diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index b5bc499..6cdd462 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+* Tue Apr 27 2004 Marc Wäckerlin <marc@waeckerlin.org> - mrw-c++-0.91 (mrw)
+	- mrw/arg.hpp: Command line argument evaluation
+	- mrw/smartpointer.hpp: Smart pointer implementation
+	- configure: Correction for Solaris
 * Fri Apr 24 2004 Marc Wäckerlin <marc@waeckerlin.org> - mrw-c++-0.90 (mrw)
 	- initial rpm with two spec files
 	- test cases for libmrwexcstderr and libmrwexclog4cxx
diff --git a/NEWS b/NEWS
index 3112486..4418edc 100644
--- a/NEWS
+++ b/NEWS
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+New: Command line argument evaluation and SmartPointer
+
 This is a preliminary release. Especially tests, configure
 environment, packages and documentation are not yet finished. It
 should already work, even though it may be not yet perfect.
diff --git a/configure.in b/configure.in
index 5b25db9..3d5b2e4 100644
--- a/configure.in
+++ b/configure.in
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 AC_INIT([mrw/mrw.hpp.in])
 PACKAGENAME=mrw-c++
 MAJOR=0
-MINOR=90
+MINOR=91
 SUPPORT=beta
 AM_INIT_AUTOMAKE(@PACKAGENAME@, @MAJOR@.@MINOR@, [marc@waeckerlin.org])
 
@@ -32,11 +32,11 @@ AC_CHECK_HEADER(sys/old_procfs.h, [AM_CPPFLAGS=-D__solaris__])
 AC_SEARCH_LIBS(cplus_demangle, iberty, [AC_MSG_RESULT([OK])],
                [AC_MSG_ERROR([Library iberty is required!])])
 AC_SEARCH_LIBS(bfd_arch_list, bfd, [AC_MSG_RESULT([OK])],
-               [
-               AC_SEARCH_LIBS(bfd_arch_list, bfd, [AC_MSG_RESULT([OK])],
-                              [AC_MSG_ERROR([BFD library libbfd is required])],
-                              [-lintl])
-               ])
+               [no_bfd=true])
+if [ -n "$no_bfd" ]; then
+  AC_SEARCH_LIBS(bfd_arch_list, bfd, [AC_MSG_RESULT([OK])],
+                 [AC_MSG_ERROR([BFD library libbfd is required])], [-lintl])
+fi
 
 # Arguments
 AM_MAINTAINER_MODE
diff --git a/makefile.am b/makefile.am
index 007170a..314f0b3 100644
--- a/makefile.am
+++ b/makefile.am
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 SUBDIRS = mrw
 
