diff --git a/Makefile.in b/Makefile.in
index 94f144e..841455f 100644
--- a/Makefile.in
+++ b/Makefile.in
@@ -333,7 +333,6 @@ pdfdir = @pdfdir@
 prefix = @prefix@
 program_transform_name = @program_transform_name@
 psdir = @psdir@
-runstatedir = @runstatedir@
 sbindir = @sbindir@
 sharedstatedir = @sharedstatedir@
 srcdir = @srcdir@
diff --git a/bin/Makefile.in b/bin/Makefile.in
index 6cb28f2..d825d78 100644
--- a/bin/Makefile.in
+++ b/bin/Makefile.in
@@ -344,7 +344,6 @@ pdfdir = @pdfdir@
 prefix = @prefix@
 program_transform_name = @program_transform_name@
 psdir = @psdir@
-runstatedir = @runstatedir@
 sbindir = @sbindir@
 sharedstatedir = @sharedstatedir@
 srcdir = @srcdir@
diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 143796b..c0ea813 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -759,7 +759,6 @@ infodir
 docdir
 oldincludedir
 includedir
-runstatedir
 localstatedir
 sharedstatedir
 sysconfdir
@@ -851,7 +850,6 @@ datadir='${datarootdir}'
 sysconfdir='${prefix}/etc'
 sharedstatedir='${prefix}/com'
 localstatedir='${prefix}/var'
-runstatedir='${localstatedir}/run'
 includedir='${prefix}/include'
 oldincludedir='/usr/include'
 docdir='${datarootdir}/doc/${PACKAGE_TARNAME}'
@@ -1104,15 +1102,6 @@ do
   | -silent | --silent | --silen | --sile | --sil)
     silent=yes ;;
 
-  -runstatedir | --runstatedir | --runstatedi | --runstated \
-  | --runstate | --runstat | --runsta | --runst | --runs \
-  | --run | --ru | --r)
-    ac_prev=runstatedir ;;
-  -runstatedir=* | --runstatedir=* | --runstatedi=* | --runstated=* \
-  | --runstate=* | --runstat=* | --runsta=* | --runst=* | --runs=* \
-  | --run=* | --ru=* | --r=*)
-    runstatedir=$ac_optarg ;;
-
   -sbindir | --sbindir | --sbindi | --sbind | --sbin | --sbi | --sb)
     ac_prev=sbindir ;;
   -sbindir=* | --sbindir=* | --sbindi=* | --sbind=* | --sbin=* \
@@ -1250,7 +1239,7 @@ fi
 for ac_var in	exec_prefix prefix bindir sbindir libexecdir datarootdir \
 		datadir sysconfdir sharedstatedir localstatedir includedir \
 		oldincludedir docdir infodir htmldir dvidir pdfdir psdir \
-		libdir localedir mandir runstatedir
+		libdir localedir mandir
 do
   eval ac_val=\$$ac_var
   # Remove trailing slashes.
@@ -1403,7 +1392,6 @@ Fine tuning of the installation directories:
   --sysconfdir=DIR        read-only single-machine data [PREFIX/etc]
   --sharedstatedir=DIR    modifiable architecture-independent data [PREFIX/com]
   --localstatedir=DIR     modifiable single-machine data [PREFIX/var]
-  --runstatedir=DIR       modifiable per-process data [LOCALSTATEDIR/run]
   --libdir=DIR            object code libraries [EPREFIX/lib]
   --includedir=DIR        C header files [PREFIX/include]
   --oldincludedir=DIR     C header files for non-gcc [/usr/include]
diff --git a/lib/Makefile.in b/lib/Makefile.in
index c09b7b8..b00ab1a 100644
--- a/lib/Makefile.in
+++ b/lib/Makefile.in
@@ -392,7 +392,6 @@ pdfdir = @pdfdir@
 prefix = @prefix@
 program_transform_name = @program_transform_name@
 psdir = @psdir@
-runstatedir = @runstatedir@
 sbindir = @sbindir@
 sharedstatedir = @sharedstatedir@
 srcdir = @srcdir@
diff --git a/lib/cnode.c b/lib/cnode.c
index 4fa55da..811a936 100644
--- a/lib/cnode.c
+++ b/lib/cnode.c
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ static hcl_cnode_t* make_cnode (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_type_t type, const hcl_iol
 {
 	hcl_cnode_t* cnode;
 
