validate canons without yatest_common

1 files changed, 3578 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/contrib/libs/pycxx/Python3/Objects.hxx b/contrib/libs/pycxx/Python3/Objects.hxx
new file mode 100755
index 00000000000..0eea51d8239
--- /dev/null
+++ b/contrib/libs/pycxx/Python3/Objects.hxx
@@ -0,0 +1,3578 @@
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+//
+// Copyright (c) 1998 - 2007, The Regents of the University of California
+// Produced at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
+// All rights reserved.
+//
+// This file is part of PyCXX. For details,see http://cxx.sourceforge.net/. The
+// full copyright notice is contained in the file COPYRIGHT located at the root
+// of the PyCXX distribution.
+//
+// Redistribution  and  use  in  source  and  binary  forms,  with  or  without
+// modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+//
+//  - Redistributions of  source code must  retain the above  copyright notice,
+//    this list of conditions and the disclaimer below.
+//  - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
+//    this  list of  conditions  and  the  disclaimer (as noted below)  in  the
+//    documentation and/or materials provided with the distribution.
+//  - Neither the name of the UC/LLNL nor  the names of its contributors may be
+//    used to  endorse or  promote products derived from  this software without
+//    specific prior written permission.
+//
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT  HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
+// AND ANY EXPRESS OR  IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,  BUT NOT  LIMITED TO, THE
+// IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND  FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR  PURPOSE
+// ARE  DISCLAIMED.  IN  NO  EVENT  SHALL  THE  REGENTS  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY OF
+// CALIFORNIA, THE U.S.  DEPARTMENT  OF  ENERGY OR CONTRIBUTORS BE  LIABLE  FOR
+// ANY  DIRECT,  INDIRECT,  INCIDENTAL,  SPECIAL,  EXEMPLARY,  OR CONSEQUENTIAL
+// DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT  LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF  SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
+// SERVICES; LOSS OF  USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR  BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
+// CAUSED  AND  ON  ANY  THEORY  OF  LIABILITY,  WHETHER  IN  CONTRACT,  STRICT
+// LIABILITY, OR TORT  (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE)  ARISING IN ANY  WAY
+// OUT OF THE  USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+// DAMAGE.
+//
+//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+#ifndef __CXX_Objects__h
+#define __CXX_Objects__h
+
+#include "../WrapPython.h"
+#include "../Version.hxx"
+#include "Config.hxx"
+#include "CxxDebug.hxx"
+#include "Exception.hxx"
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include STR_STREAM
+#include <string>
+#include <iterator>
+#include <utility>
+#include <typeinfo>
+#include <algorithm>
+
+namespace Py
+{
+    void ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+
+    typedef Py_ssize_t sequence_index_type;    // type of an index into a sequence
+
+    // Forward declarations
+    class Object;
+    class Type;
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> class SeqBase;
+    class Bytes;
+    class String;
+    class List;
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> class MapBase;
+    class Tuple;
+    class Dict;
+
+    //===========================================================================//
+    // class Object
+    // The purpose of this class is to serve as the most general kind of
+    // Python object, for the purpose of writing C++ extensions in Python
+    // Objects hold a PyObject* which they own. This pointer is always a
+    // valid pointer to a Python object. In children we must maintain this behavior.
+    //
+    // Instructions on how to make your own class MyType descended from Object:
+    // (0) Pick a base class, either Object or perhaps SeqBase<T> or MapBase<T>.
+    //     This example assumes Object.
+
+    // (1) Write a routine int MyType_Check( PyObject * ) modeled after PyInt_Check,
+    //     PyFloat_Check, etc.
+
+    // (2) Add method accepts:
+    //     virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const {
+    //         return pyob && MyType_Check( pyob );
+    // }
+
+    // (3) Include the following constructor and copy constructor
+    //
+    /*
+    explicit MyType( PyObject *pyob ): Object( pyob )
+    {
+        validate();
+    }
+
+    MyType( const Object &other ): Object( other.ptr() )
+    {
+        validate();
+    }
+    */
+
+    // Alernate version for the constructor to allow for construction from owned pointers:
+    /*
+    explicit MyType( PyObject *pyob ): Object( pyob )
+    {
+        validate();
+    }
+    */
+
+    // You may wish to add other constructors; see the classes below for examples.
+    // Each constructor must use "set" to set the pointer
+    // and end by validating the pointer you have created.
+
+    //( 4 ) Each class needs at least these two assignment operators:
+    /*
+    MyType &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+    {
+        return *this = *rhs;
+    }
+
+    Mytype &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+    {
+        if( ptr() != rhsp )
+            set( rhsp );
+        return *this;
+    }
+    */
+    // Note on accepts: constructors call the base class
+    // version of a virtual when calling the base class constructor,
+    // so the test has to be done explicitly in a descendent.
+
+    // If you are inheriting from PythonExtension<T> to define an object
+    // note that it contains PythonExtension<T>::check
+    // which you can use in accepts when writing a wrapper class.
+    // See Demo/range.h and Demo/range.cxx for an example.
+
+    class Object
+    {
+    private:
+        // the pointer to the Python object
+        // Only Object sets this directly.
+        // The default constructor for Object sets it to Py_None and
+        // child classes must use "set" to set it
+        //
+        PyObject *p;
+
+    protected:
+        void set( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        {
+            release();
+            p = pyob;
+            if( !owned )
+            {
+                Py::_XINCREF( p );
+            }
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        void release()
+        {
+            Py::_XDECREF( p );
+            p = NULL;
+        }
+
+        void validate();
+
+    public:
+        // Constructor acquires new ownership of pointer unless explicitly told not to.
+        explicit Object( PyObject *pyob=Py::_None(), bool owned = false )
+        : p( pyob )
+        {
+            if( !owned )
+            {
+                Py::_XINCREF( p );
+            }
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Copy constructor acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Object( const Object &ob )
+        : p( ob.p )
+        {
+            Py::_XINCREF( p );
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Object &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            set( rhs.p );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        Object &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Destructor
+        virtual ~Object()
+        {
+            release();
+        }
+
+        // Loaning the pointer to others, retain ownership
+        PyObject *operator*() const
+        {
+            return p;
+        }
+
+        // Explicit reference_counting changes
+        void increment_reference_count()
+        {
+            Py::_XINCREF( p );
+        }
+
+        void decrement_reference_count()
+        {
+            // not allowed to commit suicide, however
+            if( reference_count() == 1 )
+            {
+                throw RuntimeError( "Object::decrement_reference_count error." );
+            }
+            Py::_XDECREF( p );
+        }
+
+        // Would like to call this pointer() but messes up STL in SeqBase<T>
+        PyObject *ptr() const
+        {
+            return p;
+        }
+
+        //
+        // Queries
+        //
+
+        // Can pyob be used in this object's constructor?
