json->uncompleted_member.value = v;
+            if (json_add_objvalue(parent, json->uncompleted_member))  {
+                goto create_json_value_exit_error; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+            }
+            json->uncompleted_member.name = (cxmutstr) {NULL, 0};
+        } else {
+            assert(false); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        }
+    }
+
+    // add the new value to the stack, if it is an array or object
+    if (type == CX_JSON_ARRAY || type == CX_JSON_OBJECT) {
+        CxArrayReallocator vbuf_realloc = cx_array_reallocator(NULL, json->vbuf_internal);
+        if (cx_array_simple_add_a(&vbuf_realloc, json->vbuf, v)) {
+            goto create_json_value_exit_error; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+        }
+    }
+
+    // if currently no value is parsed, this is now the value of interest
+    if (json->parsed == NULL) {
+        json->parsed = v;
+    }
+
+    return v;
+    // LCOV_EXCL_START
+create_json_value_exit_error:
+    cxJsonValueFree(v);
+    return NULL;
+    // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
+}
+
+#define JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN         0
+#define JP_STATE_VALUE_END          10
+#define JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_OBJ     1
+#define JP_STATE_OBJ_SEP_OR_CLOSE   11
+#define JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_AR      2
+#define JP_STATE_ARRAY_SEP_OR_CLOSE 12
+#define JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME_OR_CLOSE   5
+#define JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME            6
+#define JP_STATE_OBJ_COLON           7
+
+void cxJsonInit(CxJson *json, const CxAllocator *allocator) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+    
+    memset(json, 0, sizeof(CxJson));
+    json->allocator = allocator;
+
+    json->states = json->states_internal;
+    json->states_capacity = cx_nmemb(json->states_internal);
+    json->states[0] = JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN;
+    json->states_size = 1;
+
+    json->vbuf = json->vbuf_internal;
+    json->vbuf_capacity = cx_nmemb(json->vbuf_internal);
+}
+
+void cxJsonDestroy(CxJson *json) {
+    cxBufferDestroy(&json->buffer);
+    if (json->states != json->states_internal) {
+        free(json->states);
+    }
+    if (json->vbuf != json->vbuf_internal) {
+        free(json->vbuf);
+    }
+    cxJsonValueFree(json->parsed);
+    json->parsed = NULL;
+    if (json->uncompleted_member.name.ptr != NULL) {
+        cx_strfree_a(json->allocator, &json->uncompleted_member.name);
+        json->uncompleted_member = (CxJsonObjValue){{NULL, 0}, NULL};
+    }
+}
+
+int cxJsonFilln(CxJson *json, const char *buf, size_t size) {
+    if (cxBufferEof(&json->buffer)) {
+        // reinitialize the buffer
+        cxBufferDestroy(&json->buffer);
+        cxBufferInit(&json->buffer, (char*) buf, size,
+            NULL, CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND | CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE);
+        json->buffer.size = size;
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return size != cxBufferAppend(buf, 1, size, &json->buffer);
+    }
+}
+
+static void json_add_state(CxJson *json, int state) {
+    // we have guaranteed the necessary space with cx_array_simple_reserve()
+    // therefore, we can safely add the state in the simplest way possible
+    json->states[json->states_size++] = state;
+}
+
+#define return_rec(code) \
+    token_destroy(&token); \
+    return code
+
+static enum cx_json_status json_parse(CxJson *json) {
+    // Reserve a pointer for a possibly read value
+    CxJsonValue *vbuf = NULL;
+
+    // grab the next token
+    CxJsonToken token;
+    {
+        enum cx_json_status ret = token_parse_next(json, &token);
+        if (ret != CX_JSON_NO_ERROR) {
+            return ret;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // pop the current state
+    assert(json->states_size > 0);
+    int state = json->states[--json->states_size];
+
+    // guarantee that at least two more states fit on the stack
+    CxArrayReallocator state_realloc = cx_array_reallocator(NULL, json->states_internal);
+    if (cx_array_simple_reserve_a(&state_realloc, json->states, 2)) {
+        return CX_JSON_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    }
+
+
+    //  0 JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN          value begin
+    // 10 JP_STATE_VALUE_END            expect value end
+    //  1 JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_OBJ      value begin (inside object)
+    // 11 JP_STATE_OBJ_SEP_OR_CLOSE     object, expect separator, objclose
+    //  2 JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_AR       value begin (inside array)
+    // 12 JP_STATE_ARRAY_SEP_OR_CLOSE   array, expect separator or arrayclose
+    //  5 JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME_OR_CLOSE    object, expect name or objclose
+    //  6 JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME             object, expect name
+    //  7 JP_STATE_OBJ_COLON            object, expect ':'
+
+    if (state < 3) {
+        // push expected end state to the stack
+        json_add_state(json, 10 + state);
+        switch (token.tokentype) {
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_ARRAY: {
+                if (json_create_value(json, CX_JSON_ARRAY) == NULL) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_AR);
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+            }
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_BEGIN_OBJECT: {
+                if (json_create_value(json, CX_JSON_OBJECT) == NULL) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME_OR_CLOSE);
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+            }
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING: {
+                if ((vbuf = json_create_value(json, CX_JSON_STRING)) == NULL) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                cxmutstr str = unescape_string(json->allocator, token.content);
+                if (str.ptr == NULL) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                vbuf->value.string = str;
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+            }
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_INTEGER:
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_NUMBER: {
+                int type = token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_INTEGER ? CX_JSON_INTEGER : CX_JSON_NUMBER;
+                if (NULL == (vbuf = json_create_value(json, type))) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                if (type == CX_JSON_INTEGER) {
+                    if (cx_strtoi64(token.content, &vbuf->value.integer, 10)) {
+                        return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_NUMBER);
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    if (cx_strtod(token.content, &vbuf->value.number)) {
+                        return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_NUMBER);
+                    }
+                }
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+            }
+            case CX_JSON_TOKEN_LITERAL: {
+                if ((vbuf = json_create_value(json, CX_JSON_LITERAL)) == NULL) {
+                    return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                }
+                if (0 == cx_strcmp(cx_strcast(token.content), cx_str("true"))) {
+                    vbuf->value.literal = CX_JSON_TRUE;
+                } else if (0 == cx_strcmp(cx_strcast(token.content), cx_str("false"))) {
+                    vbuf->value.literal = CX_JSON_FALSE;
+                } else {
+                    vbuf->value.literal = CX_JSON_NULL;
+                }
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+            }
+            default: {
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN);
+            }
+        }
+    } else if (state == JP_STATE_ARRAY_SEP_OR_CLOSE) {
+        // expect ',' or ']'
+        if (token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_VALUE_SEPARATOR) {
+            json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_AR);
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        } else if (token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_ARRAY) {
+            // discard the array from the value buffer
+            json->vbuf_size--;
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        } else {
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN);
+        }
+    } else if (state == JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME_OR_CLOSE || state == JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME) {
+        if (state == JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME_OR_CLOSE && token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_OBJECT) {
+            // discard the obj from the value buffer
+            json->vbuf_size--;
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        } else {
+            // expect string
+            if (token.tokentype != CX_JSON_TOKEN_STRING) {
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN);
+            }
+
+            // add new entry
+            cxmutstr name = unescape_string(json->allocator, token.content);
+            if (name.ptr == NULL) {
+                return_rec(CX_JSON_VALUE_ALLOC_FAILED); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+            }
+            assert(json->uncompleted_member.name.ptr == NULL);
+            json->uncompleted_member.name = name;
+            assert(json->vbuf_size > 0);
+
+            // next state
+            json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_OBJ_COLON);
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        }
+    } else if (state == JP_STATE_OBJ_COLON) {
+        // expect ':'
+        if (token.tokentype != CX_JSON_TOKEN_NAME_SEPARATOR) {
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN);
+        }
+        // next state
+        json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN_OBJ);
+        return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+    } else if (state == JP_STATE_OBJ_SEP_OR_CLOSE) {
+        // expect ',' or '}'
+        if (token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_VALUE_SEPARATOR) {
+            json_add_state(json, JP_STATE_OBJ_NAME);
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        } else if (token.tokentype == CX_JSON_TOKEN_END_OBJECT) {
+            // discard the obj from the value buffer
+            json->vbuf_size--;
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+        } else {
+            return_rec(CX_JSON_FORMAT_ERROR_UNEXPECTED_TOKEN);
+        }
+    } else {
+        // should be unreachable
+        assert(false);
+        return_rec(-1);
+    }
+}
+
+CxJsonStatus cxJsonNext(CxJson *json, CxJsonValue **value) {
+    // check if buffer has been filled
+    if (json->buffer.space == NULL) {
+        return CX_JSON_NULL_DATA;
+    }
+
+    // initialize output value
+    *value = &cx_json_value_nothing;
+
+    // parse data
+    CxJsonStatus result;
+    do {
+        result = json_parse(json);
+        if (result == CX_JSON_NO_ERROR && json->states_size == 1) {
+            // final state reached
+            assert(json->states[0] == JP_STATE_VALUE_END);
+            assert(json->vbuf_size == 0);
+
+            // write output value
+            *value = json->parsed;
+            json->parsed = NULL;
+
+            // re-initialize state machine
+            json->states[0] = JP_STATE_VALUE_BEGIN;
+
+            return CX_JSON_NO_ERROR;
+        }
+    } while (result == CX_JSON_NO_ERROR);
+
+    // the parser might think there is no data
+    // but when we did not reach the final state,
+    // we know that there must be more to come
+    if (result == CX_JSON_NO_DATA && json->states_size > 1) {
+        return CX_JSON_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+    }
+
+    return result;
+}
+
+void cxJsonValueFree(CxJsonValue *value) {
+    if (value == NULL || value->type == CX_JSON_NOTHING) return;
+    switch (value->type) {
+        case CX_JSON_OBJECT: {
+            CxJsonObject obj = value->value.object;
+            for (size_t i = 0; i < obj.values_size; i++) {
+                cxJsonValueFree(obj.values[i].value);
+                cx_strfree_a(value->allocator, &obj.values[i].name);
+            }
+            cxFree(value->allocator, obj.values);
+            cxFree(value->allocator, obj.indices);
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_ARRAY: {
+            CxJsonArray array = value->value.array;
+            for (size_t i = 0; i < array.array_size; i++) {
+                cxJsonValueFree(array.array[i]);
+            }
+            cxFree(value->allocator, array.array);
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_STRING: {
+            cxFree(value->allocator, value->value.string.ptr);
+            break;
+        }
+        default: {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    cxFree(value->allocator, value);
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateObj(const CxAllocator* allocator) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_OBJECT;
+    cx_array_initialize_a(allocator, v->value.object.values, 16);
+    if (v->value.object.values == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
+        cxFree(allocator, v);
+        return NULL;
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
+    }
+    v->value.object.indices = cxCalloc(allocator, 16, sizeof(size_t));
+    if (v->value.object.indices == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
+        cxFree(allocator, v->value.object.values);
+        cxFree(allocator, v);
+        return NULL;
+        // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
+    }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateArr(const CxAllocator* allocator) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_ARRAY;
+    cx_array_initialize_a(allocator, v->value.array.array, 16);
+    if (v->value.array.array == NULL) { cxFree(allocator, v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateNumber(const CxAllocator* allocator, double num) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_NUMBER;
+    v->value.number = num;
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateInteger(const CxAllocator* allocator, int64_t num) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_INTEGER;
+    v->value.integer = num;
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateString(const CxAllocator* allocator, const char* str) {
+    return cxJsonCreateCxString(allocator, cx_str(str));
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateCxString(const CxAllocator* allocator, cxstring str) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_STRING;
+    cxmutstr s = cx_strdup_a(allocator, str);
+    if (s.ptr == NULL) { cxFree(allocator, v); return NULL; }
+    v->value.string = s;
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonCreateLiteral(const CxAllocator* allocator, CxJsonLiteral lit) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxJsonValue));
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    v->allocator = allocator;
+    v->type = CX_JSON_LITERAL;
+    v->value.literal = lit;
+    return v;
+}
+
+// LCOV_EXCL_START
+// never called as long as malloc() does not return NULL
+static void json_arr_free_temp(CxJsonValue** values, size_t count) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        if (values[i] == NULL) break;
+        cxJsonValueFree(values[i]);
+    }
+    free(values);
+}
+// LCOV_EXCL_STOP
+
+int cxJsonArrAddNumbers(CxJsonValue* arr, const double* num, size_t count) {
+    CxJsonValue** values = calloc(count, sizeof(CxJsonValue*));
+    if (values == NULL) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        values[i] = cxJsonCreateNumber(arr->allocator, num[i]);
+        if (values[i] == NULL) { json_arr_free_temp(values, count); return -1; }
+    }
+    int ret = cxJsonArrAddValues(arr, values, count);
+    free(values);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cxJsonArrAddIntegers(CxJsonValue* arr, const int64_t* num, size_t count) {
+    CxJsonValue** values = calloc(count, sizeof(CxJsonValue*));
+    if (values == NULL) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        values[i] = cxJsonCreateInteger(arr->allocator, num[i]);
+        if (values[i] == NULL) { json_arr_free_temp(values, count); return -1; }
+    }
+    int ret = cxJsonArrAddValues(arr, values, count);
+    free(values);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cxJsonArrAddStrings(CxJsonValue* arr, const char* const* str, size_t count) {
+    CxJsonValue** values = calloc(count, sizeof(CxJsonValue*));
+    if (values == NULL) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        values[i] = cxJsonCreateString(arr->allocator, str[i]);
+        if (values[i] == NULL) { json_arr_free_temp(values, count); return -1; }
+    }
+    int ret = cxJsonArrAddValues(arr, values, count);
+    free(values);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cxJsonArrAddCxStrings(CxJsonValue* arr, const cxstring* str, size_t count) {
+    CxJsonValue** values = calloc(count, sizeof(CxJsonValue*));
+    if (values == NULL) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        values[i] = cxJsonCreateCxString(arr->allocator, str[i]);
+        if (values[i] == NULL) { json_arr_free_temp(values, count); return -1; }
+    }
+    int ret = cxJsonArrAddValues(arr, values, count);
+    free(values);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cxJsonArrAddLiterals(CxJsonValue* arr, const CxJsonLiteral* lit, size_t count) {
+    CxJsonValue** values = calloc(count, sizeof(CxJsonValue*));
+    if (values == NULL) return -1;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+        values[i] = cxJsonCreateLiteral(arr->allocator, lit[i]);
+        if (values[i] == NULL) { json_arr_free_temp(values, count); return -1; }
+    }
+    int ret = cxJsonArrAddValues(arr, values, count);
+    free(values);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cxJsonArrAddValues(CxJsonValue* arr, CxJsonValue* const* val, size_t count) {
+    CxArrayReallocator value_realloc = cx_array_reallocator(arr->allocator, NULL);
+    assert(arr->type == CX_JSON_ARRAY);
+    return cx_array_simple_copy_a(&value_realloc,
+            arr->value.array.array,
+            arr->value.array.array_size,
+            val, count
+    );
+}
+
+int cxJsonObjPut(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, CxJsonValue* child) {
+    cxmutstr k = cx_strdup_a(obj->allocator, name);
+    if (k.ptr == NULL) return -1;
+    CxJsonObjValue kv = {k, child};
+    if (json_add_objvalue(obj, kv)) {
+        cx_strfree_a(obj->allocator, &k);
+        return 1;
+    } else {
+        return 0;
+    }
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutObj(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateObj(obj->allocator);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutArr(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateArr(obj->allocator);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutNumber(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, double num) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateNumber(obj->allocator, num);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutInteger(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, int64_t num) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateInteger(obj->allocator, num);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutString(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, const char* str) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateString(obj->allocator, str);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutCxString(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, cxstring str) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateCxString(obj->allocator, str);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL; }
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue* cxJsonObjPutLiteral(CxJsonValue* obj, cxstring name, CxJsonLiteral lit) {
+    CxJsonValue* v = cxJsonCreateLiteral(obj->allocator, lit);
+    if (v == NULL) return NULL;
+    if (cxJsonObjPut(obj, name, v)) { cxJsonValueFree(v); return NULL;}
+    return v;
+}
+
+CxJsonValue *cxJsonArrGet(const CxJsonValue *value, size_t index) {
+    if (index >= value->value.array.array_size) {
+        return &cx_json_value_nothing;
+    }
+    return value->value.array.array[index];
+}
+
+CxIterator cxJsonArrIter(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxIteratorPtr(
+        value->value.array.array,
+        value->value.array.array_size
+    );
+}
+
+CxIterator cxJsonObjIter(const CxJsonValue *value) {
+    return cxIterator(
+        value->value.object.values,
+        sizeof(CxJsonObjValue),
+        value->value.object.values_size
+    );
+}
+
+CxJsonValue *cx_json_obj_get_cxstr(const CxJsonValue *value, cxstring name) {
+    CxJsonObjValue *member = json_find_objvalue(value, name);
+    if (member == NULL) {
+        return &cx_json_value_nothing;
+    } else {
+        return member->value;
+    }
+}
+
+CxJsonWriter cxJsonWriterCompact(void) {
+    return (CxJsonWriter) {
+        false,
+        true,
+        6,
+        false,
+        4,
+        false
+    };
+}
+
+CxJsonWriter cxJsonWriterPretty(bool use_spaces) {
+    return (CxJsonWriter) {
+        true,
+        true,
+        6,
+        use_spaces,
+        4,
+        false
+    };
+}
+
+static int cx_json_writer_indent(
+    void *target,
+    cx_write_func wfunc,
+    const CxJsonWriter *settings,
+    unsigned int depth
+) {
+    if (depth == 0) return 0;
+
+    // determine the width and characters to use
+    const char* indent; // for 32 prepared chars
+    size_t width = depth;
+    if (settings->indent_space) {
+        if (settings->indent == 0) return 0;
+        width *= settings->indent;
+        indent = "                                ";
+    } else {
+        indent = "\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t";
+    }
+
+    // calculate the number of write calls and write
+    size_t full = width / 32;
+    size_t remaining = width % 32;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < full; i++) {
+        if (32 != wfunc(indent, 1, 32, target)) return 1;
+    }
+    if (remaining != wfunc(indent, 1, remaining, target)) return 1;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
+int cx_json_write_rec(
+    void *target,
+    const CxJsonValue *value,
+    cx_write_func wfunc,
+    const CxJsonWriter *settings,
+    unsigned int depth
+) {
+    // keep track of written items
+    // the idea is to reduce the number of jumps for error checking
+    size_t actual = 0, expected = 0;
+
+    // small buffer for number to string conversions
+    char numbuf[40];
+
+    // recursively write the values
+    switch (value->type) {
+        case CX_JSON_OBJECT: {
+            const char *begin_obj = "{\n";
+            if (settings->pretty) {
+                actual += wfunc(begin_obj, 1, 2, target);
+                expected += 2;
+            } else {
+                actual += wfunc(begin_obj, 1, 1, target);
+                expected++;
+            }
+            depth++;
+            size_t elem_count = value->value.object.values_size;
+            for (size_t look_idx = 0; look_idx < elem_count; look_idx++) {
+                // get the member either via index array or directly
+                size_t elem_idx = settings->sort_members
+                                      ? look_idx
+                                      : value->value.object.indices[look_idx];
+                CxJsonObjValue *member = &value->value.object.values[elem_idx];
+                if (settings->sort_members) {
+                    depth++;depth--;
+                }
+
+                // possible indentation
+                if (settings->pretty) {
+                    if (cx_json_writer_indent(target, wfunc, settings, depth)) {
+                        return 1; // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+                    }
+                }
+
+                // the name
+                actual += wfunc("\"", 1, 1, target);
+                cxmutstr name = escape_string(member->name, settings->escape_slash);
+                actual += wfunc(name.ptr, 1, name.length, target);
+                if (name.ptr != member->name.ptr) {
+                    cx_strfree(&name);
+                }
+                actual += wfunc("\"", 1, 1, target);
+                const char *obj_name_sep = ": ";
+                if (settings->pretty) {
+                    actual += wfunc(obj_name_sep, 1, 2, target);
+                    expected += 4 + member->name.length;
+                } else {
+                    actual += wfunc(obj_name_sep, 1, 1, target);
+                    expected += 3 + member->name.length;
+                }
+
+                // the value
+                if (cx_json_write_rec(target, member->value, wfunc, settings, depth)) return 1;
+
+                // end of object-value
+                if (look_idx < elem_count - 1) {
+                    const char *obj_value_sep = ",\n";
+                    if (settings->pretty) {
+                        actual += wfunc(obj_value_sep, 1, 2, target);
+                        expected += 2;
+                    } else {
+                        actual += wfunc(obj_value_sep, 1, 1, target);
+                        expected++;
+                    }
+                } else {
+                    if (settings->pretty) {
+                        actual += wfunc("\n", 1, 1, target);
+                        expected ++;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            depth--;
+            if (settings->pretty) {
+                if (cx_json_writer_indent(target, wfunc, settings, depth)) return 1;
+            }
+            actual += wfunc("}", 1, 1, target);
+            expected++;
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_ARRAY: {
+            actual += wfunc("[", 1, 1, target);
+            expected++;
+            CxIterator iter = cxJsonArrIter(value);
+            cx_foreach(CxJsonValue*, element, iter) {
+                if (cx_json_write_rec(
+                        target, element,
+                        wfunc, settings, depth)
+                ) return 1;
+
+                if (iter.index < iter.elem_count - 1) {
+                    const char *arr_value_sep = ", ";
+                    if (settings->pretty) {
+                        actual += wfunc(arr_value_sep, 1, 2, target);
+                        expected += 2;
+                    } else {
+                        actual += wfunc(arr_value_sep, 1, 1, target);
+                        expected++;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            actual += wfunc("]", 1, 1, target);
+            expected++;
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_STRING: {
+            actual += wfunc("\"", 1, 1, target);
+            cxmutstr str = escape_string(value->value.string, settings->escape_slash);
+            actual += wfunc(str.ptr, 1, str.length, target);
+            if (str.ptr != value->value.string.ptr) {
+                cx_strfree(&str);
+            }
+            actual += wfunc("\"", 1, 1, target);
+            expected += 2 + value->value.string.length;
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_NUMBER: {
+            int precision = settings->frac_max_digits;
+            // because of the way how %g is defined, we need to
+            // double the precision and truncate ourselves
+            precision = 1 + (precision > 15 ? 30 : 2 * precision);
+            snprintf(numbuf, 40, "%.*g", precision, value->value.number);
+            char *dot, *exp;
+            unsigned char max_digits;
+            // find the decimal separator and hope that it's one of . or ,
+            dot = strchr(numbuf, '.');
+            if (dot == NULL) {
+                dot = strchr(numbuf, ',');
+            }
+            if (dot == NULL) {
+                // no decimal separator found
+                // output everything until a possible exponent
+                max_digits = 30;
+                dot = numbuf;
+            } else {
+                // found a decimal separator
+                // output everything until the separator
+                // and set max digits to what the settings say
+                size_t len = dot - numbuf;
+                actual += wfunc(numbuf, 1, len, target);
+                expected += len;
+                max_digits = settings->frac_max_digits;
+                if (max_digits > 15) {
+                    max_digits = 15;
+                }
+                // locale independent separator
+                if (max_digits > 0) {
+                    actual += wfunc(".", 1, 1, target);
+                    expected++;
+                }
+                dot++;
+            }
+            // find the exponent
+            exp = strchr(dot, 'e');
+            if (exp == NULL) {
+                // no exponent - output the rest
+                if (max_digits > 0) {
+                    size_t len = strlen(dot);
+                    if (len > max_digits) {
+                        len = max_digits;
+                    }
+                    actual += wfunc(dot, 1, len, target);
+                    expected += len;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // exponent found - truncate the frac digits
+                // and then output the rest
+                if (max_digits > 0) {
+                    size_t len = exp - dot - 1;
+                    if (len > max_digits) {
+                        len = max_digits;
+                    }
+                    actual += wfunc(dot, 1, len, target);
+                    expected += len;
+                }
+                actual += wfunc("e", 1, 1, target);
+                expected++;
+                exp++;
+                size_t len = strlen(exp);
+                actual += wfunc(exp, 1, len, target);
+                expected += len;
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_INTEGER: {
+            snprintf(numbuf, 32, "%" PRIi64, value->value.integer);
+            size_t len = strlen(numbuf);
+            actual += wfunc(numbuf, 1, len, target);
+            expected += len;
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_LITERAL: {
+            if (value->value.literal == CX_JSON_TRUE) {
+                actual += wfunc("true", 1, 4, target);
+                expected += 4;
+            } else if (value->value.literal == CX_JSON_FALSE) {
+                actual += wfunc("false", 1, 5, target);
+                expected += 5;
+            } else {
+                actual += wfunc("null", 1, 4, target);
+                expected += 4;
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+        case CX_JSON_NOTHING: {
+            // deliberately supported as an empty string!
+            // users might want to just write the result
+            // of a get operation without testing the value
+            // and therefore this should not blow up
+            break;
+        }
+        default: assert(false); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
+    }
+
+    return expected != actual;
+}
+
+int cxJsonWrite(
+    void *target,
+    const CxJsonValue *value,
+    cx_write_func wfunc,
+    const CxJsonWriter *settings
+) {
+    assert(target != NULL);
+    assert(value != NULL);
+    assert(wfunc != NULL);
+
+    CxJsonWriter writer_default = cxJsonWriterCompact();
+    if (settings == NULL) {
+        settings = &writer_default;
+    }
+    return cx_json_write_rec(target, value, wfunc, settings, 0);
+}
--- a/src/ucx/linked_list.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/linked_list.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
  */
 
