diff --git a/hawk/lib/hawk-prv.h b/hawk/lib/hawk-prv.h
index 91841d7e..65e47267 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/hawk-prv.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/hawk-prv.h
@@ -410,7 +410,6 @@ struct hawk_rtx_t
 
 	struct
 	{
-		void* brs[2];
 		void* rs[2];
 		void* fs[2]; 
 		int ignorecase;
diff --git a/hawk/lib/hawk-tre.h b/hawk/lib/hawk-tre.h
index 635f7933..2d36074f 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/hawk-tre.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/hawk-tre.h
@@ -137,6 +137,26 @@ HAWK_EXPORT int hawk_tre_exec (
 	hawk_gem_t*        errgem
 );
 
+HAWK_EXPORT int hawk_tre_execuchars (
+	hawk_tre_t*        tre,
+	const hawk_uch_t*  str,
+	hawk_oow_t         len,
+	hawk_tre_match_t*  pmatch,
+	hawk_oow_t         nmatch,
+	int                eflags,
+	hawk_gem_t*        errgem
+);
+
+HAWK_EXPORT int hawk_tre_execbchars (
+	hawk_tre_t*        tre,
+	const hawk_bch_t*  str,
+	hawk_oow_t         len,
+	hawk_tre_match_t*  pmatch,
+	hawk_oow_t         nmatch,
+	int                eflags,
+	hawk_gem_t*        errgem
+);
+
 #if defined(__cplusplus)
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/hawk/lib/hawk.h b/hawk/lib/hawk.h
index bf77335b..a537893e 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/hawk.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/hawk.h
@@ -1298,7 +1298,6 @@ enum hawk_gbl_id_t
 	 * but is this check really necessary???
 	 */
 
-	HAWK_GBL_BRS,
 	HAWK_GBL_CONVFMT,
 	HAWK_GBL_FILENAME,
 	HAWK_GBL_FNR,
@@ -1319,7 +1318,7 @@ enum hawk_gbl_id_t
 	/* these are not not the actual IDs and are used internally only 
 	 * Make sure you update these values properly if you add more 
 	 * ID definitions, however */
-	HAWK_MIN_GBL_ID = HAWK_GBL_BRS,
+	HAWK_MIN_GBL_ID = HAWK_GBL_CONVFMT,
 	HAWK_MAX_GBL_ID = HAWK_GBL_SUBSEP
 };
 typedef enum hawk_gbl_id_t hawk_gbl_id_t;
diff --git a/hawk/lib/misc-prv.h b/hawk/lib/misc-prv.h
index 3cd8b91c..2d538dca 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/misc-prv.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/misc-prv.h
@@ -83,6 +83,17 @@ int hawk_rtx_matchrex (
 	hawk_oocs_t* match, hawk_oocs_t submat[9]
 );
 
+int hawk_rtx_matchrexwithucs (
+	hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_tre_t* code, 
+	const hawk_ucs_t* str, const hawk_ucs_t* substr,
+	hawk_ucs_t* match, hawk_ucs_t submat[9]
+);
+
+int hawk_rtx_matchrexwithbcs (
+	hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_tre_t* code, 
+	const hawk_bcs_t* str, const hawk_bcs_t* substr,
+	hawk_bcs_t* match, hawk_bcs_t submat[9]
+);
 
 #if defined(__cplusplus)
 }
diff --git a/hawk/lib/misc.c b/hawk/lib/misc.c
index 2a1dcf46..958005e8 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/misc.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/misc.c
@@ -471,6 +471,84 @@ static int matchtre (hawk_tre_t* tre, int opt, const hawk_oocs_t* str, hawk_oocs
 	return 1;
 }
 
