diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 72dbb18..7e7f772 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@ A HCL program is composed of expressions.
 ## Special Form Expression
 - and
 - break
-- defclass
-- defun
+- class
+- fun
 - do
 - elif
 - else
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ do { | k | set k 20; printf "k=%d\n" k; };
 ## Defining a function
 
 ```
-(defun function-name (arguments)
+(fun function-name (arguments)
 	| local variables |
 	function body
 )
@@ -97,12 +97,12 @@ do { | k | set k 20; printf "k=%d\n" k; };
 ## Class
 
 ```
-(defclass T
+(class T
         :: | A B C | ## class variables
 
         (printf "initializing....\n")
 
-        (defun :: dump()
+        (fun :: dump()
                 (printf "%d %d %d\n" A B C)
         )
 
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ do { | k | set k 20; printf "k=%d\n" k; };
 
 ```
 (set prim-plus +)
-(defun + (a b ...)
+(fun + (a b ...)
 	(prim-plus a b 9999)
 )
 
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ do { | k | set k 20; printf "k=%d\n" k; };
 ## Variadic arguments
 
 ```
-(defun fn-y (t1 t2 va-ctx)
+(fun fn-y (t1 t2 va-ctx)
         | i |
         (set i 0)
         (while (< i (va-count va-ctx))
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ do { | k | set k 20; printf "k=%d\n" k; };
         )
 )
 
-(defun x(a b ... :: x y z)
+(fun x(a b ... :: x y z)
         |i|
 
 ##       (printf "VA_COUNT(x) = %d\n" (va-count))
diff --git a/lib/cnode.c b/lib/cnode.c
index 89026c2..59c5d00 100644
--- a/lib/cnode.c
+++ b/lib/cnode.c
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodedblcolons (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc
 	return make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_DBLCOLONS, flags, loc, tok);
 }
 
+hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolon (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const  hcl_oocs_t* tok)
+{
+	return make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_COLON, flags, loc, tok);
+}
+
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolongt (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const  hcl_oocs_t* tok)
 {
 	return make_cnode(hcl, HCL_CNODE_COLONGT, flags, loc, tok);
diff --git a/lib/comp.c b/lib/comp.c
index 4aac594..4766df5 100644
--- a/lib/comp.c
+++ b/lib/comp.c
@@ -344,8 +344,10 @@ static int find_variable_backward_with_word (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_oocs_t* name,
 						vi->type = VAR_INST;
 						vi->ctx_offset = 0;
 						vi->index_in_ctx = index;
+/*
 HCL_INFO6 (hcl, "FOUND INST VAR [%.*js]...[%.*js]................ ===> ctx_offset %d index %d\n",
 	haystack.len, haystack.ptr, name->len, name->ptr, (int)(vi->ctx_offset), (int)vi->index_in_ctx);
+*/
 						return 1;
 					}
 				}
@@ -1236,7 +1238,8 @@ static void pop_fnblk (hcl_t* hcl)
 		HCL_ASSERT (hcl, fbi->tmprcnt - hcl->c->tv.wcount == fbi->tmpr_nargs + fbi->tmpr_nrvars + fbi->tmpr_nlvars);
 
 		/* the temporaries mask is a bit-mask that encodes the counts of different temporary variables.
-		 * and it's split to two intruction parameters when used with MAKE_LAMBDA and MAKE_FUNCTION */
+		 * and it's split to two intruction parameters when used with MAKE_LAMBDA and MAKE_FUNCTION.
+		 * the INSTA bit is on if fbi->fun_type == FUN_CIM */
 		attr_mask = ENCODE_BLK_MASK((fbi->fun_type == FUN_CIM), fbi->tmpr_va, fbi->tmpr_nargs, fbi->tmpr_nrvars, fbi->tmpr_nlvars);
 		patch_double_long_params_with_oow (hcl, fbi->make_inst_pos + 1, attr_mask);
 	}
@@ -2334,7 +2337,7 @@ static HCL_INLINE int compile_else (hcl_t* hcl)
 /* ========================================================================= */
 
 /*
-	(defclass A
+	(class A
 		| x y | ; instance variables
 		:: | x y z | ; class variables <--- how to initialize the class variables???
 
