lib: move errno and strerror to legacy FFI
[nit.git] / lib / standard / string.nit
index d1c4b7c..8db6a4e 100644 (file)
 #
 # This file is free software, which comes along with NIT.  This software is
 # distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY;
-# without  even  the implied warranty of  MERCHANTABILITY or  FITNESS FOR A 
+# without  even  the implied warranty of  MERCHANTABILITY or  FITNESS FOR A
 # PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  You can modify it is you want,  provided this header
 # is kept unaltered, and a notification of the changes is added.
 # You  are  allowed  to  redistribute it and sell it, alone or is a part of
 # another product.
 
 # Basic manipulations of strings of characters
-package string
+module string
 
-intrude import collection # FIXME should be collection::array
-import hash
+import math
+import collection
+intrude import collection::array
+
+`{
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <string.h>
+`}
 
 ###############################################################################
 # String                                                                      #
 ###############################################################################
 
-# Common subclass for String and Buffer
-abstract class AbstractString
-       super AbstractArrayRead[Char]
+# High-level abstraction for all text representations
+abstract class Text
+       super Comparable
+
+       redef type OTHER: Text
+
+       # Type of self (used for factorization of several methods, ex : substring_from, empty...)
+       type SELFTYPE: Text
 
-       readable private var _items: NativeString
+       # Gets a view on the chars of the Text object
+       #
+       #     assert "hello".chars.to_a == ['h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o']
+       fun chars: SequenceRead[Char] is abstract
 
-       redef fun [](index) do return _items[index]
+       # Number of characters contained in self.
+       #
+       #     assert "12345".length == 5
+       #     assert "".length == 0
+       fun length: Int is abstract
 
        # Create a substring.
        #
-       # "abcd".substring(1, 2)        # --> "bc"
-       # "abcd".substring(-1, 2)       # --> "a"
-       # "abcd".substring(1, 0)     # --> ""
-       # "abcd".substring(2, 5)     # --> "cd"
-       fun substring(from: Int, count: Int): String
+       #     assert "abcd".substring(1, 2)      ==  "bc"
+       #     assert "abcd".substring(-1, 2)     ==  "a"
+       #     assert "abcd".substring(1, 0)      ==  ""
+       #     assert "abcd".substring(2, 5)      ==  "cd"
+       #
+       # A `from` index < 0 will be replaced by 0.
+       # Unless a `count` value is > 0 at the same time.
+       # In this case, `from += count` and `count -= from`.
+       fun substring(from: Int, count: Int): SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # Iterates on the substrings of self if any
+       fun substrings: Iterator[Text] is abstract
+
+       # Is the current Text empty (== "")
+       #
+       #     assert "".is_empty
+       #     assert not "foo".is_empty
+       fun is_empty: Bool do return self.length == 0
+
+       # Returns an empty Text of the right type
+       #
+       # This method is used internally to get the right
+       # implementation of an empty string.
+       protected fun empty: SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # Gets the first char of the Text
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.first instead
+       fun first: Char do return self.chars[0]
+
+       # Access a character at `index` in the string.
+       #
+       #     assert "abcd"[2]         == 'c'
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.[] instead
+       fun [](index: Int): Char do return self.chars[index]
+
+       # Gets the index of the first occurence of 'c'
+       #
+       # Returns -1 if not found
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.index_of instead
+       fun index_of(c: Char): Int
        do
-               assert count >= 0
-               count += from
-               if from < 0 then from = 0
-               if count > length then count = length
-               if from < count then
-                       var r = new Buffer.with_capacity(count - from)
-                       while from < count do
-                               r.push(_items[from])
-                               from += 1
-                       end
-                       return r.to_s
-               else
-                       return ""
+               return index_of_from(c, 0)
+       end
+
+       # Gets the last char of self
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.last instead
+       fun last: Char do return self.chars[length-1]
+
+       # Gets the index of the first occurence of ´c´ starting from ´pos´
+       #
+       # Returns -1 if not found
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.index_of_from instead
+       fun index_of_from(c: Char, pos: Int): Int
+       do
+               var iter = self.chars.iterator_from(pos)
+               while iter.is_ok do
+                       if iter.item == c then return iter.index
+                       iter.next
+               end
+               return -1
+       end
+
+       # Gets the last index of char ´c´
+       #
+       # Returns -1 if not found
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.last_index_of instead
+       fun last_index_of(c: Char): Int
+       do
+               return last_index_of_from(c, length - 1)
+       end
+
+       # Return a null terminated char *
+       fun to_cstring: NativeString do return flatten.to_cstring
+
+       # The index of the last occurrence of an element starting from pos (in reverse order).
+       #
+       #     var s = "/etc/bin/test/test.nit"
+       #     assert s.last_index_of_from('/', s.length-1) == 13
+       #     assert s.last_index_of_from('/', 12)         == 8
+       #
+       # Returns -1 if not found
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.last_index_of_from instead
+       fun last_index_of_from(item: Char, pos: Int): Int
+       do
+               var iter = self.chars.reverse_iterator_from(pos)
+               while iter.is_ok do
+                       if iter.item == item then return iter.index
+                       iter.next
                end
+               return -1
        end
 
-       # Create a substring from `self' beginning at the 'from' position
+       # Gets an iterator on the chars of self
        #
-       # "abcd".substring(1)   # --> "bcd"
-       # "abcd".substring(-1)  # --> "abcd"
-       # "abcd".substring(2)     # --> "cd"
-       fun substring_from(from: Int): String
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.iterator instead
+       fun iterator: Iterator[Char]
        do
-               assert from < length
+               return self.chars.iterator
+       end
+
+
+       # Gets an Array containing the chars of self
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.to_a instead
+       fun to_a: Array[Char] do return chars.to_a
+
+       # Create a substring from `self` beginning at the `from` position
+       #
+       #     assert "abcd".substring_from(1)    ==  "bcd"
+       #     assert "abcd".substring_from(-1)   ==  "abcd"
+       #     assert "abcd".substring_from(2)    ==  "cd"
+       #
+       # As with substring, a `from` index < 0 will be replaced by 0
+       fun substring_from(from: Int): SELFTYPE
+       do
+               if from >= self.length then return empty
+               if from < 0 then from = 0
                return substring(from, length - from)
        end
 
-       # Does self have a substring 'str' starting from position 'pos
+       # Does self have a substring `str` starting from position `pos`?
+       #
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("bc",1)            ==  true
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("bc",2)            ==  false
+       #
+       # Returns true iff all characters of `str` are presents
+       # at the expected index in `self.`
+       # The first character of `str` being at `pos`, the second
+       # character being at `pos+1` and so on...
+       #
+       # This means that all characters of `str` need to be inside `self`.
        #
-       # "abcd".has_substring("bc",1)  # --> true
-       # "abcd".has_substring("bc",2)  # --> false
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("xab", -1)         == false
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("cdx", 2)          == false
+       #
+       # And that the empty string is always a valid substring.
+       #
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("", 2)             == true
+       #     assert "abcd".has_substring("", 200)           == true
        fun has_substring(str: String, pos: Int): Bool
        do
-               var itsindex = str.length - 1
-               var myindex = pos + itsindex
-               var myitems = _items
-               var itsitems = str._items
-               if myindex > length or itsindex > myindex  then return false
-               var its_index_from = str._indexFrom
-               itsindex += its_index_from
-               while itsindex >= its_index_from do
-                       if myitems[myindex] != itsitems[itsindex] then return false
-                       myindex -= 1
-                       itsindex -= 1
+               if str.is_empty then return true
+               if pos < 0 or pos + str.length > length then return false
+               var myiter = self.chars.iterator_from(pos)
+               var itsiter = str.chars.iterator
+               while myiter.is_ok and itsiter.is_ok do
+                       if myiter.item != itsiter.item then return false
+                       myiter.next
+                       itsiter.next
                end
+               if itsiter.is_ok then return false
                return true
        end
 
-       # Is this string prefixed by 'prefix'
+       # Is this string prefixed by `prefix`?
        #
-       # "abc".is_prefix("abcd")       # --> true
-       # "bc".is_prefix("abcd")        # --> false
+       #     assert "abcd".has_prefix("ab")           ==  true
+       #     assert "abcbc".has_prefix("bc")          ==  false
+       #     assert "ab".has_prefix("abcd")           ==  false
        fun has_prefix(prefix: String): Bool do return has_substring(prefix,0)
 
-       # Is this string suffixed by 'suffix'
+       # Is this string suffixed by `suffix`?
        #
-       # "abcd".has_suffix("abc")      # --> false
-       # "abcd".has_suffix("bcd")      # --> true
+       #     assert "abcd".has_suffix("abc")        ==  false
+       #     assert "abcd".has_suffix("bcd")        ==  true
        fun has_suffix(suffix: String): Bool do return has_substring(suffix, length - suffix.length)
 
-       # If `self' contains only digits, return the corresponding integer
+       # If `self` contains only digits, return the corresponding integer
+       #
+       #     assert "123".to_i        == 123
+       #     assert "-1".to_i         == -1
        fun to_i: Int
        do
                # Shortcut
                return to_s.to_cstring.atoi
        end
 
-       # If `self' contains a float, return the corresponding float
+       # If `self` contains a float, return the corresponding float
+       #
+       #     assert "123".to_f        == 123.0
+       #     assert "-1".to_f         == -1.0
+       #     assert "-1.2e-3".to_f    == -0.0012
        fun to_f: Float
        do
                # Shortcut
                return to_s.to_cstring.atof
        end
 
-       # If `self' contains only digits and alpha <= 'f', return the corresponding integer.
+       # If `self` contains only digits and alpha <= 'f', return the corresponding integer.
+       #
+       #     assert "ff".to_hex == 255
        fun to_hex: Int do return a_to(16)
 
-       # If `self' contains only digits and letters, return the corresponding integer in a given base
+       # If `self` contains only digits and letters, return the corresponding integer in a given base
+       #
+       #     assert "120".a_to(3)     == 15
        fun a_to(base: Int) : Int
        do
                var i = 0
                var neg = false
 
-               for c in self
-               do
+               for j in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[j]
                        var v = c.to_i
                        if v > base then
                                if neg then
@@ -142,16 +279,19 @@ abstract class AbstractString
                end
        end
 