+EXTRA_DIST = bootstrap.sh
+
 nobase_include_HEADERS = mrw/auto.hpp mrw/unistd.hpp \
                   mrw/stacktrace.hpp mrw/exception.hpp \
 		  mrw/exec.hpp
diff --git a/mrw/arg.hpp b/mrw/arg.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8571ee9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mrw/arg.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,686 @@
+#include <mrw/exception.hpp>
+#include <mrw/stacktrace.hpp>
+#include <mrw/smartpointer.hpp>
+#include <mrw/simpletrace.hpp>
+#include <stdlib.h> // exit
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <set>
+#include <list>
+#include <exception>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <sstream>
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace mrw {
+
+  /** @defgroup arguments C++ Evaluation of Command Line Arguments
+
+      @brief These classes do simple and easy command line argment evaluation
+      in C++.
+
+      Features:
+       - every argument has a long and a short option
+       - all arguments are optional and provide a default value
+       - the order of options is not important
+       - every option can take any (fixed) number of additional parameter of
+         type
+          - string
+          - integer
+          - boolean (@c "yes", @c "on", @c "true" evaluates to @c true)
+       - short options can be combined, instead of
+         @c -a @c -b @c -c @c 15 you can simply write @c -abc @c 15
+       - automated help display (support for option @c -h)
+
+      @c mrw::Args is the main user interface class that represents
+      all command line options with their arguments. It is implemented
+      as singleton, so the same instance can be accessed from
+      everywhere in the code. It mst be setup just in the beginning of
+      the @c main() function.
+
+      The other important class for the end user is @c mrw::Opt, one
+      possible option with additional parameter. The end user needs @c
+      mrw::Opt to setup all allowed command line options in the
+      beginning, bevore evaluation of the user given command line is
+      done (before @c argc and @c argv is shifted into @c mrw::Args.
+
+      The third class a user should know is @c mrw::Param. It
+      represents the arguments to one option. Every instance of @c
+      mrw::Opt owns one instance of @c mrw::Param that is either empty
+      or list of (mandatory) arguments of type @c std::string, @c int
+      or @c bool.
+
+      The classes are normally used this way:
+
+      @code
+  // this program may be called e.g. with the following arguments:
+  //   ./a.out --coordinates 13 1 -vo out.txt -n MyName
+  int main(int argv, const char * const * const argv) {
+    try {
+      mrw::Args::instance()
+        // setup the possible options
+        <<mrw::Opt('h', "--help", "Show this help text")
+        <<mrw::Opt('v', "--verbose", "print more information")
+        <<mrw::Opt('q', "--quiet", "be quiet")
+        <<mrw::Opt('n', "--name", mrw::Param()<<"MRW", "name of the user")
+        <<mrw::Opt('o', "--output-file", mrw::Param()<<"", "file to load")
+        <<mrw::Opt('c', "--coordinates", mrw::Param()<<0<<0, "X, Y coordinate")
+        // set a description text for help
+        <<"This is a testprogram for argument evaluation in C++"
+        // define the help option
+        <<'h'
+        // shift in the command line arguments
+        <<argc<<argv;
+         ...
+        // example usage of simple option
+        if (mrw::Args::instance().find('v')) // be verbose here
+         ...
+        // example usage of option with (one) parameter
+        ifstream file(mrw::Args::instance().find('o').toString().c_str());
+         ...
+        return 0
+      }
+    } catch (mrw::exception& x) {
+      // trace error, print help or mention option -h
+    }
+  }
+      @endcode
+   */
+  //@{
+
+  /** @brief List of additional (mandatory) parameter to one command
+      line argument.
+      @pre #include<mrw/arg.hpp>
+
+      A new mandatory parameter is added to the list of parameter, by
+      shifting the default value into the instance of @c
+      mrw::Param. E.g. add a string, that defaults to @c "noname", an
+      integer, that defaults to @c 4, another integer that defaults to
+      @2 and a boolean that defaults to @c "true":
+
+      @code
+      // if you need the instance as variable:
+      mrw::Param p();
+      p<<"noname"<<4<<2<<true;
+      // or in an expression:
+      mrw::Opt o('e', "--example", mrw::Param()<<"noname"<<4<<2<<true, "");
+      @endcode
+
+      To access a value at a given position, simply use @c
+      operator[]. Then use @c mrw::Value::toString, @c
+      mrw::Value::toInt or @c mrw::Value::toBool to get the value of
+      that parameter. Of course yo must know the correct type of a
+      parameter at a given position, but since you are the programmer
+      you know it, or you can get it by running your program with the
+      help option, mostly @c -h. To retrieve the parameters setup in
+      the example above (connected to option @c -e or @c --example),
+      either the default value, or the value overwritten by the user,
+      simply type:
+
+      @code
+      mrw::Args& args = mrw::Args::instance();
+      std::string theString = args[0]->toString();
+      int firstInteger = args[1]->toInt();
+      int secondInteger = args[2]->toInt();
+      bool theBoolean = args[3]->toBool();
+      @endcode
+
+      @section argParts Setup Command Line from Different Program Parts
+
+      If your software is large and splitted into different parts (or
+      sub projects or modules, ...), all with their own parameter, you
+      can use the following trick: Statical variables are initialized
+      before the @c main() function is called.
+
+      In part Abc write in a code file (not in a header file):
+
+      @code
+      class AbcArguments {
+      public:
+        AbcArguments() {
+          mrw::Args::instance()
+            <<mrw::Opt('n', "--name", mrw::Param()<<"MRW", "name of the user")
+            <<mrw::Opt('o', "--output-file", mrw::Param()<<"", "file to load")
+            <<mrw::Opt('c', "--coordinates", mrw::Param()<<0<<0,
+                       "X, Y coordinate")
+            <<"Description text for part Abc, will be added to the\n"
+              "overall documentation";
+        }
+      };
+      static AbcArgument abcArgumentInitializer;
+      @endcode
+
+      Do the same for all other parts Then the @c main() function reduces to:
+
+      @code
+      int main(int argc, const char * const * const argv) {
+        // set the help and evaluate the user given arguments
+        mrw::Args::instance()
+          <<mrw::Opt('h', "--help", "Show this help text")
+          <<'h'<<argc<<argv;
+         ...
+      }
+      @endcode
+  */
+  class Param {
+    
+  public:
+
+    /** @brief Abstract base class to represent one single parameter value.
+        @pre #include<mrw/arg.hpp>
+     */
+    class Value {
+      
+    public:
+      
+      virtual ~Value() {}
+      
+      /** @brief If the instance is a @c std::string, return that
+          string, otherwise throw an exception.
+          @throw mrw::bad_cast if the instance is not a string
+          @return the string, if the instance is a string
+      */
+      virtual const std::string& toString() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        throw mrw::bad_cast();
+      }
+      
+      /** @brief If the instance is an @c int, return that integer,
+          otherwise throw an exception.
+          @throw mrw::bad_cast if the instance is not a integer
+          @return the integer, if the instance is a integer
+      */
+      virtual int toInt() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        throw mrw::bad_cast();
+      }
+
+      /** @brief If the instance is an @c bool, return that boolean,
+          otherwise throw an exception.
+          @note the following typings are converted to @c true:
+            - true
+            - yes
+            - on
+          Everything else is converted to @c false.
+          @throw mrw::bad_cast if the instance is not a boolean
+          @return the boolean, if the instance is a boolean
+      */
+      virtual bool toBool() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        throw mrw::bad_cast();
+      }
+
+      /// @brief returns a printable representation of the value