+static int matchtre_ucs (hawk_tre_t* tre, int opt, const hawk_ucs_t* str, hawk_ucs_t* mat, hawk_ucs_t submat[9], hawk_gem_t* errgem)
+{
+	int n;
+	/*hawk_tre_match_t match[10] = { { 0, 0 }, };*/
+	hawk_tre_match_t match[10];
+
+	HAWK_MEMSET (match, 0, HAWK_SIZEOF(match));
+	n = hawk_tre_execbchars(tre, str->ptr, str->len, match, HAWK_COUNTOF(match), opt, errgem);
+	if (n <= -1)
+	{
+		if (hawk_gem_geterrnum(errgem) == HAWK_EREXNOMAT) return 0;
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	HAWK_ASSERT (match[0].rm_so != -1);
+	if (mat)
+	{
+		mat->ptr = &str->ptr[match[0].rm_so];
+		mat->len = match[0].rm_eo - match[0].rm_so;
+	}
+
+	if (submat)
+	{
+		int i;
+
+		/* you must intialize submat before you pass into this 
+		 * function because it can abort filling */
+		for (i = 1; i < HAWK_COUNTOF(match); i++)
+		{
+			if (match[i].rm_so != -1) 
+			{
+				submat[i-1].ptr = &str->ptr[match[i].rm_so];
+				submat[i-1].len = match[i].rm_eo - match[i].rm_so;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return 1;
+}
+
+static int matchtre_bcs (hawk_tre_t* tre, int opt, const hawk_bcs_t* str, hawk_bcs_t* mat, hawk_bcs_t submat[9], hawk_gem_t* errgem)
+{
+	int n;
+	/*hawk_tre_match_t match[10] = { { 0, 0 }, };*/
+	hawk_tre_match_t match[10];
+
+	HAWK_MEMSET (match, 0, HAWK_SIZEOF(match));
+	n = hawk_tre_execbchars(tre, str->ptr, str->len, match, HAWK_COUNTOF(match), opt, errgem);
+	if (n <= -1)
+	{
+		if (hawk_gem_geterrnum(errgem) == HAWK_EREXNOMAT) return 0;
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	HAWK_ASSERT (match[0].rm_so != -1);
+	if (mat)
+	{
+		mat->ptr = &str->ptr[match[0].rm_so];
+		mat->len = match[0].rm_eo - match[0].rm_so;
+	}
+
+	if (submat)
+	{
+		int i;
+
+		/* you must intialize submat before you pass into this 
+		 * function because it can abort filling */
+		for (i = 1; i < HAWK_COUNTOF(match); i++)
+		{
+			if (match[i].rm_so != -1) 
+			{
+				submat[i-1].ptr = &str->ptr[match[i].rm_so];
+				submat[i-1].len = match[i].rm_eo - match[i].rm_so;
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	return 1;
+}
+
 int hawk_rtx_matchval (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_val_t* val, const hawk_oocs_t* str, const hawk_oocs_t* substr, hawk_oocs_t* match, hawk_oocs_t submat[9])
 {
 	int ignorecase, x;
@@ -522,3 +600,21 @@ int hawk_rtx_matchrex (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_tre_t* code, const hawk_oocs_t* str
 		substr, match, submat, hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx)
 	);
 }
+
+int hawk_rtx_matchrexwithucs (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_tre_t* code, const hawk_ucs_t* str, const hawk_ucs_t* substr, hawk_ucs_t* match, hawk_ucs_t submat[9])
+{
+	int opt = HAWK_TRE_BACKTRACKING; /* TODO: option... HAWK_TRE_BACKTRACKING or others??? */
+	return matchtre_ucs(
+		code, ((str->ptr == substr->ptr)? opt: (opt | HAWK_TRE_NOTBOL)),
+		substr, match, submat, hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx)
+	);
+}
+
+int hawk_rtx_matchrexwithbcs (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_tre_t* code, const hawk_bcs_t* str, const hawk_bcs_t* substr, hawk_bcs_t* match, hawk_bcs_t submat[9])
+{
+	int opt = HAWK_TRE_BACKTRACKING; /* TODO: option... HAWK_TRE_BACKTRACKING or others??? */
+	return matchtre_bcs(
+		code, ((str->ptr == substr->ptr)? opt: (opt | HAWK_TRE_NOTBOL)),
+		substr, match, submat, hawk_rtx_getgem(rtx)
+	);
+}
diff --git a/hawk/lib/parse-prv.h b/hawk/lib/parse-prv.h
index 125076a0..f65e8514 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/parse-prv.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/parse-prv.h
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ enum hawk_kwid_t
 	HAWK_KWID_EXIT,
 	HAWK_KWID_FOR,
 	HAWK_KWID_FUNCTION,
+	HAWK_KWID_GETBLINE,
 	HAWK_KWID_GETLINE,
 	HAWK_KWID_IF,
 	HAWK_KWID_IN,
diff --git a/hawk/lib/parse.c b/hawk/lib/parse.c
index a7840f41..3f1f3155 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/parse.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/parse.c
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ enum tok_t
 
 	TOK_PRINT,
 	TOK_PRINTF,
+	TOK_GETBLINE,
 	TOK_GETLINE,
 	/* ==  end reserved words == */
 