-       # Returns true if the string contains only Numeric values (and one "," or one "." character)
+       # Returns `true` if the string contains only Numeric values (and one "," or one "." character)
+       #
+       #     assert "123".is_numeric  == true
+       #     assert "1.2".is_numeric  == true
+       #     assert "1,2".is_numeric  == true
+       #     assert "1..2".is_numeric == false
        fun is_numeric: Bool
        do
                var has_point_or_comma = false
-               for i in self
-               do
-                       if not i.is_numeric
-                       then
-                               if (i == '.' or i == ',') and not has_point_or_comma
-                               then
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if not c.is_numeric then
+                               if (c == '.' or c == ',') and not has_point_or_comma then
                                        has_point_or_comma = true
                                else
                                        return false
@@ -161,450 +301,1608 @@ abstract class AbstractString
                return true
        end
 
-       # A upper case version of `self'
-       fun to_upper: String
+       # Returns `true` if the string contains only Hex chars
+       #
+       #     assert "048bf".is_hex  == true
+       #     assert "ABCDEF".is_hex  == true
+       #     assert "0G".is_hex == false
+       fun is_hex: Bool
        do
-               var s = new Buffer.with_capacity(length)
-               for i in self do s.add(i.to_upper)
-               return s.to_s
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if not (c >= 'a' and c <= 'f') and
+                          not (c >= 'A' and c <= 'F') and
+                          not (c >= '0' and c <= '9') then return false
+               end
+               return true
        end
 
-       # A lower case version of `self'
-       fun to_lower : String
+       # Are all letters in `self` upper-case ?
+       #
+       #     assert "HELLO WORLD".is_upper == true
+       #     assert "%$&%!".is_upper       == true
+       #     assert "hello world".is_upper == false
+       #     assert "Hello World".is_upper == false
+       fun is_upper: Bool
        do
-               var s = new Buffer.with_capacity(length)
-               for i in self do s.add(i.to_lower)
-               return s.to_s
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var char = chars[i]
+                       if char.is_lower then return false
+               end
+               return true
        end
 
+       # Are all letters in `self` lower-case ?
+       #
+       #     assert "hello world".is_lower == true
+       #     assert "%$&%!".is_lower       == true
+       #     assert "Hello World".is_lower == false
+       fun is_lower: Bool
+       do
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var char = chars[i]
+                       if char.is_upper then return false
+               end
+               return true
+       end
+                       
+       # Removes the whitespaces at the beginning of self
+       #
+       #     assert " \n\thello \n\t".l_trim == "hello \n\t"
+       #
+       # `Char::is_whitespace` determines what is a whitespace.
+       fun l_trim: SELFTYPE
+       do
+               var iter = self.chars.iterator
+               while iter.is_ok do
+                       if not iter.item.is_whitespace then break
+                       iter.next
+               end
+               if iter.index == length then return self.empty
+               return self.substring_from(iter.index)
+       end
 
-       redef fun output
+       # Removes the whitespaces at the end of self
+       #
+       #     assert " \n\thello \n\t".r_trim == " \n\thello"
+       #
+       # `Char::is_whitespace` determines what is a whitespace.
+       fun r_trim: SELFTYPE
        do
-               var i = 0
-               while i < length do
-                       _items[i].output
-                       i += 1
+               var iter = self.chars.reverse_iterator
+               while iter.is_ok do
+                       if not iter.item.is_whitespace then break
+                       iter.next
                end
+               if iter.index < 0 then return self.empty
+               return self.substring(0, iter.index + 1)
        end
-end
 
-# Immutable strings of characters.
-class String
-       super Comparable
-       super AbstractString
-       super StringCapable
+       # Trims trailing and preceding white spaces
+       #
+       #     assert "  Hello  World !  ".trim   == "Hello  World !"
+       #     assert "\na\nb\tc\t".trim          == "a\nb\tc"
+       #
+       # `Char::is_whitespace` determines what is a whitespace.
+       fun trim: SELFTYPE do return (self.l_trim).r_trim
 
-       redef type OTHER: String
+       # Is the string non-empty but only made of whitespaces?
+       #
+       #    assert " \n\t ".is_whitespace    == true
+       #    assert "  hello  ".is_whitespace == false
+       #    assert "".is_whitespace          == false
+       #
+       # `Char::is_whitespace` determines what is a whitespace.
+       fun is_whitespace: Bool
+       do
+               if is_empty then return false
+               for c in self.chars do
+                       if not c.is_whitespace then return false
+               end
+               return true
+       end
 
-       readable var _indexFrom: Int
-       readable var _indexTo: Int
+       # Returns `self` removed from its last line terminator (if any).
+       #
+       #    assert "Hello\n".chomp == "Hello"
+       #    assert "Hello".chomp   == "Hello"
+       #
+       #    assert "\n".chomp == ""
+       #    assert "".chomp   == ""
+       #
+       # Line terminators are `"\n"`, `"\r\n"` and `"\r"`.
+       # A single line terminator, the last one, is removed.
+       #
+       #    assert "\r\n".chomp     == ""
+       #    assert "\r\n\n".chomp   == "\r\n"
+       #    assert "\r\n\r\n".chomp == "\r\n"
+       #    assert "\r\n\r".chomp   == "\r\n"
+       #
+       # Note: unlike with most IO methods like `Reader::read_line`,
+       # a single `\r` is considered here to be a line terminator and will be removed.
+       fun chomp: SELFTYPE
+       do
+               var len = length
+               if len == 0 then return self
+               var l = self.chars.last
+               if l == '\r' then
+                       return substring(0, len-1)
+               else if l != '\n' then
+                       return self
+               else if len > 1 and self.chars[len-2] == '\r' then
+                       return substring(0, len-2)
+               else
+                       return substring(0, len-1)
+               end
+       end
 
-       ################################################
-       #       AbstractString specific methods        #
-       ################################################
+       # Justify a self in a space of `length`
+       #
+       # `left` is the space ratio on the left side.
+       # * 0.0 for left-justified (no space at the left)
+       # * 1.0 for right-justified (all spaces at the left)
+       # * 0.5 for centered (half the spaces at the left)
+       #
+       # Examples
+       #
+       #     assert "hello".justify(10, 0.0)  == "hello     "
+       #     assert "hello".justify(10, 1.0)  == "     hello"
+       #     assert "hello".justify(10, 0.5)  == "  hello   "
+       #
+       # If `length` is not enough, `self` is returned as is.
+       #
+       #     assert "hello".justify(2, 0.0)   == "hello"
+       #
+       # REQUIRE: `left >= 0.0 and left <= 1.0`
+       # ENSURE: `self.length <= length implies result.length == length`
+       # ENSURE: `self.length >= length implies result == self`
+       fun justify(length: Int, left: Float): String
+       do
+               var diff = length - self.length
+               if diff <= 0 then return to_s
+               assert left >= 0.0 and left <= 1.0
+               var before = (diff.to_f * left).to_i
+               return " " * before + self + " " * (diff-before)
+       end
 
-       # Access a character at index in String
+       # Mangle a string to be a unique string only made of alphanumeric characters and underscores.
        #
-       redef fun [](index) do
-               assert index >= 0
-               assert (index + _indexFrom) < (_indexFrom + _length)
-               return items[index + _indexFrom]
+       # This method is injective (two different inputs never produce the same
+       # output) and the returned string always respect the following rules:
+       #
+       # * Contains only US-ASCII letters, digits and underscores.
+       # * Never starts with a digit.
+       # * Never ends with an underscore.
+       # * Never contains two contiguous underscores.
+       #
+       #     assert "42_is/The answer!".to_cmangle == "_52d2_is_47dThe_32danswer_33d"
+       #     assert "__".to_cmangle == "_95d_95d"
+       #     assert "__d".to_cmangle == "_95d_d"
+       #     assert "_d_".to_cmangle == "_d_95d"
+       #     assert "_42".to_cmangle == "_95d42"
+       #     assert "foo".to_cmangle == "foo"
+       #     assert "".to_cmangle == ""
+       fun to_cmangle: String
+       do
+               if is_empty then return ""
+               var res = new FlatBuffer
+               var underscore = false
+               var start = 0
+               var c = chars[0]
+
+               if c >= '0' and c <= '9' then
+                       res.add('_')
+                       res.append(c.ascii.to_s)
+                       res.add('d')
+                       start = 1
+               end
+               for i in [start..length[ do
+                       c = chars[i]
+                       if (c >= 'a' and c <= 'z') or (c >='A' and c <= 'Z') then
+                               res.add(c)
+                               underscore = false
+                               continue
+                       end
+                       if underscore then
+                               res.append('_'.ascii.to_s)
+                               res.add('d')
+                       end
+                       if c >= '0' and c <= '9' then
+                               res.add(c)
+                               underscore = false
+                       else if c == '_' then
+                               res.add(c)
+                               underscore = true
+                       else
+                               res.add('_')
+                               res.append(c.ascii.to_s)
+                               res.add('d')
+                               underscore = false
+                       end
+               end
+               if underscore then
+                       res.append('_'.ascii.to_s)
+                       res.add('d')
+               end
+               return res.to_s
        end
 
-       # Create a substring.
+       # Escape " \ ' and non printable characters using the rules of literal C strings and characters
+       #
+       #     assert "abAB12<>&".escape_to_c         == "abAB12<>&"
+       #     assert "\n\"'\\".escape_to_c         == "\\n\\\"\\'\\\\"
+       #
+       # Most non-printable characters (bellow ASCII 32) are escaped to an octal form `\nnn`.
+       # Three digits are always used to avoid following digits to be interpreted as an element
+       # of the octal sequence.
+       #
+       #     assert "{0.ascii}{1.ascii}{8.ascii}{31.ascii}{32.ascii}".escape_to_c == "\\000\\001\\010\\037 "
        #
-       # "abcd".substring(1, 2)        # --> "bc"
-       # "abcd".substring(-1, 2)       # --> "a"
-       # "abcd".substring(1, 0)     # --> ""
-       # "abcd".substring(2, 5)     # --> "cd"
-       redef fun substring(from: Int, count: Int): String
+       # The exceptions are the common `\t` and `\n`.
+       fun escape_to_c: String
        do
-               assert count >= 0
+               var b = new FlatBuffer
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if c == '\n' then
+                               b.append("\\n")
+                       else if c == '\t' then
+                               b.append("\\t")
+                       else if c == '\0' then
+                               b.append("\\000")
+                       else if c == '"' then
+                               b.append("\\\"")
+                       else if c == '\'' then
+                               b.append("\\\'")
+                       else if c == '\\' then
+                               b.append("\\\\")
+                       else if c.ascii < 32 then
+                               b.add('\\')
+                               var oct = c.ascii.to_base(8, false)
+                               # Force 3 octal digits since it is the
+                               # maximum allowed in the C specification
+                               if oct.length == 1 then
+                                       b.add('0')
+                                       b.add('0')
+                               else if oct.length == 2 then
+                                       b.add('0')
+                               end
+                               b.append(oct)
+                       else
+                               b.add(c)
+                       end
+               end
+               return b.to_s
+       end
 