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject * ) const
+        {
+            // allow any object or NULL
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        Py_ssize_t reference_count() const
+        { // the reference count
+            return p ? p->ob_refcnt : 0;
+        }
+
+        Type type() const; // the type object associated with this one
+
+        String str() const; // the str() representation
+
+        std::string as_string() const;
+
+        String repr() const; // the repr() representation
+
+        List dir() const; // the dir() list
+
+        bool hasAttr( const std::string &s ) const
+        {
+            return PyObject_HasAttrString( p, const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ) ? true: false;
+        }
+
+        Object getAttr( const std::string &s ) const
+        {
+            return Object( PyObject_GetAttrString( p, const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ), true );
+        }
+
+        Object callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name ) const;
+        Object callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name, const Tuple &args ) const;
+        Object callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name, const Tuple &args, const Dict &kw ) const;
+
+        Object getItem( const Object &key ) const
+        {
+            return Object( PyObject_GetItem( p, *key ), true );
+        }
+
+        Py_hash_t hashValue() const
+        {
+            return PyObject_Hash( p );
+        }
+
+        // convert to bool
+        bool as_bool() const
+        {
+            return PyObject_IsTrue( ptr() ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool is( PyObject *pother ) const
+        {  // identity test
+            return p == pother;
+        }
+
+        bool is( const Object &other ) const
+        { // identity test
+            return p == other.p;
+        }
+
+        bool isNull() const
+        {
+            return p == NULL;
+        }
+
+        bool isNone() const
+        {
+            return p == _None();
+        }
+
+        bool isCallable() const
+        {
+            return PyCallable_Check( p ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool isDict() const
+        {
+            return Py::_Dict_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        bool isList() const
+        {
+            return Py::_List_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        bool isMapping() const
+        {
+            return PyMapping_Check( p ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool isNumeric() const
+        {
+            return PyNumber_Check( p ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool isSequence() const
+        {
+            return PySequence_Check( p ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool isTrue() const
+        {
+            return PyObject_IsTrue( p ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool isType( const Type &t ) const;
+
+        bool isTuple() const
+        {
+            return Py::_Tuple_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        bool isString() const
+        {
+            return Py::_Unicode_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        bool isBytes() const
+        {
+            return Py::_Bytes_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        bool isBoolean() const
+        {
+            return Py::_Boolean_Check( p );
+        }
+
+        // Commands
+        void setAttr( const std::string &s, const Object &value )
+        {
+            if( PyObject_SetAttrString( p, const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ), *value ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void delAttr( const std::string &s )
+        {
+            if( PyObject_DelAttrString( p, const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // PyObject_SetItem is too weird to be using from C++
+        // so it is intentionally omitted.
+
+        void delItem( const Object &key )
+        {
+            if( PyObject_DelItem( p, *key ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+        // Equality and comparison use PyObject_Compare
+
+    };
+    // End of class Object
+
+    // Null can be return from when it is require to return NULL to Python from a method
+    class Null: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        Null()
+        : Object( NULL )
+        {
+        }
+        virtual ~Null()
+        {
+        }
+
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob == NULL;
+        }
+    };
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    bool operator==( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+    bool operator!=( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+    bool operator>=( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+    bool operator<=( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+    bool operator<( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+    bool operator>( const Object &o1, const Object &o2 );
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+    //
+    //    Convert an owned Python pointer into a PyCXX Object
+    //
+    inline Object asObject( PyObject *p )
+    {
+        return Object( p, true );
+    }
+
+    // new_reference_to also overloaded below on Object
+    inline PyObject *new_reference_to( PyObject *p )
+    {
+        Py::_XINCREF( p );
+        return p;
+    }
+
+    inline PyObject *new_reference_to( const Object &g )
+    {
+        PyObject *p = g.ptr();
+        Py::_XINCREF( p );
+        return p;
+    }
+
+    // Python special None value
+    inline Object None()
+    {
+        return Object( Py::_None() );
+    }
+
+    // Python special Boolean values
+    inline Object False()
+    {
+        return Object( Py::_False() );
+    }
+
+    inline Object True()
+    {
+        return Object( Py::_True() );
+    }
+
+    // TMM: 31May'01 - Added the #ifndef so I can exlude iostreams.
+#ifndef CXX_NO_IOSTREAMS
+    std::ostream &operator<<( std::ostream &os, const Object &ob );
+#endif
+
+    // Class Type
+    class Type: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        explicit Type( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Type( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( *ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Type( const Type &t )
+        : Object( t )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Type &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Type &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Type_Check( pyob );
+        }
+    };
+
+    // ===============================================
+    // class boolean
+    class Boolean: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        Boolean( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Boolean( const Boolean &ob )
+        : Object( *ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // create from bool
+        Boolean( bool v=false )
+        {
+            set( PyBool_FromLong( v ? 1 : 0 ), true );
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        explicit Boolean( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( *ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Boolean &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Boolean &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            // accepts any object that can be converted to a boolean
+            return pyob && PyObject_IsTrue( pyob ) != -1;
+        }
+
+        Boolean &operator=( bool v )
+        {
+            set( PyBool_FromLong( v ? 1 : 0 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        operator bool() const
+        {
+            return as_bool();
+        }
+    };
+
+    // ===============================================
+    // class Long
+    class Long: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Long( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Long( const Long &ob )
+        : Object( ob.ptr() )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // try to create from any object
+        explicit Long( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( PyNumber_Long( *ob ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // create from long
+        explicit Long( long v = 0L )
+        : Object( PyLong_FromLong( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // create from unsigned long
+        explicit Long( unsigned long v )
+        : Object( PyLong_FromUnsignedLong( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // create from int
+        explicit Long( int v )
+        : Object( PyLong_FromLong( static_cast<long>( v ) ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+#ifdef HAVE_LONG_LONG
+        // create from long long
+        explicit Long( PY_LONG_LONG v )
+        : Object( PyLong_FromLongLong( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // create from unsigned long long
+        explicit Long( unsigned PY_LONG_LONG v )
+        : Object( PyLong_FromUnsignedLongLong( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Long_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Long &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Long &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( PyNumber_Long( rhsp ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // assign from an int
+        Long &operator=( int v )
+        {
+            set( PyLong_FromLong( long( v ) ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // assign from long
+        Long &operator=( long v )
+        {
+            set( PyLong_FromLong( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // assign from unsigned long
+        Long &operator=( unsigned long v )
+        {
+            set( PyLong_FromUnsignedLong( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+#ifdef HAVE_LONG_LONG
+        Long &operator=( PY_LONG_LONG v )
+        {
+            set( PyLong_FromLongLong( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        Long &operator=( unsigned PY_LONG_LONG v )
+        {
+            set( PyLong_FromUnsignedLongLong( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+        // convert to long
+        long as_long() const
+        {
+            return PyLong_AsLong( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        operator long() const
+        {
+            return as_long();
+        }
+
+        operator int() const
+        {
+            return static_cast<int>( as_long() );
+        }
+
+        // convert to unsigned
+        long as_unsigned_long() const
+        {
+            return PyLong_AsUnsignedLong( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        // convert to unsigned
+        operator unsigned long() const
+        {
+            return as_unsigned_long();
+        }
+
+        double as_double() const
+        {
+            return PyLong_AsDouble( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        operator double() const
+        {
+            return as_double();
+        }
+
+#ifdef HAVE_LONG_LONG
+        PY_LONG_LONG as_long_long() const
+        {
+            return PyLong_AsLongLong( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        operator PY_LONG_LONG() const
+        {
+           return as_long_long();
+        }
+
+        unsigned PY_LONG_LONG as_unsigned_long_long() const
+        {
+            return PyLong_AsUnsignedLongLong( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        operator unsigned PY_LONG_LONG() const
+        {
+            return as_unsigned_long_long();
+        }
+#endif
+
+        // prefix ++
+        Long operator++()
+        {
+            set( PyNumber_Add( ptr(), *Long( 1 ) ) );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // postfix ++
+        Long operator++( int )
+        {
+            Long a = *this;
+            set( PyNumber_Add( ptr(), *Long( 1 ) ) );
+            return a;
+        }
+
+        // prefix --
+        Long operator--()
+        {
+            set( PyNumber_Subtract( ptr(), *Long( 1 ) ) );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // postfix --
+        Long operator--( int )
+        {
+            Long a = *this;
+            set( PyNumber_Subtract( ptr(), *Long( 1 ) ) );
+            return a;
+        }
+    };
+
+#ifdef PYCXX_PYTHON_2TO3
+    // PyCXX for Python2 had an Int and LongLong classes
+    typedef Long Int;
+#ifdef HAVE_LONG_LONG
+    typedef Long LongLong;
+#endif
+#endif
+
+#if 1
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // compare operators
+    bool operator!=( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator!=( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator!=( const Long &a, long b );
+    bool operator!=( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator!=( long a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator==( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator==( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator==( const Long &a, long b );