@@ -297,6 +298,7 @@ static kwent_t kwtab[] =
 	{ { HAWK_T("exit"),           4 }, TOK_EXIT,          0 },
 	{ { HAWK_T("for"),            3 }, TOK_FOR,           0 },
 	{ { HAWK_T("function"),       8 }, TOK_FUNCTION,      0 },
+	{ { HAWK_T("getbline"),       8 }, TOK_GETBLINE,      HAWK_RIO },
 	{ { HAWK_T("getline"),        7 }, TOK_GETLINE,       HAWK_RIO },
 	{ { HAWK_T("if"),             2 }, TOK_IF,            0 },
 	{ { HAWK_T("in"),             2 }, TOK_IN,            0 },
@@ -324,8 +326,6 @@ static global_t gtab[] =
 	 * this table must match the order of the hawk_gbl_id_t enumerators 
 	 */
 
-	{ HAWK_T("BRS"),          3,  0 },
-
 	/* output real-to-str conversion format for other cases than 'print' */
 	{ HAWK_T("CONVFMT"),      7,  0 },
 
@@ -4865,7 +4865,7 @@ oops:
 	return HAWK_NULL;
 }
 
-static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_getline  (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
+static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_getline (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc, int mbs)
 {
 	/* parse the statement-level getline.
 	 * getline after the pipe symbols(|,||) is parsed
@@ -4875,10 +4875,11 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_getline  (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	hawk_nde_getline_t* nde;
 	hawk_loc_t ploc;
 
-	nde = (hawk_nde_getline_t*) hawk_callocmem (awk, HAWK_SIZEOF(*nde));
+	nde = (hawk_nde_getline_t*)hawk_callocmem(awk, HAWK_SIZEOF(*nde));
 	if (nde == HAWK_NULL) goto oops;
 
 	nde->type = HAWK_NDE_GETLINE;
+	nde->mbs = mbs;
 	nde->loc = *xloc;
 	nde->in_type = HAWK_IN_CONSOLE;
 
@@ -4982,8 +4983,11 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary_nopipe (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 		case TOK_LPAREN:
 			return parse_primary_lparen(awk, xloc);
 
+		case TOK_GETBLINE:
+			return parse_primary_getline(awk, xloc, 1);
+
 		case TOK_GETLINE:
-			return parse_primary_getline(awk, xloc);
+			return parse_primary_getline(awk, xloc, 0);
 
 		default:
 		{
@@ -5020,6 +5024,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 	do
 	{
 		int intype = -1;
+		int mbs;
 
 		if (awk->opt.trait & HAWK_RIO)
 		{
@@ -5036,7 +5041,9 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 		if (intype == -1) break;
 
 		if (preget_token(awk) <= -1) goto oops;
-		if (awk->ntok.type != TOK_GETLINE) break;
+		if (awk->ntok.type == TOK_GETBLINE) mbs = 1;
+		else if (awk->ntok.type == TOK_GETLINE) mbs = 0;
+		else break;
 
 		/* consume ntok('getline') */
 		get_token(awk); /* no error check needed as it's guaranteeded to succeed for preget_token() above */
@@ -5073,7 +5080,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 			}
 
 			ploc = awk->tok.loc;
-			var = parse_primary (awk, &ploc);
+			var = parse_primary(awk, &ploc);
 			if (var == HAWK_NULL) goto oops;
 
 			if (!is_var(var) && var->type != HAWK_NDE_POS)
@@ -5096,6 +5103,7 @@ static hawk_nde_t* parse_primary (hawk_t* awk, const hawk_loc_t* xloc)
 		nde->type = HAWK_NDE_GETLINE;
 		nde->loc = *xloc;
 		nde->var = var;
+		nde->mbs = mbs;
 		nde->in_type = intype;
 		nde->in = left;
 
diff --git a/hawk/lib/rio.c b/hawk/lib/rio.c
index 508fe905..0bcdd51f 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/rio.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/rio.c
@@ -160,22 +160,12 @@ static int find_rio_in (
 		p->in.eos = 0;
 		*/
 
-		hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
-
 		/* request to open the stream */
 		x = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_OPEN, p, HAWK_NULL, 0);
 		if (x <= -1)
 		{
 			hawk_rtx_freemem (rtx, p->name);
 			hawk_rtx_freemem (rtx, p);
-
-			if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-			{
-				/* if the error number has not been
-				 * set by the user handler */
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-			}
-
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -311,11 +301,11 @@ static HAWK_INLINE int match_long_brs(hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_becs_t* buf, hawk_ri
 	hawk_bcs_t match;
 	int ret;
 
-	HAWK_ASSERT (rtx->gbl.brs[0] != HAWK_NULL);
-	HAWK_ASSERT (rtx->gbl.brs[1] != HAWK_NULL);
+	HAWK_ASSERT (rtx->gbl.rs[0] != HAWK_NULL);
+	HAWK_ASSERT (rtx->gbl.rs[1] != HAWK_NULL);
 
