diff --git a/ase/awk/Awk.java b/ase/awk/Awk.java
index dce8927a..2bb0fef5 100644
--- a/ase/awk/Awk.java
+++ b/ase/awk/Awk.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: Awk.java,v 1.3 2006-10-24 06:05:01 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: Awk.java,v 1.4 2006-11-21 15:06:14 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 package ase.awk;
@@ -29,23 +29,68 @@ public abstract class Awk
 	public native void run () throws Exception;
 	private native void open () throws Exception;
 
-	/*
-	protected native void set_extio (long extio, Object obj);
-	protected native Object get_extio (long extio);
-	*/
-
 	/* abstrace methods */
 	protected abstract int open_source (int mode);
 	protected abstract int close_source (int mode);
 	protected abstract int read_source (char[] buf, int len);
 	protected abstract int write_source (char[] buf, int len);
 
-	protected abstract int open_console ();
-	protected abstract int close_console ();
-	protected abstract int read_console (char[] buf, int len);
-	protected abstract int write_console (char[] buf, int len); 
-	protected abstract int next_console (char[] buf, int len);
+	protected int open_extio (Extio extio)
+	{
+		int type = extio.getType ();
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_CONSOLE) return open_console (extio);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_FILE) return open_file (extio);
+		/*if (type == Extio.TYPE_PIPE) return open_pipe (extio);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_COPROC) return open_coproc (extio);*/
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	protected int close_extio (Extio extio)
+	{
+		int type = extio.getType ();
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_CONSOLE) return close_console (extio);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_FILE) return close_file (extio);
+		/*if (type == Extio.TYPE_PIPE) return close_pipe (extio);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_COPROC) return close_coproc (extio);*/
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	protected int read_extio (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len)
+	{
+		int type = extio.getType ();
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_CONSOLE) 
+			return read_console (extio, buf, len);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_FILE) 
+			return read_file (extio, buf, len);
+		/*if (type == Extio.TYPE_PIPE)
+		 * 	return read_pipe (extio, buf, len);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_COPROC)
+			return read_coproc (extio, buf, len);*/
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	protected int write_extio (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len)
+	{
+		int type = extio.getType ();
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_CONSOLE) 
+			return write_console (extio, buf, len);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_FILE) 
+			return write_file (extio, buf, len);
+		/*if (type == Extio.TYPE_PIPE) 
+		 *	return write_pipe (extio, buf, len);
+		if (type == Extio.TYPE_COPROC)
+			return write_coproc (extio, buf, len);*/
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	protected abstract int open_console (Extio extio);
+	protected abstract int close_console (Extio extio);
+	protected abstract int read_console (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len);
+	protected abstract int write_console (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len); 
+	protected abstract int next_console (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len);
 
 	protected abstract int open_file (Extio extio);
-	protected abstract int close_file (String name);
+	protected abstract int close_file (Extio name);
+	protected abstract int read_file (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len);
+	protected abstract int write_file (Extio extio, char[] buf, int len); 
 }
diff --git a/ase/awk/Extio.java b/ase/awk/Extio.java
index 8c13b77d..6733b48f 100644
--- a/ase/awk/Extio.java
+++ b/ase/awk/Extio.java
@@ -2,21 +2,61 @@ package ase.awk;
 
 public class Extio
 {
-	private long extio;
+	public static final int TYPE_PIPE = 0;
+	public static final int TYPE_COPROC = 1;
+	public static final int TYPE_FILE = 2;
+	public static final int TYPE_CONSOLE = 3;
 
-	protected Extio (long extio)
+	public static final int MODE_PIPE_READ = 0;
+	public static final int MODE_PIPE_WRITE = 1;
+
+	public static final int MODE_FILE_READ = 0;
+	public static final int MODE_FILE_WRITE = 1;
+	public static final int MODE_FILE_APPEND = 2;
+
+	public static final int MODE_CONSOLE_READ = 0;
+	public static final int MODE_CONSOLE_WRITE = 1;
+
+	private String name;
+	private int type;
+	private int mode;
+	private Object handle;
+
+	protected Extio (String name, int type, int mode)
 	{
+		this.name = name;
+		this.type = type;
+		this.mode = mode;
+		this.handle = null;
 	}
 
-	public native String name ();
-
-	/*
-	void setHandle (Object obj)
+	public String getName ()
 	{
+		return this.name;
 	}
 