+    bool operator==( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator==( long a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator>( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator>( const Long &a, long b );
+    bool operator>( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator>( long a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>=( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator>=( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator>=( const Long &a, long b );
+    bool operator>=( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator>=( long a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator<( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator<( const Long &a, long b );
+    bool operator<( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator<( long a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<=( const Long &a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator<=( int a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator<=( long a, const Long &b );
+    bool operator<=( const Long &a, int b );
+    bool operator<=( const Long &a, long b );
+
+#ifdef HAVE_LONG_LONG
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator!=( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator!=( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator==( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator==( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator>( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>=( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator>=( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator<( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<=( const Long &a, PY_LONG_LONG b );
+    bool operator<=( PY_LONG_LONG a, const Long &b );
+#endif
+#endif
+
+    // ===============================================
+    // class Float
+    //
+    class Float: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Float( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Float( const Float &f )
+        : Object( f )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // make from double
+        explicit Float( double v=0.0 )
+        : Object( PyFloat_FromDouble( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // try to make from any object
+        Float( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( PyNumber_Float( *ob ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Float &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Float &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( PyNumber_Float( rhsp ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Float_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        double as_double() const
+        {
+            return PyFloat_AsDouble( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        // convert to double
+        operator double() const
+        {
+            return as_double();
+        }
+
+        // assign from a double
+        Float &operator=( double v )
+        {
+            set( PyFloat_FromDouble( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from an int
+        Float &operator=( int v )
+        {
+            set( PyFloat_FromDouble( double( v ) ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from long
+        Float &operator=( long v )
+        {
+            set( PyFloat_FromDouble( double( v ) ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from an Long
+        Float &operator=( const Long &iob )
+        {
+            set( PyFloat_FromDouble( double( iob.as_long() ) ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+    };
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // compare operators
+    bool operator!=( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator!=( const Float &a, double b );
+    bool operator!=( double a, const Float &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator==( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator==( const Float &a, double b );
+    bool operator==( double a, const Float &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator>( const Float &a, double b );
+    bool operator>( double a, const Float &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator>=( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator>=( const Float &a, double b );
+    bool operator>=( double a, const Float &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator<( const Float &a, double b );
+    bool operator<( double a, const Float &b );
+    //------------------------------
+    bool operator<=( const Float &a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator<=( double a, const Float &b );
+    bool operator<=( const Float &a, double b );
+
+    // ===============================================
+    // class Complex
+    class Complex: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Complex( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Complex( const Complex &f )
+        : Object( f )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // make from double
+        explicit Complex( double v=0.0, double w=0.0 )
+        :Object( PyComplex_FromDoubles( v, w ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Complex &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Complex &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Complex_Check( pyob );
+        }
+        // convert to Py_complex
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        operator Py_complex() const
+        {
+            return PyComplex_AsCComplex( ptr() );
+        }
+        // assign from a Py_complex
+        Complex &operator=( const Py_complex &v )
+        {
+            set( PyComplex_FromCComplex( v ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+        // assign from a double
+        Complex &operator=( double v )
+        {
+            set( PyComplex_FromDoubles( v, 0.0 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from an int
+        Complex &operator=( int v )
+        {
+            set( PyComplex_FromDoubles( double( v ), 0.0 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from long
+        Complex &operator=( long v )
+        {
+            set( PyComplex_FromDoubles( double( v ), 0.0 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // assign from an Long
+        Complex &operator=( const Long &iob )
+        {
+            set( PyComplex_FromDoubles( double( iob.as_long() ), 0.0 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        double real() const
+        {
+            return PyComplex_RealAsDouble( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        double imag() const
+        {
+            return PyComplex_ImagAsDouble( ptr() );
+        }
+    };
+    // Sequences
+    // Sequences are here represented as sequences of items of type T.
+    // The base class SeqBase<T> represents that.
+    // In basic Python T is always "Object".
+
+    // seqref<T> is what you get if you get elements from a non-const SeqBase<T>.
+    // Note: seqref<T> could probably be a nested class in SeqBase<T> but that might stress
+    // some compilers needlessly. Simlarly for mapref later.
+
+    // While this class is not intended for enduser use, it needs some public
+    // constructors for the benefit of the STL.
+
+    // See Scott Meyer's More Essential C++ for a description of proxies.
+    // This application is even more complicated. We are doing an unusual thing
+    // in having a double proxy. If we want the STL to work
+    // properly we have to compromise by storing the rvalue inside. The
+    // entire Object API is repeated so that things like s[i].isList() will
+    // work properly.
+
+    // Still, once in a while a weird compiler message may occur using expressions like x[i]
+    // Changing them to Object( x[i] ) helps the compiler to understand that the
+    // conversion of a seqref to an Object is wanted.
+
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    class seqref
+    {
+    protected:
+        SeqBase<T> &s; // the sequence
+        sequence_index_type offset; // item number
+        T the_item; // lvalue
+
+    public:
+        seqref( SeqBase<T> &seq, sequence_index_type j )
+        : s( seq )
+        , offset( j )
+        , the_item( s.getItem( j ) )
+        {}
+
+        seqref( const seqref<T> &range )
+        : s( range.s )
+        , offset( range.offset )
+        , the_item( range.the_item )
+        {}
+
+        // TMM: added this seqref ctor for use with STL algorithms
+        seqref( Object &obj )
+        : s( dynamic_cast< SeqBase<T>&>( obj ) )
+        , offset( 0 )
+        , the_item( s.getItem( offset ) )
+        {}
+
+        ~seqref()
+        {}
+
+        operator T() const
+        { // rvalue
+            return the_item;
+        }
+
+        seqref<T> &operator=( const seqref<T> &rhs )
+        { //used as lvalue
+            the_item = rhs.the_item;
+            s.setItem( offset, the_item );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        seqref<T> &operator=( const T &ob )
+        { // used as lvalue
+            the_item = ob;
+            s.setItem( offset, ob );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // forward everything else to the item
+        PyObject *ptr() const
+        {
+            return the_item.ptr();
+        }
+
+        int reference_count() const
+        { // the reference count
+            return the_item.reference_count();
+        }
+
+        Type type() const
+        {
+            return the_item.type();
+        }
+
+        String str() const;
+        String repr() const;
+
+        bool hasAttr( const std::string &attr_name ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.hasAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        Object getAttr( const std::string &attr_name ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.getAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        Object getItem( const Object &key ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.getItem( key );
+        }
+
+        long hashValue() const
+        {
+            return the_item.hashValue();
+        }
+
+        bool isCallable() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isCallable();
+        }
+
+        bool isInstance() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isInstance();
+        }
+
+        bool isDict() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isDict();
+        }
+
+        bool isList() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isList();
+        }
+
+        bool isMapping() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isMapping();
+        }
+
+        bool isNumeric() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isNumeric();
+        }
+
+        bool isSequence() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isSequence();
+        }
+
+        bool isTrue() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isTrue();
+        }
+
+        bool isType( const Type &t ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.isType( t );
+        }
+
+        bool isTuple() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isTuple();
+        }
+
+        bool isString() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isString();
+        }
+        // Commands
+        void setAttr( const std::string &attr_name, const Object &value )
+        {
+            the_item.setAttr( attr_name, value );
+        }
+
+        void delAttr( const std::string &attr_name )
+        {
+            the_item.delAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        void delItem( const Object &key )
+        {
+            the_item.delItem( key );
+        }
+
+        bool operator==( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item == o2;
+        }
+
+        bool operator!=( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item != o2;
+        }
+
+        bool operator>=( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item >= o2;
+        }
+
+        bool operator<=( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item <= o2;
+        }
+
+        bool operator<( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item < o2;
+        }
+
+        bool operator>( const Object &o2 ) const
+        {
+            return the_item > o2;
+        }
+    }; // end of seqref
+
+
+    // class SeqBase<T>
+    // ...the base class for all sequence types
+
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    class SeqBase: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // STL definitions
+        typedef PyCxx_ssize_t size_type;
+        typedef seqref<T> reference;
+        typedef T const_reference;
+        typedef seqref<T> *pointer;
+        typedef int difference_type;
+        typedef T value_type;        // TMM: 26Jun'01
+