-/*TODO: mbs match rex */
-	ret = hawk_rtx_matchrex(rtx, rtx->gbl.brs[rtx->gbl.ignorecase], HAWK_BECS_OOCS(buf), HAWK_BECS_OOCS(buf), &match, HAWK_NULL);
+
+	ret = hawk_rtx_matchrexwithbcs(rtx, rtx->gbl.rs[rtx->gbl.ignorecase], HAWK_BECS_BCS(buf), HAWK_BECS_BCS(buf), &match, HAWK_NULL);
 	if (ret >= 1)
 	{
 		if (p->in.eof)
@@ -415,18 +405,9 @@ int hawk_rtx_readio (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name, hawk
 				break;
 			}
 
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 			x = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_READ, p, p->in.buf, HAWK_COUNTOF(p->in.buf));
 			if (x <= -1)
 			{
-				if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-				{
-					/* if the error number has not been 
-					 * set by the user handler, we set
-					 * it here to HAWK_EIOIMPL. */
-					hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-				}
-
 				ret = -1;
 				break;
 			}
@@ -685,7 +666,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readio (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name, hawk
 
 int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name, hawk_becs_t* buf)
 {
-#if 0
+#if 1
 	hawk_rio_arg_t* p;
 	hawk_rio_impl_t handler;
 	int ret;
@@ -703,7 +684,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 	hawk_becs_clear (buf);
 
 	/* get the record separator */
-	brs = hawk_rtx_getgbl(rtx, HAWK_GBL_BRS);
+	brs = hawk_rtx_getgbl(rtx, HAWK_GBL_RS);
 	hawk_rtx_refupval (rtx, brs);
 
 	if (resolve_brs(rtx, brs, &rrs) <= -1)
@@ -735,18 +716,9 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 				break;
 			}
 
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 			x = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_READ_BYTES, p, p->in.buf, HAWK_COUNTOF(p->in.buf));
 			if (x <= -1)
 			{
-				if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-				{
-					/* if the error number has not been 
-					 * set by the user handler, we set
-					 * it here to HAWK_EIOIMPL. */
-					hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-				}
-
 				ret = -1;
 				break;
 			}
@@ -862,9 +834,9 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 
 				/* TODO: handle different line terminator */
 				/* separate by a blank line */
-				if (c == HAWK_T('\n'))
+				if (c == '\n')
 				{
-					if (pc == HAWK_T('\r') && HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0)
+					if (pc == '\r' && HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0)
 					{
 						/* shrink the line length and the record
 						 * by dropping of CR before NL */
@@ -872,7 +844,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 						line_len--;
 
 						/* we don't drop CR from the record buffer 
-						 * if we're in CRLF mode. POINT-X */	
+						 * if we're in CRLF mode. POINT-X */
 						if (!(rtx->awk->opt.trait & HAWK_CRLF))
 							HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) -= 1;
 					}
@@ -883,7 +855,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 
 						if (rtx->awk->opt.trait & HAWK_CRLF)
 						{
-							if (HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0 && HAWK_BECS_LASTCHAR(buf) == HAWK_T('\r'))
+							if (HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0 && HAWK_BECS_LASTCHAR(buf) == '\r')
 							{
 								/* drop CR not dropped in POINT-X above */
 								HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) -= 1;
@@ -902,7 +874,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 							HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) -= 1;
 
 							/* drop preceding CR */
-							if (HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0 && HAWK_BECS_LASTCHAR(buf) == HAWK_T('\r')) HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) -= 1;
+							if (HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) > 0 && HAWK_BECS_LASTCHAR(buf) == '\r') HAWK_BECS_LEN(buf) -= 1;
 						}
 						else
 						{
@@ -987,7 +959,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 
 			p->in.pos = p->in.len;
 
-			n = match_long_rs(rtx, buf, p);
+			n = match_long_brs(rtx, buf, p);
 			if (n != 0)
 			{
 				if (n <= -1) ret = -1;
@@ -997,7 +969,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_readiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 	}
 
 	if (rrs.ptr && HAWK_RTX_GETVALTYPE(rtx, brs) != HAWK_VAL_MBS) hawk_rtx_freemem (rtx, rrs.ptr);
-	hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, rs);
+	hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, brs);
 
 	return ret;
 #else
@@ -1108,16 +1080,11 @@ static int prepare_for_write_io_data (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_
 		p->out.eos = 0;
 		*/
 
-		hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 		n = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_OPEN, p, HAWK_NULL, 0);
 		if (n <= -1)
 		{
 			hawk_rtx_freemem (rtx, p->name);
 			hawk_rtx_freemem (rtx, p);
-
-			if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-
 			return -1;
 		}
 