-	cnode = hcl_allocmem(hcl, HCL_SIZEOF(*cnode) + extra_space);
+	cnode = hcl_callocmem(hcl, HCL_SIZEOF(*cnode) + extra_space);
 	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cnode)) return HCL_NULL;
 
 	cnode->type = type;
@@ -40,14 +40,7 @@ static hcl_cnode_t* make_cnode (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_type_t type, const hcl_iol
 
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodersn (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc)
 {
-	hcl_cnode_t* cnode;
-	cnode = make_cnode(hcl, loc);
-	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cnode)) return HCL_NULL;
-	cnode->u.rsn.head = HCL_NULL;
-	cnode->u.rsn.tail = HCL_NULL;
-	cnode->u.rsn.flags = 0;
-	cnode->u.rsn.rsn_par = HCL_NULL;
-	return cnode;
+	return make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_RSN, loc, 0);
 }
 
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodenil (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc)
@@ -73,11 +66,32 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecharlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl
 	return c;
 }
 
+hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodesymbol (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len)
+{
+	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_SYMBOL, loc, HCL_SIZEOF(*ptr) * (len + 1));
+	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
+	c->u.symbol.ptr = (hcl_ooch_t*)(c + 1);
+	c->u.symbol.len = len;
+	hcl_copy_oochars (c->u.symbol.ptr, ptr, len);
+	c->u.symbol.ptr[len] = '\0';
+	return c;
+}
+
+hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodestrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len)
+{
+	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_STRLIT, loc, HCL_SIZEOF(*ptr) * (len + 1));
+	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
+	c->u.strlit.ptr = (hcl_ooch_t*)(c + 1);
+	c->u.strlit.len = len;
+	hcl_copy_oochars (c->u.strlit.ptr, ptr, len);
+	c->u.strlit.ptr[len] = '\0';
+	return c;
+}
+
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodenumlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len)
 {
 	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_NUMLIT, loc, HCL_SIZEOF(*ptr) * (len + 1));
 	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
-
 	c->u.numlit.ptr = (hcl_ooch_t*)(c + 1);
 	c->u.numlit.len = len;
 	hcl_copy_oochars (c->u.numlit.ptr, ptr, len);
@@ -108,20 +122,9 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodefpdeclit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hc
 	return c;
 }
 
-hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodestrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len)
-{
-	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_STRLIT, loc, HCL_SIZEOF(*ptr) * (len + 1));
-	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
-	c->u.strlit.ptr = (hcl_ooch_t*)(c + 1);
-	c->u.strlit.len = len;
-	hcl_copy_oochars (c->u.strlit.ptr, ptr, len);
-	c->u.strlit.ptr[len] = '\0';
-	return c;
-}
-
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodesmptrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t*  loc, hcl_oow_t v)
 {
-	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_ERRLIT, loc, 0);
+	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_SMPTRLIT, loc, 0);
 	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
 	c->u.smptrlit.v = v;
 	return c;
@@ -137,9 +140,9 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodeerrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, hcl_ooi_t
 
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecons (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, hcl_cnode_t* car, hcl_cnode_t* cdr)
 {
-	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_ERRLIT, loc, 0);
+	hcl_cnode_t* c =  make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_CONS, loc, 0);
 	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!c)) return HCL_NULL;
 	c->u.cons.car = car;
 	c->u.cons.cdr = cdr;
 	return c;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/lib/hcl-prv.h b/lib/hcl-prv.h
index 022ccc9..d33e124 100644
--- a/lib/hcl-prv.h
+++ b/lib/hcl-prv.h
@@ -27,9 +27,9 @@
 #ifndef _HCL_PRV_H_
 #define _HCL_PRV_H_
 