-	Object getHandle ()
+	public int getType ()
 	{
+		return this.type;
+	}
+
+	public int getMode ()
+	{
+		return this.mode;
+	}
+
+	public void setHandle (Object handle)
+	{
+		this.handle = handle;
+	}
+
+	public Object getHandle ()
+	{
+		return this.handle;
+	}
+
+	protected void finalize ()
+	{
+		System.out.println ("Extio being finalized....");
 	}
-	*/
 };
diff --git a/ase/awk/awk.h b/ase/awk/awk.h
index 27e1431a..da5ac32a 100644
--- a/ase/awk/awk.h
+++ b/ase/awk/awk.h
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /* 
- * $Id: awk.h,v 1.147 2006-11-19 15:24:20 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: awk.h,v 1.148 2006-11-21 15:06:14 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #ifndef _ASE_AWK_AWK_H_
@@ -26,22 +26,29 @@ typedef ase_ssize_t (*ase_awk_io_t) (
 struct ase_awk_extio_t 
 {
 	ase_awk_run_t* run; /* [IN] */
-	int type;          /* [IN] console, file, coproc, pipe */
-	int mode;          /* [IN] read, write, etc */
+	int type;           /* [IN] console, file, coproc, pipe */
+	int mode;           /* [IN] read, write, etc */
 	ase_char_t* name;   /* [IN] */
-	void* custom_data; /* [IN] */
+	void* custom_data;  /* [IN] */
+	void* handle;       /* [OUT] */
 
-	void* handle;      /* [OUT] */
-
-	/* input buffer */
+	/* input */
 	struct
 	{
 		ase_char_t buf[2048];
 		ase_size_t pos;
 		ase_size_t len;
 		ase_bool_t eof;
+		ase_bool_t eos;
 	} in;
 
+	/* output */
+	struct
+	{
+		ase_bool_t eof;
+		ase_bool_t eos;
+	} out;
+
 	ase_awk_extio_t* next;
 };
 
@@ -126,15 +133,21 @@ enum
 
 enum
 {
-	ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_READ      = 0,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_WRITE     = 1,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_READ      = 0,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_WRITE     = 1,
 
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_READ      = 0,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_WRITE     = 1,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_APPEND    = 2,
+	/*
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_COPROC_READ    = 0,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_COPROC_WRITE   = 1,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_COPROC_RDWR    = 2,
+	*/
 
-	ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_READ   = 0,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_WRITE  = 1
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_READ      = 0,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_WRITE     = 1,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_APPEND    = 2,
+
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_READ   = 0,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_WRITE  = 1
 };
 
 /* various options */
@@ -311,7 +324,7 @@ enum
 };
 
 /* extio types */
-enum
+enum ase_awk_extio_type_t
 {
 	/* extio types available */
 	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE,
diff --git a/ase/awk/extio.c b/ase/awk/extio.c
index 2cd95f4a..79236ed9 100644
--- a/ase/awk/extio.c
+++ b/ase/awk/extio.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: extio.c,v 1.60 2006-11-17 07:26:15 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: extio.c,v 1.61 2006-11-21 15:06:14 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #include <ase/awk/awk_i.h>
@@ -27,10 +27,10 @@ static int __in_mode_map[] =
 {
 	/* the order should match the order of the 
 	 * ASE_AWK_IN_XXX values in tree.h */
-	ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_READ,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_READ,
 	0,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_READ,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_READ
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_READ,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_READ
 };
 
 static int __in_mask_map[] =
@@ -56,11 +56,11 @@ static int __out_mode_map[] =
 {
 	/* the order should match the order of the 
 	 * ASE_AWK_OUT_XXX values in tree.h */
-	ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_WRITE,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_WRITE,
 	0,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_WRITE,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_APPEND,
-	ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_WRITE
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_WRITE,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_APPEND,
+	ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_WRITE
 };
 
 static int __out_mask_map[] =
@@ -140,6 +140,7 @@ int ase_awk_readextio (
 		p->in.pos = 0;
 		p->in.len = 0;
 		p->in.eof = ase_false;
+		p->in.eos = ase_false;
 
 		n = handler (ASE_AWK_IO_OPEN, p, ASE_NULL, 0);
 		if (n == -1)
@@ -165,7 +166,17 @@ int ase_awk_readextio (
 		 * open request if it doesn't have any files to open. One 
 		 * advantage of doing this would be that you can skip the 
 		 * entire pattern-block matching and exeuction. */
-		if (n == 0) return 0;
+		if (n == 0) 
+		{
+			p->in.eos = ase_true;
+			return 0;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (p->in.eos) 
+	{
+		/* no more streams. */
+		return 0;
 	}
 
 	/* ready to read a line */
@@ -323,7 +334,8 @@ int ase_awk_readextio (
 		else line_len = line_len + 1;
 	}
 
-	if (rs_ptr != ASE_NULL && rs->type != ASE_AWK_VAL_STR) ASE_AWK_FREE (run->awk, rs_ptr);
+	if (rs_ptr != ASE_NULL && 
+	    rs->type != ASE_AWK_VAL_STR) ASE_AWK_FREE (run->awk, rs_ptr);
 	ase_awk_refdownval (run, rs);
 
 	/* increment NR */
@@ -460,6 +472,9 @@ int ase_awk_writeextio_str (
 		p->next = ASE_NULL;
 		p->custom_data = run->extio.custom_data;
 