@@ -1145,14 +1112,8 @@ int hawk_rtx_writeiostr (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name,
 	{
 		hawk_ooi_t n;
 
-		hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 		n = wid.handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_WRITE, wid.p, str, len);
-		if (n <= -1) 
-		{
-			if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-			return -1;
-		}
+		if (n <= -1) return -1;
 
 		if (n == 0) 
 		{
@@ -1178,14 +1139,8 @@ int hawk_rtx_writeiobytes (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_ooch_t* nam
 	{
 		hawk_ooi_t n;
 
-		hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 		n = wid.handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_WRITE_BYTES, wid.p, str, len);
-		if (n <= -1) 
-		{
-			if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-			return -1;
-		}
+		if (n <= -1) return -1;
 
 		if (n == 0) 
 		{
@@ -1235,15 +1190,8 @@ int hawk_rtx_flushio (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name)
 		if (p->type == (io_type | io_mask) && p->mode == io_mode &&
 		    (name == HAWK_NULL || hawk_comp_oocstr(p->name, name, 0) == 0)) 
 		{
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 			n = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_FLUSH, p, HAWK_NULL, 0);
-			if (n <= -1) 
-			{
-				if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-					hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-				return -1;
-			}
-
+			if (n <= -1) return -1;
 			ok = 1;
 		}
 
@@ -1301,14 +1249,8 @@ int hawk_rtx_nextio_read (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int in_type, const hawk_ooch_t* name)
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 	n = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_NEXT, p, HAWK_NULL, 0);
-	if (n <= -1)
-	{
-		if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-		return -1;
-	}
+	if (n <= -1) return -1;
 
 	if (n == 0) 
 	{
@@ -1377,14 +1319,8 @@ int hawk_rtx_nextio_write (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_ooch_t* nam
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 	n = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_NEXT, p, HAWK_NULL, 0);
-	if (n <= -1)
-	{
-		if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-		return -1;
-	}
+	if (n <= -1) return -1;
 
 	if (n == 0) 
 	{
@@ -1490,16 +1426,7 @@ int hawk_rtx_closio_write (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int out_type, const hawk_ooch_t* nam
 			hawk_rio_impl_t handler;
 		       
 			handler = rtx->rio.handler[p->type & IO_MASK_CLEAR];
-			if (handler)
-			{
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
-				if (handler (rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_CLOSE, p, HAWK_NULL, 0) <= -1)
-				{
-					if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-						hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
-					return -1;
-				}
-			}
+			if (handler && handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_CLOSE, p, HAWK_NULL, 0) <= -1) return -1;
 
 			if (px) px->next = p->next;
 			else rtx->rio.chain = p->next;
@@ -1566,13 +1493,10 @@ int hawk_rtx_closeio (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, const hawk_ooch_t* name, const hawk_ooch_
 			handler = rtx->rio.handler[p->type & IO_MASK_CLEAR];
 			if (handler)
 			{
-				hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 				p->rwcmode = rwcmode;
 				if (handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_CLOSE, p, HAWK_NULL, 0) <= -1)
 				{
 					/* this is not a run-time error.*/
-					if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-						hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
 					return -1;
 				}
 			}
@@ -1622,13 +1546,10 @@ void hawk_rtx_cleario (hawk_rtx_t* rtx)
 
 		if (handler)
 		{
-			hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_ENOERR);
 			rtx->rio.chain->rwcmode = 0;
 			n = handler(rtx, HAWK_RIO_CMD_CLOSE, rtx->rio.chain, HAWK_NULL, 0);
 			if (n <= -1)
 			{
-				if (hawk_rtx_geterrnum(rtx) == HAWK_ENOERR)
-					hawk_rtx_seterrnum (rtx, HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EIOIMPL);
 				/* TODO: some warnings need to be shown??? */
 			}
 		}
diff --git a/hawk/lib/run.c b/hawk/lib/run.c
index 9e8dcd67..9e8752f0 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/run.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/run.c
@@ -352,45 +352,6 @@ static int set_global (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int idx, hawk_nde_var_t* var, hawk_val_t
 	/* perform actual assignment or assignment-like operation */
 	switch (idx)
 	{
-		case HAWK_GBL_BRS:
-		{
-			hawk_bcs_t rss;
-
-			/* due to the expression evaluation rule, the 
-			 * regular expression can not be an assigned 
-			 * value */
-			HAWK_ASSERT (vtype != HAWK_VAL_REX);
-
-			rss.ptr = hawk_rtx_getvalbcstr(rtx, val, &rss.len);
-			if (!rss.ptr) return -1;
-
-			if (rtx->gbl.brs[0])
-			{
-				hawk_rtx_freerex (rtx, rtx->gbl.brs[0], rtx->gbl.brs[1]);
-				rtx->gbl.brs[0] = HAWK_NULL;
-				rtx->gbl.brs[1] = HAWK_NULL;
-			}
-
-			if (rss.len > 1)
-			{
-				hawk_tre_t* rex, * irex;
-
-				/* compile the regular expression */
-/* TODO: mbs buildrex */
-				if (hawk_rtx_buildrex(rtx, rss.ptr, rss.len, &rex, &irex) <= -1)
-				{
-					hawk_rtx_freevalbcstr (rtx, val, rss.ptr);
-					return -1;
-				}
-
-				rtx->gbl.brs[0] = rex;
-				rtx->gbl.brs[1] = irex;
-			}
-
-			hawk_rtx_freevalbcstr (rtx, val, rss.ptr);
-			break;
-		}
-
 		case HAWK_GBL_CONVFMT:
 		{
 			hawk_oow_t i;
@@ -981,8 +942,6 @@ static int init_rtx (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_t* awk, hawk_rio_cbs_t* rio)
 		rtx->rio.chain = HAWK_NULL;
 	}
 
-	rtx->gbl.brs[0] = HAWK_NULL;
-	rtx->gbl.brs[1] = HAWK_NULL;
 	rtx->gbl.rs[0] = HAWK_NULL;
 	rtx->gbl.rs[1] = HAWK_NULL;
 	rtx->gbl.fs[0] = HAWK_NULL;
@@ -1030,12 +989,6 @@ static void fini_rtx (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, int fini_globals)
 	hawk_rtx_cleario (rtx);
 	HAWK_ASSERT (rtx->rio.chain == HAWK_NULL);
 
-	if (rtx->gbl.brs[0])
-	{
-		hawk_rtx_freerex (rtx, rtx->gbl.brs[0], rtx->gbl.brs[1]);
-		rtx->gbl.brs[0] = HAWK_NULL;
-		rtx->gbl.brs[1] = HAWK_NULL;
-	}
 	if (rtx->gbl.rs[0])
 	{
 		hawk_rtx_freerex (rtx, rtx->gbl.rs[0], rtx->gbl.rs[1]);
@@ -6708,11 +6661,39 @@ static hawk_val_t* eval_pos (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde)
 	return v;
 }
 
-static hawk_val_t* __eval_getline (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde, int mbs)
+static hawk_val_t* nde_to_str(hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde, hawk_oocs_t* dst)
+{
+	hawk_oow_t len;
+	hawk_val_t* v;
+
+	v = eval_expression(rtx, nde);
+	if (!v) return HAWK_NULL;
+
+	hawk_rtx_refupval (rtx, v);
+	dst->ptr = hawk_rtx_getvaloocstr(rtx, v, &dst->len);
+	if (!dst) 
+	{
+		hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
+		return HAWK_NULL;
+	}
+
+	while (dst->len > 0)
+	{
+		if (dst->ptr[--dst->len] == '\0')
+		{
+			dst->len = 0; /* indicate that the name is not valid */
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return v;
+}
+
+static hawk_val_t* __eval_getline (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde)
 {
 	hawk_nde_getline_t* p;
 	hawk_val_t* v, * tmp;
-	hawk_ooch_t* dst;
+	hawk_oocs_t dst;
 	hawk_ooecs_t* buf;
 	int n, x;
 	hawk_val_type_t vtype;
@@ -6727,56 +6708,32 @@ static hawk_val_t* __eval_getline (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde, int mbs)
 
 	if (p->in)
 	{
-		hawk_oow_t len;
-		hawk_rtx_valtostr_out_t out;
-
-		v = eval_expression(rtx, p->in);
+		v = nde_to_str(rtx, p->in, &dst);
 		if (!v) return HAWK_NULL;
 
-		hawk_rtx_refupval (rtx, v);
-		dst = hawk_rtx_getvaloocstr(rtx, v, &len);
-		if (!dst) 
+		if (dst.len <= 0) 
 		{
+			hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst.ptr);
 			hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
-			return HAWK_NULL;
-		}
-
-		if (len <= 0)
-		{
-		
-			hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst);
-			hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
-
 			n = -1;
 			goto skip_read;
 		}
-
-		while (len > 0)
-		{
-			if (dst[--len] == HAWK_T('\0'))
-			{
-				/* the input source name contains a null 
-				 * character. make getline return -1.
-				 * unlike print & printf, it is not a hard
-				 * error  */
-				hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst);
-				hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
-				n = -1;
-				goto skip_read;
-			}
-		}
 	}
-	else dst = (hawk_ooch_t*)HAWK_T("");
+	else
+	{
+		dst.ptr = (hawk_ooch_t*)HAWK_T("");
+		dst.len = 0;
+	}
 
 	buf = &rtx->inrec.lineg;
 read_console_again:
 	hawk_ooecs_clear (&rtx->inrec.lineg);
 