+      virtual std::string printable() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) = 0;
+
+      /// @brief returns a printable typename of the value
+      virtual const std::string& typestr() const throw(mrw::bad_exception)=0;
+      
+    protected:
+      friend class Args; // allow assign for Param
+      virtual void operator=(const std::string&) throw(mrw::exception) = 0;
+    };
+
+  private:
+    
+    class StringValue: public Value {
+    public:
+      virtual ~StringValue() {}
+      StringValue(const std::string& s) throw(mrw::bad_exception): _s(s) {
+      }
+      virtual const std::string& toString() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        return _s;
+      }
+      virtual const std::string& typestr() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        static std::string name("string");
+        return name;
+      }
+      virtual std::string printable() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        return _s;
+      }
+    protected:
+      virtual void operator=(const std::string& s) throw(mrw::exception) {
+        _s = s;
+      }
+    private:
+      std::string _s;
+    };
+    
+    class IntValue: public Value {
+    public:
+      virtual ~IntValue() {}
+      IntValue(int i) throw(mrw::bad_exception): _i(i) {
+      }
+      virtual int toInt() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        return _i;
+      }
+      virtual const std::string& typestr() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        static std::string name("integer");
+        return name;
+      }
+      virtual std::string printable() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        return ((std::stringstream&)(std::stringstream()<<_i)).str();
+      }
+    protected:
+      virtual void operator=(const std::string& s) throw(mrw::exception) {
+        if (!(std::stringstream(s)>>_i)) throw mrw::bad_cast();
+      }
+    private:
+      int _i;
+    };
+    
+    class BoolValue: public Value {
+    public:
+      virtual ~BoolValue() {}
+      BoolValue(bool b) throw(mrw::bad_exception): _b(b) {
+      }
+      virtual bool toBool() const throw(mrw::exception) {
+        return _b;
+      }
+      virtual const std::string& typestr() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        static std::string name("boolean (\"yes\" or \"no\")");
+        return name;
+      }
+      virtual std::string printable() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+        return _b?"yes":"no";
+      }
+    protected:
+      virtual void operator=(const std::string& s) throw(mrw::exception) {
+        _b = s=="true" || s=="yes" || s=="on";
+      }
+    private:
+      bool _b;
+    };
+    
+    typedef std::vector< mrw::SmartPointer<Value> > Params;
+    Params _params;
+    
+  public:
+
+    /// @brief returns the number of (mandatory) parameter
+    int size() const throw(std::bad_exception) {
+      return _params.size();
+    }
+
+    /// @brief add one more mandatory string parameter
+    Param& operator<<(const char* const s) throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _params.push_back(new StringValue(s));
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    /// @brief add one more mandatory string parameter
+    Param& operator<<(const std::string& s) throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _params.push_back(new StringValue(s));
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    /// @brief add one more mandatory integer parameter
+    Param& operator<<(int i) throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _params.push_back(new IntValue(i));
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    // @brief add one more mandatory boolean parameter
+    Param& operator<<(bool b) throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _params.push_back(new BoolValue(b));
+      return *this;
+    }
+    
+    /** @brief get parameter number @i
+        @throw mrw::out_of_range if @c i is too big */
+    const mrw::SmartPointer<Value>& operator[](unsigned int i) const
+      throw(mrw::exception) {
+      if (i<_params.size()) return _params[i];
+      throw mrw::out_of_range
+        (((std::stringstream&)
+          (std::stringstream()<<"check failed: "
+           <<i<<'<'<<_params.size())).str());
+    }
+
+  private:
+
+    friend class Args; // allow set
+    mrw::SmartPointer<Value>& setable(unsigned int i)
+      throw(mrw::exception) {
+      if (i<_params.size()) return _params[i];
+      throw mrw::out_of_range
+        (((std::stringstream&)
+          (std::stringstream()<<"check failed: "
+           <<i<<'<'<<_params.size())).str());
+    }
+    
+  };
+
+  /** @brief this class represents one command line option
+      @pre #include<mrw/arg.hpp>
+
+      The library user needs this class when setting up the list of
+      supported command line ooptions: Simply shift one instance of @c
+      mrw::Opt per supported command line option into @c
+      mrw::Args::instance(), e.g.:
+
+      @code
+      mrw::Args::instance()
+        <<mrw::Opt('h', "--help", "Show this help text");
+      @endcode
+   */
+  class Opt {
+    
+  public:
+    
+    /** @brief create an @c mrw::Opt with additional parameter
+        @param shortname short name of the option
+        @param longname long name of the option, must start with "--"
+        @param param the additional parameter
+        @param help the help string for this option
+    */
+    Opt::Opt(const char shortname, const std::string& longname,
+             const Param& param, const std::string& help)
+      throw(mrw::bad_exception):
+      _set(false), _shortname(shortname), _longname(longname),
+      _param(param), _help(help) {
+    }
+    
+    /** @brief create a simple @c mrw::Opt
+
+        This option is either set or not set, there are no additional
+        parameter.
+        
+        @param shortname short name of the option
+        @param longname long name of the option, must start with "--"
+        @param help the help string for this option
+    */
+    Opt::Opt(const char shortname, const std::string& longname,
+             const std::string& help)
+      throw(mrw::bad_exception):
+      _set(false), _shortname(shortname), _longname(longname),
+      _help(help) {
+    }
+
+    /** @brief get the help text for this option */
+    const std::string& help() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      return _help;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief find out, whether this option was set by the user
+
+        Example: Check whether the user has set the @c -v option for
+        verbose output:
+
+        @code
+        if (mrw::Args::instance().find('v')) // -v is set
+        @endcode
+
+        @return
+          - @c true if the user has started the program with this option
+          - @c false if the user has not set this option
+    */
+    operator bool() const throw(std::bad_exception) {return _set;}
+
+    /** @brief get one of the additional parameter
+
+        If this option has additional parameter, get the @c i-th of them.
+
+        @throw mrw::out_of_range if @c i is too big
+        @param i number of the additional parameter to get (starting with @c 0)
+        @return a smart pointer to the value (default or given by the user)
+    */
+    const mrw::SmartPointer<Param::Value>& operator[](unsigned int i) const
+      throw(mrw::exception) {
+      return _param[i];
+    }
+    
+  private:
+    
+    friend class Args; // is allowed to set values
+    void set() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _set = true;
+    }
+    Param& args() const throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      return _param;
+    }
+    mutable bool _set;
+    char _shortname;
+    std::string _longname;
+    mutable Param _param;
+    std::string _help;
+  };
+
+  /** @brief handle command line arguments
+      @pre #include<mrw/arg.hpp>
+
+      This class handles command line arguments. It is a
+      singleton. Get the one and only instance of this class with @c
+      mrw::Args::instance(). It is setup by shifting values into this
+      class. The order is important, be sure that you shift in @c argc
+      and @c argv as last parameters.
+
+      Example setup:
+
+      @code
+      mrw::Args::instance()
+        <<mrw::Opt('h', "--help", "Show this help text")
+        <<mrw::Opt('v', "--verbose", "print more information")
+        <<"This is a testprogram for argument evaluation in C++"