+		p->out.eof = ase_false;
+		p->out.eos = ase_false;
+
 		n = handler (ASE_AWK_IO_OPEN, p, ASE_NULL, 0);
 		if (n == -1)
 		{
@@ -484,11 +499,27 @@ int ase_awk_writeextio_str (
 		 * open request if it doesn't have any files to open. One 
 		 * advantage of doing this would be that you can skip the 
 		 * entire pattern-block matching and exeuction. */
-		if (n == 0) return 0;
+		if (n == 0) 
+		{
+			p->out.eos = ase_true;
+			return 0;
+		}
 	}
 
-/* TODO: if write handler returns less than the request, loop */
-	if (len > 0)
+	if (p->out.eos) 
+	{
+		/* no more streams */
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	if (p->out.eof) 
+	{
+		/* it has reached the end of the stream but this function
+		 * has been recalled */
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	while (len > 0)
 	{
 		n = handler (ASE_AWK_IO_WRITE, p, str, len);
 
@@ -503,13 +534,19 @@ int ase_awk_writeextio_str (
 			return -1;
 		}
 
-		if (n == 0) return 0;
+		if (n == 0) 
+		{
+			p->out.eof = ase_true;
+			return 0;
+		}
+
+		len -= n;
+		str += n;
 	}
 
 	return 1;
 }
 
-
 int ase_awk_flushextio (
 	ase_awk_run_t* run, int out_type, const ase_char_t* name)
 {
@@ -615,6 +652,12 @@ int ase_awk_nextextio_read (
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (p->in.eos) 
+	{
+		/* no more streams. */
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	n = handler (ASE_AWK_IO_NEXT, p, ASE_NULL, 0);
 	if (n == -1)
 	{
@@ -623,6 +666,20 @@ int ase_awk_nextextio_read (
 		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (n == 0) 
+	{
+		/* the next stream cannot be opened. 
+		 * set the eos flags so that the next call to nextextio_read
+		 * will return 0 without executing the handler */
+		p->in.eos = ase_true;
+	}
+	else 
+	{
+		/* as the next stream has been opened successfully,
+		 * the eof flag should be cleared if set */
+		p->in.eof = ase_false;
+	}
+
 	return n;
 }
 
diff --git a/ase/awk/jni.c b/ase/awk/jni.c
index 39b3c61a..3b718dff 100644
--- a/ase/awk/jni.c
+++ b/ase/awk/jni.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: jni.c,v 1.17 2006-11-19 15:33:39 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: jni.c,v 1.18 2006-11-21 15:06:15 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #include <ase/awk/jni.h>
@@ -10,13 +10,18 @@
 #include <wchar.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdarg.h>
+#include <math.h>
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <tchar.h>
 #endif
 
-#define EXCEPTION_AWK "ase/awk/AwkException"
+#ifndef ASE_CHAR_IS_WCHAR
+	#error this module supports ASE_CHAR_IS_WCHAR only
+#endif
+
+#define EXCEPTION_AWK "ase/awk/Exception"
 #define FIELD_AWK     "__awk"
 
 enum
@@ -31,9 +36,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __read_source (
 	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t count);
 static ase_ssize_t __write_source (
 	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t count);
-static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_console (
-	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t count);
-static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_file (
+static ase_ssize_t __process_extio (
 	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t count);
 
 typedef struct srcio_data_t srcio_data_t;
@@ -66,6 +69,11 @@ static void __awk_free (void* ptr, void* custom_data)
 	free (ptr);
 }
 
+static ase_real_t __awk_pow (ase_real_t x, ase_real_t y)
+{
+	return pow (x, y);
+}
+
 static int __awk_sprintf (
 	ase_char_t* buf, ase_size_t len, const ase_char_t* fmt, ...)
 {
@@ -166,6 +174,7 @@ JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_ase_awk_Awk_open (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj)
 
 	syscas.memcpy = memcpy;
 	syscas.memset = memset;
+	syscas.pow = __awk_pow;
 	syscas.sprintf = __awk_sprintf;
 	syscas.aprintf = __awk_aprintf;
 	syscas.dprintf = __awk_dprintf;
@@ -187,7 +196,7 @@ JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_ase_awk_Awk_open (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj)
 
 	opt = ASE_AWK_EXPLICIT | ASE_AWK_UNIQUE | ASE_AWK_DBLSLASHES |
 		ASE_AWK_SHADING | ASE_AWK_IMPLICIT | ASE_AWK_SHIFT | 
-		ASE_AWK_EXTIO | ASE_AWK_BLOCKLESS;
+		ASE_AWK_EXTIO | ASE_AWK_BLOCKLESS | ASE_AWK_HASHSIGN;
 	ase_awk_setopt (awk, opt);
 
 printf ("__awk(native) done => %u, 0x%X\n", awk, awk);
@@ -266,15 +275,22 @@ JNIEXPORT void JNICALL Java_ase_awk_Awk_run (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj)
 
