[pypy-commit] pypy win64-stage1: Merge with default

ctismer noreply at buildbot.pypy.org
Sun Mar 18 16:36:36 CET 2012


Author: Christian Tismer <tismer at stackless.com>
Branch: win64-stage1
Changeset: r53792:f7a6679cea77
Date: 2012-03-18 16:35 +0100
http://bitbucket.org/pypy/pypy/changeset/f7a6679cea77/

Log:	Merge with default

diff --git a/pypy/__init__.py b/pypy/__init__.py
--- a/pypy/__init__.py
+++ b/pypy/__init__.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 # and the branch stage 2 is started, where we remove this patch.
 import sys
 if hasattr(sys, "maxsize"):
-    if sys.maxint <> sys.maxsize:
+    if sys.maxint != sys.maxsize:
         sys.maxint = sys.maxsize
         import warnings
         warnings.warn("""\n
diff --git a/pypy/interpreter/baseobjspace.py b/pypy/interpreter/baseobjspace.py
--- a/pypy/interpreter/baseobjspace.py
+++ b/pypy/interpreter/baseobjspace.py
@@ -1336,7 +1336,7 @@
         if not self.is_true(self.isinstance(w_obj, self.w_str)):
             raise OperationError(self.w_TypeError,
                                  self.wrap('argument must be a string'))
-        return self.str_w(w_obj)
+        return self.str_w(w_obj)            
 
     def unicode_w(self, w_obj):
         return w_obj.unicode_w(self)
diff --git a/pypy/jit/backend/test/runner_test.py b/pypy/jit/backend/test/runner_test.py
--- a/pypy/jit/backend/test/runner_test.py
+++ b/pypy/jit/backend/test/runner_test.py
@@ -1496,13 +1496,30 @@
                                                c_nest, c_nest], 'void')
 
     def test_read_timestamp(self):
+        if sys.platform == 'win32':
+            # windows quite often is very inexact (like the old 8259 PIC),
+            # so we stretch the time a little bit.
+            # On my virtual Parallels machine in a 2GhZ Core i7 Mac Mini,
+            # the test starts working at delay == 21670 and stops at 20600000.
+            # We take the geometric mean value.
+            from math import log, exp
+            delay_min = 21670
+            delay_max = 20600000
+            delay = int(exp((log(delay_min)+log(delay_max))/2))
+            def wait_a_bit():
+                for i in xrange(delay): pass
+        else:
+            def wait_a_bit():
+                pass
         if longlong.is_64_bit:
             got1 = self.execute_operation(rop.READ_TIMESTAMP, [], 'int')
+            wait_a_bit()
             got2 = self.execute_operation(rop.READ_TIMESTAMP, [], 'int')
             res1 = got1.getint()
             res2 = got2.getint()
         else:
             got1 = self.execute_operation(rop.READ_TIMESTAMP, [], 'float')
+            wait_a_bit()
             got2 = self.execute_operation(rop.READ_TIMESTAMP, [], 'float')
             res1 = got1.getlonglong()
             res2 = got2.getlonglong()
diff --git a/pypy/jit/backend/x86/assembler.py b/pypy/jit/backend/x86/assembler.py
--- a/pypy/jit/backend/x86/assembler.py
+++ b/pypy/jit/backend/x86/assembler.py
@@ -836,8 +836,8 @@
             self.mc.MOVSD_sx(0, loc.value)
         elif WORD == 4 and isinstance(loc, StackLoc) and loc.get_width() == 8:
             # XXX evil trick
-            self.mc.PUSH_b(get_ebp_ofs(loc.position))
-            self.mc.PUSH_b(get_ebp_ofs(loc.position + 1))
+            self.mc.PUSH_b(loc.value + 4)
+            self.mc.PUSH_b(loc.value)
         else:
             self.mc.PUSH(loc)
 
@@ -847,8 +847,8 @@
             self.mc.ADD_ri(esp.value, 8)   # = size of doubles
         elif WORD == 4 and isinstance(loc, StackLoc) and loc.get_width() == 8:
             # XXX evil trick
-            self.mc.POP_b(get_ebp_ofs(loc.position + 1))
-            self.mc.POP_b(get_ebp_ofs(loc.position))
+            self.mc.POP_b(loc.value)
+            self.mc.POP_b(loc.value + 4)
         else:
             self.mc.POP(loc)
 
@@ -1954,8 +1954,6 @@
             mc.PUSH_r(ebx.value)
         elif IS_X86_64:
             mc.MOV_rr(edi.value, ebx.value)
-            # XXX: Correct to only align the stack on 64-bit?
-            mc.AND_ri(esp.value, -16)
         else:
             raise AssertionError("Shouldn't happen")
 
