Index: openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/04-library-procs.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/04-library-procs.tcl,v
diff -u -N -r1.6.2.1 -r1.6.2.2
--- openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/04-library-procs.tcl	8 May 2019 14:22:01 -0000	1.6.2.1
+++ openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/04-library-procs.tcl	9 Mar 2022 08:23:42 -0000	1.6.2.2
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
     #:log "--loaded = [lsort [nsv_array names [self]-loaded]]"
 
     if {![nsv_exists [self]-loaded $otherfile]} {
-      :log "--sourcing $otherfile"
+      :log "--sourcing first $otherfile"
       apm_source $otherfile
       nsv_set [self]-loaded $otherfile 1
     }
@@ -104,8 +104,10 @@
     #:log "--check nsv_exists $vn $dirname/$myfile [nsv_exists $vn $dirname/$myfile]"
     if {[nsv_exists $vn $dirname/$myfile]} {
       foreach file [nsv_get $vn $dirname/$myfile] {
-        :log "--sourcing dependent $file"
+        incr ::__source_dependent_level
+        ns_log notice "--sourcing dependent ($::__source_dependent_level) $myfile -> $file"
         apm_source $file
+        incr ::__source_dependent_level -1
       }
     }
   }
Index: openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/30-widget-procs.tcl
===================================================================
RCS file: /usr/local/cvsroot/openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/30-widget-procs.tcl,v
diff -u -N -r1.70.2.31 -r1.70.2.32
--- openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/30-widget-procs.tcl	8 Mar 2022 11:04:16 -0000	1.70.2.31
+++ openacs-4/packages/xotcl-core/tcl/30-widget-procs.tcl	9 Mar 2022 08:23:42 -0000	1.70.2.32
@@ -822,22 +822,29 @@
     # adp-level, which is less robust and warn about this usage.
     #
     set ordered_composite [${:__parent} info parent]
-    if {[::nsf::is object $ordered_composite] &&
-        [$ordered_composite hasclass ::xo::OrderedComposite] &&
-        [$ordered_composite exists __orderby] &&
-        [$ordered_composite exists __order]
-      } {
-      set ordered_composite_orderby [$ordered_composite set __orderby]
-      set ordered_composite_order [$ordered_composite set __order]
-      if {$ordered_composite_order eq "increasing"} {
-        set orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,asc
-        set new_orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,desc
+    if {[::nsf::is object $ordered_composite] && [$ordered_composite hasclass ::xo::OrderedComposite]} {
+      if {![$ordered_composite exists __orderby] || ![$ordered_composite exists __order]} {
+        #
+        # Tables must always have a defined ordering to ensure stable
+        # appearance and correct setup of sorting arrows.
+        #
+        ad_log warning "downstream application issue: invalid usage of ordered composiste:", \
+            "definition of ordering is missing (call method 'orderby' on the ordered composite)."
+        set orderby ""
+        set neworderby ""
       } else {
-        set orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,desc
-        set new_orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,asc
+        set ordered_composite_orderby [$ordered_composite set __orderby]
+        set ordered_composite_order [$ordered_composite set __order]
+        if {$ordered_composite_order eq "increasing"} {
+          set orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,asc
+          set new_orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,desc
+        } else {
+          set orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,desc
+          set new_orderby $ordered_composite_orderby,asc
+        }
       }
     } else {
-      ns_log warning "renderSortLabels is still relying on addressing variables on the template::adp_level"
+      ad_log warning "renderSortLabels is still relying on addressing variables on the template::adp_level"
       set lvl [template::adp_level]
       if {$lvl ne ""} {
         upvar #$lvl $orderby_name orderby