[Xcb-commit] 22 commits - Makefile.am configure.ac doc src xcb-xkb.pc.in

Peter Harris peterh at kemper.freedesktop.org
Thu Dec 23 10:15:09 PST 2010


 Makefile.am       |    3 
 configure.ac      |    2 
 doc/xkb_internals |   49 +
 doc/xkb_issues    |   38 +
 src/.gitignore    |    1 
 src/Makefile.am   |    8 
 src/c_client.py   | 1487 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++----
 src/xcb_util.c    |   10 
 src/xcbext.h      |    1 
 xcb-xkb.pc.in     |   11 
 10 files changed, 1500 insertions(+), 110 deletions(-)

New commits:
commit 3c5813697169a33ecfd6ac0ab5641dec654f6612
Merge: 69b78ce... b672d15...
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Thu Dec 23 13:04:40 2010 -0500

    Merge branch 'master' of git://anongit.freedesktop.org/~peterh/libxcb

commit b672d1514c88e119f3aaeded8c8a488cad36db52
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Wed Sep 22 23:15:38 2010 -0400

    Fix _unserialize of reply headers
    
    This cleans up a number of warnings, and passes the sequence number
    through correctly.
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 1f3277a..91719b7 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -925,8 +925,9 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
     prev_field_was_variable = False
 
     for field in self.fields:
-        if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
-            continue
+        if not field.visible:
+            if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or 'unserialize' == context):
+                continue
 
         # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
         if field.type.fixed_size():
commit 29cca33b9001961fa2c33bb9d9fe4a9983913fce
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Wed Sep 22 22:32:34 2010 -0400

    Clean up a couple of warnings in xprint
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index a66c7e3..1f3277a 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
         
         # special case: intermixed fixed and variable size fields
         if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
-            value = '    %s = xcb_tmp;' % field.c_field_name
+            value = '    %s = (%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type)
             temp_vars.append('    %s *%s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name))
         # special case: switch
         if 'unpack' == context:
commit 8c1d2021ca611c1452a8d2ff2a705569e4ebd056
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Wed Sep 22 21:16:51 2010 -0400

    Make *_unserialize safe to use on buffers in-place
    
    By calling memmove instead of memcpy, and walking the buffer backward
    from the end, *_unserialize is safe to use in-place.
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 08d6ec4..a66c7e3 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -1218,12 +1218,13 @@ def _c_serialize(context, self):
             
         # unserialize: assign variable size fields individually
         if 'unserialize' == context:
-            _c('    *%s = xcb_out;', aux_ptr)
-            _c('    xcb_tmp = (char *)(*_aux+1);')
+            _c('    xcb_tmp = ((char *)*_aux)+xcb_buffer_len;')
+            param_fields.reverse()
             for field in param_fields:
                 if not field.type.fixed_size():
-                    _c('    memcpy(xcb_tmp, %s, %s_len);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
-                    _c('    xcb_tmp += %s_len;', field.c_field_name)
+                    _c('    xcb_tmp -= %s_len;', field.c_field_name)
+                    _c('    memmove(xcb_tmp, %s, %s_len);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+            _c('    *%s = xcb_out;', aux_ptr)
  
     _c('')
     _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
commit 28a71c6567d08272dc9c1c2b32f0529f11f62b9e
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Fri Sep 10 15:51:56 2010 -0400

    Fix memory leak in _sizeof implemented with _unserialize
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 85ae09b..08d6ec4 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -1134,8 +1134,7 @@ def _c_serialize(context, self):
             return
         elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             # special case: call _unserialize()
-            _c('    %s *_aux = NULL;', self.c_type)
-            _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
+            _c('    return %s(%s, NULL);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
             _c('}')
             return
         else:
@@ -1180,6 +1179,12 @@ def _c_serialize(context, self):
     # allocate memory and copy everything into a continuous memory area 
     # note: this is not necessary in case of unpack
     if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
+        # unserialize: check for sizeof-only invocation
+        if 'unserialize' == context:
+            _c('')
+            _c('    if (NULL == _aux)')
+            _c('        return xcb_buffer_len;')
+
         _c('')
         _c('    if (NULL == %s) {', aux_ptr)
         _c('        /* allocate memory */')
commit a22909c0f513fe28347c56be65a345831c3ce744
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Wed Sep 8 15:57:00 2010 -0400

    Don't emit out-of-module sizeof definitions
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 26826e4..85ae09b 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -399,8 +399,9 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                     
         if self.need_sizeof:
             if self.c_sizeof_name not in finished_sizeof:
-                finished_sizeof.append(self.c_sizeof_name)
-                _c_serialize('sizeof', self)
+                if not module.namespace.is_ext or self.name[:2] == module.namespace.prefix:
+                    finished_sizeof.append(self.c_sizeof_name)
+                    _c_serialize('sizeof', self)
 # _c_type_setup()
 
 def _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix, field=None):
commit 03bcccb132249142ba908a075e0bd5075fc20d97
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Fri Sep 10 15:53:13 2010 -0400

    Add xkb.* to gitignore
    
    Signed-off-by: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>

diff --git a/src/.gitignore b/src/.gitignore
index 21421a2..a402afe 100644
--- a/src/.gitignore
+++ b/src/.gitignore
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ xf86dri.*
 xfixes.*
 xinerama.*
 xinput.*
+xkb.*
 xprint.*
 xselinux.*
 xtest.*
commit 28d39258008fcc8ced84dc6c1dd2644e2c908c87
Merge: f0565e8... 5e8a7ad...
Author: Peter Harris <pharris at opentext.com>
Date:   Wed Sep 8 14:41:52 2010 -0400

    Merge branch 'gsoc2010' of git://anongit.freedesktop.org/~chr/libxcb

commit 5e8a7ade2dc8aeeeb8013785ca3f24c6057ae443
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Mon Aug 16 20:24:40 2010 +0200

    small fix to get rid of some compiler warnings
    also added very basic documentation for xkb

diff --git a/doc/xkb_internals b/doc/xkb_internals
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93c6d01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/xkb_internals
@@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
+
+XKB introduces several uncommon data structures:
+ - switch allows conditional inclusion of fields
+ - several complex objects intermix variable and fixed size fields
+ - lists with a variable number of variable size objects
+
+To handle these objects, a number of new functions is generated:
+ - _serialize() turns a structured object into a byte stream, 
+   (re)ordering or including fields according to the protocol
+ - _unserialize() rewrites data from a buffer into a structured object
+ - _unpack() expands a buffer representing a switch object into 
+   a special structured type, all flags needed to resolve the switch
+   expression have to given as parameters
+ - _sizeof() calculates the size of a serialized object, often by calling
+   _unserialize()/_unpack() internally
+
+The new structured data type for switch is special as it contains fixed 
+and variable size fields. Variable size fields can be accessed via pointers. 
+
+If switch appears in a request, an additional set of request helpers is 
+generated with the suffix _aux or _aux_(un)checked. While the 'common'
+request functions require that switch has been serialized before, the _aux
+variants take the structured data type. They are especially designed to 
+replace certain functions in xcb-util/aux. 
+
+Accessors for switch members need two parameters, where the first is usually
+a pointer to the respective request or reply structure, while the second 
+is a pointer to the unpacked switch data structure. 
+
+Functions from the serialize family that take a double pointer can allocate 
+memory on their own, which is useful if the size of a buffer has to be 
+calculated depending on the data within. These functions call malloc() when 
+the double pointer is given as the address of a pointer that has been 
+initialized to 0. It is the responsibility of the user to free any allocated
+memory. 
+
+Intermixed variable and fixed size fields are an important special case in XKB. 
+The current implementation resolves the issue by reordering the fields before
+sending them on the wire as well as before returning a reply. That means that 
+these objects look like 'common' XCB data types and they can be accessed as such 
+(i.e. fixed size fields directly via the structured type and variable size fields
+via accessors/iterators).  
+
+In case a list with variable size elements needs to be accessed, it is necessary 
+to use iterators. The iterator functions take care of determining the actual 
+object size for each element automatically. 
+
+A small and preliminary set of auxiliary functions is available in xkb_util.c 
+in the check_xkb module.  
diff --git a/doc/xkb_issues b/doc/xkb_issues
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..80efcc1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/xkb_issues
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+
+There are a number of problematic special cases in XKB. The issues 
+mentioned here are at most partly resolved.
+ 
+1. The are several XxxDoodad structures defined in xkb.xml. They are used
+   in a few lists, but in a rather special way: 
+   The struct "CommonDoodad" is supposed to be a rather generic data type, 
+   combining the most basic Doodad fields that are common in all these structures. 
+   All Doodads are encapsulated in a union type simply called "Doodad". 
+   Now this union is used in subsequent list definitions, aiming at a kind of 
+   'polymorphism': From inspection of the protocol and Xlib, the Doodads are to 
+   be discriminated based on their type field.
+   However the special meaning of the type field is not encoded in the protocol. 
+   Furthermore the TextDoodad and the LogoDoodad are variable size types due to
+   some fields of type CountedString16, thereby turning the union into a 
+   possibly variable size type as well. 
+   However, for lists with variable size elements, special sizeof functions are 
+   required. These cannot be autogenerated as it cannot be referred which 
+   Doodad type to use for the union. 
+   Therefore, the Doodad type structures are unsupported at the moment. 
+
+2. There are still some bugs in xkb.xml: Either certain fields are missing
+   that are required by the protocol, or Xlib simply has another understanding
+   of the protocol. 
+
+3. The interface for accessors should be reviewed. 
+
+4. Currently some bitcases carry 'name' attributes. These could be avoided if 
+   the data within would consist of a singe struct field only. 
+
+5. switch could get a 'fixed_size' attribute, so when rewriting valueparam to switch, 
+   an uint32_t * pointer could be used instead of void *. 
+
+6. The automatic inclusion of padding requires some complicated coding in the 
+   generator. This is errorprone and could be avoided if all padding is explicitly
+   given in the protocol definition. For variable size fields that require padding, 
+   the pad tag could get a 'fieldref' attribute. That way padding could be handled
+   a lot easier in the autogenerator. 
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 8e79480..26826e4 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -1293,11 +1293,13 @@ def _c_iterator(self, name):
                 _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child;')
                 _c('    child.data = (%s *)(((char *)R) + %s(R));', 
                    self.c_type, self.c_sizeof_name)
+                _c('    i->index = (char *) child.data - (char *) i->data;')
             else:
                 _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(self.last_varsized_field, 'R'))
+                _c('    i->index = child.index;')
             _c('    --i->rem;')
             _c('    i->data = (%s *) child.data;', self.c_type)
-            _c('    i->index = child.index;')
+
     else:
         _c('    --i->rem;')
         _c('    ++i->data;')
@@ -1937,7 +1939,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
     if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
         _c('    /* in the protocol description, variable size fields are followed by fixed size fields */')
-        _c('    char *xcb_aux = 0;')
+        _c('    void *xcb_aux = 0;')
         
 
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
commit b89f634ff9b321f21874cd45e398d661a6ff726e
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Mon Aug 16 18:22:42 2010 +0200

    small fix in the xkb pkg file

diff --git a/xcb-xkb.pc.in b/xcb-xkb.pc.in
index 31ccaa3..6ed0035 100644
--- a/xcb-xkb.pc.in
+++ b/xcb-xkb.pc.in
@@ -7,5 +7,5 @@ Name: XCB XKB
 Description: XCB Keyboard Extension (EXPERIMENTAL)
 Version: @PACKAGE_VERSION@
 Requires: xcb
-Libs: -L${libdir} -lxcb-xinput
+Libs: -L${libdir} -lxcb-xkb
 Cflags: -I${includedir}
commit 22e1013131984a217e9bddeac3a6a4183e35f0c1
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Mon Aug 16 18:19:16 2010 +0200

    added accessors for special cases
    major bugfixes include: rewrite of prefix related functions, merge of serialize/unserialize/... generators, extended field name resolution

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index bf2f34d..8e79480 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ _clines = []
 _clevel = 0
 _ns = None
 
-# global variable to keep track of serializers and switch data types
-# due to weird dependencies, I see no way to do this more elegant at the moment
+# global variable to keep track of serializers and 
+# switch data types due to weird dependencies
 finished_serializers = []
 finished_sizeof = []
 finished_switch = []
@@ -298,13 +298,13 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     # special case: structs where variable size fields are followed by fixed size fields
     self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = False
 
-    # whether a request or reply has a switch field    
     if self.is_switch:
         self.need_serialize = True
         self.c_container = 'struct'
         for bitcase in self.bitcases:
             bitcase.c_field_name = _cpp(bitcase.field_name)
-            _c_type_setup(bitcase.type, bitcase.field_type, ())
+            bitcase_name = bitcase.field_type if bitcase.type.has_name else name
+            _c_type_setup(bitcase.type, bitcase_name, ())
 
     elif self.is_container:
 
@@ -318,8 +318,6 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             if field.type.is_list:
                 _c_type_setup(field.type.member, field.field_type, ())
                 if (field.type.nmemb is None): 
-#                    if field.type.member.need_serialize:
-#                        self.need_serialize = True
                     self.need_sizeof = True
 
             field.c_field_type = _t(field.field_type)
@@ -339,14 +337,12 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                 field.c_field_const_type = 'const ' + field.c_field_type
                 self.need_aux = True
             elif not field.type.fixed_size() and not field.type.is_bitcase:
-                #self.need_serialize = True
                 self.need_sizeof = True
 
             field.c_iterator_type = _t(field.field_type + ('iterator',))      # xcb_fieldtype_iterator_t
             field.c_iterator_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'iterator')) # xcb_container_field_iterator
             field.c_accessor_name = _n(name + (field.field_name,))            # xcb_container_field
             field.c_length_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'length'))     # xcb_container_field_length
-
             field.c_end_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'end'))           # xcb_container_field_end
 
             field.prev_varsized_field = prev_varsized_field
@@ -383,43 +379,111 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             finished_switch.append(self.c_type)
             # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
             _c_complex(self)
-            # FIXME: what about accessors & switch (un)packing functions
-            # _c_iterator() does not seem to be the right place to do it, 
-            # as the accessors would need any parameters to pass to _unpack() as well 
+            for bitcase in self.bitcases:
+                bitcase_name = bitcase.type.name if bitcase.type.has_name else name
+                _c_accessors(bitcase.type, bitcase_name, bitcase_name)
+                # no list with switch as element, so no call to 
+                # _c_iterator(field.type, field_name) necessary
 
     if not self.is_bitcase:
         if self.need_serialize:
             if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
                 finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
-                _c_serialize(self)
-                # _unpack() and _unserialize() are only needed for special cases
+                _c_serialize('serialize', self)
+
+                # _unpack() and _unserialize() are only needed for special cases:
+                #   switch -> unpack
+                #   special cases -> unserialize
                 if self.is_switch or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-                    _c_unserialize(self)
+                    _c_serialize('unserialize', self)
+                    
         if self.need_sizeof:
             if self.c_sizeof_name not in finished_sizeof:
                 finished_sizeof.append(self.c_sizeof_name)
-                _c_sizeof_helper(self)
+                _c_serialize('sizeof', self)
 # _c_type_setup()
 
-def get_request_fields(self):
-    param_fields = []
-    wire_fields = []
+def _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix, field=None):
+    """
+    turn prefix, which is a list of tuples (name, separator, Type obj) into a string
+    representing a valid name in C (based on the context)
+    if field is not None, append the field name as well
+    """
+    prefix_str = ''
+    for name, sep, obj in prefix:
+        prefix_str += name
+        if '' == sep:
+            sep = '->'
+            if ((obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) or     # named bitcase
+                (obj.is_switch and len(obj.parents)>1)):
+                sep = '.'
+        prefix_str += sep
+    if field is not None:
+        prefix_str += _cpp(field.field_name)
+    return prefix_str
+# _c_absolute_name
+    
+def _c_helper_field_mapping(complex_type, prefix, flat=False):
+    """
+    generate absolute names, based on prefix, for all fields starting from complex_type
+    if flat == True, nested complex types are not taken into account
+    """
+    all_fields = {}
+    if complex_type.is_switch:
+        for b in complex_type.bitcases:
+            if b.type.has_name:
+                switch_name, switch_sep, switch_type = prefix[-1]
+                bitcase_prefix = prefix + [(b.type.name[-1], '.', b.type)]
+            else:
+                bitcase_prefix = prefix 
 
-    for field in self.fields:
-        if field.visible:
-            # the field should appear as a parameter in the function call
-            param_fields.append(field)
-        if field.wire and not field.auto:
-            if field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
-                # field in the xcb_out structure
-                wire_fields.append(field)
-        # fields like 'pad0' are skipped!
-                    
-    return (param_fields, wire_fields)
-# get_request_fields()
+            if (True==flat and not b.type.has_name) or False==flat:
+                all_fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(b.type, bitcase_prefix, flat))
+    else:
+        for f in complex_type.fields:
+            fname = _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix, f)
+            if all_fields.has_key(f.field_name):
+                raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
+
+            all_fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
+            if f.type.is_container and flat==False:
+                if f.type.is_bitcase and not f.type.has_name:
+                    new_prefix = prefix
+                elif f.type.is_switch and len(f.type.parents)>1:
+                    # nested switch gets another separator
+                    new_prefix = prefix+[(f.c_field_name, '.', f.type)]
+                else:
+                    new_prefix = prefix+[(f.c_field_name, '->', f.type)]
+                all_fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(f.type, new_prefix, flat))
+
+    return all_fields
+# _c_field_mapping()
+
+def _c_helper_resolve_field_names (prefix):
+    """
+    get field names for all objects in the prefix array
+    """
+    all_fields = {}
+    tmp_prefix = []
+    # look for fields in the remaining containers
+    for idx, p in enumerate(prefix):
+        name, sep, obj = p
+        if ''==sep:
+            # sep can be preset in prefix, if not, make a sensible guess
+            sep = '.' if (obj.is_switch or obj.is_bitcase) else '->'
+            # exception: 'toplevel' object (switch as well!) always have sep '->'
+            sep = '->' if idx<1 else sep
+        if not obj.is_bitcase or (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name):
+            tmp_prefix.append((name, sep, obj))
+        all_fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(obj, tmp_prefix, flat=True))
+
+    return all_fields
+# _c_helper_resolve_field_names
 
 def get_expr_fields(self):
-    # get the fields referenced by switch or list expression
+    """
+    get the Fields referenced by switch or list expression 
+    """
     def get_expr_field_names(expr):
         if expr.op is None:
             if expr.lenfield_name is not None:
@@ -433,7 +497,17 @@ def get_expr_fields(self):
             elif expr.op == 'popcount':
                 return get_expr_field_names(expr.rhs)
             elif expr.op == 'sumof':
-                return [expr.lenfield_name]
+                # sumof expr references another list, 
+                # we need that list's length field here
+                field = None
+                for f in expr.lenfield_parent.fields:
+                    if f.field_name == expr.lenfield_name:
+                        field = f
+                        break
+                if field is None:
+                    raise Exception("list field '%s' referenced by sumof not found" % expr.lenfield_name)
+                # referenced list + its length field
+                return [expr.lenfield_name] + get_expr_field_names(field.type.expr)
             elif expr.op == 'enumref':
                 return []
             else:
@@ -441,83 +515,105 @@ def get_expr_fields(self):
     # get_expr_field_names()
     
     # resolve the field names with the parent structure(s)
-    unresolved_fields = get_expr_field_names(self.expr)
-    if unresolved_fields is None:
-        return []
-    expr_fields = dict.fromkeys(unresolved_fields)
-    for p in reversed(self.parent):
-        parent_fields = dict((f.field_name, f) for f in p.fields)
-        for f in parent_fields.keys():
-            if f in unresolved_fields:
-                expr_fields[f] = parent_fields[f]
-                unresolved_fields.remove(f)
-        if len(unresolved_fields) == 0:
-            break
-                
-    if None in expr_fields.values():
-        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for %s" % self.name)
+    unresolved_fields_names = get_expr_field_names(self.expr)
 
-    params = expr_fields.values()
-    return params
+    # construct prefix from self
+    prefix = [('', '', p) for p in self.parents]
+    if self.is_container:
+        prefix.append(('', '', self))
+
+    all_fields = _c_helper_resolve_field_names (prefix)
+    resolved_fields_names = filter(lambda x: x in all_fields.keys(), unresolved_fields_names)
+    if len(unresolved_fields_names) != len(resolved_fields_names):
+        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for %s" % self.name)
+    
+    resolved_fields = [all_fields[n][1] for n in resolved_fields_names]
+    return resolved_fields
 # get_expr_fields()
 
-def resolve_fields(anchestor, complex_obj=None):
-    """find fields referenced by anchestor or descendents with external scope"""
+def resolve_expr_fields(complex_obj):
+    """
+    find expr fields appearing in complex_obj and descendents that cannot be resolved within complex_obj
+    these are normally fields that need to be given as function parameters
+    """
+    all_fields = []
     expr_fields = []
     unresolved = []
-    all_fields = []
-    if complex_obj is None:
-        complex_obj = anchestor
+
     for field in complex_obj.fields:
         all_fields.append(field)
         if field.type.is_switch or field.type.is_list:
             expr_fields += get_expr_fields(field.type)
         if field.type.is_container:
-            expr_fields += resolve_fields(anchestor, field.type)
+            expr_fields += resolve_expr_fields(field.type)
+
     # try to resolve expr fields
     for e in expr_fields:
-        if e not in all_fields:
+        if e not in all_fields and e not in unresolved:
             unresolved.append(e)
     return unresolved
-# resolve_fields()
+# resolve_expr_fields()
             
 def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
+    """
+    functions like _serialize(), _unserialize(), and _unpack() sometimes need additional parameters:
+    E.g. in order to unpack switch, extra parameters might be needed to evaluate the switch 
+    expression. This function tries to resolve all fields within a structure, and returns the 
+    unresolved fields as the list of external parameters. 
+    """
     def add_param(params, param):
         if param not in params:
             params.append(param)
 
-    param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
+    # collect all fields into param_fields
+    param_fields = []
+    wire_fields = []
+
+    for field in self.fields:
+        if field.visible:
+            # the field should appear as a parameter in the function call
+            param_fields.append(field)
+        if field.wire and not field.auto:
+            if field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
+                # field in the xcb_out structure
+                wire_fields.append(field)
+        # fields like 'pad0' are skipped!
+               
+    # in case of switch, parameters always contain any fields referenced in the switch expr
+    # we do not need any variable size fields here, as the switch data type contains both 
+    # fixed and variable size fields
     if self.is_switch:
         param_fields = get_expr_fields(self)
 
-    # _serialize function parameters
-    # cannot use set() for params, as series is important
+    # _serialize()/_unserialize()/_unpack() function parameters
+    # note: don't use set() for params, it is unsorted
     params = []
+    
+    # 1. the parameter for the void * buffer
     if  'serialize' == context:
         params.append(('void', '**', buffer_var))
     elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         params.append(('const void', '*', buffer_var))
 
-    # look for special cases
-    unresolved_fields = resolve_fields(self)
+    # 2. any expr fields that cannot be resolved within self and descendants
+    unresolved_fields = resolve_expr_fields(self)
     for f in unresolved_fields:
         add_param(params, (f.c_field_type, '', f.c_field_name))
 
-    # make sure all required length fields are present
+    # 3. param_fields contain the fields necessary to evaluate the switch expr or any other fields
+    #    that do not appear in the data type struct
     for p in param_fields:
-        if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
-            typespec = p.c_field_type
-            pointerspec = ''
-            add_param(params, (typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
-
-    # parameter fields if any
-    if self.is_switch:
-        for p in get_expr_fields(self):
+        if self.is_switch:
             typespec = p.c_field_const_type
             pointerspec = p.c_pointer 
             add_param(params, (typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+        else:
+            if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
+                typespec = p.c_field_type
+                pointerspec = ''
+                add_param(params, (typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
   
-    # aux argument - structure to be serialized
+    # 4. aux argument
     if 'serialize' == context:
         add_param(params, ('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
     elif 'unserialize' == context: 
@@ -525,86 +621,40 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     elif 'unpack' == context:
         add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
 
+    # 5. switch contains all variable size fields as struct members
+    #    for other data types though, these have to be supplied separately
+    #    this is important for the special case of intermixed fixed and 
+    #    variable size fields
     if not self.is_switch and 'serialize' == context:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
                 add_param(params, (p.c_field_const_type, '*', p.c_field_name))
+
     return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
 # get_serialize_params()
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix, aux_var='_aux', aux_sep='->'):
-    # prefix is a list of (field_name, anchestor object) tuples
-    # concatenate field names
-    prefix_str = ''
-    for name, sep, obj in prefix:
-        prefix_str += name
-        if sep == '':
-            sep = '.' if (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) else '->'
-        prefix_str += sep
-        
-    lenfield_prefix = '' if prefix_str.find(aux_var)==0 else aux_var
-
-    if prefix_str != '':
-        if lenfield_prefix != '':
-            lenfield_prefix += aux_sep
-        lenfield_prefix += prefix_str
-    return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
-# _c_serialize_helper_prefix
-
-def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type, prefix):
-    def get_prefix(field, prefix):
-        prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
-        if prefix_str == '':
-            if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
-                if field.type.fixed_size() or complex_type.is_switch:
-                    prefix_str = '_aux->'
-            else:
-                raise Exception("unknown context '%s' in c_field_mapping" % context)
-        return prefix_str
-    # get_prefix()
-    def get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix):
-        for f in complex_type.fields:
-            prefix_str = get_prefix(f, prefix)
-
-            fname = "%s%s" % (prefix_str, f.c_field_name)
-            if fields.has_key(f.field_name):
-                raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
-            fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
-            if f.type.is_container:
-                get_field_name(fields, f.type, prefix+[(f.c_field_name, '', f.type)])
-    # get_field_name()
-
-    # dict(field_name : (c_field_name, field))
-    fields = {}
-    get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix)
-    
-    # switch: get the fields referenced by the switch expr as well
-    #         these may not belong to any structure
-    if complex_type.is_switch:
-        pass
-#       FIXME: fields += get_serialize_params(context, complex_type)
-
-    return fields
-# _c_field_mapping()
-
-def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space):
-    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-    code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
+def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, postpone):
+    code_lines.append('%s    /* insert padding */' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-    code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
+#    code_lines.append('%s    printf("automatically inserting padding: %%%%d\\n", xcb_pad);' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
 
-    if 'serialize' == context:
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
-    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
+    if not postpone:
+        code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
 
-    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)    
-    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
-    code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+        if 'serialize' == context:
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
+        elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
+
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+        
     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-    
+
+    # keep tracking of xcb_parts entries for serialize
     return 1
 # _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding()
 
@@ -612,17 +662,17 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
                                code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                space, prefix):
     count = 0
-    switch_prefix = prefix + [(complex_name, '->', self)]
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(switch_prefix)
-    switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
-    
+    switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr, None)
+
     for b in self.bitcases:            
-        bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix_str)
+        bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, None)
         code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
-        code_lines.append('        printf("entering bitcase section for %%%%d...\\n", %s);' % bitcase_expr)
-        b_prefix = switch_prefix
+#        code_lines.append('        printf("switch %s: entering bitcase section %s (mask=%%%%d)...\\n", %s);' % 
+#                          (self.name[-1], b.type.name[-1], bitcase_expr))
+        b_prefix = prefix
         if b.type.has_name:
-            b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, '.', b.type)]
+            b_prefix = prefix + [(b.c_field_name, '.', b.type)]
+            
         count += _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
                                             code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                             "%s    " % space, 
@@ -630,28 +680,39 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
                                             is_bitcase = True)
         code_lines.append('    }')
 
-    if 'serialize' == context:
-        count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
-    if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
-        # padding
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-    
+#    if 'serialize' == context:
+#        count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, False)
+#    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
+#        # padding
+#        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+#        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+   
     return count
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch
 
 def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, c_switch_variable, prefix):
+    """
+    handle switch by calling _serialize() or _unpack(), depending on context
+    """
     # switch is handled by this function as a special case
     param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
+    field_mapping = _c_helper_field_mapping(self, prefix)
+    prefix_str = _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix)
+
+    # find the parameters that need to be passed to _serialize()/_unpack():
+    # all switch expr fields must be given as parameters
     args = get_expr_fields(field.type)
-    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping(context, self, prefix)
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    # length fields for variable size types in switch, normally only some of need 
+    # need to be passed as parameters
+    switch_len_fields = resolve_expr_fields(field.type)
 
-    # determine which params to pass to _unserialize() and their prefixes
-    switch_len_fields = resolve_fields(self, field.type)
-    bitcase_unresolved = resolve_fields(self, self)
+    # a switch field at this point _must_ be a bitcase field
+    # we require that bitcases are "self-contiguous"
+    bitcase_unresolved = resolve_expr_fields(self)
     if len(bitcase_unresolved) != 0:
         raise Exception('unresolved fields within bitcase is not supported at this point')
+
+    # get the C names for the parameters  
     c_field_names = ''
     for a in switch_len_fields:
         c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.c_field_name][0]
@@ -665,6 +726,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, c_switch_variable, pr
     elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack'):
         length = "%s(xcb_tmp, %s&%s%s)" % (field.type.c_unpack_name, 
                                            c_field_names, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+
     return length
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch_field()
 
@@ -672,34 +734,38 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
                                    code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                    space, prefix):
     """
-    helper function for (un)serialize to cope with lists of variable length
+    helper function to cope with lists of variable length
     """
     expr = field.type.expr
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    prefix_str = _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix)
     param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
     param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
-
-    # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
-    # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will be returned 
-    # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
-    if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
-        if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
-            # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
-            # so no need for a prefix
-            lenfield_prefix = ''
-    sep = '.' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else '->'
     
-    # special case: unserializing of structs where variable and 
-    # fixed size fields are intermixed
-    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
-        if lenfield_prefix == '_aux':
-            lenfield_prefix = 'xcb_out'
-            sep = '.'
-
-    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
+    expr_fields_names = [f.field_name for f in get_expr_fields(field.type)]
+    resolved = filter(lambda x: x in param_names, expr_fields_names)
+    unresolved = filter(lambda x: x not in param_names, expr_fields_names)
+    
+    field_mapping = {}
+    for r in resolved:
+        field_mapping[r] = (r, None)
     
+    if len(unresolved)>0:
+        tmp_prefix = prefix
+        if len(tmp_prefix)==0:
+            raise Exception("found an empty prefix while resolving expr field names for list %s", 
+                            field.c_field_name)        
+        
+        field_mapping.update(_c_helper_resolve_field_names(prefix))
+        resolved += filter(lambda x: x in field_mapping, unresolved)
+        unresolved = filter(lambda x: x not in field_mapping, unresolved)
+        if len(unresolved)>0:
+            raise Exception('could not resolve the length fields required for list %s' % field.c_field_name)
+
+    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, field_mapping)
+
     # default: list with fixed size elements
     length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+
     # list with variable-sized elements 
     if not field.type.member.fixed_size():
         length = ''
@@ -710,17 +776,19 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
                 temp_vars.append(int_i)
             if xcb_tmp_len not in temp_vars:
                 temp_vars.append(xcb_tmp_len)
+            # loop over all list elements and call sizeof repeatedly
+            # this should be a bit faster than using the iterators
             code_lines.append("%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % (space, list_length))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
                               (space, field.type.c_sizeof_name))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_block_len += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
-            code_lines.append("%s    }" % space)                        
+            code_lines.append("%s    }" % space)                  
+      
         elif 'serialize' == context:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = 0;' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
-            code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) { ' 
-                              % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)))
+            code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) { ' % (space, list_length))
             code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_sizeof_name))
             code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
@@ -732,54 +800,64 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
 def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                           code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                           space, prefix):
+    # keep the C code a bit more readable by giving the field name
     if not self.is_bitcase:
         code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
     else:
         scoped_name = [p[2].c_type if idx==0 else p[0] for idx, p in enumerate(prefix)]
         typename = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s.%s" % (x, y), scoped_name)
         code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, typename, field.c_field_name))
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
+    abs_field_name = _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix, field)
+    # default for simple cases: call sizeof()
     length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
     if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
-        value = '    %s%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
+        # default: simple cast
+        value = '    %s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (abs_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
+        
+        # padding - we could probably just ignore it
         if field.type.is_pad and field.type.nmemb > 1:
             value = ''
             for i in range(field.type.nmemb):
-                code_lines.append('%s    %s%s[%d] = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % 
-                                  (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name, i, field.c_field_type)) 
+                code_lines.append('%s    %s[%d] = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % 
+                                  (space, abs_field_name, i, field.c_field_type)) 
+            # total padding = sizeof(pad0) * nmemb
             length += " * %d" % field.type.nmemb
 
         if field.type.is_list:
+            # no such case in the protocol, cannot be tested and therefore ignored for now
             raise Exception('list with fixed number of elemens unhandled in _unserialize()')
+
     elif 'serialize' == context:
         value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
 
         if field.type.is_expr:
-            # need to register a temporary variable for the expression
+            # need to register a temporary variable for the expression in case we know its type
             if field.type.c_type is None:
                 raise Exception("type for field '%s' (expression '%s') unkown" % 
                                 (field.field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr)))
-            temp_vars.append('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
+            
+            temp_vars.append('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, _cpp(field.field_name), 
                                                            _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
-            value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % field.field_name 
+            value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % _cpp(field.field_name)
 
         elif field.type.is_pad:
             if field.type.nmemb == 1:
                 value += "&xcb_pad;"
             else:
-                # FIXME - possible segmentation fault!!
-                value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
+                # we could also set it to 0, see definition of xcb_send_request()
+                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;'
                 length += "*%d" % field.type.nmemb
 
         else:
             # non-list type with fixed size
             if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                value += "&%s%s;" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                value += "&%s;" % (abs_field_name)
+
             # list with nmemb (fixed size) elements
             else:
-                value += '%s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                value += '%s;' % (abs_field_name)
                 length = '%d' % field.type.nmemb
 
     return (value, length)
@@ -788,38 +866,51 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field,
 def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
                                              code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                              space, prefix):
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    prefix_str = _c_helper_absolute_name(prefix)
 
     if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         value = ''
         var_field_name = 'xcb_tmp'
+        
+        # special case: intermixed fixed and variable size fields
         if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
             value = '    %s = xcb_tmp;' % field.c_field_name
             temp_vars.append('    %s *%s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+        # special case: switch
         if 'unpack' == context:
             value = '    %s%s = (%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type)
+            
     elif 'serialize' == context:
-        address_of = '&' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else ''
-        var_field_name = "%s%s%s" % (address_of, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+        # variable size fields appear as parameters to _serialize() if the 
+        # 'toplevel' container is not a switch
+        prefix_string = prefix_str if prefix[0][2].is_switch else ''
+        var_field_name = "%s%s" % (prefix_string, field.c_field_name)
         value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s;' % var_field_name
+
     length = ''
 
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
 
     if field.type.is_list:
         if value != '':
+            # in any context, list is already a pointer, so the default assignment is ok
             code_lines.append("%s%s" % (space, value))
             value = ''
         length = _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, 
                                                 code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                 space, prefix)
+        
     elif field.type.is_switch:
         value = ''
         if context == 'serialize':
+            # the _serialize() function allocates the correct amount memory if given a NULL pointer
             value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *)0;'
-        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, 'xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base', prefix)
+        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, 
+                                                  'xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base', 
+                                                  prefix)
+        
     else:
+        # in all remaining special cases - call _sizeof()
         length = "%s(%s)" % (field.type.c_sizeof_name, var_field_name)
 
     return (value, length)
@@ -841,14 +932,13 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
             if self.is_bitcase or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
                 if prev_field_was_variable and need_padding:
                     # insert padding
-                    _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+#                    count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, 
+#                                                                self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields)
                     prev_field_was_variable = False
+
+                # prefix for fixed size fields
                 fixed_prefix = prefix
-                if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and len(prefix)==0:
-                    if 'unserialize' == context:
-                        fixed_prefix = [('xcb_out', '.', self)]
-                    else:
-                        fixed_prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
+
                 value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                       code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                       space, fixed_prefix)
@@ -859,37 +949,50 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
         else:
             # switch/bitcase: always calculate padding before and after variable sized fields
             if need_padding or is_bitcase:
-                _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+                count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, 
+                                                            self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields)
 
             value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                      code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                      space, prefix)
-
             prev_field_was_variable = True
-                
+        
         # save (un)serialization C code
         if '' != value:
             code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))    
-        if field.type.fixed_size() and is_bitcase:
-            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-            if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
-        else:
-            # padding
+        
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            if is_bitcase or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                # keep track of (un)serialized object's size
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
+        else: 
+            # variable size objects or bitcase:
+            #   value & length might have been inserted earlier for special cases
             if '' != length:
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
+                # special case: intermixed fixed and variable size fields
                 if (not field.type.fixed_size() and 
                     self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context):
                     temp_vars.append('    int %s_len;' % field.c_field_name)
-                    code_lines.append('    %s_len = xcb_block_len;' % field.c_field_name)
-                if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof', 'unpack'):
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    %s_len = %s;' % (space, field.c_field_name, length))
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s_len;' % (space, field.c_field_name))
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s_len;' % (space, field.c_field_name))
+                else:
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                    # increase pointer into the byte stream accordingly
+                    if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof', 'unpack'):
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                        
         if 'serialize' == context:
             if '' != length:
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = %s;' % (space, length))
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
             count += 1
+
         need_padding = True
+        if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            need_padding = False
         
     return count
 # _c_serialize_helper_fields()    
@@ -897,7 +1000,9 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
 def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type, 
                         code_lines, temp_vars, 
                         space='', prefix=[]):
+    # count tracks the number of fields to serialize
     count = 0
+
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
         complex_name = complex_type.name
@@ -920,18 +1025,23 @@ def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type,
         if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof') and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-            _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
-            
+            # probably not needed
+            #_c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, False)
+
         count += _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self, 
                                             code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                             space, prefix, False)
-        # "final padding"
-        count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+    # "final padding"
+    count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, False)
 
     return count    
 # _c_serialize_helper()
 
-def _c_serialize(self):
+def _c_serialize(context, self):
+    """
+    depending on the context variable, generate _serialize(), _unserialize(), _unpack(), or _sizeof() 
+    for the ComplexType variable self
+    """
     _h_setlevel(1)
     _c_setlevel(1)
 
@@ -939,10 +1049,19 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
     # _serialize() returns the buffer size
     _hc('int')
 
+    if self.is_switch and 'unserialize' == context:
+        context = 'unpack'
+
+    cases = { 'serialize'   : self.c_serialize_name, 
+              'unserialize' : self.c_unserialize_name, 
+              'unpack'      : self.c_unpack_name, 
+              'sizeof'      : self.c_sizeof_name }
+    func_name = cases[context]
+            
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
     variable_size_fields = 0
     # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
     maxtypelen = 0
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('serialize', self)
 
     # determine N(variable_fields) 
     for field in param_fields:
@@ -954,37 +1073,78 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
         maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
 
     # write to .c/.h
-    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
-        line = ""
+    indent = ' '*(len(func_name)+2)
+    param_str = []
+    for p in params:
         typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
-        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_serialize_name)+2)
-        # p==0: function declaration
-        if 0==idx:
-            line = "%s (" % self.c_serialize_name
-            indent = ''
         spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
-        line += "%s%s%s  %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
-        if idx < len(params)-1:
-            _hc("%s," % line)
-        else:
-            _h("%s);" % line)
-            _c("%s)" % line)
-                
+        param_str.append("%s%s%s  %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name))
+    # insert function name
+    param_str[0] = "%s (%s" % (func_name, param_str[0].strip())
+    param_str = map(lambda x: "%s," % x, param_str)
+    for s in param_str[:-1]:
+        _hc(s)
+    _h("%s);" % param_str[-1].rstrip(','))
+    _c("%s)" % param_str[-1].rstrip(','))
     _c('{')
-    if not self.is_switch:
-        _c('    %s *xcb_out = *_buffer;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_out_pad = -sizeof(%s) & 3;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s) + xcb_out_pad;', self.c_type)
-    else:
-        _c('    char *xcb_out = *_buffer;')
+
+    code_lines = []
+    temp_vars = []
+    prefix = []
+
+    if 'serialize' == context:
+        if not self.is_switch and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            _c('    %s *xcb_out = *_buffer;', self.c_type)
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_out_pad = -sizeof(%s) & 3;', self.c_type)
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s) + xcb_out_pad;', self.c_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    char *xcb_out = *_buffer;')
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+        prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
+        aux_ptr = 'xcb_out'
+
+    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack'):
+        _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
+        if not self.is_switch:
+            if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+                prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
+            else:
+                _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+                prefix = [('xcb_out', '.', self)]
+        else:
+            aux_var = '_aux' # default for unpack: single pointer
+            # note: unserialize not generated for switch
+            if 'unserialize' == context:
+                aux_var = '(*_aux)' # unserialize: double pointer (!)
+            prefix = [(aux_var, '->', self)]
+        aux_ptr = '*_aux'
         _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
-    if variable_size_fields > 0:        
-        code_lines = []
-        temp_vars = []
-        count = _c_serialize_helper('serialize', self, 
-                                    code_lines, temp_vars)
-        # update variable size fields 
-        variable_size_fields = count
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+
+    elif 'sizeof' == context:
+        param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+        if self.is_switch:
+            # switch: call _unpack()
+            _c('    %s _aux;', self.c_type)
+            _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unpack_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
+            _c('}')
+            return
+        elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            # special case: call _unserialize()
+            _c('    %s *_aux = NULL;', self.c_type)
+            _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
+            _c('}')
+            return
+        else:
+            _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
+            prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
+
+    count = _c_serialize_helper(context, self, code_lines, temp_vars, prefix=prefix)
+    # update variable size fields (only important for context=='serialize'
+    variable_size_fields = count
+    if 'serialize' == context:
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
         temp_vars.append('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
         temp_vars.append('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % count)
@@ -992,214 +1152,77 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int i;')
         temp_vars.append('    char *xcb_tmp;')
-        for t in temp_vars:
-            _c(t)
-
-    _c('')
-    
-    if variable_size_fields > 0:        
-        for l in code_lines:
-            _c(l)
-    _c('')
-
-    # variable sized fields have been collected, now
-    # allocate memory and copy everything into a continuous memory area
-    _c('    if (NULL == xcb_out) {')
-    _c('        /* allocate memory  */')
-    _c('        *_buffer = malloc(xcb_buffer_len);')
-    _c('        xcb_out = *_buffer;')
-    _c('    }')
-    _c('')
+    elif 'sizeof' == context:
+        # neither switch nor intermixed fixed and variable size fields:
+        # evaluate parameters directly
+        if not (self.is_switch or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields):
+
+            # look if we have to declare an '_aux' variable at all
+            if len(filter(lambda x: x.find('_aux')!=-1, code_lines))>0: 
+                if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                    _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+                else:
+                    _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
 
-    # fill in struct members
-    if not self.is_switch:
-        if len(wire_fields)>0:
-            _c('    *xcb_out = *_aux;')
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+            _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')        
 
-    # copy variable size fields into the buffer
-    if variable_size_fields > 0:
-        # xcb_out padding
-        if not self.is_switch:
-            _c('    xcb_tmp = (char*)++xcb_out;')
-            _c('    xcb_tmp += xcb_out_pad;')
-        else:
-            _c('    xcb_tmp = xcb_out;')
-            
-        # variable sized fields
-        _c('    for(i=0; i<xcb_parts_idx; i++) {')
-        _c('        memcpy(xcb_tmp, xcb_parts[i].iov_base, xcb_parts[i].iov_len);')
-        _c('        xcb_tmp += xcb_parts[i].iov_len;')
-        _c('    }')
     _c('')
-    _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
-    _c('}')
-# _c_serialize()
-
-def _c_unserialize(self):
-    _h_setlevel(1)
-    _c_setlevel(1)
-
-    # _unserialize()
-    _hc('')
-    # _unserialize() returns the buffer size as well
-    _hc('int')
-
-
-    variable_size_fields = 0
-    # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
-    maxtypelen = 0
-    if self.is_switch:
-        context = 'unpack'
-        func_name = self.c_unpack_name
-    else:
-        context = 'unserialize'
-        func_name = self.c_unserialize_name
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
-
-    # determine N(variable_fields) 
-    for field in param_fields:
-        # if self.is_switch, treat all fields as if they are variable sized
-        if not field.type.fixed_size() or self.is_switch:
-            variable_size_fields += 1
-    # determine maxtypelen
-    for p in params:
-        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
-
-    # write to .c/.h
-    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
-        line = ""
-        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
-        indent = ' '*(len(func_name)+2)
-        # p==0: function declaration
-        if 0==idx:
-            line = "%s (" % func_name
-            indent = ''
-        spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
-        line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
-        if idx < len(params)-1:
-            _hc("%s," % line)
-        else:
-            _h("%s);" % line)
-            _c("%s)" % line)
-                
-    _c('{')
-    _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
-    if not self.is_switch:
-        if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-            _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
-        else:
-            _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
-    _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
-    _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
-    _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-
-    code_lines = []
-    temp_vars = []
-    _c_serialize_helper(context, self, 
-                        code_lines, temp_vars)
     for t in temp_vars:
         _c(t)
     _c('')
-
     for l in code_lines:
         _c(l)
-    _c('')
 
-    if 'unserialize' == context:
-        # allocate memory automatically
-        _c('    if (NULL == *_aux) {')
+    # variable sized fields have been collected, now
+    # allocate memory and copy everything into a continuous memory area 
+    # note: this is not necessary in case of unpack
+    if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
+        _c('')
+        _c('    if (NULL == %s) {', aux_ptr)
         _c('        /* allocate memory */')
-        _c('        *_aux = malloc(xcb_buffer_len);')
+        _c('        %s = malloc(xcb_buffer_len);', aux_ptr)
+        if 'serialize' == context:
+            _c('        *_buffer = xcb_out;')
         _c('    }')
         _c('')
-        _c('    **_aux = xcb_out;')
-        _c('    xcb_tmp = (char *)++(*_aux);')
-        for field in param_fields:
-            if not field.type.fixed_size():
-                _c('    memcpy(xcb_tmp, %s, %s_len);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
-                _c('    xcb_tmp += %s_len;', field.c_field_name)
-        _c('')
 
+        # serialize: handle variable size fields in a loop
+        if 'serialize' == context:
+            if not self.is_switch and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                if len(wire_fields)>0:
+                    _c('    *xcb_out = *_aux;')
+            # copy variable size fields into the buffer
+            if variable_size_fields > 0:
+                # xcb_out padding
+                if not self.is_switch and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                    _c('    xcb_tmp = (char*)++xcb_out;')
+                    _c('    xcb_tmp += xcb_out_pad;')
+                else:
+                    _c('    xcb_tmp = xcb_out;')
+
+                # variable sized fields
+                _c('    for(i=0; i<xcb_parts_idx; i++) {')
+                _c('        if (0 != xcb_parts[i].iov_base && 0 != xcb_parts[i].iov_len)')
+                _c('            memcpy(xcb_tmp, xcb_parts[i].iov_base, xcb_parts[i].iov_len);')
+                _c('        if (0 != xcb_parts[i].iov_len)')
+                _c('            xcb_tmp += xcb_parts[i].iov_len;')
+                _c('    }')
+            
+        # unserialize: assign variable size fields individually
+        if 'unserialize' == context:
+            _c('    *%s = xcb_out;', aux_ptr)
+            _c('    xcb_tmp = (char *)(*_aux+1);')
+            for field in param_fields:
+                if not field.type.fixed_size():
+                    _c('    memcpy(xcb_tmp, %s, %s_len);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                    _c('    xcb_tmp += %s_len;', field.c_field_name)
+ 
+    _c('')
     _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
     _c('}')
-# _c_unserialize()
-
-def _c_sizeof_helper(self):
-    _h_setlevel(1)
-    _c_setlevel(1)
-
-    # _unserialize()
-    _hc('')
-    # _unserialize() returns the buffer size as well
-    _hc('int')
-
-    variable_size_fields = 0
-    # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
-    maxtypelen = 0
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
-
-    # determine N(variable_fields) 
-    for field in param_fields:
-        # if self.is_switch, treat all fields as if they are variable sized
-        if not field.type.fixed_size() or self.is_switch:
-            variable_size_fields += 1
-    # determine maxtypelen
-    for p in params:
-        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
-
-    # write to .c/.h
-    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
-        line = ""
-        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
-        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_sizeof_name)+2)
-        # p==0: function declaration
-        if 0==idx:
-            line = "%s (" % self.c_sizeof_name
-            indent = ''
-        spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
-        line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
-        if idx < len(params)-1:
-            _hc("%s," % line)
-        else:
-            _h("%s);" % line)
-            _c("%s)" % line)
-                
-    _c('{')
-
-    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
-    if self.is_switch:
-        # switch: call _unpack()
-        _c('    %s _aux;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unpack_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
-    elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        # special case: call _unserialize()
-        _c('    %s *_aux = NULL;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
-    # otherwise: evaluate parameters directly
-    else:
-        code_lines = []
-        temp_vars = []
-        _c_serialize_helper('sizeof', self, 
-                            code_lines, temp_vars)
-        _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
-        if len(filter(lambda x: x.find('_aux')!=-1, code_lines))>0: 
-            if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-                _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
-            else:
-                _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-        for t in temp_vars:
-            _c(t)
-        _c('')
-        
-        for l in code_lines:
-            _c(l)
-        _c('')
-        _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
-    _c('}')
-# _c_sizeof_helper()
+# _c_serialize()
 
 def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
@@ -1209,7 +1232,6 @@ def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
     if field.type.is_container:
         accum = field.c_accessor_name + '(' + accum + ')'
-        # XXX there could be fixed-length fields at the end
         return _c_iterator_get_end(field.type.last_varsized_field, accum)
     if field.type.is_list:
         # XXX we can always use the first way
@@ -1262,11 +1284,17 @@ def _c_iterator(self, name):
 
     if not self.fixed_size():
         _c('    %s *R = i->data;', self.c_type)
+
         if self.is_union:
             # FIXME - how to determine the size of a variable size union??
-            _c('    /* FIXME - determine the size of the union %s */', self.c_type)
+            _c('    /* FIXME - determine the size of the union %s */', self.c_type)            
         else:
-            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(self.last_varsized_field, 'R'))
+            if self.need_sizeof:
+                _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child;')
+                _c('    child.data = (%s *)(((char *)R) + %s(R));', 
+                   self.c_type, self.c_sizeof_name)
+            else:
+                _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(self.last_varsized_field, 'R'))
             _c('    --i->rem;')
             _c('    i->data = (%s *) child.data;', self.c_type)
             _c('    i->index = child.index;')
@@ -1318,68 +1346,68 @@ def _c_iterator(self, name):
     _c('    return ret;')
     _c('}')
 
-def _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
+def _c_accessor_get_length(expr, field_mapping=None):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to get a length field.
+    The field_mapping parameter can be used to change the absolute name of a length field. 
     For fields that follow a variable-length field, use the accessor.
     Otherwise, just reference the structure field directly.
     '''
-    prefarrow = '' if prefix == '' else prefix + sep
-    
-    if expr.lenfield != None and expr.lenfield.prev_varsized_field != None:
+
+    lenfield_name = expr.lenfield_name
+    if lenfield_name is not None:
+        if field_mapping is not None:
+            lenfield_name = field_mapping[lenfield_name][0]
+ 
+    if expr.lenfield is not None and expr.lenfield.prev_varsized_field is not None:
         # special case: variable and fixed size fields are intermixed
         # if the lenfield is among the fixed size fields, there is no need
-        # to call a special accessor function!
-        retval = expr.lenfield.c_accessor_name + '(' + prefix + ')'
-        if prefix in ('', '_aux', 'xcb_out'):
-            prefix_str = '' if prefix=='' else '%s' % (prefarrow)
-            retval = '%s%s' % (prefix_str, expr.lenfield_name)
-        return retval
-    elif expr.lenfield_name != None:
-        if prefix.endswith(sep):
-            return prefix + expr.lenfield_name
-        else:
-            return prefarrow + expr.lenfield_name
+        # to call a special accessor function like <expr.lenfield.c_accessor_name + '(' + prefix + ')'>
+        return field_mapping(expr.lenfield_name)
+    elif expr.lenfield_name is not None:
+        return lenfield_name
     else:
         return str(expr.nmemb)
 
-def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
+def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, field_mapping):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to get the length of a list field.
+    The field_mapping parameter can be used to change the absolute name of a length field. 
     Recurses for math operations.
     Returns bitcount for value-mask fields.
     Otherwise, uses the value of the length field.
     '''
-    lenexp = _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix, sep)
+    lenexp = _c_accessor_get_length(expr, field_mapping)
 
     if expr.op == '~':
-        return '(' + '~' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
+        return '(' + '~' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, field_mapping) + ')'
     elif expr.op == 'popcount':
-        return 'xcb_popcount(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
+        return 'xcb_popcount(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, field_mapping) + ')'
     elif expr.op == 'enumref':
         enum_name = expr.lenfield_type.name
         constant_name = expr.lenfield_name
         c_name = _n(enum_name + (constant_name,)).upper()
         return c_name
     elif expr.op == 'sumof':
-        # 1. locate the referenced list object
+        # locate the referenced list object
         list_obj = expr.lenfield_type
         field = None
         for f in expr.lenfield_parent.fields:
             if f.field_name == expr.lenfield_name:
                 field = f
                 break
+
         if field is None:
             raise Exception("list field '%s' referenced by sumof not found" % expr.lenfield_name)
-        if prefix != '' and not prefix.endswith(sep):
-            prefix += sep
-        list_name = "%s%s" % (prefix, field.c_field_name)
-        c_length_func = "%s(%s%s)" % (field.c_length_name, prefix, field.c_field_name)
-        # FIXME - works only for integers this way!!
-        c_length_func = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix='', sep='')
+        list_name = field_mapping[field.c_field_name][0]
+        c_length_func = "%s(%s)" % (field.c_length_name, list_name)
+        # note: xcb_sumof() has only been defined for integers
+        c_length_func = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, field_mapping)
         return 'xcb_sumof(%s, %s)' % (list_name, c_length_func)
     elif expr.op != None:
-        return '(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.lhs, prefix, sep) + ' ' + expr.op + ' ' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
+        return ('(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.lhs, field_mapping) + 
+                ' ' + expr.op + ' ' + 
+                _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, field_mapping) + ')')
     elif expr.bitfield:
         return 'xcb_popcount(' + lenexp + ')'
     else:
@@ -1389,21 +1417,30 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
     '''
     Declares the accessor functions for a non-list field that follows a variable-length field.
     '''
+    c_type = self.c_type
+
+    # special case: switch
+    switch_obj = self if self.is_switch else None
+    if self.is_bitcase:
+        switch_obj = self.parents[-1]
+    if switch_obj is not None:
+        c_type = switch_obj.c_type
+
     if field.type.is_simple:
         _hc('')
         _hc('')
         _hc('/*****************************************************************************')
-        _hc(' **')
+        _hc(' ** ')
         _hc(' ** %s %s', field.c_field_type, field.c_accessor_name)
         _hc(' ** ')
-        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', c_type)
         _hc(' ** @returns %s', field.c_field_type)
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
         _hc('%s', field.c_field_type)
-        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
+        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, c_type)
+        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, c_type)
         _c('{')
         if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
             _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
@@ -1419,19 +1456,19 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' ** %s * %s', field.c_field_type, field.c_accessor_name)
         _hc(' ** ')
-        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', c_type)
         _hc(' ** @returns %s *', field.c_field_type)
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
-        if field.type.is_switch:
+        if field.type.is_switch and switch_obj is None:
             return_type = 'void *'
         else:
             return_type = '%s *' % field.c_field_type
 
         _hc(return_type)
-        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
+        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, c_type)
+        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, c_type)
         _c('{')
         if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
             _c('    return (%s) (R + 1);', return_type)
@@ -1443,6 +1480,7 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
             _c('    return (%s) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
                return_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
+
     
 def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
     '''
@@ -1451,32 +1489,83 @@ def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
     Declares length and get-iterator functions always.
     '''
     list = field.type
+    c_type = self.c_type
+
+    # special case: switch
+    # in case of switch, 2 params have to be supplied to certain accessor functions:
+    #   1. the anchestor object (request or reply)
+    #   2. the (anchestor) switch object
+    # the reason is that switch is either a child of a request/reply or nested in another switch, 
+    # so whenever we need to access a length field, we might need to refer to some anchestor type
+    switch_obj = self if self.is_switch else None
+    if self.is_bitcase:
+        switch_obj = self.parents[-1]
+    if switch_obj is not None:
+        c_type = switch_obj.c_type
+
+    params = []
+    fields = {}
+    parents = self.parents if hasattr(self, 'parents') else [self]
+    # 'R': parents[0] is always the 'toplevel' container type 
+    params.append(('const %s *R' % parents[0].c_type, parents[0]))
+    fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(parents[0], [('R', '->', parents[0])], flat=True))
+    # auxiliary object for 'R' parameters
+    R_obj = parents[0]
+
+    if switch_obj is not None:
+        # now look where the fields are defined that are needed to evaluate 
+        # the switch expr, and store the parent objects in accessor_params and
+        # the fields in switch_fields
+
+        # 'S': name for the 'toplevel' switch
+        toplevel_switch = parents[1]
+        params.append(('const %s *S' % toplevel_switch.c_type, toplevel_switch))
+        fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(toplevel_switch, [('S', '->', toplevel_switch)], flat=True))
+
+        # initialize prefix for everything "below" S
+        prefix_str = '/* %s */ S' % toplevel_switch.name[-1]
+        prefix = [(prefix_str, '->', toplevel_switch)]
+
+        # look for fields in the remaining containers
+        for p in parents[2:] + [self]:
+            # the separator between parent and child is always '.' here, 
+            # because of nested switch statements
+            if not p.is_bitcase or (p.is_bitcase and p.has_name):
+                prefix.append((p.name[-1], '.', p))
+            fields.update(_c_helper_field_mapping(p, prefix, flat=True))
+
+        # auxiliary object for 'S' parameter
+        S_obj = parents[1]
 
     _h_setlevel(1)
     _c_setlevel(1)
     if list.member.fixed_size():
+        idx = 1 if switch_obj is not None else 0
         _hc('')
         _hc('')
         _hc('/*****************************************************************************')
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' ** %s * %s', field.c_field_type, field.c_accessor_name)
         _hc(' ** ')
-        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+        _hc(' ** @param %s', params[idx][0])
         _hc(' ** @returns %s *', field.c_field_type)
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
         _hc('%s *', field.c_field_type)
-        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('{')
 
-        if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
+        _h('%s (%s  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, params[idx][0])
+        _c('%s (%s  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, params[idx][0])
+
+        _c('{')
+        if switch_obj is not None:
+            _c('    return %s;', fields[field.c_field_name][0])
+        elif field.prev_varsized_field is None:
             _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
         else:
             _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-            _c('    return (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
-
+            _c('    return (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
+               field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
 
     _hc('')
@@ -1485,16 +1574,24 @@ def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
     _hc(' **')
     _hc(' ** int %s', field.c_length_name)
     _hc(' ** ')
-    _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+    _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', c_type)
     _hc(' ** @returns int')
     _hc(' **')
     _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
     _hc(' ')
     _hc('int')
-    _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_length_name, self.c_type)
-    _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_length_name, self.c_type)
+    if switch_obj is not None:
+        _hc('%s (const %s *R  /**< */,', field.c_length_name, R_obj.c_type)
+        spacing = ' '*(len(field.c_length_name)+2)
+        _h('%sconst %s *S /**< */);', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+        _c('%sconst %s *S  /**< */)', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+        length = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields)
+    else:
+        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_length_name, c_type)
+        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_length_name, c_type)
+        length = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields)
     _c('{')
-    _c('    return %s;', _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, 'R'))
+    _c('    return %s;', length)
     _c('}')
 
     if field.type.member.is_simple:
@@ -1504,25 +1601,38 @@ def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' ** xcb_generic_iterator_t %s', field.c_end_name)
         _hc(' ** ')
-        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', c_type)
         _hc(' ** @returns xcb_generic_iterator_t')
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
         _hc('xcb_generic_iterator_t')
-        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_end_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_end_name, self.c_type)
+        if switch_obj is not None:
+            _hc('%s (const %s *R  /**< */,', field.c_end_name, R_obj.c_type)
+            spacing = ' '*(len(field.c_end_name)+2)
+            _h('%sconst %s *S /**< */);', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+            _c('%sconst %s *S  /**< */)', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+        else:
+            _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_end_name, c_type)
+            _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_end_name, c_type)
         _c('{')
         _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t i;')
-
-        if field.prev_varsized_field == None:
-            _c('    i.data = ((%s *) (R + 1)) + (%s);', field.type.c_wiretype, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, 'R'))
+        
+        param = 'R' if switch_obj is None else 'S'
+        if switch_obj is not None:
+            _c('    i.data = %s + %s;', fields[field.c_field_name][0], 
+               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields))
+        elif field.prev_varsized_field == None:
+            _c('    i.data = ((%s *) (R + 1)) + (%s);', field.type.c_wiretype, 
+               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields))
         else:
-            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-            _c('    i.data = ((%s *) child.data) + (%s);', field.type.c_wiretype, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, 'R'))
+            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', 
+               _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
+            _c('    i.data = ((%s *) child.data) + (%s);', field.type.c_wiretype, 
+               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields))
 
         _c('    i.rem = 0;')
-        _c('    i.index = (char *) i.data - (char *) R;')
+        _c('    i.index = (char *) i.data - (char *) %s;', param)
         _c('    return i;')
         _c('}')
 
@@ -1533,25 +1643,36 @@ def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' ** %s %s', field.c_iterator_type, field.c_iterator_name)
         _hc(' ** ')
-        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', self.c_type)
+        _hc(' ** @param const %s *R', c_type)
         _hc(' ** @returns %s', field.c_iterator_type)
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
+
         _hc('%s', field.c_iterator_type)
-        _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_iterator_name, self.c_type)
-        _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_iterator_name, self.c_type)
+        if switch_obj is not None:
+            _hc('%s (const %s *R  /**< */,', field.c_iterator_name, R_obj.c_type)
+            spacing = ' '*(len(field.c_iterator_name)+2)
+            _h('%sconst %s *S /**< */);', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+            _c('%sconst %s *S  /**< */)', spacing, S_obj.c_type)
+        else:
+            _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_iterator_name, c_type)
+            _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_iterator_name, c_type)
         _c('{')
         _c('    %s i;', field.c_iterator_type)
 
-        if field.prev_varsized_field == None:
+        if switch_obj is not None:
+            _c('    i.data = %s;', fields[field.c_field_name][0])
+            _c('    i.rem = %s;', _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields))
+        elif field.prev_varsized_field == None:
             _c('    i.data = (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
         else:
             _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-            _c('    i.data = (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index));', field.c_field_type, field.c_field_type)
-
-        _c('    i.rem = %s;', _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, 'R'))
-        _c('    i.index = (char *) i.data - (char *) R;')
+            _c('    i.data = (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index));', 
+               field.c_field_type, field.c_field_type)
+        if switch_obj is None:
+            _c('    i.rem = %s;', _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, fields))
+        _c('    i.index = (char *) i.data - (char *) %s;', 'R' if switch_obj is None else 'S' )
         _c('    return i;')
         _c('}')
 
@@ -1559,9 +1680,12 @@ def _c_accessors(self, name, base):
     '''
     Declares the accessor functions for the fields of a structure.
     '''
-    # no accessors for switch - 
+    # no accessors for switch itself - 
     # switch always needs to be unpacked explicitly
-    if not self.is_switch:
+#    if self.is_switch:
+#        pass
+#    else:
+    if True:
         for field in self.fields:
             if field.type.is_list and not field.type.fixed_size():
                 _c_accessors_list(self, field)
@@ -1605,10 +1729,6 @@ def _c_complex(self):
         if not field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch and not self.is_union:
             varfield = field.c_field_name
             continue
-#        if varfield != None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
-#            errmsg = '%s: warning: variable field %s followed by fixed field %s\n' % (self.c_type, varfield, field.c_field_name)
-#            sys.stderr.write(errmsg)
-#            sys.exit(1)
         if field.wire:
             struct_fields.append(field)
     
@@ -1802,9 +1922,6 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                     # _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
                     count -= 1
     dimension = count + 2
-    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        # there will be only one call to _serialize() and no need for additional padding
-        dimension -= 1
 
     _c('{')
     _c('    static const xcb_protocol_request_t xcb_req = {')
@@ -1820,6 +1937,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
     if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
         _c('    /* in the protocol description, variable size fields are followed by fixed size fields */')
+        _c('    char *xcb_aux = 0;')
         
 
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
@@ -1830,13 +1948,14 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
         _c('    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;')
         _c('    char *xcb_tmp;')
     _c('    ')
+    # simple request call tracing
 #    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
     # fixed size fields
     for field in wire_fields:
         if field.type.fixed_size():
             if field.type.is_expr:
-                _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
+                _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, None))
             elif field.type.is_pad:
                 if field.type.nmemb == 1:
                     _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
@@ -1857,8 +1976,8 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
     free_calls = []
 
+    _c('    ')
     if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        _c('    ')
         _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_base = (char *) &xcb_out;')
         _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_len = sizeof(xcb_out);')
         _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_base = 0;')
@@ -1875,25 +1994,10 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                     if field.type.is_list:
                         if field.type.member.fixed_size():
                             _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
-                               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, None), 
+                               field.type.member.c_wiretype)
                         else:
-                            expr = field.type.expr
-                            prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix([('xcb_out', '.', self)], 
-                                                                                     'xcb_out', '.')
-                            param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
-                            param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
-                            sep = '.'
-
-                            # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
-                            # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will be returned 
-                            # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
-                            if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
-                                if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
-                                    # the length field appears as separate argument,
-                                    # so no need for a prefix
-                                    lenfield_prefix = ''
-                            
-                            list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
+                            list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, None)
     
                             length = ''
                             _c("    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = 0;" % count)
@@ -1933,12 +2037,16 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
 
     # elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
     else:
+        _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_base = (char *) &xcb_out;')
+        # request header: opcodes + length
+        _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_len = 2*sizeof(uint8_t) + sizeof(uint16_t);') 
+        count += 1
         # call _serialize()
-        buffer_var = 'xcb_parts[%d].iov_base' % count
-        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(self, '&%s' % buffer_var, '&xcb_out', 'serialize')
-        _c('    %s = (char *) 0;', buffer_var)
+        buffer_var = '&xcb_aux'
+        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(self, buffer_var, '&xcb_out', 'serialize')
         _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s (%s);', count, self.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
-        free_calls.append('    free(xcb_parts[%d].iov_base);' % count)
+        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) xcb_aux;', count)
+        free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux);')
         # no padding necessary - _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
 
     _c('    ')
commit fe0e32b5fa3923fae97210e974c0f96a085116cb
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Sun Aug 8 21:25:13 2010 +0200

    special case 'intermixed variable and fixed size fields': fixed reply side, needs testing

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 14607e5..bf2f34d 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -292,12 +292,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     self.c_aux_unchecked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'unchecked'))
     self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('serialize',))
     self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('unserialize',))
+    self.c_unpack_name = _n(name + ('unpack',))
     self.c_sizeof_name = _n(name + ('sizeof',))
-#    if hasattr(self, 'reply'):
-#        if self.reply is not None:
-#            self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
-#            self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'unserialize'))
-    # indicates rare structs where variable size fields are followed fixed size fields
+
+    # special case: structs where variable size fields are followed by fixed size fields
     self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = False
 
     # whether a request or reply has a switch field    
@@ -323,18 +321,19 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
 #                    if field.type.member.need_serialize:
 #                        self.need_serialize = True
                     self.need_sizeof = True
-#                    print "-> variable size list elements: %s (%s %s)" % (self.c_type,  field.field_type, field.field_name)
 
             field.c_field_type = _t(field.field_type)
             field.c_field_const_type = ('' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else 'const ') + field.c_field_type
             field.c_field_name = _cpp(field.field_name)
             field.c_subscript = '[%d]' % field.type.nmemb if (field.type.nmemb > 1) else ''
             field.c_pointer = ' ' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else '*'
+
             # correct the c_pointer field for variable size non-list types
             if not field.type.fixed_size() and field.c_pointer == ' ':
                 field.c_pointer = '*'
             if field.type.is_list and not field.type.member.fixed_size():
                 field.c_pointer = '*'
+
             if field.type.is_switch:
                 field.c_pointer = '*'
                 field.c_field_const_type = 'const ' + field.c_field_type
@@ -369,16 +368,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                 prev_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_offset = 0                    
 
-            # very special case - if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields==True, 
-            # we have to generate accessor functions also for fixed size fields
-            # now there might a naming conflict if the length field ends with _length
             if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-                if field.type.is_list:
-                    if field.type.expr.lenfield_name is not None:
-                        full_lenfield_name = _n(name + (field.type.expr.lenfield_name,))
-                        if full_lenfield_name == field.c_length_name:
-                            field.c_length_name += '_'
-
+                if field.type.fixed_size():
+                    field.prev_varsized_field = None
+                            
     if self.need_serialize:
         # when _unserialize() is wanted, create _sizeof() as well for consistency reasons 
         self.need_sizeof = True
@@ -390,16 +383,18 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             finished_switch.append(self.c_type)
             # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
             _c_complex(self)
-            # FIXME: declare switch (un)packing functions
-            _c_accessors(self, name, name)
+            # FIXME: what about accessors & switch (un)packing functions
+            # _c_iterator() does not seem to be the right place to do it, 
+            # as the accessors would need any parameters to pass to _unpack() as well 
 
-    # FIXME - in case of request/reply, serialize() is not always needed
     if not self.is_bitcase:
         if self.need_serialize:
             if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
                 finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
                 _c_serialize(self)
-                _c_unserialize(self)
+                # _unpack() and _unserialize() are only needed for special cases
+                if self.is_switch or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                    _c_unserialize(self)
         if self.need_sizeof:
             if self.c_sizeof_name not in finished_sizeof:
                 finished_sizeof.append(self.c_sizeof_name)
@@ -500,7 +495,7 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     params = []
     if  'serialize' == context:
         params.append(('void', '**', buffer_var))
-    elif context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         params.append(('const void', '*', buffer_var))
 
     # look for special cases
@@ -526,10 +521,10 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     if 'serialize' == context:
         add_param(params, ('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
     elif 'unserialize' == context: 
-        if self.is_switch:
-            add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-        else:
-            add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '**', aux_var))
+        add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '**', aux_var))
+    elif 'unpack' == context:
+        add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+
     if not self.is_switch and 'serialize' == context:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
@@ -573,8 +568,6 @@ def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type, prefix):
 
             fname = "%s%s" % (prefix_str, f.c_field_name)
             if fields.has_key(f.field_name):
-                continue
-                # FIXME 
                 raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
             fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
             if f.type.is_container:
@@ -604,7 +597,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space):
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
-    elif 'unserialize' == context:
+    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
 
     code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)    
@@ -626,6 +619,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
     for b in self.bitcases:            
         bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix_str)
         code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
+        code_lines.append('        printf("entering bitcase section for %%%%d...\\n", %s);' % bitcase_expr)
         b_prefix = switch_prefix
         if b.type.has_name:
             b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, '.', b.type)]
@@ -638,7 +632,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
 
     if 'serialize' == context:
         count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
-    if 'unserialize' == context:
+    if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         # padding
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
@@ -651,6 +645,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, c_switch_variable, pr
     param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
     args = get_expr_fields(field.type)
     field_mapping = _c_field_mapping(context, self, prefix)
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     # determine which params to pass to _unserialize() and their prefixes
     switch_len_fields = resolve_fields(self, field.type)
@@ -662,10 +657,14 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, c_switch_variable, pr
         c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.c_field_name][0]
     for a in args:
         c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.c_field_name][0]
-#    switch_field_name = field_mapping[field.field_name][0]
-    # call _unserialize() to determine the actual size
-    length = "%s(xcb_tmp, %s&%s)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name, 
-                                     c_field_names, c_switch_variable) #switch_field_name)
+
+    # call _serialize()/_unpack() to determine the actual size
+    if 'serialize' == context:
+        length = "%s(&%s, %s&%s%s)" % (field.type.c_serialize_name, c_switch_variable,
+                                       c_field_names, prefix_str, field.c_field_name) 
+    elif context in ('unserialize', 'unpack'):
+        length = "%s(xcb_tmp, %s&%s%s)" % (field.type.c_unpack_name, 
+                                           c_field_names, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
     return length
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch_field()
 
@@ -704,7 +703,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
     # list with variable-sized elements 
     if not field.type.member.fixed_size():
         length = ''
-        if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+        if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof', 'unpack'):
             int_i = '    unsigned int i;'
             xcb_tmp_len = '    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;'
             if int_i not in temp_vars:
@@ -743,7 +742,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field,
 
     length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
-    if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+    if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         value = '    %s%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
         if field.type.is_pad and field.type.nmemb > 1:
             value = ''
@@ -751,7 +750,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field,
                 code_lines.append('%s    %s%s[%d] = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % 
                                   (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name, i, field.c_field_type)) 
             length += " * %d" % field.type.nmemb
-        # FIXME? - lists
+
         if field.type.is_list:
             raise Exception('list with fixed number of elemens unhandled in _unserialize()')
     elif 'serialize' == context:
@@ -791,30 +790,37 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
                                              space, prefix):
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
-    if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+    if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
         value = ''
+        var_field_name = 'xcb_tmp'
         if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
             value = '    %s = xcb_tmp;' % field.c_field_name
             temp_vars.append('    %s *%s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+        if 'unpack' == context:
+            value = '    %s%s = (%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type)
     elif 'serialize' == context:
         address_of = '&' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else ''
-        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s%s;' % (address_of, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+        var_field_name = "%s%s%s" % (address_of, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s;' % var_field_name
     length = ''
 
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
 
     if field.type.is_list:
+        if value != '':
+            code_lines.append("%s%s" % (space, value))
+            value = ''
         length = _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, 
                                                 code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                 space, prefix)
     elif field.type.is_switch:
-        prev = filter(lambda x: x.find('xcb_switch_field'), temp_vars)
-        var_name = 'xcb_switch_field%d' % len(prev)
-        temp_vars.append('    %s %s;' % (field.type.c_type, var_name))
-        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, var_name, prefix)
+        value = ''
+        if context == 'serialize':
+            value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *)0;'
+        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, 'xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base', prefix)
     else:
-        length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_sizeof_name)
+        length = "%s(%s)" % (field.type.c_sizeof_name, var_field_name)
 
     return (value, length)
 # _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size
@@ -866,18 +872,17 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
             code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))    
         if field.type.fixed_size() and is_bitcase:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-            if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+            if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof'):
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
         else:
             # padding
             if '' != length:
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
                 if (not field.type.fixed_size() and 
-                    self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 
-                    'unserialize' == context):
+                    self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context):
                     temp_vars.append('    int %s_len;' % field.c_field_name)
                     code_lines.append('    %s_len = xcb_block_len;' % field.c_field_name)
-                if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
+                if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof', 'unpack'):
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
         if 'serialize' == context:
             if '' != length:
@@ -912,7 +917,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type,
     # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
     else: 
         # unserialize & fixed size fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
-        if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof') and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        if context in ('unserialize', 'unpack', 'sizeof') and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
@@ -1043,7 +1048,13 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     variable_size_fields = 0
     # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
     maxtypelen = 0
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('unserialize', self)
+    if self.is_switch:
+        context = 'unpack'
+        func_name = self.c_unpack_name
+    else:
+        context = 'unserialize'
+        func_name = self.c_unserialize_name
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
 
     # determine N(variable_fields) 
     for field in param_fields:
@@ -1058,10 +1069,10 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     for idx, p in enumerate(params):
         line = ""
         typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
-        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_unserialize_name)+2)
+        indent = ' '*(len(func_name)+2)
         # p==0: function declaration
         if 0==idx:
-            line = "%s (" % self.c_unserialize_name
+            line = "%s (" % func_name
             indent = ''
         spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
         line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
@@ -1084,7 +1095,7 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
 
     code_lines = []
     temp_vars = []
-    _c_serialize_helper('unserialize', self, 
+    _c_serialize_helper(context, self, 
                         code_lines, temp_vars)
     for t in temp_vars:
         _c(t)
@@ -1093,9 +1104,21 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     for l in code_lines:
         _c(l)
     _c('')
-    if not self.is_switch:
-        if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-            _c('    free(_aux);')
+
+    if 'unserialize' == context:
+        # allocate memory automatically
+        _c('    if (NULL == *_aux) {')
+        _c('        /* allocate memory */')
+        _c('        *_aux = malloc(xcb_buffer_len);')
+        _c('    }')
+        _c('')
+        _c('    **_aux = xcb_out;')
+        _c('    xcb_tmp = (char *)++(*_aux);')
+        for field in param_fields:
+            if not field.type.fixed_size():
+                _c('    memcpy(xcb_tmp, %s, %s_len);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                _c('    xcb_tmp += %s_len;', field.c_field_name)
+        _c('')
 
     _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
     _c('}')
@@ -1142,25 +1165,31 @@ def _c_sizeof_helper(self):
             _c("%s)" % line)
                 
     _c('{')
-    # if self.is_switch: call serialize
+
+    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
     if self.is_switch:
+        # switch: call _unpack()
         _c('    %s _aux;', self.c_type)
-        param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+        _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unpack_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
+    elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        # special case: call _unserialize()
+        _c('    %s *_aux = NULL;', self.c_type)
         _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
     # otherwise: evaluate parameters directly
     else:
-        _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
-        if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-            _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
-        else:
-            _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
         code_lines = []
         temp_vars = []
         _c_serialize_helper('sizeof', self, 
                             code_lines, temp_vars)
+        _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
+        if len(filter(lambda x: x.find('_aux')!=-1, code_lines))>0: 
+            if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+            else:
+                _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
         for t in temp_vars:
             _c(t)
         _c('')
@@ -1168,11 +1197,7 @@ def _c_sizeof_helper(self):
         for l in code_lines:
             _c(l)
         _c('')
-        if not self.is_switch:
-            if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-                _c('    free(_aux);')
         _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
-        
     _c('}')
 # _c_sizeof_helper()
 
@@ -1350,7 +1375,7 @@ def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
             prefix += sep
         list_name = "%s%s" % (prefix, field.c_field_name)
         c_length_func = "%s(%s%s)" % (field.c_length_name, prefix, field.c_field_name)
-        # FIXME
+        # FIXME - works only for integers this way!!
         c_length_func = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix='', sep='')
         return 'xcb_sumof(%s, %s)' % (list_name, c_length_func)
     elif expr.op != None:
@@ -1399,16 +1424,24 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
         _hc(' **')
         _hc(' *****************************************************************************/')
         _hc(' ')
-        _hc('%s *', field.c_field_type)
+        if field.type.is_switch:
+            return_type = 'void *'
+        else:
+            return_type = '%s *' % field.c_field_type
+
+        _hc(return_type)
         _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('{')
         if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
-            _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
+            _c('    return (%s) (R + 1);', return_type)
+            # note: the special case 'variable fields followed by fixed size fields'
+            #       is not of any consequence here, since the ordering gets 
+            #       'corrected' in the reply function
         else:
             _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-            _c('    return (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
-               field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
+            _c('    return (%s) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
+               return_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
     
 def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
@@ -1526,15 +1559,14 @@ def _c_accessors(self, name, base):
     '''
     Declares the accessor functions for the fields of a structure.
     '''
-    for field in self.fields:
-        # no accessors for switch - 
-        # switch always needs to be unserialized explicitly
-        if self.is_switch:
-            continue
-        if field.type.is_list and not field.type.fixed_size():
-            _c_accessors_list(self, field)
-        elif field.prev_varsized_field != None or not field.type.fixed_size():
-            _c_accessors_field(self, field)
+    # no accessors for switch - 
+    # switch always needs to be unpacked explicitly
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        for field in self.fields:
+            if field.type.is_list and not field.type.fixed_size():
+                _c_accessors_list(self, field)
+            elif field.prev_varsized_field is not None or not field.type.fixed_size():
+                _c_accessors_field(self, field)
 
 def c_simple(self, name):
     '''
@@ -1925,7 +1957,29 @@ def _c_reply(self, name):
     spacing1 = ' ' * (len(self.c_cookie_type) - len('xcb_connection_t'))
     spacing2 = ' ' * (len(self.c_cookie_type) - len('xcb_generic_error_t'))
     spacing3 = ' ' * (len(self.c_reply_name) + 2)
-
+    
+    # check if _unserialize() has to be called for any field
+    def look_for_special_cases(complex_obj):
+        unserialize_fields = []
+        # no unserialize call in case of switch
+        if not complex_obj.is_switch:
+            for field in complex_obj.fields:
+                # three cases: 1. field with special case
+                #              2. container that contains special case field
+                #              3. list with special case elements
+                if field.type.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                    unserialize_fields.append(field)
+                elif field.type.is_container:
+                    unserialize_fields += look_for_special_cases(field.type)
+                elif field.type.is_list:
+                    if field.type.member.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                        unserialize_fields.append(field)
+                    if field.type.member.is_container:
+                        unserialize_fields += look_for_special_cases(field.type.member)
+        return unserialize_fields
+    
+    unserialize_fields = look_for_special_cases(self.reply)
+    
     _h('')
     _h('/**')
     _h(' * Return the reply')
@@ -1960,7 +2014,35 @@ def _c_reply(self, name):
     _h('%sxcb_generic_error_t%s **e  /**< */);', spacing3, spacing2)
     _c('%sxcb_generic_error_t%s **e  /**< */)', spacing3, spacing2)
     _c('{')
-    _c('    return (%s *) xcb_wait_for_reply(c, cookie.sequence, e);', self.c_reply_type)
+    
+    if len(unserialize_fields)>0:
+        # certain variable size fields need to be unserialized explicitly
+        _c('    %s *reply = (%s *) xcb_wait_for_reply(c, cookie.sequence, e);', 
+           self.c_reply_type, self.c_reply_type)
+        _c('    int i;')
+        for field in unserialize_fields:
+            if field.type.is_list:
+                _c('    %s %s_iter = %s(reply);', field.c_iterator_type, field.c_field_name, field.c_iterator_name)
+                _c('    int %s_len = %s(reply);', field.c_field_name, field.c_length_name)
+                _c('    %s *%s_data;', field.c_field_type, field.c_field_name)
+            else:
+                raise Exception('not implemented: call _unserialize() in reply for non-list type %s', field.c_field_type)
+        # call _unserialize(), using the reply as source and target buffer
+        _c('    /* special cases: transform parts of the reply to match XCB data structures */')
+        for field in unserialize_fields:
+            if field.type.is_list:
+                _c('    for(i=0; i<%s_len; i++) {', field.c_field_name)
+                _c('        %s_data = %s_iter.data;', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                _c('        %s((const void *)%s_data, &%s_data);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, 
+                   field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                _c('        %s(&%s_iter);', field.type.c_next_name, field.c_field_name)
+                _c('    }')
+        # return the transformed reply
+        _c('    return reply;')
+    
+    else:
+        _c('    return (%s *) xcb_wait_for_reply(c, cookie.sequence, e);', self.c_reply_type)
+
     _c('}')
 
 def _c_opcode(name, opcode):
commit 77b594f9583ea0247ff27130316d8e045da7f921
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Thu Aug 5 15:55:28 2010 +0200

    renamed most _unserialize() functions to _sizeof() and fixed _unserialize() for the special case of intermixed variable and fixed size fields

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 3e8f9c6..14607e5 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ _ns = None
 # global variable to keep track of serializers and switch data types
 # due to weird dependencies, I see no way to do this more elegant at the moment
 finished_serializers = []
+finished_sizeof = []
 finished_switch = []
 
 def _h(fmt, *args):
@@ -282,11 +283,16 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     self.c_reply_type = _t(name + ('reply',))
     self.c_cookie_type = _t(name + ('cookie',))
 
+    self.need_aux = False
+    self.need_serialize = False
+    self.need_sizeof = False
+
     self.c_aux_name = _n(name + ('aux',))
     self.c_aux_checked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'checked'))
     self.c_aux_unchecked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'unchecked'))
     self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('serialize',))
     self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('unserialize',))
+    self.c_sizeof_name = _n(name + ('sizeof',))
 #    if hasattr(self, 'reply'):
 #        if self.reply is not None:
 #            self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
@@ -294,9 +300,7 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     # indicates rare structs where variable size fields are followed fixed size fields
     self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = False
 
-    # whether a request or reply has a switch field
-    self.need_aux = False
-    self.need_serialize = False
+    # whether a request or reply has a switch field    
     if self.is_switch:
         self.need_serialize = True
         self.c_container = 'struct'
@@ -315,33 +319,35 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             _c_type_setup(field.type, field.field_type, ())
             if field.type.is_list:
                 _c_type_setup(field.type.member, field.field_type, ())
-                # FIXME - structures with variable sized members, sort out when serialize() is needed
-                if (field.type.nmemb is None): # and not field.type.member.fixed_size():
-                    self.need_serialize = True
+                if (field.type.nmemb is None): 
+#                    if field.type.member.need_serialize:
+#                        self.need_serialize = True
+                    self.need_sizeof = True
+#                    print "-> variable size list elements: %s (%s %s)" % (self.c_type,  field.field_type, field.field_name)
 
             field.c_field_type = _t(field.field_type)
             field.c_field_const_type = ('' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else 'const ') + field.c_field_type
             field.c_field_name = _cpp(field.field_name)
             field.c_subscript = '[%d]' % field.type.nmemb if (field.type.nmemb > 1) else ''
             field.c_pointer = ' ' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else '*'
+            # correct the c_pointer field for variable size non-list types
+            if not field.type.fixed_size() and field.c_pointer == ' ':
+                field.c_pointer = '*'
+            if field.type.is_list and not field.type.member.fixed_size():
+                field.c_pointer = '*'
             if field.type.is_switch:
                 field.c_pointer = '*'
                 field.c_field_const_type = 'const ' + field.c_field_type
                 self.need_aux = True
             elif not field.type.fixed_size() and not field.type.is_bitcase:
-                self.need_serialize = True
+                #self.need_serialize = True
+                self.need_sizeof = True
 
             field.c_iterator_type = _t(field.field_type + ('iterator',))      # xcb_fieldtype_iterator_t
             field.c_iterator_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'iterator')) # xcb_container_field_iterator
             field.c_accessor_name = _n(name + (field.field_name,))            # xcb_container_field
             field.c_length_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'length'))     # xcb_container_field_length
 
-            # special case - c_field_name ends with _length as well
-            # if field.c_accessor_name.endswith('_length'):
-            #     raise Exception(field.c_field_name)
-            #if field.c_field_name.endswith('length'):
-            #    c_field_name = field.c_field_name.rsplit('length', 1)
-            #    field.c_field_name = c_field_name[0] + "_length"
             field.c_end_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'end'))           # xcb_container_field_end
 
             field.prev_varsized_field = prev_varsized_field
@@ -353,6 +359,7 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
 
             if field.type.fixed_size():
                 prev_varsized_offset += field.type.size
+                # special case: intermixed fixed and variable size fields
                 if prev_varsized_field is not None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
                     if not self.is_union:
                         self.need_serialize = True
@@ -372,6 +379,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                         if full_lenfield_name == field.c_length_name:
                             field.c_length_name += '_'
 
+    if self.need_serialize:
+        # when _unserialize() is wanted, create _sizeof() as well for consistency reasons 
+        self.need_sizeof = True
+
     # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
     # continue here with type construction
     if self.is_switch:
@@ -383,11 +394,16 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             _c_accessors(self, name, name)
 
     # FIXME - in case of request/reply, serialize() is not always needed
-    if self.need_serialize and not self.is_bitcase:
-        if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
-            finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
-            _c_serialize(self)
-            _c_unserialize(self)
+    if not self.is_bitcase:
+        if self.need_serialize:
+            if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
+                finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
+                _c_serialize(self)
+                _c_unserialize(self)
+        if self.need_sizeof:
+            if self.c_sizeof_name not in finished_sizeof:
+                finished_sizeof.append(self.c_sizeof_name)
+                _c_sizeof_helper(self)
 # _c_type_setup()
 
 def get_request_fields(self):
@@ -468,6 +484,7 @@ def resolve_fields(anchestor, complex_obj=None):
         if e not in all_fields:
             unresolved.append(e)
     return unresolved
+# resolve_fields()
             
 def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     def add_param(params, param):
@@ -483,7 +500,7 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     params = []
     if  'serialize' == context:
         params.append(('void', '**', buffer_var))
-    elif 'unserialize' == context:
+    elif context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
         params.append(('const void', '*', buffer_var))
 
     # look for special cases
@@ -508,8 +525,11 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     # aux argument - structure to be serialized
     if 'serialize' == context:
         add_param(params, ('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    elif 'unserialize' == context and self.is_switch:
-        add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+    elif 'unserialize' == context: 
+        if self.is_switch:
+            add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+        else:
+            add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '**', aux_var))
     if not self.is_switch and 'serialize' == context:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
@@ -517,7 +537,7 @@ def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
 # get_serialize_params()
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
+def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix, aux_var='_aux', aux_sep='->'):
     # prefix is a list of (field_name, anchestor object) tuples
     # concatenate field names
     prefix_str = ''
@@ -526,10 +546,12 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
         if sep == '':
             sep = '.' if (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) else '->'
         prefix_str += sep
-    lenfield_prefix = '' if prefix_str.find('_aux')==0 else "_aux"
+        
+    lenfield_prefix = '' if prefix_str.find(aux_var)==0 else aux_var
+
     if prefix_str != '':
         if lenfield_prefix != '':
-            lenfield_prefix += '->' 
+            lenfield_prefix += aux_sep
         lenfield_prefix += prefix_str
     return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
 # _c_serialize_helper_prefix
@@ -607,15 +629,15 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
         b_prefix = switch_prefix
         if b.type.has_name:
             b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, '.', b.type)]
-        _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
-                                   code_lines, temp_vars, 
-                                   "%s    " % space, 
-                                   b_prefix, 
-                                   is_bitcase = True)
+        count += _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
+                                            code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                            "%s    " % space, 
+                                            b_prefix, 
+                                            is_bitcase = True)
         code_lines.append('    }')
 
     if 'serialize' == context:
-        count = _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+        count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
     if 'unserialize' == context:
         # padding
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
@@ -655,7 +677,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
     """
     expr = field.type.expr
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('unserialize', self)
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
     param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
 
     # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
@@ -667,14 +689,22 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
             # so no need for a prefix
             lenfield_prefix = ''
     sep = '.' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else '->'
-    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
+    
+    # special case: unserializing of structs where variable and 
+    # fixed size fields are intermixed
+    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
+        if lenfield_prefix == '_aux':
+            lenfield_prefix = 'xcb_out'
+            sep = '.'
 
+    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
+    
     # default: list with fixed size elements
     length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
     # list with variable-sized elements 
-    if field.type.size is None:
+    if not field.type.member.fixed_size():
         length = ''
-        if 'unserialize' == context:
+        if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
             int_i = '    unsigned int i;'
             xcb_tmp_len = '    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;'
             if int_i not in temp_vars:
@@ -683,7 +713,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
                 temp_vars.append(xcb_tmp_len)
             code_lines.append("%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % (space, list_length))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
-                              (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
+                              (space, field.type.c_sizeof_name))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_block_len += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
             code_lines.append("%s    }" % space)                        
@@ -692,7 +722,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
             code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) { ' 
                               % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)))
-            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_sizeof_name))
             code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' % space)
@@ -703,12 +733,17 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
 def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                           code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                           space, prefix):
-    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+    if not self.is_bitcase:
+        code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+    else:
+        scoped_name = [p[2].c_type if idx==0 else p[0] for idx, p in enumerate(prefix)]
+        typename = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s.%s" % (x, y), scoped_name)
+        code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, typename, field.c_field_name))
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
-    if 'unserialize' == context:
+    if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
         value = '    %s%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
         if field.type.is_pad and field.type.nmemb > 1:
             value = ''
@@ -756,8 +791,11 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
                                              space, prefix):
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
-    if 'unserialize' == context:
+    if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
         value = ''
+        if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
+            value = '    %s = xcb_tmp;' % field.c_field_name
+            temp_vars.append('    %s *%s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name))
     elif 'serialize' == context:
         address_of = '&' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else ''
         value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s%s;' % (address_of, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
@@ -776,7 +814,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
         temp_vars.append('    %s %s;' % (field.type.c_type, var_name))
         length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, var_name, prefix)
     else:
-        length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name)
+        length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_sizeof_name)
 
     return (value, length)
 # _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size
@@ -801,7 +839,10 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
                     prev_field_was_variable = False
                 fixed_prefix = prefix
                 if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and len(prefix)==0:
-                    fixed_prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
+                    if 'unserialize' == context:
+                        fixed_prefix = [('xcb_out', '.', self)]
+                    else:
+                        fixed_prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
                 value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                       code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                       space, fixed_prefix)
@@ -817,20 +858,26 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
             value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                      code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                      space, prefix)
+
             prev_field_was_variable = True
                 
         # save (un)serialization C code
         if '' != value:
-            code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+            code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))    
         if field.type.fixed_size() and is_bitcase:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-            if 'unserialize' == context:
+            if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
         else:
             # padding
             if '' != length:
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
-                if 'unserialize' == context:
+                if (not field.type.fixed_size() and 
+                    self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 
+                    'unserialize' == context):
+                    temp_vars.append('    int %s_len;' % field.c_field_name)
+                    code_lines.append('    %s_len = xcb_block_len;' % field.c_field_name)
+                if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof'):
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
         if 'serialize' == context:
             if '' != length:
@@ -851,8 +898,11 @@ def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type,
         complex_name = complex_type.name
     else:
         self = complex_type
-        complex_name = '_aux'
-
+        if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and 'unserialize' == context:
+            complex_name = 'xcb_out'
+        else:
+            complex_name = '_aux'
+    
     # special case: switch is serialized by evaluating each bitcase separately
     if self.is_switch:
         count += _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name, 
@@ -862,11 +912,11 @@ def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type,
     # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
     else: 
         # unserialize & fixed size fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
-        if 'unserialize' == context and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        if context in ('unserialize', 'sizeof') and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
-
+            
         count += _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self, 
                                             code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                             space, prefix, False)
@@ -926,13 +976,13 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
     if variable_size_fields > 0:        
         code_lines = []
         temp_vars = []
-        count =_c_serialize_helper('serialize', self, 
-                                   code_lines, temp_vars)
+        count = _c_serialize_helper('serialize', self, 
+                                    code_lines, temp_vars)
         # update variable size fields 
         variable_size_fields = count
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
         temp_vars.append('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
-        temp_vars.append('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % (count+1))
+        temp_vars.append('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % count)
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
         temp_vars.append('    unsigned int i;')
@@ -1027,7 +1077,7 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
         if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
         else:
-            _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+            _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
@@ -1051,6 +1101,81 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     _c('}')
 # _c_unserialize()
 
+def _c_sizeof_helper(self):
+    _h_setlevel(1)
+    _c_setlevel(1)
+
+    # _unserialize()
+    _hc('')
+    # _unserialize() returns the buffer size as well
+    _hc('int')
+
+    variable_size_fields = 0
+    # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
+    maxtypelen = 0
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
+
+    # determine N(variable_fields) 
+    for field in param_fields:
+        # if self.is_switch, treat all fields as if they are variable sized
+        if not field.type.fixed_size() or self.is_switch:
+            variable_size_fields += 1
+    # determine maxtypelen
+    for p in params:
+        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
+
+    # write to .c/.h
+    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
+        line = ""
+        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
+        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_sizeof_name)+2)
+        # p==0: function declaration
+        if 0==idx:
+            line = "%s (" % self.c_sizeof_name
+            indent = ''
+        spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
+        line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
+        if idx < len(params)-1:
+            _hc("%s," % line)
+        else:
+            _h("%s);" % line)
+            _c("%s)" % line)
+                
+    _c('{')
+    # if self.is_switch: call serialize
+    if self.is_switch:
+        _c('    %s _aux;', self.c_type)
+        param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+        _c('    return %s(%s, &_aux);', self.c_unserialize_name, reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x, y), param_names))
+    # otherwise: evaluate parameters directly
+    else:
+        _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
+        if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+        code_lines = []
+        temp_vars = []
+        _c_serialize_helper('sizeof', self, 
+                            code_lines, temp_vars)
+        for t in temp_vars:
+            _c(t)
+        _c('')
+        
+        for l in code_lines:
+            _c(l)
+        _c('')
+        if not self.is_switch:
+            if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                _c('    free(_aux);')
+        _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
+        
+    _c('}')
+# _c_sizeof_helper()
+
 def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to find the end of a variable-length structure field.
@@ -1178,8 +1303,10 @@ def _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
     
     if expr.lenfield != None and expr.lenfield.prev_varsized_field != None:
         # special case: variable and fixed size fields are intermixed
+        # if the lenfield is among the fixed size fields, there is no need
+        # to call a special accessor function!
         retval = expr.lenfield.c_accessor_name + '(' + prefix + ')'
-        if prefix in ('', '_aux'):
+        if prefix in ('', '_aux', 'xcb_out'):
             prefix_str = '' if prefix=='' else '%s' % (prefarrow)
             retval = '%s%s' % (prefix_str, expr.lenfield_name)
         return retval
@@ -1231,7 +1358,7 @@ def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
     elif expr.bitfield:
         return 'xcb_popcount(' + lenexp + ')'
     else:
-        return lenexp + '/* bla */'
+        return lenexp
 
 def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
     '''
@@ -1547,6 +1674,8 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     wire_fields = []
     maxtypelen = len('xcb_connection_t')
     serial_fields = []
+    # special case: list with variable size elements
+    list_with_var_size_elems = False
 
     for field in self.fields:
         if field.visible:
@@ -1555,7 +1684,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
         if field.wire and not field.auto:
             # We need to set the field up in the structure
             wire_fields.append(field)
-        if field.type.need_serialize:
+        if field.type.need_serialize or field.type.need_sizeof:
             serial_fields.append(field)
         
     for field in param_fields:
@@ -1564,6 +1693,8 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
             c_field_const_type = "const void"
         if len(c_field_const_type) > maxtypelen:
             maxtypelen = len(c_field_const_type)
+        if field.type.is_list and not field.type.member.fixed_size():
+            list_with_var_size_elems = True
 
     _h_setlevel(1)
     _c_setlevel(1)
@@ -1638,9 +1769,10 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                 if field.type.need_serialize:
                     # _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
                     count -= 1
-    else:
+    dimension = count + 2
+    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
         # there will be only one call to _serialize() and no need for additional padding
-        count -= 1
+        dimension -= 1
 
     _c('{')
     _c('    static const xcb_protocol_request_t xcb_req = {')
@@ -1651,7 +1783,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     _c('    };')
     _c('    ')
 
-    _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count + 2)
+    _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', dimension)
     _c('    %s xcb_ret;', func_cookie)
     _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
     if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
@@ -1659,12 +1791,14 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
         
 
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
-        if not aux:
-            _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;' % (f.type.c_type, idx))
-        else:
+        if aux:
             _c('    void *xcb_aux%d = 0;' % (idx))
+    if list_with_var_size_elems:
+        _c('    unsigned int i;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;')
+        _c('    char *xcb_tmp;')
     _c('    ')
-    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
+#    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
     # fixed size fields
     for field in wire_fields:
@@ -1682,17 +1816,11 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                 else:
                     _c('    memcpy(xcb_out.%s, %s, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
 
-    def get_serialize_args(type_obj, c_field_name, aux_var, unserialize=False):
-        if unserialize:
-            serialize_args = get_serialize_params('unserialize', type_obj, 
-                                                  c_field_name, 
-                                                  aux_var)[2]
-        else:
-            serialize_args = get_serialize_params('serialize', type_obj, 
-                                                  aux_var, 
-                                                  c_field_name)[2]
-        serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
-        return serialize_args
+    def get_serialize_args(type_obj, c_field_name, aux_var, context='serialize'):
+        serialize_args = get_serialize_params(context, type_obj, 
+                                              c_field_name, 
+                                              aux_var)[2]
+        return reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
 
     # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
     free_calls = []
@@ -1710,11 +1838,40 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
             if not field.type.fixed_size():
                 _c('    /* %s %s */', field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name)
                 # default: simple cast to char *
-                if not field.type.need_serialize:
+                if not field.type.need_serialize and not field.type.need_sizeof:
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
                     if field.type.is_list:
-                        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
-                           _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                        if field.type.member.fixed_size():
+                            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
+                               _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                        else:
+                            expr = field.type.expr
+                            prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix([('xcb_out', '.', self)], 
+                                                                                     'xcb_out', '.')
+                            param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('sizeof', self)
+                            param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+                            sep = '.'
+
+                            # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
+                            # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will be returned 
+                            # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
+                            if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
+                                if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
+                                    # the length field appears as separate argument,
+                                    # so no need for a prefix
+                                    lenfield_prefix = ''
+                            
+                            list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
+    
+                            length = ''
+                            _c("    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = 0;" % count)
+                            _c("    xcb_tmp = (char *)%s;", field.c_field_name)
+                            _c("    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % list_length)
+                            _c("        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
+                                              (field.type.c_sizeof_name))
+                            _c("        xcb_parts[%d].iov_len += xcb_tmp_len;" % count)
+                            _c("        xcb_tmp += xcb_tmp_len;")
+                            _c("    }")                        
                     else:
                         # not supposed to happen
                         raise Exception("unhandled variable size field %s" % field.c_field_name)
@@ -1723,17 +1880,20 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                         _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
                     idx = serial_fields.index(field)
                     aux_var = '&xcb_aux%d' % idx
-                    serialize_args = get_serialize_args(field.type, field.c_field_name, aux_var, not aux)
+                    context = 'serialize' if aux else 'sizeof'
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
                     if aux:
+                        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(field.type, aux_var, field.c_field_name, context)
                         _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
                         _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = xcb_aux%d;' % (count, idx))
                         free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux%d);' % idx)
                     else:
-                        _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
+                        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(field.type, field.c_field_name, aux_var, context)
+                        func_name = field.type.c_sizeof_name
+                        _c('      %s (%s);', func_name, serialize_args)
 
                 count += 1
-                if not field.type.need_serialize:
+                if not (field.type.need_serialize or field.type.need_sizeof):
                     # the _serialize() function keeps track of padding automatically
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = 0;', count)
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = -xcb_parts[%d].iov_len & 3;', count, count-1)
@@ -1743,7 +1903,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     else:
         # call _serialize()
         buffer_var = 'xcb_parts[%d].iov_base' % count
-        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(self, '&xcb_out', '&%s' % buffer_var, False)
+        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(self, '&%s' % buffer_var, '&xcb_out', 'serialize')
         _c('    %s = (char *) 0;', buffer_var)
         _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s (%s);', count, self.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
         free_calls.append('    free(xcb_parts[%d].iov_base);' % count)
commit b187f029d6bb693f0294bad5261ec486b140f185
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Mon Aug 2 23:30:42 2010 +0200

    attempt to fix special case: variable fields followed by fixed size fields

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index bd502b3..3e8f9c6 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -287,10 +287,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     self.c_aux_unchecked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'unchecked'))
     self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('serialize',))
     self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('unserialize',))
-    if hasattr(self, 'reply'):
-        if self.reply is not None:
-            self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
-            self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'unserialize'))
+#    if hasattr(self, 'reply'):
+#        if self.reply is not None:
+#            self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
+#            self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'unserialize'))
     # indicates rare structs where variable size fields are followed fixed size fields
     self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = False
 
@@ -335,7 +335,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             field.c_iterator_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'iterator')) # xcb_container_field_iterator
             field.c_accessor_name = _n(name + (field.field_name,))            # xcb_container_field
             field.c_length_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'length'))     # xcb_container_field_length
+
             # special case - c_field_name ends with _length as well
+            # if field.c_accessor_name.endswith('_length'):
+            #     raise Exception(field.c_field_name)
             #if field.c_field_name.endswith('length'):
             #    c_field_name = field.c_field_name.rsplit('length', 1)
             #    field.c_field_name = c_field_name[0] + "_length"
@@ -354,13 +357,21 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                     if not self.is_union:
                         self.need_serialize = True
                         self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = True
-#                        print "WARNING (%s): variable size field %s followed by fixed size field %s" % (
-#                            self.c_type, prev_varsized_field.field_name, field.field_name)
             else:
                 self.last_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_offset = 0                    
 
+            # very special case - if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields==True, 
+            # we have to generate accessor functions also for fixed size fields
+            # now there might a naming conflict if the length field ends with _length
+            if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                if field.type.is_list:
+                    if field.type.expr.lenfield_name is not None:
+                        full_lenfield_name = _n(name + (field.type.expr.lenfield_name,))
+                        if full_lenfield_name == field.c_length_name:
+                            field.c_length_name += '_'
+
     # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
     # continue here with type construction
     if self.is_switch:
@@ -510,9 +521,11 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
     # prefix is a list of (field_name, anchestor object) tuples
     # concatenate field names
     prefix_str = ''
-    for name, obj in prefix:
+    for name, sep, obj in prefix:
         prefix_str += name
-        prefix_str += '.' if (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) else '->'
+        if sep == '':
+            sep = '.' if (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) else '->'
+        prefix_str += sep
     lenfield_prefix = '' if prefix_str.find('_aux')==0 else "_aux"
     if prefix_str != '':
         if lenfield_prefix != '':
@@ -543,7 +556,7 @@ def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type, prefix):
                 raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
             fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
             if f.type.is_container:
-                get_field_name(fields, f.type, prefix+[(f.c_field_name, f.type)])
+                get_field_name(fields, f.type, prefix+[(f.c_field_name, '', f.type)])
     # get_field_name()
 
     # dict(field_name : (c_field_name, field))
@@ -584,7 +597,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
                                code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                space, prefix):
     count = 0
-    switch_prefix = prefix + [(complex_name, self)]
+    switch_prefix = prefix + [(complex_name, '->', self)]
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(switch_prefix)
     switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
     
@@ -593,7 +606,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
         code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
         b_prefix = switch_prefix
         if b.type.has_name:
-            b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, b.type)]
+            b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, '.', b.type)]
         _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
                                    code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                    "%s    " % space, 
@@ -773,6 +786,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
                                space, prefix, is_bitcase):
     count = 0
     need_padding = False
+    prev_field_was_variable = False
 
     for field in self.fields:
         if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
@@ -780,10 +794,17 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
 
         # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
         if field.type.fixed_size():
-            if self.is_bitcase:
+            if self.is_bitcase or self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+                if prev_field_was_variable and need_padding:
+                    # insert padding
+                    _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+                    prev_field_was_variable = False
+                fixed_prefix = prefix
+                if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields and len(prefix)==0:
+                    fixed_prefix = [('_aux', '->', self)]
                 value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                       code_lines, temp_vars, 
-                                                                      space, prefix)
+                                                                      space, fixed_prefix)
             else:
                 continue
 
@@ -796,6 +817,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
             value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                      code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                      space, prefix)
+            prev_field_was_variable = True
                 
         # save (un)serialization C code
         if '' != value:
@@ -840,7 +862,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type,
     # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
     else: 
         # unserialize & fixed size fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
-        if 'unserialize' == context:
+        if 'unserialize' == context and not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
@@ -1002,7 +1024,10 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     _c('{')
     _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
     if not self.is_switch:
-        _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+        if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    %s *_aux = malloc(sizeof(%s));', self.c_type, self.c_type)
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
@@ -1018,6 +1043,10 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     for l in code_lines:
         _c(l)
     _c('')
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            _c('    free(_aux);')
+
     _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
     _c('}')
 # _c_unserialize()
@@ -1030,8 +1059,6 @@ def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
     if field.type.is_container:
         accum = field.c_accessor_name + '(' + accum + ')'
-        if field.type.fixed_size():
-            print "iterator_get_end()", accum, field.c_field_name
         # XXX there could be fixed-length fields at the end
         return _c_iterator_get_end(field.type.last_varsized_field, accum)
     if field.type.is_list:
@@ -1085,10 +1112,14 @@ def _c_iterator(self, name):
 
     if not self.fixed_size():
         _c('    %s *R = i->data;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(self.last_varsized_field, 'R'))
-        _c('    --i->rem;')
-        _c('    i->data = (%s *) child.data;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    i->index = child.index;')
+        if self.is_union:
+            # FIXME - how to determine the size of a variable size union??
+            _c('    /* FIXME - determine the size of the union %s */', self.c_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t child = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(self.last_varsized_field, 'R'))
+            _c('    --i->rem;')
+            _c('    i->data = (%s *) child.data;', self.c_type)
+            _c('    i->index = child.index;')
     else:
         _c('    --i->rem;')
         _c('    ++i->data;')
@@ -1412,16 +1443,16 @@ def _c_complex(self):
 
     varfield = None
     for field in self.fields:
-        if not field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
+        if not field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch and not self.is_union:
             varfield = field.c_field_name
             continue
-        if varfield != None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
-            errmsg = '%s: warning: variable field %s followed by fixed field %s\n' % (self.c_type, varfield, field.c_field_name)
-            sys.stderr.write(errmsg)
-            # sys.exit(1)
+#        if varfield != None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
+#            errmsg = '%s: warning: variable field %s followed by fixed field %s\n' % (self.c_type, varfield, field.c_field_name)
+#            sys.stderr.write(errmsg)
+#            sys.exit(1)
         if field.wire:
             struct_fields.append(field)
-        
+    
     for field in struct_fields:
         length = len(field.c_field_type)
         # account for '*' pointer_spec
@@ -1600,14 +1631,16 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
            spacing, c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
 
     count = 2
-    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        count += len(wire_fields)*2
-    for field in param_fields:
-        if not field.type.fixed_size():
-            count = count + 2
-            if field.type.need_serialize:
-                # _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
-                count -= 1
+    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        for field in param_fields:
+            if not field.type.fixed_size():
+                count = count + 2
+                if field.type.need_serialize:
+                    # _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
+                    count -= 1
+    else:
+        # there will be only one call to _serialize() and no need for additional padding
+        count -= 1
 
     _c('{')
     _c('    static const xcb_protocol_request_t xcb_req = {')
@@ -1620,8 +1653,10 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
 
     _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count + 2)
     _c('    %s xcb_ret;', func_cookie)
-    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+    _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        _c('    /* in the protocol description, variable size fields are followed by fixed size fields */')
+        
 
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
         if not aux:
@@ -1629,84 +1664,90 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
         else:
             _c('    void *xcb_aux%d = 0;' % (idx))
     _c('    ')
-#    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
+    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
     # fixed size fields
-    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        for field in wire_fields:
-            if field.type.fixed_size():
-                if field.type.is_expr:
-                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
-                elif field.type.is_pad:
-                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                        _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
-                    else:
-                        _c('    memset(xcb_out.%s, 0, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
+    for field in wire_fields:
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            if field.type.is_expr:
+                _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
+            elif field.type.is_pad:
+                if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
                 else:
-                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                        _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
-                    else:
-                        _c('    memcpy(xcb_out.%s, %s, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
+                    _c('    memset(xcb_out.%s, 0, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
+            else:
+                if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                else:
+                    _c('    memcpy(xcb_out.%s, %s, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
+
+    def get_serialize_args(type_obj, c_field_name, aux_var, unserialize=False):
+        if unserialize:
+            serialize_args = get_serialize_params('unserialize', type_obj, 
+                                                  c_field_name, 
+                                                  aux_var)[2]
+        else:
+            serialize_args = get_serialize_params('serialize', type_obj, 
+                                                  aux_var, 
+                                                  c_field_name)[2]
+        serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
+        return serialize_args
 
+    # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
+    free_calls = []
+
+    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
         _c('    ')
         _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_base = (char *) &xcb_out;')
         _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_len = sizeof(xcb_out);')
         _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_base = 0;')
         _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_len = -xcb_parts[2].iov_len & 3;')
 
-    # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
-    free_calls = []
-    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
         count = 4
-    else:
-        count = 2
-    var_size_fields = param_fields
-    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-        var_size_fields = wire_fields + param_fields
-    for field in var_size_fields:
-        if field.type.fixed_size and self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
-            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) &%s;', count, field.c_field_name)
-            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = sizeof(%s);', count, field.type.c_type)
-            count += 1
-        if not field.type.fixed_size():
-            # default: simple cast to char *
-            if not field.type.need_serialize:
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
-                if field.type.is_list:
-                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
-                       _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
-                else:
-                    # not supposed to happen
-                    raise Exception("unhandled variable size field %s" % field.c_field_name)
-                    #_c('/* eeeeeeeeeee */')
-            else:
-                if not aux:
+
+        for field in param_fields:
+            if not field.type.fixed_size():
+                _c('    /* %s %s */', field.type.c_type, field.c_field_name)
+                # default: simple cast to char *
+                if not field.type.need_serialize:
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
-                idx = serial_fields.index(field)
-                if not aux:
-                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params('unserialize', field.type, 
-                                                          field.c_field_name, 
-                                                          '&xcb_aux%d' % idx)[2]
-                else:
-                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params('serialize', field.type, 
-                                                          '&xcb_aux%d' % idx,
-                                                          field.c_field_name)[2]
-                serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
-                if aux:
-                    _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
-                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = xcb_aux%d;' % (count, idx))
-                    free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux%d);' % idx)
+                    if field.type.is_list:
+                        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
+                           _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                    else:
+                        # not supposed to happen
+                        raise Exception("unhandled variable size field %s" % field.c_field_name)
                 else:
-                    _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
+                    if not aux:
+                        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+                    idx = serial_fields.index(field)
+                    aux_var = '&xcb_aux%d' % idx
+                    serialize_args = get_serialize_args(field.type, field.c_field_name, aux_var, not aux)
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
+                    if aux:
+                        _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
+                        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = xcb_aux%d;' % (count, idx))
+                        free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux%d);' % idx)
+                    else:
+                        _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
 
-            
-            count += 1
-            if not field.type.need_serialize:
-                # the _serialize() function keeps track of padding automatically
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = 0;', count)
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = -xcb_parts[%d].iov_len & 3;', count, count-1)
                 count += 1
+                if not field.type.need_serialize:
+                    # the _serialize() function keeps track of padding automatically
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = 0;', count)
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = -xcb_parts[%d].iov_len & 3;', count, count-1)
+                    count += 1
+
+    # elif self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+    else:
+        # call _serialize()
+        buffer_var = 'xcb_parts[%d].iov_base' % count
+        serialize_args = get_serialize_args(self, '&xcb_out', '&%s' % buffer_var, False)
+        _c('    %s = (char *) 0;', buffer_var)
+        _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s (%s);', count, self.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
+        free_calls.append('    free(xcb_parts[%d].iov_base);' % count)
+        # no padding necessary - _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
 
     _c('    ')
     _c('    xcb_ret.sequence = xcb_send_request(c, %s, xcb_parts + 2, &xcb_req);', func_flags)
commit a700eeb502b5fe902e4c93cc707100ec868ce946
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Sun Aug 1 23:40:20 2010 +0200

    bug fixes for all kinds of 'special cases'

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 7b05077..bd502b3 100644
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ _extension_special_cases = ['XPrint', 'XCMisc', 'BigRequests']
 _cplusplus_annoyances = {'class' : '_class',
                          'new'   : '_new',
                          'delete': '_delete'}
+_c_keywords = {'default' : '_default'}
 
 _hlines = []
 _hlevel = 0
@@ -23,9 +24,10 @@ _clines = []
 _clevel = 0
 _ns = None
 
-# global variable to keep track of serializers
+# global variable to keep track of serializers and switch data types
 # due to weird dependencies, I see no way to do this more elegant at the moment
 finished_serializers = []
+finished_switch = []
 
 def _h(fmt, *args):
     '''
@@ -85,6 +87,8 @@ def _cpp(str):
     '''
     if str in _cplusplus_annoyances:
         return _cplusplus_annoyances[str]
+    elif str in _c_keywords:
+        return  _c_keywords[str]
     else:
         return str
 
@@ -287,16 +291,20 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
         if self.reply is not None:
             self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
             self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'unserialize'))
+    # indicates rare structs where variable size fields are followed fixed size fields
+    self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = False
 
     # whether a request or reply has a switch field
     self.need_aux = False
     self.need_serialize = False
     if self.is_switch:
         self.need_serialize = True
+        self.c_container = 'struct'
         for bitcase in self.bitcases:
+            bitcase.c_field_name = _cpp(bitcase.field_name)
             _c_type_setup(bitcase.type, bitcase.field_type, ())
 
-    if self.is_container:
+    elif self.is_container:
 
         self.c_container = 'union' if self.is_union else 'struct'
         prev_varsized_field = None
@@ -320,11 +328,17 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                 field.c_pointer = '*'
                 field.c_field_const_type = 'const ' + field.c_field_type
                 self.need_aux = True
+            elif not field.type.fixed_size() and not field.type.is_bitcase:
+                self.need_serialize = True
 
             field.c_iterator_type = _t(field.field_type + ('iterator',))      # xcb_fieldtype_iterator_t
             field.c_iterator_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'iterator')) # xcb_container_field_iterator
             field.c_accessor_name = _n(name + (field.field_name,))            # xcb_container_field
             field.c_length_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'length'))     # xcb_container_field_length
+            # special case - c_field_name ends with _length as well
+            #if field.c_field_name.endswith('length'):
+            #    c_field_name = field.c_field_name.rsplit('length', 1)
+            #    field.c_field_name = c_field_name[0] + "_length"
             field.c_end_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'end'))           # xcb_container_field_end
 
             field.prev_varsized_field = prev_varsized_field
@@ -336,6 +350,12 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
 
             if field.type.fixed_size():
                 prev_varsized_offset += field.type.size
+                if prev_varsized_field is not None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
+                    if not self.is_union:
+                        self.need_serialize = True
+                        self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields = True
+#                        print "WARNING (%s): variable size field %s followed by fixed size field %s" % (
+#                            self.c_type, prev_varsized_field.field_name, field.field_name)
             else:
                 self.last_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_field = field
@@ -344,17 +364,19 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
     # continue here with type construction
     if self.is_switch:
-        # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
-        _c_complex(self)
-        # FIXME: declare switch (un)packing functions
-        _c_accessors(self, name, name)
+        if self.c_type not in finished_switch:
+            finished_switch.append(self.c_type)
+            # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
+            _c_complex(self)
+            # FIXME: declare switch (un)packing functions
+            _c_accessors(self, name, name)
 
     # FIXME - in case of request/reply, serialize() is not always needed
     if self.need_serialize and not self.is_bitcase:
         if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
+            finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
             _c_serialize(self)
             _c_unserialize(self)
-            finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
 # _c_type_setup()
 
 def get_request_fields(self):
@@ -374,27 +396,32 @@ def get_request_fields(self):
     return (param_fields, wire_fields)
 # get_request_fields()
 
-def get_switch_expr_fields(self):
-    # get the fields referenced by the switch expression
-    def get_expr_fields(expr):
+def get_expr_fields(self):
+    # get the fields referenced by switch or list expression
+    def get_expr_field_names(expr):
         if expr.op is None:
             if expr.lenfield_name is not None:
                 return [expr.lenfield_name]
+            else:
+                # constant value expr
+                return []
         else:
             if expr.op == '~':
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+                return get_expr_field_names(expr.rhs)
             elif expr.op == 'popcount':
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+                return get_expr_field_names(expr.rhs)
             elif expr.op == 'sumof':
                 return [expr.lenfield_name]
             elif expr.op == 'enumref':
                 return []
-            else: 
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.lhs) + get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
-    # get_expr_fields()
+            else:
+                return get_expr_field_names(expr.lhs) + get_expr_field_names(expr.rhs)
+    # get_expr_field_names()
     
     # resolve the field names with the parent structure(s)
-    unresolved_fields = get_expr_fields(self.expr)
+    unresolved_fields = get_expr_field_names(self.expr)
+    if unresolved_fields is None:
+        return []
     expr_fields = dict.fromkeys(unresolved_fields)
     for p in reversed(self.parent):
         parent_fields = dict((f.field_name, f) for f in p.fields)
@@ -406,78 +433,122 @@ def get_switch_expr_fields(self):
             break
                 
     if None in expr_fields.values():
-        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for <switch> %s" % self.name)
+        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for %s" % self.name)
 
     params = expr_fields.values()
     return params
-# get_switch_expr_fields()
-
+# get_expr_fields()
+
+def resolve_fields(anchestor, complex_obj=None):
+    """find fields referenced by anchestor or descendents with external scope"""
+    expr_fields = []
+    unresolved = []
+    all_fields = []
+    if complex_obj is None:
+        complex_obj = anchestor
+    for field in complex_obj.fields:
+        all_fields.append(field)
+        if field.type.is_switch or field.type.is_list:
+            expr_fields += get_expr_fields(field.type)
+        if field.type.is_container:
+            expr_fields += resolve_fields(anchestor, field.type)
+    # try to resolve expr fields
+    for e in expr_fields:
+        if e not in all_fields:
+            unresolved.append(e)
+    return unresolved
+            
 def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
+    def add_param(params, param):
+        if param not in params:
+            params.append(param)
+
     param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
     if self.is_switch:
-        param_fields = get_switch_expr_fields(self)
+        param_fields = get_expr_fields(self)
 
     # _serialize function parameters
+    # cannot use set() for params, as series is important
+    params = []
     if  'serialize' == context:
-        params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
+        params.append(('void', '**', buffer_var))
     elif 'unserialize' == context:
-        params = [('const void', '*', buffer_var)]
+        params.append(('const void', '*', buffer_var))
+
+    # look for special cases
+    unresolved_fields = resolve_fields(self)
+    for f in unresolved_fields:
+        add_param(params, (f.c_field_type, '', f.c_field_name))
 
     # make sure all required length fields are present
     for p in param_fields:
         if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
             typespec = p.c_field_type
             pointerspec = ''
-            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+            add_param(params, (typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
 
     # parameter fields if any
     if self.is_switch:
-        for p in get_switch_expr_fields(self):
+        for p in get_expr_fields(self):
             typespec = p.c_field_const_type
-            pointerspec = p.c_pointer
-            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+            pointerspec = p.c_pointer 
+            add_param(params, (typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
   
     # aux argument - structure to be serialized
     if 'serialize' == context:
-        params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+        add_param(params, ('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
     elif 'unserialize' == context and self.is_switch:
-        params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+        add_param(params, ('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
     if not self.is_switch and 'serialize' == context:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
-                params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
+                add_param(params, (p.c_field_const_type, '*', p.c_field_name))
     return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
 # get_serialize_params()
 
-def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type):
-    def get_prefix(field):
-        prefix = ''
-        if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
-            if field.type.fixed_size() or complex_type.is_switch:
-                prefix = '_aux->'
-        else:
-            raise Exception("unknown context '%s' in c_field_mapping" % context)
-        return prefix
+def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
+    # prefix is a list of (field_name, anchestor object) tuples
+    # concatenate field names
+    prefix_str = ''
+    for name, obj in prefix:
+        prefix_str += name
+        prefix_str += '.' if (obj.is_bitcase and obj.has_name) else '->'
+    lenfield_prefix = '' if prefix_str.find('_aux')==0 else "_aux"
+    if prefix_str != '':
+        if lenfield_prefix != '':
+            lenfield_prefix += '->' 
+        lenfield_prefix += prefix_str
+    return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
+# _c_serialize_helper_prefix
+
+def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type, prefix):
+    def get_prefix(field, prefix):
+        prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+        if prefix_str == '':
+            if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
+                if field.type.fixed_size() or complex_type.is_switch:
+                    prefix_str = '_aux->'
+            else:
+                raise Exception("unknown context '%s' in c_field_mapping" % context)
+        return prefix_str
     # get_prefix()
-    def get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix=''):
+    def get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix):
         for f in complex_type.fields:
-            if '' == prefix:
-                prefix = get_prefix(f)
+            prefix_str = get_prefix(f, prefix)
 
-            fname = "%s%s" % (prefix, f.c_field_name)
+            fname = "%s%s" % (prefix_str, f.c_field_name)
             if fields.has_key(f.field_name):
                 continue
+                # FIXME 
                 raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
             fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
             if f.type.is_container:
-                new_prefix = "%s%s" % (prefix, f.c_field_name)
-                new_prefix += "." if f.type.is_switch else "->"
-                get_field_name(fields, f.type, new_prefix)
+                get_field_name(fields, f.type, prefix+[(f.c_field_name, f.type)])
     # get_field_name()
 
     # dict(field_name : (c_field_name, field))
     fields = {}
-    get_field_name(fields, complex_type)
+    get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix)
     
     # switch: get the fields referenced by the switch expr as well
     #         these may not belong to any structure
@@ -488,15 +559,6 @@ def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type):
     return fields
 # _c_field_mapping()
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
-    prefix_str = prefix
-    lenfield_prefix = "_aux"
-    if prefix != '':
-        prefix_str += "->"
-        lenfield_prefix += "->%s" % prefix
-    return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
-# _c_serialize_helper_prefix
-
 def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space):
     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
@@ -522,17 +584,20 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
                                code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                space, prefix):
     count = 0
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    switch_prefix = prefix + [(complex_name, self)]
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(switch_prefix)
     switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
-
+    
     for b in self.bitcases:            
-        bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
+        bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix_str)
         code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
-
+        b_prefix = switch_prefix
+        if b.type.has_name:
+            b_prefix = switch_prefix + [(b.c_field_name, b.type)]
         _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
                                    code_lines, temp_vars, 
-                                   space="%s    " % space, 
-                                   prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
+                                   "%s    " % space, 
+                                   b_prefix, 
                                    is_bitcase = True)
         code_lines.append('    }')
 
@@ -546,16 +611,26 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name,
     return count
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field):
+def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, c_switch_variable, prefix):
     # switch is handled by this function as a special case
-    args = get_switch_expr_fields(field.type)
-    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping('unserialize', self)
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(context, self)
+    args = get_expr_fields(field.type)
+    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping(context, self, prefix)
+
+    # determine which params to pass to _unserialize() and their prefixes
+    switch_len_fields = resolve_fields(self, field.type)
+    bitcase_unresolved = resolve_fields(self, self)
+    if len(bitcase_unresolved) != 0:
+        raise Exception('unresolved fields within bitcase is not supported at this point')
     c_field_names = ''
+    for a in switch_len_fields:
+        c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.c_field_name][0]
     for a in args:
-        c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.field_name][0]
-    switch_field_name = field_mapping[field.field_name][0]
+        c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.c_field_name][0]
+#    switch_field_name = field_mapping[field.field_name][0]
+    # call _unserialize() to determine the actual size
     length = "%s(xcb_tmp, %s&%s)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name, 
-                                     c_field_names, switch_field_name)
+                                     c_field_names, c_switch_variable) #switch_field_name)
     return length
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch_field()
 
@@ -571,14 +646,15 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
     param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
 
     # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
-    # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will returned 
+    # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will be returned 
     # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
     if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
         if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
             # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
             # so no need for a prefix
             lenfield_prefix = ''
-    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix)
+    sep = '.' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else '->'
+    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)
 
     # default: list with fixed size elements
     length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
@@ -586,8 +662,12 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
     if field.type.size is None:
         length = ''
         if 'unserialize' == context:
-            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i;')
-            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;')
+            int_i = '    unsigned int i;'
+            xcb_tmp_len = '    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;'
+            if int_i not in temp_vars:
+                temp_vars.append(int_i)
+            if xcb_tmp_len not in temp_vars:
+                temp_vars.append(xcb_tmp_len)
             code_lines.append("%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % (space, list_length))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
                               (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
@@ -597,8 +677,8 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
         elif 'serialize' == context:
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = 0;' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
-            code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {' 
-                              % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix)))
+            code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) { ' 
+                              % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix, sep)))
             code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
             code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
             code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
@@ -610,13 +690,19 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field,
 def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                           code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                           space, prefix):
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
     if 'unserialize' == context:
-        value = '    _aux->%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
+        value = '    %s%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
+        if field.type.is_pad and field.type.nmemb > 1:
+            value = ''
+            for i in range(field.type.nmemb):
+                code_lines.append('%s    %s%s[%d] = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % 
+                                  (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name, i, field.c_field_type)) 
+            length += " * %d" % field.type.nmemb
         # FIXME? - lists
         if field.type.is_list:
             raise Exception('list with fixed number of elemens unhandled in _unserialize()')
@@ -628,14 +714,15 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field,
             if field.type.c_type is None:
                 raise Exception("type for field '%s' (expression '%s') unkown" % 
                                 (field.field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr)))
-            temp_vars.add('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
-                                                        _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
+            temp_vars.append('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
+                                                           _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
             value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % field.field_name 
 
         elif field.type.is_pad:
             if field.type.nmemb == 1:
                 value += "&xcb_pad;"
             else:
+                # FIXME - possible segmentation fault!!
                 value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
                 length += "*%d" % field.type.nmemb
 
@@ -659,7 +746,8 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
     if 'unserialize' == context:
         value = ''
     elif 'serialize' == context:
-        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+        address_of = '&' if (self.is_bitcase and self.has_name) else ''
+        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s%s;' % (address_of, prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
     length = ''
 
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
@@ -670,7 +758,10 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field,
                                                 code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                 space, prefix)
     elif field.type.is_switch:
-        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field)
+        prev = filter(lambda x: x.find('xcb_switch_field'), temp_vars)
+        var_name = 'xcb_switch_field%d' % len(prev)
+        temp_vars.append('    %s %s;' % (field.type.c_type, var_name))
+        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(context, self, field, var_name, prefix)
     else:
         length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name)
 
@@ -682,7 +773,6 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
                                space, prefix, is_bitcase):
     count = 0
     need_padding = False
-    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     for field in self.fields:
         if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
@@ -690,7 +780,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
 
         # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
         if field.type.fixed_size():
-            if is_bitcase:
+            if self.is_bitcase:
                 value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
                                                                       code_lines, temp_vars, 
                                                                       space, prefix)
@@ -732,7 +822,7 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self,
 
 def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type, 
                         code_lines, temp_vars, 
-                        space='', prefix=''):
+                        space='', prefix=[]):
     count = 0
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
@@ -787,17 +877,17 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
         maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
 
     # write to .c/.h
-    for p in range(len(params)):
+    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
         line = ""
-        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = params[p]
+        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
         indent = ' '*(len(self.c_serialize_name)+2)
         # p==0: function declaration
-        if 0==p:
+        if 0==idx:
             line = "%s (" % self.c_serialize_name
             indent = ''
         spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
         line += "%s%s%s  %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
-        if p < len(params)-1:
+        if idx < len(params)-1:
             _hc("%s," % line)
         else:
             _h("%s);" % line)
@@ -813,18 +903,18 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
         _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
     if variable_size_fields > 0:        
         code_lines = []
-        temp_vars = set()
+        temp_vars = []
         count =_c_serialize_helper('serialize', self, 
                                    code_lines, temp_vars)
         # update variable size fields 
         variable_size_fields = count
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
-        temp_vars.add('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % (count+1))
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i;')
-        temp_vars.add('    char *xcb_tmp;')
+        temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+        temp_vars.append('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
+        temp_vars.append('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % (count+1))
+        temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
+        temp_vars.append('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        temp_vars.append('    unsigned int i;')
+        temp_vars.append('    char *xcb_tmp;')
         for t in temp_vars:
             _c(t)
 
@@ -893,17 +983,17 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
         maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
 
     # write to .c/.h
-    for p in range(len(params)):
+    for idx, p in enumerate(params):
         line = ""
-        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = params[p]
+        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = p
         indent = ' '*(len(self.c_unserialize_name)+2)
         # p==0: function declaration
-        if 0==p:
+        if 0==idx:
             line = "%s (" % self.c_unserialize_name
             indent = ''
         spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
         line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
-        if p < len(params)-1:
+        if idx < len(params)-1:
             _hc("%s," % line)
         else:
             _h("%s);" % line)
@@ -918,7 +1008,7 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
 
     code_lines = []
-    temp_vars = set()
+    temp_vars = []
     _c_serialize_helper('unserialize', self, 
                         code_lines, temp_vars)
     for t in temp_vars:
@@ -940,6 +1030,8 @@ def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
     if field.type.is_container:
         accum = field.c_accessor_name + '(' + accum + ')'
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            print "iterator_get_end()", accum, field.c_field_name
         # XXX there could be fixed-length fields at the end
         return _c_iterator_get_end(field.type.last_varsized_field, accum)
     if field.type.is_list:
@@ -1045,34 +1137,42 @@ def _c_iterator(self, name):
     _c('    return ret;')
     _c('}')
 
-def _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix=''):
+def _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to get a length field.
     For fields that follow a variable-length field, use the accessor.
     Otherwise, just reference the structure field directly.
     '''
-    prefarrow = '' if prefix == '' else prefix + '->'
-
+    prefarrow = '' if prefix == '' else prefix + sep
+    
     if expr.lenfield != None and expr.lenfield.prev_varsized_field != None:
-        return expr.lenfield.c_accessor_name + '(' + prefix + ')'
+        # special case: variable and fixed size fields are intermixed
+        retval = expr.lenfield.c_accessor_name + '(' + prefix + ')'
+        if prefix in ('', '_aux'):
+            prefix_str = '' if prefix=='' else '%s' % (prefarrow)
+            retval = '%s%s' % (prefix_str, expr.lenfield_name)
+        return retval
     elif expr.lenfield_name != None:
-        return prefarrow + expr.lenfield_name
+        if prefix.endswith(sep):
+            return prefix + expr.lenfield_name
+        else:
+            return prefarrow + expr.lenfield_name
     else:
         return str(expr.nmemb)
 
-def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix=''):
+def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix='', sep='->'):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to get the length of a list field.
     Recurses for math operations.
     Returns bitcount for value-mask fields.
     Otherwise, uses the value of the length field.
     '''
-    lenexp = _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix)
+    lenexp = _c_accessor_get_length(expr, prefix, sep)
 
     if expr.op == '~':
-        return '(' + '~' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
+        return '(' + '~' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
     elif expr.op == 'popcount':
-        return 'xcb_popcount(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
+        return 'xcb_popcount(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
     elif expr.op == 'enumref':
         enum_name = expr.lenfield_type.name
         constant_name = expr.lenfield_name
@@ -1088,17 +1188,19 @@ def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix=''):
                 break
         if field is None:
             raise Exception("list field '%s' referenced by sumof not found" % expr.lenfield_name)
-        if prefix != '':
-            prefix = "%s->" % prefix
+        if prefix != '' and not prefix.endswith(sep):
+            prefix += sep
         list_name = "%s%s" % (prefix, field.c_field_name)
         c_length_func = "%s(%s%s)" % (field.c_length_name, prefix, field.c_field_name)
+        # FIXME
+        c_length_func = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix='', sep='')
         return 'xcb_sumof(%s, %s)' % (list_name, c_length_func)
     elif expr.op != None:
-        return '(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.lhs, prefix) + ' ' + expr.op + ' ' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
+        return '(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.lhs, prefix, sep) + ' ' + expr.op + ' ' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix, sep) + ')'
     elif expr.bitfield:
         return 'xcb_popcount(' + lenexp + ')'
     else:
-        return lenexp
+        return lenexp + '/* bla */'
 
 def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
     '''
@@ -1120,9 +1222,12 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
         _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('{')
-        _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-        _c('    return * (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
-           field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
+        if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
+            _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
+            _c('    return * (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
+               field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
     else:
         _hc('')
@@ -1140,8 +1245,12 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
         _h('%s (const %s *R  /**< */);', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('{')
-        _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-        _c('    return (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
+        if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
+            _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
+        else:
+            _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
+            _c('    return (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
+               field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
     
 def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
@@ -1171,7 +1280,7 @@ def _c_accessors_list(self, field):
         _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('{')
 
-        if field.prev_varsized_field == None:
+        if field.prev_varsized_field is None:
             _c('    return (%s *) (R + 1);', field.c_field_type)
         else:
             _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
@@ -1260,9 +1369,13 @@ def _c_accessors(self, name, base):
     Declares the accessor functions for the fields of a structure.
     '''
     for field in self.fields:
+        # no accessors for switch - 
+        # switch always needs to be unserialized explicitly
+        if self.is_switch:
+            continue
         if field.type.is_list and not field.type.fixed_size():
             _c_accessors_list(self, field)
-        elif field.prev_varsized_field != None:
+        elif field.prev_varsized_field != None or not field.type.fixed_size():
             _c_accessors_field(self, field)
 
 def c_simple(self, name):
@@ -1316,17 +1429,30 @@ def _c_complex(self):
             length += 1
         maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, length)
 
-    for field in struct_fields:
+    def _c_complex_field(self, field, space=''):
         if (field.type.fixed_size() or 
             # in case of switch with switch children, don't make the field a pointer
             # necessary for unserialize to work
             (self.is_switch and field.type.is_switch)):
             spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_type))
-            _h('    %s%s %s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
-        
+            _h('%s    %s%s %s%s; /**<  */', space, field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
         else:
             spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - (len(field.c_field_type) + 1))
-            _h('    %s%s *%s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
+            _h('%s    %s%s *%s%s; /**<  */', space, field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
+
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        for field in struct_fields:
+            _c_complex_field(self, field)
+    else:
+        for b in self.bitcases:
+            space = ''
+            if b.type.has_name:
+                _h('    struct _%s {', b.c_field_name)
+                space = '    '
+            for field in b.type.fields:
+                _c_complex_field(self, field, space)
+            if b.type.has_name:
+                _h('    } %s;', b.c_field_name)
 
     _h('} %s;', self.c_type)
 
@@ -1461,17 +1587,21 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     for field in param_fields:
         count = count - 1
         c_field_const_type = field.c_field_const_type 
+        c_pointer = field.c_pointer
         if field.type.need_serialize and not aux:
             c_field_const_type = "const void"
+            c_pointer = '*'
         spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(c_field_const_type))
         comma = ',' if count else ');'
         _h('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, c_field_const_type, 
-           spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
+           spacing, c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
         comma = ',' if count else ')'
         _c('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, c_field_const_type, 
-           spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
+           spacing, c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
 
     count = 2
+    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        count += len(wire_fields)*2
     for field in param_fields:
         if not field.type.fixed_size():
             count = count + 2
@@ -1490,44 +1620,65 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
 
     _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count + 2)
     _c('    %s xcb_ret;', func_cookie)
-    _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
         if not aux:
             _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;' % (f.type.c_type, idx))
         else:
             _c('    void *xcb_aux%d = 0;' % (idx))
     _c('    ')
-    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
+#    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
     # fixed size fields
-    for field in wire_fields:
-        if field.type.fixed_size():
-            if field.type.is_expr:
-                _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
-            elif field.type.is_pad:
-                if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
-                else:
-                    _c('    memset(xcb_out.%s, 0, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
-            else:
-                if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        for field in wire_fields:
+            if field.type.fixed_size():
+                if field.type.is_expr:
+                    _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
+                elif field.type.is_pad:
+                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                        _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
+                    else:
+                        _c('    memset(xcb_out.%s, 0, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
                 else:
-                    _c('    memcpy(xcb_out.%s, %s, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
+                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                        _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name)
+                    else:
+                        _c('    memcpy(xcb_out.%s, %s, %d);', field.c_field_name, field.c_field_name, field.type.nmemb)
 
-    _c('    ')
-    _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_base = (char *) &xcb_out;')
-    _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_len = sizeof(xcb_out);')
-    _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_base = 0;')
-    _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_len = -xcb_parts[2].iov_len & 3;')
+        _c('    ')
+        _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_base = (char *) &xcb_out;')
+        _c('    xcb_parts[2].iov_len = sizeof(xcb_out);')
+        _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_base = 0;')
+        _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_len = -xcb_parts[2].iov_len & 3;')
 
     # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
     free_calls = []
-    count = 4
-    for field in param_fields:
+    if not self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        count = 4
+    else:
+        count = 2
+    var_size_fields = param_fields
+    if self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+        var_size_fields = wire_fields + param_fields
+    for field in var_size_fields:
+        if field.type.fixed_size and self.var_followed_by_fixed_fields:
+            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) &%s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = sizeof(%s);', count, field.type.c_type)
+            count += 1
         if not field.type.fixed_size():
+            # default: simple cast to char *
             if not field.type.need_serialize:
                 _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+                if field.type.is_list:
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
+                       _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                else:
+                    # not supposed to happen
+                    raise Exception("unhandled variable size field %s" % field.c_field_name)
+                    #_c('/* eeeeeeeeeee */')
             else:
                 if not aux:
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
@@ -1548,13 +1699,7 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
                     free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux%d);' % idx)
                 else:
                     _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
-            if field.type.is_list:
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
-                   _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
-            elif not field.type.need_serialize:
-                # FIXME - _serialize()
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', 
-                   count, 'Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+
             
             count += 1
             if not field.type.need_serialize:
commit 1c590d5a86ae854e53f388e40c952e92f11d59e6
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Thu Jul 22 16:41:15 2010 +0200

    partial rewrite of serialize helper functions completed;
    _serialize() & _unserialize() have been tested for switch derived from valueparam

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
old mode 100755
new mode 100644
index 40df493..7b05077
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -344,16 +344,14 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
     # continue here with type construction
     if self.is_switch:
-        print "switch", self.name
         # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
         _c_complex(self)
-        # declare switch (un)packing functions
+        # FIXME: declare switch (un)packing functions
         _c_accessors(self, name, name)
 
     # FIXME - in case of request/reply, serialize() is not always needed
     if self.need_serialize and not self.is_bitcase:
         if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
-            #        if not hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
             _c_serialize(self)
             _c_unserialize(self)
             finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
@@ -369,7 +367,7 @@ def get_request_fields(self):
             param_fields.append(field)
         if field.wire and not field.auto:
             if field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
-                # need to set the field up in the xcb_out structure
+                # field in the xcb_out structure
                 wire_fields.append(field)
         # fields like 'pad0' are skipped!
                     
@@ -414,15 +412,15 @@ def get_switch_expr_fields(self):
     return params
 # get_switch_expr_fields()
 
-def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize=False):
+def get_serialize_params(context, self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux'):
     param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
     if self.is_switch:
         param_fields = get_switch_expr_fields(self)
 
     # _serialize function parameters
-    if not unserialize:
+    if  'serialize' == context:
         params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
-    else:
+    elif 'unserialize' == context:
         params = [('const void', '*', buffer_var)]
 
     # make sure all required length fields are present
@@ -440,18 +438,18 @@ def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize
             params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
   
     # aux argument - structure to be serialized
-    if not unserialize:
+    if 'serialize' == context:
         params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    elif self.is_switch:
+    elif 'unserialize' == context and self.is_switch:
         params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    if not self.is_switch and not unserialize:
+    if not self.is_switch and 'serialize' == context:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
                 params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
     return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
 # get_serialize_params()
 
-def _c_field_mapping(complex_type, context):
+def _c_field_mapping(context, complex_type):
     def get_prefix(field):
         prefix = ''
         if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
@@ -468,6 +466,7 @@ def _c_field_mapping(complex_type, context):
 
             fname = "%s%s" % (prefix, f.c_field_name)
             if fields.has_key(f.field_name):
+                continue
                 raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
             fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
             if f.type.is_container:
@@ -483,7 +482,8 @@ def _c_field_mapping(complex_type, context):
     # switch: get the fields referenced by the switch expr as well
     #         these may not belong to any structure
     if complex_type.is_switch:
-        fields += get_serialize_params()
+        pass
+#       FIXME: fields += get_serialize_params(context, complex_type)
 
     return fields
 # _c_field_mapping()
@@ -497,7 +497,8 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
     return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
 # _c_serialize_helper_prefix
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, count=0):
+def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space):
+    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
@@ -508,44 +509,47 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, count=0):
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
     elif 'unserialize' == context:
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)
-    
+
+    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)    
     code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
-    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-    return count + 1
+    
+    return 1
 # _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding()
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_switch(self, context, complex_name, code_lines, temp_vars, space, prefix, prefix_str):
+def _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name, 
+                               code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                               space, prefix):
+    count = 0
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
     switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
+
     for b in self.bitcases:            
         bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
         code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
-        # FIXME: change function call depending on context
-        if 'unserialize' == context:
-            unserialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space="%s    " % space, 
-                               prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), bitcase=True)
-        elif 'serialize' == context:
-            count += serialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, '%s    ' % space, 
-                                      prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
-                                      serialize_fixed_size_fields=True, bitcase=True)
+
+        _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, b.type, 
+                                   code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                   space="%s    " % space, 
+                                   prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
+                                   is_bitcase = True)
         code_lines.append('    }')
 
     if 'serialize' == context:
-        count = insert_padding(count)
-        return count
+        count = _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
     if 'unserialize' == context:
         # padding
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+    
+    return count
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch
 
 def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field):
     # switch is handled by this function as a special case
     args = get_switch_expr_fields(field.type)
-    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping(self, 'unserialize')
+    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping('unserialize', self)
     c_field_names = ''
     for a in args:
         c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.field_name][0]
@@ -555,9 +559,15 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field):
     return length
 # _c_serialize_helper_switch_field()
 
-def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, lenfield_prefix, code_lines, temp_vars, space):
+def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, 
+                                   code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                   space, prefix):
+    """
+    helper function for (un)serialize to cope with lists of variable length
+    """
     expr = field.type.expr
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('unserialize', self)
     param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
 
     # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
@@ -568,134 +578,162 @@ def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, lenfield_prefix, code_l
             # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
             # so no need for a prefix
             lenfield_prefix = ''
-    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix)
+    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix)
 
-    if 'unserialize' == context:
-        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
-        # FIXME? - list with variable-sized elements 
-        if field.type.size is None:
-            length = ''
-            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i, xcb_tmp_len;')
+    # default: list with fixed size elements
+    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+    # list with variable-sized elements 
+    if field.type.size is None:
+        length = ''
+        if 'unserialize' == context:
+            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i;')
+            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_tmp_len;')
             code_lines.append("%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % (space, list_length))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
                               (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_block_len += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
             code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
             code_lines.append("%s    }" % space)                        
-            # errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
-            # raise Exception(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-    
+        elif 'serialize' == context:
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = 0;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+            code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {' 
+                              % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, lenfield_prefix)))
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
+            code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' % space)
+            
     return length
 # _c_serialize_helper_list_field()
 
-def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(), space='', prefix='', bitcase=False):
-    need_padding = False
-
+def _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
+                                          code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                          space, prefix):
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
 
-    if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
-        self = complex_type.type
-        complex_name = complex_type.name
-    else:
-        self = complex_type
-        complex_name = '_aux'
+    length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
-    # special case: switch is serialized by evaluating each bitcase separately
-    if self.is_switch:
-        need_padding = True
-        _c_serialize_helper_switch(self, 'unserialize', complex_name, code_lines, temp_vars, space, prefix, prefix_str)
-        
-    # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
-    else: 
-        # fixed sized fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
-        # this would of course not work for switch/bitcase
-        if not bitcase:
-            _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding('unserialize', code_lines, space)
+    if 'unserialize' == context:
+        value = '    _aux->%s = *(%s *)xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.c_field_type) 
+        # FIXME? - lists
+        if field.type.is_list:
+            raise Exception('list with fixed number of elemens unhandled in _unserialize()')
+    elif 'serialize' == context:
+        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
+
+        if field.type.is_expr:
+            # need to register a temporary variable for the expression
+            if field.type.c_type is None:
+                raise Exception("type for field '%s' (expression '%s') unkown" % 
+                                (field.field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr)))
+            temp_vars.add('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
+                                                        _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
+            value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % field.field_name 
+
+        elif field.type.is_pad:
+            if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                value += "&xcb_pad;"
+            else:
+                value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
+                length += "*%d" % field.type.nmemb
 
-        for field in self.fields:
-            if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
-                continue
+        else:
+            # non-list type with fixed size
+            if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                value += "&%s%s;" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+            # list with nmemb (fixed size) elements
+            else:
+                value += '%s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                length = '%d' % field.type.nmemb
 
-            # generic length statement
-            length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
-            
-            # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
-            if field.type.fixed_size():
-                if bitcase:
-                    need_padding = True
-                    value = '    _aux->%s = (%s) *xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type) 
-                    # FIXME - lists
-                else:
-                    continue
+    return (value, length)
+# _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size()
 
-            # fields with variable size
-            elif not field.type.fixed_size():
-                # switch/bitcase: always calculate padding before and after variable sized fields
-                # FIXME
-                if need_padding or bitcase:
-                    _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding('unserialize', code_lines, space)
+def _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
+                                             code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                             space, prefix):
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
-#                value = '    *%s = (%s *) xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type)
-                value = ''
+    if 'unserialize' == context:
+        value = ''
+    elif 'serialize' == context:
+        value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+    length = ''
 
-                if field.type.is_list:
-                    length = _c_serialize_helper_list_field('unserialize', 
-                                                            self, field, lenfield_prefix, 
-                                                            code_lines, temp_vars, space)
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
+    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
 
-                elif field.type.is_switch:
-                    length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field)
+    if field.type.is_list:
+        length = _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, 
+                                                code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                                space, prefix)
+    elif field.type.is_switch:
+        length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field)
+    else:
+        length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name)
 
-                else:
-                    length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name)
-                    # errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
-                    # raise Exception(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-
-            # save unserialization C code
-            if value is not None:
-                if field.type.fixed_size():
-                    # field appears in the request structure
-                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                else:
-                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
-
-                # _aux->XXX = 
-                if value != '':
-                    code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
-                if field.type.fixed_size():
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
-                else:
-                    # padding
-                    if length != '':
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
-                    need_padding = False
-# unserialize_fields()
-
-def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(), 
-                     space='', prefix='', serialize_fixed_size_fields=False, 
-                     bitcase=False):
-    """
-    helper routine to build up iovec arrays that will later be copied into a single buffer
+    return (value, length)
+# _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size
 
-    complex_type - encapsulating Type/Field
-    code_lines, temp_vars - containers for generated code & variable declarations
-    space - extra space to be inserted before any statement
-    prefix - prefix to be used for struct members, needed for switch/bitcase mapping
-    bitcase - flags whether fields are bitcase members 
-    """
-    
-    # count -> no. of entries in xcb_parts array
+def _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self, 
+                               code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                               space, prefix, is_bitcase):
     count = 0
-    # flag to mark wether explicit padding needs to be inserted
-    need_padding = False    
+    need_padding = False
     prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
+    for field in self.fields:
+        if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
+            continue
+
+        # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            if is_bitcase:
+                value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_fixed_size(context, self, field, 
+                                                                      code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                                                      space, prefix)
+            else:
+                continue
+
+        # fields with variable size
+        else:
+            # switch/bitcase: always calculate padding before and after variable sized fields
+            if need_padding or is_bitcase:
+                _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
+
+            value, length = _c_serialize_helper_fields_variable_size(context, self, field, 
+                                                                     code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                                                     space, prefix)
+                
+        # save (un)serialization C code
+        if '' != value:
+            code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+        if field.type.fixed_size() and is_bitcase:
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+            if 'unserialize' == context:
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
+        else:
+            # padding
+            if '' != length:
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
+                if 'unserialize' == context:
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+        if 'serialize' == context:
+            if '' != length:
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_block_len;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
+            count += 1
+        need_padding = True
+        
+    return count
+# _c_serialize_helper_fields()    
+
+def _c_serialize_helper(context, complex_type, 
+                        code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                        space='', prefix=''):
+    count = 0
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
         complex_name = complex_type.name
@@ -703,162 +741,28 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
         self = complex_type
         complex_name = '_aux'
 
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
-    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
-
-    def insert_padding(count):
-        code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-        need_padding = True
-        return count + 1
-    # insert_padding()
-        
-    # special case - if self.is_switch, all fields need to be serialized conditionally
+    # special case: switch is serialized by evaluating each bitcase separately
     if self.is_switch:
-        switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
-        need_padding = True
-
-        for b in self.bitcases:
-            bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
-            code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
+        count += _c_serialize_helper_switch(context, self, complex_name, 
+                                            code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                            space, prefix)
 
-            count += serialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, '%s    ' % space, 
-                                      prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
-                                      serialize_fixed_size_fields=True, bitcase=True)
-            code_lines.append('    }')
-        count = insert_padding(count)
- 
+    # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
     else: 
-        for field in self.fields:
-            value = None
-            
-            # sort out invisible fields
-            if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
-                continue
-
-            length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
-
-            # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields are serialized explicitly
-            if field.type.fixed_size() and bitcase:
-                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
-                need_padding = True
-
-                if field.type.is_expr:
-                    # need to register a temporary variable for the expression
-                    if field.type.c_type is None:
-                        raise Exception("type for field '%s' (expression '%s') unkown" % 
-                                        (field.field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr)))
-                    temp_vars.add('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
-                                                                _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
-                    value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % field.field_name 
-
-                elif field.type.is_pad:
-                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                        value += "&xcb_pad;"
-                    else:
-                        value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
-                        length += "*%d" % field.type.nmemb
-                        
-                else:
-                    # non-list type with fixed size
-                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                        value += "&%s%s;" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
-                    # list with nmemb (fixed size) elements
-                    else:
-                        value += '%s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
-                        length = '%d' % field.type.nmemb
-
-            # fields with variable size
-            elif not field.type.fixed_size():
-                # calculate padding before variable sized fields only if necessary
-                if bitcase or need_padding:
-                    count = insert_padding(count)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)        
-                    need_padding = False
-
-                code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
-                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
-                length = ''
-                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
-
-                if field.type.is_list:
-                    # list of variable length with variable size elements 
-                    if field.type.size is None:
-                        errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
-                        sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = 0;' % space)
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
-                        code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {' 
-                                          % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix)))
-                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
-                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                        code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' % space)
-                                          
-                    # list of variable length with fixed size elements
-                    else:
-                        # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
-                        lf_prefix = lenfield_prefix
-                        # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will returned 
-                        # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
-                        expr = field.type.expr
-                        if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
-                            if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
-                                # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
-                                # so no need for a prefix
-                                lf_prefix = ''
-
-                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lf_prefix), 
-                                                      field.type.member.c_wiretype)
-
-                elif field.type.is_switch:
-                    # switch is handled at the beginning of this function as a special case
-#                    count += serialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space,
-                    #                                              prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
-                    # FIXME - call another serialize
-                    value = ''
-                    sys.stderr.write("FIXME: call %s" % field.type.c_serialize_name)
-                    length = 'undefined'
-                else:
-                    # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
-                    errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
-                    sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('undefined', field.type.c_wiretype)
-
-            # save serialization C code using xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
-            if value is not None:
-                if field.type.fixed_size():
-                    # field belongs to some anchestor structure
-                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
-                    if bitcase:
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-                if length != '':
-                    if not field.type.fixed_size():
-                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                # increase xcb_parts index
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
-                count += 1
+        # unserialize & fixed size fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
+        if 'unserialize' == context:
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+            _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
 
-                if not field.type.fixed_size():
-                    # FIXME
-                    count = insert_padding(count)
-                    need_padding = False
-                    # raise Exception("obsolete - should not be reached")
-                    # code_lines.append('%s    xcb_unpadded = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' %  space)
+        count += _c_serialize_helper_fields(context, self, 
+                                            code_lines, temp_vars, 
+                                            space, prefix, False)
+        # "final padding"
+        count += _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space)
 
-    return count
-# serialize_fields()
+    return count    
+# _c_serialize_helper()
 
 def _c_serialize(self):
     _h_setlevel(1)
@@ -871,7 +775,7 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
     variable_size_fields = 0
     # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
     maxtypelen = 0
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self)
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('serialize', self)
 
     # determine N(variable_fields) 
     for field in param_fields:
@@ -910,34 +814,25 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
     if variable_size_fields > 0:        
         code_lines = []
         temp_vars = set()
-        count = serialize_fields(self, code_lines, temp_vars,
-                                 serialize_fixed_size_fields=False)
+        count =_c_serialize_helper('serialize', self, 
+                                   code_lines, temp_vars)
         # update variable size fields 
         variable_size_fields = count
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-        _c('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
-        _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count+1)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
+        temp_vars.add('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];' % (count+1))
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i;')
+        temp_vars.add('    char *xcb_tmp;')
         for t in temp_vars:
             _c(t)
-        _c('    char *xcb_tmp;')
-        _c('    unsigned int i;')
 
     _c('')
     
     if variable_size_fields > 0:        
         for l in code_lines:
             _c(l)
-
-#    _c('    /* padding */')
-#    _c('    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;')
-#    _c('    if (0 != xcb_pad) {')
-#    _c('        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;')
-#    _c('        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;')
-#    _c('        xcb_parts_idx++;')
-#    _c('    }')
-#    _c('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;')
     _c('')
 
     # variable sized fields have been collected, now
@@ -965,9 +860,7 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
             
         # variable sized fields
         _c('    for(i=0; i<xcb_parts_idx; i++) {')
-#        _c('        if (0 != xcb_parts[i].iov_base) {')
         _c('        memcpy(xcb_tmp, xcb_parts[i].iov_base, xcb_parts[i].iov_len);')
-#        _c('        }')
         _c('        xcb_tmp += xcb_parts[i].iov_len;')
         _c('    }')
     _c('')
@@ -988,7 +881,7 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     variable_size_fields = 0
     # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
     maxtypelen = 0
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params('unserialize', self)
 
     # determine N(variable_fields) 
     for field in param_fields:
@@ -1026,7 +919,8 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
 
     code_lines = []
     temp_vars = set()
-    unserialize_fields(self, code_lines, temp_vars)
+    _c_serialize_helper('unserialize', self, 
+                        code_lines, temp_vars)
     for t in temp_vars:
         _c(t)
     _c('')
@@ -1600,6 +1494,8 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
         if not aux:
             _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;' % (f.type.c_type, idx))
+        else:
+            _c('    void *xcb_aux%d = 0;' % (idx))
     _c('    ')
     _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
@@ -1635,23 +1531,21 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
             else:
                 if not aux:
                     _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
-                else:
-                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) 0;', count)
                 idx = serial_fields.index(field)
                 if not aux:
-                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
+                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params('unserialize', field.type, 
                                                           field.c_field_name, 
                                                           '&xcb_aux%d' % idx)[2]
                 else:
-                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
-                                                          '&xcb_parts[%d].iov_base' % count,
+                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params('serialize', field.type, 
+                                                          '&xcb_aux%d' % idx,
                                                           field.c_field_name)[2]
-
                 serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
                 _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
                 if aux:
                     _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
-                    free_calls.append('    free(xcb_parts[%d].iov_base);' % count)
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = xcb_aux%d;' % (count, idx))
+                    free_calls.append('    free(xcb_aux%d);' % idx)
                 else:
                     _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
             if field.type.is_list:
commit 566ae9baee20fb6147b94b89a26796087461bae8
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Tue Jul 20 22:46:37 2010 +0200

    preliminary handling of further special cases in unserialize
    first attempts to unify serialize and unserialize

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 66f36be..40df493 100755
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -283,6 +283,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     self.c_aux_unchecked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'unchecked'))
     self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('serialize',))
     self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('unserialize',))
+    if hasattr(self, 'reply'):
+        if self.reply is not None:
+            self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'serialize'))
+            self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('reply', 'unserialize'))
 
     # whether a request or reply has a switch field
     self.need_aux = False
@@ -300,10 +304,6 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
         first_field_after_varsized = None
 
         for field in self.fields:
-            # information about a fields anchestors
-            if self.is_reply or hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
-                field.type.in_reply = True
-
             _c_type_setup(field.type, field.field_type, ())
             if field.type.is_list:
                 _c_type_setup(field.type.member, field.field_type, ())
@@ -350,6 +350,7 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
         # declare switch (un)packing functions
         _c_accessors(self, name, name)
 
+    # FIXME - in case of request/reply, serialize() is not always needed
     if self.need_serialize and not self.is_bitcase:
         if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
             #        if not hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
@@ -375,14 +376,222 @@ def get_request_fields(self):
     return (param_fields, wire_fields)
 # get_request_fields()
 
-def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase=False):
-    need_padding = False
+def get_switch_expr_fields(self):
+    # get the fields referenced by the switch expression
+    def get_expr_fields(expr):
+        if expr.op is None:
+            if expr.lenfield_name is not None:
+                return [expr.lenfield_name]
+        else:
+            if expr.op == '~':
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+            elif expr.op == 'popcount':
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+            elif expr.op == 'sumof':
+                return [expr.lenfield_name]
+            elif expr.op == 'enumref':
+                return []
+            else: 
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.lhs) + get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+    # get_expr_fields()
+    
+    # resolve the field names with the parent structure(s)
+    unresolved_fields = get_expr_fields(self.expr)
+    expr_fields = dict.fromkeys(unresolved_fields)
+    for p in reversed(self.parent):
+        parent_fields = dict((f.field_name, f) for f in p.fields)
+        for f in parent_fields.keys():
+            if f in unresolved_fields:
+                expr_fields[f] = parent_fields[f]
+                unresolved_fields.remove(f)
+        if len(unresolved_fields) == 0:
+            break
+                
+    if None in expr_fields.values():
+        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for <switch> %s" % self.name)
+
+    params = expr_fields.values()
+    return params
+# get_switch_expr_fields()
+
+def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize=False):
+    param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
+    if self.is_switch:
+        param_fields = get_switch_expr_fields(self)
+
+    # _serialize function parameters
+    if not unserialize:
+        params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
+    else:
+        params = [('const void', '*', buffer_var)]
+
+    # make sure all required length fields are present
+    for p in param_fields:
+        if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
+            typespec = p.c_field_type
+            pointerspec = ''
+            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+
+    # parameter fields if any
+    if self.is_switch:
+        for p in get_switch_expr_fields(self):
+            typespec = p.c_field_const_type
+            pointerspec = p.c_pointer
+            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+  
+    # aux argument - structure to be serialized
+    if not unserialize:
+        params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+    elif self.is_switch:
+        params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+    if not self.is_switch and not unserialize:
+        for p in param_fields:
+            if not p.type.fixed_size():
+                params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
+    return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
+# get_serialize_params()
+
+def _c_field_mapping(complex_type, context):
+    def get_prefix(field):
+        prefix = ''
+        if context in ('serialize', 'unserialize'):
+            if field.type.fixed_size() or complex_type.is_switch:
+                prefix = '_aux->'
+        else:
+            raise Exception("unknown context '%s' in c_field_mapping" % context)
+        return prefix
+    # get_prefix()
+    def get_field_name(fields, complex_type, prefix=''):
+        for f in complex_type.fields:
+            if '' == prefix:
+                prefix = get_prefix(f)
+
+            fname = "%s%s" % (prefix, f.c_field_name)
+            if fields.has_key(f.field_name):
+                raise Exception("field name %s has been registered before" % f.field_name)
+            fields[f.field_name] = (fname, f)
+            if f.type.is_container:
+                new_prefix = "%s%s" % (prefix, f.c_field_name)
+                new_prefix += "." if f.type.is_switch else "->"
+                get_field_name(fields, f.type, new_prefix)
+    # get_field_name()
+
+    # dict(field_name : (c_field_name, field))
+    fields = {}
+    get_field_name(fields, complex_type)
+    
+    # switch: get the fields referenced by the switch expr as well
+    #         these may not belong to any structure
+    if complex_type.is_switch:
+        fields += get_serialize_params()
+
+    return fields
+# _c_field_mapping()
 
+def _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix):
     prefix_str = prefix
     lenfield_prefix = "_aux"
     if prefix != '':
         prefix_str += "->"
         lenfield_prefix += "->%s" % prefix
+    return (prefix_str, lenfield_prefix)
+# _c_serialize_helper_prefix
+
+def _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding(context, code_lines, space, count=0):
+    code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
+
+    if 'serialize' == context:
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
+    elif 'unserialize' == context:
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)
+    
+    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
+    return count + 1
+# _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding()
+
+def _c_serialize_helper_switch(self, context, complex_name, code_lines, temp_vars, space, prefix, prefix_str):
+    switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
+    for b in self.bitcases:            
+        bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
+        code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
+        # FIXME: change function call depending on context
+        if 'unserialize' == context:
+            unserialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space="%s    " % space, 
+                               prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), bitcase=True)
+        elif 'serialize' == context:
+            count += serialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, '%s    ' % space, 
+                                      prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
+                                      serialize_fixed_size_fields=True, bitcase=True)
+        code_lines.append('    }')
+
+    if 'serialize' == context:
+        count = insert_padding(count)
+        return count
+    if 'unserialize' == context:
+        # padding
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+# _c_serialize_helper_switch
+
+def _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field):
+    # switch is handled by this function as a special case
+    args = get_switch_expr_fields(field.type)
+    field_mapping = _c_field_mapping(self, 'unserialize')
+    c_field_names = ''
+    for a in args:
+        c_field_names += "%s, " % field_mapping[a.field_name][0]
+    switch_field_name = field_mapping[field.field_name][0]
+    length = "%s(xcb_tmp, %s&%s)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name, 
+                                     c_field_names, switch_field_name)
+    return length
+# _c_serialize_helper_switch_field()
+
+def _c_serialize_helper_list_field(context, self, field, lenfield_prefix, code_lines, temp_vars, space):
+    expr = field.type.expr
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
+    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+
+    # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
+    # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will returned 
+    # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
+    if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
+        if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
+            # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
+            # so no need for a prefix
+            lenfield_prefix = ''
+    list_length = _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix)
+
+    if 'unserialize' == context:
+        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (list_length, field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+        # FIXME? - list with variable-sized elements 
+        if field.type.size is None:
+            length = ''
+            temp_vars.add('    unsigned int i, xcb_tmp_len;')
+            code_lines.append("%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {" % (space, list_length))
+            code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp_len = %s(xcb_tmp);" % 
+                              (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
+            code_lines.append("%s        xcb_block_len += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
+            code_lines.append("%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_tmp_len;" % space)
+            code_lines.append("%s    }" % space)                        
+            # errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
+            # raise Exception(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+    
+    return length
+# _c_serialize_helper_list_field()
+
+def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(), space='', prefix='', bitcase=False):
+    need_padding = False
+
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
@@ -391,40 +600,26 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
         self = complex_type
         complex_name = '_aux'
 
-    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
-    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
-
+    # special case: switch is serialized by evaluating each bitcase separately
     if self.is_switch:
-        switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
         need_padding = True
-        for b in self.bitcases:            
-            bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
-            code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
-            unserialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, space="%s    " % space, 
-                               prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), bitcase=True)
-            code_lines.append('    }')
-        # padding
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-
-
+        _c_serialize_helper_switch(self, 'unserialize', complex_name, code_lines, temp_vars, space, prefix, prefix_str)
+        
+    # all other data types can be evaluated one field a time
     else: 
-        # if not inside switch, simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
+        # fixed sized fields: simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
+        # this would of course not work for switch/bitcase
         if not bitcase:
-            code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, self.c_type))
-            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
-            code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
-            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += -xcb_buffer_len & 3;' % space)
-            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_buffer_len;' % space)
+            _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding('unserialize', code_lines, space)
 
         for field in self.fields:
             if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
                 continue
 
+            # generic length statement
             length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
             
-            # 1. fields with fixed size need only be filled explicitly inside switch
+            # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields must be considered explicitly 
             if field.type.fixed_size():
                 if bitcase:
                     need_padding = True
@@ -432,43 +627,31 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
                     # FIXME - lists
                 else:
                     continue
-            # 2. fields with variable size
+
+            # fields with variable size
             elif not field.type.fixed_size():
-                # unserialize: always calculate padding before variable sized fields in bitcase
+                # switch/bitcase: always calculate padding before and after variable sized fields
                 # FIXME
                 if need_padding or bitcase:
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+                    _c_serialize_helper_insert_padding('unserialize', code_lines, space)
 
 #                value = '    *%s = (%s *) xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type)
                 value = ''
+
                 if field.type.is_list:
-                    # FIXME - list with variable-sized elements 
-                    if field.type.size is None:
-                        errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
-                        sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    expr = field.type.expr
-                    # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
-                    lf_prefix = lenfield_prefix
-                    if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
-                        if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
-                            lf_prefix = ''
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lf_prefix), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                    length = _c_serialize_helper_list_field('unserialize', 
+                                                            self, field, lenfield_prefix, 
+                                                            code_lines, temp_vars, space)
+
                 elif field.type.is_switch:
-                    # switch is handled by this function as a special case
-                    unserialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, space, prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+                    length = _c_serialize_helper_switch_field(self, field)
+
                 else:
-                    # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
-                    errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
-                    sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('undefined', field.type.c_wiretype)
+                    length = "%s(xcb_tmp)" % (field.type.c_unserialize_name)
+                    # errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
+                    # raise Exception(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
 
-            # save serialization C code
+            # save unserialization C code
             if value is not None:
                 if field.type.fixed_size():
                     # field appears in the request structure
@@ -483,17 +666,16 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
                 else:
-                    # take account of padding
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
+                    # padding
+                    if length != '':
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
                     need_padding = False
-                                
 # unserialize_fields()
-    
 
 def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(), 
                      space='', prefix='', serialize_fixed_size_fields=False, 
@@ -512,12 +694,7 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
     count = 0
     # flag to mark wether explicit padding needs to be inserted
     need_padding = False    
-    prefix_str = prefix
-    lenfield_prefix = "_aux"
-    if prefix != '':
-        prefix_str += "->"
-        lenfield_prefix += "->%s" % prefix
-
+    prefix_str, lenfield_prefix = _c_serialize_helper_prefix(prefix)
 
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
@@ -526,6 +703,9 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
         self = complex_type
         complex_name = '_aux'
 
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
+    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+
     def insert_padding(count):
         code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
@@ -563,12 +743,10 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
             # sort out invisible fields
             if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
                 continue
-            # else
+
             length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
 
-            # 1. fields with fixed size
-            # fixed size fields are not always handled here, 
-            # dependent on serialize_fixed_size_fields
+            # switch/bitcase: fixed size fields are serialized explicitly
             if field.type.fixed_size() and bitcase:
                 value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
                 need_padding = True
@@ -598,9 +776,9 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
                         value += '%s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
                         length = '%d' % field.type.nmemb
 
-            # 2. fields with variable size
+            # fields with variable size
             elif not field.type.fixed_size():
-                # always calculate padding before variable sized fields
+                # calculate padding before variable sized fields only if necessary
                 if bitcase or need_padding:
                     count = insert_padding(count)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)        
@@ -608,6 +786,7 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
 
                 code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
                 value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                length = ''
                 code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
 
                 if field.type.is_list:
@@ -627,7 +806,18 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
                                           
                     # list of variable length with fixed size elements
                     else:
-                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix), 
+                        # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
+                        lf_prefix = lenfield_prefix
+                        # special case: if the list has a length field, its name will returned 
+                        # unchanged by calling c_accessor_get_length(expr)
+                        expr = field.type.expr
+                        if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
+                            if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
+                                # the length field appears as separate argument in unserialize, 
+                                # so no need for a prefix
+                                lf_prefix = ''
+
+                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lf_prefix), 
                                                       field.type.member.c_wiretype)
 
                 elif field.type.is_switch:
@@ -635,25 +825,27 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
 #                    count += serialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space,
                     #                                              prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
                     # FIXME - call another serialize
+                    value = ''
                     sys.stderr.write("FIXME: call %s" % field.type.c_serialize_name)
+                    length = 'undefined'
                 else:
                     # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
                     errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
                     sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
                     length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('undefined', field.type.c_wiretype)
 
-            # 3. save serialization C code
+            # save serialization C code using xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
             if value is not None:
-                # set xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
-                # insert a comment so one can easily trace back to the XML
                 if field.type.fixed_size():
                     # field belongs to some anchestor structure
                     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
                     code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
                     if bitcase:
                         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                if length != '':
+                    if not field.type.fixed_size():
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_block_len;' % space)
-
                 # increase xcb_parts index
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
                 count += 1
@@ -668,84 +860,6 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
     return count
 # serialize_fields()
 
-def _c_switch_aux_params(self):
-    # get the fields referenced by the switch expression
-    def get_expr_fields(expr):
-        if expr.op is None:
-            if expr.lenfield_name is not None:
-                return [expr.lenfield_name]
-        else:
-            if expr.op == '~':
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
-            elif expr.op == 'popcount':
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
-            elif expr.op == 'sumof':
-                return [expr.lenfield_name]
-            elif expr.op == 'enumref':
-                return []
-            else: 
-                return get_expr_fields(expr.lhs) + get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
-    # get_expr_fields()
-    
-    # resolve the field names with the parent structure(s)
-    unresolved_fields = get_expr_fields(self.expr)
-    expr_fields = dict.fromkeys(unresolved_fields)
-    for p in reversed(self.parent):
-        parent_fields = dict((f.field_name, f) for f in p.fields)
-        if len(unresolved_fields) == 0:
-            break
-        for f in parent_fields.keys():
-            if f in unresolved_fields:
-                expr_fields[f] = parent_fields[f]
-                unresolved_fields.remove(f)
-                
-    if None in expr_fields.values():
-        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for <switch> %s" % self.name)
-
-    params = []
-    for name, field in expr_fields.iteritems():
-        params.append((field, name))
-
-    return params
-# _c_switch_aux_params()
-
-def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize=False):
-    param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
-    if self.is_switch:
-        switch_params = _c_switch_aux_params(self)
-        param_fields += [s[0] for s in switch_params]
-
-    # _serialize function parameters
-    if not unserialize:
-        params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
-    else:
-        params = [('const void', '*', buffer_var)]
-
-    # make sure all required length fields are present
-    for p in param_fields:
-        if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
-            typespec = p.c_field_type
-            pointerspec = ''
-            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
-
-    # parameter fields if any
-    if self.is_switch:
-        for p in switch_params:
-            typespec = p[0].c_field_const_type
-            pointerspec = p[0].c_pointer
-            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p[0].c_field_name))
-    # aux argument - structure to be serialized
-    if not unserialize:
-        params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    elif self.is_switch:
-        params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    if not self.is_switch and not unserialize:
-        for p in param_fields:
-            if not p.type.fixed_size():
-                params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
-    return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
-# get_serialize_params()
-
 def _c_serialize(self):
     _h_setlevel(1)
     _c_setlevel(1)
@@ -909,10 +1023,14 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-    _c('')
 
     code_lines = []
-    unserialize_fields(self, code_lines)
+    temp_vars = set()
+    unserialize_fields(self, code_lines, temp_vars)
+    for t in temp_vars:
+        _c(t)
+    _c('')
+
     for l in code_lines:
         _c(l)
     _c('')
@@ -1299,17 +1417,21 @@ def _c_complex(self):
         
     for field in struct_fields:
         length = len(field.c_field_type)
-        if field.type.fixed_size():
+        # account for '*' pointer_spec
+        if not field.type.fixed_size():
             length += 1
-        if length > maxtypelen:
-            maxtypelen = length
+        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, length)
 
     for field in struct_fields:
-        if field.type.fixed_size():
+        if (field.type.fixed_size() or 
+            # in case of switch with switch children, don't make the field a pointer
+            # necessary for unserialize to work
+            (self.is_switch and field.type.is_switch)):
             spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_type))
             _h('    %s%s %s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
+        
         else:
-            spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - (len(field.c_field_type) - 1))
+            spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - (len(field.c_field_type) + 1))
             _h('    %s%s *%s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
 
     _h('} %s;', self.c_type)
commit 4e665e1580ece7bc9505f3a2f657959669ffcd05
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Thu Jul 15 18:43:43 2010 +0200

    added generating code for _serialize() in case of variable sized structs (largely untested)

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 469a7f5..66f36be 100755
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@ _clines = []
 _clevel = 0
 _ns = None
 
+# global variable to keep track of serializers
+# due to weird dependencies, I see no way to do this more elegant at the moment
+finished_serializers = []
+
 def _h(fmt, *args):
     '''
     Writes the given line to the header file.
@@ -158,6 +162,7 @@ def c_open(self):
     _h('')
     _h('#include "xcb.h"')
 
+    _c('#include <stdlib.h>')
     _c('#include <string.h>')
     _c('#include <assert.h>')
     _c('#include "xcbext.h"')
@@ -302,6 +307,9 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             _c_type_setup(field.type, field.field_type, ())
             if field.type.is_list:
                 _c_type_setup(field.type.member, field.field_type, ())
+                # FIXME - structures with variable sized members, sort out when serialize() is needed
+                if (field.type.nmemb is None): # and not field.type.member.fixed_size():
+                    self.need_serialize = True
 
             field.c_field_type = _t(field.field_type)
             field.c_field_const_type = ('' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else 'const ') + field.c_field_type
@@ -331,23 +339,23 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             else:
                 self.last_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_field = field
-                prev_varsized_offset = 0
-
-            # FIXME - structures with variable sized members, sort out when serialize() is needed
+                prev_varsized_offset = 0                    
 
     # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
     # continue here with type construction
     if self.is_switch:
+        print "switch", self.name
         # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
         _c_complex(self)
         # declare switch (un)packing functions
         _c_accessors(self, name, name)
 
-    if self.need_serialize:
-        if not hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
+    if self.need_serialize and not self.is_bitcase:
+        if self.c_serialize_name not in finished_serializers:
+            #        if not hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
             _c_serialize(self)
-        _c_unserialize(self)
-        
+            _c_unserialize(self)
+            finished_serializers.append(self.c_serialize_name)
 # _c_type_setup()
 
 def get_request_fields(self):
@@ -363,16 +371,19 @@ def get_request_fields(self):
                 # need to set the field up in the xcb_out structure
                 wire_fields.append(field)
         # fields like 'pad0' are skipped!
-
+                    
     return (param_fields, wire_fields)
 # get_request_fields()
 
 def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase=False):
-    prefix_str = prefix
     need_padding = False
 
+    prefix_str = prefix
+    lenfield_prefix = "_aux"
     if prefix != '':
         prefix_str += "->"
+        lenfield_prefix += "->%s" % prefix
+
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
         complex_name = complex_type.name
@@ -380,6 +391,9 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
         self = complex_type
         complex_name = '_aux'
 
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)    
+    param_names = [p[2] for p in params]
+
     if self.is_switch:
         switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
         need_padding = True
@@ -389,41 +403,62 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
             unserialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, space="%s    " % space, 
                                prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), bitcase=True)
             code_lines.append('    }')
+        # padding
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+
 
     else: 
+        # if not inside switch, simply cast the buffer to the respective xcb_out type
+        if not bitcase:
+            code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, self.c_type))
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s);' % (space, self.c_type))
+            code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += -xcb_buffer_len & 3;' % space)
+            code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_buffer_len;' % space)
+
         for field in self.fields:
             if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
                 continue
 
             length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
             
-            # 1. fields with fixed size
+            # 1. fields with fixed size need only be filled explicitly inside switch
             if field.type.fixed_size():
-                need_padding = True
-                value = '    _aux->%s = (%s) *xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type) 
-                # FIXME - lists
-
+                if bitcase:
+                    need_padding = True
+                    value = '    _aux->%s = (%s) *xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type) 
+                    # FIXME - lists
+                else:
+                    continue
             # 2. fields with variable size
-            else:
-                #if need_padding:
-                # unserialize: always calculate padding before variable sized fields
-                code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_block_len) {' % space)
-                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-                code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
-
+            elif not field.type.fixed_size():
+                # unserialize: always calculate padding before variable sized fields in bitcase
                 # FIXME
-                print("unserialize not yet implemented for variable size fields like %s" % field.c_field_name)
-
-                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                if need_padding or bitcase:
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_pad;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+
+#                value = '    *%s = (%s *) xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type)
+                value = ''
                 if field.type.is_list:
                     # FIXME - list with variable-sized elements 
                     if field.type.size is None:
                         errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
                         sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                    expr = field.type.expr
+                    # look if the list's lenfield is a struct member or a function argument
+                    lf_prefix = lenfield_prefix
+                    if expr.lenfield_name == _c_accessor_get_length(expr):
+                        if expr.lenfield_name in param_names:
+                            lf_prefix = ''
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lf_prefix), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
                 elif field.type.is_switch:
                     # switch is handled by this function as a special case
                     unserialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, space, prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
@@ -431,7 +466,7 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
                     # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
                     errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
                     sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('undefined', field.type.c_wiretype)
 
             # save serialization C code
             if value is not None:
@@ -442,23 +477,21 @@ def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase
                     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
 
                 # _aux->XXX = 
-                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+                if value != '':
+                    code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
                 if field.type.fixed_size():
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
                 else:
                     # take account of padding
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
                     code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
-        
-    if not bitcase:
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
-        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
-            
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+                    need_padding = False
+                                
 # unserialize_fields()
     
 
@@ -480,8 +513,11 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
     # flag to mark wether explicit padding needs to be inserted
     need_padding = False    
     prefix_str = prefix
+    lenfield_prefix = "_aux"
     if prefix != '':
         prefix_str += "->"
+        lenfield_prefix += "->%s" % prefix
+
 
     if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
         self = complex_type.type
@@ -490,31 +526,18 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
         self = complex_type
         complex_name = '_aux'
 
-    def end_block(count):
-        "end a block => insert padding"
-        if need_padding and not bitcase:
-            code_lines.append('    /* padding */')
-            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;')
-            code_lines.append('    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;')
-            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;')
-            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts_idx++;')
-            code_lines.append('')
-            code_lines.append('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad + %s;' % 'xcb_block_len')
-            code_lines.append('')
-            count += 1
-        return count
-    # end_block()
-
     def insert_padding(count):
-        code_lines.append('%s    /* implicit padding */' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    /* padding */' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
-        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
         code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
+        need_padding = True
         return count + 1
     # insert_padding()
         
@@ -531,6 +554,7 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
                                       prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
                                       serialize_fixed_size_fields=True, bitcase=True)
             code_lines.append('    }')
+        count = insert_padding(count)
  
     else: 
         for field in self.fields:
@@ -545,7 +569,7 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
             # 1. fields with fixed size
             # fixed size fields are not always handled here, 
             # dependent on serialize_fixed_size_fields
-            if field.type.fixed_size() and serialize_fixed_size_fields:
+            if field.type.fixed_size() and bitcase:
                 value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
                 need_padding = True
 
@@ -560,8 +584,6 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
 
                 elif field.type.is_pad:
                     if field.type.nmemb == 1:
-                        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-                        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
                         value += "&xcb_pad;"
                     else:
                         value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
@@ -579,65 +601,70 @@ def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(),
             # 2. fields with variable size
             elif not field.type.fixed_size():
                 # always calculate padding before variable sized fields
-                count = insert_padding(count)
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)        
+                if bitcase or need_padding:
+                    count = insert_padding(count)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)        
+                    need_padding = False
 
+                code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
                 value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
 
                 if field.type.is_list:
-                    # FIXME - list of variable length with variable size elements 
+                    # list of variable length with variable size elements 
                     if field.type.size is None:
                         errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
                         sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                        length = 'undefined'
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = 0;' % space)
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp = (char *) %s%s;' % (space, prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+                        code_lines.append('%s    for(i=0; i<%s; i++) {' 
+                                          % (space, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix)))
+                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = %s(xcb_tmp);' % (space, field.type.c_unserialize_name))
+                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                        code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' % space)
+                                          
                     # list of variable length with fixed size elements
                     else:
-                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix), 
+                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, lenfield_prefix), 
                                                       field.type.member.c_wiretype)
 
                 elif field.type.is_switch:
                     # switch is handled at the beginning of this function as a special case
-                    count += serialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space,
-                                              prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
-                    
+#                    count += serialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space,
+                    #                                              prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+                    # FIXME - call another serialize
+                    sys.stderr.write("FIXME: call %s" % field.type.c_serialize_name)
                 else:
                     # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
                     errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
                     sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('undefined', field.type.c_wiretype)
 
             # 3. save serialization C code
             if value is not None:
+                # set xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
                 # insert a comment so one can easily trace back to the XML
                 if field.type.fixed_size():
                     # field belongs to some anchestor structure
                     code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
-                else:
-                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
+                    code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+                    if bitcase:
+                        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_block_len;' % space)
 
-                # set xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
-                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
-                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len  = %s;' % (space, length))
                 # increase xcb_parts index
                 code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
                 count += 1
 
-                # record required memory
-                if field.type.fixed_size():
-                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
-                else:
+                if not field.type.fixed_size():
                     # FIXME
                     count = insert_padding(count)
+                    need_padding = False
                     # raise Exception("obsolete - should not be reached")
                     # code_lines.append('%s    xcb_unpadded = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' %  space)
 
-    count = end_block(count)
-    if count > 0:
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
-    if need_padding:
-        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
-        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
     return count
 # serialize_fields()
 
@@ -689,7 +716,18 @@ def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize
         param_fields += [s[0] for s in switch_params]
 
     # _serialize function parameters
-    params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
+    if not unserialize:
+        params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
+    else:
+        params = [('const void', '*', buffer_var)]
+
+    # make sure all required length fields are present
+    for p in param_fields:
+        if p.visible and not p.wire and not p.auto:
+            typespec = p.c_field_type
+            pointerspec = ''
+            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p.c_field_name))
+
     # parameter fields if any
     if self.is_switch:
         for p in switch_params:
@@ -699,9 +737,9 @@ def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize
     # aux argument - structure to be serialized
     if not unserialize:
         params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    else:
+    elif self.is_switch:
         params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
-    if not self.is_switch:
+    if not self.is_switch and not unserialize:
         for p in param_fields:
             if not p.type.fixed_size():
                 params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
@@ -750,7 +788,8 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
     _c('{')
     if not self.is_switch:
         _c('    %s *xcb_out = *_buffer;', self.c_type)
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s);', self.c_type)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_out_pad = -sizeof(%s) & 3;', self.c_type)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s) + xcb_out_pad;', self.c_type)
     else:
         _c('    char *xcb_out = *_buffer;')
         _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
@@ -761,15 +800,15 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
                                  serialize_fixed_size_fields=False)
         # update variable size fields 
         variable_size_fields = count
-        _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+        _c('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
+        _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count+1)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
         for t in temp_vars:
             _c(t)
         _c('    char *xcb_tmp;')
         _c('    unsigned int i;')
-    if not self.is_switch:
-        _c('    unsigned int xcb_out_pad = -xcb_buffer_len & 3;')
-        _c('    /* add size of padding */')
-        _c('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_out_pad;')
 
     _c('')
     
@@ -777,6 +816,16 @@ def _c_serialize(self):
         for l in code_lines:
             _c(l)
 
+#    _c('    /* padding */')
+#    _c('    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;')
+#    _c('    if (0 != xcb_pad) {')
+#    _c('        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;')
+#    _c('        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;')
+#    _c('        xcb_parts_idx++;')
+#    _c('    }')
+#    _c('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;')
+    _c('')
+
     # variable sized fields have been collected, now
     # allocate memory and copy everything into a continuous memory area
     _c('    if (NULL == xcb_out) {')
@@ -845,7 +894,6 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
         if 0==p:
             line = "%s (" % self.c_unserialize_name
             indent = ''
-            pointerspec = '*'
         spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
         line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
         if p < len(params)-1:
@@ -855,10 +903,14 @@ def _c_unserialize(self):
             _c("%s)" % line)
                 
     _c('{')
-    _c('    char *xcb_tmp = _buffer;')
+    _c('    char *xcb_tmp = (char *)_buffer;')
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        _c('    const %s *_aux = (%s *)_buffer;', self.c_type, self.c_type)
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
     _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+    _c('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
     _c('')
+
     code_lines = []
     unserialize_fields(self, code_lines)
     for l in code_lines:
@@ -1424,7 +1476,8 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     _c('    %s xcb_ret;', func_cookie)
     _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
     for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
-        _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;', f.type.c_type, idx)
+        if not aux:
+            _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;' % (f.type.c_type, idx))
     _c('    ')
     _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
  
@@ -1455,13 +1508,23 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     count = 4
     for field in param_fields:
         if not field.type.fixed_size():
-            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
-            if field.type.need_serialize:
+            if not field.type.need_serialize:
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+            else:
+                if not aux:
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+                else:
+                    _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) 0;', count)
                 idx = serial_fields.index(field)
-                serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
-                                                      field.c_field_name, 
-                                                      '&xcb_aux%d' % idx,
-                                                      )[2]
+                if not aux:
+                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
+                                                          field.c_field_name, 
+                                                          '&xcb_aux%d' % idx)[2]
+                else:
+                    serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
+                                                          '&xcb_parts[%d].iov_base' % count,
+                                                          field.c_field_name)[2]
+
                 serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
                 _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
                 if aux:
commit d0031456097f009bdb82fb979924e71ca38c539b
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Tue Jul 13 20:08:51 2010 +0200

    xkb: added pkg config file

diff --git a/xcb-xkb.pc.in b/xcb-xkb.pc.in
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..31ccaa3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/xcb-xkb.pc.in
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+prefix=@prefix@
+exec_prefix=@exec_prefix@
+libdir=@libdir@
+includedir=@includedir@
+
+Name: XCB XKB
+Description: XCB Keyboard Extension (EXPERIMENTAL)
+Version: @PACKAGE_VERSION@
+Requires: xcb
+Libs: -L${libdir} -lxcb-xinput
+Cflags: -I${includedir}
commit 86704124b1fd62c30441ace1f3f8e2c316801c53
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Tue Jul 13 20:06:08 2010 +0200

    new and still preliminary functions for switch; feautures include
    - API compatibility with valueparam
    - request _aux() auxiliary functions
    - _serialize() and _unserialize() auxiliary functions
    - new data type that allows mixing of fixed and variable size members

diff --git a/src/c_client.py b/src/c_client.py
index 4f3b089..469a7f5 100755
--- a/src/c_client.py
+++ b/src/c_client.py
@@ -273,6 +273,20 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
     self.c_reply_type = _t(name + ('reply',))
     self.c_cookie_type = _t(name + ('cookie',))
 
+    self.c_aux_name = _n(name + ('aux',))
+    self.c_aux_checked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'checked'))
+    self.c_aux_unchecked_name = _n(name + ('aux', 'unchecked'))
+    self.c_serialize_name = _n(name + ('serialize',))
+    self.c_unserialize_name = _n(name + ('unserialize',))
+
+    # whether a request or reply has a switch field
+    self.need_aux = False
+    self.need_serialize = False
+    if self.is_switch:
+        self.need_serialize = True
+        for bitcase in self.bitcases:
+            _c_type_setup(bitcase.type, bitcase.field_type, ())
+
     if self.is_container:
 
         self.c_container = 'union' if self.is_union else 'struct'
@@ -281,6 +295,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
         first_field_after_varsized = None
 
         for field in self.fields:
+            # information about a fields anchestors
+            if self.is_reply or hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
+                field.type.in_reply = True
+
             _c_type_setup(field.type, field.field_type, ())
             if field.type.is_list:
                 _c_type_setup(field.type.member, field.field_type, ())
@@ -290,6 +308,10 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
             field.c_field_name = _cpp(field.field_name)
             field.c_subscript = '[%d]' % field.type.nmemb if (field.type.nmemb > 1) else ''
             field.c_pointer = ' ' if field.type.nmemb == 1 else '*'
+            if field.type.is_switch:
+                field.c_pointer = '*'
+                field.c_field_const_type = 'const ' + field.c_field_type
+                self.need_aux = True
 
             field.c_iterator_type = _t(field.field_type + ('iterator',))      # xcb_fieldtype_iterator_t
             field.c_iterator_name = _n(name + (field.field_name, 'iterator')) # xcb_container_field_iterator
@@ -311,6 +333,541 @@ def _c_type_setup(self, name, postfix):
                 prev_varsized_field = field
                 prev_varsized_offset = 0
 
+            # FIXME - structures with variable sized members, sort out when serialize() is needed
+
+    # as switch does never appear at toplevel, 
+    # continue here with type construction
+    if self.is_switch:
+        # special: switch C structs get pointer fields for variable-sized members
+        _c_complex(self)
+        # declare switch (un)packing functions
+        _c_accessors(self, name, name)
+
+    if self.need_serialize:
+        if not hasattr(self, 'in_reply'):
+            _c_serialize(self)
+        _c_unserialize(self)
+        
+# _c_type_setup()
+
+def get_request_fields(self):
+    param_fields = []
+    wire_fields = []
+
+    for field in self.fields:
+        if field.visible:
+            # the field should appear as a parameter in the function call
+            param_fields.append(field)
+        if field.wire and not field.auto:
+            if field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
+                # need to set the field up in the xcb_out structure
+                wire_fields.append(field)
+        # fields like 'pad0' are skipped!
+
+    return (param_fields, wire_fields)
+# get_request_fields()
+
+def unserialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], space='', prefix='', bitcase=False):
+    prefix_str = prefix
+    need_padding = False
+
+    if prefix != '':
+        prefix_str += "->"
+    if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
+        self = complex_type.type
+        complex_name = complex_type.name
+    else:
+        self = complex_type
+        complex_name = '_aux'
+
+    if self.is_switch:
+        switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
+        need_padding = True
+        for b in self.bitcases:            
+            bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
+            code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
+            unserialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, space="%s    " % space, 
+                               prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), bitcase=True)
+            code_lines.append('    }')
+
+    else: 
+        for field in self.fields:
+            if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
+                continue
+
+            length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
+            
+            # 1. fields with fixed size
+            if field.type.fixed_size():
+                need_padding = True
+                value = '    _aux->%s = (%s) *xcb_tmp;' % (field.c_field_name, field.type.c_type) 
+                # FIXME - lists
+
+            # 2. fields with variable size
+            else:
+                #if need_padding:
+                # unserialize: always calculate padding before variable sized fields
+                code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_block_len) {' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s        xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
+                code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+
+                # FIXME
+                print("unserialize not yet implemented for variable size fields like %s" % field.c_field_name)
+
+                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                if field.type.is_list:
+                    # FIXME - list with variable-sized elements 
+                    if field.type.size is None:
+                        errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
+                        sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+                elif field.type.is_switch:
+                    # switch is handled by this function as a special case
+                    unserialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, space, prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+                else:
+                    # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
+                    errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
+                    sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+
+            # save serialization C code
+            if value is not None:
+                if field.type.fixed_size():
+                    # field appears in the request structure
+                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                else:
+                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
+
+                # _aux->XXX = 
+                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+                if field.type.fixed_size():
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += %s;' % (space, length))
+                else:
+                    # take account of padding
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = %s;' % (space, length))
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)
+        
+    if not bitcase:
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+        #code_lines.append('%s    xcb_tmp += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len;' % space)
+            
+# unserialize_fields()
+    
+
+def serialize_fields(complex_type, code_lines=[], temp_vars=set(), 
+                     space='', prefix='', serialize_fixed_size_fields=False, 
+                     bitcase=False):
+    """
+    helper routine to build up iovec arrays that will later be copied into a single buffer
+
+    complex_type - encapsulating Type/Field
+    code_lines, temp_vars - containers for generated code & variable declarations
+    space - extra space to be inserted before any statement
+    prefix - prefix to be used for struct members, needed for switch/bitcase mapping
+    bitcase - flags whether fields are bitcase members 
+    """
+    
+    # count -> no. of entries in xcb_parts array
+    count = 0
+    # flag to mark wether explicit padding needs to be inserted
+    need_padding = False    
+    prefix_str = prefix
+    if prefix != '':
+        prefix_str += "->"
+
+    if hasattr(complex_type, 'type'):
+        self = complex_type.type
+        complex_name = complex_type.name
+    else:
+        self = complex_type
+        complex_name = '_aux'
+
+    def end_block(count):
+        "end a block => insert padding"
+        if need_padding and not bitcase:
+            code_lines.append('    /* padding */')
+            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;')
+            code_lines.append('    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;')
+            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;')
+            code_lines.append('    xcb_parts_idx++;')
+            code_lines.append('')
+            code_lines.append('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_pad + %s;' % 'xcb_block_len')
+            code_lines.append('')
+            count += 1
+        return count
+    # end_block()
+
+    def insert_padding(count):
+        code_lines.append('%s    /* implicit padding */' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    xcb_pad = -xcb_block_len & 3;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    if (0 != xcb_pad) {' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = xcb_pad0;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len = xcb_pad;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_buffer_len += xcb_block_len + xcb_pad;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_pad = 0;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s        xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
+        code_lines.append('%s    }' % space)
+        return count + 1
+    # insert_padding()
+        
+    # special case - if self.is_switch, all fields need to be serialized conditionally
+    if self.is_switch:
+        switch_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(self.expr)
+        need_padding = True
+
+        for b in self.bitcases:
+            bitcase_expr = _c_accessor_get_expr(b.type.expr, prefix)
+            code_lines.append('    if(%s & %s) {' % (switch_expr, bitcase_expr))
+
+            count += serialize_fields(b.type, code_lines, temp_vars, '%s    ' % space, 
+                                      prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, complex_name), 
+                                      serialize_fixed_size_fields=True, bitcase=True)
+            code_lines.append('    }')
+ 
+    else: 
+        for field in self.fields:
+            value = None
+            
+            # sort out invisible fields
+            if not ((field.wire and not field.auto) or field.visible):
+                continue
+            # else
+            length = "sizeof(%s)" % field.c_field_type
+
+            # 1. fields with fixed size
+            # fixed size fields are not always handled here, 
+            # dependent on serialize_fixed_size_fields
+            if field.type.fixed_size() and serialize_fixed_size_fields:
+                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) ' 
+                need_padding = True
+
+                if field.type.is_expr:
+                    # need to register a temporary variable for the expression
+                    if field.type.c_type is None:
+                        raise Exception("type for field '%s' (expression '%s') unkown" % 
+                                        (field.field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr)))
+                    temp_vars.add('    %s xcb_expr_%s = %s;' % (field.type.c_type, field.field_name, 
+                                                                _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix)))
+                    value += "&xcb_expr_%s;" % field.field_name 
+
+                elif field.type.is_pad:
+                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+                        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
+                        value += "&xcb_pad;"
+                    else:
+                        value = '    memset(xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base, 0, %d);' % field.type.nmemb
+                        length += "*%d" % field.type.nmemb
+                        
+                else:
+                    # non-list type with fixed size
+                    if field.type.nmemb == 1:
+                        value += "&%s%s;" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                    # list with nmemb (fixed size) elements
+                    else:
+                        value += '%s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+                        length = '%d' % field.type.nmemb
+
+            # 2. fields with variable size
+            elif not field.type.fixed_size():
+                # always calculate padding before variable sized fields
+                count = insert_padding(count)
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len = 0;' % space)        
+
+                value = '    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_base = (char *) %s%s;' % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name)
+
+                if field.type.is_list:
+                    # FIXME - list of variable length with variable size elements 
+                    if field.type.size is None:
+                        errmsg = '%s: warning: list object with variable-sized members not supported for field %s\n' 
+                        sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                        length = 'undefined'
+                    # list of variable length with fixed size elements
+                    else:
+                        length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % (_c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr, prefix), 
+                                                      field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+
+                elif field.type.is_switch:
+                    # switch is handled at the beginning of this function as a special case
+                    count += serialize_fields(field.type, code_lines, temp_vars, space,
+                                              prefix="%s%s" % (prefix_str, field.c_field_name))
+                    
+                else:
+                    # FIXME - variable sized field that is not a list
+                    errmsg = '%s: warning: non-list object of variable size not supported for field %s\n' 
+                    sys.stderr.write(errmsg % (self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                    length = '%s * sizeof(%s)' % ('Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+
+            # 3. save serialization C code
+            if value is not None:
+                # insert a comment so one can easily trace back to the XML
+                if field.type.fixed_size():
+                    # field belongs to some anchestor structure
+                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s.%s */' % (space, self.c_type, field.c_field_name))
+                else:
+                    code_lines.append('%s    /* %s */' % (space, field.c_field_name))
+
+                # set xcb_parts[].iov_base and xcb_parts[].iov_len
+                code_lines.append('%s%s' % (space, value))
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len  = %s;' % (space, length))
+                # increase xcb_parts index
+                code_lines.append('%s    xcb_parts_idx++;' % space)
+                count += 1
+
+                # record required memory
+                if field.type.fixed_size():
+                    code_lines.append('%s    xcb_block_len += %s;' % (space, length))
+                else:
+                    # FIXME
+                    count = insert_padding(count)
+                    # raise Exception("obsolete - should not be reached")
+                    # code_lines.append('%s    xcb_unpadded = xcb_parts[xcb_parts_idx].iov_len;' %  space)
+
+    count = end_block(count)
+    if count > 0:
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_parts_idx = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+    if need_padding:
+        temp_vars.add('    unsigned int xcb_pad = 0;')
+        temp_vars.add('    char xcb_pad0[3] = {0, 0, 0};') 
+    return count
+# serialize_fields()
+
+def _c_switch_aux_params(self):
+    # get the fields referenced by the switch expression
+    def get_expr_fields(expr):
+        if expr.op is None:
+            if expr.lenfield_name is not None:
+                return [expr.lenfield_name]
+        else:
+            if expr.op == '~':
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+            elif expr.op == 'popcount':
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+            elif expr.op == 'sumof':
+                return [expr.lenfield_name]
+            elif expr.op == 'enumref':
+                return []
+            else: 
+                return get_expr_fields(expr.lhs) + get_expr_fields(expr.rhs)
+    # get_expr_fields()
+    
+    # resolve the field names with the parent structure(s)
+    unresolved_fields = get_expr_fields(self.expr)
+    expr_fields = dict.fromkeys(unresolved_fields)
+    for p in reversed(self.parent):
+        parent_fields = dict((f.field_name, f) for f in p.fields)
+        if len(unresolved_fields) == 0:
+            break
+        for f in parent_fields.keys():
+            if f in unresolved_fields:
+                expr_fields[f] = parent_fields[f]
+                unresolved_fields.remove(f)
+                
+    if None in expr_fields.values():
+        raise Exception("could not resolve all fields for <switch> %s" % self.name)
+
+    params = []
+    for name, field in expr_fields.iteritems():
+        params.append((field, name))
+
+    return params
+# _c_switch_aux_params()
+
+def get_serialize_params(self, buffer_var='_buffer', aux_var='_aux', unserialize=False):
+    param_fields, wire_fields = get_request_fields(self)
+    if self.is_switch:
+        switch_params = _c_switch_aux_params(self)
+        param_fields += [s[0] for s in switch_params]
+
+    # _serialize function parameters
+    params = [('void', '**', buffer_var)]
+    # parameter fields if any
+    if self.is_switch:
+        for p in switch_params:
+            typespec = p[0].c_field_const_type
+            pointerspec = p[0].c_pointer
+            params.append((typespec, pointerspec, p[0].c_field_name))
+    # aux argument - structure to be serialized
+    if not unserialize:
+        params.append(('const %s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+    else:
+        params.append(('%s' % self.c_type, '*', aux_var))
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        for p in param_fields:
+            if not p.type.fixed_size():
+                params.append((p.c_field_const_type, p.c_pointer, p.c_field_name))
+    return (param_fields, wire_fields, params)
+# get_serialize_params()
+
+def _c_serialize(self):
+    _h_setlevel(1)
+    _c_setlevel(1)
+
+    _hc('')
+    # _serialize() returns the buffer size
+    _hc('int')
+
+    variable_size_fields = 0
+    # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
+    maxtypelen = 0
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self)
+
+    # determine N(variable_fields) 
+    for field in param_fields:
+        # if self.is_switch, treat all fields as if they are variable sized
+        if not field.type.fixed_size() or self.is_switch:
+            variable_size_fields += 1
+    # determine maxtypelen
+    for p in params:
+        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
+
+    # write to .c/.h
+    for p in range(len(params)):
+        line = ""
+        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = params[p]
+        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_serialize_name)+2)
+        # p==0: function declaration
+        if 0==p:
+            line = "%s (" % self.c_serialize_name
+            indent = ''
+        spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
+        line += "%s%s%s  %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
+        if p < len(params)-1:
+            _hc("%s," % line)
+        else:
+            _h("%s);" % line)
+            _c("%s)" % line)
+                
+    _c('{')
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        _c('    %s *xcb_out = *_buffer;', self.c_type)
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = sizeof(%s);', self.c_type)
+    else:
+        _c('    char *xcb_out = *_buffer;')
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+    if variable_size_fields > 0:        
+        code_lines = []
+        temp_vars = set()
+        count = serialize_fields(self, code_lines, temp_vars,
+                                 serialize_fixed_size_fields=False)
+        # update variable size fields 
+        variable_size_fields = count
+        _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count)
+        for t in temp_vars:
+            _c(t)
+        _c('    char *xcb_tmp;')
+        _c('    unsigned int i;')
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        _c('    unsigned int xcb_out_pad = -xcb_buffer_len & 3;')
+        _c('    /* add size of padding */')
+        _c('    xcb_buffer_len += xcb_out_pad;')
+
+    _c('')
+    
+    if variable_size_fields > 0:        
+        for l in code_lines:
+            _c(l)
+
+    # variable sized fields have been collected, now
+    # allocate memory and copy everything into a continuous memory area
+    _c('    if (NULL == xcb_out) {')
+    _c('        /* allocate memory  */')
+    _c('        *_buffer = malloc(xcb_buffer_len);')
+    _c('        xcb_out = *_buffer;')
+    _c('    }')
+    _c('')
+
+    # fill in struct members
+    if not self.is_switch:
+        if len(wire_fields)>0:
+            _c('    *xcb_out = *_aux;')
+
+    # copy variable size fields into the buffer
+    if variable_size_fields > 0:
+        # xcb_out padding
+        if not self.is_switch:
+            _c('    xcb_tmp = (char*)++xcb_out;')
+            _c('    xcb_tmp += xcb_out_pad;')
+        else:
+            _c('    xcb_tmp = xcb_out;')
+            
+        # variable sized fields
+        _c('    for(i=0; i<xcb_parts_idx; i++) {')
+#        _c('        if (0 != xcb_parts[i].iov_base) {')
+        _c('        memcpy(xcb_tmp, xcb_parts[i].iov_base, xcb_parts[i].iov_len);')
+#        _c('        }')
+        _c('        xcb_tmp += xcb_parts[i].iov_len;')
+        _c('    }')
+    _c('')
+    _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
+    _c('}')
+# _c_serialize()
+
+def _c_unserialize(self):
+    _h_setlevel(1)
+    _c_setlevel(1)
+
+    # _unserialize()
+    _hc('')
+    # _unserialize() returns the buffer size as well
+    _hc('int')
+
+
+    variable_size_fields = 0
+    # maximum space required for type definition of function arguments
+    maxtypelen = 0
+    param_fields, wire_fields, params = get_serialize_params(self, unserialize=True)
+
+    # determine N(variable_fields) 
+    for field in param_fields:
+        # if self.is_switch, treat all fields as if they are variable sized
+        if not field.type.fixed_size() or self.is_switch:
+            variable_size_fields += 1
+    # determine maxtypelen
+    for p in params:
+        maxtypelen = max(maxtypelen, len(p[0]) + len(p[1]))    
+
+    # write to .c/.h
+    for p in range(len(params)):
+        line = ""
+        typespec, pointerspec, field_name = params[p]
+        indent = ' '*(len(self.c_unserialize_name)+2)
+        # p==0: function declaration
+        if 0==p:
+            line = "%s (" % self.c_unserialize_name
+            indent = ''
+            pointerspec = '*'
+        spacing = ' '*(maxtypelen-len(typespec)-len(pointerspec))
+        line += "%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */" % (indent, typespec, spacing, pointerspec, field_name)
+        if p < len(params)-1:
+            _hc("%s," % line)
+        else:
+            _h("%s);" % line)
+            _c("%s)" % line)
+                
+    _c('{')
+    _c('    char *xcb_tmp = _buffer;')
+    _c('    unsigned int xcb_buffer_len = 0;')
+    _c('    unsigned int xcb_block_len = 0;')
+    _c('')
+    code_lines = []
+    unserialize_fields(self, code_lines)
+    for l in code_lines:
+        _c(l)
+    _c('')
+    _c('    return xcb_buffer_len;')
+    _c('}')
+# _c_unserialize()
+
 def _c_iterator_get_end(field, accum):
     '''
     Figures out what C code is needed to find the end of a variable-length structure field.
@@ -450,6 +1007,28 @@ def _c_accessor_get_expr(expr, prefix=''):
 
     if expr.op == '~':
         return '(' + '~' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
+    elif expr.op == 'popcount':
+        return 'xcb_popcount(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
+    elif expr.op == 'enumref':
+        enum_name = expr.lenfield_type.name
+        constant_name = expr.lenfield_name
+        c_name = _n(enum_name + (constant_name,)).upper()
+        return c_name
+    elif expr.op == 'sumof':
+        # 1. locate the referenced list object
+        list_obj = expr.lenfield_type
+        field = None
+        for f in expr.lenfield_parent.fields:
+            if f.field_name == expr.lenfield_name:
+                field = f
+                break
+        if field is None:
+            raise Exception("list field '%s' referenced by sumof not found" % expr.lenfield_name)
+        if prefix != '':
+            prefix = "%s->" % prefix
+        list_name = "%s%s" % (prefix, field.c_field_name)
+        c_length_func = "%s(%s%s)" % (field.c_length_name, prefix, field.c_field_name)
+        return 'xcb_sumof(%s, %s)' % (list_name, c_length_func)
     elif expr.op != None:
         return '(' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.lhs, prefix) + ' ' + expr.op + ' ' + _c_accessor_get_expr(expr.rhs, prefix) + ')'
     elif expr.bitfield:
@@ -478,7 +1057,8 @@ def _c_accessors_field(self, field):
         _c('%s (const %s *R  /**< */)', field.c_accessor_name, self.c_type)
         _c('{')
         _c('    xcb_generic_iterator_t prev = %s;', _c_iterator_get_end(field.prev_varsized_field, 'R'))
-        _c('    return * (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
+        _c('    return * (%s *) ((char *) prev.data + XCB_TYPE_PAD(%s, prev.index) + %d);', 
+           field.c_field_type, field.first_field_after_varsized.type.c_type, field.prev_varsized_offset)
         _c('}')
     else:
         _hc('')
@@ -655,7 +1235,7 @@ def _c_complex(self):
 
     varfield = None
     for field in self.fields:
-        if not field.type.fixed_size():
+        if not field.type.fixed_size() and not self.is_switch:
             varfield = field.c_field_name
             continue
         if varfield != None and not field.type.is_pad and field.wire:
@@ -666,12 +1246,19 @@ def _c_complex(self):
             struct_fields.append(field)
         
     for field in struct_fields:
-        if len(field.c_field_type) > maxtypelen:
-            maxtypelen = len(field.c_field_type)
+        length = len(field.c_field_type)
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            length += 1
+        if length > maxtypelen:
+            maxtypelen = length
 
     for field in struct_fields:
-        spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_type))
-        _h('    %s%s %s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
+        if field.type.fixed_size():
+            spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_type))
+            _h('    %s%s %s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
+        else:
+            spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - (len(field.c_field_type) - 1))
+            _h('    %s%s *%s%s; /**<  */', field.c_field_type, spacing, field.c_field_name, field.c_subscript)
 
     _h('} %s;', self.c_type)
 
@@ -692,7 +1279,7 @@ def c_union(self, name):
     _c_complex(self)
     _c_iterator(self, name)
 
-def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
+def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular, aux=False):
     '''
     Declares a request function.
     '''
@@ -725,15 +1312,16 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
     func_ext_global = '&' + _ns.c_ext_global_name if _ns.is_ext else '0'
 
     # What our function name is
-    func_name = self.c_request_name
+    func_name = self.c_request_name if not aux else self.c_aux_name
     if checked:
-        func_name = self.c_checked_name
+        func_name = self.c_checked_name if not aux else self.c_aux_checked_name
     if unchecked:
-        func_name = self.c_unchecked_name
+        func_name = self.c_unchecked_name if not aux else self.c_aux_unchecked_name
 
     param_fields = []
     wire_fields = []
     maxtypelen = len('xcb_connection_t')
+    serial_fields = []
 
     for field in self.fields:
         if field.visible:
@@ -742,10 +1330,15 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
         if field.wire and not field.auto:
             # We need to set the field up in the structure
             wire_fields.append(field)
+        if field.type.need_serialize:
+            serial_fields.append(field)
         
     for field in param_fields:
-        if len(field.c_field_const_type) > maxtypelen:
-            maxtypelen = len(field.c_field_const_type)
+        c_field_const_type = field.c_field_const_type 
+        if field.type.need_serialize and not aux:
+            c_field_const_type = "const void"
+        if len(c_field_const_type) > maxtypelen:
+            maxtypelen = len(c_field_const_type)
 
     _h_setlevel(1)
     _c_setlevel(1)
@@ -777,8 +1370,11 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
     _hc(' ** @param xcb_connection_t%s *c', spacing)
 
     for field in param_fields:
-        spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_const_type))
-        _hc(' ** @param %s%s %s%s', field.c_field_const_type, spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name)
+        c_field_const_type = field.c_field_const_type 
+        if field.type.need_serialize and not aux:
+            c_field_const_type = "const void"
+        spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(c_field_const_type))
+        _hc(' ** @param %s%s %s%s', c_field_const_type, spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name)
 
     _hc(' ** @returns %s', cookie_type)
     _hc(' **')
@@ -796,16 +1392,24 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
     count = len(param_fields)
     for field in param_fields:
         count = count - 1
-        spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(field.c_field_const_type))
+        c_field_const_type = field.c_field_const_type 
+        if field.type.need_serialize and not aux:
+            c_field_const_type = "const void"
+        spacing = ' ' * (maxtypelen - len(c_field_const_type))
         comma = ',' if count else ');'
-        _h('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, field.c_field_const_type, spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
+        _h('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, c_field_const_type, 
+           spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
         comma = ',' if count else ')'
-        _c('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, field.c_field_const_type, spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
+        _c('%s%s%s %s%s  /**< */%s', func_spacing, c_field_const_type, 
+           spacing, field.c_pointer, field.c_field_name, comma)
 
     count = 2
     for field in param_fields:
         if not field.type.fixed_size():
             count = count + 2
+            if field.type.need_serialize:
+                # _serialize() keeps track of padding automatically
+                count -= 1
 
     _c('{')
     _c('    static const xcb_protocol_request_t xcb_req = {')
@@ -815,16 +1419,20 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
     _c('        /* isvoid */ %d', 1 if void else 0)
     _c('    };')
     _c('    ')
+
     _c('    struct iovec xcb_parts[%d];', count + 2)
     _c('    %s xcb_ret;', func_cookie)
     _c('    %s xcb_out;', self.c_type)
+    for idx, f in enumerate(serial_fields):
+        _c('    %s xcb_aux%d;', f.type.c_type, idx)
     _c('    ')
-
+    _c('    printf("in function %s\\n");' % func_name)     
+ 
+    # fixed size fields
     for field in wire_fields:
         if field.type.fixed_size():
             if field.type.is_expr:
                 _c('    xcb_out.%s = %s;', field.c_field_name, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr))
-
             elif field.type.is_pad:
                 if field.type.nmemb == 1:
                     _c('    xcb_out.%s = 0;', field.c_field_name)
@@ -842,19 +1450,46 @@ def _c_request_helper(self, name, cookie_type, void, regular):
     _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_base = 0;')
     _c('    xcb_parts[3].iov_len = -xcb_parts[2].iov_len & 3;')
 
+    # calls in order to free dyn. all. memory
+    free_calls = []
     count = 4
     for field in param_fields:
         if not field.type.fixed_size():
             _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = (char *) %s;', count, field.c_field_name)
+            if field.type.need_serialize:
+                idx = serial_fields.index(field)
+                serialize_args = get_serialize_params(field.type, 
+                                                      field.c_field_name, 
+                                                      '&xcb_aux%d' % idx,
+                                                      )[2]
+                serialize_args = reduce(lambda x,y: "%s, %s" % (x,y), [a[2] for a in serialize_args])
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = ', count)
+                if aux:
+                    _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_serialize_name, serialize_args)
+                    free_calls.append('    free(xcb_parts[%d].iov_base);' % count)
+                else:
+                    _c('      %s (%s);', field.type.c_unserialize_name, serialize_args)
             if field.type.is_list:
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
-            else:
-                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 'Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
-            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = 0;', count + 1)
-            _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = -xcb_parts[%d].iov_len & 3;', count + 1, count)
-            count = count + 2
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', count, 
+                   _c_accessor_get_expr(field.type.expr), field.type.member.c_wiretype)
+            elif not field.type.need_serialize:
+                # FIXME - _serialize()
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = %s * sizeof(%s);', 
+                   count, 'Uh oh', field.type.c_wiretype)
+            
+            count += 1
+            if not field.type.need_serialize:
+                # the _serialize() function keeps track of padding automatically
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_base = 0;', count)
+                _c('    xcb_parts[%d].iov_len = -xcb_parts[%d].iov_len & 3;', count, count-1)
+                count += 1
 
+    _c('    ')
     _c('    xcb_ret.sequence = xcb_send_request(c, %s, xcb_parts + 2, &xcb_req);', func_flags)
+    
+    # free dyn. all. data, if any
+    for f in free_calls:
+        _c(f)
     _c('    return xcb_ret;')
     _c('}')
 
@@ -948,6 +1583,9 @@ def c_request(self, name):
         # Request prototypes
         _c_request_helper(self, name, self.c_cookie_type, False, True)
         _c_request_helper(self, name, self.c_cookie_type, False, False)
+        if self.need_aux:
+            _c_request_helper(self, name, self.c_cookie_type, False, True, True)
+            _c_request_helper(self, name, self.c_cookie_type, False, False, True)
         # Reply accessors
         _c_accessors(self.reply, name + ('reply',), name)
         _c_reply(self, name)
@@ -955,6 +1593,10 @@ def c_request(self, name):
         # Request prototypes
         _c_request_helper(self, name, 'xcb_void_cookie_t', True, False)
         _c_request_helper(self, name, 'xcb_void_cookie_t', True, True)
+        if self.need_aux:
+            _c_request_helper(self, name, 'xcb_void_cookie_t', True, False, True)
+            _c_request_helper(self, name, 'xcb_void_cookie_t', True, True, True)
+
 
 def c_event(self, name):
     '''
@@ -1002,7 +1644,7 @@ output = {'open'    : c_open,
           'union'   : c_union,
           'request' : c_request,
           'event'   : c_event,
-          'error'   : c_error
+          'error'   : c_error, 
           }
 
 # Boilerplate below this point
commit 80322d11636dd638902660d80481080d2fad40fe
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Tue Jul 13 19:59:23 2010 +0200

    xkb: updated configure.ac/Makefile.am

diff --git a/Makefile.am b/Makefile.am
index ff9dea1..1f88b72 100644
--- a/Makefile.am
+++ b/Makefile.am
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ endif
 if BUILD_XINPUT
 pkgconfig_DATA += xcb-xinput.pc
 endif
+if BUILD_XKB
+pkgconfig_DATA += xcb-xkb.pc
+endif
 if BUILD_XPRINT
 pkgconfig_DATA += xcb-xprint.pc
 endif
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index c5f454b..67295f8 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ XCB_EXTENSION(XFixes, "yes")
 XCB_EXTENSION(XFree86-DRI, "yes")
 XCB_EXTENSION(Xinerama, "yes")
 XCB_EXTENSION(XInput, "no")
+XCB_EXTENSION(XKB, "no")
 XCB_EXTENSION(Xprint, "yes")
 XCB_EXTENSION(SELinux, "no")
 XCB_EXTENSION(XTest, "yes")
@@ -189,6 +190,7 @@ xcb-xf86dri.pc
 xcb-xfixes.pc
 xcb-xinerama.pc
 xcb-xinput.pc
+xcb-xkb.pc
 xcb-xprint.pc
 xcb-xselinux.pc
 xcb-xtest.pc
diff --git a/src/Makefile.am b/src/Makefile.am
index f0bdeaa..9b90914 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.am
+++ b/src/Makefile.am
@@ -168,6 +168,14 @@ libxcb_xinput_la_LIBADD = $(XCB_LIBS)
 nodist_libxcb_xinput_la_SOURCES = xinput.c xinput.h
 endif
 
+EXTSOURCES += xkb.c
+if BUILD_XKB
+lib_LTLIBRARIES += libxcb-xkb.la
+libxcb_xkb_la_LDFLAGS = -version-info 0:0:0 -no-undefined
+libxcb_xkb_la_LIBADD = $(XCB_LIBS)
+nodist_libxcb_xkb_la_SOURCES = xkb.c xkb.h
+endif
+
 EXTSOURCES += xprint.c
 if BUILD_XPRINT
 lib_LTLIBRARIES += libxcb-xprint.la
commit 8c2707773b3621fb8bbda9021d23944f5be34aab
Author: Christoph Reimann <oss at arcor.de>
Date:   Tue Jul 13 19:56:44 2010 +0200

    added xcb_sumof() with restriction to uint8_t

diff --git a/src/xcb_util.c b/src/xcb_util.c
index 8c2a031..58bd12d 100644
--- a/src/xcb_util.c
+++ b/src/xcb_util.c
@@ -59,6 +59,16 @@ int xcb_popcount(uint32_t mask)
     return ((y + (y >> 3)) & 030707070707) % 077;
 }
 
+int xcb_sumof(uint8_t *list, int len)
+{
+  int i, s = 0;
+  for(i=0; i<len; i++) {
+    s += *list;
+    list++;
+  }
+  return s;
+}
+
 static int _xcb_parse_display(const char *name, char **host, char **protocol,
                       int *displayp, int *screenp)
 {
diff --git a/src/xcbext.h b/src/xcbext.h
index 2e10ba2..eb69538 100644
--- a/src/xcbext.h
+++ b/src/xcbext.h
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ int xcb_poll_for_reply(xcb_connection_t *c, unsigned int request, void **reply,
 /* xcb_util.c */
 
 int xcb_popcount(uint32_t mask);
+int xcb_sumof(uint8_t *list, int len);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }


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