-               if from < 0 then
-                       count += from
-                       if count < 0 then count = 0
-                       from = 0
+       # Escape additionnal characters
+       # The result might no be legal in C but be used in other languages
+       #
+       #     assert "ab|\{\}".escape_more_to_c("|\{\}") == "ab\\|\\\{\\\}"
+       fun escape_more_to_c(chars: String): String
+       do
+               var b = new FlatBuffer
+               for c in escape_to_c.chars do
+                       if chars.chars.has(c) then
+                               b.add('\\')
+                       end
+                       b.add(c)
+               end
+               return b.to_s
+       end
+
+       # Escape to C plus braces
+       #
+       #     assert "\n\"'\\\{\}".escape_to_nit      == "\\n\\\"\\'\\\\\\\{\\\}"
+       fun escape_to_nit: String do return escape_more_to_c("\{\}")
+
+       # Escape to POSIX Shell (sh).
+       #
+       # Abort if the text contains a null byte.
+       #
+       #     assert "\n\"'\\\{\}0".escape_to_sh == "'\n\"'\\''\\\{\}0'"
+       fun escape_to_sh: String do
+               var b = new FlatBuffer
+               b.chars.add '\''
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if c == '\'' then
+                               b.append("'\\''")
+                       else
+                               assert without_null_byte: c != '\0'
+                               b.add(c)
+                       end
                end
+               b.chars.add '\''
+               return b.to_s
+       end
 
-               var realFrom = _indexFrom + from
+       # Escape to include in a Makefile
+       #
+       # Unfortunately, some characters are not escapable in Makefile.
+       # These characters are `;`, `|`, `\`, and the non-printable ones.
+       # They will be rendered as `"?{hex}"`.
+       fun escape_to_mk: String do
+               var b = new FlatBuffer
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if c == '$' then
+                               b.append("$$")
+                       else if c == ':' or c == ' ' or c == '#' then
+                               b.add('\\')
+                               b.add(c)
+                       else if c.ascii < 32 or c == ';' or c == '|' or c == '\\' or c == '=' then
+                               b.append("?{c.ascii.to_base(16, false)}")
+                       else
+                               b.add(c)
+                       end
+               end
+               return b.to_s
+       end
 
-               if (realFrom + count) > _indexTo then return new String.from_substring(realFrom, _indexTo, _items)
+       # Return a string where Nit escape sequences are transformed.
+       #
+       #     var s = "\\n"
+       #     assert s.length        ==  2
+       #     var u = s.unescape_nit
+       #     assert u.length        ==  1
+       #     assert u.chars[0].ascii      ==  10 # (the ASCII value of the "new line" character)
+       fun unescape_nit: String
+       do
+               var res = new FlatBuffer.with_capacity(self.length)
+               var was_slash = false
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if not was_slash then
+                               if c == '\\' then
+                                       was_slash = true
+                               else
+                                       res.add(c)
+                               end
+                               continue
+                       end
+                       was_slash = false
+                       if c == 'n' then
+                               res.add('\n')
+                       else if c == 'r' then
+                               res.add('\r')
+                       else if c == 't' then
+                               res.add('\t')
+                       else if c == '0' then
+                               res.add('\0')
+                       else
+                               res.add(c)
+                       end
+               end
+               return res.to_s
+       end
 
-               if count == 0 then return ""
+       # Encode `self` to percent (or URL) encoding
+       #
+       #     assert "aBc09-._~".to_percent_encoding == "aBc09-._~"
+       #     assert "%()< >".to_percent_encoding == "%25%28%29%3c%20%3e"
+       #     assert ".com/post?e=asdf&f=123".to_percent_encoding == ".com%2fpost%3fe%3dasdf%26f%3d123"
+       fun to_percent_encoding: String
+       do
+               var buf = new FlatBuffer
+
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if (c >= '0' and c <= '9') or
+                          (c >= 'a' and c <= 'z') or
+                          (c >= 'A' and c <= 'Z') or
+                          c == '-' or c == '.' or
+                          c == '_' or c == '~'
+                       then
+                               buf.add c
+                       else buf.append "%{c.ascii.to_hex}"
+               end
 
-               return new String.from_substring(realFrom, realFrom + count - 1, _items)
+               return buf.to_s
        end
 
-       # Create a substring from `self' beginning at the 'from' position
+       # Decode `self` from percent (or URL) encoding to a clear string
        #
-       # "abcd".substring(1)   # --> "bcd"
-       # "abcd".substring(-1)  # --> "abcd"
-       # "abcd".substring(2)     # --> "cd"
-       redef fun substring_from(from: Int): String
+       # Replace invalid use of '%' with '?'.
+       #
+       #     assert "aBc09-._~".from_percent_encoding == "aBc09-._~"
+       #     assert "%25%28%29%3c%20%3e".from_percent_encoding == "%()< >"
+       #     assert ".com%2fpost%3fe%3dasdf%26f%3d123".from_percent_encoding == ".com/post?e=asdf&f=123"
+       #     assert "%25%28%29%3C%20%3E".from_percent_encoding == "%()< >"
+       #     assert "incomplete %".from_percent_encoding == "incomplete ?"
+       #     assert "invalid % usage".from_percent_encoding == "invalid ? usage"
+       fun from_percent_encoding: String
        do
-               if from > _length then return ""
-               if from < 0 then from = 0
-               return substring(from, _length)
+               var buf = new FlatBuffer
+
+               var i = 0
+               while i < length do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if c == '%' then
+                               if i + 2 >= length then
+                                       # What follows % has been cut off
+                                       buf.add '?'
+                               else
+                                       i += 1
+                                       var hex_s = substring(i, 2)
+                                       if hex_s.is_hex then
+                                               var hex_i = hex_s.to_hex
+                                               buf.add hex_i.ascii
+                                               i += 1
+                                       else
+                                               # What follows a % is not Hex
+                                               buf.add '?'
+                                               i -= 1
+                                       end
+                               end
+                       else buf.add c
+
+                       i += 1
+               end
+
+               return buf.to_s
+       end
+
+       # Escape the characters `<`, `>`, `&`, `"`, `'` and `/` as HTML/XML entity references.
+       #
+       #     assert "a&b-<>\"x\"/'".html_escape      ==  "a&amp;b-&lt;&gt;&#34;x&#34;&#47;&#39;"
+       #
+       # SEE: <https://www.owasp.org/index.php/XSS_%28Cross_Site_Scripting%29_Prevention_Cheat_Sheet#RULE_.231_-_HTML_Escape_Before_Inserting_Untrusted_Data_into_HTML_Element_Content>
+       fun html_escape: String
+       do
+               var buf = new FlatBuffer
+
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var c = chars[i]
+                       if c == '&' then
+                               buf.append "&amp;"
+                       else if c == '<' then
+                               buf.append "&lt;"
+                       else if c == '>' then
+                               buf.append "&gt;"
+                       else if c == '"' then
+                               buf.append "&#34;"
+                       else if c == '\'' then
+                               buf.append "&#39;"
+                       else if c == '/' then
+                               buf.append "&#47;"
+                       else buf.add c
+               end
+
+               return buf.to_s
+       end
+
+       # Equality of text
+       # Two pieces of text are equals if thez have the same characters in the same order.
+       #
+       #     assert "hello" == "hello"
+       #     assert "hello" != "HELLO"
+       #     assert "hello" == "hel"+"lo"
+       #
+       # Things that are not Text are not equal.
+       #
+       #     assert "9" != '9'
+       #     assert "9" != ['9']
+       #     assert "9" != 9
+       #
+       #     assert "9".chars.first == '9'   # equality of Char
+       #     assert "9".chars       == ['9'] # equality of Sequence
+       #     assert "9".to_i        == 9     # equality of Int
+       redef fun ==(o)
+       do
+               if o == null then return false
+               if not o isa Text then return false
+               if self.is_same_instance(o) then return true
+               if self.length != o.length then return false
+               return self.chars == o.chars
+       end
+
+       # Lexicographical comparaison
+       #
+       #     assert "abc" < "xy"
+       #     assert "ABC" < "abc"
+       redef fun <(other)
+       do
+               var self_chars = self.chars.iterator
+               var other_chars = other.chars.iterator
+
+               while self_chars.is_ok and other_chars.is_ok do
+                       if self_chars.item < other_chars.item then return true
+                       if self_chars.item > other_chars.item then return false
+                       self_chars.next
+                       other_chars.next
+               end
+
+               if self_chars.is_ok then
+                       return false
+               else
+                       return true
+               end
+       end
+
+       # Escape string used in labels for graphviz
+       #
+       #   assert ">><<".escape_to_dot == "\\>\\>\\<\\<"
+       fun escape_to_dot: String
+       do
+               return escape_more_to_c("|\{\}<>")
+       end
+
+       # Flat representation of self
+       fun flatten: FlatText is abstract
+
+       private var hash_cache: nullable Int = null
+
+       redef fun hash
+       do
+               if hash_cache == null then
+                       # djb2 hash algorithm
+                       var h = 5381
+
+                       for i in [0..length[ do
+                               var char = chars[i]
+                               h = h.lshift(5) + h + char.ascii
+                       end
+
+                       hash_cache = h
+               end
+               return hash_cache.as(not null)
        end
 