@@ -2117,9 +2115,12 @@
         # First, we need to save away the registers listed in
         # 'save_registers' that are not callee-save.  XXX We assume that
         # the XMM registers won't be modified.  We store them in
-        # [ESP+4], [ESP+8], etc., leaving enough room in [ESP] for the
-        # single argument to closestack_addr below.
-        p = WORD
+        # [ESP+4], [ESP+8], etc.; on x86-32 we leave enough room in [ESP]
+        # for the single argument to closestack_addr below.
+        if IS_X86_32:
+            p = WORD
+        elif IS_X86_64:
+            p = 0
         for reg in self._regalloc.rm.save_around_call_regs:
             if reg in save_registers:
                 self.mc.MOV_sr(p, reg.value)
@@ -2174,7 +2175,10 @@
         #
         self._emit_call(-1, imm(self.releasegil_addr), args)
         # Finally, restore the registers saved above.
-        p = WORD
+        if IS_X86_32:
+            p = WORD
+        elif IS_X86_64:
+            p = 0
         for reg in self._regalloc.rm.save_around_call_regs:
             if reg in save_registers:
                 self.mc.MOV_rs(reg.value, p)
diff --git a/pypy/module/_ssl/test/test_ssl.py b/pypy/module/_ssl/test/test_ssl.py
--- a/pypy/module/_ssl/test/test_ssl.py
+++ b/pypy/module/_ssl/test/test_ssl.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 from pypy.conftest import gettestobjspace
 import os
 import py
-from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import is_valid_int
 
 
 class AppTestSSL:
@@ -31,7 +30,6 @@
         assert isinstance(_ssl.SSL_ERROR_EOF, int)
         assert isinstance(_ssl.SSL_ERROR_INVALID_ERROR_CODE, int)
 
-        assert is_valid_int(_ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION_NUMBER)
         assert isinstance(_ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION_INFO, tuple)
         assert len(_ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION_INFO) == 5
         assert isinstance(_ssl.OPENSSL_VERSION, str)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/__init__.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/__init__.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/__init__.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/__init__.py
@@ -37,26 +37,44 @@
         'True_': 'types.Bool.True',
         'False_': 'types.Bool.False',
 
+        'typeinfo': 'interp_dtype.get_dtype_cache(space).w_typeinfo',
+
         'generic': 'interp_boxes.W_GenericBox',
         'number': 'interp_boxes.W_NumberBox',
         'integer': 'interp_boxes.W_IntegerBox',
         'signedinteger': 'interp_boxes.W_SignedIntegerBox',
         'unsignedinteger': 'interp_boxes.W_UnsignedIntegerBox',
         'bool_': 'interp_boxes.W_BoolBox',
+        'bool8': 'interp_boxes.W_BoolBox',
         'int8': 'interp_boxes.W_Int8Box',
+        'byte': 'interp_boxes.W_Int8Box',
         'uint8': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt8Box',
+        'ubyte': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt8Box',
         'int16': 'interp_boxes.W_Int16Box',
+        'short': 'interp_boxes.W_Int16Box',
         'uint16': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt16Box',
+        'ushort': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt16Box',
         'int32': 'interp_boxes.W_Int32Box',
+        'intc': 'interp_boxes.W_Int32Box',
         'uint32': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt32Box',
+        'uintc': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt32Box',
         'int64': 'interp_boxes.W_Int64Box',
         'uint64': 'interp_boxes.W_UInt64Box',
+        'longlong': 'interp_boxes.W_LongLongBox',
+        'ulonglong': 'interp_boxes.W_ULongLongBox',
         'int_': 'interp_boxes.W_LongBox',
         'inexact': 'interp_boxes.W_InexactBox',
         'floating': 'interp_boxes.W_FloatingBox',
         'float_': 'interp_boxes.W_Float64Box',
         'float32': 'interp_boxes.W_Float32Box',
         'float64': 'interp_boxes.W_Float64Box',
+        'intp': 'types.IntP.BoxType',
+        'uintp': 'types.UIntP.BoxType',
+        'flexible': 'interp_boxes.W_FlexibleBox',
+        'character': 'interp_boxes.W_CharacterBox',
+        'str_': 'interp_boxes.W_StringBox',
+        'unicode_': 'interp_boxes.W_UnicodeBox',
+        'void': 'interp_boxes.W_VoidBox',
     }
 
     # ufuncs
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/compile.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/compile.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/compile.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/compile.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
     pass
 
 SINGLE_ARG_FUNCTIONS = ["sum", "prod", "max", "min", "all", "any",
-                        "unegative", "flat"]
+                        "unegative", "flat", "tostring"]
 TWO_ARG_FUNCTIONS = ["dot", 'take']
 
 class FakeSpace(object):
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@
     w_long = "long"
     w_tuple = 'tuple'
     w_slice = "slice"
+    w_str = "str"
+    w_unicode = "unicode"
 
     def __init__(self):
         """NOT_RPYTHON"""
@@ -91,8 +93,12 @@
             return BoolObject(obj)
         elif isinstance(obj, int):
             return IntObject(obj)
+        elif isinstance(obj, long):
+            return LongObject(obj)
         elif isinstance(obj, W_Root):
             return obj
+        elif isinstance(obj, str):
+            return StringObject(obj)
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def newlist(self, items):
@@ -120,6 +126,11 @@
             return int(w_obj.floatval)
         raise NotImplementedError
 
+    def str_w(self, w_obj):
+        if isinstance(w_obj, StringObject):
+            return w_obj.v
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
     def int(self, w_obj):
         if isinstance(w_obj, IntObject):
             return w_obj
@@ -151,7 +162,13 @@
         return instantiate(klass)
 
     def newtuple(self, list_w):
-        raise ValueError
+        return ListObject(list_w)
+
+    def newdict(self):
+        return {}
+
+    def setitem(self, dict, item, value):
+        dict[item] = value
 
     def len_w(self, w_obj):
         if isinstance(w_obj, ListObject):
@@ -178,6 +195,11 @@
     def __init__(self, intval):
         self.intval = intval
 