-	n = hawk_rtx_readio(rtx, p->in_type, dst, buf);
+	n = hawk_rtx_readio(rtx, p->in_type, dst.ptr, buf);
 
 	if (p->in) 
 	{
-		hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst);
+		hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst.ptr);
 		hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
 	}
 
@@ -6840,9 +6797,119 @@ skip_read:
 	return tmp;
 }
 
+static hawk_val_t* __eval_getbline (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde)
+{
+	hawk_nde_getline_t* p;
+	hawk_val_t* v, * tmp;
+	hawk_oocs_t dst;
+	hawk_becs_t* buf;
+	int n, x;
+	hawk_val_type_t vtype;
+
+	p = (hawk_nde_getline_t*)nde;
+
+	HAWK_ASSERT (
+		(p->in_type == HAWK_IN_PIPE && p->in != HAWK_NULL) ||
+		(p->in_type == HAWK_IN_RWPIPE && p->in != HAWK_NULL) ||
+		(p->in_type == HAWK_IN_FILE && p->in != HAWK_NULL) ||
+		(p->in_type == HAWK_IN_CONSOLE && p->in == HAWK_NULL));
+
+	if (p->in)
+	{
+		v = nde_to_str(rtx, p->in, &dst);
+		if (!v) return HAWK_NULL;
+
+		if (dst.len <= 0) 
+		{
+			hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst.ptr);
+			hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
+			n = -1;
+			goto skip_read;
+		}
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		dst.ptr = (hawk_ooch_t*)HAWK_T("");
+		dst.len = 0;
+	}
+
+	buf = &rtx->inrec.linegb;
+read_console_again:
+	hawk_becs_clear (&rtx->inrec.linegb);
+
+	n = hawk_rtx_readiobytes(rtx, p->in_type, dst.ptr, buf);
+
+	if (p->in) 
+	{
+		hawk_rtx_freevaloocstr (rtx, v, dst.ptr);
+		hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
+	}
+
+	if (n <= -1) 
+	{
+		/* make getline return -1 */
+		n = -1;
+	}
+	else if (n > 0)
+	{
+		if (p->in_type == HAWK_IN_CONSOLE)
+		{
+			HAWK_ASSERT (p->in == HAWK_NULL);
+			if (rtx->nrflt.limit > 0)
+			{
+				/* record filter based on record number(NR) */
+				if (((rtx->gbl.nr / rtx->nrflt.limit) % rtx->nrflt.size) != rtx->nrflt.rank)
+				{
+					if (update_fnr(rtx, rtx->gbl.fnr + 1, rtx->gbl.nr + 1) <= -1) return HAWK_NULL;
+					/* this jump is a bit dirty. the 'if' block below hawk_rtx_readio()
+					 * will never be true. but this makes code confusing */
+					goto read_console_again; 
+				}
+			}
+		}
+
+		if (p->var == HAWK_NULL)
+		{
+			/* set $0 with the input value */
+			/*x = hawk_rtx_setbrec(rtx, 0, HAWK_BECS_BCS(buf));
+			if (x <= -1) return HAWK_NULL;*/
+/* TODO: can i support this? */
+			hawk_rtx_seterrbfmt(rtx, &nde->loc, HAWK_ENOIMPL, "getbline without a variable not supported");
+		}
+		else
+		{
+			hawk_val_t* v;
+
+			v = hawk_rtx_makembsvalwithbcs(rtx, HAWK_BECS_BCS(buf));
+			if (v == HAWK_NULL)
+			{
+				ADJERR_LOC (rtx, &nde->loc);
+				return HAWK_NULL;
+			}
+
+			hawk_rtx_refupval (rtx, v);
+			tmp = do_assignment(rtx, p->var, v);
+			hawk_rtx_refdownval (rtx, v);
+			if (tmp == HAWK_NULL) return HAWK_NULL;
+		}
+
+		/* update FNR & NR if reading from console */
+		if (p->in_type == HAWK_IN_CONSOLE &&
+		    update_fnr(rtx, rtx->gbl.fnr + 1, rtx->gbl.nr + 1) <= -1) 
+		{
+			return HAWK_NULL;
+		}
+	}
+	
+skip_read:
+	tmp = hawk_rtx_makeintval(rtx, n);
+	if (!tmp) ADJERR_LOC (rtx, &nde->loc);
+	return tmp;
+}
+
 static hawk_val_t* eval_getline (hawk_rtx_t* rtx, hawk_nde_t* nde)
 {
-	return __eval_getline(rtx, nde, 0);
+	return ((hawk_nde_getline_t*)nde)->mbs? __eval_getbline(rtx, nde): __eval_getline(rtx, nde);
 }
 