-#include "hcl.h"
-#include "hcl-fmt.h"
-#include "hcl-utl.h"
+#include <hcl.h>
+#include <hcl-fmt.h>
+#include <hcl-utl.h>
 
 /* you can define this to either 1 or 2 */
 #define HCL_HCL_CODE_LONG_PARAM_SIZE 2
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ enum hcl_cnode_type_t
 	HCL_CNODE_RSN, /* internally used */
 
 	HCL_CNODE_CHARLIT,
+	HCL_CNODE_SYMBOL,
 	HCL_CNODE_STRLIT,
 	HCL_CNODE_NUMLIT,
 	HCL_CNODE_RADNUMLIT,
@@ -196,7 +197,7 @@ enum hcl_cnode_type_t
 	HCL_CNODE_TRUE,
 	HCL_CNODE_FALSE,
 
-	HCL_CNODE_AND = 1,
+	HCL_CNODE_AND,
 	HCL_CNODE_BREAK,
 	HCL_CNODE_DEFUN,
 	HCL_CNODE_DO,
@@ -211,11 +212,13 @@ enum hcl_cnode_type_t
 	HCL_CNODE_UNTIL,
 	HCL_CNODE_WHILE,
 
-	HCL_CNODE_XLIST = 0,  /* () - executable list */
-	HCL_CNODE_ARRAY,      /* [] */
-	HCL_CNODE_BYTEARRAY,  /* #[] */
-	HCL_CNODE_DIC,        /* {} */
-	HCL_CNODE_QLIST       /* #() - data list */
+
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS,            /* generic member cons. the beginning of a list may have the following */
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS_XLIST,      /* () - executable list */
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS_ARRAY,      /* [] */
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS_BYTEARRAY,  /* #[] */
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS_DIC,        /* {} */
+	HCL_CNODE_CONS_QLIST       /* #() - data list */
 };
 typedef enum hcl_cnode_type_t hcl_cnode_type_t;
 
@@ -232,14 +235,20 @@ struct hcl_cnode_t
 		{
 			hcl_cnode_t* head;
 			hcl_cnode_t* tail;
-			hcl_oow_t count;
-			hcl_cnode_t* rsn_par; /* parent item in the stack */
+			int flagv;
+			unsigned int count;
+			hcl_cnode_t* rsn_par; /* parent item in the stack. must point to hcl_cnode_t* of the HCL_CNODE_RSN type. */
 		} rsn; /* reader stack node */
 		struct
 		{
 			hcl_ooch_t v;
 		} charlit;
 		struct
+		{
+			hcl_ooch_t* ptr;
+			hcl_oow_t len;
+		} symbol;
+		struct
 		{
 			hcl_ooch_t* ptr;
 			hcl_oow_t len;
@@ -366,6 +375,9 @@ struct hcl_compiler_t
 		hcl_oop_t s;  /* stack for reading */
 		hcl_oop_t e;  /* last object read */
 
+		hcl_cnode_t* st; /* stack for reading with cnode */
+		hcl_cnode_t* ecn; /* last object cnode read */
+
 		struct
 		{
 			hcl_oob_t* ptr;
@@ -1251,12 +1263,14 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodenil (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodetrue (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodefalse (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecharlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t ch);
+hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodesymbol (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodestrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodenumlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnoderadnumlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodefpdeclit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodesmptrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, hcl_oow_t v);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodeerrlit (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, hcl_ooi_t v);
+
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecons (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, hcl_cnode_t* car, hcl_cnode_t* cdr);
 
 #if defined(__cplusplus)
diff --git a/lib/read2.c b/lib/read2.c
index c9ff061..631cd50 100644
--- a/lib/read2.c
+++ b/lib/read2.c
@@ -1405,7 +1405,7 @@ static int end_include (hcl_t* hcl)
 }
 