-       # Does self have a substring 'str' starting from position 'pos
+end
+
+# All kinds of array-based text representations.
+abstract class FlatText
+       super Text
+
+       # Underlying C-String (`char*`)
+       #
+       # Warning : Might be void in some subclasses, be sure to check
+       # if set before using it.
+       private var items: NativeString is noinit
+
+       # Real items, used as cache for to_cstring is called
+       private var real_items: nullable NativeString = null
+
+       # Returns a char* starting at position `index_from`
+       #
+       # WARNING: If you choose to use this service, be careful of the following.
+       #
+       # Strings and NativeString are *ideally* always allocated through a Garbage Collector.
+       # Since the GC tracks the use of the pointer for the beginning of the char*, it may be
+       # deallocated at any moment, rendering the pointer returned by this function invalid.
+       # Any access to freed memory may very likely cause undefined behaviour or a crash.
+       # (Failure to do so will most certainly result in long and painful debugging hours)
        #
-       # "abcd".has_substring("bc",1)  # --> true
-       # "abcd".has_substring("bc",2)  # --> false
-       redef fun has_substring(str: String, pos: Int): Bool
+       # The only safe use of this pointer is if it is ephemeral (e.g. read in a C function
+       # then immediately return).
+       #
+       # As always, do not modify the content of the String in C code, if this is what you want
+       # copy locally the char* as Nit Strings are immutable.
+       private fun fast_cstring: NativeString is abstract
+
+       redef var length: Int = 0
+
+       redef fun output
        do
-               var itsindex = str._length - 1
+               var i = 0
+               while i < length do
+                       items[i].output
+                       i += 1
+               end
+       end
+
+       redef fun flatten do return self
+end
+
+# Abstract class for the SequenceRead compatible
+# views on String and Buffer objects
+private abstract class StringCharView
+       super SequenceRead[Char]
+
+       type SELFTYPE: Text
+
+       var target: SELFTYPE
+
+       redef fun is_empty do return target.is_empty
+
+       redef fun length do return target.length
+
+       redef fun iterator: IndexedIterator[Char] do return self.iterator_from(0)
+
+       redef fun reverse_iterator do return self.reverse_iterator_from(self.length - 1)
+end
+
+# View on Buffer objects, extends Sequence
+# for mutation operations
+private abstract class BufferCharView
+       super StringCharView
+       super Sequence[Char]
+
+       redef type SELFTYPE: Buffer
+
+end
+
+# A `String` holds and manipulates an arbitrary sequence of characters.
+#
+# String objects may be created using literals.
+#
+#     assert "Hello World!" isa String
+abstract class String
+       super Text
+
+       redef type SELFTYPE: String is fixed
+
+       redef fun to_s do return self
+
+       # Concatenates `o` to `self`
+       #
+       #     assert "hello" + "world"  == "helloworld"
+       #     assert "" + "hello" + ""  == "hello"
+       fun +(o: Text): SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # Concatenates self `i` times
+       #
+       #     assert "abc" * 4 == "abcabcabcabc"
+       #     assert "abc" * 1 == "abc"
+       #     assert "abc" * 0 == ""
+       fun *(i: Int): SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # Insert `s` at `pos`.
+       #
+       #     assert "helloworld".insert_at(" ", 5)     == "hello world"
+       fun insert_at(s: String, pos: Int): SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       redef fun substrings: Iterator[String] is abstract
+
+       # Returns a reversed version of self
+       #
+       #     assert "hello".reversed  == "olleh"
+       #     assert "bob".reversed    == "bob"
+       #     assert "".reversed       == ""
+       fun reversed: SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # A upper case version of `self`
+       #
+       #     assert "Hello World!".to_upper     == "HELLO WORLD!"
+       fun to_upper: SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # A lower case version of `self`
+       #
+       #     assert "Hello World!".to_lower     == "hello world!"
+       fun to_lower : SELFTYPE is abstract
+
+       # Takes a camel case `self` and converts it to snake case 
+       #
+       #     assert "randomMethodId".to_snake_case == "random_method_id"
+       #
+       # If `self` is upper, it is returned unchanged
+       #
+       #     assert "RANDOM_METHOD_ID".to_snake_case == "RANDOM_METHOD_ID"
+       #
+       # If the identifier is prefixed by an underscore, the underscore is ignored
+       #
+       #     assert "_privateField".to_snake_case == "_private_field"
+       fun to_snake_case: SELFTYPE
+       do
+               if self.is_upper then return self
+
+               var new_str = new FlatBuffer.with_capacity(self.length)
+               var is_first_char = true
+
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var char = chars[i]
+                       if is_first_char then 
+                               new_str.add(char.to_lower)
+                               is_first_char = false
+                       else if char.is_upper then
+                               new_str.add('_')
+                               new_str.add(char.to_lower)
+                       else
+                               new_str.add(char)
+                       end
+               end
+               
+               return new_str.to_s
+       end
+
+       # Takes a snake case `self` and converts it to camel case 
+       #
+       #     assert "random_method_id".to_camel_case == "randomMethodId"
+       #
+       # If the identifier is prefixed by an underscore, the underscore is ignored
+       #
+       #     assert "_private_field".to_camel_case == "_privateField"
+       #
+       # If `self` is upper, it is returned unchanged
+       #
+       #     assert "RANDOM_ID".to_camel_case == "RANDOM_ID"
+       #
+       # If there are several consecutive underscores, they are considered as a single one
+       #
+       #     assert "random__method_id".to_camel_case == "randomMethodId"
+       fun to_camel_case: SELFTYPE
+       do
+               if self.is_upper then return self
+
+               var new_str = new FlatBuffer
+               var is_first_char = true
+               var follows_us = false
+
+               for i in [0..length[ do
+                       var char = chars[i]
+                       if is_first_char then
+                               new_str.add(char)
+                               is_first_char = false
+                       else if char == '_' then
+                               follows_us = true
+                       else if follows_us then
+                               new_str.add(char.to_upper)
+                               follows_us = false
+                       else
+                               new_str.add(char)
+                       end
+               end
+
+               return new_str.to_s
+       end
+
+       # Returns a capitalized `self`
+       #
+       # Letters that follow a letter are lowercased
+       # Letters that follow a non-letter are upcased.
+       #
+       # SEE : `Char::is_letter` for the definition of letter.
+       #
+       #     assert "jAVASCRIPT".capitalized == "Javascript"
+       #     assert "i am root".capitalized == "I Am Root"
+       #     assert "ab_c -ab0c ab\nc".capitalized == "Ab_C -Ab0C Ab\nC"
+       fun capitalized: SELFTYPE do
+               if length == 0 then return self
+
+               var buf = new FlatBuffer.with_capacity(length)
+
+               var curr = chars[0].to_upper
+               var prev = curr
+               buf[0] = curr
+
+               for i in [1 .. length[ do
+                       prev = curr
+                       curr = self[i]
+                       if prev.is_letter then
+                               buf[i] = curr.to_lower
+                       else
+                               buf[i] = curr.to_upper
+                       end
+               end
+
+               return buf.to_s
+       end
+end
+
+private class FlatSubstringsIter
+       super Iterator[FlatText]
+
+       var tgt: nullable FlatText
+
+       redef fun item do
+               assert is_ok
+               return tgt.as(not null)
+       end
+
+       redef fun is_ok do return tgt != null
+
+       redef fun next do tgt = null
+end
+
+# Immutable strings of characters.
+class FlatString
+       super FlatText
+       super String
+
+       # Index in _items of the start of the string
+       private var index_from: Int is noinit
+
+       # Indes in _items of the last item of the string
+       private var index_to: Int is noinit
+
+       redef var chars: SequenceRead[Char] = new FlatStringCharView(self) is lazy
+
+       redef fun [](index)
+       do
+               # Check that the index (+ index_from) is not larger than indexTo
+               # In other terms, if the index is valid
+               assert index >= 0
+               assert (index + index_from) <= index_to
+               return items[index + index_from]
+       end
+
+       ################################################
+       #       AbstractString specific methods        #
+       ################################################
+
+       redef fun reversed
+       do
+               var native = new NativeString(self.length + 1)
+               var length = self.length
+               var items = self.items
+               var pos = 0
+               var ipos = length-1
+               while pos < length do
+                       native[pos] = items[ipos]
+                       pos += 1
+                       ipos -= 1
+               end
+               return native.to_s_with_length(self.length)
+       end
+
+       redef fun fast_cstring do return items.fast_cstring(index_from)
+
+       redef fun substring(from, count)
+       do
+               assert count >= 0
+
+               if from < 0 then
+                       count += from
+                       if count < 0 then count = 0
+                       from = 0
+               end
+
+               var new_from = index_from + from
+
+               if (new_from + count) > index_to then
+                       var new_len = index_to - new_from + 1
+                       if new_len <= 0 then return empty
+                       return new FlatString.with_infos(items, new_len, new_from, index_to)
+               end
+
+               if count <= 0 then return empty
+
+               var to = new_from + count - 1
+
+               return new FlatString.with_infos(items, to - new_from + 1, new_from, to)
+       end
+
+       redef fun empty do return "".as(FlatString)
+
+       redef fun to_upper
+       do
+               var outstr = new NativeString(self.length + 1)
+               var out_index = 0
+
+               var myitems = self.items
+               var index_from = self.index_from
+               var max = self.index_to
+
+               while index_from <= max do
+                       outstr[out_index] = myitems[index_from].to_upper
+                       out_index += 1
+                       index_from += 1
+               end
+
+               outstr[self.length] = '\0'
+
+               return outstr.to_s_with_length(self.length)
+       end
+
+       redef fun to_lower
+       do
+               var outstr = new NativeString(self.length + 1)
+               var out_index = 0
+
+               var myitems = self.items
+               var index_from = self.index_from
+               var max = self.index_to
+
+               while index_from <= max do
+                       outstr[out_index] = myitems[index_from].to_lower
+                       out_index += 1
+                       index_from += 1
+               end
+
+               outstr[self.length] = '\0'
+
+               return outstr.to_s_with_length(self.length)
+       end
+
+       redef fun output
+       do
+               var i = self.index_from
+               var imax = self.index_to
+               while i <= imax do
+                       items[i].output
+                       i += 1
+               end
+       end
+
+       ##################################################
+       #              String Specific Methods           #
+       ##################################################
+
+       # Low-level creation of a new string with given data.
+       #
+       # `items` will be used as is, without copy, to retrieve the characters of the string.
+       # Aliasing issues is the responsibility of the caller.
+       private init with_infos(items: NativeString, length: Int, from: Int, to: Int)
+       do
+               self.items = items
+               self.length = length
+               index_from = from
+               index_to = to
+       end
+
+       redef fun to_cstring: NativeString
+       do
+               if real_items != null then
+                       return real_items.as(not null)
+               else
+                       var newItems = new NativeString(length + 1)
+                       self.items.copy_to(newItems, length, index_from, 0)
+                       newItems[length] = '\0'
+                       self.real_items = newItems
+                       return newItems
+               end
+       end
+
+       redef fun ==(other)
+       do
+               if not other isa FlatString then return super
+
+               if self.object_id == other.object_id then return true
+
+               var my_length = length
+
+               if other.length != my_length then return false
+
+               var my_index = index_from
+               var its_index = other.index_from
+
+               var last_iteration = my_index + my_length
+
+               var itsitems = other.items
+               var myitems = self.items
+
+               while my_index < last_iteration do
+                       if myitems[my_index] != itsitems[its_index] then return false
+                       my_index += 1
+                       its_index += 1
+               end
+
+               return true
+       end
+
+       redef fun <(other)
+       do
+               if not other isa FlatString then return super
+
+               if self.object_id == other.object_id then return false
+
+               var my_curr_char : Char
+               var its_curr_char : Char
+
+               var curr_id_self = self.index_from
+               var curr_id_other = other.index_from
+
+               var my_items = self.items
+               var its_items = other.items
+
+               var my_length = self.length
+               var its_length = other.length
+
+               var max_iterations = curr_id_self + my_length
+
+               while curr_id_self < max_iterations do
+                       my_curr_char = my_items[curr_id_self]
+                       its_curr_char = its_items[curr_id_other]
+
+                       if my_curr_char != its_curr_char then
+                               if my_curr_char < its_curr_char then return true
+                               return false
+                       end
+
+                       curr_id_self += 1
+                       curr_id_other += 1
+               end
+
+               return my_length < its_length
+       end
+
+       redef fun +(s)
+       do
+               var my_length = self.length
+               var its_length = s.length
+
+               var total_length = my_length + its_length
+
+               var target_string = new NativeString(my_length + its_length + 1)
+
+               self.items.copy_to(target_string, my_length, index_from, 0)
+               if s isa FlatString then
+                       s.items.copy_to(target_string, its_length, s.index_from, my_length)
+               else if s isa FlatBuffer then
+                       s.items.copy_to(target_string, its_length, 0, my_length)
+               else
+                       var curr_pos = my_length
+                       for i in [0..s.length[ do
+                               var c = s.chars[i]
+                               target_string[curr_pos] = c
+                               curr_pos += 1
+                       end
+               end
+
+               target_string[total_length] = '\0'
+
+               return target_string.to_s_with_length(total_length)
+       end
+
+       redef fun *(i)
+       do
+               assert i >= 0
+
+               var my_length = self.length
+
+               var final_length = my_length * i
+
+               var my_items = self.items
+
+               var target_string = new NativeString(final_length + 1)
+
+               target_string[final_length] = '\0'
+
+               var current_last = 0
+
+               for iteration in [1 .. i] do
+                       my_items.copy_to(target_string, my_length, 0, current_last)
+                       current_last += my_length
+               end
+
+               return target_string.to_s_with_length(final_length)
+       end
+
+       redef fun hash
+       do
+               if hash_cache == null then
+                       # djb2 hash algorithm
+                       var h = 5381
+                       var i = index_from
+
+                       var myitems = items
+
+                       while i <= index_to do
+                               h = h.lshift(5) + h + myitems[i].ascii
+                               i += 1
+                       end
+
+                       hash_cache = h
+               end
+
+               return hash_cache.as(not null)
+       end
+
+       redef fun substrings do return new FlatSubstringsIter(self)
+end
+
+private class FlatStringReverseIterator
+       super IndexedIterator[Char]
+
+       var target: FlatString
+
+       var target_items: NativeString
+
+       var curr_pos: Int
+
+       init with_pos(tgt: FlatString, pos: Int)
+       do
+               target = tgt
+               target_items = tgt.items
+               curr_pos = pos + tgt.index_from
+       end
+
+       redef fun is_ok do return curr_pos >= target.index_from
+
+       redef fun item do return target_items[curr_pos]
+
+       redef fun next do curr_pos -= 1
+
+       redef fun index do return curr_pos - target.index_from
+
+end
+
+private class FlatStringIterator
+       super IndexedIterator[Char]
+
+       var target: FlatString
+
+       var target_items: NativeString
+
+       var curr_pos: Int
+
+       init with_pos(tgt: FlatString, pos: Int)
+       do
+               target = tgt
+               target_items = tgt.items
+               curr_pos = pos + target.index_from
+       end
+
+       redef fun is_ok do return curr_pos <= target.index_to
+
+       redef fun item do return target_items[curr_pos]
+
+       redef fun next do curr_pos += 1
+
+       redef fun index do return curr_pos - target.index_from
+
+end
+
+private class FlatStringCharView
+       super StringCharView
+
+       redef type SELFTYPE: FlatString
+
+       redef fun [](index)
+       do
+               # Check that the index (+ index_from) is not larger than indexTo
+               # In other terms, if the index is valid
+               assert index >= 0
+               var target = self.target
+               assert (index + target.index_from) <= target.index_to
+               return target.items[index + target.index_from]
+       end
+
+       redef fun iterator_from(start) do return new FlatStringIterator.with_pos(target, start)
+
+       redef fun reverse_iterator_from(start) do return new FlatStringReverseIterator.with_pos(target, start)
+
+end
+
+# A mutable sequence of characters.
+abstract class Buffer
+       super Text
+
+       redef type SELFTYPE: Buffer is fixed
+
+       # Specific implementations MUST set this to `true` in order to invalidate caches
+       protected var is_dirty = true
+
+       # Copy-On-Write flag
+       #
+       # If the `Buffer` was to_s'd, the next in-place altering
+       # operation will cause the current `Buffer` to be re-allocated.
+       #
+       # The flag will then be set at `false`.
+       protected var written = false
+
+       # Modifies the char contained at pos `index`
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.[]= instead
+       fun []=(index: Int, item: Char) is abstract
+
+       # Adds a char `c` at the end of self
+       #
+       # DEPRECATED : Use self.chars.add instead
+       fun add(c: Char) is abstract
+
+       # Clears the buffer
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append "hello"
+       #     assert not b.is_empty
+       #     b.clear
+       #     assert b.is_empty
+       fun clear is abstract
+
+       # Enlarges the subsequent array containing the chars of self
+       fun enlarge(cap: Int) is abstract
+
+       # Adds the content of text `s` at the end of self
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append "hello"
+       #     b.append "world"
+       #     assert b == "helloworld"
+       fun append(s: Text) is abstract
+
+       # `self` is appended in such a way that `self` is repeated `r` times
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append "hello"
+       #     b.times 3
+       #     assert b == "hellohellohello"
+       fun times(r: Int) is abstract
+
+       # Reverses itself in-place
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append("hello")
+       #     b.reverse
+       #     assert b == "olleh"
+       fun reverse is abstract
+
+       # Changes each lower-case char in `self` by its upper-case variant
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append("Hello World!")
+       #     b.upper
+       #     assert b == "HELLO WORLD!"
+       fun upper is abstract
+
+       # Changes each upper-case char in `self` by its lower-case variant
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer
+       #     b.append("Hello World!")
+       #     b.lower
+       #     assert b == "hello world!"
+       fun lower is abstract
+
+       # Capitalizes each word in `self`
+       #
+       # Letters that follow a letter are lowercased
+       # Letters that follow a non-letter are upcased.
+       #
+       # SEE: `Char::is_letter` for the definition of a letter.
+       #
+       #     var b = new FlatBuffer.from("jAVAsCriPt")
+       #     b.capitalize
+       #     assert b == "Javascript"
+       #     b = new FlatBuffer.from("i am root")
+       #     b.capitalize
+       #     assert b == "I Am Root"
+       #     b = new FlatBuffer.from("ab_c -ab0c ab\nc")
+       #     b.capitalize
+       #     assert b == "Ab_C -Ab0C Ab\nC"
+       fun capitalize do
+               if length == 0 then return
+               var c = self[0].to_upper
+               self[0] = c
+               var prev = c
+               for i in [1 .. length[ do
+                       prev = c
+                       c = self[i]
+                       if prev.is_letter then
+                               self[i] = c.to_lower
+                       else
+                               self[i] = c.to_upper
+                       end
+               end
+       end
+
+       redef fun hash
+       do
+               if is_dirty then hash_cache = null
+               return super
+       end
 