 static hawk_val_t* eval_print (hawk_rtx_t* run, hawk_nde_t* nde)
@@ -6894,7 +6961,7 @@ read_again:
 	if (hawk_rtx_clrrec (rtx, 0) == -1) return -1;
 
 	buf = &rtx->inrec.line;
-	n = hawk_rtx_readio (rtx, HAWK_IN_CONSOLE, HAWK_T(""), buf);
+	n = hawk_rtx_readio(rtx, HAWK_IN_CONSOLE, HAWK_T(""), buf);
 	if (n <= -1) 
 	{
 		hawk_rtx_clrrec (rtx, 0);
diff --git a/hawk/lib/tre.c b/hawk/lib/tre.c
index 956f7362..c97cfd33 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/tre.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/tre.c
@@ -237,9 +237,55 @@ int hawk_tre_execx (
 	return 0;
 }
 
+
 int hawk_tre_exec (
 	hawk_tre_t* tre, const hawk_ooch_t* str,
 	regmatch_t* pmatch, hawk_oow_t nmatch, int eflags, hawk_gem_t* errgem)
 {
 	return hawk_tre_execx(tre, str, (hawk_oow_t)-1, pmatch, nmatch, eflags, errgem);
 }
+
+int hawk_tre_execuchars (
+	hawk_tre_t* tre, const hawk_uch_t* str, hawk_oow_t len,
+	regmatch_t* pmatch, hawk_oow_t nmatch, int eflags, hawk_gem_t* errgem)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	if (tre->TRE_REGEX_T_FIELD == HAWK_NULL)
+	{
+		/* regular expression is bad as none is compiled yet */
+		hawk_gem_seterrnum ((errgem? errgem: tre->gem), HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EREXBADPAT);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	ret = tre_match(tre, str, len, STR_WIDE, nmatch, pmatch, eflags);
+	if (ret > 0) 
+	{
+		hawk_gem_seterrnum ((errgem? errgem: tre->gem), HAWK_NULL, ret);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	
+	return 0;
+}
+
+int hawk_tre_execbchars (
+	hawk_tre_t* tre, const hawk_bch_t* str, hawk_oow_t len,
+	regmatch_t* pmatch, hawk_oow_t nmatch, int eflags, hawk_gem_t* errgem)
+{
+	int ret;
+
+	if (tre->TRE_REGEX_T_FIELD == HAWK_NULL)
+	{
+		/* regular expression is bad as none is compiled yet */
+		hawk_gem_seterrnum ((errgem? errgem: tre->gem), HAWK_NULL, HAWK_EREXBADPAT);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	ret = tre_match(tre, str, len, STR_BYTE, nmatch, pmatch, eflags);
+	if (ret > 0) 
+	{
+		hawk_gem_seterrnum ((errgem? errgem: tre->gem), HAWK_NULL, ret);
+		return -1;
+	}
+	
+	return 0;
+}
+
diff --git a/hawk/lib/tree-prv.h b/hawk/lib/tree-prv.h
index 95d018c9..6ac64a9e 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/tree-prv.h
+++ b/hawk/lib/tree-prv.h
@@ -231,7 +231,8 @@ struct hawk_nde_getline_t
 {
 	HAWK_NDE_HDR;
 	hawk_nde_t* var;
-	int in_type; /* HAWK_GETLINE_XXX */
+	int mbs;
+	int in_type; /* HAWK_IN_CONSOLE, HAWK_IN_FILE, etc */
 	hawk_nde_t* in;
 };
 
diff --git a/hawk/lib/tree.c b/hawk/lib/tree.c
index 0214470c..782a40b1 100644
--- a/hawk/lib/tree.c
+++ b/hawk/lib/tree.c
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ static int print_expr (hawk_t* awk, hawk_nde_t* nde)
 				PUT_SRCSTR (awk, HAWK_T(" "));
 			}
 
-			hawk_getkwname (awk, HAWK_KWID_GETLINE, &kw);
+			hawk_getkwname (awk, (px->mbs? HAWK_KWID_GETBLINE: HAWK_KWID_GETLINE), &kw);
 			PUT_SRCSTRN (awk, kw.ptr, kw.len);
 			if (px->var != HAWK_NULL)
 			{