+        <<'h'<<argc<<argv;
+      @endcode
+  */
+  class Args {
+    
+  public:
+    
+    typedef std::list<std::string> OtherArgs;
+
+    /// @brief get the one and only instance
+    static Args& instance() throw(mrw::bad_exception) { // singleton
+      static Args _instance;
+      return _instance;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief setup an acceptable option
+
+        Setup an acceptable user option.
+
+        Example:
+
+        @code
+          mrw::Args::instance()
+            <<mrw::Opt('v', "--verbose", "print more information");
+        @endcode
+    */
+    Args& operator<<(const mrw::Opt& opt) throw(mrw::invalid_argument) {
+      // twice the same, but other sort order
+      Options::iterator it(_options.insert(_options.end(), opt));
+      if (!_shortopts.insert(ShortOpts::value_type(opt._shortname, it)).second)
+        throw mrw::invalid_argument(std::string(1, opt._shortname));
+      if (!_longopts.insert(LongOpts::value_type(opt._longname, it)).second)
+        throw mrw::invalid_argument(opt._longname);
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief setup the number of arguments
+
+        Setup the number of arguments.
+        This must be done before @c argv is shifted in.
+        
+        Example:
+
+        @code
+        int main(int argv, const char * const * const argv) {
+          mrw::Args::instance()<<argc<<argv;
+           ...
+        }
+        @endcode
+    */
+    Args& operator<<(int argc) throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      _argc = argc;
+      return *this;
+    }
+    
+    /** @brief setup the C array of command line arguments
+
+        Setup the C array of command line arguments. This must be the
+        very last thing shifted in.
+        
+        Example:
+
+        @code
+        int main(int argv, const char * const * const argv) {
+          mrw::Args::instance()<<argc<<argv;
+           ...
+        }
+        @endcode
+    */
+    Args& operator<<(const char *const*const argv) throw(mrw::exception) {
+      if (_argc<0)
+        throw mrw::invalid_argument("argc was not set when shifting argv");
+      return parse(_argc, argv);
+    }
+
+    /** @brief add a description text
+
+        Add a description text. This description text is shown in the
+        @c DESCRIPTION section of the help display. If the description
+        text is shifted in more then once, the different sections are
+        appended with new line and an empty line between.
+
+        Example:
+        
+        @code
+          mrw::Args::instance()<<"this is a description for --help";
+        @endcode
+    */
+    Args& operator<<(const std::string& description) throw(mrw::exception) {
+      if (_description=="")
+        _description = description;
+      else
+        _description += "\n\n"+description;
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief set the help option
+
+        Define which option prints the help text. There is no code
+        needed for printing the help text: if the help option has been
+        shifted in, help is printed automatically at user request,
+        then the program is terminated. Only specify the short option
+        name, the long option name is known.
+        
+        Example:
+        
+        @code
+          mrw::Args::instance()<<'h';
+        @endcode
+    */
+    Args& operator<<(char help) throw(mrw::exception) {
+      _help = help;
+      return *this;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief get an option, given the short option name
+        @throw mrw::out_of_range if the option does not exist
+    */
+    const Opt& find(char c) const throw(mrw::exception) {
+      ShortOpts::const_iterator it(_shortopts.find(c));
+      if (it==_shortopts.end()) throw mrw::out_of_range(std::string(1, c));
+      return *it->second;
+    }
+    
+    /** @brief get an option, given the long option name
+        @throw mrw::out_of_range if the option does not exist
+    */
+    const Opt& find(const std::string& s) const throw(mrw::exception) {
+      LongOpts::const_iterator it(_longopts.find(s));
+      if (it==_longopts.end()) throw mrw::out_of_range(s);
+      return *it->second;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief get all non interpreted options
+
+        All user options that don't fit the defined and interpreted
+        options. The meaning for this is, that a user may append,
+        e.g. a list of file names.
+    */
+    const OtherArgs& otherArgs() {
+      return _otherargs;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief get the file name of the executable, that's @c argv[0] */
+    const std::string& filename() throw(mrw::bad_exception) {
+      return _filename;
+    }
+
+    /** @brief print the help text, then exit */
+    void help() {
+      std::cout<<"USAGE: "<<std::endl
+               <<"  "<<_filename<<" [ OPTIONS ]"<<std::endl
+               <<"OPTIONS:"<<std::endl;
+      for (Options::iterator it(_options.begin()); it!=_options.end(); ++it) {
+        std::cout<<"  -"<<it->_shortname<<" | "<<it->_longname;
+        for (int i(0); i<it->_param.size(); ++i)
+          std::cout<<" <"<<(*it)[i]->typestr()<<">";
+        if (it->_param.size()>0) std::cout<<" (default: ";
+        for (int i(0); i<it->_param.size()-1; ++i)
+          std::cout<<(*it)[i]->printable()<<" ";
+        if (it->_param.size()>0)
+          std::cout<<(*it)[it->_param.size()-1]->printable()<<")";
+        std::cout<<std::endl<<"    "<<it->help()<<std::endl;
+      }
+      if (_description.size()>0)
+        std::cout<<"DESCRIPTION:"<<std::endl
+                 <<_description<<std::endl;
+      exit(0);
+    }
+
+  private:
+    Args& parse(int argc, const char*const*const argv) throw(mrw::exception) {
+      if (argc>0) _filename = argv[0];
+      for (int i(1); i<argc; ++i) {
+        std::string arg(argv[i]);
+        if (arg.find("--")==0 && arg!="--") {     // long arguments
+          LongOpts::iterator it(_longopts.find(arg));
+          if (it!=_longopts.end() || i+it->second->args().size()>=argc)
+            throw mrw::invalid_argument(arg);
+          it->second->set();
+          for (int j(0), l(it->second->args().size()); j<l; ++j) {
+            *(it->second->args().setable(j)) = argv[++i];
+          }
+        } else if (arg.find("-")==0) {            // short arguments
+          // first check all, then set all
+          for (int j(1), l(arg.size()); j<l; ++j) {
+            ShortOpts::iterator it(_shortopts.find(arg[j]));
+            if (it==_shortopts.end() || it->second->args().size()>0 &&
+                (j+1!=l || i+it->second->args().size()>=argc))
+              throw mrw::invalid_argument(arg);
+          }
+          for (int j(1), l(arg.size()); j<l; ++j) {
+            ShortOpts::iterator it(_shortopts.find(arg[j]));
+            it->second->set();
+            if (j+1==l && it->second->args().size()>0) {
+              for (int k(0); k < it->second->args().size(); ++k) {
+                *(it->second->args().setable(k)) = argv[++i];
+              }
+            }
+          }
+        } else {
+          if (arg!="--") _otherargs.push_back(arg);
+          while (++i<argc) _otherargs.push_back(argv[i]);
+        }
+      }
+      if (_help && find(_help)) help();
+      return *this;
+    }
+    typedef std::list<Opt> Options;
+    typedef std::map<char, Options::iterator> ShortOpts;
+    typedef std::map<std::string, Options::iterator> LongOpts;
+    Args(): _argc(-1), _help(0) {} // singleton
+    Args& operator=(const Args&); // singleton, not implemented
+    std::string _filename;
+    Options _options;
+    ShortOpts _shortopts;
+    LongOpts _longopts;
+    OtherArgs _otherargs;
+    int _argc;
+    char _help;
+    std::string _description;
+  };
+
+  //@}
+}
diff --git a/mrw/auto_test.cpp b/mrw/auto_test.cpp
index 0822b46..a7e9a8c 100644
--- a/mrw/auto_test.cpp
+++ b/mrw/auto_test.cpp
@@ -42,5 +42,3 @@ int main() {
   runner.addTest(CppUnit::TestFactoryRegistry::getRegistry().makeTest());
   return runner.run() ? 0 : 1;
 }
-
-static char* c = new char[100];
diff --git a/mrw/doxyfile.in b/mrw/doxyfile.in
index be9dfba..6ad8421 100644
--- a/mrw/doxyfile.in
+++ b/mrw/doxyfile.in
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ HIDE_UNDOC_CLASSES     = NO
 # If set to NO (the default) these declarations will be included in the 
 # documentation.
 