+class LongObject(W_Root):
+    tp = FakeSpace.w_long
+    def __init__(self, intval):
+        self.intval = intval
+
 class ListObject(W_Root):
     tp = FakeSpace.w_list
     def __init__(self, items):
@@ -190,6 +212,11 @@
         self.stop = stop
         self.step = step
 
+class StringObject(W_Root):
+    tp = FakeSpace.w_str
+    def __init__(self, v):
+        self.v = v
+
 class InterpreterState(object):
     def __init__(self, code):
         self.code = code
@@ -407,6 +434,9 @@
                 w_res = neg.call(interp.space, [arr])
             elif self.name == "flat":
                 w_res = arr.descr_get_flatiter(interp.space)
+            elif self.name == "tostring":
+                arr.descr_tostring(interp.space)
+                w_res = None
             else:
                 assert False # unreachable code
         elif self.name in TWO_ARG_FUNCTIONS:
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_boxes.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_boxes.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_boxes.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_boxes.py
@@ -1,24 +1,25 @@
 from pypy.interpreter.baseobjspace import Wrappable
-from pypy.interpreter.error import operationerrfmt
+from pypy.interpreter.error import operationerrfmt, OperationError
 from pypy.interpreter.gateway import interp2app, unwrap_spec
 from pypy.interpreter.typedef import TypeDef
 from pypy.objspace.std.floattype import float_typedef
+from pypy.objspace.std.stringtype import str_typedef
+from pypy.objspace.std.unicodetype import unicode_typedef, unicode_from_object
 from pypy.objspace.std.inttype import int_typedef
 from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import LONG_BIT
 from pypy.tool.sourcetools import func_with_new_name
 
-
 MIXIN_32 = (int_typedef,) if LONG_BIT == 32 else ()
 MIXIN_64 = (int_typedef,) if LONG_BIT == 64 else ()
 
 def new_dtype_getter(name):
-    def get_dtype(space):
+    def _get_dtype(space):
         from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_dtype import get_dtype_cache
         return getattr(get_dtype_cache(space), "w_%sdtype" % name)
     def new(space, w_subtype, w_value):
-        dtype = get_dtype(space)
+        dtype = _get_dtype(space)
         return dtype.itemtype.coerce_subtype(space, w_subtype, w_value)
-    return func_with_new_name(new, name + "_box_new"), staticmethod(get_dtype)
+    return func_with_new_name(new, name + "_box_new"), staticmethod(_get_dtype)
 
 class PrimitiveBox(object):
     _mixin_ = True
@@ -37,6 +38,9 @@
             w_subtype.getname(space, '?')
         )
 
+    def get_dtype(self, space):
+        return self._get_dtype(space)
+
     def descr_str(self, space):
         return space.wrap(self.get_dtype(space).itemtype.str_format(self))
 
@@ -44,12 +48,12 @@
         return space.format(self.item(space), w_spec)
 
     def descr_int(self, space):
-        box = self.convert_to(W_LongBox.get_dtype(space))
+        box = self.convert_to(W_LongBox._get_dtype(space))
         assert isinstance(box, W_LongBox)
         return space.wrap(box.value)
 
     def descr_float(self, space):
-        box = self.convert_to(W_Float64Box.get_dtype(space))
+        box = self.convert_to(W_Float64Box._get_dtype(space))
         assert isinstance(box, W_Float64Box)
         return space.wrap(box.value)
 
@@ -130,7 +134,7 @@
 
 
 class W_BoolBox(W_GenericBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("bool")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("bool")
 
 class W_NumberBox(W_GenericBox):
     _attrs_ = ()
@@ -146,34 +150,40 @@
     pass
 
 class W_Int8Box(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int8")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int8")
 
 class W_UInt8Box(W_UnsignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint8")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint8")
 
 class W_Int16Box(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int16")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int16")
 
 class W_UInt16Box(W_UnsignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint16")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint16")
 
 class W_Int32Box(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int32")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int32")
 
 class W_UInt32Box(W_UnsignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint32")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint32")
 
 class W_LongBox(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("long")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("long")
 
 class W_ULongBox(W_UnsignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("ulong")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("ulong")
 
 class W_Int64Box(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int64")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("int64")
+
+class W_LongLongBox(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter('longlong')
 
 class W_UInt64Box(W_UnsignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint64")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("uint64")
+
+class W_ULongLongBox(W_SignedIntegerBox, PrimitiveBox):
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter('ulonglong')
 
 class W_InexactBox(W_NumberBox):
     _attrs_ = ()
@@ -182,16 +192,71 @@
     _attrs_ = ()
 
 class W_Float32Box(W_FloatingBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("float32")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("float32")
 
 class W_Float64Box(W_FloatingBox, PrimitiveBox):
-    descr__new__, get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("float64")
+    descr__new__, _get_dtype = new_dtype_getter("float64")
 
 
+class W_FlexibleBox(W_GenericBox):
+    def __init__(self, arr, ofs, dtype):
+        self.arr = arr # we have to keep array alive
+        self.ofs = ofs
+        self.dtype = dtype
+
+    def get_dtype(self, space):
+        return self.arr.dtype
+
 @unwrap_spec(self=W_GenericBox)
 def descr_index(space, self):
     return space.index(self.item(space))
 