 	runios.pipe = ASE_NULL;
 	runios.coproc = ASE_NULL;
-	runios.file = __process_extio_file;
-	runios.console = __process_extio_console;
+	runios.file = __process_extio;
+	runios.console = __process_extio;
 	runios.custom_data = &runio_data;
 
 	if (ase_awk_run (awk, ASE_NULL, &runios, ASE_NULL, ASE_NULL) == -1)
 	{
+		char msg[256];
+		int n;
+
 		except = (*env)->FindClass (env, EXCEPTION_AWK);
 		if (except == 0) return;
-		(*env)->ThrowNew (env, except, "Run Error ...");
+
+		snprintf (msg, sizeof(msg), "%S", 
+			ase_awk_geterrstr(ase_awk_geterrnum(awk)));
+		if (n < 0 || n >= sizeof(msg)) msg[sizeof(msg)-1] = '\0';
+		(*env)->ThrowNew (env, except, msg);
 		return;
 	}
 }
@@ -303,7 +319,11 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_open_source (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, int mode)
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
 	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, "open_source", "(I)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, mode);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
@@ -313,6 +333,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_open_source (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, int mode)
 		ret = -1;
 	}
 
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -326,7 +347,11 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_close_source (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, int mode)
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
 	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, "close_source", "(I)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, mode);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
@@ -336,6 +361,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_close_source (JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, int mode)
 		ret = -1;
 	}
 
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -352,10 +378,18 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_read_source (
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
 	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, "read_source", "([CI)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	array = (*env)->NewCharArray (env, size);
-	if (array == NULL) return -1;
+	if (array == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, array, size);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
@@ -370,6 +404,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_read_source (
 	(*env)->ReleaseCharArrayElements (env, array, tmp, 0);
 
 	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, array);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return i;
 }
 
@@ -386,10 +421,18 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_write_source (
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
 	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, "write_source", "([CI)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	array = (*env)->NewCharArray (env, size);
-	if (array == NULL) return -1;
+	if (array == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	tmp = (*env)->GetCharArrayElements (env, array, 0);
 	for (i = 0; i < size; i++) tmp[i] = (jchar)buf[i]; 
@@ -404,6 +447,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_write_source (
 	}
 
 	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, array);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -413,63 +457,84 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_open_extio (
 	jclass class; 
 	jmethodID mid;
 	jthrowable thrown;
+	jclass extio_class;
+	jmethodID extio_cons;
+	jobject extio_object;
+	jstring extio_name;
 	jint ret;
 	
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
-	if (extio == ASE_NULL)
+	extio_class = (*env)->FindClass (env, "ase/awk/Extio");
+	if (extio_class == NULL) 
 	{
-		mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "()I");
-		if (mid == 0) return -1;
-
-		ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		/*
-		jstring name_str;
-
-		mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (
-			env, class, meth, "(Ljava/lang/String;)I");
-		if (mid == 0) return -1;
-
-		name_str = (*env)->NewString (
-			env, extio->name, ase_awk_strlen(extio->name));
-		if (name_str == 0) return -1;
-
-		ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, name_str);
-
-		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, name_str);
-		*/
-		jclass extio_class;
-		jmethodID extio_cons;
-		jobject extio_object;
-
-		extio_class = (*env)->FindClass (env, "ase/awk/Extio");
-		if (extio_class == NULL) return -1;
-
-		extio_cons = (*env)->GetMethodID (
-			env, extio_class, "<init>", "(J)V");
-		if (extio_cons == NULL) return -1;
-
-		mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (
-			env, class, meth, "(Lase/awk/Extio;)I");
-		if (mid == NULL) return -1;
-
-		extio_object = (*env)->NewObject (
-			env, extio_class, extio_cons, (jlong)extio);
-		if (extio_object == NULL) return -1;
-
-		ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, extio_object);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
 	}
 
+	/* get the constructor */
+	extio_cons = (*env)->GetMethodID (
+		env, extio_class, "<init>", "(Ljava/lang/String;II)V");
+	if (extio_cons == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_class);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* get the method - meth */
+	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "(Lase/awk/Extio;)I");
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_class);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* construct the name */
+	extio_name = (*env)->NewString (
+		env, extio->name, ase_awk_strlen(extio->name));
+	if (extio_name == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_class);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* construct the extio object */
+	extio_object = (*env)->NewObject (
+		env, extio_class, extio_cons, 
+		extio_name, extio->type & 0xFF, extio->mode);
+	if (extio_object == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_name);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_class);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	/* execute the method */
+	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, extio_object);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
 	if (thrown)
 	{
+(*env)->ExceptionDescribe (env);
 		(*env)->ExceptionClear (env);
-		ret = -1;
+		return -1;
 	}
 