-HIDE_FRIEND_COMPOUNDS  = NO
+HIDE_FRIEND_COMPOUNDS  = YES
 
 # If the HIDE_IN_BODY_DOCS tag is set to YES, Doxygen will hide any 
 # documentation blocks found inside the body of a function. 
diff --git a/mrw/examples/smartpointer.cpp b/mrw/examples/smartpointer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6bc1e2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mrw/examples/smartpointer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+#include <mrw/smartpointer.hpp>
+
+class A {
+  public: int a;
+  protected: virtual void fn() {} // dynamic_cast requires a virtual function
+};
+
+class B: virtual public A {
+  public: int b;
+};
+
+int main(int, char**) {
+  utl::SmartPointer<int> i1 = new int;
+  *i1 = 13;
+  utl::SmartPointer<int> i2 = i1;
+  utl::SmartPointer<int> i3;
+  if (!i3) i3 = i2;
+  *i2 = 666;			// *i1 is now 666 too
+  utl::SmartPointer<A> b1 = new B;
+  utl::SmartPointer<B> b2 = b1; // b1 and b2 point to the same instance
+  b1->a = 0;			// b1->b does not compile
+  b2->a = 1;
+  b2->b = 2;
+  return 0;
+} // memory is automatically freed
diff --git a/mrw/exception.hpp b/mrw/exception.hpp
index f61c7f1..e6bdaeb 100644
--- a/mrw/exception.hpp
+++ b/mrw/exception.hpp
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 #define __MRW_EXCEPTION_HPP__
 
 #include <exception>
+#include <stdexcept>
+#include <typeinfo>
 #include <string>
 
 namespace mrw {
@@ -167,11 +169,140 @@ call of fn0 successful
   public:
     exception() throw(std::bad_exception);
     virtual ~exception() throw();
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::exception::what();
+    }
     const std::string& stacktrace() const throw(std::bad_exception);
   private:
     StackTrace* _stacktrace;
   };
 
+  /// Replacement for @c std::bad_alloc, but with stack trace
+  class bad_alloc:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::bad_alloc {
+  public:
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::bad_alloc::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::bad_cast, but with stack trace
+  class bad_cast:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::bad_cast {
+  public:
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::bad_cast::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::bad_exception, but with stack trace
+  class bad_exception:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::bad_exception {
+  public:
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::bad_exception::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::bad_typeid, but with stack trace
+  class bad_typeid:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::bad_typeid {
+  public:
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::bad_typeid::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::logic_error, but with stack trace
+  class logic_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::logic_error {
+  public:
+    logic_error(const std::string& arg): std::logic_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::logic_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::domain_error, but with stack trace
+  class domain_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::domain_error {
+  public:
+    domain_error(const std::string& arg): std::domain_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::domain_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::invalid_argument, but with stack trace
+  class invalid_argument:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::invalid_argument {
+  public:
+    invalid_argument(const std::string& arg): std::invalid_argument(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::invalid_argument::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::length_error, but with stack trace
+  class length_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::length_error {
+  public:
+    length_error(const std::string& arg): std::length_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::length_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::out_of_range, but with stack trace
+  class out_of_range:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::out_of_range {
+  public:
+    out_of_range(const std::string& arg): std::out_of_range(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::out_of_range::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::runtime_error, but with stack trace
+  class runtime_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::runtime_error {
+  public:
+    runtime_error(const std::string& arg): std::runtime_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::runtime_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::overflow_error, but with stack trace
+  class overflow_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::overflow_error {
+  public:
+    overflow_error(const std::string& arg): std::overflow_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::overflow_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::range_error, but with stack trace
+  class range_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::range_error {
+  public:
+    range_error(const std::string& arg): std::range_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::range_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
+  /// Replacement for @c std::underflow_error, but with stack trace
+  class underflow_error:
+    virtual public mrw::exception, virtual public std::underflow_error {
+  public:
+    underflow_error(const std::string& arg): std::underflow_error(arg) {}
+    virtual const char* what() const throw() {
+      return std::underflow_error::what();
+    }
+  };
+
   //@}
 }
 
diff --git a/mrw/makefile.am b/mrw/makefile.am
index b77b7d9..6e60a46 100644
--- a/mrw/makefile.am
+++ b/mrw/makefile.am
@@ -12,9 +12,10 @@ EXTRA_DIST = test.dat ${examples_DATA} ${html_DATA} ${pdf_DATA}
 lib_LTLIBRARIES = libmrw.la libmrwexcstderr.la libmrwexclog4cxx.la
 
 libmrw_la_SOURCES = mrw.hpp \
-                    auto.hpp auto.cpp unistd.hpp \
+                    auto.hpp auto.cpp unistd.hpp smartpointer.hpp \
 		    stacktrace.hpp stacktrace.cpp exception.hpp exception.cpp \
-		    exec.hpp exec.cpp
+		    exec.hpp exec.cpp \
+		    arg.hpp
 libmrw_la_LDFLAGS = -version-info @MAJOR@:@MINOR@
 
 libmrwexcstderr_la_SOURCES = autostacktracestderr.cpp
@@ -25,10 +26,14 @@ libmrwexclog4cxx_la_SOURCES = autostacktracelog4cxx.cpp
 libmrwexclog4cxx_la_LDFLAGS = -version-info @MAJOR@:@MINOR@
 libmrwexclog4cxx_la_LIBADD = -lmrw
 