+class W_VoidBox(W_FlexibleBox):
+    @unwrap_spec(item=str)
+    def descr_getitem(self, space, item):
+        try:
+            ofs, dtype = self.dtype.fields[item]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError,
+                                 space.wrap("Field %s does not exist" % item))
+        return dtype.itemtype.read(self.arr, 1, self.ofs, ofs, dtype)
+
+    @unwrap_spec(item=str)
+    def descr_setitem(self, space, item, w_value):
+        try:
+            ofs, dtype = self.dtype.fields[item]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError,
+                                 space.wrap("Field %s does not exist" % item))
+        dtype.itemtype.store(self.arr, 1, self.ofs, ofs,
+                             dtype.coerce(space, w_value))
+
+class W_CharacterBox(W_FlexibleBox):
+    pass
+
+class W_StringBox(W_CharacterBox):
+    def descr__new__string_box(space, w_subtype, w_arg):
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimArray
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_dtype import new_string_dtype
+
+        arg = space.str_w(space.str(w_arg))
+        arr = W_NDimArray([1], new_string_dtype(space, len(arg)))
+        for i in range(len(arg)):
+            arr.storage[i] = arg[i]
+        return W_StringBox(arr, 0, arr.dtype)
+
+
+class W_UnicodeBox(W_CharacterBox):
+    def descr__new__unicode_box(space, w_subtype, w_arg):
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimArray
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_dtype import new_unicode_dtype
+
+        arg = space.unicode_w(unicode_from_object(space, w_arg))
+        arr = W_NDimArray([1], new_unicode_dtype(space, len(arg)))
+        # XXX not this way, we need store
+        #for i in range(len(arg)):
+        #    arr.storage[i] = arg[i]
+        return W_UnicodeBox(arr, 0, arr.dtype)
 
 W_GenericBox.typedef = TypeDef("generic",
     __module__ = "numpypy",
@@ -348,3 +413,28 @@
     __new__ = interp2app(W_Float64Box.descr__new__.im_func),
 )
 
+
+W_FlexibleBox.typedef = TypeDef("flexible", W_GenericBox.typedef,
+    __module__ = "numpypy",
+)
+
+W_VoidBox.typedef = TypeDef("void", W_FlexibleBox.typedef,
+    __module__ = "numpypy",
+    __getitem__ = interp2app(W_VoidBox.descr_getitem),
+    __setitem__ = interp2app(W_VoidBox.descr_setitem),
+)
+
+W_CharacterBox.typedef = TypeDef("character", W_FlexibleBox.typedef,
+    __module__ = "numpypy",
+)
+
+W_StringBox.typedef = TypeDef("string_", (str_typedef, W_CharacterBox.typedef),
+    __module__ = "numpypy",
+    __new__ = interp2app(W_StringBox.descr__new__string_box.im_func),
+)
+
+W_UnicodeBox.typedef = TypeDef("unicode_", (unicode_typedef, W_CharacterBox.typedef),
+    __module__ = "numpypy",
+    __new__ = interp2app(W_UnicodeBox.descr__new__unicode_box.im_func),
+)
+                                          
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_dtype.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_dtype.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_dtype.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_dtype.py
@@ -1,26 +1,29 @@
+
+import sys
 from pypy.interpreter.baseobjspace import Wrappable
 from pypy.interpreter.error import OperationError
-from pypy.interpreter.gateway import interp2app
+from pypy.interpreter.gateway import interp2app, unwrap_spec
 from pypy.interpreter.typedef import (TypeDef, GetSetProperty,
     interp_attrproperty, interp_attrproperty_w)
-from pypy.module.micronumpy import types, signature, interp_boxes
+from pypy.module.micronumpy import types, interp_boxes
 from pypy.rlib.objectmodel import specialize
-from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import LONG_BIT
-from pypy.rpython.lltypesystem import lltype, rffi
+from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import LONG_BIT, r_longlong, r_ulonglong
 
 
 UNSIGNEDLTR = "u"
 SIGNEDLTR = "i"
 BOOLLTR = "b"
 FLOATINGLTR = "f"
-
-
-VOID_STORAGE = lltype.Array(lltype.Char, hints={'nolength': True, 'render_as_void': True})
+VOIDLTR = 'V'
+STRINGLTR = 'S'
+UNICODELTR = 'U'
 
 class W_Dtype(Wrappable):
     _immutable_fields_ = ["itemtype", "num", "kind"]
 
-    def __init__(self, itemtype, num, kind, name, char, w_box_type, alternate_constructors=[], aliases=[]):
+    def __init__(self, itemtype, num, kind, name, char, w_box_type,
+                 alternate_constructors=[], aliases=[],
+                 fields=None, fieldnames=None, native=True):
         self.itemtype = itemtype
         self.num = num
         self.kind = kind
@@ -29,53 +32,28 @@
         self.w_box_type = w_box_type
         self.alternate_constructors = alternate_constructors
         self.aliases = aliases
-
-    def malloc(self, length):
-        # XXX find out why test_zjit explodes with tracking of allocations
-        return lltype.malloc(VOID_STORAGE, self.itemtype.get_element_size() * length,
-            zero=True, flavor="raw",
-            track_allocation=False, add_memory_pressure=True
-        )
+        self.fields = fields
+        self.fieldnames = fieldnames
+        self.native = native
 
     @specialize.argtype(1)
     def box(self, value):
         return self.itemtype.box(value)
 
     def coerce(self, space, w_item):
-        return self.itemtype.coerce(space, w_item)
+        return self.itemtype.coerce(space, self, w_item)
 
-    def getitem(self, storage, i):
-        return self.itemtype.read(storage, self.itemtype.get_element_size(), i, 0)
+    def getitem(self, arr, i):
+        return self.itemtype.read(arr, 1, i, 0)
 