 
-static HCL_INLINE hcl_cnode_t* enter_list (hcl_t* hcl, int flagv)
+static HCL_INLINE hcl_cnode_t* enter_list (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ioloc_t* loc, int flagv)
 {
 #if 0
 	hcl_oop_oop_t rsa;
@@ -1429,17 +1429,19 @@ static HCL_INLINE hcl_cnode_t* enter_list (hcl_t* hcl, int flagv)
 	return hcl->c->r.s;
 #else
 	hcl_cnode_t* rsn;
-	rsn = hcl_makecnodersn(hcl, loc)
-	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!rsn)) return HCL_NULL
-	rsn->flags = flagv;
-	rsn->rsn_par = hcl->c->r.st; /* push */
-	hcl->c.r.st = rsn;
+	rsn = hcl_makecnodersn(hcl, loc);
+	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!rsn)) return HCL_NULL;
+	rsn->u.rsn.flagv = flagv;
+	rsn->u.rsn.count = 0;
+	rsn->u.rsn.rsn_par = hcl->c->r.st; /* push */
+	hcl->c->r.st = rsn;
 	return rsn; /* returns the stack top */
 #endif
 }
 
 static HCL_INLINE hcl_oop_t leave_list (hcl_t* hcl, int* flagv, int* oldflagv)
 {
+#if 0
 	hcl_oop_oop_t rsa;
 	hcl_oop_t head;
 	int fv, concode;
@@ -1543,6 +1545,114 @@ done:
 
 	if (HCL_IS_CONS(hcl,head)) HCL_OBJ_SET_FLAGS_SYNCODE(head, concode);
 	return head;
+#else
+	hcl_cnode_t* stt;
+	hcl_cnode_t* head;
+	int fv, concode;
+
+	/* the stack must not be empty - cannot leave a list without entering it */
+	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, !HCL_IS_NIL(hcl,hcl->c->r.s));
+
+	stt = hcl->c->r.st;
+	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->type == HCL_CNODE_RSN);
+
+
+	head = stt->u.rsn.head;
+	fv = stt->u.rsn.flagv;
+	concode = LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(fv);
+
+	hcl->c->r.st = stt->u.rsn.rsn_par; /* pop off  */
+	stt->u.rsn.rsn_par = HCL_NULL;
+
+	if (fv & (COMMAED | COLONED))
+	{
+		hcl_setsynerr (hcl, ((fv & COMMAED)? HCL_SYNERR_COMMANOVALUE: HCL_SYNERR_COLONNOVALUE), TOKEN_LOC(hcl), HCL_NULL);
+		return HCL_NULL;
+	}
+
+#if 0
+	/* TODO: literalize the list if all the elements are all literals */
+	if (concode == HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY || concode == HCL_CONCODE_BYTEARRAY /*|| concode == HCL_CONCODE_DIC*/)
+	{
+		/* convert a list to an array */
+		hcl_oop_oop_t arr;
+		hcl_oop_t ptr;
+		hcl_oow_t count;
+
+		ptr = head;
+		count = 0;
+		while (ptr != hcl->_nil)
+		{
+			hcl_oop_t car;
+			HCL_ASSERT (hcl, HCL_OBJ_GET_FLAGS_BRAND(ptr) == HCL_BRAND_CONS);
+			car = HCL_CONS_CAR(ptr);
+
+			if (!HCL_OOP_IS_NUMERIC(car)) goto done;  /* TODO: check if the element is a literal properly here */
+
+			ptr = HCL_CONS_CDR(ptr);
+			count++;
+		}
+
+		hcl_pushvolat (hcl, &head);
+		arr = (hcl_oop_oop_t)hcl_makearray(hcl, count, 0);
+		hcl_popvolat (hcl);
+		if (!arr) return HCL_NULL;
+
+		ptr = head;
+		count = 0;
+		while (ptr != hcl->_nil)
+		{
+			arr->slot[count++] = HCL_CONS_CAR(ptr);
+			ptr = HCL_CONS_CDR(ptr);
+		}
+
+		head = (hcl_oop_t)arr;
+	}
+done:
+#endif
+
+	*oldflagv = fv;
+	if (!hcl->c->r.st)
+	{
+		/* the stack is empty after popping.
+		 * it is back to the top level.
+		 * the top level can never be quoted. */
+		*flagv = 0;
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		/* restore the flag for the outer returning level */
+		stt = hcl->c->r.st;
+		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->type == HCL_CNODE_RSN);
+		*flagv = stt->u.rsn.flagv;
+	}
+
+#if 0
+	/* return the head of the list being left */
+	if (!head)
+	{
+		/* the list is empty. literalize the empty list according to
+		 * the list opener. for a list, it is same as #nil. */
+		switch (concode)
+		{
+			case HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY:
+				return (hcl_oop_t)hcl_makearray(hcl, 0, 0);
+			case HCL_CONCODE_BYTEARRAY:
+				return (hcl_oop_t)hcl_makebytearray(hcl, HCL_NULL, 0);
+			case HCL_CONCODE_DIC:
+				return (hcl_oop_t)hcl_makedic(hcl, 100); /* TODO: default dictionary size for empty definition? */
+
+			/* NOTE: empty xlist will get translated to #nil.
+			 *       this is useful when used in the lambda expression to express an empty argument. also in defun.
+			 *      (lambda () ...) is equivalent to  (lambda #nil ...)
+			 *      (defun x() ...) */
+		}
+	}
+#endif
+
+	if (head->type == HCL_CNODE_CONS) head->type = HCL_CNODE_CONS + concode;
+	return head;
+#endif
 }
 