 #include "cx/linked_list.h"
-#include "cx/utils.h"
+#include "cx/compare.h"
 #include <string.h>
 #include <assert.h>
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 #define ll_data(node) (((char*)(node))+loc_data)
 
 void *cx_linked_list_at(
-        void const *start,
+        const void *start,
         size_t start_index,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         size_t index
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
     assert(start != NULL);
     assert(loc_advance >= 0);
     size_t i = start_index;
-    void const *cur = start;
+    const void *cur = start;
     while (i != index && cur != NULL) {
         cur = ll_advance(cur);
         i < index ? i++ : i--;
@@ -56,47 +56,51 @@
     return (void *) cur;
 }
 
-ssize_t cx_linked_list_find(
-        void const *start,
+void *cx_linked_list_find(
+        const void *start,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         ptrdiff_t loc_data,
         cx_compare_func cmp_func,
-        void const *elem
+        const void *elem,
+        size_t *found_index
 ) {
     assert(start != NULL);
     assert(loc_advance >= 0);
     assert(loc_data >= 0);
     assert(cmp_func);
 
-    void const *node = start;
-    ssize_t index = 0;
+    void *node = (void*) start;
+    size_t index = 0;
     do {
         void *current = ll_data(node);
         if (cmp_func(current, elem) == 0) {
-            return index;
+            if (found_index != NULL) {
+                *found_index = index;
+            }
+            return node;
         }
         node = ll_advance(node);
         index++;
     } while (node != NULL);
-    return -1;
+    return NULL;
 }
 
 void *cx_linked_list_first(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev
 ) {
     return cx_linked_list_last(node, loc_prev);
 }
 
 void *cx_linked_list_last(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
 ) {
     assert(node != NULL);
     assert(loc_next >= 0);
 
-    void const *cur = node;
-    void const *last;
+    const void *cur = node;
+    const void *last;
     do {
         last = cur;
     } while ((cur = ll_next(cur)) != NULL);
@@ -105,16 +109,16 @@
 }
 
 void *cx_linked_list_prev(
-        void const *begin,
+        const void *begin,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
-        void const *node
+        const void *node
 ) {
     assert(begin != NULL);
     assert(node != NULL);
     assert(loc_next >= 0);
     if (begin == node) return NULL;
-    void const *cur = begin;
-    void const *next;
+    const void *cur = begin;
+    const void *next;
     while (1) {
         next = ll_next(cur);
         if (next == node) return (void *) cur;
@@ -227,19 +231,111 @@
     }
 }
 
-void cx_linked_list_remove(
+void cx_linked_list_insert_sorted(
+        void **begin,
+        void **end,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        void *new_node,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+) {
+    assert(ll_next(new_node) == NULL);
+    cx_linked_list_insert_sorted_chain(
+            begin, end, loc_prev, loc_next, new_node, cmp_func);
+}
+
+void cx_linked_list_insert_sorted_chain(
         void **begin,
         void **end,
         ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next,
-        void *node
+        void *insert_begin,
+        cx_compare_func cmp_func
+) {
+    assert(begin != NULL);
+    assert(loc_next >= 0);
+    assert(insert_begin != NULL);
+
+    // track currently observed nodes
+    void *dest_prev = NULL;
+    void *dest = *begin;
+    void *src = insert_begin;
+
+    // special case: list is empty
+    if (dest == NULL) {
+        *begin = src;
+        if (end != NULL) {
+            *end = cx_linked_list_last(src, loc_next);
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // search the list for insertion points
+    while (dest != NULL && src != NULL) {
+        // compare current list node with source node
+        // if less or equal, skip
+        if (cmp_func(dest, src) <= 0) {
+            dest_prev = dest;
+            dest = ll_next(dest);
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        // determine chain of elements that can be inserted
+        void *end_of_chain = src;
+        void *next_in_chain = ll_next(src);
+        while (next_in_chain != NULL) {
+            // once we become larger than the list elem, break
+            if (cmp_func(dest, next_in_chain) <= 0) {
+                break;
+            }
+            // otherwise, we can insert one more
+            end_of_chain = next_in_chain;
+            next_in_chain = ll_next(next_in_chain);
+        }
+
+        // insert the elements
+        if (dest_prev == NULL) {
+            // new begin
+            *begin = src;
+        } else {
+            cx_linked_list_link(dest_prev, src, loc_prev, loc_next);
+        }
+        cx_linked_list_link(end_of_chain, dest, loc_prev, loc_next);
+
+        // continue with next
+        src = next_in_chain;
+        dest_prev = dest;
+        dest = ll_next(dest);
+    }
+
+    // insert remaining items
+    if (src != NULL) {
+        cx_linked_list_link(dest_prev, src, loc_prev, loc_next);
+    }
+
+    // determine new end of list, if requested
+    if (end != NULL) {
+        *end = cx_linked_list_last(
+                dest != NULL ? dest : dest_prev, loc_next);
+    }
+}
+
+size_t cx_linked_list_remove_chain(
+        void **begin,
+        void **end,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        void *node,
+        size_t num
 ) {
     assert(node != NULL);
     assert(loc_next >= 0);
     assert(loc_prev >= 0 || begin != NULL);
 
+    // easy exit
+    if (num == 0) return 0;
+
     // find adjacent nodes
-    void *next = ll_next(node);
     void *prev;
     if (loc_prev >= 0) {
         prev = ll_prev(node);
@@ -247,6 +343,12 @@
         prev = cx_linked_list_prev(*begin, loc_next, node);
     }
 
+    void *next = ll_next(node);
+    size_t removed = 1;
+    for (; removed < num && next != NULL ; removed++) {
+        next = ll_next(next);
+    }
+
     // update next pointer of prev node, or set begin
     if (prev == NULL) {
         if (begin != NULL) {
@@ -264,10 +366,12 @@
     } else if (loc_prev >= 0) {
         ll_prev(next) = prev;
     }
+
+    return removed;
 }
 
 size_t cx_linked_list_size(
-        void const *node,
+        const void *node,
         ptrdiff_t loc_next
 ) {
     assert(loc_next >= 0);
@@ -327,13 +431,13 @@
 
     // Update pointer
     if (loc_prev >= 0) ll_prev(sorted[0]) = NULL;
-    cx_for_n (i, length - 1) {
+    for (size_t i = 0 ; i < length - 1; i++) {
         cx_linked_list_link(sorted[i], sorted[i + 1], loc_prev, loc_next);
     }
     ll_next(sorted[length - 1]) = NULL;
 
     *begin = sorted[0];
-    *end = sorted[length-1];
+    *end = sorted[length - 1];
     if (sorted != sbo) {
         free(sorted);
     }
@@ -405,17 +509,17 @@
 }
 
 int cx_linked_list_compare(
-        void const *begin_left,
-        void const *begin_right,
+        const void *begin_left,
+        const void *begin_right,
         ptrdiff_t loc_advance,
         ptrdiff_t loc_data,
         cx_compare_func cmp_func
 ) {
-    void const *left = begin_left, *right = begin_right;
+    const void *left = begin_left, *right = begin_right;
 
     while (left != NULL && right != NULL) {
-        void const *left_data = ll_data(left);
-        void const *right_data = ll_data(right);
+        const void *left_data = ll_data(left);
+        const void *right_data = ll_data(right);
         int result = cmp_func(left_data, right_data);
         if (result != 0) return result;
         left = ll_advance(left);
@@ -460,8 +564,6 @@
 
 // HIGH LEVEL LINKED LIST IMPLEMENTATION
 
-bool CX_DISABLE_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO = false;
-
 typedef struct cx_linked_list_node cx_linked_list_node;
 struct cx_linked_list_node {
     cx_linked_list_node *prev;
@@ -480,34 +582,38 @@
 } cx_linked_list;
 
 static cx_linked_list_node *cx_ll_node_at(
-        cx_linked_list const *list,
+        const cx_linked_list *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
-    if (index >= list->base.size) {
+    if (index >= list->base.collection.size) {
         return NULL;
-    } else if (index > list->base.size / 2) {
-        return cx_linked_list_at(list->end, list->base.size - 1, CX_LL_LOC_PREV, index);
+    } else if (index > list->base.collection.size / 2) {
+        return cx_linked_list_at(list->end, list->base.collection.size - 1, CX_LL_LOC_PREV, index);
     } else {
         return cx_linked_list_at(list->begin, 0, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, index);
     }
 }
 
+static cx_linked_list_node *cx_ll_malloc_node(const struct cx_list_s *list) {
+    return cxMalloc(list->collection.allocator,
+                    sizeof(cx_linked_list_node) + list->collection.elem_size);
+}
+
 static int cx_ll_insert_at(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         cx_linked_list_node *node,
-        void const *elem
+        const void *elem
 ) {
 
     // create the new new_node
-    cx_linked_list_node *new_node = cxMalloc(list->allocator,
-                                             sizeof(cx_linked_list_node) + list->item_size);
+    cx_linked_list_node *new_node = cx_ll_malloc_node(list);
 
     // sortir if failed
     if (new_node == NULL) return 1;
 
     // initialize new new_node
     new_node->prev = new_node->next = NULL;
-    memcpy(new_node->payload, elem, list->item_size);
+    memcpy(new_node->payload, elem, list->collection.elem_size);
 
     // insert
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
@@ -518,26 +624,24 @@
     );
 
     // increase the size and return
-    list->size++;
+    list->collection.size++;
     return 0;
 }
 
 static size_t cx_ll_insert_array(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *array,
+        const void *array,
         size_t n
 ) {
     // out-of bounds and corner case check
-    if (index > list->size || n == 0) return 0;
+    if (index > list->collection.size || n == 0) return 0;
 
     // find position efficiently
     cx_linked_list_node *node = index == 0 ? NULL : cx_ll_node_at((cx_linked_list *) list, index - 1);
 
     // perform first insert
-    if (0 != cx_ll_insert_at(list, node, array)) {
-        return 1;
-    }
+    if (0 != cx_ll_insert_at(list, node, array)) return 1;
 
     // is there more?
     if (n == 1) return 1;
@@ -545,13 +649,11 @@
     // we now know exactly where we are
     node = node == NULL ? ((cx_linked_list *) list)->begin : node->next;
 
-    // we can add the remaining nodes and immedately advance to the inserted node
-    char const *source = array;
+    // we can add the remaining nodes and immediately advance to the inserted node
+    const char *source = array;
     for (size_t i = 1; i < n; i++) {
-        source += list->item_size;
-        if (0 != cx_ll_insert_at(list, node, source)) {
-            return i;
-        }
+        source += list->collection.elem_size;
+        if (0 != cx_ll_insert_at(list, node, source)) return i;
         node = node->next;
     }
     return n;
@@ -560,67 +662,151 @@
 static int cx_ll_insert_element(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *element
+        const void *element
 ) {
     return 1 != cx_ll_insert_array(list, index, element, 1);
 }
 