-    def getitem_bool(self, storage, i):
-        isize = self.itemtype.get_element_size()
-        return self.itemtype.read_bool(storage, isize, i, 0)
+    def getitem_bool(self, arr, i):
+        return self.itemtype.read_bool(arr, 1, i, 0)
 
-    def setitem(self, storage, i, box):
-        self.itemtype.store(storage, self.itemtype.get_element_size(), i, 0, box)
+    def setitem(self, arr, i, box):
+        self.itemtype.store(arr, 1, i, 0, box)
 
     def fill(self, storage, box, start, stop):
-        self.itemtype.fill(storage, self.itemtype.get_element_size(), box, start, stop, 0)
-
-    def descr__new__(space, w_subtype, w_dtype):
-        cache = get_dtype_cache(space)
-
-        if space.is_w(w_dtype, space.w_None):
-            return cache.w_float64dtype
-        elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, w_subtype):
-            return w_dtype
-        elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, space.w_str):
-            name = space.str_w(w_dtype)
-            for dtype in cache.builtin_dtypes:
-                if dtype.name == name or dtype.char == name or name in dtype.aliases:
-                    return dtype
-        else:
-            for dtype in cache.builtin_dtypes:
-                if w_dtype in dtype.alternate_constructors:
-                    return dtype
-                if w_dtype is dtype.w_box_type:
-                    return dtype
-        raise OperationError(space.w_TypeError, space.wrap("data type not understood"))
+        self.itemtype.fill(storage, self.get_size(), box, start, stop, 0)
 
     def descr_str(self, space):
         return space.wrap(self.name)
@@ -86,6 +64,14 @@
     def descr_get_itemsize(self, space):
         return space.wrap(self.itemtype.get_element_size())
 
+    def descr_get_byteorder(self, space):
+        if self.native:
+            return space.wrap('=')
+        return space.wrap(nonnative_byteorder_prefix)
+
+    def descr_get_alignment(self, space):
+        return space.wrap(self.itemtype.alignment)
+
     def descr_get_shape(self, space):
         return space.newtuple([])
 
@@ -99,31 +85,193 @@
     def descr_ne(self, space, w_other):
         return space.wrap(not self.eq(space, w_other))
 
+    def descr_get_fields(self, space):
+        if self.fields is None:
+            return space.w_None
+        w_d = space.newdict()
+        for name, (offset, subdtype) in self.fields.iteritems():
+            space.setitem(w_d, space.wrap(name), space.newtuple([subdtype,
+                                                                 space.wrap(offset)]))
+        return w_d
+
+    def descr_get_names(self, space):
+        if self.fieldnames is None:
+            return space.w_None
+        return space.newtuple([space.wrap(name) for name in self.fieldnames])
+
+    @unwrap_spec(item=str)
+    def descr_getitem(self, space, item):
+        if self.fields is None:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_KeyError, space.wrap("There are no keys in dtypes %s" % self.name))
+        try:
+            return self.fields[item][1]
+        except KeyError:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_KeyError, space.wrap("Field named %s not found" % item))
+
     def is_int_type(self):
         return (self.kind == SIGNEDLTR or self.kind == UNSIGNEDLTR or
                 self.kind == BOOLLTR)
 
+    def is_signed(self):
+        return self.kind == SIGNEDLTR
+
     def is_bool_type(self):
         return self.kind == BOOLLTR
 
+    def is_record_type(self):
+        return self.fields is not None
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        if self.fields is not None:
+            return '<DType %r>' % self.fields
+        return '<DType %r>' % self.itemtype
+
+    def get_size(self):
+        return self.itemtype.get_element_size()
+
+def dtype_from_list(space, w_lst):
+    lst_w = space.listview(w_lst)
+    fields = {}
+    offset = 0
+    ofs_and_items = []
+    fieldnames = []
+    for w_elem in lst_w:
+        w_fldname, w_flddesc = space.fixedview(w_elem, 2)
+        subdtype = descr__new__(space, space.gettypefor(W_Dtype), w_flddesc)
+        fldname = space.str_w(w_fldname)
+        if fldname in fields:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap("two fields with the same name"))
+        assert isinstance(subdtype, W_Dtype)
+        fields[fldname] = (offset, subdtype)
+        ofs_and_items.append((offset, subdtype.itemtype))
+        offset += subdtype.itemtype.get_element_size()
+        fieldnames.append(fldname)
+    itemtype = types.RecordType(ofs_and_items, offset)
+    return W_Dtype(itemtype, 20, VOIDLTR, "void" + str(8 * itemtype.get_element_size()),
+                   "V", space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_VoidBox), fields=fields,
+                   fieldnames=fieldnames)
+
+def dtype_from_dict(space, w_dict):
+    raise OperationError(space.w_NotImplementedError, space.wrap(
+        "dtype from dict"))
+
+def variable_dtype(space, name):
+    if name[0] in '<>=':
+        name = name[1:]
+    char = name[0]
+    if len(name) == 1:
+        size = 0
+    else:
+        try:
+            size = int(name[1:])
+        except ValueError:
+            raise OperationError(space.w_TypeError, space.wrap("data type not understood"))
+    if char == 'S':
+        itemtype = types.StringType(size)
+        basename = 'string'
+        num = 18
+        w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_StringBox)
+    elif char == 'V':
+        num = 20
+        basename = 'void'
+        w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_VoidBox)
+        raise OperationError(space.w_NotImplementedError, space.wrap(
+            "pure void dtype"))
+    else:
+        assert char == 'U'
+        basename = 'unicode'
+        itemtype = types.UnicodeType(size)
+        num = 19
+        w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_UnicodeBox)
+    return W_Dtype(itemtype, num, char,
+                   basename + str(8 * itemtype.get_element_size()),
+                   char, w_box_type)
+
+def dtype_from_spec(space, name):
+        raise OperationError(space.w_NotImplementedError, space.wrap(
+            "dtype from spec"))    
+
+def descr__new__(space, w_subtype, w_dtype):
+    cache = get_dtype_cache(space)
+
+    if space.is_w(w_dtype, space.w_None):
+        return cache.w_float64dtype
+    elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, w_subtype):
+        return w_dtype
+    elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, space.w_str):
+        name = space.str_w(w_dtype)
+        if ',' in name:
+            return dtype_from_spec(space, name)
+        try:
+            return cache.dtypes_by_name[name]
+        except KeyError:
+            pass
+        if name[0] in 'VSU' or name[0] in '<>=' and name[1] in 'VSU':
+            return variable_dtype(space, name)
+    elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, space.w_list):
+        return dtype_from_list(space, w_dtype)
+    elif space.isinstance_w(w_dtype, space.w_dict):
+        return dtype_from_dict(space, w_dtype)
+    else:
+        for dtype in cache.builtin_dtypes:
+            if w_dtype in dtype.alternate_constructors:
+                return dtype
+            if w_dtype is dtype.w_box_type:
+                return dtype
+    raise OperationError(space.w_TypeError, space.wrap("data type not understood"))
+
 W_Dtype.typedef = TypeDef("dtype",
     __module__ = "numpypy",
-    __new__ = interp2app(W_Dtype.descr__new__.im_func),
+    __new__ = interp2app(descr__new__),
 