 static HCL_INLINE int can_dot_list (hcl_t* hcl)
@@ -1645,15 +1755,15 @@ static HCL_INLINE void clear_comma_colon_flag (hcl_t* hcl)
 	rsa->slot[2] = HCL_SMOOI_TO_OOP(flagv);
 }
 
-static hcl_oop_t chain_to_list (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* obj)
+static hcl_cnode_t* chain_to_list (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* obj)
 {
-	hcl_oop_oop_t rsa;
+	hcl_cnode_t* stt;
 	int flagv;
 
-	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, !HCL_IS_NIL(hcl,hcl->c->r.s));
-	rsa = (hcl_oop_oop_t)hcl->c->r.s;
-	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, HCL_OOP_IS_SMOOI(rsa->slot[2]));
-	flagv = (int)HCL_OOP_TO_SMOOI(rsa->slot[2]);
+	stt = hcl->c->r.st;
+	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt != HCL_NULL);
+	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->type == HCL_CNODE_RSN);
+	flagv = stt->u.rsn.flagv;
 
 	if (flagv & CLOSED)
 	{
@@ -1668,30 +1778,29 @@ static hcl_oop_t chain_to_list (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* obj)
 	}
 	else if (flagv & DOTTED)
 	{
-		hcl_ooi_t count;
-
+		hcl_cnode_t* tail;
 		/* the list must not be empty to have reached the dotted state */
-		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, !HCL_IS_NIL(hcl,rsa->slot[1]));
+		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->u.rsn.head != HCL_NULL);
+		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->u.rsn.tail != HCL_NULL);
+		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->u.rsn.count > 0);
 
 		/* chain the object via 'cdr' of the tail cell */
-		HCL_CONS_CDR(rsa->slot[1]) = obj;
+		tail = stt->u.rsn.tail;
+		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, tail->type >= HCL_CNODE_CONS && tail->type <= HCL_CNODE_CONS_QLIST);
+		tail->u.cons.cdr = obj;
 
 		/* update the flag to CLOSED so that you can have more than
 		 * one item after the dot. */
 		flagv |= CLOSED;
-		rsa->slot[2] = HCL_SMOOI_TO_OOP(flagv);
-
-		count = HCL_OOP_TO_SMOOI(rsa->slot[4]) + 1;
-		rsa->slot[4] = HCL_SMOOI_TO_OOP(count);
+		stt->u.rsn.flagv = flagv;
+/* TODO: check overflow on count??? */
+		stt->u.rsn.count++;
 	}
 	else
 	{
-		hcl_oop_t cons;
-		hcl_ooi_t count;
+		hcl_cnode_t* cons, * tail;
 