+	if (ret != -1) 
+	{
+		/* ret == -1 failed to open the stream
+		 * ret ==  0 opened the stream and reached its end 
+		 * ret ==  1 opened the stream. */
+		extio->handle = (*env)->NewGlobalRef (env, extio_object);
+	}
+
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_object);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_name);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, extio_class);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -483,41 +548,38 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_close_extio (
 	
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
-	if (extio == ASE_NULL)
+	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (
+		env, class, meth, "(Lase/awk/Extio;)I");
+	if (mid == NULL) 
 	{
-		mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "()I");
-		if (mid == 0) return -1;
-
-		ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid);
-	}
-	else
-	{
-		jstring name_str;
-
-		mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (
-			env, class, meth, "(Ljava/lang/String;)I");
-		if (mid == 0) return -1;
-
-		name_str = (*env)->NewString (
-			env, extio->name, ase_awk_strlen(extio->name));
-		if (name_str == 0) return -1;
-
-		ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, name_str);
-		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, name_str);
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
 	}
 
+	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, extio->handle);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
 	if (thrown)
 	{
+(*env)->ExceptionDescribe (env);
 		(*env)->ExceptionClear (env);
 		ret = -1;
 	}
 
+	if (ret != -1) 
+	{
+		/* ret == -1  failed to close the stream
+		 * ret ==  0  closed the stream */
+		(*env)->DeleteGlobalRef (env, extio->handle);
+		extio->handle = NULL;
+	}
+
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static ase_ssize_t __call_java_read_extio (
-	JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, char* meth, ase_char_t* buf, ase_size_t size)
+	JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, char* meth, 
+	ase_awk_extio_t* extio, ase_char_t* buf, ase_size_t size)
 {
 	jclass class; 
 	jmethodID mid;
@@ -528,13 +590,21 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_read_extio (
 	
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
-	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "([CI)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "(Lase/awk/Extio;[CI)I");
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	array = (*env)->NewCharArray (env, size);
-	if (array == NULL) return -1;
+	if (array == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
-	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, array, size);
+	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, extio->handle, array, size);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
 	if (thrown)
 	{
@@ -542,16 +612,21 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_read_extio (
 		ret = -1;
 	}
 
-	tmp = (*env)->GetCharArrayElements (env, array, 0);
-	for (i = 0; i < ret; i++) buf[i] = (ase_char_t)tmp[i]; 
-	(*env)->ReleaseCharArrayElements (env, array, tmp, 0);
+	if (ret > 0)
+	{
+		tmp = (*env)->GetCharArrayElements (env, array, 0);
+		for (i = 0; i < ret; i++) buf[i] = (ase_char_t)tmp[i]; 
+		(*env)->ReleaseCharArrayElements (env, array, tmp, 0);
+	}
 
 	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, array);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
 static ase_ssize_t __call_java_write_extio (
-	JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, char* meth, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t size)
+	JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, char* meth,
+	ase_awk_extio_t* extio, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t size)
 {
 	jclass class; 
 	jmethodID mid;
@@ -563,17 +638,25 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_write_extio (
 	
 	class = (*env)->GetObjectClass(env, obj);
 
-	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "([CI)I");
-	if (mid == 0) return -1;
+	mid = (*env)->GetMethodID (env, class, meth, "(Lase/awk/Extio;[CI)I");
+	if (mid == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	array = (*env)->NewCharArray (env, size);
-	if (array == NULL) return -1;
+	if (array == NULL) 
+	{
+		(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
+		return -1;
+	}
 
 	tmp = (*env)->GetCharArrayElements (env, array, 0);
 	for (i = 0; i < size; i++) tmp[i] = (jchar)data[i]; 
 	(*env)->ReleaseCharArrayElements (env, array, tmp, 0);
 
-	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, array, size);
+	ret = (*env)->CallIntMethod (env, obj, mid, extio->handle, array, size);
 	thrown = (*env)->ExceptionOccurred (env);
 	if (thrown)
 	{
@@ -582,6 +665,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __call_java_write_extio (
 	}
 
 	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, array);
+	(*env)->DeleteLocalRef (env, class);
 	return ret;
 }
 
@@ -633,7 +717,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t __write_source (
 	return -1;
 }
 
-static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_console (
+static ase_ssize_t __process_extio (
 	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t size)
 {
 	ase_awk_extio_t* epa = (ase_awk_extio_t*)arg;
@@ -643,26 +727,25 @@ static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_console (
 	{
 		return __call_java_open_extio (
 			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
-			"open_console", ASE_NULL);
+			"open_extio", epa);
 	}
 	else if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_CLOSE)
 	{
 		return __call_java_close_extio (
 			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
-			"close_console", ASE_NULL);
+			"close_extio", epa);
 	}
-
 	else if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_READ)
 	{
 		return __call_java_read_extio (
-			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, "read_console",
-			data, size);
+			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
+			"read_extio", epa, data, size);
 	}
 	else if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_WRITE)
 	{
 		return __call_java_write_extio (
-			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, "write_console",
-			data, size);
+			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
+			"write_extio", epa, data, size);
 	}
 #if 0
 	else if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_FLUSH)
@@ -681,25 +764,3 @@ static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_console (
 