@@ -2353,7 +2356,7 @@ static HCL_INLINE int compile_else (hcl_t* hcl)
 		)
 	)
 
-	(defclass B :: A ; A is a parent class
+	(class B :: A ; A is a parent class
 		| p q |
 		....
 	)
@@ -2403,6 +2406,8 @@ static int compile_class (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* src, int defclass)
 			return -1;
 		}
 
+/* TODO: check if a class name is one of the kernel classes. arrange to emit CLASS_LOAD instead of CLASS_ENTER */
+
 		obj = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CDR(obj);
 	}
 	else
@@ -2817,7 +2822,7 @@ static int compile_lambda (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* src, int defun)
 					if (tmp && HCL_CNODE_IS_CONS(tmp))
 					{
 						tmp = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp);
-						if (HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_PLAIN(tmp))
+						if (HCL_CNODE_IS_COLON(tmp) /*(HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_PLAIN(tmp)*/)
 						{
 							hcl_setsynerrbfmt (
 								hcl, HCL_SYNERR_VARNAME,
@@ -2834,20 +2839,33 @@ static int compile_lambda (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* src, int defun)
 		}
 		else if (HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_PLAIN(defun_name))
 		{
-			hcl_cnode_t* tmp;
+			hcl_cnode_t* tmp, marker;
 			tmp = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CDR(obj);
-			if (tmp && HCL_CNODE_IS_CONS(tmp) && HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_PLAIN(HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp)))
+			if (tmp && HCL_CNODE_IS_CONS(tmp))
 			{
-				/* out-of-class method definition
-				 * for defun String:length() { ...  }, class_name is String, defun_name is length. */
-/* TODO: this must be treated as an error  - defun String length() { ... }
-	for this, the reader must be able to tell between String:length and String length...
-	or it must inject a special symbol  between String and length  or must use a different list type... */
+				hcl_cnode_t* marker;
+				marker = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp);
+				if (HCL_CNODE_IS_COLON(marker) || HCL_CNODE_IS_DBLCOLONS(marker) || HCL_CNODE_IS_COLONSTAR(marker))
+				{
+					tmp = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CDR(tmp);
+					if (tmp && HCL_CNODE_IS_CONS(tmp))
+					{
+						hcl_cnode_t* cand;
+						cand = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp);
+						if (HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_PLAIN(cand))
+						{
+					/* out-of-class method definition
+					 * for defun String:length() { ...  }, class_name is String, defun_name is length. */
 /* TODO: this must not be allowed at the in-class definition level.... */
-/* TODO: can we use fun_type to indicate different types of out-of-class methods? */
-				class_name = defun_name;
-				defun_name = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp);
-				obj = tmp;
+/* TODO: can we use fun_type to indicate different types of out-of-class methods? use marker.... */
+							fun_type = HCL_CNODE_IS_DBLCOLONS(marker)? FUN_CM:
+							           HCL_CNODE_IS_COLONSTAR(marker)? FUN_CIM: FUN_IM;
+							class_name = defun_name;
+							defun_name = HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(tmp);
+							obj = tmp;
+						}
+					}
+				}
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -3049,9 +3067,9 @@ static int compile_lambda (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* src, int defun)
 		/* MAKE_FUNCTION attr_mask_1 attr_mask_2 lfbase lfsize */
 		if (emit_double_param_instruction(hcl, HCL_CODE_MAKE_FUNCTION, 0, 0, HCL_CNODE_GET_LOC(cmd)) <= -1) return -1;
 		lfbase_pos = hcl->code.bc.len;
-		if (emit_long_param(hcl, hcl->code.lit.len - hcl->c->fnblk.info[hcl->c->fnblk.depth - 1].lfbase) <= -1) return -1; /* literal frame base */
+		if (emit_long_param(hcl, hcl->code.lit.len - hcl->c->fnblk.info[hcl->c->fnblk.depth - 1].lfbase) <= -1) return -1; /* lfbase(literal frame base) */
 		lfsize_pos = hcl->code.bc.len; /* literal frame size */
-		if (emit_long_param(hcl, 0) <= -1) return -1;
+		if (emit_long_param(hcl, 0) <= -1) return -1; /* place holder for lfsize */
 	}
 	else
 	{
@@ -4712,6 +4730,7 @@ redo:
 			return -1;
 