     __str__= interp2app(W_Dtype.descr_str),
     __repr__ = interp2app(W_Dtype.descr_repr),
     __eq__ = interp2app(W_Dtype.descr_eq),
     __ne__ = interp2app(W_Dtype.descr_ne),
+    __getitem__ = interp2app(W_Dtype.descr_getitem),
 
     num = interp_attrproperty("num", cls=W_Dtype),
     kind = interp_attrproperty("kind", cls=W_Dtype),
+    char = interp_attrproperty("char", cls=W_Dtype),
     type = interp_attrproperty_w("w_box_type", cls=W_Dtype),
+    byteorder = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_byteorder),
     itemsize = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_itemsize),
+    alignment = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_alignment),
     shape = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_shape),
     name = interp_attrproperty('name', cls=W_Dtype),
+    fields = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_fields),
+    names = GetSetProperty(W_Dtype.descr_get_names),
 )
 W_Dtype.typedef.acceptable_as_base_class = False
 
+if sys.byteorder == 'little':
+    byteorder_prefix = '<'
+    nonnative_byteorder_prefix = '>'
+else:
+    byteorder_prefix = '>'
+    nonnative_byteorder_prefix = '<'
+
+def new_string_dtype(space, size):
+    return W_Dtype(
+        types.StringType(size),
+        num=18,
+        kind=STRINGLTR,
+        name='string',
+        char='S' + str(size),
+        w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_StringBox),
+    )
+
+def new_unicode_dtype(space, size):
+    return W_Dtype(
+        types.UnicodeType(size),
+        num=19,
+        kind=UNICODELTR,
+        name='unicode',
+        char='U' + str(size),
+        w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_UnicodeBox),
+    )
+
+
 class DtypeCache(object):
     def __init__(self, space):
         self.w_booldtype = W_Dtype(
@@ -211,7 +359,6 @@
             name="int64",
             char="q",
             w_box_type=space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_Int64Box),
-            alternate_constructors=[space.w_long],
         )
         self.w_uint64dtype = W_Dtype(
             types.UInt64(),
@@ -239,18 +386,149 @@
             alternate_constructors=[space.w_float],
             aliases=["float"],
         )
-
+        self.w_longlongdtype = W_Dtype(
+            types.Int64(),
+            num=9,
+            kind=SIGNEDLTR,
+            name='int64',
+            char='q',
+            w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_LongLongBox),
+            alternate_constructors=[space.w_long],
+        )
+        self.w_ulonglongdtype = W_Dtype(
+            types.UInt64(),
+            num=10,
+            kind=UNSIGNEDLTR,
+            name='uint64',
+            char='Q',
+            w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_ULongLongBox),
+        )
+        self.w_stringdtype = W_Dtype(
+            types.StringType(1),
+            num=18,
+            kind=STRINGLTR,
+            name='string',
+            char='S',
+            w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_StringBox),
+            alternate_constructors=[space.w_str],
+        )
+        self.w_unicodedtype = W_Dtype(
+            types.UnicodeType(1),
+            num=19,
+            kind=UNICODELTR,
+            name='unicode',
+            char='U',
+            w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_UnicodeBox),
+            alternate_constructors=[space.w_unicode],
+        )
+        self.w_voiddtype = W_Dtype(
+            types.VoidType(0),
+            num=20,
+            kind=VOIDLTR,
+            name='void',
+            char='V',
+            w_box_type = space.gettypefor(interp_boxes.W_VoidBox),
+            #alternate_constructors=[space.w_buffer],
+            # XXX no buffer in space
+        )
         self.builtin_dtypes = [
             self.w_booldtype, self.w_int8dtype, self.w_uint8dtype,
             self.w_int16dtype, self.w_uint16dtype, self.w_int32dtype,
             self.w_uint32dtype, self.w_longdtype, self.w_ulongdtype,
-            self.w_int64dtype, self.w_uint64dtype, self.w_float32dtype,
-            self.w_float64dtype
+            self.w_longlongdtype, self.w_ulonglongdtype,
+            self.w_float32dtype,
+            self.w_float64dtype, self.w_stringdtype, self.w_unicodedtype,
+            self.w_voiddtype,
         ]
         self.dtypes_by_num_bytes = sorted(
             (dtype.itemtype.get_element_size(), dtype)
             for dtype in self.builtin_dtypes
         )