+        virtual size_type max_size() const
+        {
+            return static_cast<size_type>( std::string::npos ); // why this constant its not from python
+        }
+
+        virtual size_type capacity() const
+        {
+            return size();
+        }
+
+        virtual void swap( SeqBase<T> &c )
+        {
+            SeqBase<T> temp = c;
+            c = ptr();
+            set( temp.ptr() );
+        }
+
+        virtual size_type size() const
+        {
+            return PySequence_Length( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        explicit SeqBase<T>()
+        :Object( PyTuple_New( 0 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        explicit SeqBase<T>( PyObject *pyob, bool owned=false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        SeqBase<T>( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        SeqBase<T> &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        SeqBase<T> &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && PySequence_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        size_type length() const
+        {
+            return PySequence_Length( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        // Element access
+        const T operator[]( sequence_index_type index ) const
+        {
+            return getItem( index );
+        }
+
+        seqref<T> operator[]( sequence_index_type index )
+        {
+            return seqref<T>( *this, index );
+        }
+
+        virtual T getItem( sequence_index_type i ) const
+        {
+            return T( asObject( PySequence_GetItem( ptr(), i ) ) );
+        }
+
+        virtual void setItem( sequence_index_type i, const T &ob )
+        {
+            if( PySequence_SetItem( ptr(), i, *ob ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        SeqBase<T> repeat( int count ) const
+        {
+            return SeqBase<T>( PySequence_Repeat( ptr(), count ), true );
+        }
+
+        SeqBase<T> concat( const SeqBase<T> &other ) const
+        {
+            return SeqBase<T>( PySequence_Concat( ptr(), *other ), true );
+        }
+
+        // more STL compatability
+        const T front() const
+        {
+            return getItem( 0 );
+        }
+
+        seqref<T> front()
+        {
+            return seqref<T>( *this, 0 );
+        }
+
+        const T back() const
+        {
+            return getItem( size()-1 );
+        }
+
+        seqref<T> back()
+        {
+            return seqref<T>( *this, size()-1 );
+        }
+
+        void verify_length( size_type required_size ) const
+        {
+            if( size() != required_size )
+            {
+                throw IndexError( "Unexpected SeqBase<T> length." );
+            }
+        }
+
+        void verify_length( size_type min_size, size_type max_size ) const
+        {
+            size_type n = size();
+            if( n < min_size || n > max_size )
+            {
+                throw IndexError( "Unexpected SeqBase<T> length." );
+            }
+        }
+
+        class iterator: public random_access_iterator_parent( seqref<T> )
+        {
+        protected:
+            friend class SeqBase<T>;
+            SeqBase<T> *seq;
+            sequence_index_type count;
+
+        public:
+            ~iterator()
+            {}
+
+            iterator()
+            : seq( 0 )
+            , count( 0 )
+            {}
+
+            iterator( SeqBase<T> *s, Py_ssize_t where )
+            : seq( s )
+            , count( where )
+            {}
+
+            iterator( const iterator &other )
+            : seq( other.seq )
+            , count( other.count )
+            {}
+
+            bool eql( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return seq->ptr() == other.seq->ptr() && count == other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool neq( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return seq->ptr() != other.seq->ptr() || count != other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool lss( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count < other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool gtr( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count > other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool leq( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count <= other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool geq( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count >= other.count;
+            }
+
+            seqref<T> operator*()
+            {
+                return seqref<T>( *seq, count );
+            }
+
+            seqref<T> operator[]( sequence_index_type i )
+            {
+                return seqref<T>( *seq, count + i );
+            }
+
+            iterator &operator=( const iterator &other )
+            {
+                if( this != &other )
+                {
+                    seq = other.seq;
+                    count = other.count;
+                }
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            iterator operator+( sequence_index_type n ) const
+            {
+                return iterator( seq, count + n );
+            }
+
+            iterator operator-( sequence_index_type n ) const
+            {
+                return iterator( seq, count - n );
+            }
+
+            iterator &operator+=( sequence_index_type n )
+            {
+                count = count + n;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            iterator &operator-=( sequence_index_type n )
+            {
+                count = count - n;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            sequence_index_type operator-( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                if( seq->ptr() != other.seq->ptr() )
+                {
+                    throw RuntimeError( "SeqBase<T>::iterator comparison error" );
+                }
+                return count - other.count;
+            }
+
+            // prefix ++
+            iterator &operator++()
+            {
+                count++;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix ++
+            iterator operator++( int )
+            {
+                return iterator( seq, count++ );
+            }
+
+            // prefix --
+            iterator &operator--()
+            {
+                count--;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix --
+            iterator operator--( int )
+            {
+                return iterator( seq, count-- );
+            }
+
+            std::string diagnose() const
+            {
+                std::OSTRSTREAM oss;
+                oss << "iterator diagnosis " << seq << ", " << count << std::ends;
+                return std::string( oss.str() );
+            }
+
+        };    // end of class SeqBase<T>::iterator
+
+        iterator begin()
+        {
+            return iterator( this, 0 );
+        }
+
+        iterator end()
+        {
+            return iterator( this, length() );
+        }
+
+        class const_iterator
+        : public random_access_iterator_parent( const Object )
+        {
+        protected:
+            friend class SeqBase<T>;
+            const SeqBase<T> *seq;
+            sequence_index_type count;
+
+        public:
+            ~const_iterator()
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator()
+            : seq( 0 )
+            , count( 0 )
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator( const SeqBase<T> *s, sequence_index_type where )
+            : seq( s )
+            , count( where )
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator( const const_iterator &other )
+            : seq( other.seq )
+            , count( other.count )
+            {}
+
+            const T operator*() const
+            {
+                return seq->getItem( count );
+            }
+
+            const T operator[]( sequence_index_type i ) const
+            {
+                return seq->getItem( count + i );
+            }
+
+            const_iterator &operator=( const const_iterator &other )
+            {
+                if( this != &other )
+                {
+                    seq = other.seq;
+                    count = other.count;
+                }
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            const_iterator operator+( sequence_index_type n ) const
+            {
+                return const_iterator( seq, count + n );
+            }
+
+            bool eql( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return seq->ptr() == other.seq->ptr() && count == other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool neq( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return seq->ptr() != other.seq->ptr() || count != other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool lss( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count < other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool gtr( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count > other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool leq( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count <= other.count;
+            }
+
+            bool geq( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return count >= other.count;
+            }
+
+            const_iterator operator-( sequence_index_type n )
+            {
+                return const_iterator( seq, count - n );
+            }
+
+            const_iterator &operator+=( sequence_index_type n )
+            {
+                count = count + n;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            const_iterator &operator-=( sequence_index_type n )
+            {
+                count = count - n;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            int operator-( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                if( *seq != *other.seq )
+                {
+                    throw RuntimeError( "SeqBase<T>::const_iterator::- error" );
+                }
+                return count - other.count;
+            }
+
+            // prefix ++
+            const_iterator &operator++()
+            {
+                count++;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix ++
+            const_iterator operator++( int )
+            {
+                return const_iterator( seq, count++ );
+            }
+
+            // prefix --
+            const_iterator &operator--()
+            {
+                count--;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix --
+            const_iterator operator--( int )
+            {
+                return const_iterator( seq, count-- );
+            }
+
+        };    // end of class SeqBase<T>::const_iterator
+
+        const_iterator begin() const
+        {
+            return const_iterator( this, 0 );
+        }
+
+        const_iterator end() const
+        {
+            return const_iterator( this, length() );
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Here's an important typedef you might miss if reading too fast...
+    typedef SeqBase<Object> Sequence;
+
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator==( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator!=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator< ( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator> ( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator<=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator>=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::iterator &right );
+
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator==( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator!=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator< ( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator> ( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator<=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator>=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME SeqBase<T>::const_iterator &right ); 
+
+
+    extern bool operator==( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator!=( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator< ( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator> ( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator<=( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator>=( const Sequence::iterator &left, const Sequence::iterator &right );
+
+    extern bool operator==( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator!=( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator< ( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator> ( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator<=( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator>=( const Sequence::const_iterator &left, const Sequence::const_iterator &right ); 
+
+    // ==================================================
+    // class Char
+    // Python strings return strings as individual elements.
