Index: TODO
===================================================================
diff -u -rccb2c99f6fb6f381dfc7e300584ac08e3d2809d3 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- TODO	(.../TODO)	(revision ccb2c99f6fb6f381dfc7e300584ac08e3d2809d3)
+++ TODO	(.../TODO)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -4809,7 +4809,22 @@
 - make use of nsf::object::alloc (1 command instead of 1 create + 2 evals)
 - these changes imprived laading time of blueprint by about 25% 
   for OpenACS+xowiki
+- don't rely on the existence of a "trace" method
 
+nsf.c:
+- when ::nsf::object::alloc is passed an empty name (2nd argument), 
+  behave like "new" method
+
+nx:
+- allow copy of objects with required arguments
+- use ::nsf::object::alloc in "copy" method
+- don't depend on method "trace", use directdispatch instead
+- remove method "-noinit" (nsf::object::alloc makes it obsolete)
+- extend regression test
+
+serializer:
+- restore traces after object-serialize
+
 ========================================================================
 TODO:
 
Index: library/nx/nx.tcl
===================================================================
diff -u -rccb2c99f6fb6f381dfc7e300584ac08e3d2809d3 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- library/nx/nx.tcl	(.../nx.tcl)	(revision ccb2c99f6fb6f381dfc7e300584ac08e3d2809d3)
+++ library/nx/nx.tcl	(.../nx.tcl)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -1560,8 +1560,8 @@
   #
   # Create object parameter slots for "noninit" and "volatile"
   #
-  ::nx::ObjectParameterSlot create ::nx::Object::slot::noinit \
-      -methodname ::nsf::methods::object::noinit -noarg true
+  #::nx::ObjectParameterSlot create ::nx::Object::slot::noinit \
+  #    -methodname ::nsf::methods::object::noinit -noarg true
   ::nx::ObjectParameterSlot create ::nx::Object::slot::volatile -noarg true
   ::nsf::method::create ::nx::Object::slot::volatile assign {object var value} {$object volatile}
   ::nsf::method::create ::nx::Object::slot::volatile get {object var} {
@@ -2325,7 +2325,9 @@
         set dest [:getDest $origin]
         if {[::nsf::object::exists $origin]} {
 	  if {$dest eq ""} {
-	    set obj [[$origin info class] new -noinit]
+	    #set obj [[$origin info class] new -noinit]
+	    set obj [::nsf::object::alloc [$origin info class] ""]
+	    #nsf::object::property $obj initialized 1
 	    set dest [set :dest $obj]
 	  } else {
 	    #
@@ -2343,8 +2345,9 @@
 	      #
 	      # create an object without calling init
 	      #
-	      set obj [[$origin info class] create $dest -noinit]
-	      #set obj [::nsf::object::alloc [$origin info class] $dest]
+	      #set obj [[$origin info class] create $dest -noinit]
+	      set obj [::nsf::object::alloc [$origin info class] $dest]
+	      #nsf::object::property $obj initialized 1
 	      #puts stderr "COPY obj=<$obj>"
 	    }
 	  }
@@ -2415,6 +2418,7 @@
 	#
 	foreach var [$origin info vars] {
 	  set cmds [::nsf::directdispatch $origin -frame object ::trace info variable $var]
+	  #puts stderr "COPY $var <$cmds>"
 	  if {$cmds ne ""} {
 	    foreach cmd $cmds {
 	      lassign $cmd op def
@@ -2423,15 +2427,23 @@
 	      if {$domain eq $origin} {
 		set def [concat $dest [lrange $def 1 end]]
 	      }
-	      if {[::nsf::object::exists $domain] && [$domain info has type ::nx::Slot]} {
+	      #puts stderr "COPY $var domain $domain [::nsf::object::exists $domain] && [$domain info has type ::nx::Slot]"
+	      #if {[::nsf::object::exists $domain] && [$domain info has type ::nx::Slot]} {
 		# slot traces are handled already by the slot mechanism
-		continue
+		#continue
+	      #}
+	      #
+	      # handle the most common cases to replace $origin by $dest in trace command
+	      #
+	      if {[lindex $def 2] eq $origin} {
+		set def [lreplace $def 2 2 $dest]
+	      } elseif {[lindex $def 0] eq $origin} {
+		set def [lreplace $def 0 0 $dest]
 	      }
-	      $dest trace add variable $var $op $def
+	      ::nsf::directdispatch $dest -frame object ::trace add variable $var $op $def
 	    }
 	  }
 	}
-	#puts stderr "====="
       }
 
       #
@@ -2452,6 +2464,7 @@
 	foreach slot [$origin ::nsf::methods::object::info::slotobjects -type ::nx::Slot] {
 	  lappend slots $slot
 	}
+
 	#puts stderr "replacing domain and manager from <$origin> to <$dest> in slots <$slots>"
 	foreach oldslot $slots {
 	  set container [expr {[$oldslot per-object] ? "per-object-slot" : "slot"}]
Index: tests/cget.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/cget.test	(.../cget.test)	(revision 45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31)
+++ tests/cget.test	(.../cget.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
   #
   # configure without arguments
   #
-  ? {p1 info configure} "?-sex /value/? -famnam /value/ ?-age /integer/? ?-friends /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+  ? {p1 info configure} "?-sex /value/? -famnam /value/ ?-age /integer/? ?-friends /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 }
 
 #
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
   #
   # configure without arguments
   #
-  ? {p1 info configure} "?-bar1 /value/? ?-bar2 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+  ? {p1 info configure} "?-bar1 /value/? ?-bar2 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   #
   # test gettin/setting via slots
@@ -135,26 +135,26 @@
   # class-level lookup
   #
   ? {C info lookup configure syntax} \
-      "/::C/ configure ?-superclass /class .../? ?-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-filter /filterreg .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+      "/::C/ configure ?-superclass /class .../? ?-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-filter /filterreg .../? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
   ? {C cget -superclass} "::nx::Object"
   ? {C cget -object-mixin} ""
   ? {C cget -mixin} ""
   ? {C cget -filter} ""
   ? {C cget -volatile} 0
-  ? {C cget -noinit} ""
+  #? {C cget -noinit} ""
   ? {C cget -class} "::nx::Class"
 
   #
   # object-level lookup
   #
   ? {c1 info lookup configure syntax} \
-      "/::c1/ configure ?-foo /value/? ?-bar /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+      "/::c1/ configure ?-foo /value/? ?-bar /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   #
   # query all properties from base classes
   #
   ? {c1 cget -volatile} 0
-  ? {c1 cget -noinit} ""
+  #? {c1 cget -noinit} ""
   #? {c1 cget -mixin} ""
   ? {c1 cget -object-mixin} ""
   ? {c1 cget -class} ::C
Index: tests/destroy.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r74211c75224617bc0d78cd2a6a2a89d1e4a834d1 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/destroy.test	(.../destroy.test)	(revision 74211c75224617bc0d78cd2a6a2a89d1e4a834d1)
+++ tests/destroy.test	(.../destroy.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -157,17 +157,20 @@
   rename o [current]
   puts stderr "AAAA [current] exists [::nsf::object::exists [current]]"
   :set x 1
-  ? "[current] set x" 1 "$::case can still access [current]"
+  #? "[current] set x" 1 "$::case can still access [current]"
+  ? "[current] set x" {can't read "x": no such variable} "$::case cannot access [current]"
   ? {::nsf::object::exists c1} 1 "$::case object still exists in proc"
-  ? "set ::firstDestroy" 0 "firstDestroy called"
-  ? "set ::ObjectDestroy" 0 "ObjectDestroy called"
+  #? "set ::firstDestroy" 0 "firstDestroy called"
+  #? "set ::ObjectDestroy" 0 "ObjectDestroy called"
+  ? "set ::firstDestroy" 1 "firstDestroy called"
+  ? "set ::ObjectDestroy" 1 "ObjectDestroy called"
 }
 C create c1
 c1 foo
 
 ? {::nsf::object::exists c1} 1 "$::case object still exists after proc"
-? "set ::firstDestroy" 0 "firstDestroy called"
-? "set ::ObjectDestroy" 0 "ObjectDestroy called"
+? "set ::firstDestroy" 1 "firstDestroy called"
+? "set ::ObjectDestroy" 1 "ObjectDestroy called"
 
 #
 # cmd rename other proc to current object, 
Index: tests/info-method.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r7c2e28b93b02c29f19dc1f58642c5a29a894d24e -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/info-method.test	(.../info-method.test)	(revision 7c2e28b93b02c29f19dc1f58642c5a29a894d24e)
+++ tests/info-method.test	(.../info-method.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -505,7 +505,7 @@
     :create d1
   }
 
-  ? {lsort [D info lookup slots]} "::D::per-object-slot::a2 ::nx::Class::slot::filter ::nx::Class::slot::mixin ::nx::Class::slot::superclass ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
+  ? {lsort [D info lookup slots]} "::D::per-object-slot::a2 ::nx::Class::slot::filter ::nx::Class::slot::mixin ::nx::Class::slot::superclass ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
 
   ? {D info lookup slots superclass} "::nx::Class::slot::superclass"
   ? {D info lookup slots ::nx::Class::slot::superclass} "::nx::Class::slot::superclass"
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@
   ? {C info heritage} "::nx::Object"
   ? {C info slots -closure -source application} "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b"
   ? {lsort [C info slots -closure]} \
-      "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
+      "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
 
   ? {C info slots} "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b"
 
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@
   ? {C info slots -closure object-mixin} "::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Partial name with metachars
   ? {C info slots -closure *in*} \
-      "::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
+      "::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Fully qualified name, no metachars
   ? {C info slots -closure ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin} "::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Fully qualified name, with metachars
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@
   ? {c1 info lookup slots object-mixin} "::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Partial name with metachars
   ? {c1 info lookup slots *in*} \
-      "::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
+      "::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Fully qualified name, no metachars
   ? {c1 info lookup slots ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin} "::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin"
   # Fully qualified name, with metachars
@@ -564,7 +564,7 @@
 
   ? {d1 info precedence} "::D ::C ::nx::Object"
   ? {lsort [d1 info lookup slots]} \
-      "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::D::slot::b ::D::slot::c ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
+      "::C::slot::____C.x ::C::slot::a ::D::slot::b ::D::slot::c ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
 
 
   # Fully qualified name, with metachars
@@ -718,14 +718,14 @@
   }
 
   C new
-  ? {C info configure syntax} "/::C/ ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+  ? {C info configure syntax} "/::C/ ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 #  ? {C info configure syntax a} "/::C/ ?-a /value/?"
 
-  ? {C info configure parameters } "-a {-b 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+  ? {C info configure parameters } "-a {-b 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
 #  ? {C info parameter list} "-a -b -volatile -noinit -object-mixin -class -object-filter __initblock"
 #  ? {C info parameter names} "a b volatile noinit object-mixin class object-filter __initblock"
-  ? {lsort [C info slots -closure]} "::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
+  ? {lsort [C info slots -closure]} "::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
 
   ? {C info configure parameters b} "{-b 1}"
   ? {D info configure parameters b} "{-b 2}"
@@ -1228,4 +1228,4 @@
 #
 nx::test case error-in-ensemble {
   ? {nx::Object info method definition foo 1} {wrong # args: should be "definition name"}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
Index: tests/info-variable.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/info-variable.test	(.../info-variable.test)	(revision 45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31)
+++ tests/info-variable.test	(.../info-variable.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -34,15 +34,14 @@
 "-age:integer
 -name
 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg
--noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg
 -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n
 -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class
 -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n
 __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   ? {Person info configure parameters age} "-age:integer"
   ? {Person info configure parameters {*a[gs]*}} "-age:integer -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class"
-  ? {Person info configure syntax} "/::Person/ ?-age /integer/? ?-name /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+  ? {Person info configure syntax} "/::Person/ ?-age /integer/? ?-name /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   ? {Person info method parameters foo} {-force:switch age:integer {name ""}}
   ? {Person info method parameters foo force} "-force:switch"
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@
   ? {Person info parameter syntax -force:switch} "?-force?"
   ? {Person info parameter name "a b"} "a"
 
-  ? {lmap p [Person info configure parameters] {nsf::parameter::get default $p}} "0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0"
+  ? {lmap p [Person info configure parameters] {nsf::parameter::get default $p}} "0 0 0 0 0 0 0"
   ? {lmap p [Person info method parameters foo] {nsf::parameter::get default $p}} "1 0 1"
 
   nx::Class create Bar {
@@ -72,11 +71,11 @@
   }
 
   ? {lmap p [Foo info configure parameters] {nsf::parameter::get name $p}} \
-      "i a b p volatile noinit object-mixin class object-filter __initblock"
+      "i a b p volatile object-mixin class object-filter __initblock"
   ? {lmap p [Foo info configure parameters] {nsf::parameter::get default $p}} \
-      "0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0"
+      "0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0"
   ? {lmap p [Foo info configure parameters] {nsf::parameter::get type $p}} \
-      "{} integer integer {} {} {} mixinreg class filterreg {}"
+      "{} integer integer {} {} mixinreg class filterreg {}"
 
   ? {join [lsort [::Foo info slots]] \n} \
 "::Foo::slot::____Foo.p
@@ -108,7 +107,6 @@
 ::Foo::slot::q
 ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock
 ::nx::Object::slot::class
-::nx::Object::slot::noinit
 ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter
 ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin
 ::nx::Object::slot::volatile"
Index: tests/parameters.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r7c2e28b93b02c29f19dc1f58642c5a29a894d24e -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/parameters.test	(.../parameters.test)	(revision 7c2e28b93b02c29f19dc1f58642c5a29a894d24e)
+++ tests/parameters.test	(.../parameters.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -275,7 +275,7 @@
   C create c1
  
   ? {C eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "{-superclass:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::class::superclass,1..n ::nx::Object} -mixin:mixinreg,alias,0..n -filter:filterreg,alias,0..n -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+      "{-superclass:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::class::superclass,1..n ::nx::Object} -mixin:mixinreg,alias,0..n -filter:filterreg,alias,0..n -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   #### TOOD: remove or add
   #? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} \
@@ -307,7 +307,7 @@
       "::D::slot::d ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::C::slot::c"
   
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 }
 
 #######################################################
@@ -336,29 +336,29 @@
   D mixin M
 
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
+      "-b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
     "mixin added"
 
   M mixin M2
 
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-b2 -b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
+      "-b2 -b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
     "transitive mixin added"
   D mixin ""
   #we should have again the old interface
 
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   C mixin M
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-b2 -b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
+      "-b2 -b -m1 -m2 -d:required -a {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" \
     "mixin added"
   C mixin ""
   #we should have again the old interface
   
   ? {d1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" 
+      "-d:required -a -b:boolean {-c 1} -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash" 
 }
 
 #######################################################
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@
   
   ? {D create d1} \
       {required argument 'd' is missing, should be:
-	::d1 __configure -d /value/ ?-a /value/? ?-b /boolean/? ?-c /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+	::d1 __configure -d /value/ ?-a /value/? ?-b /boolean/? ?-c /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
   
   ? {D create d2 -d x -b a} \
       {expected boolean but got "a" for parameter "-b"} \
@@ -1298,6 +1298,16 @@
   ? {f1 metaclassarg ::Foo} {expected metaclass but got "::Foo" for parameter "x"}
 }
 
+nx::test case copy-with-required {
+  nx::Class create C {
+    :property n:required
+  }
+  C create c1 -n 1
+
+  ? {c1 copy c2} "::c2"
+}
+
+
 nx::test case slot-traces {
   ::nx::Object create o {
     :object property -accessor public a {set :defaultcmd { set _ 4 } }
@@ -1686,7 +1696,7 @@
   set ::_ ""
   ? {C create c2} \
 "required argument 'x' is missing, should be:
-	::c2 __configure -x /value/ -y /value/ ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+	::c2 __configure -x /value/ -y /value/ ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   # Was the constructor called? Should not.
   ? {set ::_} ""
@@ -1709,11 +1719,11 @@
 
   D property x:required
   ? {d1 info configure} \
-      "-x /value/ ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+      "-x /value/ ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
   
   ? {d1 configure} \
       "required argument 'x' is missing, should be:
-	::d1 configure -x /value/ ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+	::d1 configure -x /value/ ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   ? {d1 configure -x 123} ""
   ? {d1 cget -x} 123
@@ -1891,13 +1901,13 @@
   nx::Class create M1 {:property b1:required}
   nx::Class create M2 {:property b2:required}
 
-  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
   
   c1 object mixin M1
 
   ? {c1 info precedence} "::M1 ::C ::nx::Object"
 
-  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   #
   # Invalidate the object parameter and expect that the per-class
@@ -1915,7 +1925,7 @@
   #
   ? {c1 configure -a1 x} \
 "required argument 'b1' is missing, should be:
-	::c1 configure -b1 /value/ ?-a1 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+	::c1 configure -b1 /value/ ?-a1 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   #
   # The object parameter based on the per-object-mixin must not be
@@ -1996,10 +2006,10 @@
   ? {c1 info precedence} "::M ::C ::nx::Object"
 
   ? {C info slots -closure} \
-      "::C::slot::a1 ::nx::Object::slot::volatile ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter"
+      "::C::slot::a1 ::nx::Object::slot::volatile ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter"
 
   ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} \
-      "-a2 -b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+      "-a2 -b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   #
   # invalidate object parameter and expect that the per-class mixin
@@ -2009,15 +2019,15 @@
 
   ? {c1 __configure -a1 x} \
 "required argument 'b1' is missing, should be:
-	::c1 __configure ?-a2 /value/? -b1 /value/ ?-a1 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+	::c1 __configure ?-a2 /value/? -b1 /value/ ?-a1 /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   ? {c1 info precedence} "::M ::C ::nx::Object"
 
   ? {C info slots -closure} \
-      "::C::slot::a1 ::nx::Object::slot::volatile ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::noinit ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter"
+      "::C::slot::a1 ::nx::Object::slot::volatile ::nx::Object::slot::__initblock ::nx::Object::slot::object-mixin ::nx::Object::slot::class ::nx::Object::slot::object-filter"
 
 
-  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-a2 -b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -noinit:alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::noinit,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
+  ? {c1 eval :__objectparameter} "-a2 -b1:required -a1 -volatile:alias,slot=::nx::Object::slot::volatile,slotassign,noarg -object-mixin:mixinreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::mixin,0..n -class:class,alias,method=::nsf::methods::object::class -object-filter:filterreg,alias,method=::nx::Object::slot::__object::filter,0..n __initblock:cmd,optional,noleadingdash"
 
   # should not require b1
   ? {C create c2} ::c2
@@ -2311,7 +2321,7 @@
 #  ? {C info parameter list a} "-a"
   ? {C info configure parameters a} "{-a a0}"
 #  ? {C info configure syntax a} "?-a /value/?"
-  ? {C info configure syntax} "/::C/ ?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
+  ? {C info configure syntax} "/::C/ ?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"
 
   ? {C info configure parameters v} ""
   ? {[C info slots v] definition} "::C variable -accessor none v v0"
@@ -2320,8 +2330,8 @@
 
   ? {C create c2 -a 10} ::c2
   ? {C create c2 -v 10} \
-      {invalid non-positional argument '-v', valid are : -a, -volatile, -noinit, -object-mixin, -class, -object-filter;
- should be "::c2 configure ?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"}
+      {invalid non-positional argument '-v', valid are : -a, -volatile, -object-mixin, -class, -object-filter;
+ should be "::c2 configure ?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?"}
 
   #
   # We expect a setter for "a" but not for "v". 
Index: tests/properties.test
===================================================================
diff -u -r45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31 -rdc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8
--- tests/properties.test	(.../properties.test)	(revision 45e24b34c85bf0fc3e14db5250550100bd07ff31)
+++ tests/properties.test	(.../properties.test)	(revision dc9120981daa00d27f8639ea98a71efc2078e0e8)
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
   #
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
-  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   ? {lsort [C info slots]} "::C::slot::____C.d ::C::slot::____C.vd ::C::slot::a ::C::slot::b ::C::slot::c ::C::slot::e ::C::slot::va ::C::slot::vb ::C::slot::vc ::C::slot::ve ::C::slot::vf"
 
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@
   #
   # The use of "-incremental" implies multivalued
   #
-  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
   
   ? {c1 cget -a} a1
   ? {c1 cget -b} b1
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   #
   # just the public properties are accessible via the cget interface
@@ -533,7 +533,7 @@
   #
   # The use of "-incremental" implies multivalued
   #
-  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value .../? ?-a /value .../? ?-b /value .../? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
   
   ? {o1 cget -a} a1
   ? {o1 cget -b} b1
@@ -697,12 +697,12 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {c1 info configure} {?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {c1 info configure} {?-a /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   ? {c1 cget -a} a1
   ? {c1 configure -a a2} ""
 
-  ? {C info configure} {?-b /value/? ?-superclass /class .../? ?-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-filter /filterreg .../? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {C info configure} {?-b /value/? ?-superclass /class .../? ?-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-filter /filterreg .../? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   ? {C cget -b} b1
   ? {C configure -b b2} ""
@@ -756,7 +756,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {c1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   set e [C eval :__objectparameter]
   ? {C eval :__objectparameter} $e
@@ -775,7 +775,7 @@
   #
   # check influence of class-level per-object properties
   #
-  ? {d1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {d1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   set e [D eval :__objectparameter]
   ? {D eval :__objectparameter} $e
@@ -815,7 +815,7 @@
   # just the public properties are accessible via the configure interface
   #
   
-  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-noinit? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
+  ? {o1 info configure} { ?-e /value/? ?-a /value/? ?-b /value/? ?-volatile? ?-object-mixin /mixinreg .../? ?-class /class/? ?-object-filter /filterreg .../? ?/__initblock/?}
 
   set e [o1 eval :__objectparameter]