 	return -1;
 }
-
-static ase_ssize_t __process_extio_file (
-	int cmd, void* arg, ase_char_t* data, ase_size_t size)
-{
-	ase_awk_extio_t* epa = (ase_awk_extio_t*)arg;
-	runio_data_t* runio_data = (runio_data_t*)epa->custom_data;
-
-	if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_OPEN)
-	{
-		return __call_java_open_extio (
-			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
-			"open_file", epa);
-	}
-	else if (cmd == ASE_AWK_IO_CLOSE)
-	{
-		return __call_java_close_extio (
-			runio_data->env, runio_data->obj, 
-			"close_file", epa);
-	}
-
-	return -1;
-}
diff --git a/ase/awk/run.c b/ase/awk/run.c
index 02553897..a4329390 100644
--- a/ase/awk/run.c
+++ b/ase/awk/run.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: run.c,v 1.279 2006-11-20 14:29:33 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: run.c,v 1.280 2006-11-21 15:06:15 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #include <ase/awk/awk_i.h>
@@ -562,6 +562,7 @@ int ase_awk_run (ase_awk_t* awk,
 		n = 0;
 	}
 
+
 	__deinit_run (run);
 	__del_run (awk, run);
 	ASE_AWK_FREE (awk, run);
@@ -758,7 +759,6 @@ static int __init_run (ase_awk_run_t* run, ase_awk_runios_t* runios, int* errnum
 
 static void __deinit_run (ase_awk_run_t* run)
 {
-
 	if (run->pattern_range_state != ASE_NULL)
 		ASE_AWK_FREE (run->awk, run->pattern_range_state);
 
@@ -1281,8 +1281,8 @@ static int __run_pattern_blocks (ase_awk_run_t* run)
 			int saved = run->errnum;
 
 			/* don't care about the result of input close */
-			ase_awk_closeextio_read (
-				run, ASE_AWK_IN_CONSOLE, ASE_T(""));
+//			ase_awk_closeextio_read (
+//				run, ASE_AWK_IN_CONSOLE, ASE_T(""));
 
 			run->errnum = saved;
 			return -1;
@@ -1300,8 +1300,8 @@ static int __run_pattern_blocks (ase_awk_run_t* run)
 			{
 				int saved = run->errnum;
 
-				ase_awk_closeextio_read (
-					run, ASE_AWK_IN_CONSOLE, ASE_T(""));
+//				ase_awk_closeextio_read (
+//					run, ASE_AWK_IN_CONSOLE, ASE_T(""));
 
 				run->errnum = saved;
 				return -1;
@@ -1318,6 +1318,7 @@ static int __run_pattern_blocks (ase_awk_run_t* run)
 	 * -1 regardless of the value of errnum.  */
 	if (need_to_close)
 	{
+/* TODO: do i have to close exito here...
 		n = ase_awk_closeextio_read (
 			run, ASE_AWK_IN_CONSOLE, ASE_T(""));
 		if (n == -1) 
@@ -1326,6 +1327,7 @@ static int __run_pattern_blocks (ase_awk_run_t* run)
 				PANIC_I (run, ASE_AWK_ECONINCLOSE);
 			else return -1;
 		}
+*/
 	}
 
 	return 0;
@@ -6087,7 +6089,7 @@ ase_char_t* ase_awk_format (
 			}
 
 
-			if (prec == -1 || prec == 0 || prec > ch_len ) prec = ch_len;
+			if (prec == -1 || prec == 0 || prec > ch_len) prec = ch_len;
 			if (prec > width) width = prec;
 
 			if (!minus)
diff --git a/ase/awk/tree.c b/ase/awk/tree.c
index 9e83053e..50d902cf 100644
--- a/ase/awk/tree.c
+++ b/ase/awk/tree.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: tree.c,v 1.89 2006-11-19 11:21:06 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: tree.c,v 1.90 2006-11-21 15:06:15 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #include <ase/awk/awk_i.h>
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ static int __print_expression (ase_awk_t* awk, ase_awk_nde_t* nde)
 			len = ((ase_awk_nde_str_t*)nde)->len;
 			for (i = 0; i < len; i++)
 			{
-				/* TODO: more deescaping  */
+				/* TODO: maybe more de-escaping?? */
 				if (ptr[i] == ASE_T('\n'))
 					PUT_SRCSTR (awk, ASE_T("\\n"));
 				else if (ptr[i] == ASE_T('\r'))
@@ -304,7 +304,6 @@ static int __print_expression (ase_awk_t* awk, ase_awk_nde_t* nde)
 
 		case ASE_AWK_NDE_REX:
 		{
-			/* TODO: buf, len */
 			PUT_SRCSTR (awk, ASE_T("/"));
 			PUT_SRCSTRX (awk,
 				((ase_awk_nde_rex_t*)nde)->buf, 
@@ -489,7 +488,6 @@ static int __print_expression (ase_awk_t* awk, ase_awk_nde_t* nde)
 