+        self.dtypes_by_name = {}
+        for dtype in self.builtin_dtypes:
+            self.dtypes_by_name[dtype.name] = dtype
+            can_name = dtype.kind + str(dtype.itemtype.get_element_size())
+            self.dtypes_by_name[can_name] = dtype
+            self.dtypes_by_name[byteorder_prefix + can_name] = dtype
+            self.dtypes_by_name['=' + can_name] = dtype
+            new_name = nonnative_byteorder_prefix + can_name
+            itemtypename = dtype.itemtype.__class__.__name__
+            itemtype = getattr(types, 'NonNative' + itemtypename)()
+            self.dtypes_by_name[new_name] = W_Dtype(
+                itemtype,
+                dtype.num, dtype.kind, new_name, dtype.char, dtype.w_box_type,
+                native=False)
+            for alias in dtype.aliases:
+                self.dtypes_by_name[alias] = dtype
+            self.dtypes_by_name[dtype.char] = dtype
+
+        typeinfo_full = {
+            'LONGLONG': self.w_int64dtype,
+            'SHORT': self.w_int16dtype,
+            'VOID': self.w_voiddtype,
+            #'LONGDOUBLE':,
+            'UBYTE': self.w_uint8dtype,
+            'UINTP': self.w_ulongdtype,
+            'ULONG': self.w_ulongdtype,
+            'LONG': self.w_longdtype,
+            'UNICODE': self.w_unicodedtype,
+            #'OBJECT',
+            'ULONGLONG': self.w_ulonglongdtype,
+            'STRING': self.w_stringdtype,
+            #'CDOUBLE',
+            #'DATETIME',
+            'UINT': self.w_uint32dtype,
+            'INTP': self.w_longdtype,
+            #'HALF',
+            'BYTE': self.w_int8dtype,
+            #'CFLOAT': ,
+            #'TIMEDELTA',
+            'INT': self.w_int32dtype,
+            'DOUBLE': self.w_float64dtype,
+            'USHORT': self.w_uint16dtype,
+            'FLOAT': self.w_float32dtype,
+            'BOOL': self.w_booldtype,
+            #, 'CLONGDOUBLE']
+        }
+        typeinfo_partial = {
+            'Generic': interp_boxes.W_GenericBox,
+            'Character': interp_boxes.W_CharacterBox,
+            'Flexible': interp_boxes.W_FlexibleBox,
+            'Inexact': interp_boxes.W_InexactBox,
+            'Integer': interp_boxes.W_IntegerBox,
+            'SignedInteger': interp_boxes.W_SignedIntegerBox,
+            'UnsignedInteger': interp_boxes.W_UnsignedIntegerBox,
+            #'ComplexFloating',
+            'Number': interp_boxes.W_NumberBox,
+            'Floating': interp_boxes.W_FloatingBox
+        }
+        w_typeinfo = space.newdict()
+        for k, v in typeinfo_partial.iteritems():
+            space.setitem(w_typeinfo, space.wrap(k), space.gettypefor(v))
+        for k, dtype in typeinfo_full.iteritems():
+            itemsize = dtype.itemtype.get_element_size()
+            items_w = [space.wrap(dtype.char),
+                       space.wrap(dtype.num),
+                       space.wrap(itemsize * 8), # in case of changing
+                       # number of bits per byte in the future
+                       space.wrap(itemsize or 1)]
+            if dtype.is_int_type():
+                if dtype.kind == BOOLLTR:
+                    w_maxobj = space.wrap(1)
+                    w_minobj = space.wrap(0)
+                elif dtype.is_signed():
+                    w_maxobj = space.wrap(r_longlong((1 << (itemsize*8 - 1))
+                                          - 1))
+                    w_minobj = space.wrap(r_longlong(-1) << (itemsize*8 - 1))
+                else:
+                    w_maxobj = space.wrap(r_ulonglong(1 << (itemsize*8)) - 1)
+                    w_minobj = space.wrap(0)
+                items_w = items_w + [w_maxobj, w_minobj]
+            items_w = items_w + [dtype.w_box_type]
+                       
+            w_tuple = space.newtuple(items_w)
+            space.setitem(w_typeinfo, space.wrap(k), w_tuple)
+        self.w_typeinfo = w_typeinfo
 
 def get_dtype_cache(space):
     return space.fromcache(DtypeCache)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_iter.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_iter.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_iter.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_iter.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 from pypy.rlib import jit
 from pypy.rlib.objectmodel import instantiate
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.strides import calculate_broadcast_strides,\
-     calculate_slice_strides, calculate_dot_strides
+     calculate_slice_strides, calculate_dot_strides, enumerate_chunks
 