 		case HCL_CNODE_DBLCOLONS:
+		case HCL_CNODE_COLON:
 		case HCL_CNODE_COLONLT:
 		case HCL_CNODE_COLONGT:
 		case HCL_CNODE_COLONSTAR:
@@ -5527,7 +5546,7 @@ static HCL_INLINE int emit_lambda (hcl_t* hcl)
 		}
 		else
 		{
-			/* class methods */
+			/* in-class methods */
 			if (block_code_size == 1)
 			{
 				/* simple optimization not to skip emitting POP_STACKTOP */
@@ -5635,7 +5654,7 @@ static HCL_INLINE int post_lambda (hcl_t* hcl)
 						/* in the class initialization scope, the type must not be other than the listed above */
 						HCL_DEBUG1 (hcl, "Internal error - invalid method type %d\n", cf->u.lambda.fun_type);
 						hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINTERN, "internal error - invalid method type %d", cf->u.lambda.fun_type);
-						break;
+						return -1;
 				}
 				cf = GET_TOP_CFRAME(hcl);
 			}
@@ -5671,6 +5690,7 @@ static HCL_INLINE int post_lambda (hcl_t* hcl)
 /* TODO:  - other types of out-of-class definition - CIM_STORE, CM_STORE...  use different marker? */
 				hcl_oow_t index;
 				hcl_oop_t lit, cons;
+				int inst;
 
 				/* treat the class name part as a normal variable.
 				 * it can be a global variable like 'String' or a local variable declared */
@@ -5682,9 +5702,29 @@ static HCL_INLINE int post_lambda (hcl_t* hcl)
 				lit = hcl_makesymbol(hcl, HCL_CNODE_GET_TOKPTR(defun_name), HCL_CNODE_GET_TOKLEN(defun_name));
 				if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!lit)) return -1;
 				if (add_literal(hcl, lit, &index) <= -1) return -1;
-				if (emit_single_param_instruction(hcl, HCL_CODE_CLASS_IMSTORE, index, HCL_CNODE_GET_LOC(defun_name)) <= -1) return -1;
-/* TDOO: CLASS_CMSTORE..., CLASS_CIMSTORE.. */
 
+				switch (cf->u.lambda.fun_type)
+				{
+					case FUN_CM: /* class method */
+						inst =  HCL_CODE_CLASS_CMSTORE;
+						break;
+
+					case FUN_CIM: /* class instantiation method */
+						inst =  HCL_CODE_CLASS_CIMSTORE;
+						break;
+
+					case FUN_IM: /* instance method */
+						inst =  HCL_CODE_CLASS_IMSTORE;
+						break;
+
+					default:
+						/* in the class initialization scope, the type must not be other than the listed above */
+						HCL_DEBUG1 (hcl, "Internal error - invalid function type %d\n", cf->u.lambda.fun_type);
+						hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINTERN, "internal error - invalid function type %d", cf->u.lambda.fun_type);
+						return -1;
+				}
+
+				if (emit_single_param_instruction(hcl, inst, index, HCL_CNODE_GET_LOC(defun_name)) <= -1) return -1;
 				if (emit_byte_instruction(hcl, HCL_CODE_CLASS_EXIT, HCL_CNODE_GET_LOC(class_name)) <= -1) return -1;
 				POP_CFRAME (hcl);
 			}
diff --git a/lib/exec.c b/lib/exec.c
index 5c2b23c..bb9d2f5 100644
--- a/lib/exec.c
+++ b/lib/exec.c
@@ -3833,7 +3833,7 @@ static int execute (hcl_t* hcl)
 				   push cvars
 				   class_enter nsuperclasses nivars ncvars
 				 */
-				hcl_oop_t t, sc, ivars_str, cvars_str;
+				hcl_oop_t t, superclass, ivars_str, cvars_str;
 				hcl_oow_t b3;
 