-               var myindex = pos + itsindex
-               var myitems = _items
+       # In Buffers, the internal sequence of character is mutable
+       # Thus, `chars` can be used to modify the buffer.
+       redef fun chars: Sequence[Char] is abstract
+end
 
-               var itsitems = str._items
+# Mutable strings of characters.
+class FlatBuffer
+       super FlatText
+       super Buffer
 
-               if myindex > _length or itsindex > myindex then return false
+       redef var chars: Sequence[Char] = new FlatBufferCharView(self) is lazy
 
-               var itsindexfrom = str.indexFrom
-               itsindex += itsindexfrom
-               myindex += indexFrom
+       private var capacity: Int = 0
 
-               while itsindex >= itsindexfrom do
-                       if myitems[myindex] != itsitems[itsindex] then return false
-                       myindex -= 1
-                       itsindex -= 1
-               end
+       redef fun fast_cstring do return items.fast_cstring(0)
 
-               return true
+       redef fun substrings do return new FlatSubstringsIter(self)
+
+       # Re-copies the `NativeString` into a new one and sets it as the new `Buffer`
+       #
+       # This happens when an operation modifies the current `Buffer` and
+       # the Copy-On-Write flag `written` is set at true.
+       private fun reset do
+               var nns = new NativeString(capacity)
+               items.copy_to(nns, length, 0, 0)
+               items = nns
+               written = false
        end
 
-       # A upper case version of `self'
-       redef fun to_upper: String
+       redef fun [](index)
        do
-               var outstr = calloc_string(self._length + 1)
-               var index = 0
-
-               var myitems = self._items
-               var index_from = self._indexFrom
-               var max = self._indexTo
+               assert index >= 0
+               assert index  < length
+               return items[index]
+       end
 
-               while index_from <= max do
-                       outstr[index] = myitems[index_from].to_upper
-                       index += 1
-                       index_from += 1
+       redef fun []=(index, item)
+       do
+               is_dirty = true
+               if index == length then
+                       add(item)
+                       return
                end
-
-               outstr[self.length] = '\0'
-
-               return new String.with_native(outstr, self._length)
+               if written then reset
+               assert index >= 0 and index < length
+               items[index] = item
        end
 
-       # A lower case version of `self'
-       redef fun to_lower : String
+       redef fun add(c)
        do
-               var outstr = calloc_string(self._length + 1)
-               var index = 0
+               is_dirty = true
+               if capacity <= length then enlarge(length + 5)
+               items[length] = c
+               length += 1
+       end
 
-               var myitems = self._items
-               var index_from = self._indexFrom
-               var max = self._indexTo
+       redef fun clear do
+               is_dirty = true
+               if written then reset
+               length = 0
+       end
 
-               while index_from <= max do
-                       outstr[index] = myitems[index_from].to_lower
-                       index += 1
-                       index_from += 1
-               end
+       redef fun empty do return new FlatBuffer
 
-               outstr[self.length] = '\0'
+       redef fun enlarge(cap)
+       do
+               var c = capacity
+               if cap <= c then return
+               while c <= cap do c = c * 2 + 2
+               # The COW flag can be set at false here, since
+               # it does a copy of the current `Buffer`
+               written = false
+               var a = new NativeString(c+1)
+               if length > 0 then items.copy_to(a, length, 0, 0)
+               items = a
+               capacity = c
+       end
 
-               return new String.with_native(outstr, self._length)
+       redef fun to_s: String
+       do
+               written = true
+               if length == 0 then items = new NativeString(1)
+               return new FlatString.with_infos(items, length, 0, length - 1)
        end
 
-       redef fun output
+       redef fun to_cstring
        do
-               var i = self._indexFrom
-               while i < length do
-                       _items[i].output
-                       i += 1
+               if is_dirty then
+                       var new_native = new NativeString(length + 1)
+                       new_native[length] = '\0'
+                       if length > 0 then items.copy_to(new_native, length, 0, 0)
+                       real_items = new_native
+                       is_dirty = false
                end
+               return real_items.as(not null)
        end
 
-       ##################################################
-       #              String Specific Methods           #
-       ##################################################
+       # Create a new empty string.
+       init do end
 
-       # Creates a String object as a substring of another String
-       private init from_substring(from: Int, to: Int, internalString: NativeString)
+       # Low-level creation a new buffer with given data.
+       #
+       # `items` will be used as is, without copy, to store the characters of the buffer.
+       # Aliasing issues is the responsibility of the caller.
+       #
+       # If `items` is shared, `written` should be set to true after the creation
+       # so that a modification will do a copy-on-write.
+       private init with_infos(items: NativeString, capacity, length: Int)
        do
-               _items = internalString
-               _indexFrom = from
-               _indexTo = to
-               _length = to - from + 1
+               self.items = items
+               self.length = length
+               self.capacity = capacity
        end
 
-       # Create a new string from a given char *.
-       init with_native(nat: NativeString, size: Int)
+       # Create a new string copied from `s`.
+       init from(s: Text)
        do
-               assert size >= 0
-               _items = nat
-               _length = size
-               _indexFrom = 0
-               _indexTo = size - 1
+               capacity = s.length + 1
+               length = s.length
+               items = new NativeString(capacity)
+               if s isa FlatString then
+                       s.items.copy_to(items, length, s.index_from, 0)
+               else if s isa FlatBuffer then
+                       s.items.copy_to(items, length, 0, 0)
+               else
+                       var curr_pos = 0
+                       for i in [0..s.length[ do
+                               var c = s.chars[i]
+                               items[curr_pos] = c
+                               curr_pos += 1
+                       end
+               end
        end
 
-       # Create a new string from a null terminated char *.
-       init from_cstring(str: NativeString)
+       # Create a new empty string with a given capacity.
+       init with_capacity(cap: Int)
        do
-               with_native(str,str.cstring_length)
+               assert cap >= 0
+               items = new NativeString(cap+1)
+               capacity = cap
+               length = 0
        end
 
-       # Return a null terminated char *
-       fun to_cstring: NativeString
+       redef fun append(s)
        do
-               #return items
-               if _indexFrom > 0 or _indexTo != items.cstring_length-1 then
-                       var newItems = calloc_string(length+1)
-                       self.items.copy_to(newItems, _length, _indexFrom, 0)
-                       newItems[length] = '\0'
-                       return newItems
+               if s.is_empty then return
+               is_dirty = true
+               var sl = s.length
+               if capacity < length + sl then enlarge(length + sl)
+               if s isa FlatString then
+                       s.items.copy_to(items, sl, s.index_from, length)
+               else if s isa FlatBuffer then
+                       s.items.copy_to(items, sl, 0, length)
+               else
+                       var curr_pos = self.length
+                       for i in [0..s.length[ do
+                               var c = s.chars[i]
+                               items[curr_pos] = c
+                               curr_pos += 1
+                       end
                end
-               return _items
+               length += sl
        end
 
-       redef fun ==(o)
+       # Copies the content of self in `dest`
+       fun copy(start: Int, len: Int, dest: Buffer, new_start: Int)
        do
-               if not o isa String or o is null then return false
-
-               if self.object_id == o.object_id then return true
-
-               var l = _length
-
-               if o._length != l then return false
-
-               var i = _indexFrom
-               var j = o._indexFrom
-               var max = l + _indexFrom
-               var itsitems = o._items
-               var myitems = self._items
-
-               while i < max do
-                       if myitems[i] != itsitems[j] then return false
-                       i += 1
-                       j += 1
+               var self_chars = self.chars
+               var dest_chars = dest.chars
+               for i in [0..len-1] do
+                       dest_chars[new_start+i] = self_chars[start+i]
                end
-
-               return true
        end
 
-       redef fun <(s)
+       redef fun substring(from, count)
        do
-               if self.object_id == s.object_id then return false
-
-               var c1 : Int
-               var c2 : Int
-               var currIdSelf = self._indexFrom
-               var currIdOther = s._indexFrom
-               var my_items = self._items
-               var its_items = s._items
-
-               var self_upper_bound = self._length + currIdSelf
-               var other_upper_bound = s._length + currIdOther
-
-               while currIdSelf < self_upper_bound and currIdOther < other_upper_bound do
-                       c1 = my_items[currIdSelf].ascii
-                       c2 = its_items[currIdOther].ascii
-
-                       if c1 < c2 then
-                               return true
-                       else if c2 < c1 then
-                               return false
-                       end
-
-                       currIdSelf += 1
-                       currIdOther += 1
-               end
-
-               if self._length < s._length then
-                       return true
+               assert count >= 0
+               count += from
+               if from < 0 then from = 0
+               if count > length then count = length
+               if from < count then
+                       var len = count - from
+                       var r_items = new NativeString(len)
+                       items.copy_to(r_items, len, from, 0)
+                       var r = new FlatBuffer.with_infos(r_items, len, len)
+                       return r
                else
-                       return false
+                       return new FlatBuffer
                end
        end
 
-       # The concatenation of `self' with `r'
-       fun +(s: String): String
+       redef fun reverse
        do
-               var newString = calloc_string(_length + s._length + 1)
-
-               self._items.copy_to(newString, _length, _indexFrom, 0)
-               s._items.copy_to(newString, s._length, s._indexFrom, _length)
-
-               newString[self._length + s._length] = '\0'
+               written = false
+               var ns = new NativeString(capacity)
+               var si = length - 1
+               var ni = 0
+               var it = items
+               while si >= 0 do
+                       ns[ni] = it[si]
+                       ni += 1
+                       si -= 1
+               end
+               items = ns
+       end
 
-               return new String.with_native(newString, _length + s._length)
+       redef fun times(repeats)
+       do
+               var x = new FlatString.with_infos(items, length, 0, length - 1)
+               for i in [1..repeats[ do
+                       append(x)
+               end
        end
 
-       # i repetitions of self
-       fun *(i: Int): String
+       redef fun upper
        do
-               assert i >= 0
-               var r = calloc_string((_length * i) + 1)
+               if written then reset
+               var it = items
+               var id = length - 1
+               while id >= 0 do
+                       it[id] = it[id].to_upper
+                       id -= 1
+               end
+       end
 
-               r[_length * i] = '\0'
+       redef fun lower
+       do
+               if written then reset
+               var it = items
+               var id = length - 1
+               while id >= 0 do
+                       it[id] = it[id].to_lower
+                       id -= 1
+               end
+       end
+end
 
-               var lastStr = new String.with_native(r, (_length * i))
+private class FlatBufferReverseIterator
+       super IndexedIterator[Char]
 
-               while i > 0 do
-                       self._items.copy_to(r, _length, _indexFrom, _length*(i-1))
-                       i -= 1
-               end
+       var target: FlatBuffer
 
-               return lastStr
-       end
+       var target_items: NativeString
 
-       redef fun to_s do return self
+       var curr_pos: Int
 
-       redef fun hash
+       init with_pos(tgt: FlatBuffer, pos: Int)
        do
-               # djb2 hash algorythm
-               var h = 5381
-               var i = _length - 1
+               target = tgt
+               if tgt.length > 0 then target_items = tgt.items
+               curr_pos = pos
+       end
 
-               var myitems = self.items
-               var index_from = self._indexFrom
+       redef fun index do return curr_pos
 
-               i += index_from
+       redef fun is_ok do return curr_pos >= 0
 
-               while i >= index_from do
-                       h = (h * 32) + h + self._items[i].ascii
-                       i -= 1
-               end
+       redef fun item do return target_items[curr_pos]
+
+       redef fun next do curr_pos -= 1
 
-               return h
-       end
 end
 
-# Mutable strings of characters.
-class Buffer
-       super AbstractString
-       super Comparable
-       super StringCapable
-       super AbstractArray[Char]
+private class FlatBufferCharView
+       super BufferCharView
+
+       redef type SELFTYPE: FlatBuffer
 
-       redef type OTHER: String
+       redef fun [](index) do return target.items[index]
 
        redef fun []=(index, item)
        do
+               assert index >= 0 and index <= length
                if index == length then
                        add(item)
                        return
                end
-               assert index >= 0 and index < length
-               _items[index] = item
+               target.items[index] = item
+       end
+
+       redef fun push(c)
+       do
+               target.add(c)
        end
 
        redef fun add(c)
        do
-               if _capacity <= length then enlarge(length + 5)
-               _items[length] = c
-               _length += 1
+               target.add(c)
        end
 
-       redef fun enlarge(cap)
+       fun enlarge(cap: Int)
        do
-               var c = _capacity
-               if cap <= c then return
-               while c <= cap do c = c * 2 + 2
-               var a = calloc_string(c+1)
-               _items.copy_to(a, length, 0, 0)
-               _items = a
-               _capacity = c
+               target.enlarge(cap)
        end
 
        redef fun append(s)
        do
-               if s isa String then
-                       var sl = s.length
-                       if _capacity < _length + sl then enlarge(_length + sl)
-                       s.items.copy_to(_items, sl, s._indexFrom, _length)
-                       _length += sl
-               else
-                       super
-               end
+               var s_length = s.length
+               if target.capacity < s.length then enlarge(s_length + target.length)
        end
 