-check_PROGRAMS = auto_test exec_test stacktrace_test mrwexcstderr_test mrwexclog4cxx_test
+check_PROGRAMS = auto_test smartpointer_test exec_test \
+                 stacktrace_test mrwexcstderr_test mrwexclog4cxx_test
 auto_test_SOURCES = auto_test.cpp
 auto_test_CPPFLAGS = -I.. -g3
 auto_test_LDADD = -lmrw -lcppunit
+smartpointer_test_SOURCES = smartpointer_test.cpp
+smartpointer_test_CPPFLAGS = -I.. -g3
+smartpointer_test_LDADD = -lmrw -lcppunit
 exec_test_SOURCES = exec_test.cpp
 exec_test_CPPFLAGS = -I.. -g3
 exec_test_LDADD = -lmrw -lcppunit
diff --git a/mrw/simpletrace.hpp b/mrw/simpletrace.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f5a4eed
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mrw/simpletrace.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+#ifndef __MRW_SIMPLETRACE_HPP__
+#define __MRW_SIMPLETRACE_HPP__
+#include <iostream>
+#include <iomanip>
+#include <string>
+
+// GENERIC TRACER FOR TESTS  ---------------------------------------------------
+// (without file/line)
+#ifndef __GNUG__
+#define METHOD(name) mrw::FnTrace fnTrace(this, name)
+#define FUNCTION(name) mrw::FnTrace fnTrace(0, name)
+#else
+#define METHOD mrw::FnTrace fnTrace(this, __FUNCTION__)
+#define FUNCTION mrw::FnTrace fnTrace(0, __FUNCTION__)
+#endif
+#define CALL(name) fnTrace.call(name)
+#define TRACE(name) fnTrace.trace(name)
+#define TRACE_OFF mrw::FnTrace::off()
+#define TRACE_ON mrw::FnTrace::on()
+#define NO_TRACE mrw::NoTrace noTrace;
+
+namespace mrw {
+  class FnTrace {
+  public:
+    FnTrace(const void* addr, const std::string& name):
+      _addr(addr), _name(name) {
+      if (_off==0)
+        std::cout<<std::hex<<std::setw(15)<<_addr<<": "<<std::dec
+                 <<std::setw(2+_level)<<std::setfill(' ')<<"\\ "
+                 <<_name<<std::endl;
+      ++_level;
+    }
+    ~FnTrace() {
+      --_level;
+      if (_off==0)
+        std::cout<<std::hex<<std::setw(15)<<_addr<<": "<<std::dec
+                 <<std::setw(2+_level)<<std::setfill(' ')<<"/ "<<_name
+                 <<std::endl;
+    }
+    void call(const std::string& name) {
+      if (_off==0)
+        std::cout<<std::hex<<std::setw(15)<<_addr<<": "<<std::dec
+                 <<std::setw(4+_level)<<std::setfill(' ')<<" -> "<<name
+                 <<std::endl;
+    }
+    void trace(const std::string& name) {
+      if (_off==0)
+        std::cout<<std::hex<<std::setw(15)<<_addr<<": "<<std::dec
+                 <<std::setw(4+_level)<<std::setfill(' ')<<" **** "<<name
+                 <<" **** "<<std::endl;
+    }
+    static void off() {
+      ++_off;
+    }
+    static void on() {
+      if (_off>0) --_off;
+    }
+  private:
+    const void* _addr;
+    const std::string _name;
+    static unsigned int _level;
+    static unsigned int _off;
+  };
+  unsigned int FnTrace::_level(0);
+  unsigned int FnTrace::_off(0);
+  class NoTrace {
+  public:
+    NoTrace() {TRACE_OFF;}
+    ~NoTrace() {TRACE_ON;}
+  };
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/mrw/smartpointer.hpp b/mrw/smartpointer.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b693702
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mrw/smartpointer.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+#ifndef __MRW__SMARTPOINTER_HPP__
+#define __MRW__SMARTPOINTER_HPP__
+
+namespace mrw {
+
+  class PointerCounter {
+    private:
+      unsigned int _cnt;
+    public:
+      PointerCounter():
+        _cnt(1) {
+      }
+      PointerCounter* incr() {
+        ++_cnt;
+        return this;
+      }
+      int decr() {
+        return --_cnt;
+      }
+      int get() {
+        return _cnt;
+      }
+  };
+  
+  class SmartPointerParent {
+    protected:
+      template<class TYPE>
+        PointerCounter* getCounter(TYPE& sp) {
+          return sp._cnt;
+      }
+      template<class TYPE>
+        typename TYPE::Pointer getPointer(TYPE& sp) {
+          return sp._ptr;
+      }
+  };
+  
+  /** @addtogroup AutoTools */
+  //@{
+  
+  /** @brief Smart Pointer Implementation
+      @pre #include <mrw/smartpointer.hpp>
+      
+      This is a smart pointer that can be casted withing the
+      inheritance of the pointer it is storing.
+
+      A smart pointer is a pointer that is automatically cleaned up
+      when it is no more referenced. Therefore you only allocate
+      memory, but you never free it, just as in Java, cleaning up is
+      done behind the scenes. If you assign a smart pointer to another
+      smart pointer, both point to the same memory. A counter counts
+      the number of references to the object and frees it as soon as
+      the last smart pointer pointing to the same memory has been
+      destroyed.
+
+      A smart pointer is used just as a normal pointer, except that
+      you can assign it only to other smart pointers, not to ordinary
+      pointers, and you don't have to delete the memory allocated. Any
+      memory assigned to a smart pointer is consumed and mustn't be
+      used any more. Never allocate a smart pointer with
+      <code>new</code>, but only the pointer that is stored in the
+      smart pointer!
+
+      @note memory assigned to a smart pointer is consumed
+  */  
+  template<class TYPE> class SmartPointer: public SmartPointerParent {
+    private:
+      typedef TYPE* Pointer;
+      PointerCounter* _cnt;
+      TYPE* _ptr;
+    private:
+      void drop() {
+        if (_cnt && !_cnt->decr()) {
+          delete _cnt; _cnt=0;
+          delete _ptr; _ptr=0;
+        }
+      }
+    private:
+      friend class SmartPointerParent;
+      friend class SmartPointerTest;
+    public:
+      SmartPointer():
+        _cnt(0), _ptr(0) {
+      }
+      SmartPointer(const SmartPointer<TYPE>& o):
+        _cnt(o._cnt?o._cnt->incr():0), _ptr(o._ptr) {
+      }
+      SmartPointer(TYPE* ptr):
+        _cnt(ptr ? new PointerCounter : 0), _ptr(ptr) {
+      }
+      template<class OTHER> SmartPointer(const SmartPointer<OTHER>& o):
+        _cnt(0), _ptr(dynamic_cast<TYPE*>(getPointer(o))) {
+          if (_ptr) _cnt = getCounter(o)->incr();
+      }
+      ~SmartPointer() {
+        drop();
+      }
+      SmartPointer& operator=(const SmartPointer<TYPE>& o) {
+        if (o._ptr==_ptr) return *this;
+        drop();
+        _cnt = o._cnt ? o._cnt->incr() : 0;
+        _ptr = o._ptr;
+        return *this;
+      }
+      SmartPointer& operator=(TYPE* ptr) {
+        if (ptr==_ptr) return *this;
+        drop();
+        _cnt = ptr ? new PointerCounter : 0;
+        _ptr = ptr;
+        return *this;
+      }
+      template<class OTHER>
+      SmartPointer& operator=(const SmartPointer<OTHER>& o) {
+        if (getPointer(o)==_ptr) return *this;
+        drop();
+        _ptr = dynamic_cast<TYPE*>(getPointer(o));
+        _cnt = _ptr ? getCounter(o)->incr() : 0;
+	return *this;
+      }
+      TYPE& operator*() {
+        return *_ptr;
+      }
+      const TYPE& operator*() const {
+        return *_ptr;
+      }
+      TYPE* const operator->() {
+        return _ptr;
+      }
+      const TYPE* const operator->() const {
+        return _ptr;
+      }
+      operator bool() {
+        return _ptr!=0;
+      }
+  };
+  //@}
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/mrw/stacktrace.hpp b/mrw/stacktrace.hpp
index 1b22457..7eb7a4e 100644
--- a/mrw/stacktrace.hpp
+++ b/mrw/stacktrace.hpp
@@ -53,8 +53,36 @@ namespace mrw {
        - a system with ELF binaries (LINUX, Solaris, ...)
        - debug information, compile option @c -g
        - it must be linked with @c -libery and @c -lbfd
+  */
+  //@{
+
+  /** @brief store and print a stack trace of the actual position in code
+      @pre #include <mrw/stacktrace.hpp>
+
+      In the constructor, a stack trace is stored, but not yet
+      evaluated. Therefore storing a stack trace is relatively
+      fast. The evaluation is done when the stack trace is printed on
+      a stream or converted to a string. "Evaluation" means, that the
+      addresses are mapped to the correspoding symbols, the method
+      names, sorce file names and line numbers are evaluated.
+
+      @note Method StackTrace::createSymtable must be called exactely
+      once, before evaluating the first stack trace.Best place is the
+      first line of the @c main function.
+
+      @note This class requires libbfd an libiberty. Debug information
+      is required for compiling. You nee the compile option @c -g, or
+      even better @c -ggdb3. To link, you need @c -lmrw, @c -lbfd and
+      @c -liberty.
 