 				FETCH_PARAM_CODE_TO (hcl, b1); /* nsuperclasses */
@@ -3858,17 +3858,17 @@ static int execute (hcl_t* hcl)
 
 				if (b1 > 0)
 				{
-					HCL_STACK_POP_TO (hcl, sc); /* TODO: support more than 1 superclass later when the compiler supports more */
-					if (!HCL_IS_CLASS(hcl, sc))
+					HCL_STACK_POP_TO (hcl, superclass); /* TODO: support more than 1 superclass later when the compiler supports more */
+					if (!HCL_IS_CLASS(hcl, superclass))
 					{
-						hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_ECALL, "invalid superclass %O", sc);
+						hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_ECALL, "invalid superclass %O", superclass);
 						if (do_throw_with_internal_errmsg(hcl, fetched_instruction_pointer) >= 0) break;
 						goto oops_with_errmsg_supplement;
 					}
  				}
-				else sc = hcl->_nil;
+				else superclass = hcl->_nil;
 
-				t = hcl_makeclass(hcl, sc, b2, b3, ivars_str, cvars_str); /* TOOD: pass variable information... */
+				t = hcl_makeclass(hcl, superclass, b2, b3, ivars_str, cvars_str); /* TOOD: pass variable information... */
 				if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!t)) goto oops_with_errmsg_supplement;
 
 				/* push the class created to the class stack. but don't push to the normal operation stack */
diff --git a/lib/hcl-prv.h b/lib/hcl-prv.h
index d537cbf..1f1457d 100644
--- a/lib/hcl-prv.h
+++ b/lib/hcl-prv.h
@@ -382,6 +382,7 @@ enum hcl_cnode_type_t
 	HCL_CNODE_ELLIPSIS,
 	HCL_CNODE_TRPCOLONS,
 	HCL_CNODE_DBLCOLONS, /* :: */
+	HCL_CNODE_COLON, /* : */
 	HCL_CNODE_COLONGT, /* :> */
 	HCL_CNODE_COLONLT, /* :< */
 	HCL_CNODE_COLONSTAR, /* :* */
@@ -408,6 +409,7 @@ typedef enum hcl_cnode_flag_t hcl_cnode_flag_t;
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_ELLIPSIS(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_ELLIPSIS)
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_TRPCOLONS(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_TRPCOLONS)
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_DBLCOLONS(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_DBLCOLONS)
+#define HCL_CNODE_IS_COLON(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_COLON)
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_COLONGT(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_COLONGT)
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_COLONLT(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_COLONLT)
 #define HCL_CNODE_IS_COLONSTAR(x) ((x)->cn_type == HCL_CNODE_COLONSTAR)
@@ -978,7 +980,7 @@ struct hcl_compiler_t
  *    1       1      4      4        6         <= 16 (HCL_CODE_LONG_PARAM_SIZE 1, two params)
  *    1       1      8      8        11        <= 32 (HCL_CODE_LONG_PARAM_SIZE 2, two params, use 29 bits to avoid collection when converted to a smooi)
  *
- *
+ * INSTA indicates the class instantiation method.
  * NARGS and NRVARS are also used for the CALL and CALL2 instructions.
  * CALL encodes NARGS in one parameter.
  * CALLR encodes NARGS in one parameter and NRVARS in another parameter.
@@ -1944,6 +1946,7 @@ hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodesuper (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, co
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodeellipsis (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodetrpcolons (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodedblcolons (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
+hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolon (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolongt (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolonlt (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
 hcl_cnode_t* hcl_makecnodecolonstar (hcl_t* hcl, int flags, const hcl_loc_t* loc, const hcl_oocs_t* tok);
diff --git a/lib/hcl.h b/lib/hcl.h
index 7530706..863c6d0 100644
--- a/lib/hcl.h
+++ b/lib/hcl.h
@@ -1905,7 +1905,7 @@ struct hcl_t
 /* TODO: stack bound check when pushing */
 #define HCL_STACK_PUSH(hcl,v) \
 	do { \
-		if ((hcl)->sp >= HCL_OOP_TO_SMOOI((hcl)->processor->active->st)) \
+		if (HCL_UNLIKELY((hcl)->sp >= HCL_OOP_TO_SMOOI((hcl)->processor->active->st))) \
 		{ \
 			hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EOOMEM, "process stack overflow"); \
 			(hcl)->abort_req = -1; \
diff --git a/lib/obj.c b/lib/obj.c
index ab54062..5468b54 100644
--- a/lib/obj.c
+++ b/lib/obj.c
@@ -317,6 +317,7 @@ hcl_oop_t hcl_makebigint (hcl_t* hcl, int brand, const hcl_liw_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t
 