-       redef fun to_s: String
-       do
-               var l = length
-               var a = calloc_string(l+1)
-               _items.copy_to(a, l, 0, 0)
+       redef fun iterator_from(pos) do return new FlatBufferIterator.with_pos(target, pos)
 
-               # Ensure the afterlast byte is '\0' to nul-terminated char *
-               a[length] = '\0'
+       redef fun reverse_iterator_from(pos) do return new FlatBufferReverseIterator.with_pos(target, pos)
 
-               return new String.with_native(a, length)
-       end
+end
 
-       redef fun <(s)
-       do
-               var i = 0
-               var l1 = length
-               var l2 = s.length
-               while i < l1 and i < l2 do
-                       var c1 = self[i].ascii
-                       var c2 = s[i].ascii
-                       if c1 < c2 then
-                               return true
-                       else if c2 < c1 then
-                               return false
-                       end
-                       i += 1
-               end
-               if l1 < l2 then
-                       return true
-               else
-                       return false
-               end
-       end
+private class FlatBufferIterator
+       super IndexedIterator[Char]
 
-       # Create a new empty string.
-       init
-       do
-               with_capacity(5)
-       end
+       var target: FlatBuffer
 
-       init from(s: String)
-       do
-               _capacity = s.length + 1
-               _length = s.length
-               _items = calloc_string(_capacity)
-               s.items.copy_to(_items, _length, s._indexFrom, 0)
-       end
+       var target_items: NativeString
 
-       # Create a new empty string with a given capacity.
-       init with_capacity(cap: Int)
-       do
-               assert cap >= 0
-               # _items = new NativeString.calloc(cap)
-               _items = calloc_string(cap+1)
-               _capacity = cap
-               _length = 0
-       end
+       var curr_pos: Int
 
-       redef fun ==(o)
+       init with_pos(tgt: FlatBuffer, pos: Int)
        do
-               if not o isa Buffer or o is null then return false
-               var l = length
-               if o.length != l then return false
-               var i = 0
-               var it = _items
-               var oit = o._items
-               while i < l do
-                       if it[i] != oit[i] then return false
-                       i += 1
-               end
-               return true
+               target = tgt
+               if tgt.length > 0 then target_items = tgt.items
+               curr_pos = pos
        end
 
-       readable private var _capacity: Int 
+       redef fun index do return curr_pos
+
+       redef fun is_ok do return curr_pos < target.length
+
+       redef fun item do return target_items[curr_pos]
+
+       redef fun next do curr_pos += 1
+
 end
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -612,19 +1910,18 @@ end
 ###############################################################################
 
 redef class Object
-       # User readable representation of `self'.
+       # User readable representation of `self`.
        fun to_s: String do return inspect
 
        # The class name of the object in NativeString format.
        private fun native_class_name: NativeString is intern
 
        # The class name of the object.
-       # FIXME: real type information is not available at runtime.
-       # Therefore, for instance, an instance of List[Bool] has just
-       # "List" for class_name
-       fun class_name: String do return new String.from_cstring(native_class_name)
+       #
+       #     assert 5.class_name == "Int"
+       fun class_name: String do return native_class_name.to_s
 
-       # Developer readable representation of `self'.
+       # Developer readable representation of `self`.
        # Usually, it uses the form "<CLASSNAME:#OBJECTID bla bla bla>"
        fun inspect: String
        do
@@ -637,73 +1934,105 @@ redef class Object
        do
                return "{class_name}:#{object_id.to_hex}"
        end
-
-       protected fun args: Sequence[String]
-       do
-               return sys.args
-       end
 end
 
 redef class Bool
+       #     assert true.to_s         == "true"
+       #     assert false.to_s        == "false"
        redef fun to_s
-       do 
-               if self then 
-                       return once "true" 
-               else 
-                       return once "false" 
+       do
+               if self then
+                       return once "true"
+               else
+                       return once "false"
                end
-       end   
+       end
 end
 
 redef class Int
-       fun fill_buffer(s: Buffer, base: Int, signed: Bool)
-       # Fill `s' with the digits in base 'base' of `self' (and with the '-' sign if 'signed' and negative).
+
+       # Wrapper of strerror C function
+       private fun strerror_ext: NativeString is extern "strerror"
+
+       # Returns a string describing error number
+       fun strerror: String do return strerror_ext.to_s
+
+       # Fill `s` with the digits in base `base` of `self` (and with the '-' sign if 'signed' and negative).
        # assume < to_c max const of char
+       private fun fill_buffer(s: Buffer, base: Int, signed: Bool)
        do
                var n: Int
                # Sign
                if self < 0 then
                        n = - self
-                       s[0] = '-'
+                       s.chars[0] = '-'
                else if self == 0 then
-                       s[0] = '0'
+                       s.chars[0] = '0'
                        return
                else
                        n = self
                end
                # Fill digits
                var pos = digit_count(base) - 1
-               while pos >= 0 and n > 0 do 
-                       s[pos] = (n % base).to_c
+               while pos >= 0 and n > 0 do
+                       s.chars[pos] = (n % base).to_c
                        n = n / base # /
                        pos -= 1
                end
        end
 
+       # C function to calculate the length of the `NativeString` to receive `self`
+       private fun int_to_s_len: Int is extern "native_int_length_str"
+
+       # C function to convert an nit Int to a NativeString (char*)
+       private fun native_int_to_s(nstr: NativeString, strlen: Int) is extern "native_int_to_s"
+
        # return displayable int in base 10 and signed
-       redef fun to_s do return to_base(10,true)
-       
-       # return displayable int in hexadecimal (unsigned (not now))
+       #
+       #     assert 1.to_s            == "1"
+       #     assert (-123).to_s       == "-123"
+       redef fun to_s do
+               # Fast case for common numbers
+               if self == 0 then return "0"
+               if self == 1 then return "1"
+
+               var nslen = int_to_s_len
+               var ns = new NativeString(nslen + 1)
+               ns[nslen] = '\0'
+               native_int_to_s(ns, nslen + 1)
+               return ns.to_s_with_length(nslen)
+       end
+
+       # return displayable int in hexadecimal
+       #
+       #     assert 1.to_hex  == "1"
+       #     assert (-255).to_hex  == "-ff"
        fun to_hex: String do return to_base(16,false)
 
        # return displayable int in base base and signed
        fun to_base(base: Int, signed: Bool): String
        do
                var l = digit_count(base)
-               var s = new Buffer.from(" " * l)
+               var s = new FlatBuffer.from(" " * l)
                fill_buffer(s, base, signed)
                return s.to_s
        end
 end
 
 redef class Float
-       # Pretty print self, print needed decimals up to a max of 6.
+       # Pretty representation of `self`, with decimals as needed from 1 to a maximum of 3
+       #
+       #     assert 12.34.to_s       == "12.34"
+       #     assert (-0120.030).to_s == "-120.03"
+       #
+       # see `to_precision` for a custom precision.
        redef fun to_s do
-               var str = to_precision( 6 )
+               var str = to_precision( 3 )
+               if is_inf != 0 or is_nan then return str
                var len = str.length
                for i in [0..len-1] do
                        var j = len-1-i
-                       var c = str[j]
+                       var c = str.chars[j]
                        if c == '0' then
                                continue
                        else if c == '.' then
@@ -715,49 +2044,97 @@ redef class Float
                return str
        end
 
-       # `self' representation with `nb' digits after the '.'.
-       fun to_precision(nb: Int): String import String::from_cstring `{
-               int size;
-               char *str;
+       # `String` representation of `self` with the given number of `decimals`
+       #
+       #     assert 12.345.to_precision(0)    == "12"
+       #     assert 12.345.to_precision(3)    == "12.345"
+       #     assert (-12.345).to_precision(3) == "-12.345"
+       #     assert (-0.123).to_precision(3)  == "-0.123"
+       #     assert 0.999.to_precision(2)     == "1.00"
+       #     assert 0.999.to_precision(4)     == "0.9990"
+       fun to_precision(decimals: Int): String
+       do
+               if is_nan then return "nan"
+
+               var isinf = self.is_inf
+               if isinf == 1 then
+                       return "inf"
+               else if isinf == -1 then
+                       return  "-inf"
+               end
+
+               if decimals == 0 then return self.to_i.to_s
+               var f = self
+               for i in [0..decimals[ do f = f * 10.0
+               if self > 0.0 then
+                       f = f + 0.5
+               else
+                       f = f - 0.5
+               end
+               var i = f.to_i
+               if i == 0 then return "0." + "0"*decimals
+
+               # Prepare both parts of the float, before and after the "."
+               var s = i.abs.to_s
+               var sl = s.length
+               var p1
+               var p2
+               if sl > decimals then
+                       # Has something before the "."
+                       p1 = s.substring(0, sl-decimals)
+                       p2 = s.substring(sl-decimals, decimals)
+               else
+                       p1 = "0"
+                       p2 = "0"*(decimals-sl) + s
+               end
 
-               size = snprintf(NULL, 0, "%.*f", (int)nb, recv);
-               str = malloc(size + 1);
-               sprintf(str, "%.*f", (int)nb, recv );
+               if i < 0 then p1 = "-" + p1
 
-               return new_String_from_cstring( str );
-       `}
+               return p1 + "." + p2
+       end
 end
 
 redef class Char
+       #     assert 'x'.to_s    == "x"
        redef fun to_s
        do
-               var s = new Buffer.with_capacity(1)
-               s[0] = self
+               var s = new FlatBuffer.with_capacity(1)
+               s.chars[0] = self
                return s.to_s
        end
 
        # Returns true if the char is a numerical digit
+       #
+       #     assert '0'.is_numeric
+       #     assert '9'.is_numeric
+       #     assert not 'a'.is_numeric
+       #     assert not '?'.is_numeric
        fun is_numeric: Bool
        do
-               if self >= '0' and self <= '9'
-               then
-                       return true
-               end
-               return false
+               return self >= '0' and self <= '9'
        end
 
        # Returns true if the char is an alpha digit
+       #
+       #     assert 'a'.is_alpha
+       #     assert 'Z'.is_alpha
+       #     assert not '0'.is_alpha
+       #     assert not '?'.is_alpha
        fun is_alpha: Bool
        do
-               if (self >= 'a' and self <= 'z') or (self >= 'A' and self <= 'Z') then return true
-               return false
+               return (self >= 'a' and self <= 'z') or (self >= 'A' and self <= 'Z')
        end
 