-      @subsection sttech Technology
+      @note The stack trace is known to work perfectly on Linux and
+      Solaris both with GNU gcc compiler. But it should work with the
+      GNU compiler on all systems, or wherever there is a glibc
+      library.
+
+      @note Symbol evaluation requires the ELF library and an ELF system.
+      
+      @section sttech Technology
 
       On GNU glibc based systems (Linux), the stack trace is collected
       with GNU glibc's function @c backtrace(). On other systems
@@ -75,7 +103,7 @@ namespace mrw {
       executable file name as an argument to @c
       mrw::StackTrace::createSymtable().
 
-      @subsection stdrawbacks Draw Backs
+      @section stdrawbacks Draw Backs
 
       Unfortunately it is not possible to extract the source file name
       and line number information if the executable was not compiled
@@ -91,34 +119,6 @@ namespace mrw {
       @todo Add support for alternative symbol evaluation using @c
       backtrace_symbols.
   */
-  //@{
-
-  /** @brief store and print a stack trace of the actual position in code
-      @pre #include <mrw/stacktrace.hpp>
-
-      In the constructor, a stack trace is stored, but not yet
-      evaluated. Therefore storing a stack trace is relatively
-      fast. The evaluation is done when the stack trace is printed on
-      a stream or converted to a string. "Evaluation" means, that the
-      addresses are mapped to the correspoding symbols, the method
-      names, sorce file names and line numbers are evaluated.
-
-      @note Method StackTrace::createSymtable must be called exactely
-      once, before evaluating the first stack trace.Best place is the
-      first line of the @c main function.
-
-      @note This class requires libbfd an libiberty. Debug information
-      is required for compiling. You nee the compile option @c -g, or
-      even better @c -ggdb3. To link, you need @c -lmrw, @c -lbfd and
-      @c -liberty.
-
-      @note The stack trace is known to work perfectly on Linux and
-      Solaris both with GNU gcc compiler. But it should work with the
-      GNU compiler on all systems, or wherever there is a glibc
-      library.
-
-      @note Symbol evaluation requires the ELF library and an ELF system.
-  */
   class StackTrace {
   public:
       //............................................................... typedefs