-		count = HCL_OOP_TO_SMOOI(rsa->slot[4]);
-
-		if ((flagv & JSON) && count > 0 && !(flagv & (COMMAED | COLONED)))
+		if ((flagv & JSON) && stt->u.rsn.count > 0 && !(flagv & (COMMAED | COLONED)))
 		{
 			/* there is no separator between array/dictionary elements
 			 * for instance, [1 2] { 10 20 } */
@@ -1699,48 +1808,37 @@ static hcl_oop_t chain_to_list (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* obj)
 			return HCL_NULL;
 		}
 
-		hcl_pushvolat (hcl, (hcl_oop_t*)&rsa);
 		cons = hcl_makecnodecons(hcl, &obj->loc, obj, HCL_NULL);
-		hcl_popvolat (hcl);
 		if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cons)) return HCL_NULL;
 
-		if (HCL_IS_NIL(hcl, rsa->slot[0]))
+		if (!stt->u.rsn.head)
 		{
 			/* the list head is not set yet. it is the first
 			 * element added to the list. let both head and tail
 			 * point to the new cons cell */
-			HCL_ASSERT (hcl, HCL_IS_NIL(hcl, rsa->slot[1]));
-			rsa->slot[0] = cons;
-			rsa->slot[1] = cons;
+			HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->u.rsn.tail == HCL_NULL);
+			HCL_ASSERT (hcl, stt->u.rsn.count == 0);
+
+			stt->u.rsn.head = cons;
+			stt->u.rsn.tail = cons;
 		}
 		else
 		{
 			/* the new cons cell is not the first element.
 			 * append it to the list */
-			HCL_CONS_CDR(rsa->slot[1]) = cons;
-			rsa->slot[1] = cons;
+			tail = stt->u.rsn.tail;
+			HCL_ASSERT (hcl, tail->type >= HCL_CNODE_CONS && tail->type <= HCL_CNODE_CONS_QLIST);
+			tail->u.cons.cdr = obj;
+			stt->u.rsn.tail = cons;
 		}
 
-		count++;
-		rsa->slot[4] = HCL_SMOOI_TO_OOP(count);
+/* TODO: check overflow on count??? */
+		stt->u.rsn.count++;
 	}
 
 	return obj;
 }
 
-#if 0
-static HCL_INLINE int is_list_empty (hcl_t* hcl)
-{
-	hcl_oop_oop_t rsa;
-	/* the stack must not be empty */
-	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, !HCL_IS_NIL(hcl,hcl->c->r.s));
-	rsa = (hcl_oop_oop_t)hcl->c->r.s;
-	/* if the tail pointer is pointing to nil, the list is empty */
-	return HCL_IS_NIL(hcl, rsa->slot[1]);
-}
-#endif
-
-
 static int add_to_symbol_array_literal_buffer (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_oop_t b)
 {
 	if (hcl->c->r.salit.size >= hcl->c->r.salit.capa)
@@ -1820,8 +1918,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 	 * by manipulating its own stack. */
 
 	int level = 0, array_level = 0, flagv = 0;
-	hcl_oop_t obj;
-	hcl_cnode_t* cnode;
+	hcl_cnode_t* obj;
 
 	while (1)
 	{
@@ -1850,17 +1947,17 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_LBRACK: /* [] */
 				flagv = 0;
-				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY);
+				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CNODE_CONS_ARRAY - HCL_CNODE_CONS);
 				goto start_list;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_BAPAREN: /* #[] */
 				flagv = 0;
-				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CONCODE_BYTEARRAY);
+				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CNODE_CONS_BYTEARRAY - HCL_CNODE_CONS);
 				goto start_list;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_LBRACE: /* {} */
 				flagv = 0;
-				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CONCODE_DIC);
+				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CNODE_CONS_DIC - HCL_CNODE_CONS);
 				goto start_list;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_QLPAREN: /* #() */
@@ -1869,13 +1966,13 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 				return -1;
 #else
 				flagv = 0;
-				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CONCODE_QLIST);
+				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CNODE_CONS_QLIST - HCL_CNODE_CONS);
 				goto start_list;
 #endif
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_LPAREN: /* () */
 				flagv = 0;
-				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CONCODE_XLIST);
+				LIST_FLAG_SET_CONCODE (flagv, HCL_CNODE_CONS_XLIST - HCL_CNODE_CONS);
 			start_list:
 				if (level >= HCL_TYPE_MAX(int))
 				{
@@ -1886,7 +1983,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 
 				/* push some data to simulate recursion into
 				 * a list literal or an array literal */
-				if (enter_list(hcl, flagv) == HCL_NULL) return -1;
+				if (enter_list(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), flagv) == HCL_NULL) return -1;
 				level++;
 				if (LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(flagv) == HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY) array_level++;
 
@@ -1989,7 +2086,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 				obj = leave_list(hcl, &flagv, &oldflagv);
 
 				level--;
-				if (LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(oldflagv) == HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY) array_level--;
+				if (LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(oldflagv) == (HCL_CNODE_CONS_ARRAY - HCL_CNODE_CONS)) array_level--;
 				break;
 			}
 
@@ -2001,22 +2098,19 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 					hcl_setsynerr (hcl, HCL_SYNERR_VBARBANNED, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME(hcl));
 					return -1;
 				}
-				if (get_symbol_array_literal(hcl, &obj) <= -1) return -1;
+				if (get_symbol_array_literal(hcl, &obj) <= -1) return -1; // TOOD: more consistenc errir handling...
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_NIL:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodenil(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
-				if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cnode)) return -1;
+				obj = hcl_makecnodenil(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_TRUE:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodetrue(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
-				if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cnode)) return -1;
+				obj = hcl_makecnodetrue(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_FALSE:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodefalse(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
-				if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!cnode)) return -1;
+				obj = hcl_makecnodefalse(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_SMPTRLIT:
@@ -2037,7 +2131,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 					return -1;
 				}
 
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodesmptrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), v);
+				obj = hcl_makecnodesmptrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), v);
 				break;
 			}
 
@@ -2059,24 +2153,24 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 					}
 				}
 
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodeerrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), v);
+				obj = hcl_makecnodeerrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), v);
 				break;
 			}
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_CHARLIT:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodecharlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_CHAR(hcl, 0));
+				obj = hcl_makecnodecharlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_CHAR(hcl, 0));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_NUMLIT:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodenumlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
+				obj = hcl_makecnodenumlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_RADNUMLIT:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnoderadnumlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
+				obj = hcl_makecnoderadnumlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_FPDECLIT:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodefpdeclit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
+				obj = hcl_makecnodefpdeclit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			/*
@@ -2086,11 +2180,11 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 			*/
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_STRLIT:
-				cnode = hcl_makecnodestrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
+				obj = hcl_makecnodestrlit(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_IDENT:
-				obj = hcl_makesymbol(hcl, TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
+				obj = hcl_makecnodesymbol(hcl, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_PTR(hcl), TOKEN_NAME_LEN(hcl));
 				break;
 
 			case HCL_IOTOK_IDENT_DOTTED:
@@ -2172,7 +2266,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 			/* one level up toward the top */
 			level--;
 
-			if (LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(oldflagv) == HCL_CONCODE_ARRAY) array_level--;
+			if (LIST_FLAG_GET_CONCODE(oldflagv) == (HCL_CNODE_CONS_ARRAY - HCL_CNODE_CONS)) array_level--;
 		}
 #endif
 
@@ -2192,7 +2286,7 @@ static int read_object (hcl_t* hcl)
 	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, level == 0);
 	HCL_ASSERT (hcl, array_level == 0);
 
-	hcl->c->r.e = obj;
+	hcl->c->r.ecn = obj;
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/mod/Makefile.in b/mod/Makefile.in
index 01798c0..f391ee6 100644
--- a/mod/Makefile.in
+++ b/mod/Makefile.in
@@ -364,7 +364,6 @@ pdfdir = @pdfdir@
 prefix = @prefix@
 program_transform_name = @program_transform_name@
 psdir = @psdir@
-runstatedir = @runstatedir@
 sbindir = @sbindir@
 sharedstatedir = @sharedstatedir@
 srcdir = @srcdir@