        # Returns true if the char is an alpha or a numeric digit
+       #
+       #     assert 'a'.is_alphanumeric
+       #     assert 'Z'.is_alphanumeric
+       #     assert '0'.is_alphanumeric
+       #     assert '9'.is_alphanumeric
+       #     assert not '?'.is_alphanumeric
        fun is_alphanumeric: Bool
        do
-               if self.is_numeric or self.is_alpha then return true
-               return false
+               return self.is_numeric or self.is_alpha
        end
 end
 
@@ -765,23 +2142,26 @@ redef class Collection[E]
        # Concatenate elements.
        redef fun to_s
        do
-               var s = new Buffer
+               var s = new FlatBuffer
                for e in self do if e != null then s.append(e.to_s)
                return s.to_s
        end
 
-       # Concatenate and separate each elements with `sep'. 
-       fun join(sep: String): String
+       # Concatenate and separate each elements with `sep`.
+       #
+       #     assert [1, 2, 3].join(":")         == "1:2:3"
+       #     assert [1..3].join(":")            == "1:2:3"
+       fun join(sep: Text): String
        do
                if is_empty then return ""
-               
-               var s = new Buffer # Result
+
+               var s = new FlatBuffer # Result
 
                # Concat first item
                var i = iterator
                var e = i.item
                if e != null then s.append(e.to_s)
-               
+
                # Concat other items
                i.next
                while i.is_ok do
@@ -795,44 +2175,124 @@ redef class Collection[E]
 end
 
 redef class Array[E]
+
        # Fast implementation
        redef fun to_s
        do
-               var s = new Buffer
+               var l = length
+               if l == 0 then return ""
+               if l == 1 then if self[0] == null then return "" else return self[0].to_s
+               var its = _items
+               var na = new NativeArray[String](l)
                var i = 0
+               var sl = 0
+               var mypos = 0
+               while i < l do
+                       var itsi = its[i]
+                       if itsi == null then
+                               i += 1
+                               continue
+                       end
+                       var tmp = itsi.to_s
+                       sl += tmp.length
+                       na[mypos] = tmp
+                       i += 1
+                       mypos += 1
+               end
+               var ns = new NativeString(sl + 1)
+               ns[sl] = '\0'
+               i = 0
+               var off = 0
+               while i < mypos do
+                       var tmp = na[i]
+                       var tpl = tmp.length
+                       if tmp isa FlatString then
+                               tmp.items.copy_to(ns, tpl, tmp.index_from, off)
+                               off += tpl
+                       else
+                               for j in tmp.substrings do
+                                       var s = j.as(FlatString)
+                                       var slen = s.length
+                                       s.items.copy_to(ns, slen, s.index_from, off)
+                                       off += slen
+                               end
+                       end
+                       i += 1
+               end
+               return ns.to_s_with_length(sl)
+       end
+end
+
+redef class NativeArray[E]
+       # Join all the elements using `to_s`
+       #
+       # REQUIRE: `self isa NativeArray[String]`
+       # REQUIRE: all elements are initialized
+       fun native_to_s: String
+       do
+               assert self isa NativeArray[String]
                var l = length
+               var na = self
+               var i = 0
+               var sl = 0
+               var mypos = 0
                while i < l do
-                       var e = self[i]
-                       if e != null then s.append(e.to_s)
+                       sl += na[i].length
                        i += 1
+                       mypos += 1
                end
-               return s.to_s
+               var ns = new NativeString(sl + 1)
+               ns[sl] = '\0'
+               i = 0
+               var off = 0
+               while i < mypos do
+                       var tmp = na[i]
+                       var tpl = tmp.length
+                       if tmp isa FlatString then
+                               tmp.items.copy_to(ns, tpl, tmp.index_from, off)
+                               off += tpl
+                       else
+                               for j in tmp.substrings do
+                                       var s = j.as(FlatString)
+                                       var slen = s.length
+                                       s.items.copy_to(ns, slen, s.index_from, off)
+                                       off += slen
+                               end
+                       end
+                       i += 1
+               end
+               return ns.to_s_with_length(sl)
        end
 end
 
 redef class Map[K,V]
        # Concatenate couple of 'key value'.
-       # key and value are separated by 'couple_sep'.
-       # each couple is separated each couple with `sep'.
+       # key and value are separated by `couple_sep`.
+       # each couple is separated each couple with `sep`.
+       #
+       #     var m = new ArrayMap[Int, String]
+       #     m[1] = "one"
+       #     m[10] = "ten"
+       #     assert m.join("; ", "=") == "1=one; 10=ten"
        fun join(sep: String, couple_sep: String): String
        do
                if is_empty then return ""
-               
-               var s = new Buffer # Result
+
+               var s = new FlatBuffer # Result
 
                # Concat first item
                var i = iterator
                var k = i.key
                var e = i.item
-               if e != null then s.append("{k}{couple_sep}{e}")
-               
+               s.append("{k or else "<null>"}{couple_sep}{e or else "<null>"}")
+
                # Concat other items
                i.next
                while i.is_ok do
                        s.append(sep)
                        k = i.key
                        e = i.item
-                       if e != null then s.append("{k}{couple_sep}{e}")
+                       s.append("{k or else "<null>"}{couple_sep}{e or else "<null>"}")
                        i.next
                end
                return s.to_s
@@ -844,11 +2304,25 @@ end
 ###############################################################################
 
 # Native strings are simple C char *
-class NativeString
+extern class NativeString `{ char* `}
+       # Creates a new NativeString with a capacity of `length`
+       new(length: Int) is intern
+
+       # Returns a char* starting at `index`.
+       #
+       # WARNING: Unsafe for extern code, use only for temporary
+       # pointer manipulation purposes (e.g. write to file or such)
+       fun fast_cstring(index: Int): NativeString is intern
+
+       # Get char at `index`.
        fun [](index: Int): Char is intern
+
+       # Set char `item` at index.
        fun []=(index: Int, item: Char) is intern
+
+       # Copy `self` to `dest`.
        fun copy_to(dest: NativeString, length: Int, from: Int, to: Int) is intern
-       
+
        # Position of the first nul character.
        fun cstring_length: Int
        do
@@ -856,19 +2330,44 @@ class NativeString
                while self[l] != '\0' do l += 1
                return l
        end
+
+       # Parse `self` as an Int.
        fun atoi: Int is intern
+
+       # Parse `self` as a Float.
        fun atof: Float is extern "atof"
-end
 
-# StringCapable objects can create native strings
-interface StringCapable
-       protected fun calloc_string(size: Int): NativeString is intern
+       redef fun to_s
+       do
+               return to_s_with_length(cstring_length)
+       end
+
+       # Returns `self` as a String of `length`.
+       fun to_s_with_length(length: Int): FlatString
+       do
+               assert length >= 0
+               var str = new FlatString.with_infos(self, length, 0, length - 1)
+               return str
+       end
+
+       # Returns `self` as a new String.
+       fun to_s_with_copy: FlatString
+       do
+               var length = cstring_length
+               var new_self = new NativeString(length + 1)
+               copy_to(new_self, length, 0, 0)
+               var str = new FlatString.with_infos(new_self, length, 0, length - 1)
+               new_self[length] = '\0'
+               str.real_items = new_self
+               return str
+       end
 end
 
 redef class Sys
-       var _args_cache: nullable Sequence[String]
+       private var args_cache: nullable Sequence[String]
 
-       redef fun args: Sequence[String]
+       # The arguments of the program as given by the OS
+       fun program_args: Sequence[String]
        do
                if _args_cache == null then init_args
                return _args_cache.as(not null)
@@ -877,24 +2376,77 @@ redef class Sys
        # The name of the program as given by the OS
        fun program_name: String
        do
-               return new String.from_cstring(native_argv(0))
+               return native_argv(0).to_s
        end
 
-       # Initialize `args' with the contents of `native_argc' and `native_argv'.
+       # Initialize `program_args` with the contents of `native_argc` and `native_argv`.
        private fun init_args
        do
                var argc = native_argc
                var args = new Array[String].with_capacity(0)
                var i = 1
                while i < argc do
-                       args[i-1] = new String.from_cstring(native_argv(i))
+                       args[i-1] = native_argv(i).to_s
                        i += 1
                end
                _args_cache = args
        end
 
-       private fun native_argc: Int is extern "kernel_Sys_Sys_native_argc_0" # First argument of the main C function.
-       
-       private fun native_argv(i: Int): NativeString is extern "kernel_Sys_Sys_native_argv_1" # Second argument of the main C function.
+       # First argument of the main C function.
+       private fun native_argc: Int is intern
+
+       # Second argument of the main C function.
+       private fun native_argv(i: Int): NativeString is intern
+end
+
+# Comparator that efficienlty use `to_s` to compare things
+#
+# The comparaison call `to_s` on object and use the result to order things.
+#
+#     var a = [1, 2, 3, 10, 20]
+#     (new CachedAlphaComparator).sort(a)
+#     assert a == [1, 10, 2, 20, 3]
+#
+# Internally the result of `to_s` is cached in a HashMap to counter
+# uneficient implementation of `to_s`.
+#
+# Note: it caching is not usefull, see `alpha_comparator`
+class CachedAlphaComparator
+       super Comparator
+       redef type COMPARED: Object
+
+       private var cache = new HashMap[Object, String]
+
+       private fun do_to_s(a: Object): String do
+               if cache.has_key(a) then return cache[a]
+               var res = a.to_s
+               cache[a] = res
+               return res
+       end
+
+       redef fun compare(a, b) do
+               return do_to_s(a) <=> do_to_s(b)
+       end
+end
+
+# see `alpha_comparator`
+private class AlphaComparator
+       super Comparator
+       redef fun compare(a, b) do return a.to_s <=> b.to_s
 end
 
+# Stateless comparator that naively use `to_s` to compare things.
+#
+# Note: the result of `to_s` is not cached, thus can be invoked a lot
+# on a single instace. See `CachedAlphaComparator` as an alternative.
+#
+#     var a = [1, 2, 3, 10, 20]
+#     alpha_comparator.sort(a)
+#     assert a == [1, 10, 2, 20, 3]
+fun alpha_comparator: Comparator do return once new AlphaComparator
+
+# The arguments of the program as given by the OS
+fun args: Sequence[String]
+do
+       return sys.program_args
+end