 		case ASE_AWK_NDE_AFN:
 		{
-			/* TODO: use px->what.afn.name_len */
 			ase_awk_nde_call_t* px = (ase_awk_nde_call_t*)nde;
 			PUT_SRCSTRX (awk, 
 				px->what.afn.name, px->what.afn.name_len);
@@ -795,7 +793,6 @@ static int __print_statements (ase_awk_t* awk, ase_awk_nde_t* tree, int depth)
 			{
 				PRINT_TABS (awk, depth);
 				PUT_SRCSTR (awk, ASE_T("delete "));
-		/* TODO: can't use __print_expression??? */
 				ase_awk_prnpt (awk, ((ase_awk_nde_delete_t*)p)->var);
 				break;
 			}
diff --git a/ase/test/awk/Awk.java b/ase/test/awk/Awk.java
index a7e18005..8ccec86a 100644
--- a/ase/test/awk/Awk.java
+++ b/ase/test/awk/Awk.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: Awk.java,v 1.1 2006-10-24 06:03:14 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: Awk.java,v 1.2 2006-11-21 15:06:50 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 package ase.test.awk;
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ public class Awk extends ase.awk.Awk
 	private FileReader insrc;
 	private FileWriter outsrc;
 
+	private InputStreamReader console_in = null;
+
 	public Awk () throws ase.awk.Exception
 	{
 		super ();
@@ -20,13 +22,13 @@ public class Awk extends ase.awk.Awk
 	{
 		if (mode == SOURCE_READ)
 		{
-			try { insrc = new FileReader ("test.awk"); }
+			try { insrc = new FileReader ("t.awk"); }
 			catch (IOException e) { return -1; }
 			return 1;
 		}
 		else if (mode == SOURCE_WRITE)
 		{
-			try { outsrc = new FileWriter ("test.out"); }
+			try { outsrc = new FileWriter ("t.out"); }
 			catch (IOException e) { return -1; }
 			return 1;
 		}
@@ -65,39 +67,107 @@ public class Awk extends ase.awk.Awk
 		return len;
 	}
 
-	protected int open_console ()
+	protected int open_console (ase.awk.Extio extio)
 	{
-		System.err.println ("[open_console called....]");
-		return 1;
+		System.err.println ("[open_console called.... name: " + extio.getName() + " mode: " + extio.getMode());
+
+		int mode = extio.getMode ();
+
+		if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_READ)
+		{
+			InputStreamReader isr = 
+				new InputStreamReader (System.in);
+			extio.setHandle (isr);
+			return 1;
+		}
+		else if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_WRITE)
+		{
+			OutputStreamWriter osw =
+				new OutputStreamWriter (System.out);
+			extio.setHandle (osw);
+			return 1;
+		}
+
+		return -1;
 	}
 
-	protected int close_console ()
+	protected int close_console (ase.awk.Extio extio)
 	{
-		System.err.println ("[close_console called....]");
-		return 1;
+		System.err.println ("[close_console called.... name: " + extio.getName() + " mode: " + extio.getMode());
+
+		int mode = extio.getMode ();
+
+		if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_READ)
+		{
+			InputStreamReader isr = (InputStreamReader)extio.getHandle ();
+			try { isr.close (); }
+			catch (IOException e) { return -1; }
+			return 0;
+		}
+		else if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_WRITE)
+		{
+			OutputStreamWriter osw = (OutputStreamWriter)extio.getHandle ();
+			//try { osw.close (); }
+			//catch (IOException e) { return -1; }
+			return 0;
+		}
+
+		return -1;
 	}
 
-	protected int read_console (char[] buf, int len)
+	protected int read_console (ase.awk.Extio extio, char[] buf, int len)
 	{
-		return 0;
+		int mode = extio.getMode ();
+
+		if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_READ)
+		{
+			InputStreamReader isr = (InputStreamReader)extio.getHandle ();
+			try 
+			{ 
+				len = isr.read (buf, 0, len); 
+				if (len == -1) len = 0;
+			}
+			catch (IOException e) { System.out.println ("EXCEPTIN---"+e.getMessage());return -1; }
+
+			return len;
+		}
+		else if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_WRITE)
+		{
+			return -1;
+		}
+
+		return -1;
 	}
 
-	protected int write_console (char[] buf, int len) 
+	protected int write_console (ase.awk.Extio extio, char[] buf, int len) 
 	{
-		System.out.print (new String (buf, 0, len));
-		return len;
+		int mode = extio.getMode ();
+
+		if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_READ)
+		{
+			return -1;
+		}
+		else if (mode == ase.awk.Extio.MODE_CONSOLE_WRITE)
+		{
+			OutputStreamWriter osw = (OutputStreamWriter)extio.getHandle ();
+			try { osw.write (buf, 0, len); osw.flush (); }
+			catch (IOException e) { return -1; }
+
+			return len;
+		}
+		return -1;
 	}
 