-static int cx_ll_remove(
+static _Thread_local cx_compare_func cx_ll_insert_sorted_cmp_func;
+
+static int cx_ll_insert_sorted_cmp_helper(const void *l, const void *r) {
+    const cx_linked_list_node *left = l;
+    const cx_linked_list_node *right = r;
+    return cx_ll_insert_sorted_cmp_func(left->payload, right->payload);
+}
+
+static size_t cx_ll_insert_sorted(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
-        size_t index
+        const void *array,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    // special case
+    if (n == 0) return 0;
+
+    // create a new chain of nodes
+    cx_linked_list_node *chain = cx_ll_malloc_node(list);
+    if (chain == NULL) return 0;
+
+    memcpy(chain->payload, array, list->collection.elem_size);
+    chain->prev = NULL;
+    chain->next = NULL;
+
+    // add all elements from the array to that chain
+    cx_linked_list_node *prev = chain;
+    const char *src = array;
+    size_t inserted = 1;
+    for (; inserted < n; inserted++) {
+        cx_linked_list_node *next = cx_ll_malloc_node(list);
+        if (next == NULL) break;
+        src += list->collection.elem_size;
+        memcpy(next->payload, src, list->collection.elem_size);
+        prev->next = next;
+        next->prev = prev;
+        prev = next;
+    }
+    prev->next = NULL;
+
+    // invoke the low level function
+    cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
+    cx_ll_insert_sorted_cmp_func = list->collection.cmpfunc;
+    cx_linked_list_insert_sorted_chain(
+            (void **) &ll->begin,
+            (void **) &ll->end,
+            CX_LL_LOC_PREV,
+            CX_LL_LOC_NEXT,
+            chain,
+            cx_ll_insert_sorted_cmp_helper
+    );
+
+    // adjust the list metadata
+    list->collection.size += inserted;
+
+    return inserted;
+}
+
+static size_t cx_ll_remove(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        size_t index,
+        size_t num,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
     cx_linked_list_node *node = cx_ll_node_at(ll, index);
 
     // out-of-bounds check
-    if (node == NULL) return 1;
-
-    // element destruction
-    cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
+    if (node == NULL) return 0;
 
     // remove
-    cx_linked_list_remove((void **) &ll->begin, (void **) &ll->end,
-                          CX_LL_LOC_PREV, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, node);
+    size_t removed = cx_linked_list_remove_chain(
+            (void **) &ll->begin,
+            (void **) &ll->end,
+            CX_LL_LOC_PREV,
+            CX_LL_LOC_NEXT,
+            node,
+            num
+    );
 
     // adjust size
-    list->size--;
+    list->collection.size -= removed;
+
+    // copy or destroy the removed chain
+    if (targetbuf == NULL) {
+        cx_linked_list_node *n = node;
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < removed; i++) {
+            // element destruction
+            cx_invoke_destructor(list, n->payload);
 
-    // free and return
-    cxFree(list->allocator, node);
+            // free the node and advance
+            void *next = n->next;
+            cxFree(list->collection.allocator, n);
+            n = next;
+        }
+    } else {
+        char *dest = targetbuf;
+        cx_linked_list_node *n = node;
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < removed; i++) {
+            // copy payload
+            memcpy(dest, n->payload, list->collection.elem_size);
 
-    return 0;
+            // advance target buffer
+            dest += list->collection.elem_size;
+
+            // free the node and advance
+            void *next = n->next;
+            cxFree(list->collection.allocator, n);
+            n = next;
+        }
+    }
+
+    return removed;
 }
 
 static void cx_ll_clear(struct cx_list_s *list) {
-    if (list->size == 0) return;
+    if (list->collection.size == 0) return;
 
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
     cx_linked_list_node *node = ll->begin;
     while (node != NULL) {
         cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
         cx_linked_list_node *next = node->next;
-        cxFree(list->allocator, node);
+        cxFree(list->collection.allocator, node);
         node = next;
     }
     ll->begin = ll->end = NULL;
-    list->size = 0;
+    list->collection.size = 0;
 }
 
-#ifndef CX_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO_SIZE
-#define CX_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO_SIZE 128
-#endif
-
 static int cx_ll_swap(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t i,
         size_t j
 ) {
-    if (i >= list->size || j >= list->size) return 1;
+    if (i >= list->collection.size || j >= list->collection.size) return 1;
     if (i == j) return 0;
 
     // perform an optimized search that finds both elements in one run
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
-    size_t mid = list->size / 2;
+    size_t mid = list->collection.size / 2;
     size_t left, right;
     if (i < j) {
         left = i;
@@ -629,10 +815,11 @@
         left = j;
         right = i;
     }
-    cx_linked_list_node *nleft, *nright;
+    cx_linked_list_node *nleft = NULL, *nright = NULL;
     if (left < mid && right < mid) {
         // case 1: both items left from mid
         nleft = cx_ll_node_at(ll, left);
+        assert(nleft != NULL);
         nright = nleft;
         for (size_t c = left; c < right; c++) {
             nright = nright->next;
@@ -640,6 +827,7 @@
     } else if (left >= mid && right >= mid) {
         // case 2: both items right from mid
         nright = cx_ll_node_at(ll, right);
+        assert(nright != NULL);
         nleft = nright;
         for (size_t c = right; c > left; c--) {
             nleft = nleft->prev;
@@ -650,7 +838,7 @@
         // chose the closest to begin / end
         size_t closest;
         size_t other;
-        size_t diff2boundary = list->size - right - 1;
+        size_t diff2boundary = list->collection.size - right - 1;
         if (left <= diff2boundary) {
             closest = left;
             other = right;
@@ -686,48 +874,40 @@
         }
     }
 
-    if (list->item_size > CX_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO_SIZE || CX_DISABLE_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO) {
-        cx_linked_list_node *prev = nleft->prev;
-        cx_linked_list_node *next = nright->next;
-        cx_linked_list_node *midstart = nleft->next;
-        cx_linked_list_node *midend = nright->prev;
+    cx_linked_list_node *prev = nleft->prev;
+    cx_linked_list_node *next = nright->next;
+    cx_linked_list_node *midstart = nleft->next;
+    cx_linked_list_node *midend = nright->prev;
 
-        if (prev == NULL) {
-            ll->begin = nright;
-        } else {
-            prev->next = nright;
-        }
-        nright->prev = prev;
-        if (midstart == nright) {
-            // special case: both nodes are adjacent
-            nright->next = nleft;
-            nleft->prev = nright;
-        } else {
-            // likely case: a chain is between the two nodes
-            nright->next = midstart;
-            midstart->prev = nright;
-            midend->next = nleft;
-            nleft->prev = midend;
-        }
-        nleft->next = next;
-        if (next == NULL) {
-            ll->end = nleft;
-        } else {
-            next->prev = nleft;
-        }
+    if (prev == NULL) {
+        ll->begin = nright;
+    } else {
+        prev->next = nright;
+    }
+    nright->prev = prev;
+    if (midstart == nright) {
+        // special case: both nodes are adjacent
+        nright->next = nleft;
+        nleft->prev = nright;
     } else {
-        // swap payloads to avoid relinking
-        char buf[CX_LINKED_LIST_SWAP_SBO_SIZE];
-        memcpy(buf, nleft->payload, list->item_size);
-        memcpy(nleft->payload, nright->payload, list->item_size);
-        memcpy(nright->payload, buf, list->item_size);
+        // likely case: a chain is between the two nodes
+        nright->next = midstart;
+        midstart->prev = nright;
+        midend->next = nleft;
+        nleft->prev = midend;
+    }
+    nleft->next = next;
+    if (next == NULL) {
+        ll->end = nleft;
+    } else {
+        next->prev = nleft;
     }
 
     return 0;
 }
 
 static void *cx_ll_at(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
@@ -735,20 +915,39 @@
     return node == NULL ? NULL : node->payload;
 }
 
-static ssize_t cx_ll_find(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        void const *elem
+static size_t cx_ll_find_remove(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *elem,
+        bool remove
 ) {
-    return cx_linked_list_find(((cx_linked_list *) list)->begin,
-                               CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, CX_LL_LOC_DATA,
-                               list->cmpfunc, elem);
+    if (list->collection.size == 0) return 0;
+
+    size_t index;
+    cx_linked_list *ll = ((cx_linked_list *) list);
+    cx_linked_list_node *node = cx_linked_list_find(
+            ll->begin,
+            CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, CX_LL_LOC_DATA,
+            list->collection.cmpfunc, elem,
+            &index
+    );
+    if (node == NULL) {
+        return list->collection.size;
+    }
+    if (remove) {
+        cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
+        cx_linked_list_remove((void **) &ll->begin, (void **) &ll->end,
+                              CX_LL_LOC_PREV, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, node);
+        list->collection.size--;
+        cxFree(list->collection.allocator, node);
+    }
+    return index;
 }
 
 static void cx_ll_sort(struct cx_list_s *list) {
     cx_linked_list *ll = (cx_linked_list *) list;
     cx_linked_list_sort((void **) &ll->begin, (void **) &ll->end,
                         CX_LL_LOC_PREV, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, CX_LL_LOC_DATA,
-                        list->cmpfunc);
+                        list->collection.cmpfunc);
 }
 
 static void cx_ll_reverse(struct cx_list_s *list) {
@@ -757,37 +956,35 @@
 }
 
 static int cx_ll_compare(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        struct cx_list_s const *other
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *other
 ) {
     cx_linked_list *left = (cx_linked_list *) list;
     cx_linked_list *right = (cx_linked_list *) other;
     return cx_linked_list_compare(left->begin, right->begin,
                                   CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, CX_LL_LOC_DATA,
-                                  list->cmpfunc);
+                                  list->collection.cmpfunc);
 }
 
-static bool cx_ll_iter_valid(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
+static bool cx_ll_iter_valid(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
     return iter->elem_handle != NULL;
 }
 
 static void cx_ll_iter_next(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *itbase = it;
-    if (itbase->remove) {
-        itbase->remove = false;
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter = it;
-        struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle;
-        cx_linked_list *ll = iter->src_handle;
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.m;
+        cx_linked_list *ll = iter->src_handle.m;
         cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
         iter->elem_handle = node->next;
         cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
         cx_linked_list_remove((void **) &ll->begin, (void **) &ll->end,
                               CX_LL_LOC_PREV, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, node);
-        list->size--;
-        cxFree(list->allocator, node);
+        list->collection.size--;
+        cxFree(list->collection.allocator, node);
     } else {
-        struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
         iter->index++;
         cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
         iter->elem_handle = node->next;
@@ -795,78 +992,75 @@
 }
 
 static void cx_ll_iter_prev(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *itbase = it;
-    if (itbase->remove) {
-        itbase->remove = false;
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter = it;
-        struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle;
-        cx_linked_list *ll = iter->src_handle;
+    struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    if (iter->base.remove) {
+        iter->base.remove = false;
+        struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.m;
+        cx_linked_list *ll = iter->src_handle.m;
         cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
         iter->elem_handle = node->prev;
         iter->index--;
         cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
         cx_linked_list_remove((void **) &ll->begin, (void **) &ll->end,
                               CX_LL_LOC_PREV, CX_LL_LOC_NEXT, node);
-        list->size--;
-        cxFree(list->allocator, node);
+        list->collection.size--;
+        cxFree(list->collection.allocator, node);
     } else {
-        struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
         iter->index--;
         cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
         iter->elem_handle = node->prev;
     }
 }
 
-static void *cx_ll_iter_current(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
+static void *cx_ll_iter_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
     cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
     return node->payload;
 }
 
-static bool cx_ll_iter_flag_rm(void *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter = it;
-    if (iter->mutating) {
-        iter->remove = true;
-        return true;
-    } else {
-        return false;
-    }
-}
-
 static CxIterator cx_ll_iterator(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
         bool backwards
 ) {
     CxIterator iter;
     iter.index = index;
-    iter.src_handle = list;
-    iter.elem_handle = cx_ll_node_at((cx_linked_list const *) list, index);
+    iter.src_handle.c = list;
+    iter.elem_handle = cx_ll_node_at((const cx_linked_list *) list, index);
+    iter.elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+    iter.elem_count = list->collection.size;
     iter.base.valid = cx_ll_iter_valid;
     iter.base.current = cx_ll_iter_current;
     iter.base.next = backwards ? cx_ll_iter_prev : cx_ll_iter_next;
-    iter.base.flag_removal = cx_ll_iter_flag_rm;
     iter.base.mutating = false;
     iter.base.remove = false;
     return iter;
 }
 
 static int cx_ll_insert_iter(
-        CxMutIterator *iter,
-        void const *elem,
+        CxIterator *iter,
+        const void *elem,
         int prepend
 ) {
-    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle;
+    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.m;
     cx_linked_list_node *node = iter->elem_handle;
     if (node != NULL) {
         assert(prepend >= 0 && prepend <= 1);
         cx_linked_list_node *choice[2] = {node, node->prev};
         int result = cx_ll_insert_at(list, choice[prepend], elem);
-        iter->index += prepend * (0 == result);
+        if (result == 0) {
+            iter->elem_count++;
+            if (prepend) {
+                iter->index++;
+            }
+        }
         return result;
     } else {
-        int result = cx_ll_insert_element(list, list->size, elem);
-        iter->index = list->size;
+        int result = cx_ll_insert_element(list, list->collection.size, elem);
+        if (result == 0) {
+            iter->elem_count++;
+            iter->index = list->collection.size;
+        }
         return result;
     }
 }
@@ -878,23 +1072,24 @@
     while (node) {
         cx_invoke_destructor(list, node->payload);
         void *next = node->next;
-        cxFree(list->allocator, node);
+        cxFree(list->collection.allocator, node);
         node = next;
     }
 
-    cxFree(list->allocator, list);
+    cxFree(list->collection.allocator, list);
 }
 
 static cx_list_class cx_linked_list_class = {
         cx_ll_destructor,
         cx_ll_insert_element,
         cx_ll_insert_array,
+        cx_ll_insert_sorted,
         cx_ll_insert_iter,
         cx_ll_remove,
         cx_ll_clear,
         cx_ll_swap,
         cx_ll_at,
-        cx_ll_find,
+        cx_ll_find_remove,
         cx_ll_sort,
         cx_ll_compare,
         cx_ll_reverse,
@@ -902,9 +1097,9 @@
 };
 
 CxList *cxLinkedListCreate(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cx_compare_func comparator,
-        size_t item_size
+        size_t elem_size
 ) {
     if (allocator == NULL) {
         allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
@@ -912,16 +1107,8 @@
 
     cx_linked_list *list = cxCalloc(allocator, 1, sizeof(cx_linked_list));
     if (list == NULL) return NULL;
-
-    list->base.cl = &cx_linked_list_class;
-    list->base.allocator = allocator;
-    list->base.cmpfunc = comparator;
-
-    if (item_size > 0) {
-        list->base.item_size = item_size;
-    } else {
-        cxListStorePointers((CxList *) list);
-    }
+    cx_list_init((CxList*)list, &cx_linked_list_class,
+            allocator, comparator, elem_size);
 
     return (CxList *) list;
 }
--- a/src/ucx/list.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/list.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -35,37 +35,37 @@
 static _Thread_local cx_compare_func cx_pl_cmpfunc_impl;
 
 static int cx_pl_cmpfunc(
-        void const *l,
-        void const *r
+        const void *l,
+        const void *r
 ) {
     void *const *lptr = l;
     void *const *rptr = r;
-    void const *left = lptr == NULL ? NULL : *lptr;
-    void const *right = rptr == NULL ? NULL : *rptr;
+    const void *left = lptr == NULL ? NULL : *lptr;
+    const void *right = rptr == NULL ? NULL : *rptr;
     return cx_pl_cmpfunc_impl(left, right);
 }
 
-static void cx_pl_hack_cmpfunc(struct cx_list_s const *list) {
+static void cx_pl_hack_cmpfunc(const struct cx_list_s *list) {
     // cast away const - this is the hacky thing
-    struct cx_list_s *l = (struct cx_list_s *) list;
+    struct cx_collection_s *l = (struct cx_collection_s*) &list->collection;
     cx_pl_cmpfunc_impl = l->cmpfunc;
     l->cmpfunc = cx_pl_cmpfunc;
 }
 
-static void cx_pl_unhack_cmpfunc(struct cx_list_s const *list) {
+static void cx_pl_unhack_cmpfunc(const struct cx_list_s *list) {
     // cast away const - this is the hacky thing
-    struct cx_list_s *l = (struct cx_list_s *) list;
+    struct cx_collection_s *l = (struct cx_collection_s*) &list->collection;
     l->cmpfunc = cx_pl_cmpfunc_impl;
 }
 
 static void cx_pl_destructor(struct cx_list_s *list) {
-    list->climpl->destructor(list);
+    list->climpl->deallocate(list);
 }
 
 static int cx_pl_insert_element(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *element
+        const void *element
 ) {
     return list->climpl->insert_element(list, index, &element);
 }
@@ -73,26 +73,39 @@
 static size_t cx_pl_insert_array(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        void const *array,
+        const void *array,
         size_t n
 ) {
     return list->climpl->insert_array(list, index, array, n);
 }
 
+static size_t cx_pl_insert_sorted(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *array,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    cx_pl_hack_cmpfunc(list);
+    size_t result = list->climpl->insert_sorted(list, array, n);
+    cx_pl_unhack_cmpfunc(list);
+    return result;
+}
+
 static int cx_pl_insert_iter(
-        struct cx_mut_iterator_s *iter,
-        void const *elem,
+        struct cx_iterator_s *iter,
+        const void *elem,
         int prepend
 ) {
-    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle;
+    struct cx_list_s *list = iter->src_handle.m;
     return list->climpl->insert_iter(iter, &elem, prepend);
 }
 
-static int cx_pl_remove(
+static size_t cx_pl_remove(
         struct cx_list_s *list,
-        size_t index
+        size_t index,
+        size_t num,
+        void *targetbuf
 ) {
-    return list->climpl->remove(list, index);
+    return list->climpl->remove(list, index, num, targetbuf);
 }
 
 static void cx_pl_clear(struct cx_list_s *list) {
@@ -108,19 +121,20 @@
 }
 
 static void *cx_pl_at(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     void **ptr = list->climpl->at(list, index);
     return ptr == NULL ? NULL : *ptr;
 }
 
-static ssize_t cx_pl_find(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        void const *elem
+static size_t cx_pl_find_remove(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *elem,
+        bool remove
 ) {
     cx_pl_hack_cmpfunc(list);
-    ssize_t ret = list->climpl->find(list, &elem);
+    size_t ret = list->climpl->find_remove(list, &elem, remove);
     cx_pl_unhack_cmpfunc(list);
     return ret;
 }
@@ -132,8 +146,8 @@
 }
 
 static int cx_pl_compare(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        struct cx_list_s const *other
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *other
 ) {
     cx_pl_hack_cmpfunc(list);
     int ret = list->climpl->compare(list, other);
@@ -145,14 +159,14 @@
     list->climpl->reverse(list);
 }
 
-static void *cx_pl_iter_current(void const *it) {
-    struct cx_iterator_s const *iter = it;
+static void *cx_pl_iter_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_iterator_s *iter = it;
     void **ptr = iter->base.current_impl(it);
     return ptr == NULL ? NULL : *ptr;
 }
 
 static struct cx_iterator_s cx_pl_iterator(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
         bool backwards
 ) {
@@ -166,74 +180,52 @@
         cx_pl_destructor,
         cx_pl_insert_element,
         cx_pl_insert_array,
+        cx_pl_insert_sorted,
         cx_pl_insert_iter,
         cx_pl_remove,
         cx_pl_clear,
         cx_pl_swap,
         cx_pl_at,
-        cx_pl_find,
+        cx_pl_find_remove,
         cx_pl_sort,
         cx_pl_compare,
         cx_pl_reverse,
         cx_pl_iterator,
 };
-
-void cxListStoreObjects(CxList *list) {
-    list->store_pointer = false;
-    if (list->climpl != NULL) {
-        list->cl = list->climpl;
-        list->climpl = NULL;
-    }
-}
-
-void cxListStorePointers(CxList *list) {
-    list->item_size = sizeof(void *);
-    list->store_pointer = true;
-    list->climpl = list->cl;
-    list->cl = &cx_pointer_list_class;
-}
-
 // </editor-fold>
 
 // <editor-fold desc="empty list implementation">
 
-static void cx_emptyl_noop(__attribute__((__unused__)) CxList *list) {
+static void cx_emptyl_noop(cx_attr_unused CxList *list) {
     // this is a noop, but MUST be implemented
 }
 
 static void *cx_emptyl_at(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) size_t index
+        cx_attr_unused const struct cx_list_s *list,
+        cx_attr_unused size_t index
 ) {
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static ssize_t cx_emptyl_find(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) void const *elem
+static size_t cx_emptyl_find_remove(
+        cx_attr_unused struct cx_list_s *list,
+        cx_attr_unused const void *elem,
+        cx_attr_unused bool remove
 ) {
-    return -1;
+    return 0;
 }
 
-static int cx_emptyl_compare(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) struct cx_list_s const *list,
-        struct cx_list_s const *other
-) {
-    if (other->size == 0) return 0;
-    return -1;
-}
-
-static bool cx_emptyl_iter_valid(__attribute__((__unused__)) void const *iter) {
+static bool cx_emptyl_iter_valid(cx_attr_unused const void *iter) {
     return false;
 }
 
 static CxIterator cx_emptyl_iterator(
-        struct cx_list_s const *list,
+        const struct cx_list_s *list,
         size_t index,
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) bool backwards
+        cx_attr_unused bool backwards
 ) {
     CxIterator iter = {0};
-    iter.src_handle = list;
+    iter.src_handle.c = list;
     iter.index = index;
     iter.base.valid = cx_emptyl_iter_valid;
     return iter;
@@ -245,17 +237,19 @@
         NULL,
         NULL,
         NULL,
+        NULL,
         cx_emptyl_noop,
         NULL,
         cx_emptyl_at,
-        cx_emptyl_find,
+        cx_emptyl_find_remove,
         cx_emptyl_noop,
-        cx_emptyl_compare,
+        NULL,
         cx_emptyl_noop,
         cx_emptyl_iterator,
 };
 
 CxList cx_empty_list = {
+    {
         NULL,
         NULL,
         0,
@@ -264,41 +258,204 @@
         NULL,
         NULL,
         false,
-        &cx_empty_list_class,
-        NULL
+        true,
+    },
+    &cx_empty_list_class,
+    NULL
 };
 
 CxList *const cxEmptyList = &cx_empty_list;
 
 // </editor-fold>
 
-void cxListDestroy(CxList *list) {
-    list->cl->destructor(list);
+#define invoke_list_func(name, list, ...) \
+    ((list)->climpl == NULL ? (list)->cl->name : (list)->climpl->name) \
+    (list, __VA_ARGS__)
+
+size_t cx_list_default_insert_array(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        size_t index,
+        const void *data,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    size_t elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+    const char *src = data;
+    size_t i = 0;
+    for (; i < n; i++) {
+        if (0 != invoke_list_func(
+            insert_element, list, index + i,
+            src + (i * elem_size))) return i;
+    }
+    return i;
+}
+
+size_t cx_list_default_insert_sorted(
+        struct cx_list_s *list,
+        const void *sorted_data,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    // corner case
+    if (n == 0) return 0;
+
+    size_t elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+    cx_compare_func cmp = list->collection.cmpfunc;
+    const char *src = sorted_data;
+
+    // track indices and number of inserted items
+    size_t di = 0, si = 0, inserted = 0;
+
+    // search the list for insertion points
+    for (; di < list->collection.size; di++) {
+        const void *list_elm = invoke_list_func(at, list, di);
+
+        // compare current list element with first source element
+        // if less or equal, skip
+        if (cmp(list_elm, src) <= 0) {
+            continue;
+        }
+
+        // determine number of consecutive elements that can be inserted
+        size_t ins = 1;
+        const char *next = src;
+        while (++si < n) {
+            next += elem_size;
+            // once we become larger than the list elem, break
+            if (cmp(list_elm, next) <= 0) {
+                break;
+            }
+            // otherwise, we can insert one more
+            ins++;
+        }
+
+        // insert the elements at location si
+        if (ins == 1) {
+            if (0 != invoke_list_func(
+                insert_element, list, di, src)) return inserted;
+        } else {
+            size_t r = invoke_list_func(insert_array, list, di, src, ins);
+            if (r < ins) return inserted + r;
+        }
+        inserted += ins;
+        di += ins;
+
+        // everything inserted?
+        if (inserted == n) return inserted;
+        src = next;
+    }
+
+    // insert remaining items
+    if (si < n) {
+        inserted += invoke_list_func(insert_array, list, di, src, n - si);
+    }
+
+    return inserted;
+}
+
+void cx_list_default_sort(struct cx_list_s *list) {
+    size_t elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+    size_t list_size = list->collection.size;
+    void *tmp = malloc(elem_size * list_size);
+    if (tmp == NULL) abort();
+
+    // copy elements from source array
+    char *loc = tmp;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < list_size; i++) {
+        void *src = invoke_list_func(at, list, i);
+        memcpy(loc, src, elem_size);
+        loc += elem_size;
+    }
+
+    // qsort
+    qsort(tmp, list_size, elem_size,
+          list->collection.cmpfunc);
+
+    // copy elements back
+    loc = tmp;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < list_size; i++) {
+        void *dest = invoke_list_func(at, list, i);
+        memcpy(dest, loc, elem_size);
+        loc += elem_size;
+    }
+
+    free(tmp);
+}
+
+int cx_list_default_swap(struct cx_list_s *list, size_t i, size_t j) {
+    if (i == j) return 0;
+    if (i >= list->collection.size) return 1;
+    if (j >= list->collection.size) return 1;
+
+    size_t elem_size = list->collection.elem_size;
+
+    void *tmp = malloc(elem_size);
+    if (tmp == NULL) return 1;
+
+    void *ip = invoke_list_func(at, list, i);
+    void *jp = invoke_list_func(at, list, j);
+
+    memcpy(tmp, ip, elem_size);
+    memcpy(ip, jp, elem_size);
+    memcpy(jp, tmp, elem_size);
+
+    free(tmp);
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+void cx_list_init(
+    struct cx_list_s *list,
+    struct cx_list_class_s *cl,
+    const struct cx_allocator_s *allocator,
+    cx_compare_func comparator,
+    size_t elem_size
+) {
+    list->cl = cl;
+    list->collection.allocator = allocator;
+    list->collection.cmpfunc = comparator;
+    if (elem_size > 0) {
+        list->collection.elem_size = elem_size;
+    } else {
+        list->collection.elem_size = sizeof(void *);
+        if (list->collection.cmpfunc == NULL) {
+            list->collection.cmpfunc = cx_cmp_ptr;
+        }
+        list->collection.store_pointer = true;
+        list->climpl = list->cl;
+        list->cl = &cx_pointer_list_class;
+    }
 }
 
 int cxListCompare(
-        CxList const *list,
-        CxList const *other
+        const CxList *list,
+        const CxList *other
 ) {
-    if (
-        // if one is storing pointers but the other is not
-        (list->store_pointer ^ other->store_pointer) ||
+    bool cannot_optimize = false;
 
-        // if one class is wrapped but the other is not
-        ((list->climpl == NULL) ^ (other->climpl == NULL)) ||
+    // if one is storing pointers but the other is not
+    cannot_optimize |= list->collection.store_pointer ^ other->collection.store_pointer;
+
+    // if one class is wrapped but the other is not
+    cannot_optimize |= (list->climpl == NULL) ^ (other->climpl == NULL);
 
-        // if the resolved compare functions are not the same
-        ((list->climpl != NULL ? list->climpl->compare : list->cl->compare) !=
-         (other->climpl != NULL ? other->climpl->compare : other->cl->compare))
-    ) {
+    // if the compare functions do not match or both are NULL
+    if (!cannot_optimize) {
+        cx_compare_func list_cmp = (cx_compare_func) (list->climpl != NULL ?
+                                                      list->climpl->compare : list->cl->compare);
+        cx_compare_func other_cmp = (cx_compare_func) (other->climpl != NULL ?
+                                                       other->climpl->compare : other->cl->compare);
+        cannot_optimize |= list_cmp != other_cmp;
+        cannot_optimize |= list_cmp == NULL;
+    }
+
+    if (cannot_optimize) {
         // lists are definitely different - cannot use internal compare function
-        if (list->size == other->size) {
-            CxIterator left = cxListIterator(list);
-            CxIterator right = cxListIterator(other);
-            for (size_t i = 0; i < list->size; i++) {
+        if (list->collection.size == other->collection.size) {
+            CxIterator left = list->cl->iterator(list, 0, false);
+            CxIterator right = other->cl->iterator(other, 0, false);
+            for (size_t i = 0; i < list->collection.size; i++) {
                 void *leftValue = cxIteratorCurrent(left);
                 void *rightValue = cxIteratorCurrent(right);
-                int d = list->cmpfunc(leftValue, rightValue);
+                int d = list->collection.cmpfunc(leftValue, rightValue);
                 if (d != 0) {
                     return d;
                 }
@@ -307,7 +464,7 @@
             }
             return 0;
         } else {
-            return list->size < other->size ? -1 : 1;
+            return list->collection.size < other->collection.size ? -1 : 1;
         }
     } else {
         // lists are compatible
@@ -315,28 +472,25 @@
     }
 }
 
-CxMutIterator cxListMutIteratorAt(
+CxIterator cxListMutIteratorAt(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     CxIterator it = list->cl->iterator(list, index, false);
     it.base.mutating = true;
-
-    // we know the iterators share the same memory layout
-    CxMutIterator iter;
-    memcpy(&iter, &it, sizeof(CxMutIterator));
-    return iter;
+    return it;
 }
 
-CxMutIterator cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(
+CxIterator cxListMutBackwardsIteratorAt(
         CxList *list,
         size_t index
 ) {
     CxIterator it = list->cl->iterator(list, index, true);
     it.base.mutating = true;
+    return it;
+}
 
-    // we know the iterators share the same memory layout
-    CxMutIterator iter;
-    memcpy(&iter, &it, sizeof(CxMutIterator));
-    return iter;
+void cxListFree(CxList *list) {
+    if (list == NULL) return;
+    list->cl->deallocate(list);
 }
--- a/src/ucx/map.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/map.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -31,27 +31,27 @@
 
 // <editor-fold desc="empty map implementation">
 
-static void cx_empty_map_noop(__attribute__((__unused__)) CxMap *map) {
+static void cx_empty_map_noop(cx_attr_unused CxMap *map) {
     // this is a noop, but MUST be implemented
 }
 
 static void *cx_empty_map_get(
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) CxMap const *map,
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) CxHashKey key
+        cx_attr_unused const CxMap *map,
+        cx_attr_unused CxHashKey key
 ) {
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static bool cx_empty_map_iter_valid(__attribute__((__unused__)) void const *iter) {
+static bool cx_empty_map_iter_valid(cx_attr_unused const void *iter) {
     return false;
 }
 
-static CxIterator cx_empty_map_iterator(
-        struct cx_map_s const *map,
-        __attribute__((__unused__)) enum cx_map_iterator_type type
+static CxMapIterator cx_empty_map_iterator(
+        const struct cx_map_s *map,
+        cx_attr_unused enum cx_map_iterator_type type
 ) {
-    CxIterator iter = {0};
-    iter.src_handle = map;
+    CxMapIterator iter = {0};
+    iter.map.c = map;
     iter.base.valid = cx_empty_map_iter_valid;
     return iter;
 }
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@
 };
 
 CxMap cx_empty_map = {
+    {
         NULL,
         NULL,
         0,
@@ -74,39 +75,34 @@
         NULL,
         NULL,
         false,
-        &cx_empty_map_class
+        true
+    },
+    &cx_empty_map_class
 };
 
 CxMap *const cxEmptyMap = &cx_empty_map;
 
 // </editor-fold>
 
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIteratorValues(CxMap *map) {
-    CxIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_VALUES);
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIteratorValues(CxMap *map) {
+    CxMapIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_VALUES);
     it.base.mutating = true;
-
-    // we know the iterators share the same memory layout
-    CxMutIterator iter;
-    memcpy(&iter, &it, sizeof(CxMutIterator));
-    return iter;
+    return it;
 }
 
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIteratorKeys(CxMap *map) {
-    CxIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_KEYS);
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIteratorKeys(CxMap *map) {
+    CxMapIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_KEYS);
     it.base.mutating = true;
-
-    // we know the iterators share the same memory layout
-    CxMutIterator iter;
-    memcpy(&iter, &it, sizeof(CxMutIterator));
-    return iter;
+    return it;
 }
 
-CxMutIterator cxMapMutIterator(CxMap *map) {
-    CxIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_PAIRS);
+CxMapIterator cxMapMutIterator(CxMap *map) {
+    CxMapIterator it = map->cl->iterator(map, CX_MAP_ITERATOR_PAIRS);
     it.base.mutating = true;
+    return it;
+}
 
-    // we know the iterators share the same memory layout
-    CxMutIterator iter;
-    memcpy(&iter, &it, sizeof(CxMutIterator));
-    return iter;
+void cxMapFree(CxMap *map) {
+    if (map == NULL) return;
+    map->cl->deallocate(map);
 }
--- a/src/ucx/mempool.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/mempool.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -27,8 +27,9 @@
  */
 
 #include "cx/mempool.h"
-#include "cx/utils.h"
+
 #include <string.h>
+#include <errno.h>
 
 struct cx_mempool_memory_s {
     /** The destructor. */
@@ -45,18 +46,20 @@
 
     if (pool->size >= pool->capacity) {
         size_t newcap = pool->capacity - (pool->capacity % 16) + 16;
-        struct cx_mempool_memory_s **newdata = realloc(pool->data, newcap*sizeof(struct cx_mempool_memory_s*));
-        if (newdata == NULL) {
+        size_t newmsize;
+        if (pool->capacity > newcap || cx_szmul(newcap,
+                sizeof(struct cx_mempool_memory_s*), &newmsize)) {
+            errno = EOVERFLOW;
             return NULL;
         }
+        struct cx_mempool_memory_s **newdata = realloc(pool->data, newmsize);
+        if (newdata == NULL) return NULL;
         pool->data = newdata;
         pool->capacity = newcap;
     }
 
     struct cx_mempool_memory_s *mem = malloc(sizeof(cx_destructor_func) + n);
-    if (mem == NULL) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
+    if (mem == NULL) return NULL;
 
     mem->destructor = pool->auto_destr;
     pool->data[pool->size] = mem;
@@ -72,12 +75,11 @@
 ) {
     size_t msz;
     if (cx_szmul(nelem, elsize, &msz)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
         return NULL;
     }
     void *ptr = cx_mempool_malloc(p, msz);
-    if (ptr == NULL) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
+    if (ptr == NULL) return NULL;
     memset(ptr, 0, nelem * elsize);
     return ptr;
 }
@@ -93,17 +95,15 @@
     mem = (struct cx_mempool_memory_s*)(((char *) ptr) - sizeof(cx_destructor_func));
     newm = realloc(mem, n + sizeof(cx_destructor_func));
 
-    if (newm == NULL) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
+    if (newm == NULL) return NULL;
     if (mem != newm) {
-        cx_for_n(i, pool->size) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < pool->size; i++) {
             if (pool->data[i] == mem) {
                 pool->data[i] = newm;
                 return ((char*)newm) + sizeof(cx_destructor_func);
             }
         }
-        abort();
+        abort(); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
     } else {
         return ptr;
     }
@@ -113,12 +113,13 @@
         void *p,
         void *ptr
 ) {
+    if (!ptr) return;
     struct cx_mempool_s *pool = p;
 
     struct cx_mempool_memory_s *mem = (struct cx_mempool_memory_s *)
             ((char *) ptr - sizeof(cx_destructor_func));
 
-    cx_for_n(i, pool->size) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < pool->size; i++) {
         if (mem == pool->data[i]) {
             if (mem->destructor) {
                 mem->destructor(mem->c);
@@ -133,12 +134,13 @@
             return;
         }
     }
-    abort();
+    abort(); // LCOV_EXCL_LINE
 }
 
-void cxMempoolDestroy(CxMempool *pool) {
+void cxMempoolFree(CxMempool *pool) {
+    if (pool == NULL) return;
     struct cx_mempool_memory_s *mem;
-    cx_for_n(i, pool->size) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < pool->size; i++) {
         mem = pool->data[i];
         if (mem->destructor) {
             mem->destructor(mem->c);
@@ -157,6 +159,10 @@
     *(cx_destructor_func *) ((char *) ptr - sizeof(cx_destructor_func)) = func;
 }
 
+void cxMempoolRemoveDestructor(void *ptr) {
+    *(cx_destructor_func *) ((char *) ptr - sizeof(cx_destructor_func)) = NULL;
+}
+
 struct cx_mempool_foreign_mem_s {
     cx_destructor_func destr;
     void* mem;
@@ -198,35 +204,34 @@
 ) {
     size_t poolsize;
     if (cx_szmul(capacity, sizeof(struct cx_mempool_memory_s*), &poolsize)) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
         return NULL;
     }
 
     struct cx_mempool_s *pool =
             malloc(sizeof(struct cx_mempool_s));
-    if (pool == NULL) {
-        return NULL;
-    }
+    if (pool == NULL) return NULL;
 
     CxAllocator *provided_allocator = malloc(sizeof(CxAllocator));
-    if (provided_allocator == NULL) {
+    if (provided_allocator == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
         free(pool);
         return NULL;
-    }
+    } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
     provided_allocator->cl = &cx_mempool_allocator_class;
     provided_allocator->data = pool;
 
     pool->allocator = provided_allocator;
 
     pool->data = malloc(poolsize);
-    if (pool->data == NULL) {
+    if (pool->data == NULL) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
         free(provided_allocator);
         free(pool);
         return NULL;
-    }
+    } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
     pool->size = 0;
     pool->capacity = capacity;
     pool->auto_destr = destr;
 
-    return (CxMempool *) pool;
+    return pool;
 }
--- a/src/ucx/printf.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/printf.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -34,11 +34,12 @@
 #ifndef CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE
 #define CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE 512
 #endif
+const unsigned cx_printf_sbo_size = CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE;
 
 int cx_fprintf(
         void *stream,
         cx_write_func wfc,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const char *fmt,
         ...
 ) {
     int ret;
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@
 int cx_vfprintf(
         void *stream,
         cx_write_func wfc,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const char *fmt,
         va_list ap
 ) {
     char buf[CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE];
@@ -60,17 +61,21 @@
     va_copy(ap2, ap);
     int ret = vsnprintf(buf, CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE, fmt, ap);
     if (ret < 0) {
+        va_end(ap2);
         return ret;
     } else if (ret < CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE) {
+        va_end(ap2);
         return (int) wfc(buf, 1, ret, stream);
     } else {
         int len = ret + 1;
         char *newbuf = malloc(len);
-        if (!newbuf) {
+        if (!newbuf) { // LCOV_EXCL_START
+            va_end(ap2);
             return -1;
-        }
+        } // LCOV_EXCL_STOP
 
         ret = vsnprintf(newbuf, len, fmt, ap2);
+        va_end(ap2);
         if (ret > 0) {
             ret = (int) wfc(newbuf, 1, ret, stream);
         }
@@ -80,21 +85,20 @@
 }
 
 cxmutstr cx_asprintf_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        const char *fmt,
         ...
 ) {
     va_list ap;
-    cxmutstr ret;
     va_start(ap, fmt);
-    ret = cx_vasprintf_a(allocator, fmt, ap);
+    cxmutstr ret = cx_vasprintf_a(allocator, fmt, ap);
     va_end(ap);
     return ret;
 }
 
 cxmutstr cx_vasprintf_a(
-        CxAllocator const *a,
-        char const *fmt,
+        const CxAllocator *a,
+        const char *fmt,
         va_list ap
 ) {
     cxmutstr s;
@@ -104,7 +108,7 @@
     va_list ap2;
     va_copy(ap2, ap);
     int ret = vsnprintf(buf, CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE, fmt, ap);
-    if (ret > 0 && ret < CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE) {
+    if (ret >= 0 && ret < CX_PRINTF_SBO_SIZE) {
         s.ptr = cxMalloc(a, ret + 1);
         if (s.ptr) {
             s.length = (size_t) ret;
@@ -124,6 +128,67 @@
             }
         }
     }
+    va_end(ap2);
     return s;
 }
 
+int cx_sprintf_a(CxAllocator *alloc, char **str, size_t *len, const char *fmt, ... ) {
+    va_list ap;
+    va_start(ap, fmt);
+    int ret = cx_vsprintf_a(alloc, str, len, fmt, ap);
+    va_end(ap);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cx_vsprintf_a(CxAllocator *alloc, char **str, size_t *len, const char *fmt, va_list ap) {
+    va_list ap2;
+    va_copy(ap2, ap);
+    int ret = vsnprintf(*str, *len, fmt, ap);
+    if ((unsigned) ret >= *len) {
+        unsigned newlen = ret + 1;
+        char *ptr = cxRealloc(alloc, *str, newlen);
+        if (ptr) {
+            int newret = vsnprintf(ptr, newlen, fmt, ap2);
+            if (newret < 0) {
+                cxFree(alloc, ptr);
+            } else {
+                *len = newlen;
+                *str = ptr;
+                ret = newret;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    va_end(ap2);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cx_sprintf_sa(CxAllocator *alloc, char *buf, size_t *len, char **str, const char *fmt, ... ) {
+    va_list ap;
+    va_start(ap, fmt);
+    int ret = cx_vsprintf_sa(alloc, buf, len, str, fmt, ap);
+    va_end(ap);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cx_vsprintf_sa(CxAllocator *alloc, char *buf, size_t *len, char **str, const char *fmt, va_list ap) {
+    va_list ap2;
+    va_copy(ap2, ap);
+    int ret = vsnprintf(buf, *len, fmt, ap);
+    *str = buf;
+    if ((unsigned) ret >= *len) {
+        unsigned newlen = ret + 1;
+        char *ptr = cxMalloc(alloc, newlen);
+        if (ptr) {
+            int newret = vsnprintf(ptr, newlen, fmt, ap2);
+            if (newret < 0) {
+                cxFree(alloc, ptr);
+            } else {
+                *len = newlen;
+                *str = ptr;
+                ret = newret;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    va_end(ap2);
+    return ret;
+}
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/properties.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,414 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include "cx/properties.h"
+
+#include <assert.h>
+
+const CxPropertiesConfig cx_properties_config_default = {
+        '=',
+        '#',
+        '\0',
+        '\0',
+    '\\',
+};
+
+void cxPropertiesInit(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesConfig config
+) {
+    memset(prop, 0, sizeof(CxProperties));
+    prop->config = config;
+}
+
+void cxPropertiesDestroy(CxProperties *prop) {
+    cxBufferDestroy(&prop->input);
+    cxBufferDestroy(&prop->buffer);
+}
+
+int cxPropertiesFilln(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        const char *buf,
+        size_t len
+) {
+    if (cxBufferEof(&prop->input)) {
+        // destroy a possible previously initialized buffer
+        cxBufferDestroy(&prop->input);
+        cxBufferInit(&prop->input, (void*) buf, len,
+            NULL, CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_WRITE | CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND);
+        prop->input.size = len;
+    } else {
+        if (cxBufferAppend(buf, 1, len, &prop->input) < len) return -1;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+void cxPropertiesUseStack(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t capacity
+) {
+    cxBufferInit(&prop->buffer, buf, capacity, NULL, CX_BUFFER_COPY_ON_EXTEND);
+}
+
+CxPropertiesStatus cxPropertiesNext(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        cxstring *key,
+        cxstring *value
+) {
+    // check if we have a text buffer
+    if (prop->input.space == NULL) {
+        return CX_PROPERTIES_NULL_INPUT;
+    }
+
+    // a pointer to the buffer we want to read from
+    CxBuffer *current_buffer = &prop->input;
+
+    // check if we have rescued data
+    if (!cxBufferEof(&prop->buffer)) {
+        // check if we can now get a complete line
+        cxstring input = cx_strn(prop->input.space + prop->input.pos,
+            prop->input.size - prop->input.pos);
+        cxstring nl = cx_strchr(input, '\n');
+        if (nl.length > 0) {
+            // we add as much data to the rescue buffer as we need
+            // to complete the line
+            size_t len_until_nl = (size_t)(nl.ptr - input.ptr) + 1;
+
+            if (cxBufferAppend(input.ptr, 1,
+                len_until_nl, &prop->buffer) < len_until_nl) {
+                return CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED;
+            }
+
+            // advance the position in the input buffer
+            prop->input.pos += len_until_nl;
+
+            // we now want to read from the rescue buffer
+            current_buffer = &prop->buffer;
+        } else {
+            // still not enough data, copy input buffer to internal buffer
+            if (cxBufferAppend(input.ptr, 1,
+                input.length, &prop->buffer) < input.length) {
+                return CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED;
+            }
+            // reset the input buffer (make way for a re-fill)
+            cxBufferReset(&prop->input);
+            return CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+        }
+    }
+
+    char comment1 = prop->config.comment1;
+    char comment2 = prop->config.comment2;
+    char comment3 = prop->config.comment3;
+    char delimiter = prop->config.delimiter;
+
+    // get one line and parse it
+    while (!cxBufferEof(current_buffer)) {
+        const char *buf = current_buffer->space + current_buffer->pos;
+        size_t len = current_buffer->size - current_buffer->pos;
+
+        /*
+         * First we check if we have at least one line. We also get indices of
+         * delimiter and comment chars
+         */
+        size_t delimiter_index = 0;
+        size_t comment_index = 0;
+        bool has_comment = false;
+
+        size_t i = 0;
+        char c = 0;
+        for (; i < len; i++) {
+            c = buf[i];
+            if (c == comment1 || c == comment2 || c == comment3) {
+                if (comment_index == 0) {
+                    comment_index = i;
+                    has_comment = true;
+                }
+            } else if (c == delimiter) {
+                if (delimiter_index == 0 && !has_comment) {
+                    delimiter_index = i;
+                }
+            } else if (c == '\n') {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (c != '\n') {
+            // we don't have enough data for a line, use the rescue buffer
+            assert(current_buffer != &prop->buffer);
+            // make sure that the rescue buffer does not already contain something
+            assert(cxBufferEof(&prop->buffer));
+            if (prop->buffer.space == NULL) {
+                // initialize a rescue buffer, if the user did not provide one
+                cxBufferInit(&prop->buffer, NULL, 256, NULL, CX_BUFFER_AUTO_EXTEND);
+            } else {
+                // from a previous rescue there might be already read data
+                // reset the buffer to avoid unnecessary buffer extension
+                cxBufferReset(&prop->buffer);
+            }
+            if (cxBufferAppend(buf, 1, len, &prop->buffer) < len) {
+                return CX_PROPERTIES_BUFFER_ALLOC_FAILED;
+            }
+            // reset the input buffer (make way for a re-fill)
+            cxBufferReset(&prop->input);
+            return CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+        }
+
+        cxstring line = has_comment ?
+                        cx_strn(buf, comment_index) :
+                        cx_strn(buf, i);
+        // check line
+        if (delimiter_index == 0) {
+            // if line is not blank ...
+            line = cx_strtrim(line);
+            // ... either no delimiter found, or key is empty
+            if (line.length > 0) {
+                if (line.ptr[0] == delimiter) {
+                    return CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_EMPTY_KEY;
+                } else {
+                    return CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_MISSING_DELIMITER;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // skip blank line
+                // if it was the rescue buffer, return to the original buffer
+                if (current_buffer == &prop->buffer) {
+                    // assert that the rescue buffer really does not contain more data
+                    assert(current_buffer->pos + i + 1 == current_buffer->size);
+                    // reset the rescue buffer, but don't destroy it!
+                    cxBufferReset(&prop->buffer);
+                    // continue with the input buffer
+                    current_buffer = &prop->input;
+                } else {
+                    // if it was the input buffer already, just advance the position
+                    current_buffer->pos += i + 1;
+                }
+                continue;
+            }
+        } else {
+            cxstring k = cx_strn(buf, delimiter_index);
+            cxstring val = cx_strn(
+                    buf + delimiter_index + 1,
+                    line.length - delimiter_index - 1);
+            k = cx_strtrim(k);
+            val = cx_strtrim(val);
+            if (k.length > 0) {
+                *key = k;
+                *value = val;
+                current_buffer->pos += i + 1;
+                assert(current_buffer->pos <= current_buffer->size);
+                return CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR;
+            } else {
+                return CX_PROPERTIES_INVALID_EMPTY_KEY;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // when we come to this point, all data must have been read
+    assert(cxBufferEof(&prop->buffer));
+    assert(cxBufferEof(&prop->input));
+
+    return CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA;
+}
+
+static int cx_properties_sink_map(
+        cx_attr_unused CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSink *sink,
+        cxstring key,
+        cxstring value
+) {
+    CxMap *map = sink->sink;
+    CxAllocator *alloc = sink->data;
+    cxmutstr v = cx_strdup_a(alloc, value);
+    int r = cx_map_put_cxstr(map, key, v.ptr);
+    if (r != 0) cx_strfree_a(alloc, &v);
+    return r;
+}
+
+CxPropertiesSink cxPropertiesMapSink(CxMap *map) {
+    CxPropertiesSink sink;
+    sink.sink = map;
+    sink.data = (void*) cxDefaultAllocator;
+    sink.sink_func = cx_properties_sink_map;
+    return sink;
+}
+
+static int cx_properties_read_string(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src,
+        cxstring *target
+) {
+    if (prop->input.space == src->src) {
+        // when the input buffer already contains the string
+        // we have nothing more to provide
+        target->length = 0;
+    } else {
+        target->ptr = src->src;
+        target->length = src->data_size;
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int cx_properties_read_file(
+        cx_attr_unused CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src,
+        cxstring *target
+) {
+    target->ptr = src->data_ptr;
+    target->length = fread(src->data_ptr, 1, src->data_size, src->src);
+    return ferror((FILE*)src->src);
+}
+
+static int cx_properties_read_init_file(
+        cx_attr_unused CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src
+) {
+    src->data_ptr = malloc(src->data_size);
+    if (src->data_ptr == NULL) return 1;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static void cx_properties_read_clean_file(
+        cx_attr_unused CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSource *src
+) {
+    free(src->data_ptr);
+}
+
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesStringSource(cxstring str) {
+    CxPropertiesSource src;
+    src.src = (void*) str.ptr;
+    src.data_size = str.length;
+    src.data_ptr = NULL;
+    src.read_func = cx_properties_read_string;
+    src.read_init_func = NULL;
+    src.read_clean_func = NULL;
+    return src;
+}
+
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesCstrnSource(const char *str, size_t len) {
+    CxPropertiesSource src;
+    src.src = (void*) str;
+    src.data_size = len;
+    src.data_ptr = NULL;
+    src.read_func = cx_properties_read_string;
+    src.read_init_func = NULL;
+    src.read_clean_func = NULL;
+    return src;
+}
+
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesCstrSource(const char *str) {
+    CxPropertiesSource src;
+    src.src = (void*) str;
+    src.data_size = strlen(str);
+    src.data_ptr = NULL;
+    src.read_func = cx_properties_read_string;
+    src.read_init_func = NULL;
+    src.read_clean_func = NULL;
+    return src;
+}
+
+CxPropertiesSource cxPropertiesFileSource(FILE *file, size_t chunk_size) {
+    CxPropertiesSource src;
+    src.src = file;
+    src.data_size = chunk_size;
+    src.data_ptr = NULL;
+    src.read_func = cx_properties_read_file;
+    src.read_init_func = cx_properties_read_init_file;
+    src.read_clean_func = cx_properties_read_clean_file;
+    return src;
+}
+
+CxPropertiesStatus cxPropertiesLoad(
+        CxProperties *prop,
+        CxPropertiesSink sink,
+        CxPropertiesSource source
+) {
+    assert(source.read_func != NULL);
+    assert(sink.sink_func != NULL);
+
+    // initialize reader
+    if (source.read_init_func != NULL) {
+        if (source.read_init_func(prop, &source)) {
+            return CX_PROPERTIES_READ_INIT_FAILED;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // transfer the data from the source to the sink
+    CxPropertiesStatus status;
+    CxPropertiesStatus kv_status = CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA;
+    bool found = false;
+    while (true) {
+        // read input
+        cxstring input;
+        if (source.read_func(prop, &source, &input)) {
+            status = CX_PROPERTIES_READ_FAILED;
+            break;
+        }
+
+        // no more data - break
+        if (input.length == 0) {
+            if (found) {
+                // something was found, check the last kv_status
+                if (kv_status == CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA) {
+                    status = CX_PROPERTIES_INCOMPLETE_DATA;
+                } else {
+                    status = CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR;
+                }
+            } else {
+                // nothing found
+                status = CX_PROPERTIES_NO_DATA;
+            }
+            break;
+        }
+
+        // set the input buffer and read the k/v-pairs
+        cxPropertiesFill(prop, input);
+
+        do {
+            cxstring key, value;
+            kv_status = cxPropertiesNext(prop, &key, &value);
+            if (kv_status == CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR) {
+                found = true;
+                if (sink.sink_func(prop, &sink, key, value)) {
+                    kv_status = CX_PROPERTIES_SINK_FAILED;
+                }
+            }
+        } while (kv_status == CX_PROPERTIES_NO_ERROR);
+
+        if (kv_status > CX_PROPERTIES_OK) {
+            status = kv_status;
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (source.read_clean_func != NULL) {
+        source.read_clean_func(prop, &source);
+    }
+
+    return status;
+}
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/streams.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2021 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include "cx/streams.h"
+
+#ifndef CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE
+#define CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE 8192
+#endif
+
+#ifndef CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE
+#define CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE 1024
+#endif
+
+size_t cx_stream_bncopy(
+        void *src,
+        void *dest,
+        cx_read_func rfnc,
+        cx_write_func wfnc,
+        char *buf,
+        size_t bufsize,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    if (n == 0) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    char *lbuf;
+    size_t ncp = 0;
+
+    if (buf) {
+        if (bufsize == 0) return 0;
+        lbuf = buf;
+    } else {
+        if (bufsize == 0) bufsize = CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE;
+        lbuf = malloc(bufsize);
+        if (lbuf == NULL) return 0;
+    }
+
+    size_t r;
+    size_t rn = bufsize > n ? n : bufsize;
+    while ((r = rfnc(lbuf, 1, rn, src)) != 0) {
+        r = wfnc(lbuf, 1, r, dest);
+        ncp += r;
+        n -= r;
+        rn = bufsize > n ? n : bufsize;
+        if (r == 0 || n == 0) {
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (lbuf != buf) {
+        free(lbuf);
+    }
+
+    return ncp;
+}
+
+size_t cx_stream_ncopy(
+        void *src,
+        void *dest,
+        cx_read_func rfnc,
+        cx_write_func wfnc,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    char buf[CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE];
+    return cx_stream_bncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc,
+                            buf, CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE, n);
+}
--- a/src/ucx/string.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/string.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -25,19 +25,21 @@
  * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
-
 #include "cx/string.h"
-#include "cx/utils.h"
 
 #include <string.h>
 #include <stdarg.h>
-#include <ctype.h>
-
-#ifndef _WIN32
+#include <assert.h>
+#include <errno.h>
+#include <limits.h>
+#include <float.h>
 
-#include <strings.h> // for strncasecmp()
-
-#endif // _WIN32
+#ifdef _WIN32
+#define cx_strcasecmp_impl _strnicmp
+#else
+#include <strings.h>
+#define cx_strcasecmp_impl strncasecmp
+#endif
 
 cxmutstr cx_mutstr(char *cstring) {
     return (cxmutstr) {cstring, strlen(cstring)};
@@ -61,20 +63,18 @@
     return (cxstring) {cstring, length};
 }
 
-cxstring cx_strcast(cxmutstr str) {
-    return (cxstring) {str.ptr, str.length};
-}
-
 void cx_strfree(cxmutstr *str) {
+    if (str == NULL) return;
     free(str->ptr);
     str->ptr = NULL;
     str->length = 0;
 }
 
 void cx_strfree_a(
-        CxAllocator const *alloc,
+        const CxAllocator *alloc,
         cxmutstr *str
 ) {
+    if (str == NULL) return;
     cxFree(alloc, str->ptr);
     str->ptr = NULL;
     str->length = 0;
@@ -89,8 +89,9 @@
     va_list ap;
     va_start(ap, count);
     size_t size = 0;
-    cx_for_n(i, count) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
         cxstring str = va_arg(ap, cxstring);
+        if (size > SIZE_MAX - str.length) errno = EOVERFLOW;
         size += str.length;
     }
     va_end(ap);
@@ -99,40 +100,66 @@
 }
 
 cxmutstr cx_strcat_ma(
-        CxAllocator const *alloc,
+        const CxAllocator *alloc,
         cxmutstr str,
         size_t count,
         ...
 ) {
     if (count == 0) return str;
 
-    cxstring *strings = calloc(count, sizeof(cxstring));
-    if (!strings) abort();
+    cxstring strings_stack[8];
+    cxstring *strings;
+    if (count > 8) {
+        strings = calloc(count, sizeof(cxstring));
+        if (strings == NULL) {
+            return (cxmutstr) {NULL, 0};
+        }
+    } else {
+        strings = strings_stack;
+    }
 
     va_list ap;
     va_start(ap, count);
 
     // get all args and overall length
+    bool overflow = false;
     size_t slen = str.length;
-    cx_for_n(i, count) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
         cxstring s = va_arg (ap, cxstring);
         strings[i] = s;
+        if (slen > SIZE_MAX - str.length) overflow = true;
         slen += s.length;
     }
     va_end(ap);
 
+    // abort in case of overflow
+    if (overflow) {
+        errno = EOVERFLOW;
+        if (strings != strings_stack) {
+            free(strings);
+        }
+        return (cxmutstr) { NULL, 0 };
+    }
+
     // reallocate or create new string
+    char *newstr;
     if (str.ptr == NULL) {
-        str.ptr = cxMalloc(alloc, slen + 1);
+        newstr = cxMalloc(alloc, slen + 1);
     } else {
-        str.ptr = cxRealloc(alloc, str.ptr, slen + 1);
+        newstr = cxRealloc(alloc, str.ptr, slen + 1);
     }
-    if (str.ptr == NULL) abort();
+    if (newstr == NULL) {
+        if (strings != strings_stack) {
+            free(strings);
+        }
+        return (cxmutstr) {NULL, 0};
+    }
+    str.ptr = newstr;
 
     // concatenate strings
     size_t pos = str.length;
     str.length = slen;
-    cx_for_n(i, count) {
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < count; i++) {
         cxstring s = strings[i];
         memcpy(str.ptr + pos, s.ptr, s.length);
         pos += s.length;
@@ -142,7 +169,9 @@
     str.ptr[str.length] = '\0';
 
     // free temporary array
-    free(strings);
+    if (strings != strings_stack) {
+        free(strings);
+    }
 
     return str;
 }
@@ -191,14 +220,9 @@
         cxstring string,
         int chr
 ) {
-    chr = 0xFF & chr;
-    // TODO: improve by comparing multiple bytes at once
-    cx_for_n(i, string.length) {
-        if (string.ptr[i] == chr) {
-            return cx_strsubs(string, i);
-        }
-    }
-    return (cxstring) {NULL, 0};
+    char *ret = memchr(string.ptr, 0xFF & chr, string.length);
+    if (ret == NULL) return (cxstring) {NULL, 0};
+    return (cxstring) {ret, string.length - (ret - string.ptr)};
 }
 
 cxmutstr cx_strchr_m(
@@ -234,8 +258,9 @@
 }
 
 #ifndef CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE
-#define CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE 512
+#define CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE 128
 #endif
+const unsigned cx_strstr_sbo_size = CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE;
 
 cxstring cx_strstr(
         cxstring haystack,
@@ -263,7 +288,7 @@
 
     // check needle length and use appropriate prefix table
     // if the pattern exceeds static prefix table, allocate on the heap
-    bool useheap = needle.length >= CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE;
+    const bool useheap = needle.length >= CX_STRSTR_SBO_SIZE;
     register size_t *ptable = useheap ? calloc(needle.length + 1,
                                                sizeof(size_t)) : s_prefix_table;
 
@@ -302,7 +327,7 @@
     }
 
     // if prefix table was allocated on the heap, free it
-    if (ptable != s_prefix_table) {
+    if (useheap) {
         free(ptable);
     }
 
@@ -376,7 +401,7 @@
 }
 
 size_t cx_strsplit_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring string,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit,
@@ -418,7 +443,7 @@
 }
 
 size_t cx_strsplit_ma(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxmutstr string,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit,
@@ -433,10 +458,14 @@
         cxstring s2
 ) {
     if (s1.length == s2.length) {
-        return memcmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
+        return strncmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
     } else if (s1.length > s2.length) {
+        int r = strncmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s2.length);
+        if (r != 0) return r;
         return 1;
     } else {
+        int r = strncmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
+        if (r != 0) return r;
         return -1;
     }
 }
@@ -446,38 +475,38 @@
         cxstring s2
 ) {
     if (s1.length == s2.length) {
-#ifdef _WIN32
-        return _strnicmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
-#else
-        return strncasecmp(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
-#endif
+        return cx_strcasecmp_impl(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
     } else if (s1.length > s2.length) {
+        int r = cx_strcasecmp_impl(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s2.length);
+        if (r != 0) return r;
         return 1;
     } else {
+        int r = cx_strcasecmp_impl(s1.ptr, s2.ptr, s1.length);
+        if (r != 0) return r;
         return -1;
     }
 }
 
 int cx_strcmp_p(
-        void const *s1,
-        void const *s2
+        const void *s1,
+        const void *s2
 ) {
-    cxstring const *left = s1;
-    cxstring const *right = s2;
+    const cxstring *left = s1;
+    const cxstring *right = s2;
     return cx_strcmp(*left, *right);
 }
 
 int cx_strcasecmp_p(
-        void const *s1,
-        void const *s2
+        const void *s1,
+        const void *s2
 ) {
-    cxstring const *left = s1;
-    cxstring const *right = s2;
+    const cxstring *left = s1;
+    const cxstring *right = s2;
     return cx_strcasecmp(*left, *right);
 }
 
-cxmutstr cx_strdup_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+cxmutstr cx_strdup_a_(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring string
 ) {
     cxmutstr result = {
@@ -493,14 +522,19 @@
     return result;
 }
 
+static bool str_isspace(char c) {
+    // TODO: remove once UCX has public API for this
+    return c == ' ' || c == '\t' || c == '\r' || c == '\n' || c == '\v' || c == '\f';
+}
+
 cxstring cx_strtrim(cxstring string) {
     cxstring result = string;
     // TODO: optimize by comparing multiple bytes at once
-    while (result.length > 0 && isspace(*result.ptr)) {
+    while (result.length > 0 && str_isspace(*result.ptr)) {
         result.ptr++;
         result.length--;
     }
-    while (result.length > 0 && isspace(result.ptr[result.length - 1])) {
+    while (result.length > 0 && str_isspace(result.ptr[result.length - 1])) {
         result.length--;
     }
     return result;
@@ -554,18 +588,6 @@
 #endif
 }
 
-void cx_strlower(cxmutstr string) {
-    cx_for_n(i, string.length) {
-        string.ptr[i] = (char) tolower(string.ptr[i]);
-    }
-}
-
-void cx_strupper(cxmutstr string) {
-    cx_for_n(i, string.length) {
-        string.ptr[i] = (char) toupper(string.ptr[i]);
-    }
-}
-
 #ifndef CX_STRREPLACE_INDEX_BUFFER_SIZE
 #define CX_STRREPLACE_INDEX_BUFFER_SIZE 64
 #endif
@@ -577,6 +599,8 @@
 };
 
 static void cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(struct cx_strreplace_ibuf *buf) {
+    // remember, the first data is on the stack!
+    buf = buf->next;
     while (buf) {
         struct cx_strreplace_ibuf *next = buf->next;
         free(buf->buf);
@@ -586,51 +610,48 @@
 }
 
 cxmutstr cx_strreplacen_a(
-        CxAllocator const *allocator,
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
         cxstring str,
-        cxstring pattern,
+        cxstring search,
         cxstring replacement,
         size_t replmax
 ) {
 
-    if (pattern.length == 0 || pattern.length > str.length || replmax == 0)
+    if (search.length == 0 || search.length > str.length || replmax == 0)
         return cx_strdup_a(allocator, str);
 
     // Compute expected buffer length
-    size_t ibufmax = str.length / pattern.length;
+    size_t ibufmax = str.length / search.length;
     size_t ibuflen = replmax < ibufmax ? replmax : ibufmax;
     if (ibuflen > CX_STRREPLACE_INDEX_BUFFER_SIZE) {
         ibuflen = CX_STRREPLACE_INDEX_BUFFER_SIZE;
     }
 
-    // Allocate first index buffer
-    struct cx_strreplace_ibuf *firstbuf, *curbuf;
-    firstbuf = curbuf = calloc(1, sizeof(struct cx_strreplace_ibuf));
-    if (!firstbuf) return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
-    firstbuf->buf = calloc(ibuflen, sizeof(size_t));
-    if (!firstbuf->buf) {
-        free(firstbuf);
-        return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
-    }
+    // First index buffer can be on the stack
+    struct cx_strreplace_ibuf ibuf, *curbuf = &ibuf;
+    size_t ibuf_sbo[CX_STRREPLACE_INDEX_BUFFER_SIZE];
+    ibuf.buf = ibuf_sbo;
+    ibuf.next = NULL;
+    ibuf.len = 0;
 
     // Search occurrences
     cxstring searchstr = str;
     size_t found = 0;
     do {
-        cxstring match = cx_strstr(searchstr, pattern);
+        cxstring match = cx_strstr(searchstr, search);
         if (match.length > 0) {
             // Allocate next buffer in chain, if required
             if (curbuf->len == ibuflen) {
                 struct cx_strreplace_ibuf *nextbuf =
                         calloc(1, sizeof(struct cx_strreplace_ibuf));
                 if (!nextbuf) {
-                    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(firstbuf);
+                    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(&ibuf);
                     return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
                 }
                 nextbuf->buf = calloc(ibuflen, sizeof(size_t));
                 if (!nextbuf->buf) {
                     free(nextbuf);
-                    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(firstbuf);
+                    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(&ibuf);
                     return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
                 }
                 curbuf->next = nextbuf;
@@ -641,8 +662,8 @@
             found++;
             size_t idx = match.ptr - str.ptr;
             curbuf->buf[curbuf->len++] = idx;
-            searchstr.ptr = match.ptr + pattern.length;
-            searchstr.length = str.length - idx - pattern.length;
+            searchstr.ptr = match.ptr + search.length;
+            searchstr.length = str.length - idx - search.length;
         } else {
             break;
         }
@@ -651,9 +672,9 @@
     // Allocate result string
     cxmutstr result;
     {
-        ssize_t adjlen = (ssize_t) replacement.length - (ssize_t) pattern.length;
+        long long adjlen = (long long) replacement.length - (long long) search.length;
         size_t rcount = 0;
-        curbuf = firstbuf;
+        curbuf = &ibuf;
         do {
             rcount += curbuf->len;
             curbuf = curbuf->next;
@@ -661,13 +682,13 @@
         result.length = str.length + rcount * adjlen;
         result.ptr = cxMalloc(allocator, result.length + 1);
         if (!result.ptr) {
-            cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(firstbuf);
+            cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(&ibuf);
             return cx_mutstrn(NULL, 0);
         }
     }
 
     // Build result string
-    curbuf = firstbuf;
+    curbuf = &ibuf;
     size_t srcidx = 0;
     char *destptr = result.ptr;
     do {
@@ -682,7 +703,7 @@
             }
 
             // Copy the replacement and skip the source pattern
-            srcidx += pattern.length;
+            srcidx += search.length;
             memcpy(destptr, replacement.ptr, replacement.length);
             destptr += replacement.length;
         }
@@ -694,12 +715,12 @@
     result.ptr[result.length] = '\0';
 
     // Free index buffer
-    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(firstbuf);
+    cx_strrepl_free_ibuf(&ibuf);
 
     return result;
 }
 
-CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok(
+CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok_(
         cxstring str,
         cxstring delim,
         size_t limit
@@ -717,14 +738,6 @@
     return ctx;
 }
 
-CxStrtokCtx cx_strtok_m(
-        cxmutstr str,
-        cxstring delim,
-        size_t limit
-) {
-    return cx_strtok(cx_strcast(str), delim, limit);
-}
-
 bool cx_strtok_next(
         CxStrtokCtx *ctx,
         cxstring *token
@@ -747,7 +760,7 @@
 
     // if more delimiters are specified, check them now
     if (ctx->delim_more_count > 0) {
-        cx_for_n(i, ctx->delim_more_count) {
+        for (size_t i = 0; i < ctx->delim_more_count; i++) {
             cxstring d = cx_strstr(haystack, ctx->delim_more[i]);
             if (d.length > 0 && (delim.length == 0 || d.ptr < delim.ptr)) {
                 delim.ptr = d.ptr;
@@ -777,9 +790,368 @@
 
 void cx_strtok_delim(
         CxStrtokCtx *ctx,
-        cxstring const *delim,
+        const cxstring *delim,
         size_t count
 ) {
     ctx->delim_more = delim;
     ctx->delim_more_count = count;
 }
+
+#define cx_strtoX_signed_impl(rtype, rmin, rmax) \
+    long long result; \
+    if (cx_strtoll_lc(str, &result, base, groupsep)) { \
+        return -1; \
+    } \
+    if (result < rmin || result > rmax) { \
+        errno = ERANGE; \
+        return -1; \
+    } \
+    *output = (rtype) result; \
+    return 0
+
+int cx_strtos_lc_(cxstring str, short *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(short, SHRT_MIN, SHRT_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoi_lc_(cxstring str, int *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(int, INT_MIN, INT_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtol_lc_(cxstring str, long *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(long, LONG_MIN, LONG_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoll_lc_(cxstring str, long long *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    // strategy: parse as unsigned, check range, negate if required
+    bool neg = false;
+    size_t start_unsigned = 0;
+
+    // emptiness check
+    if (str.length == 0) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // test if we have a negative sign character
+    if (str.ptr[start_unsigned] == '-') {
+        neg = true;
+        start_unsigned++;
+        // must not be followed by positive sign character
+        if (str.length == 1 || str.ptr[start_unsigned] == '+') {
+            errno = EINVAL;
+            return -1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // now parse the number with strtoull
+    unsigned long long v;
+    cxstring ustr = start_unsigned == 0 ? str
+        : cx_strn(str.ptr + start_unsigned, str.length - start_unsigned);
+    int ret = cx_strtoull_lc(ustr, &v, base, groupsep);
+    if (ret != 0) return ret;
+    if (neg) {
+        if (v - 1 > LLONG_MAX) {
+            errno = ERANGE;
+            return -1;
+        }
+        *output = -(long long) v;
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        if (v > LLONG_MAX) {
+            errno = ERANGE;
+            return -1;
+        }
+        *output = (long long) v;
+        return 0;
+    }
+}
+
+int cx_strtoi8_lc_(cxstring str, int8_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(int8_t, INT8_MIN, INT8_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoi16_lc_(cxstring str, int16_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(int16_t, INT16_MIN, INT16_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoi32_lc_(cxstring str, int32_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_signed_impl(int32_t, INT32_MIN, INT32_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoi64_lc_(cxstring str, int64_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    assert(sizeof(long long) == sizeof(int64_t)); // should be true on all platforms
+    return cx_strtoll_lc(str, (long long*) output, base, groupsep);
+}
+
+#define cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(rtype, rmax) \
+    uint64_t result; \
+    if (cx_strtou64_lc(str, &result, base, groupsep)) { \
+        return -1; \
+    } \
+    if (result > rmax) { \
+        errno = ERANGE; \
+        return -1; \
+    } \
+    *output = (rtype) result; \
+    return 0
+
+int cx_strtous_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned short *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(unsigned short, USHRT_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtou_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned int *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(unsigned int, UINT_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoul_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned long *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(unsigned long, ULONG_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoull_lc_(cxstring str, unsigned long long *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    // some sanity checks
+    if (str.length == 0) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    if (!(base == 2 || base == 8 || base == 10 || base == 16)) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    if (groupsep == NULL) groupsep = "";
+
+    // find the actual start of the number
+    if (str.ptr[0] == '+') {
+        str.ptr++;
+        str.length--;
+        if (str.length == 0) {
+            errno = EINVAL;
+            return -1;
+        }
+    }
+    size_t start = 0;
+
+    // if base is 2 or 16, some leading stuff may appear
+    if (base == 2) {
+        if ((str.ptr[0] | 32) == 'b') {
+            start = 1;
+        } else if (str.ptr[0] == '0' && str.length > 1) {
+            if ((str.ptr[1] | 32) == 'b') {
+                start = 2;
+            }
+        }
+    } else if (base == 16) {
+        if ((str.ptr[0] | 32) == 'x' || str.ptr[0] == '#') {
+            start = 1;
+        } else if (str.ptr[0] == '0' && str.length > 1) {
+            if ((str.ptr[1] | 32) == 'x') {
+                start = 2;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    // check if there are digits left
+    if (start >= str.length) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // now parse the number
+    unsigned long long result = 0;
+    for (size_t i = start; i < str.length; i++) {
+        // ignore group separators
+        if (strchr(groupsep, str.ptr[i])) continue;
+
+        // determine the digit value of the character
+        unsigned char c = str.ptr[i];
+        if (c >= 'a') c = 10 + (c - 'a');
+        else if (c >= 'A') c = 10 + (c - 'A');
+        else if (c >= '0') c = c - '0';
+        else c = 255;
+        if (c >= base) {
+            errno = EINVAL;
+            return -1;
+        }
+
+        // now combine the digit with what we already have
+        unsigned long right = (result & 0xff) * base + c;
+        unsigned long long left = (result >> 8) * base + (right >> 8);
+        if (left > (ULLONG_MAX >> 8)) {
+            errno = ERANGE;
+            return -1;
+        }
+        result = (left << 8) + (right & 0xff);
+    }
+
+    *output = result;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int cx_strtou8_lc_(cxstring str, uint8_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(uint8_t, UINT8_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtou16_lc_(cxstring str, uint16_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(uint16_t, UINT16_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtou32_lc_(cxstring str, uint32_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    cx_strtoX_unsigned_impl(uint32_t, UINT32_MAX);
+}
+
+int cx_strtou64_lc_(cxstring str, uint64_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+    assert(sizeof(unsigned long long) == sizeof(uint64_t)); // should be true on all platforms
+    return cx_strtoull_lc(str, (unsigned long long*) output, base, groupsep);
+}
+
+int cx_strtoz_lc_(cxstring str, size_t *output, int base, const char *groupsep) {
+#if SIZE_MAX == UINT32_MAX
+    return cx_strtou32_lc_(str, (uint32_t*) output, base, groupsep);
+#elif SIZE_MAX == UINT64_MAX
+    return cx_strtoull_lc_(str, (unsigned long long *) output, base, groupsep);
+#else
+#error "unsupported size_t size"
+#endif
+}
+
+int cx_strtof_lc_(cxstring str, float *output, char decsep, const char *groupsep) {
+    // use string to double and add a range check
+    double d;
+    int ret = cx_strtod_lc_(str, &d, decsep, groupsep);
+    if (ret != 0) return ret;
+    // note: FLT_MIN is the smallest POSITIVE number that can be represented
+    double test = d < 0 ? -d : d;
+    if (test < FLT_MIN || test > FLT_MAX) {
+        errno = ERANGE;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    *output = (float) d;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static bool str_isdigit(char c) {
+    // TODO: remove once UCX has public API for this
+    return c >= '0' && c <= '9';
+}
+
+int cx_strtod_lc_(cxstring str, double *output, char decsep, const char *groupsep) {
+    // TODO: overflow check
+    // TODO: increase precision
+
+    // emptiness check
+    if (str.length == 0) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    double result = 0.;
+    int sign = 1;
+
+    // check if there is a sign
+    if (str.ptr[0] == '-') {
+        sign = -1;
+        str.ptr++;
+        str.length--;
+    } else if (str.ptr[0] == '+') {
+        str.ptr++;
+        str.length--;
+    }
+
+    // there must be at least one char to parse
+    if (str.length == 0) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // parse all digits until we find the decsep
+    size_t pos = 0;
+    do {
+        if (str_isdigit(str.ptr[pos])) {
+            result = result * 10 + (str.ptr[pos] - '0');
+        } else if (strchr(groupsep, str.ptr[pos]) == NULL) {
+            break;
+        }
+    } while (++pos < str.length);
+
+    // already done?
+    if (pos == str.length) {
+        *output = result * sign;
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // is the next char the decsep?
+    if (str.ptr[pos] == decsep) {
+        pos++;
+        // it may end with the decsep, if it did not start with it
+        if (pos == str.length) {
+            if (str.length == 1) {
+                errno = EINVAL;
+                return -1;
+            } else {
+                *output = result * sign;
+                return 0;
+            }
+        }
+        // parse everything until exponent or end
+        double factor = 1.;
+        do {
+            if (str_isdigit(str.ptr[pos])) {
+                factor *= 0.1;
+                result = result + factor * (str.ptr[pos] - '0');
+            } else if (strchr(groupsep, str.ptr[pos]) == NULL) {
+                break;
+            }
+        } while (++pos < str.length);
+    }
+
+    // no exponent?
+    if (pos == str.length) {
+        *output = result * sign;
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // now the next separator MUST be the exponent separator
+    // and at least one char must follow
+    if ((str.ptr[pos] | 32) != 'e' || str.length <= pos + 1) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+    pos++;
+
+    // check if we have a sign for the exponent
+    double factor = 10.;
+    if (str.ptr[pos] == '-') {
+        factor = .1;
+        pos++;
+    } else if (str.ptr[pos] == '+') {
+        pos++;
+    }
+
+    // at least one digit must follow
+    if (pos == str.length) {
+        errno = EINVAL;
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // parse the exponent
+    unsigned int exp = 0;
+    do {
+        if (str_isdigit(str.ptr[pos])) {
+            exp = 10 * exp + (str.ptr[pos] - '0');
+        } else if (strchr(groupsep, str.ptr[pos]) == NULL) {
+            errno = EINVAL;
+            return -1;
+        }
+    } while (++pos < str.length);
+
+    // apply the exponent by fast exponentiation
+    do {
+        if (exp & 1) {
+            result *= factor;
+        }
+        factor *= factor;
+    } while ((exp >>= 1) > 0);
+
+    // store the result and exit
+    *output = result * sign;
+    return 0;
+}
--- a/src/ucx/szmul.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ b/src/ucx/szmul.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
  * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
  */
 
+#include "cx/common.h"
+
+#ifndef CX_SZMUL_BUILTIN
 int cx_szmul_impl(
         size_t a,
         size_t b,
@@ -43,4 +46,5 @@
         *result = 0;
         return 1;
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+#endif // CX_SZMUL_BUILTIN
--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/src/ucx/tree.c	Sun Mar 02 18:10:52 2025 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,1054 @@
+/*
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
+ *
+ * Copyright 2024 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+ *
+ *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *
+ *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+ *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+ * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
+ * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
+ * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
+ * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
+ * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
+ * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+ * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
+ * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
+ * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ */
+
+#include "cx/tree.h"
+
+#include "cx/array_list.h"
+
+#include <assert.h>
+
+#define CX_TREE_PTR(cur, off) (*(void**)(((char*)(cur))+(off)))
+#define tree_parent(node) CX_TREE_PTR(node, loc_parent)
+#define tree_children(node) CX_TREE_PTR(node, loc_children)
+#define tree_last_child(node) CX_TREE_PTR(node, loc_last_child)
+#define tree_prev(node) CX_TREE_PTR(node, loc_prev)
+#define tree_next(node) CX_TREE_PTR(node, loc_next)
+
+#define cx_tree_ptr_locations \
+    loc_parent, loc_children, loc_last_child, loc_prev, loc_next
+
+#define cx_tree_node_layout(tree) \
+    (tree)->loc_parent,\
+    (tree)->loc_children,\
+    (tree)->loc_last_child,\
+    (tree)->loc_prev,  \
+    (tree)->loc_next
+
+static void cx_tree_zero_pointers(
+        void *node,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    tree_parent(node) = NULL;
+    if (loc_prev >= 0) {
+        tree_prev(node) = NULL;
+    }
+    tree_next(node) = NULL;
+    tree_children(node) = NULL;
+    if (loc_last_child >= 0) {
+        tree_last_child(node) = NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+void cx_tree_link(
+        void *parent,
+        void *node,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    assert(loc_parent >= 0);
+    assert(loc_children >= 0);
+    assert(loc_next >= 0);
+
+    void *current_parent = tree_parent(node);
+    if (current_parent == parent) return;
+    if (current_parent != NULL) {
+        cx_tree_unlink(node, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+    }
+
+    if (tree_children(parent) == NULL) {
+        tree_children(parent) = node;
+        if (loc_last_child >= 0) {
+            tree_last_child(parent) = node;
+        }
+    } else {
+        void *child;
+        if (loc_last_child >= 0) {
+            child = tree_last_child(parent);
+            tree_last_child(parent) = node;
+        } else {
+            child = tree_children(parent);
+            void *next;
+            while ((next = tree_next(child)) != NULL) {
+                child = next;
+            }
+        }
+        if (loc_prev >= 0) {
+            tree_prev(node) = child;
+        }
+        tree_next(child) = node;
+    }
+    tree_parent(node) = parent;
+}
+
+static void *cx_tree_node_prev(
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next,
+        const void *node
+) {
+    void *parent = tree_parent(node);
+    void *begin = tree_children(parent);
+    if (begin == node) return NULL;
+    const void *cur = begin;
+    const void *next;
+    while (1) {
+        next = tree_next(cur);
+        if (next == node) return (void *) cur;
+        cur = next;
+    }
+}
+
+void cx_tree_unlink(
+        void *node,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    if (tree_parent(node) == NULL) return;
+
+    assert(loc_children >= 0);
+    assert(loc_next >= 0);
+    assert(loc_parent >= 0);
+    void *left;
+    if (loc_prev >= 0) {
+        left = tree_prev(node);
+    } else {
+        left = cx_tree_node_prev(loc_parent, loc_children, loc_next, node);
+    }
+    void *right = tree_next(node);
+    void *parent = tree_parent(node);
+    assert(left == NULL || tree_children(parent) != node);
+    assert(right == NULL || loc_last_child < 0 ||
+           tree_last_child(parent) != node);
+
+    if (left == NULL) {
+        tree_children(parent) = right;
+    } else {
+        tree_next(left) = right;
+    }
+    if (right == NULL) {
+        if (loc_last_child >= 0) {
+            tree_last_child(parent) = left;
+        }
+    } else {
+        if (loc_prev >= 0) {
+            tree_prev(right) = left;
+        }
+    }
+
+    tree_parent(node) = NULL;
+    tree_next(node) = NULL;
+    if (loc_prev >= 0) {
+        tree_prev(node) = NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+int cx_tree_search(
+        const void *root,
+        size_t depth,
+        const void *node,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        void **result,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    // help avoiding bugs due to uninitialized memory
+    assert(result != NULL);
+    *result = NULL;
+
+    // remember return value for best match
+    int ret = sfunc(root, node);
+    if (ret < 0) {
+        // not contained, exit
+        return -1;
+    }
+    *result = (void*) root;
+    // if root is already exact match, exit
+    if (ret == 0) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // when depth is one, we are already done
+    if (depth == 1) {
+        return ret;
+    }
+
+    // special case: indefinite depth
+    if (depth == 0) {
+        depth = SIZE_MAX;
+    }
+
+    // create an iterator
+    CxTreeIterator iter = cx_tree_iterator(
+            (void*) root, false, loc_children, loc_next
+    );
+
+    // skip root, we already handled it
+    cxIteratorNext(iter);
+
+    // loop through the remaining tree
+    cx_foreach(void *, elem, iter) {
+        // investigate the current node
+        int ret_elem = sfunc(elem, node);
+        if (ret_elem == 0) {
+            // if found, exit the search
+            *result = (void *) elem;
+            ret = 0;
+            break;
+        } else if (ret_elem > 0 && ret_elem < ret) {
+            // new distance is better
+            *result = elem;
+            ret = ret_elem;
+        } else {
+            // not contained or distance is worse, skip entire subtree
+            cxTreeIteratorContinue(iter);
+        }
+
+        // when we reached the max depth, skip the subtree
+        if (iter.depth == depth) {
+            cxTreeIteratorContinue(iter);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // dispose the iterator as we might have exited the loop early
+    cxTreeIteratorDispose(&iter);
+
+    assert(ret < 0 || *result != NULL);
+    return ret;
+}
+
+int cx_tree_search_data(
+        const void *root,
+        size_t depth,
+        const void *data,
+        cx_tree_search_data_func sfunc,
+        void **result,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    // it is basically the same implementation
+    return cx_tree_search(
+            root, depth, data,
+            (cx_tree_search_func) sfunc,
+            result,
+            loc_children, loc_next);
+}
+
+static bool cx_tree_iter_valid(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_tree_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->node != NULL;
+}
+
+static void *cx_tree_iter_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_tree_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->node;
+}
+
+static void cx_tree_iter_next(void *it) {
+    struct cx_tree_iterator_s *iter = it;
+    ptrdiff_t const loc_next = iter->loc_next;
+    ptrdiff_t const loc_children = iter->loc_children;
+    // protect us from misuse
+    if (!iter->base.valid(iter)) return;
+
+    void *children;
+
+    // check if we are currently exiting or entering nodes
+    if (iter->exiting) {
+        children = NULL;
+        // skipping on exit is pointless, just clear the flag
+        iter->skip = false;
+    } else {
+        if (iter->skip) {
+            // skip flag is set, pretend that there are no children
+            iter->skip = false;
+            children = NULL;
+        } else {
+            // try to enter the children (if any)
+            children = tree_children(iter->node);
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (children == NULL) {
+        // search for the next node
+        void *next;
+        cx_tree_iter_search_next:
+        // check if there is a sibling
+        if (iter->exiting) {
+            next = iter->node_next;
+        } else {
+            next = tree_next(iter->node);
+            iter->node_next = next;
+        }
+        if (next == NULL) {
+            // no sibling, we are done with this node and exit
+            if (iter->visit_on_exit && !iter->exiting) {
+                // iter is supposed to visit the node again
+                iter->exiting = true;
+            } else {
+                iter->exiting = false;
+                if (iter->depth == 1) {
+                    // there is no parent - we have iterated the entire tree
+                    // invalidate the iterator and free the node stack
+                    iter->node = iter->node_next = NULL;
+                    iter->stack_capacity = iter->depth = 0;
+                    free(iter->stack);
+                    iter->stack = NULL;
+                } else {
+                    // the parent node can be obtained from the top of stack
+                    // this way we can avoid the loc_parent in the iterator
+                    iter->depth--;
+                    iter->node = iter->stack[iter->depth - 1];
+                    // retry with the parent node to find a sibling
+                    goto cx_tree_iter_search_next;
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            if (iter->visit_on_exit && !iter->exiting) {
+                // iter is supposed to visit the node again
+                iter->exiting = true;
+            } else {
+                iter->exiting = false;
+                // move to the sibling
+                iter->counter++;
+                iter->node = next;
+                // new top of stack is the sibling
+                iter->stack[iter->depth - 1] = next;
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        // node has children, push the first child onto the stack and enter it
+        cx_array_simple_add(iter->stack, children);
+        iter->node = children;
+        iter->counter++;
+    }
+}
+
+CxTreeIterator cx_tree_iterator(
+        void *root,
+        bool visit_on_exit,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    CxTreeIterator iter;
+    iter.loc_children = loc_children;
+    iter.loc_next = loc_next;
+    iter.visit_on_exit = visit_on_exit;
+
+    // initialize members
+    iter.node_next = NULL;
+    iter.exiting = false;
+    iter.skip = false;
+
+    // assign base iterator functions
+    iter.base.mutating = false;
+    iter.base.remove = false;
+    iter.base.current_impl = NULL;
+    iter.base.valid = cx_tree_iter_valid;
+    iter.base.next = cx_tree_iter_next;
+    iter.base.current = cx_tree_iter_current;
+
+    // visit the root node
+    iter.node = root;
+    if (root != NULL) {
+        iter.stack_capacity = 16;
+        iter.stack = malloc(sizeof(void *) * 16);
+        iter.stack[0] = root;
+        iter.counter = 1;
+        iter.depth = 1;
+    } else {
+        iter.stack_capacity = 0;
+        iter.stack = NULL;
+        iter.counter = 0;
+        iter.depth = 0;
+    }
+
+    return iter;
+}
+
+static bool cx_tree_visitor_valid(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_tree_visitor_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->node != NULL;
+}
+
+static void *cx_tree_visitor_current(const void *it) {
+    const struct cx_tree_visitor_s *iter = it;
+    return iter->node;
+}
+
+cx_attr_nonnull
+static void cx_tree_visitor_enqueue_siblings(
+        struct cx_tree_visitor_s *iter, void *node, ptrdiff_t loc_next) {
+    node = tree_next(node);
+    while (node != NULL) {
+        struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *q;
+        q = malloc(sizeof(struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s));
+        q->depth = iter->queue_last->depth;
+        q->node = node;
+        iter->queue_last->next = q;
+        iter->queue_last = q;
+        node = tree_next(node);
+    }
+    iter->queue_last->next = NULL;
+}
+
+static void cx_tree_visitor_next(void *it) {
+    struct cx_tree_visitor_s *iter = it;
+    // protect us from misuse
+    if (!iter->base.valid(iter)) return;
+
+    ptrdiff_t const loc_next = iter->loc_next;
+    ptrdiff_t const loc_children = iter->loc_children;
+
+    // add the children of the current node to the queue
+    // unless the skip flag is set
+    void *children;
+    if (iter->skip) {
+        iter->skip = false;
+        children = NULL;
+    } else {
+        children = tree_children(iter->node);
+    }
+    if (children != NULL) {
+        struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *q;
+        q = malloc(sizeof(struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s));
+        q->depth = iter->depth + 1;
+        q->node = children;
+        if (iter->queue_last == NULL) {
+            assert(iter->queue_next == NULL);
+            iter->queue_next = q;
+        } else {
+            iter->queue_last->next = q;
+        }
+        iter->queue_last = q;
+        cx_tree_visitor_enqueue_siblings(iter, children, loc_next);
+    }
+
+    // check if there is a next node
+    if (iter->queue_next == NULL) {
+        iter->node = NULL;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    // dequeue the next node
+    iter->node = iter->queue_next->node;
+    iter->depth = iter->queue_next->depth;
+    {
+        struct cx_tree_visitor_queue_s *q = iter->queue_next;
+        iter->queue_next = q->next;
+        if (iter->queue_next == NULL) {
+            assert(iter->queue_last == q);
+            iter->queue_last = NULL;
+        }
+        free(q);
+    }
+
+    // increment the node counter
+    iter->counter++;
+}
+
+CxTreeVisitor cx_tree_visitor(
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    CxTreeVisitor iter;
+    iter.loc_children = loc_children;
+    iter.loc_next = loc_next;
+
+    // initialize members
+    iter.skip = false;
+    iter.queue_next = NULL;
+    iter.queue_last = NULL;
+
+    // assign base iterator functions
+    iter.base.mutating = false;
+    iter.base.remove = false;
+    iter.base.current_impl = NULL;
+    iter.base.valid = cx_tree_visitor_valid;
+    iter.base.next = cx_tree_visitor_next;
+    iter.base.current = cx_tree_visitor_current;
+
+    // visit the root node
+    iter.node = root;
+    if (root != NULL) {
+        iter.counter = 1;
+        iter.depth = 1;
+    } else {
+        iter.counter = 0;
+        iter.depth = 0;
+    }
+
+    return iter;
+}
+
+static void cx_tree_add_link_duplicate(
+        void *original, void *duplicate,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent, ptrdiff_t loc_children, ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev, ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    void *shared_parent = tree_parent(original);
+    if (shared_parent == NULL) {
+        cx_tree_link(original, duplicate, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+    } else {
+        cx_tree_link(shared_parent, duplicate, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+    }
+}
+
+static void cx_tree_add_link_new(
+        void *parent, void *node, cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent, ptrdiff_t loc_children, ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev, ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    // check the current children one by one,
+    // if they could be children of the new node
+    void *child = tree_children(parent);
+    while (child != NULL) {
+        void *next = tree_next(child);
+
+        if (sfunc(node, child) > 0) {
+            // the sibling could be a child -> re-link
+            cx_tree_link(node, child, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+        }
+
+        child = next;
+    }
+
+    // add new node as new child
+    cx_tree_link(parent, node, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+}
+
+int cx_tree_add(
+        const void *src,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **cnode,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    *cnode = cfunc(src, cdata);
+    if (*cnode == NULL) return 1;
+    cx_tree_zero_pointers(*cnode, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+
+    void *match = NULL;
+    int result = cx_tree_search(
+            root,
+            0,
+            *cnode,
+            sfunc,
+            &match,
+            loc_children,
+            loc_next
+    );
+
+    if (result < 0) {
+        // node does not fit into the tree - return non-zero value
+        return 1;
+    } else if (result == 0) {
+        // data already found in the tree, link duplicate
+        cx_tree_add_link_duplicate(match, *cnode, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+    } else {
+        // closest match found, add new node
+        cx_tree_add_link_new(match, *cnode, sfunc, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+unsigned int cx_tree_add_look_around_depth = 3;
+
+size_t cx_tree_add_iter(
+        struct cx_iterator_base_s *iter,
+        size_t num,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **failed,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    // erase the failed pointer
+    *failed = NULL;
+
+    // iter not valid? cancel...
+    if (!iter->valid(iter)) return 0;
+
+    size_t processed = 0;
+    void *current_node = root;
+    const void *elem;
+
+    for (void **eptr; processed < num &&
+         iter->valid(iter) && (eptr = iter->current(iter)) != NULL;
+         iter->next(iter)) {
+        elem = *eptr;
+
+        // create the new node
+        void *new_node = cfunc(elem, cdata);
+        if (new_node == NULL) return processed;
+        cx_tree_zero_pointers(new_node, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+
+        // start searching from current node
+        void *match;
+        int result;
+        unsigned int look_around_retries = cx_tree_add_look_around_depth;
+        cx_tree_add_look_around_retry:
+        result = cx_tree_search(
+                current_node,
+                0,
+                new_node,
+                sfunc,
+                &match,
+                loc_children,
+                loc_next
+        );
+
+        if (result < 0) {
+            // traverse upwards and try to find better parents
+            void *parent = tree_parent(current_node);
+            if (parent != NULL) {
+                if (look_around_retries > 0) {
+                    look_around_retries--;
+                    current_node = parent;
+                } else {
+                    // look around retries exhausted, start from the root
+                    current_node = root;
+                }
+                goto cx_tree_add_look_around_retry;
+            } else {
+                // no parents. so we failed
+                *failed = new_node;
+                return processed;
+            }
+        } else if (result == 0) {
+            // data already found in the tree, link duplicate
+            cx_tree_add_link_duplicate(match, new_node, cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+            // but stick with the original match, in case we needed a new root
+            current_node = match;
+        } else {
+            // closest match found, add new node as child
+            cx_tree_add_link_new(match, new_node, sfunc,
+                                 cx_tree_ptr_locations);
+            current_node = match;
+        }
+
+        processed++;
+    }
+    return processed;
+}
+
+size_t cx_tree_add_array(
+        const void *src,
+        size_t num,
+        size_t elem_size,
+        cx_tree_search_func sfunc,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func cfunc,
+        void *cdata,
+        void **failed,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    // erase failed pointer
+    *failed = NULL;
+
+    // super special case: zero elements
+    if (num == 0) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
+    // special case: one element does not need an iterator
+    if (num == 1) {
+        void *node;
+        if (0 == cx_tree_add(
+                src, sfunc, cfunc, cdata, &node, root,
+                loc_parent, loc_children, loc_last_child,
+                loc_prev, loc_next)) {
+            return 1;
+        } else {
+            *failed = node;
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // otherwise, create iterator and hand over to other function
+    CxIterator iter = cxIterator(src, elem_size, num);
+    return cx_tree_add_iter(cxIteratorRef(iter), num, sfunc,
+                            cfunc, cdata, failed, root,
+                            loc_parent, loc_children, loc_last_child,
+                            loc_prev, loc_next);
+}
+
+static int cx_tree_default_insert_element(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *data
+) {
+    void *node;
+    if (tree->root == NULL) {
+        node = tree->node_create(data, tree);
+        if (node == NULL) return 1;
+        cx_tree_zero_pointers(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+        tree->root = node;
+        tree->size = 1;
+        return 0;
+    }
+    int result = cx_tree_add(data, tree->search, tree->node_create,
+                tree, &node, tree->root, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    if (0 == result) {
+        tree->size++;
+    } else {
+        cxFree(tree->allocator, node);
+    }
+    return result;
+}
+
+static size_t cx_tree_default_insert_many(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        CxIteratorBase *iter,
+        size_t n
+) {
+    size_t ins = 0;
+    if (!iter->valid(iter)) return 0;
+    if (tree->root == NULL) {
+        // use the first element from the iter to create the root node
+        void **eptr = iter->current(iter);
+        void *node = tree->node_create(*eptr, tree);
+        if (node == NULL) return 0;
+        cx_tree_zero_pointers(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+        tree->root = node;
+        ins = 1;
+        iter->next(iter);
+    }
+    void *failed;
+    ins += cx_tree_add_iter(iter, n, tree->search, tree->node_create,
+                                  tree, &failed, tree->root, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    tree->size += ins;
+    if (ins < n) {
+        cxFree(tree->allocator, failed);
+    }
+    return ins;
+}
+
+static void *cx_tree_default_find(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        const void *subtree,
+        const void *data,
+        size_t depth
+) {
+    if (tree->root == NULL) return NULL;
+
+    void *found;
+    if (0 == cx_tree_search_data(
+            subtree,
+            depth,
+            data,
+            tree->search_data,
+            &found,
+            tree->loc_children,
+            tree->loc_next
+    )) {
+        return found;
+    } else {
+        return NULL;
+    }
+}
+
+static cx_tree_class cx_tree_default_class = {
+        cx_tree_default_insert_element,
+        cx_tree_default_insert_many,
+        cx_tree_default_find
+};
+
+CxTree *cxTreeCreate(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        cx_tree_node_create_func create_func,
+        cx_tree_search_func search_func,
+        cx_tree_search_data_func search_data_func,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+    assert(create_func != NULL);
+    assert(search_func != NULL);
+    assert(search_data_func != NULL);
+
+    CxTree *tree = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxTree));
+    if (tree == NULL) return NULL;
+
+    tree->cl = &cx_tree_default_class;
+    tree->allocator = allocator;
+    tree->node_create = create_func;
+    tree->search = search_func;
+    tree->search_data = search_data_func;
+    tree->simple_destructor = NULL;
+    tree->advanced_destructor = (cx_destructor_func2) cxFree;
+    tree->destructor_data = (void *) allocator;
+    tree->loc_parent = loc_parent;
+    tree->loc_children = loc_children;
+    tree->loc_last_child = loc_last_child;
+    tree->loc_prev = loc_prev;
+    tree->loc_next = loc_next;
+    tree->root = NULL;
+    tree->size = 0;
+
+    return tree;
+}
+
+void cxTreeFree(CxTree *tree) {
+    if (tree == NULL) return;
+    if (tree->root != NULL) {
+        cxTreeClear(tree);
+    }
+    cxFree(tree->allocator, tree);
+}
+
+CxTree *cxTreeCreateWrapped(
+        const CxAllocator *allocator,
+        void *root,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_parent,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_children,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_last_child,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_prev,
+        ptrdiff_t loc_next
+) {
+    if (allocator == NULL) {
+        allocator = cxDefaultAllocator;
+    }
+    assert(root != NULL);
+
+    CxTree *tree = cxMalloc(allocator, sizeof(CxTree));
+    if (tree == NULL) return NULL;
+
+    tree->cl = &cx_tree_default_class;
+    // set the allocator anyway, just in case...
+    tree->allocator = allocator;
+    tree->node_create = NULL;
+    tree->search = NULL;
+    tree->search_data = NULL;
+    tree->simple_destructor = NULL;
+    tree->advanced_destructor = NULL;
+    tree->destructor_data = NULL;
+    tree->loc_parent = loc_parent;
+    tree->loc_children = loc_children;
+    tree->loc_last_child = loc_last_child;
+    tree->loc_prev = loc_prev;
+    tree->loc_next = loc_next;
+    tree->root = root;
+    tree->size = cxTreeSubtreeSize(tree, root);
+    return tree;
+}
+
+void cxTreeSetParent(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        void *child
+) {
+    size_t loc_parent = tree->loc_parent;
+    if (tree_parent(child) == NULL) {
+        tree->size++;
+    }
+    cx_tree_link(parent, child, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+}
+
+void cxTreeAddChildNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        void *child
+) {
+    cx_tree_link(parent, child, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    tree->size++;
+}
+
+int cxTreeAddChild(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *parent,
+        const void *data) {
+    void *node = tree->node_create(data, tree);
+    if (node == NULL) return 1;
+    cx_tree_zero_pointers(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    cx_tree_link(parent, node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    tree->size++;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+size_t cxTreeSubtreeSize(CxTree *tree, void *subtree_root) {
+    CxTreeVisitor visitor = cx_tree_visitor(
+            subtree_root,
+            tree->loc_children,
+            tree->loc_next
+    );
+    while (cxIteratorValid(visitor)) {
+        cxIteratorNext(visitor);
+    }
+    return visitor.counter;
+}
+
+size_t cxTreeSubtreeDepth(CxTree *tree, void *subtree_root) {
+    CxTreeVisitor visitor = cx_tree_visitor(
+            subtree_root,
+            tree->loc_children,
+            tree->loc_next
+    );
+    while (cxIteratorValid(visitor)) {
+        cxIteratorNext(visitor);
+    }
+    return visitor.depth;
+}
+
+size_t cxTreeDepth(CxTree *tree) {
+    CxTreeVisitor visitor = cx_tree_visitor(
+            tree->root, tree->loc_children, tree->loc_next
+    );
+    while (cxIteratorValid(visitor)) {
+        cxIteratorNext(visitor);
+    }
+    return visitor.depth;
+}
+
+int cxTreeRemoveNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *node,
+        cx_tree_relink_func relink_func
+) {
+    if (node == tree->root) return 1;
+
+    // determine the new parent
+    ptrdiff_t loc_parent = tree->loc_parent;
+    void *new_parent = tree_parent(node);
+
+    // first, unlink from the parent
+    cx_tree_unlink(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+
+    // then relink each child
+    ptrdiff_t loc_children = tree->loc_children;
+    ptrdiff_t loc_next = tree->loc_next;
+    void *child = tree_children(node);
+    while (child != NULL) {
+        // forcibly set the parent to NULL - we do not use the unlink function
+        // because that would unnecessarily modify the children linked list
+        tree_parent(child) = NULL;
+
+        // update contents, if required
+        if (relink_func != NULL) {
+            relink_func(child, node, new_parent);
+        }
+
+        // link to new parent
+        cx_tree_link(new_parent, child, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+
+        // proceed to next child
+        child = tree_next(child);
+    }
+
+    // clear the linked list of the removed node
+    tree_children(node) = NULL;
+    ptrdiff_t loc_last_child = tree->loc_last_child;
+    if (loc_last_child >= 0) tree_last_child(node) = NULL;
+
+    // the tree now has one member less
+    tree->size--;
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+void cxTreeRemoveSubtree(CxTree *tree, void *node) {
+    if (node == tree->root) {
+        tree->root = NULL;
+        tree->size = 0;
+        return;
+    }
+    size_t subtree_size = cxTreeSubtreeSize(tree, node);
+    cx_tree_unlink(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    tree->size -= subtree_size;
+}
+
+int cxTreeDestroyNode(
+        CxTree *tree,
+        void *node,
+        cx_tree_relink_func relink_func
+) {
+    int result = cxTreeRemoveNode(tree, node, relink_func);
+    if (result == 0) {
+        if (tree->simple_destructor) {
+            tree->simple_destructor(node);
+        }
+        if (tree->advanced_destructor) {
+            tree->advanced_destructor(tree->destructor_data, node);
+        }
+        return 0;
+    } else {
+        return result;
+    }
+}
+
+void cxTreeDestroySubtree(CxTree *tree, void *node) {
+    cx_tree_unlink(node, cx_tree_node_layout(tree));
+    CxTreeIterator iter = cx_tree_iterator(
+            node, true,
+            tree->loc_children, tree->loc_next
+    );
+    cx_foreach(void *, child, iter) {
+        if (iter.exiting) {
+            if (tree->simple_destructor) {
+                tree->simple_destructor(child);
+            }
+            if (tree->advanced_destructor) {
+                tree->advanced_destructor(tree->destructor_data, child);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    tree->size -= iter.counter;
+    if (node == tree->root) {
+        tree->root = NULL;
+    }
+}
--- a/src/ucx/utils.c	Mon Feb 10 17:44:51 2025 +0100
+++ /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
@@ -1,99 +0,0 @@
-/*
- * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS HEADER.
- *
- * Copyright 2021 Mike Becker, Olaf Wintermann All rights reserved.
- *
- * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
- * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
- *
- *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
- *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
- *
- *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
- *      notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
- *      documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
- *
- * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
- * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
- * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
- * ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
- * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
- * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
- * SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
- * INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN
- * CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)
- * ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
- * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
- */
-
-#include "cx/utils.h"
-
-#ifndef CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE
-#define CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE 8192
-#endif
-
-#ifndef CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE
-#define CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE 1024
-#endif
-
-size_t cx_stream_bncopy(
-        void *src,
-        void *dest,
-        cx_read_func rfnc,
-        cx_write_func wfnc,
-        char *buf,
-        size_t bufsize,
-        size_t n
-) {
-    if (n == 0) {
-        return 0;
-    }
-
-    char *lbuf;
-    size_t ncp = 0;
-
-    if (buf) {
-        if (bufsize == 0) return 0;
-        lbuf = buf;
-    } else {
-        if (bufsize == 0) bufsize = CX_STREAM_BCOPY_BUF_SIZE;
-        lbuf = malloc(bufsize);
-        if (lbuf == NULL) {
-            return 0;
-        }
-    }
-
-    size_t r;
-    size_t rn = bufsize > n ? n : bufsize;
-    while ((r = rfnc(lbuf, 1, rn, src)) != 0) {
-        r = wfnc(lbuf, 1, r, dest);
-        ncp += r;
-        n -= r;
-        rn = bufsize > n ? n : bufsize;
-        if (r == 0 || n == 0) {
-            break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (lbuf != buf) {
-        free(lbuf);
-    }
-
-    return ncp;
-}
-
-size_t cx_stream_ncopy(
-        void *src,
-        void *dest,
-        cx_read_func rfnc,
-        cx_write_func wfnc,
-        size_t n
-) {
-    char buf[CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE];
-    return cx_stream_bncopy(src, dest, rfnc, wfnc,
-                            buf, CX_STREAM_COPY_BUF_SIZE, n);
-}
-
-#ifndef CX_SZMUL_BUILTIN
-#include "szmul.c"
-#endif

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