+    // I'll try having a class Char which is a String of length 1
+    //
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+    // This types are not available in stable ABI since Py_UNICODE and Py_UCS4 are not available as a typedefs.
+    // Applications that need to access the contents of a Unicode string can convert it to wchar_t.
+    typedef std::basic_string<Py_UNICODE> unicodestring;
+    typedef std::basic_string<Py_UCS4> ucs4string;
+
+    extern Py_UNICODE unicode_null_string[1];
+#endif
+
+    class Byte: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob != NULL
+                && Py::_Bytes_Check( pyob )
+                && PySequence_Length( pyob ) == 1;
+        }
+
+        explicit Byte( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Byte( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Byte( const std::string &v = "" )
+        : Object( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v.c_str() ), 1 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Byte( char v )
+        : Object( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( &v, 1 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Byte &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Byte &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Assignment from C string
+        Byte &operator=( const std::string &v )
+        {
+            set( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v.c_str() ), 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        Byte &operator=( char v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromStringAndSize( &v, 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Conversion
+        operator Bytes() const;
+    };
+
+    class Bytes: public SeqBase<Byte>
+    {
+    public:
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob != NULL && Py::_Bytes_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        virtual size_type capacity() const
+        {
+            return max_size();
+        }
+
+        explicit Bytes( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes( const Object &ob )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes()
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( "", 0 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes( const std::string &v )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v.data() ), v.length() ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes( const std::string &v, Py_ssize_t vsize )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v.data() ), vsize ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes( const char *v )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( PyBytes_FromString( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Bytes( const char *v, Py_ssize_t vsize )
+        : SeqBase<Byte>( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v ), vsize ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Bytes &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Bytes &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Assignment from C string
+        Bytes &operator=( const std::string &v )
+        {
+            set( PyBytes_FromStringAndSize( const_cast<char*>( v.data() ), v.length() ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        String decode( const char *encoding, const char *error="strict" );
+
+        // Queries
+        virtual size_type size() const
+        {
+            return PyBytes_Size( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        operator std::string() const
+        {
+            return as_std_string();
+        }
+
+        std::string as_std_string() const
+        {
+            return std::string( PyBytes_AsString( ptr() ), static_cast<size_t>( PyBytes_Size( ptr() ) ) );
+        }
+    };
+
+    class Char: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return (pyob != 0 &&
+                    Py::_Unicode_Check( pyob ) &&
+                    PySequence_Length( pyob ) == 1);
+        }
+
+        explicit Char( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Char( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Char( int v )
+        : Object( PyUnicode_FromOrdinal( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        Char( Py_UNICODE v )
+        : Object( PyUnicode_FromOrdinal( v ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        Char( const std::basic_string<wchar_t> &v )
+        : Object( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( const_cast<wchar_t*>( v.data() ), 1 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        Char( const unicodestring &v )
+        : Object( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( const_cast<Py_UNICODE*>( v.data() ), 1 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Char &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Char &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        Char &operator=( const std::basic_string<wchar_t> &v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( const_cast<wchar_t*>( v.data() ), 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        Char &operator=( const unicodestring &v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( const_cast<Py_UNICODE*>( v.data() ), 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        Char &operator=( int v_ )
+        {
+            wchar_t v( static_cast<wchar_t>( v_ ) );
+            set( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( &v, 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        Char &operator=( int v_ )
+        {
+            Py_UNICODE v( static_cast<Py_UNICODE>( v_ ) );
+            set( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( &v, 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        Char &operator=( wchar_t v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( &v, 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        Char &operator=( Py_UNICODE v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( &v, 1 ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+        long ord()
+        {
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+            if( PyUnicode_READY( ptr() ) == -1 )
+            {
+                throw RuntimeError( "Char::ord() PyUnicode_READY() failed." );
+            }
+            return static_cast<long>( PyUnicode_READ_CHAR( ptr(), 0 ) );
+#else
+            return static_cast<long>( PyUnicode_ReadChar( ptr(), 0 ) );
+#endif
+        }
+
+        // Conversion
+        operator String() const;
+    };
+
+    class String: public SeqBase<Char>
+    {
+    public:
+        virtual size_type capacity() const
+        {
+            return max_size();
+        }
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob != NULL && Py::_Unicode_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        explicit String( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const Object &ob )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String()
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromString( "" ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const char *latin1 )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromString( latin1 ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const std::string &latin1 )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromStringAndSize( latin1.c_str(), latin1.size() ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const char *latin1, Py_ssize_t size )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromStringAndSize( latin1, size ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        /* [Taken from Pythons's unicode.h]
+
+           Many of these APIs take two arguments encoding and errors. These
+           parameters encoding and errors have the same semantics as the ones
+           of the builtin unicode() API. 
+
+           Setting encoding to NULL causes the default encoding to be used.
+
+           Error handling is set by errors which may also be set to NULL
+           meaning to use the default handling defined for the codec. Default
+           error handling for all builtin codecs is "strict" (ValueErrors are
+           raised).
+
+           The codecs all use a similar interface. Only deviation from the
+           generic ones are documented.
+
+        */
+        String( const std::string &s, const char *encoding, const char *errors=NULL )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_Decode( s.c_str(), s.size(), encoding, errors ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const char *s, const char *encoding, const char *errors=NULL )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_Decode( s, strlen(s), encoding, errors ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const char *s, Py_ssize_t size, const char *encoding, const char *errors=NULL )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_Decode( s, size, encoding, errors ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#if !defined( Py_UNICODE_WIDE ) && !defined( Py_LIMITED_API )
+        // Need these c'tors becuase Py_UNICODE is 2 bytes
+        // User may use "int" or "unsigned int" as the unicode type
+        String( const unsigned int *s, int length )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromKindAndData( PyUnicode_4BYTE_KIND, reinterpret_cast<const Py_UCS4 *>( s ), length ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        String( const int *s, int length )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromKindAndData( PyUnicode_4BYTE_KIND, reinterpret_cast<const Py_UCS4 *>( s ), length ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        String( const wchar_t *s, int length )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( s, length ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        String( const Py_UNICODE *s, int length )
+        : SeqBase<Char>( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( s, length ), true )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+#endif
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        String &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        String &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        String &operator=( const std::basic_string<wchar_t> &v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromWideChar( const_cast<wchar_t *>( v.data() ), v.length() ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        String &operator=( const unicodestring &v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromUnicode( const_cast<Py_UNICODE *>( v.data() ), v.length() ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+
+#if !defined( Py_UNICODE_WIDE ) && !defined( Py_LIMITED_API )
+        String &operator=( const ucs4string &v )
+        {
+            set( PyUnicode_FromKindAndData( PyUnicode_4BYTE_KIND, reinterpret_cast<const Py_UCS4 *>( v.data() ), v.length() ), true );
+            return *this;
+        }
+#endif
+        // Encode
+        Bytes encode( const char *encoding, const char *error="strict" ) const
+        {
+            return Bytes( PyUnicode_AsEncodedString( ptr(), encoding, error ), true );
+        }
+
+        // Queries
+        virtual size_type size() const
+        {
+            return PyUnicode_GetLength( ptr() );
+        }
+
+#if defined( Py_LIMITED_API ) && defined( HAVE_WCHAR_H )
+        const wchar_t *as_wchar_string() const
+        {
+            return PyUnicode_AsWideCharString( ptr(), NULL );
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        const Py_UNICODE *unicode_data() const
+        {
+            return PyUnicode_AS_UNICODE( ptr() );
+        }
+#endif
+
+#ifndef Py_LIMITED_API
+        unicodestring as_unicodestring() const
+        {
+            return unicodestring( unicode_data(), PyUnicode_GET_SIZE( ptr() ) );
+        }
+
+        ucs4string as_ucs4string() const
+        {
+            Py_UCS4 *buf = new Py_UCS4[ size() ];
+            if( PyUnicode_AsUCS4( ptr(), buf, size(), 0 ) == NULL )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+            ucs4string ucs4( buf, size() );
+            delete[] buf;
+
+            return ucs4;
+        }
+#endif
+
+        operator std::string() const
+        {
+            // use the default encoding
+            return as_std_string( NULL );
+        }
+
+        std::string as_std_string( const char *encoding=NULL, const char *error="strict" ) const
+        {
+            Bytes b( encode( encoding, error ) );
+            return b.as_std_string();
+        }
+    };
+
+    // ==================================================
+    // class Tuple
+    class Tuple: public Sequence
+    {
+    public:
+        virtual void setItem( sequence_index_type offset, const Object&ob )
+        {
+            // note PyTuple_SetItem is a thief...