-	protected int next_console (char[] buf, int len)
+	protected int next_console (ase.awk.Extio extio, char[] buf, int len)
 	{
 		return 0;
 	}
 
 	public int open_file (ase.awk.Extio extio)
 	{
-		System.out.print ("opening file [");
-		//System.out.print (extio.name());
-		System.out.println ("]");
+		/*System.out.print ("opening file [");
+		System.out.print (extio.getName());
+		System.out.println ("]");*/
 
 		/*
 		FileInputStream f = new FileInputStream (extio.name());
@@ -106,24 +176,23 @@ public class Awk extends ase.awk.Awk
 		return 1;
 	}
 	
-	/*
-	public int open_file (String name)
+	public int close_file (ase.awk.Extio extio)
 	{
-		System.out.print ("opening file [");
-		System.out.print (name);
-		System.out.println ("]");
-		return 1;
-	}
-	*/
-
-	public int close_file (String name)
-	{
-		System.out.print ("closing file [");
-		System.out.print (name);
-		System.out.println ("]");
+		/*System.out.print ("closing file [");
+		System.out.print (extio.getName());
+		System.out.println ("]");*/
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	protected int read_file (ase.awk.Extio extio, char[] buf, int len) 
+	{
+		return -1;
+	}
+	protected int write_file (ase.awk.Extio extio, char[] buf, int len) 
+	{
+		return -1;
+	}
+
 	public static void main (String[] args)
 	{
 		Awk awk = null;
diff --git a/ase/test/awk/awk.c b/ase/test/awk/awk.c
index ea684ded..0849e676 100644
--- a/ase/test/awk/awk.c
+++ b/ase/test/awk/awk.c
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * $Id: awk.c,v 1.120 2006-11-19 15:33:40 bacon Exp $
+ * $Id: awk.c,v 1.121 2006-11-21 15:06:51 bacon Exp $
  */
 
 #include <ase/awk/awk.h>
@@ -271,9 +271,9 @@ static ase_ssize_t process_extio_pipe (
 			FILE* handle;
 			const ase_char_t* mode;
 
-			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_READ)
+			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_READ)
 				mode = ASE_T("r");
-			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_WRITE)
+			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_WRITE)
 				mode = ASE_T("w");
 			else return -1; /* TODO: any way to set the error number? */
 			__awk_dprintf (ASE_T("opending %s of type %d (pipe)\n"),  epa->name, epa->type);
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ static ase_ssize_t process_extio_pipe (
 
 		case ASE_AWK_IO_FLUSH:
 		{
-			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_PIPE_READ) return -1;
+			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_PIPE_READ) return -1;
 			else return 0;
 		}
 
@@ -336,11 +336,11 @@ static ase_ssize_t process_extio_file (
 			FILE* handle;
 			const ase_char_t* mode;
 
-			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_READ)
+			if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_READ)
 				mode = ASE_T("r");
-			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_WRITE)
+			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_WRITE)
 				mode = ASE_T("w");
-			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_FILE_APPEND)
+			else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_FILE_APPEND)
 				mode = ASE_T("a");
 			else return -1; /* TODO: any way to set the error number? */
 
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ static int open_extio_console (ase_awk_extio_t* epa)
 
 	__awk_dprintf (ASE_T("opening console[%s] of type %x\n"), epa->name, epa->type);
 
-	if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_READ)
+	if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_READ)
 	{
 		if (infiles[infile_no] == ASE_NULL)
 		{
@@ -546,7 +546,7 @@ static int open_extio_console (ase_awk_extio_t* epa)
 		infile_no++;
 		return 1;
 	}
-	else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_IO_CONSOLE_WRITE)
+	else if (epa->mode == ASE_AWK_EXTIO_CONSOLE_WRITE)
 	{
 		__awk_dprintf (ASE_T("    console(w) - <standard output>\n"));
 		/* TODO: does output console has a name??? */
diff --git a/ase/test/awk/makefile.bcc b/ase/test/awk/makefile.bcc
index 80a9d135..80ec51ab 100644
--- a/ase/test/awk/makefile.bcc
+++ b/ase/test/awk/makefile.bcc
@@ -19,8 +19,14 @@ all: awk
 awk: awk.obj
 	$(LD) $(LDFLAGS) $(STARTUP) awk.obj,$@.exe,,$(LIBS),,
 
+java: 
+	javac -classpath ../../.. Awk.java
+
+jrun:
+	java -Xms1m -Xmx2m -classpath ../../.. ase.test.awk.Awk
+
 clean:
-	del $(OBJS) *.obj $(OUT)
+	del $(OBJS) *.obj *.class awk.exe 
 
 .SUFFIXES: .c .obj
 .c.obj: