ConTeXt 2012.05.24 19:36

git-svn-id: svn://tug.org/texlive/trunk@26637 c570f23f-e606-0410-a88d-b1316a301751

51 files changed, 923 insertions, 510 deletions

diff --git a/Build/source/texk/texlive/context/mtxrun b/Build/source/texk/texlive/context/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Build/source/texk/texlive/context/mtxrun
+++ b/Build/source/texk/texlive/context/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/alpha-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/alpha-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/alpha-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/alpha-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/amd64-freebsd/mtxrun b/Master/bin/amd64-freebsd/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/amd64-freebsd/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/amd64-freebsd/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/amd64-kfreebsd/mtxrun b/Master/bin/amd64-kfreebsd/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/amd64-kfreebsd/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/amd64-kfreebsd/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/armel-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/armel-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/armel-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/armel-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-cygwin/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-cygwin/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-cygwin/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-cygwin/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-freebsd/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-freebsd/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-freebsd/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-freebsd/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-kfreebsd/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-kfreebsd/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-kfreebsd/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-kfreebsd/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-netbsd/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-netbsd/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-netbsd/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-netbsd/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/i386-solaris/mtxrun b/Master/bin/i386-solaris/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/i386-solaris/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/i386-solaris/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/mips-irix/mtxrun b/Master/bin/mips-irix/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/mips-irix/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/mips-irix/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/mipsel-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/mipsel-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/mipsel-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/mipsel-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/powerpc-aix/mtxrun b/Master/bin/powerpc-aix/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/powerpc-aix/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/powerpc-aix/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/powerpc-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/powerpc-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/powerpc-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/powerpc-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/sparc-solaris/mtxrun b/Master/bin/sparc-solaris/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/sparc-solaris/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/sparc-solaris/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/universal-darwin/mtxrun b/Master/bin/universal-darwin/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/universal-darwin/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/universal-darwin/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/win32/mtxrun.lua b/Master/bin/win32/mtxrun.lua
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/win32/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/Master/bin/win32/mtxrun.lua
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/x86_64-darwin/mtxrun b/Master/bin/x86_64-darwin/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/x86_64-darwin/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/x86_64-darwin/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/x86_64-linux/mtxrun b/Master/bin/x86_64-linux/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/x86_64-linux/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/x86_64-linux/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/bin/x86_64-solaris/mtxrun b/Master/bin/x86_64-solaris/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/bin/x86_64-solaris/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/bin/x86_64-solaris/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
index 52c72da6d4d..037de8650ff 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-update.lua
@@ -67,8 +67,8 @@ scripts.update.texformats = {
 }
 
 scripts.update.mpformats = {
-    "metafun",
-    "mpost",
+ -- "metafun",
+ -- "mpost",
 }
 
 -- experimental is not functional at the moment
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
index 118d1a8154e..36a3176c41a 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtx-watch.lua
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ local function noset(t)
     end
 end
 
-
 -- todo: split order (o-name.luj) and combine with atime to determine sort order.
 
 local function glob(files,path) -- some day: sort by name (order prefix) and atime
@@ -89,8 +88,10 @@ local function glob(files,path) -- some day: sort by name (order prefix) and ati
                     glob(files,name)
                 end
             elseif name:find(".%luj$") then
-             -- files[name] = a.change or a.ctime or a.modification or a.mtime
-                files[#files+1] = { dirname(name), basename(name) }
+                local bname = basename(name)
+                local dname = dirname(name)
+                local order = tonumber(bname:match("^(%d+)")) or 0
+                files[#files+1] = { dname, bname, order }
             end
         end
     end
@@ -98,13 +99,31 @@ end
 
 local clock = os.gettimeofday or os.time -- we cannot trust os.clock on linux
 
+-- local function filenamesort(a,b)
+--     local fa, da = a[1], a[2]
+--     local fb, db = b[1], b[2]
+--     if da == db then
+--         return fa < fb
+--     else
+--         return da < db
+--     end
+-- end
+
 local function filenamesort(a,b)
-    local fa, da = a[1], a[2]
-    local fb, db = b[1], b[2]
-    if da == db then
-        return fa < fb
+    local fa, oa = a[2], a[3]
+    local fb, ob = b[2], b[3]
+    if fa == fb then
+        if oa == ob then
+            return a[1] < b[1] -- order file  dir
+        else
+            return oa < ob     -- order file
+        end
     else
-        return da < db
+        if oa == ob then
+            return fa < fb     -- order file
+        else
+            return oa < ob     -- order file
+        end
     end
 end
 
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/lua/mtxrun.lua
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/mswin/mtxrun.lua
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
index e8f229572cc..51cbb95f269 100755
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/scripts/context/stubs/unix/mtxrun
@@ -11004,27 +11004,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -11039,9 +11042,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -11169,7 +11169,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
@@ -12333,8 +12333,10 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 -- selfautoparent:texmf/web2c
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
+    -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
     resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
     resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
@@ -12673,7 +12675,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
@@ -14028,13 +14030,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
@@ -15223,6 +15233,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
@@ -15298,7 +15309,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
index d6644664529..6341898eef5 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/bibl-tra.lua
@@ -129,37 +129,58 @@ end
 
 function hacks.resolve(prefix,block,reference) -- maybe already feed it split
     -- needs checking (the prefix in relation to components)
-    local subset = references.collected[prefix or ""] or references.collected[""]
-    if subset then
+    local subsets
+    local collected = references.collected
+    if prefix and prefix ~= "" then
+        subsets = { collected[prefix] or collected[""] }
+    else
+        local components = references.productdata.components
+        local subset = collected[""]
+        if subset then
+            subsets = { subset }
+        else
+            subsets = { }
+        end
+        for i=1,#components do
+            local subset = collected[components[i]]
+            if subset then
+                subsets[#subsets+1] = subset
+            end
+        end
+    end
+    if #subsets > 0 then
         local result, nofresult, done = { }, 0, { }
         block = tonumber(block)
-        for rest in gmatch(reference,"[^, ]+") do
-            local blk, tag, found = block, nil, nil
-            if block then
-                tag = blk .. ":" .. rest
-                found = subset[tag]
-                if not found then
-                    for i=block-1,1,-1 do
-                        tag = i .. ":" .. rest
-                        found = subset[tag]
-                        if found then
-                            blk = i
-                            break
+        for i=1,#subsets do
+            local subset = subsets[i]
+            for rest in gmatch(reference,"[^, ]+") do
+                local blk, tag, found = block, nil, nil
+                if block then
+                    tag = blk .. ":" .. rest
+                    found = subset[tag]
+                    if not found then
+                        for i=block-1,1,-1 do
+                            tag = i .. ":" .. rest
+                            found = subset[tag]
+                            if found then
+                                blk = i
+                                break
+                            end
                         end
                     end
                 end
-            end
-            if not found then
-                blk = "*"
-                tag = blk .. ":" .. rest
-                found = subset[tag]
-            end
-            if found then
-                local current = tonumber(found.entries and found.entries.text) -- tonumber needed
-                if current and not done[current] then
-                    nofresult = nofresult + 1
-                    result[nofresult] = { blk, rest, current }
-                    done[current] = true
+                if not found then
+                    blk = "*"
+                    tag = blk .. ":" .. rest
+                    found = subset[tag]
+                end
+                if found then
+                    local current = tonumber(found.entries and found.entries.text) -- tonumber needed
+                    if current and not done[current] then
+                        nofresult = nofresult + 1
+                        result[nofresult] = { blk, rest, current }
+                        done[current] = true
+                    end
                 end
             end
         end
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/chem-ini.mkiv b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/chem-ini.mkiv
index c0a1d021e7c..357bceefa66 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/chem-ini.mkiv
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/chem-ini.mkiv
@@ -22,7 +22,8 @@
 %D Quick and dirty:
 %D
 %D \starttyping
-%D \def\molecule#1{$\enablesupersub\tf#1$}
+%D \unexpanded\def\molecule#1%
+%D   {$\enablesupersub\tf#1$}
 %D \stoptyping
 %D
 %D Using \LUA:
@@ -35,11 +36,12 @@
 %D
 %D \typebuffer \getbuffer
 
-\def\molecule#1{\ctxcommand{molecule(\!!bs#1\!!es)}}
+\unexpanded\def\molecule#1%
+  {\ctxcommand{molecule(\!!bs#1\!!es)}}
 
 %D For old times sake:
 
-\def\chem#1#2#3%
+\unexpanded\def\chem#1#2#3%
   {\dontleavehmode\begingroup#1\lohi{#2}{#3}\endgroup}
 
 \protect \endinput
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
index 6fec69ba09d..94e836e1d9f 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkii
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2012.05.23 23:31}
+\newcontextversion{2012.05.24 19:36}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
index a1b22eb78cb..d134237417a 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/cont-new.mkiv
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 %C therefore copyrighted by \PRAGMA. See mreadme.pdf for
 %C details.
 
-\newcontextversion{2012.05.23 23:31}
+\newcontextversion{2012.05.24 19:36}
 
 %D This file is loaded at runtime, thereby providing an
 %D excellent place for hacks, patches, extensions and new
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
index e9e731e57a3..dc456136f95 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.pdf
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.png b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.png
index 11ae2e330e0..bc31e8a30fa 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.png
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context-version.png
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkii b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkii
index e38253f18fb..1e8d73c4c5e 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkii
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkii
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 %D your styles an modules.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2012.05.23 23:31}
+\edef\contextversion{2012.05.24 19:36}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkiv b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
index 28d2507916a..98898765ff5 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/context.mkiv
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 %D up and the dependencies are more consistent.
 
 \edef\contextformat {\jobname}
-\edef\contextversion{2012.05.23 23:31}
+\edef\contextversion{2012.05.24 19:36}
 
 %D For those who want to use this:
 
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
index 1e323728c86..8040e5963e9 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-exp.lua
@@ -42,27 +42,30 @@ local function f_second(a,b)
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
+-- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
+--
 -- local function f_both(a,b)
 --     local t, n = { }, 0
---     for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
---         for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
+--     for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
+--         for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
 --             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
 --         end
 --     end
 --     return concat(t,",")
 -- end
+--
+-- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
 
 local function f_both(a,b)
     local t, n = { }, 0
-    for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do
-        for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do
+    for sb in gmatch(b,"[^,]+") do              -- and not sa
+        for sa in gmatch(a,"[^,]+") do          --         sb
             n = n + 1 ; t[n] = sa .. sb
         end
     end
     return concat(t,",")
 end
 
-
 local left  = P("{")
 local right = P("}")
 local var   = P((1 - S("{}" ))^0)
@@ -77,9 +80,6 @@ local l_rest   = Cs( ( left * var * (left/"") * var * (right/"") * var * right
 local stripper_1 = lpeg.stripper ("{}@")
 local replacer_1 = lpeg.replacer { { ",}", ",@}" }, { "{,", "{@," }, }
 
--- old  {a,b}{c,d} => ac ad bc bd
--- new  {a,b}{c,d} => ac bc ad bd
-
 local function splitpathexpr(str, newlist, validate) -- I couldn't resist lpegging it (nice exercise).
     if trace_expansions then
         report_expansions("expanding variable '%s'",str)
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ local stripper = Cs(
 )
 
 function resolvers.checkedvariable(str) -- assumes str is a string
-    return lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
+    return type(str) == "string" and lpegmatch(stripper,str) or str
 end
 
 -- The path splitter:
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-lst.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-lst.lua
index b1dedfae389..c86e58fd82a 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-lst.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-lst.lua
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ function resolvers.listers.variables(pattern)
             report_lists("  env: %s",tabstr(rawget(environment,key))    or "unset")
             report_lists("  var: %s",tabstr(configured[key])            or "unset")
             report_lists("  exp: %s",tabstr(expansions[key])            or "unset")
-            report_lists("  res: %s",resolvers.resolve(expansions[key]) or "unset")
+            report_lists("  res: %s",tabstr(resolvers.resolve(expansions[key])) or "unset")
         end
     end
     instance.environment = fastcopy(env)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-pre.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-pre.lua
index 383ca291e97..5b25c5f874d 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-pre.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-pre.lua
@@ -122,13 +122,21 @@ function resolvers.resetresolve(str)
 end
 
 local function resolve(str) -- use schemes, this one is then for the commandline only
-    local res = resolved[str]
-    if not res then
-        res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc
-        resolved[str] = res
-        abstract[res] = str
+    if type(str) == "table" then
+        local t = { }
+        for i=1,#str do
+            t[i] = resolve(str[i])
+        end
+        return t
+    else
+        local res = resolved[str]
+        if not res then
+            res = gsub(str,"([a-z][a-z]+):([^ \"\';,]*)",_resolve_) -- home:xx;selfautoparent:xx; etc (comma added)
+            resolved[str] = res
+            abstract[res] = str
+        end
+        return res
     end
-    return res
 end
 
 local function unresolve(str)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-res.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
index 335c44dc171..01b5f25254e 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-res.lua
@@ -91,20 +91,14 @@ resolvers.luacnfstate   = "unknown"
 
 if environment.default_texmfcnf then
     -- unfortunately we now have quite some overkill in the spec (not so nice on a network)
-    local luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
-    -- we also want to use this in the minimals / standalone
-    -- bu tit's too tricky as it can be an expanded spec
-    -- luacnfspec = gsub(luacnfspec,"%-local","-local,-context")
-    -- and we also need to support the home dir (for taco)
-    resolvers.luacnfspec = 'home:texmf/web2c;' .. luacnfspec
-elseif this_is_texlive then
-    -- old, in case default_texmfcnf is not supported yet
-    resolvers.luacnfspec = 'selfautodir:;selfautoparent:;{selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{/share,}/texmf{-local,}/web2c'
+    resolvers.luacnfspec = environment.default_texmfcnf
 else
-    -- the best for the minimals / standalone
-    resolvers.luacnfspec = 'home:texmf/web2c;selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c'
+ -- resolvers.luacnfspec = "selfautoparent:texmf{-local,-context,}/web2c"
+    resolvers.luacnfspec = "{selfautoloc:,selfautodir:,selfautoparent:}{,/texmf{-local,}/web2c}"
 end
 
+resolvers.luacnfspec = 'home:texmf/web2c;' .. resolvers.luacnfspec
+
 -- which (as we want users to use the web2c path) be can be simplified to this:
 --
 -- if environment and environment.ownpath and string.find(environment.ownpath,"[\\/]texlive[\\/]") then
@@ -446,7 +440,7 @@ local function load_configuration_files()
                     instance.loaderror = true
                 end
             elseif trace_locating then
-                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no file)",filename)
+                report_resolving("skipping configuration file '%s' (no valid format)",filename)
             end
             instance.order[#instance.order+1] = instance.setups[pathname]
             if instance.loaderror then
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
index 260beb9f431..75dcdd956f5 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/data-tmf.lua
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ function resolvers.load_tree(tree,resolve)
         -- local AUTOPARENT etc. although these are alwasy set new.
 
         if resolve then
+         -- resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.joinpath(resolvers.resolve(resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))))
             resolvers.luacnfspec = resolvers.resolve(resolvers.luacnfspec)
         end
 
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-ota.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-ota.lua
index c4663e1f4ed..edf5996b3df 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-ota.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-ota.lua
@@ -235,15 +235,19 @@ local isol_fina_medi_init = {
     [0x076D] = true, [0x076E] = true, [0x076F] = true, [0x0770] = true,
     [0x0772] = true, [0x0775] = true, [0x0776] = true, [0x0777] = true,
     [0x077A] = true, [0x077B] = true, [0x077C] = true, [0x077D] = true,
-    [0x077E] = true, [0x077F] = true, [zwj] = true,
+    [0x077E] = true, [0x077F] = true,
 
     -- syriac
 
 	[0x0712] = true, [0x0713] = true, [0x0714] = true, [0x071A] = true,
 	[0x071B] = true, [0x071C] = true, [0x071D] = true, [0x071F] = true,
 	[0x0720] = true, [0x0721] = true, [0x0722] = true, [0x0723] = true,
-	[0x0725] = true, [0x0726] = true, [0x0727] = true, [0x0729] = true,
-	[0x072B] = true, [0x0724] = true, [0x0706] = true, [0x0707] = true,
+	[0x0724] = true, [0x0725] = true, [0x0726] = true, [0x0727] = true,
+	[0x0729] = true, [0x072B] = true,
+
+    -- also
+
+    [zwj] = true,
 }
 
 local arab_warned = { }
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
index 7a5708583d0..d97ef7363b7 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/font-otn.lua
@@ -1167,7 +1167,11 @@ function chainprocs.gsub_ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,looku
                 logwarning("%s: no ligatures starting with %s",cref(kind,chainname,chainlookupname,lookupname,chainindex),gref(startchar))
             end
         else
-            local s, discfound, last, nofreplacements = start.next, false, stop, 0
+            local s = start.next
+            local discfound = false
+            local last = stop
+            local nofreplacements = 0
+            local skipmark = currentlookup.flags[1]
             while s do
                 local id = s.id
                 if id == disc_code then
@@ -1175,7 +1179,7 @@ function chainprocs.gsub_ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,looku
                     discfound = true
                 else
                     local schar = s.char
-                    if marks[schar] then -- marks
+                    if skipmark and marks[schar] then -- marks
                         s = s.next
                     else
                         local lg = ligatures[schar]
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/lpdf-ano.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/lpdf-ano.lua
index 4d0a55f806b..154296e9be2 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/lpdf-ano.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/lpdf-ano.lua
@@ -317,11 +317,16 @@ end  node.free(lln)
 -- -- -- --
 -- -- -- --
 
+local done = { } -- prevent messages
+
 function nodeinjections.destination(width,height,depth,name,view)
-    if trace_destinations then
-        report_destination("w=%s, h=%s, d=%s, n=%s, v=%s",width,height,depth,name,view or "no view")
+    if not done[name] then
+        done[name] = true
+        if trace_destinations then
+            report_destination("w=%s, h=%s, d=%s, n=%s, v=%s",width,height,depth,name,view or "no view")
+        end
+        return pdfdestination_node(width,height,depth,name,view)
     end
-    return pdfdestination_node(width,height,depth,name,view)
 end
 
 -- runners and specials
@@ -341,7 +346,12 @@ runners["inner"] = function(var,actions)
     else
         var.inner = nil
     end
-    return link(nil,nil,var.inner,var.r,actions)
+    local prefix = var.p
+    local inner = var.inner
+    if inner and prefix and prefix ~= "" then
+        inner = prefix .. ":" .. inner -- might not always be ok
+    end
+    return link(nil,nil,inner,var.r,actions)
 end
 
 runners["inner with arguments"] = function(var,actions)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/s-inf-04.mkiv b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/s-inf-04.mkiv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..862bed72f29
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/s-inf-04.mkiv
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+\usemodule[art-01]
+
+\setupbodyfont[10pt]
+
+\starttext
+
+    \startluacode
+
+        context.subject("Configuration files")
+
+        local configurations = resolvers.instance.specification
+
+        context.starttabulate { "|Tl|Tl|" }
+        for i=1,#configurations do
+            context.NC()
+            context(i)
+            context.NC()
+            context.verbatim(resolvers.resolve(configurations[i]))
+            context.NC()
+            context.NR()
+        end
+        context.stoptabulate()
+
+        local list = resolvers.expandedpathfromlist(resolvers.splitpath(resolvers.luacnfspec))
+
+        context.subject("Configuration paths")
+
+     -- context.verbatim(resolvers.luacnfspec)
+
+        context.starttabulate { "|Tl|Tl|" }
+        for i=1,#list do
+            local li = resolvers.resolve(list[i])
+            context.NC()
+            if lfs.isdir(li) then
+                context("-")
+            else
+                context("+")
+            end
+            context.NC()
+            context.verbatim(li)
+            context.NC()
+            context.NR()
+        end
+        context.stoptabulate()
+
+    \stopluacode
+
+\stoptext
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
index 2fbed7a151f..a1fb1c9c8c6 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-files.pdf
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
index 3eee265ed68..dcdf423f294 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-lua.pdf
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-mkiv.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-mkiv.lua
index 5c54b079f19..a94080378a3 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-mkiv.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/status-mkiv.lua
@@ -1318,7 +1318,7 @@ return {
         {
             filename = "chem-ini",
             marktype = "mkiv",
-            status   = "unknown",
+            status   = "okay",
         },
         {
             filename = "chem-str",
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
index 220de809a3b..956acaae506 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-con.mkvi
@@ -400,6 +400,7 @@
       \fi
       \advance\ifx#1\v!flushleft\rightskip\else\leftskip\fi\constructionsheaddistance % only difference and wrong anyway
       \ifhbox\constructionheadbox\unhcopy\else\copy\fi\constructionheadbox}%
+\setbox\constructionheadbox\hbox{\box\constructionheadbox}% needed in case of e.g. a real big head font, see descriptions-006.tex
    \ht\constructionheadbox\strutht
    \dp\constructionheadbox\strutdp}
 
@@ -415,6 +416,7 @@
         \setupalign[\p_headalign]% use fast one
       \fi
       \ifhbox\constructionheadbox\unhcopy\else\copy\fi\constructionheadbox}%
+\setbox\constructionheadbox\hbox{\box\constructionheadbox}% needed in case of e.g. a real big head font, see descriptions-006.tex
    \ht\constructionheadbox\strutht
    \dp\constructionheadbox\strutdp}
 
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
index c246ccd2762..78efcad815a 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ini.lua
@@ -287,11 +287,9 @@ local splitter = lpeg.splitat("::")
 function sets.get(namespace,block,name,level,default) -- check if name is passed
     --fixed::R:a: ...
     local kind, rest = lpegmatch(splitter,name)
-    if kind and rest then
-        if kind == "fixed" then
-            local s = settings_to_array(rest)
-            return s[level] or default
-        end
+    if rest and kind == "fixed" then -- fixed::n,a,i
+        local s = settings_to_array(rest)
+        return s[level] or s[#s] or default
     end
     --
     local ds = setlist[namespace]
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
index 8a478a4e6e7..092babfaed6 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.lua
@@ -261,17 +261,28 @@ references.setcomponent = setcomponent
 
 function references.set(kind,prefix,tag,data)
 --  setcomponent(data)
-    local pd = tobesaved[prefix]
+    local pd = tobesaved[prefix] -- nicer is a metatable
     if not pd then
         pd = { }
         tobesaved[prefix] = pd
     end
+    local n = 0
     for ref in gmatch(tag,"[^,]+") do
         if ref ~= "" then
-            pd[ref] = data
-            context.dofinishsomereference(kind,prefix,ref)
+            if pd[ref] then
+                if prefix and prefix ~= "" then
+                    report_references("redundant reference: %q in namespace %q",ref,prefix)
+                else
+                    report_references("redundant reference %q",ref)
+                end
+            else
+                n = n + 1
+                pd[ref] = data
+                context.dofinishsomereference(kind,prefix,ref)
+            end
         end
     end
+    return n > 0
 end
 
 function references.enhance(prefix,tag)
@@ -348,14 +359,22 @@ local function register_from_lists(collected,derived,pages,sections)
             if reference ~= "" then
                 local kind, realpage = m.kind, r.realpage
                 if kind and realpage then
-                    local d = derived[prefix] if not d then d = { } derived[prefix] = d end
-local c = derived[component] if not c then c = { } derived[component] = c end
+                    local d = derived[prefix]
+                    if not d then
+                        d = { }
+                        derived[prefix] = d
+                    end
+                    local c = derived[component]
+                    if not c then
+                        c = { }
+                        derived[component] = c
+                    end
                     local t = { kind, i, entry }
                     for s in gmatch(reference,"%s*([^,]+)") do
                         if trace_referencing then
                             report_references("list entry %s provides %s reference '%s' on realpage %s",i,kind,s,realpage)
                         end
-c[s] = c[s] or t -- share them
+                        c[s] = c[s] or t -- share them
                         d[s] = d[s] or t -- share them
                         g[s] = g[s] or t -- first wins
                     end
@@ -768,12 +787,14 @@ table.setmetatableindex(externals,function(t,k) -- either or not automatically
     return false
 end)
 
-local productdata = {
+local productdata = allocate {
     productreferences   = { },
     componentreferences = { },
     components          = { },
 }
 
+references.productdata = productdata
+
 local function loadproductreferences(productname,componentname,utilitydata)
     local struc = utilitydata.structures
     if struc then
@@ -923,6 +944,11 @@ local function loadproductcomponents(product,component,utilitydata)
     productdata.components = componentlist(job and job.structure and job.structure.collected) or { }
 end
 
+references.registerinitializer(function(tobesaved,collected)
+    -- not that much related to tobesaved or collected
+    productdata.components = componentlist(job.structure.collected) or { }
+end)
+
 function structures.references.loadpresets(product,component) -- we can consider a special components hash
     if product and component and product~= "" and component ~= "" and not productdata.product then -- maybe: productdata.filename ~= filename
         productdata.product = product
@@ -1294,6 +1320,7 @@ local function identify_inner_or_outer(set,var,i)
         end
 
 local components = job.structure.components
+
 if components then
     for i=1,#components do
         local component = components[i]
@@ -1585,8 +1612,11 @@ function references.setinternalreference(prefix,tag,internal,view) -- needs chec
 end
 
 function references.setandgetattribute(kind,prefix,tag,data,view) -- maybe do internal automatically here
-    references.set(kind,prefix,tag,data)
-    texcount.lastdestinationattribute = references.setinternalreference(prefix,tag,nil,view) or -0x7FFFFFFF
+    if references.set(kind,prefix,tag,data) then
+        texcount.lastdestinationattribute = references.setinternalreference(prefix,tag,nil,view) or unsetvalue
+    else
+        texcount.lastdestinationattribute = unsetvalue
+    end
 end
 
 function references.getinternalreference(n) -- n points into list (todo: registers)
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.mkvi b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.mkvi
index 161502c9bf5..ee45d76fafe 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.mkvi
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/context/base/strc-ref.mkvi
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@
    \ifx\@@rfprefix\empty
      \let\referenceprefix\empty
    \else\ifx\@@rfprefix\incrementreferenceprefix
-     \advance\prefixcounter \plusone % should be global
+     \global\advance\prefixcounter \plusone
      \edef\referenceprefix{\the\prefixcounter}%
      \let\@@rfprefix\s!unknown
    \else\ifx\@@rfprefix\decrementreferenceprefix
diff --git a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
index b47e3299fa7..32f7365f0f7 100644
--- a/Master/texmf-dist/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
+++ b/Master/texmf-dist/tex/generic/context/luatex/luatex-fonts-merged.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 -- merged file : luatex-fonts-merged.lua
 -- parent file : luatex-fonts.lua
--- merge date  : 05/23/12 23:31:34
+-- merge date  : 05/24/12 19:36:52
 
 do -- begin closure to overcome local limits and interference
 
@@ -9741,7 +9741,11 @@ function chainprocs.gsub_ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,looku
                 logwarning("%s: no ligatures starting with %s",cref(kind,chainname,chainlookupname,lookupname,chainindex),gref(startchar))
             end
         else
-            local s, discfound, last, nofreplacements = start.next, false, stop, 0
+            local s = start.next
+            local discfound = false
+            local last = stop
+            local nofreplacements = 0
+            local skipmark = currentlookup.flags[1]
             while s do
                 local id = s.id
                 if id == disc_code then
@@ -9749,7 +9753,7 @@ function chainprocs.gsub_ligature(start,stop,kind,chainname,currentcontext,looku
                     discfound = true
                 else
                     local schar = s.char
-                    if marks[schar] then -- marks
+                    if skipmark and marks[schar] then -- marks
                         s = s.next
                     else
                         local lg = ligatures[schar]
@@ -11983,15 +11987,19 @@ local isol_fina_medi_init = {
     [0x076D] = true, [0x076E] = true, [0x076F] = true, [0x0770] = true,
     [0x0772] = true, [0x0775] = true, [0x0776] = true, [0x0777] = true,
     [0x077A] = true, [0x077B] = true, [0x077C] = true, [0x077D] = true,
-    [0x077E] = true, [0x077F] = true, [zwj] = true,
+    [0x077E] = true, [0x077F] = true,
 
     -- syriac
 
 	[0x0712] = true, [0x0713] = true, [0x0714] = true, [0x071A] = true,
 	[0x071B] = true, [0x071C] = true, [0x071D] = true, [0x071F] = true,
 	[0x0720] = true, [0x0721] = true, [0x0722] = true, [0x0723] = true,
-	[0x0725] = true, [0x0726] = true, [0x0727] = true, [0x0729] = true,
-	[0x072B] = true, [0x0724] = true, [0x0706] = true, [0x0707] = true,
+	[0x0724] = true, [0x0725] = true, [0x0726] = true, [0x0727] = true,
+	[0x0729] = true, [0x072B] = true,
+
+    -- also
+
+    [zwj] = true,
 }
 
 local arab_warned = { }