+            if( PyTuple_SetItem( ptr(), offset, new_reference_to( ob ) ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Tuple( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Sequence( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Tuple( const Object &ob )
+        : Sequence( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // New tuple of a given size
+        explicit Tuple( int size=0 )
+        {
+            set( PyTuple_New( size ), true );
+            validate();
+            for( sequence_index_type i=0; i < size; i++ )
+            {
+                if( PyTuple_SetItem( ptr(), i, new_reference_to( Py::_None() ) ) == -1 )
+                {
+                    ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        // Tuple from any sequence
+        explicit Tuple( const Sequence &s )
+        {
+            sequence_index_type limit( sequence_index_type( s.length() ) );
+
+            set( PyTuple_New( limit ), true );
+            validate();
+
+            for( sequence_index_type i=0; i < limit; i++ )
+            {
+                if( PyTuple_SetItem( ptr(), i, new_reference_to( s[i] ) ) == -1 )
+                {
+                    ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Tuple &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Tuple &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Tuple_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        Tuple getSlice( int i, int j ) const
+        {
+            return Tuple( PySequence_GetSlice( ptr(), i, j ), true );
+        }
+
+    };
+
+    class TupleN: public Tuple
+    {
+    public:
+        TupleN()
+        : Tuple( 0 )
+        {
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1 )
+        : Tuple( 1 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2 )
+        : Tuple( 2 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3 )
+        : Tuple( 3 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4 )
+        : Tuple( 4 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4, const Object &obj5 )
+        : Tuple( 5 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+            setItem( 4, obj5 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4, const Object &obj5, const Object &obj6 )
+        : Tuple( 6 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+            setItem( 4, obj5 );
+            setItem( 5, obj6 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4, const Object &obj5, const Object &obj6,
+                const Object &obj7 )
+        : Tuple( 7 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+            setItem( 4, obj5 );
+            setItem( 5, obj6 );
+            setItem( 6, obj7 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4, const Object &obj5, const Object &obj6,
+                const Object &obj7, const Object &obj8 )
+        : Tuple( 8 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+            setItem( 4, obj5 );
+            setItem( 5, obj6 );
+            setItem( 6, obj7 );
+            setItem( 7, obj8 );
+        }
+
+        TupleN( const Object &obj1, const Object &obj2, const Object &obj3,
+                const Object &obj4, const Object &obj5, const Object &obj6,
+                const Object &obj7, const Object &obj8, const Object &obj9 )
+        : Tuple( 9 )
+        {
+            setItem( 0, obj1 );
+            setItem( 1, obj2 );
+            setItem( 2, obj3 );
+            setItem( 3, obj4 );
+            setItem( 4, obj5 );
+            setItem( 5, obj6 );
+            setItem( 6, obj7 );
+            setItem( 7, obj8 );
+            setItem( 8, obj9 );
+        }
+
+        virtual ~TupleN()
+        { }
+    };
+
+    // ==================================================
+    // class List
+
+    class List: public Sequence
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit List( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Sequence( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+        List( const Object &ob )
+        : Sequence( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+        // Creation at a fixed size
+        List( size_type size = 0 )
+        {
+            set( PyList_New( size ), true );
+            validate();
+            for( sequence_index_type i=0; i < size; i++ )
+            {
+                if( PyList_SetItem( ptr(), i, new_reference_to( Py::_None() ) ) == -1 )
+                {
+                    ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        // List from a sequence
+        List( const Sequence &s )
+        : Sequence()
+        {
+            size_type n = s.length();
+            set( PyList_New( n ), true );
+            validate();
+            for( sequence_index_type i=0; i < n; i++ )
+            {
+                if( PyList_SetItem( ptr(), i, new_reference_to( s[i] ) ) == -1 )
+                {
+                    ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
+        virtual size_type capacity() const
+        {
+            return max_size();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        List &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        List &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_List_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        List getSlice( int i, int j ) const
+        {
+            return List( PyList_GetSlice( ptr(), i, j ), true );
+        }
+
+        void setSlice( Py_ssize_t i, Py_ssize_t j, const Object &v )
+        {
+            if( PyList_SetSlice( ptr(), i, j, *v ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void append( const Object &ob )
+        {
+            if( PyList_Append( ptr(), *ob ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void extend( const Object &ob )
+        {
+            setSlice( size(), size(), ob );
+        }
+
+        void insert( int i, const Object &ob )
+        {
+            if( PyList_Insert( ptr(), i, *ob ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void sort()
+        {
+            if( PyList_Sort( ptr() ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void reverse()
+        {
+            if( PyList_Reverse( ptr() ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+
+    // Mappings
+    // ==================================================
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    class mapref
+    {
+    protected:
+        MapBase<T> &s; // the map
+        Object key; // item key
+        T the_item;
+
+    public:
+        mapref<T>( MapBase<T> &map, const std::string &k )
+        : s( map ), the_item()
+        {
+            key = String( k );
+            if( map.hasKey( key ) ) the_item = map.getItem( key );
+        }
+
+        mapref<T>( MapBase<T> &map, const Object &k )
+        : s( map ), key( k ), the_item()
+        {
+            if( map.hasKey( key ) ) the_item = map.getItem( key );
+        }
+
+        virtual ~mapref<T>()
+        {}
+
+        // MapBase<T> stuff
+        // lvalue
+        mapref<T> &operator=( const mapref<T> &other )
+        {
+            if( this != &other )
+            {
+                the_item = other.the_item;
+                s.setItem( key, other.the_item );
+            }
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        mapref<T> &operator=( const T &ob )
+        {
+            the_item = ob;
+            s.setItem( key, ob );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // rvalue
+        operator T() const
+        {
+            return the_item;
+        }
+
+        // forward everything else to the_item
+        PyObject *ptr() const
+        {
+            return the_item.ptr();
+        }
+
+        int reference_count() const
+        { // the mapref count
+            return the_item.reference_count();
+        }
+
+        Type type() const
+        {
+            return the_item.type();
+        }
+
+        String str() const
+        {
+            return the_item.str();
+        }
+
+        String repr() const
+        {
+            return the_item.repr();
+        }
+
+        bool hasAttr( const std::string &attr_name ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.hasAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        Object getAttr( const std::string &attr_name ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.getAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        Object getItem( const Object &k ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.getItem( k );
+        }
+
+        long hashValue() const
+        {
+            return the_item.hashValue();
+        }
+
+        bool isCallable() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isCallable();
+        }
+
+        bool isInstance() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isInstance();
+        }
+
+        bool isList() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isList();
+        }
+
+        bool isMapping() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isMapping();
+        }
+
+        bool isNumeric() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isNumeric();
+        }
+
+        bool isSequence() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isSequence();
+        }
+
+        bool isTrue() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isTrue();
+        }
+
+        bool isType( const Type &t ) const
+        {
+            return the_item.isType( t );
+        }
+
+        bool isTuple() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isTuple();
+        }
+
+        bool isString() const
+        {
+            return the_item.isString();
+        }
+
+        // Commands
+        void setAttr( const std::string &attr_name, const Object &value )
+        {
+            the_item.setAttr( attr_name, value );
+        }
+
+        void delAttr( const std::string &attr_name )
+        {
+            the_item.delAttr( attr_name );
+        }
+
+        void delItem( const Object &k )
+        {
+            the_item.delItem( k );
+        }
+    }; // end of mapref
+
+#if 0
+    // TMM: now for mapref<T>
+    template< class T >
+    bool operator==( const mapref<T> &left, const mapref<T> &right )
+    {
+        return true;    // NOT completed.
+    }
+
+    template< class T >
+    bool operator!=( const mapref<T> &left, const mapref<T> &right )
+    {
+        return true;    // not completed.
+    }
+#endif
+
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    class MapBase: public Object
+    {
+    protected:
+        explicit MapBase<T>()
+        {}
+    public:
+        // reference: proxy class for implementing []
+        // TMM: 26Jun'01 - the types
+        // If you assume that Python mapping is a hash_map...
+        // hash_map::value_type is not assignable, but
+        //( *it ).second = data must be a valid expression
+        typedef PyCxx_ssize_t size_type;
+        typedef Object key_type;
+        typedef mapref<T> data_type;
+        typedef std::pair< const T, T > value_type;
+        typedef std::pair< const T, mapref<T> > reference;
+        typedef const std::pair< const T, const T > const_reference;
+        typedef std::pair< const T, mapref<T> > pointer;
+
+        // Constructor
+        explicit MapBase<T>( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // TMM: 02Jul'01 - changed MapBase<T> to Object in next line
+        MapBase<T>( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        MapBase<T> &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        MapBase<T> &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && PyMapping_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        // Clear -- PyMapping Clear is missing
+        //
+
+        void clear()
+        {
+            List k = keys();
+            for( List::iterator i = k.begin(); i != k.end(); i++ )
+            {
+                delItem( *i );
+            }
+        }
+
+        virtual Py_ssize_t size() const
+        {
+            return PyMapping_Length( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        // Element Access
+        T operator[]( const std::string &key ) const
+        {
+            return getItem( key );
+        }
+
+        T operator[]( const Object &key ) const
+        {
+            return getItem( key );
+        }
+
+        mapref<T> operator[]( const char *key )
+        {
+            return mapref<T>( *this, key );
+        }
+
+        mapref<T> operator[]( const std::string &key )
+        {
+            return mapref<T>( *this, key );
+        }
+
+        mapref<T> operator[]( const Object &key )
+        {
+            return mapref<T>( *this, key );
+        }
+
+        Py_ssize_t length() const
+        {
+            return PyMapping_Length( ptr() );
+        }
+
+        bool hasKey( const std::string &s ) const
+        {
+            return PyMapping_HasKeyString( ptr(),const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        bool hasKey( const Object &s ) const
+        {
+            return PyMapping_HasKey( ptr(), s.ptr() ) != 0;
+        }
+
+        T getItem( const std::string &s ) const
+        {
+            return T( asObject( PyMapping_GetItemString( ptr(),const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ) ) );
+        }
+
+        T getItem( const Object &s ) const
+        {
+            return T( asObject( PyObject_GetItem( ptr(), s.ptr() ) ) );
+        }
+
+        virtual void setItem( const char *s, const Object &ob )
+        {
+            if( PyMapping_SetItemString( ptr(), const_cast<char*>( s ), *ob ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        virtual void setItem( const std::string &s, const Object &ob )
+        {
+            if( PyMapping_SetItemString( ptr(), const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ), *ob ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        virtual void setItem( const Object &s, const Object &ob )
+        {
+            if( PyObject_SetItem( ptr(), s.ptr(), ob.ptr() ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void delItem( const std::string &s )
+        {
+            if( PyMapping_DelItemString( ptr(), const_cast<char*>( s.c_str() ) ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        void delItem( const Object &s )
+        {
+            if( PyMapping_DelItem( ptr(), *s ) == -1 )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Queries
+        List keys() const
+        {
+            return List( PyMapping_Keys( ptr() ), true );
+        }
+
+        List values() const
+        {
+            // each returned item is a (key, value) pair
+            return List( PyMapping_Values( ptr() ), true );
+        }
+
+        List items() const
+        {
+            return List( PyMapping_Items( ptr() ), true );
+        }
+
+        class iterator
+        {
+            // : public forward_iterator_parent( std::pair<const T,T> ) {
+        protected:
+            typedef std::forward_iterator_tag iterator_category;
+            typedef std::pair< const T, T > value_type;
+            typedef int difference_type;
+            typedef std::pair< const T, mapref<T> >    pointer;
+            typedef std::pair< const T, mapref<T> >    reference;
+
+            friend class MapBase<T>;
+            //
+            MapBase<T>          *map;
+            List                keys;       // for iterating over the map
+            sequence_index_type pos;        // index into the keys
+
+        public:
+            ~iterator()
+            {}
+
+            iterator()
+            : map( 0 )
+            , keys()
+            , pos( 0 )
+            {}
+
+            iterator( MapBase<T> *m, bool end = false )
+            : map( m )
+            , keys( m->keys() )
+            , pos( end ? keys.length() : 0 )
+            {}
+
+            iterator( const iterator &other )
+            : map( other.map )
+            , keys( other.keys )
+            , pos( other.pos )
+            {}
+
+            iterator( MapBase<T> *map_, List keys_, int pos_ )
+            : map( map_ )
+            , keys( keys_ )
+            , pos( pos_ )
+            {}
+
+            reference operator*()
+            {
+                Object key = keys[ pos ];
+                return std::make_pair( key, mapref<T>( *map, key ) );
+            }
+
+            iterator &operator=( const iterator &other )
+            {
+                if( this != &other )
+                {
+                    map = other.map;
+                    keys = other.keys;
+                    pos = other.pos;
+                }
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            bool eql( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return map->ptr() == other.map->ptr() && pos == other.pos;
+            }
+
+            bool neq( const iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return map->ptr() != other.map->ptr() || pos != other.pos;
+            }
+
+            // pointer operator->() {
+            //    return ;
+            // }
+
+            // prefix ++
+            iterator &operator++()
+            {
+                pos++;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix ++
+            iterator operator++( int )
+            {
+                return iterator( map, keys, pos++ );
+            }
+
+            // prefix --
+            iterator &operator--()
+            {
+                pos--;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix --
+            iterator operator--( int )
+            { 
+                return iterator( map, keys, pos-- );
+            }
+
+            std::string diagnose() const
+            {
+                std::OSTRSTREAM oss;
+                oss << "iterator diagnosis " << map << ", " << pos << std::ends;
+                return std::string( oss.str() );
+            }
+        };    // end of class MapBase<T>::iterator
+
+        iterator begin()
+        {
+            return iterator( this, false );
+        }
+
+        iterator end()
+        {
+            return iterator( this, true );
+        }
+
+        class const_iterator
+        {
+        protected:
+            typedef std::forward_iterator_tag iterator_category;
+            typedef const std::pair< const T, T > value_type;
+            typedef int difference_type;
+            typedef const std::pair< const T, T > pointer;
+            typedef const std::pair< const T, T > reference;
+
+            friend class MapBase<T>;
+            const MapBase<T>    *map;
+            List                keys;   // for iterating over the map
+            Py_ssize_t          pos;    // index into the keys
+
+        public:
+            ~const_iterator()
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator()
+            : map( 0 )
+            , keys()
+            , pos()
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator( const MapBase<T> *m, List k, Py_ssize_t p )
+            : map( m )
+            , keys( k )
+            , pos( p )
+            {}
+
+            const_iterator( const const_iterator &other )
+            : map( other.map )
+            , keys( other.keys )
+            , pos( other.pos )
+            {}
+
+            bool eql( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return map->ptr() == other.map->ptr() && pos == other.pos;
+            }
+
+            bool neq( const const_iterator &other ) const
+            {
+                return map->ptr() != other.map->ptr() || pos != other.pos;
+            }
+
+
+            //            const_reference    operator*() {
+            //                Object key = *pos;
+            //                return std::make_pair( key, map->[key] );
+            // GCC < 3 barfes on this line at the '['.
+            //         }
+
+            const_reference operator*()
+            {
+                Object key = keys[ pos ];
+                return std::make_pair( key, mapref<T>( *map, key ) );
+            }
+
+            const_iterator &operator=( const const_iterator &other )
+            {
+                if( this != &other )
+                {
+                    map = other.map;
+                    keys = other.keys;
+                    pos = other.pos;
+                }
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // prefix ++
+            const_iterator &operator++()
+            {
+                pos++;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix ++
+            const_iterator operator++( int )
+            {
+                return const_iterator( map, keys, pos++ );
+            }
+
+            // prefix --
+            const_iterator &operator--()
+            {
+                pos--;
+                return *this;
+            }
+
+            // postfix --
+            const_iterator operator--( int )
+            {
+                return const_iterator( map, keys, pos-- );
+            }
+        };    // end of class MapBase<T>::const_iterator
+
+        const_iterator begin() const
+        {
+            return const_iterator( this, keys(), 0 );
+        }
+
+        const_iterator end() const
+        {
+            return const_iterator( this, keys(), length() );
+        }
+
+    };    // end of MapBase<T>
+
+    typedef MapBase<Object> Mapping;
+
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator==( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator!=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator==( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+    template <TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T> bool operator!=( const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::const_iterator &left, const EXPLICIT_TYPENAME MapBase<T>::const_iterator &right );
+
+    extern bool operator==( const Mapping::iterator &left, const Mapping::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator!=( const Mapping::iterator &left, const Mapping::iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator==( const Mapping::const_iterator &left, const Mapping::const_iterator &right );
+    extern bool operator!=( const Mapping::const_iterator &left, const Mapping::const_iterator &right );
+
+
+    // ==================================================
+    // class Dict
+    class Dict: public Mapping
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Dict( PyObject *pyob, bool owned=false )
+        : Mapping( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Dict( const Object &ob )
+        : Mapping( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Creation
+        Dict()
+        {
+            set( PyDict_New(), true );
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Dict &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Dict &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && Py::_Dict_Check( pyob );
+        }
+    };
+
+    class Callable: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        // Constructor
+        explicit Callable()
+        : Object()
+        {}
+
+        explicit Callable( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Callable( const Object &ob )
+        : Object( ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Assignment acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Callable &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Callable &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+            {
+                set( rhsp );
+            }
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        // Membership
+        virtual bool accepts( PyObject *pyob ) const
+        {
+            return pyob && PyCallable_Check( pyob );
+        }
+
+        // Call
+        Object apply( const Tuple &args ) const
+        {
+            PyObject *result = PyObject_CallObject( ptr(), args.ptr() );
+            if( result == NULL )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+            return asObject( result );
+        }
+
+        // Call with keywords
+        Object apply( const Tuple &args, const Dict &kw ) const
+        {
+            PyObject *result = PyEval_CallObjectWithKeywords( ptr(), args.ptr(), kw.ptr() );
+            if( result == NULL )
+            {
+                ifPyErrorThrowCxxException();
+            }
+            return asObject( result );
+        }
+
+        Object apply( PyObject *pargs = 0 ) const
+        {
+            if( pargs == 0 )
+            {
+                return apply( Tuple() );
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                return apply( Tuple( pargs ) );
+            }
+        }
+    };
+
+    class Module: public Object
+    {
+    public:
+        explicit Module( PyObject *pyob, bool owned = false )
+        : Object( pyob, owned )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Construct from module name
+        explicit Module( const std::string &s )
+        : Object()
+        {
+            PyObject *m = PyImport_AddModule( const_cast<char *>( s.c_str() ) );
+            set( m, false );
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        // Copy constructor acquires new ownership of pointer
+        Module( const Module &ob )
+        : Object( *ob )
+        {
+            validate();
+        }
+
+        Module &operator=( const Object &rhs )
+        {
+            return *this = *rhs;
+        }
+
+        Module &operator=( PyObject *rhsp )
+        {
+            if( ptr() != rhsp )
+                set( rhsp );
+            return *this;
+        }
+
+        Dict getDict() const
+        {
+            return Dict( PyModule_GetDict( ptr() ) );
+            // Caution -- PyModule_GetDict returns borrowed reference!
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Call function helper
+    inline Object Object::callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name ) const
+    {
+        Callable target( getAttr( function_name ) );
+        Tuple args( 0 );
+        return target.apply( args );
+    }
+
+    inline Object Object::callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name, const Tuple &args ) const
+    {
+        Callable target( getAttr( function_name ) );
+        return target.apply( args );
+    }
+
+    inline Object Object::callMemberFunction( const std::string &function_name, const Tuple &args, const Dict &kw ) const
+    {
+        Callable target( getAttr( function_name ) );
+        return target.apply( args, kw );
+    }
+
+    // Numeric interface
+    inline Object operator+( const Object &a )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Positive( *a ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator-( const Object &a )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Negative( *a ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object abs( const Object &a )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Absolute( *a ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // operator +
+    inline Object operator+( const Object &a, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *a, *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( const Object &a, int j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( const Object &a, long j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( const Object &a, double v )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *a, *Float( v ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( int j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( long j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator+( double v, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Add( *Float( v ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // operator -
+    inline Object operator-( const Object &a, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Subtract( *a, *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator-( const Object &a, int j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Subtract( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator-( const Object &a, double v )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Subtract( *a, *Float( v ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator-( int j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Subtract( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator-( double v, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Subtract( *Float( v ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // operator *
+    inline Object operator*( const Object &a, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Multiply( *a, *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator*( const Object &a, int j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Multiply( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator*( const Object &a, double v )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Multiply( *a, *Float( v ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator*( int j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Multiply( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator*( double v, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Multiply( *Float( v ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // operator /
+    inline Object operator/( const Object &a, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_TrueDivide( *a, *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator/( const Object &a, int j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_TrueDivide( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator/( const Object &a, double v )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_TrueDivide( *a, *Float( v ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator/( int j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_TrueDivide( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator/( double v, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_TrueDivide( *Float( v ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // operator %
+    inline Object operator%( const Object &a, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Remainder( *a, *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator%( const Object &a, int j )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Remainder( *a, *Long( j ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator%( const Object &a, double v )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Remainder( *a, *Float( v ) ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator%( int j, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Remainder( *Long( j ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    inline Object operator%( double v, const Object &b )
+    {
+        return asObject( PyNumber_Remainder( *Float( v ), *b ) );
+    }
+
+    //------------------------------------------------------------
+    // type
+    inline Object type( const BaseException & ) // return the type of the error
+    {
+        PyObject *ptype, *pvalue, *ptrace;
+        PyErr_Fetch( &ptype, &pvalue, &ptrace );
+        Object result;
+        if( ptype )
+            result = ptype;
+        PyErr_Restore( ptype, pvalue, ptrace );
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    inline Object value( const BaseException & ) // return the value of the error
+    {
+        PyObject *ptype, *pvalue, *ptrace;
+        PyErr_Fetch( &ptype, &pvalue, &ptrace );
+        Object result;
+        if( pvalue )
+            result = pvalue;
+        PyErr_Restore( ptype, pvalue, ptrace );
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    inline Object trace( const BaseException & ) // return the traceback of the error
+    {
+        PyObject *ptype, *pvalue, *ptrace;
+        PyErr_Fetch( &ptype, &pvalue, &ptrace );
+        Object result;
+        if( ptrace )
+            result = ptrace;
+        PyErr_Restore( ptype, pvalue, ptrace );
+        return result;
+    }
+
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    String seqref<T>::str() const
+    {
+        return the_item.str();
+    }
+
+    template<TEMPLATE_TYPENAME T>
+    String seqref<T>::repr() const
+    {
+        return the_item.repr();
+    }
+
+} // namespace Py
+#endif    // __CXX_Objects__h