 hcl_oop_t hcl_makecons (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_oop_t car, hcl_oop_t cdr)
 {
+/* TODO: use hcl_instantiate() */
 	hcl_oop_cons_t cons;
 
 	hcl_pushvolat (hcl, &car);
@@ -337,6 +338,7 @@ hcl_oop_t hcl_makecons (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_oop_t car, hcl_oop_t cdr)
 
 hcl_oop_t hcl_makearray (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_oow_t size, int ngc)
 {
+/* TODO: use hcl_instantiate() */
 	hcl_oop_t v;
 	v = hcl_allocoopobj(hcl, HCL_BRAND_ARRAY, size);
 	if (HCL_LIKELY(v)) HCL_OBJ_SET_CLASS (v, (hcl_oop_t)hcl->c_array);
@@ -345,6 +347,7 @@ hcl_oop_t hcl_makearray (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_oow_t size, int ngc)
 
 hcl_oop_t hcl_makebytearray (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_oob_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t size)
 {
+/* TODO: use hcl_instantiate() */
 	hcl_oop_t v;
 	v = hcl_allocbyteobj(hcl, HCL_BRAND_BYTE_ARRAY, ptr, size);
 	if (HCL_LIKELY(v)) HCL_OBJ_SET_CLASS (v, (hcl_oop_t)hcl->c_byte_array);
@@ -353,7 +356,28 @@ hcl_oop_t hcl_makebytearray (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_oob_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t size)
 
 hcl_oop_t hcl_makebytestringwithbytes (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_oob_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len, int ngc)
 {
-	return alloc_numeric_array(hcl, HCL_BRAND_BYTE_ARRAY, ptr, len, HCL_OBJ_TYPE_BYTE, HCL_SIZEOF(hcl_oob_t), 1, ngc);
+	hcl_oop_byte_t b;
+	hcl_oow_t i;
+	hcl_oob_t v;
+
+	b = (hcl_oop_byte_t)alloc_numeric_array(hcl, HCL_BRAND_BYTE_ARRAY, ptr, len, HCL_OBJ_TYPE_BYTE, HCL_SIZEOF(hcl_oob_t), 1, ngc);
+	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!b))
+	{
+		const hcl_ooch_t* orgmsg = hcl_backuperrmsg(hcl);
+		hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_ERRNUM(hcl), "unable to make bytestring - %js", orgmsg);
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
+		{
+			v = ptr[i];
+			HCL_OBJ_SET_BYTE_VAL(b, i, v);
+		}
+
+		HCL_OBJ_SET_CLASS (b, (hcl_oop_t)hcl->c_byte_array);
+	}
+
+	return (hcl_oop_t)b;
 }
 
 hcl_oop_t hcl_makebytestring (hcl_t* hcl, const hcl_ooch_t* ptr, hcl_oow_t len, int ngc)
diff --git a/lib/prim.c b/lib/prim.c
index b8eab1f..4c5a770 100644
--- a/lib/prim.c
+++ b/lib/prim.c
@@ -1137,6 +1137,8 @@ static hcl_pfrc_t pf_va_get (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 	hcl_oop_context_t ctx;
 	hcl_ooi_t attr_mask, /*va,*/ fixed_nargs, nrvars, nlvars, nvaargs;
 	hcl_oow_t index;
+	hcl_oop_t idx;
+	int n;
 
 	if (nargs >= 2)
 	{
@@ -1158,8 +1160,11 @@ static hcl_pfrc_t pf_va_get (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 	nrvars = GET_BLK_MASK_NRVARS(attr_mask);
 	nlvars = GET_BLK_MASK_NLVARS(attr_mask);
 
-	if (hcl_inttooow(hcl, HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 0), &index) == 0)
+	idx = HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 0);
+	n = hcl_inttooow(hcl, idx, &index);
+	if (n <= 0)
 	{
+		if (n <= -1) hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINVAL, "invalid index - %O", idx);
 		return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
 	}
 
@@ -1182,18 +1187,33 @@ static hcl_pfrc_t pf_va_get (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 
 static hcl_pfrc_t pf_object_new (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 {
-/* TODO: accept the object size if the class is variable-sized. */
 	hcl_oop_t obj;
-	hcl_oop_t class_;
+	hcl_oop_t _class;
+	hcl_oow_t size = 0;
 
-	class_ = HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 0);
-	if (!HCL_IS_CLASS(hcl, class_))
+	_class = HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 0);
+	if (!HCL_IS_CLASS(hcl, _class))
 	{
-		hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINVAL, "not a class - %O", class_);
+		hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINVAL, "not a class - %O", _class);
 		return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
 	}
 
-	obj = hcl_instantiate(hcl, (hcl_oop_class_t)class_, HCL_NULL, 0);
+	if (nargs >= 1)
+	{
+		int n;
+		hcl_oop_t sz;
+
+		sz = HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 1);
+		n = hcl_inttooow(hcl, sz, &size);
+		if (n == 0) return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
+		if (n <= -1)
+		{
+			hcl_seterrbfmt (hcl, HCL_EINVAL, "invalid size - %O", sz);
+			return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
+		}
+	}
+
+	obj = hcl_instantiate(hcl, (hcl_oop_class_t)_class, HCL_NULL, size);
 	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!obj)) return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
 
 	HCL_STACK_SETRET (hcl, nargs, obj);
@@ -1278,7 +1298,7 @@ static pf_t builtin_prims[] =
 	{ 0, 1,                       pf_va_count,        8,  { 'v','a','-','c','o','u','n','t' } },
 	{ 1, 2,                       pf_va_get,          6,  { 'v','a','-','g','e','t' } },
 
-	{ 1, 1,                       pf_object_new,                           10, { 'o','b','j','e','c','t','-','n','e','w' } },
+	{ 1, 2,                       pf_object_new,                           10, { 'o','b','j','e','c','t','-','n','e','w' } },
 
 	{ 0, 0,                       hcl_pf_process_current,                  15, { 'c','u','r','r','e','n','t','-','p','r','o','c','e','s','s'} },
 	{ 1, HCL_TYPE_MAX(hcl_oow_t), hcl_pf_process_fork,                      4, { 'f','o','r','k'} },
diff --git a/lib/print.c b/lib/print.c
index b629729..3f35c4f 100644
--- a/lib/print.c
+++ b/lib/print.c
@@ -804,6 +804,7 @@ void hcl_dumpcnode (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_cnode_t* cnode, int newline)
 			case HCL_CNODE_ELLIPSIS:
 			case HCL_CNODE_TRPCOLONS:
 			case HCL_CNODE_DBLCOLONS:
+			case HCL_CNODE_COLON:
 			case HCL_CNODE_COLONGT:
 			case HCL_CNODE_COLONLT:
 			case HCL_CNODE_COLONSTAR:
diff --git a/lib/read.c b/lib/read.c
index 5ae43a2..83b517d 100644
--- a/lib/read.c
+++ b/lib/read.c
@@ -837,16 +837,16 @@ static HCL_INLINE int can_colon_list (hcl_t* hcl)
 	if (rstl->count == 1) rstl->flagv |= JSON; /* mark that the first key is colon-delimited */
 	else if (!(rstl->flagv & JSON))
 	{
-		/* handling of a coloe sign in out-of-class instance method definition.
+		/* handling of a colon sign in out-of-class instance method definition.
 		 * e.g. defun String:length() { return (str.length self). }
-		 * TODO: inject a symbol ':' to differenticate form '::' or ':*' methods.
+		 * TODO: inject a symbol ':' to differentiate form '::' or ':*' methods.
 		 *       these class methods and class instantiation methods are supposed to be
 		 *       implemented elsewhere because ':' has dual use while '::' or ':*' are
 		 *       independent tokens  */
 		if (HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_SYNCODED(HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(rstl->head), HCL_SYNCODE_DEFUN) ||
 		    HCL_CNODE_IS_SYMBOL_SYNCODED(HCL_CNODE_CONS_CAR(rstl->head), HCL_SYNCODE_LAMBDA))
 		{
-			if (rstl->count == 2) return 1;
+			if (rstl->count == 2) return 2;
 		}
 
 		return 0; /* the first key is not colon-delimited. so not allowed to colon-delimit other keys  */
@@ -1458,12 +1458,23 @@ static int feed_process_token (hcl_t* hcl)
 			goto ok;
 
 		case HCL_TOK_COLON:
-			if (frd->level <= 0 || !can_colon_list(hcl))
+		{
+			int n;
+			if (frd->level <= 0 || !(n = can_colon_list(hcl)))
 			{
 				hcl_setsynerr (hcl, HCL_SYNERR_COLONBANNED, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), HCL_NULL);
 				goto oops;
 			}
+			if (n == 2)
+			{
+				/* this is colon between the class name and the function name for
+				 * out-of-class method defintion */
+				frd->obj = hcl_makecnodecolon(hcl, 0, TOKEN_LOC(hcl), TOKEN_NAME(hcl));
+				goto auto_xlist;
+			}
+
 			goto ok;
+		}
 
 		case HCL_TOK_COLONEQ:
 			if (frd->level <= 0 || !can_coloneq_list(hcl))
@@ -1896,7 +1907,7 @@ static delim_token_t delim_token_tab[] =
 	{ "..",       2, HCL_TOK_DBLDOTS },
 	{ "...",      3, HCL_TOK_ELLIPSIS }, /* for variable arguments */
 
-	{ ":",        1, HCL_TOK_COLON }, /* key-value separator in dictionary */
+	{ ":",        1, HCL_TOK_COLON }, /* key-value separator in dictionary or for method call or definition */
 	{ ":=",       2, HCL_TOK_COLONEQ }, /* assignment */
 	{ ":>",       2, HCL_TOK_COLONGT },
 	{ ":<",       2, HCL_TOK_COLONLT },
diff --git a/mod/arr.c b/mod/arr.c
index 16a4088..def7f13 100644
--- a/mod/arr.c
+++ b/mod/arr.c
@@ -27,6 +27,21 @@
 
 #include "_arr.h"
 
+static hcl_pfrc_t pf_arr_new (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
+{
+	hcl_oop_t sz, arr;
+	hcl_oow_t size;
+
+	sz = (hcl_oop_t)HCL_STACK_GETARG(hcl, nargs, 0);
+	if (hcl_inttooow(hcl, sz, &size) == 0) return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
+
+	arr = hcl_makearray(hcl, size, 0);
+	if (HCL_UNLIKELY(!arr)) return HCL_PF_FAILURE;
+
+	HCL_STACK_SETRET (hcl, nargs, arr);
+	return HCL_PF_SUCCESS;
+}
+
 static hcl_pfrc_t pf_arr_get (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 {
 	hcl_oop_oop_t arr;
@@ -106,7 +121,7 @@ static hcl_pfrc_t pf_arr_size (hcl_t* hcl, hcl_mod_t* mod, hcl_ooi_t nargs)
 static hcl_pfinfo_t pfinfos[] =
 {
 	{ { 'g','e','t','\0' },      { HCL_PFBASE_FUNC, pf_arr_get,     2,  2 } },
-/*	{ { 'm','a','k','e','\0' },  { HCL_PFBASE_FUNC, pf_arr_make,    1,  1 } },*/
+	{ { 'n','e','w','\0' },      { HCL_PFBASE_FUNC, pf_arr_new,     1,  1 } },
 	{ { 'p','u','t','\0' },      { HCL_PFBASE_FUNC, pf_arr_put,     3,  3 } },
 	{ { 's','i','z','e','\0' },  { HCL_PFBASE_FUNC, pf_arr_size,    1,  1 } },
 };
diff --git a/t/class-5001.err b/t/class-5001.err
index acb3877..2406964 100644
--- a/t/class-5001.err
+++ b/t/class-5001.err
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
-defclass B | x y | {
+class B | x y | {
 
 };
 
-defclass X :: B | a b | {
-	defun :* new(t) {
+class X :: B | a b | {
+	fun :* new(t) {
 		| a |
 		set self.a t;
 		set a 100;
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ defclass X :: B | a b | {
 		return self;
 	};
 
-	defun print() {
+	fun print() {
 		self.c (+ self.a self.b);
 		printf "a=%d b=%d\n" self.a self.b;
 	}
@@ -24,30 +24,41 @@ defclass X :: B | a b | {
 
 ---
 
-defclass X {
-	defun :* xxx() {
+class X {
+	fun :* xxx() {
 		return X;
 	}
-	defun :* qqq() {
+	fun :* qqq() {
 		return "hello"
 	}
 
-	defun String:length()  { ##ERROR: syntax error - function name not valid
+	fun String:length()  { ##ERROR: syntax error - function name not valid
 		return (str.length self)
 	}
 }
 
 ---
-defclass X {
-	defun :* xxx() {
+class X {
+	fun :* xxx() {
 		return X;
 	}
-	defun :* qqq() {
+	fun :* qqq() {
 		return "hello"
 	}
 }
 
 ## this will trigger a runtime error as J isn't a class name
-defun J:ccc()  { ##ERROR: exception not handled
+fun J:ccc()  { ##ERROR: exception not handled
 	return 999
 }
+
+---
+## this must not be very useful as Array is an index item
+## and the clase instantiation method can't specify the size
+## you can't place an item in the arrya at all.
+
+fun Array:*boom() {
+      arr.put self 0 10 ##ERROR: exception not handled
+      printf "%O" self
+}
+Array:boom
diff --git a/t/insta-01.hcl b/t/insta-01.hcl
index 7e7e3ac..c2c2827 100644
--- a/t/insta-01.hcl
+++ b/t/insta-01.hcl
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ## test class instantiation methods
 
-defclass A | a b c |  {
+class A | a b c |  {
 
 	defun :*newInstance(x y z) {
 		set a x;
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ defclass A | a b c |  {
 	defun get-c() { return self.c; };
 };
 
-defclass B :: A | d e f | {
+class B :: A | d e f | {
 
 	defun :*newInstance(x y z) {
 		super:newInstance (* x 2) (* y 2) (* z 2);
diff --git a/t/var-5001.err b/t/var-5001.err
index c69935c..c4e9948 100644
--- a/t/var-5001.err
+++ b/t/var-5001.err
@@ -23,3 +23,8 @@ defclass A | a | {
 		return self;
 	};
 };
+
+---
+
+defun String length() { ##ERROR: syntax error - no argument list
+}