 """ This is a mini-tutorial on iterators, strides, and
 memory layout. It assumes you are familiar with the terms, see
@@ -42,25 +42,67 @@
 we can go faster.
 All the calculations happen in next()
 
-next_step_x() tries to do the iteration for a number of steps at once,
+next_skip_x() tries to do the iteration for a number of steps at once,
 but then we cannot gaurentee that we only overflow one single shape 
 dimension, perhaps we could overflow times in one big step.
 """
 
 # structures to describe slicing
 
-class Chunk(object):
+class BaseChunk(object):
+    pass
+
+class RecordChunk(BaseChunk):
+    def __init__(self, name):
+        self.name = name
+
+    def apply(self, arr):
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimSlice
+
+        arr = arr.get_concrete()
+        ofs, subdtype = arr.dtype.fields[self.name]
+        # strides backstrides are identical, ofs only changes start
+        return W_NDimSlice(arr.start + ofs, arr.strides[:], arr.backstrides[:],
+                           arr.shape[:], arr, subdtype)
+
+class Chunks(BaseChunk):
+    def __init__(self, l):
+        self.l = l
+
+    @jit.unroll_safe
+    def extend_shape(self, old_shape):
+        shape = []
+        i = -1
+        for i, c in enumerate_chunks(self.l):
+            if c.step != 0:
+                shape.append(c.lgt)
+        s = i + 1
+        assert s >= 0
+        return shape[:] + old_shape[s:]
+
+    def apply(self, arr):
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimSlice,\
+             VirtualSlice, ConcreteArray
+
+        shape = self.extend_shape(arr.shape)
+        if not isinstance(arr, ConcreteArray):
+            return VirtualSlice(arr, self, shape)
+        r = calculate_slice_strides(arr.shape, arr.start, arr.strides,
+                                    arr.backstrides, self.l)
+        _, start, strides, backstrides = r
+        return W_NDimSlice(start, strides[:], backstrides[:],
+                           shape[:], arr)
+
+
+class Chunk(BaseChunk):
     axis_step = 1
+
     def __init__(self, start, stop, step, lgt):
         self.start = start
         self.stop = stop
         self.step = step
         self.lgt = lgt
 
-    def extend_shape(self, shape):
-        if self.step != 0:
-            shape.append(self.lgt)
-
     def __repr__(self):
         return 'Chunk(%d, %d, %d, %d)' % (self.start, self.stop, self.step,
                                           self.lgt)
@@ -106,17 +148,19 @@
         raise NotImplementedError
 
 class ArrayIterator(BaseIterator):
-    def __init__(self, size):
+    def __init__(self, size, element_size):
         self.offset = 0
         self.size = size
+        self.element_size = element_size
 
     def next(self, shapelen):
         return self.next_skip_x(1)
 
-    def next_skip_x(self, ofs):
+    def next_skip_x(self, x):
         arr = instantiate(ArrayIterator)
         arr.size = self.size
-        arr.offset = self.offset + ofs
+        arr.offset = self.offset + x * self.element_size
+        arr.element_size = self.element_size
         return arr
 
     def next_no_increase(self, shapelen):
@@ -163,7 +207,7 @@
         elif isinstance(t, ViewTransform):
             r = calculate_slice_strides(self.res_shape, self.offset,
                                         self.strides,
-                                        self.backstrides, t.chunks)
+                                        self.backstrides, t.chunks.l)
             return ViewIterator(r[1], r[2], r[3], r[0])
 
     @jit.unroll_safe
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_numarray.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_numarray.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_numarray.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_numarray.py
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.appbridge import get_appbridge_cache
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.dot import multidim_dot, match_dot_shapes
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_iter import (ArrayIterator,
-    SkipLastAxisIterator, Chunk, NewAxisChunk, ViewIterator)
-from pypy.module.micronumpy.strides import (calculate_slice_strides,
-    shape_agreement, find_shape_and_elems, get_shape_from_iterable,
-    calc_new_strides, to_coords, enumerate_chunks)
+    SkipLastAxisIterator, Chunk, ViewIterator, Chunks, RecordChunk,
+    NewAxisChunk)
+from pypy.module.micronumpy.strides import (shape_agreement,
+    find_shape_and_elems, get_shape_from_iterable, calc_new_strides, to_coords)
 from pypy.rlib import jit
 from pypy.rlib.rstring import StringBuilder
 from pypy.rpython.lltypesystem import lltype, rffi
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
 )
 flat_set_driver = jit.JitDriver(
     greens=['shapelen', 'base'],
-    reds=['step', 'ai', 'lngth', 'arr', 'basei'],
+    reds=['step', 'lngth', 'ri', 'arr', 'basei'],
     name='numpy_flatset',
 )
 
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@
         dtype = space.interp_w(interp_dtype.W_Dtype,
             space.call_function(space.gettypefor(interp_dtype.W_Dtype), w_dtype)
         )
-        size, shape = _find_size_and_shape(space, w_size)
-        return space.wrap(W_NDimArray(size, shape[:], dtype=dtype))
+        shape = _find_shape(space, w_size)
+        return space.wrap(W_NDimArray(shape[:], dtype=dtype))
 
     def _unaryop_impl(ufunc_name):
         def impl(self, space):
@@ -225,8 +225,7 @@
             return scalar_w(space, dtype, space.wrap(0))
         # Do the dims match?
         out_shape, other_critical_dim = match_dot_shapes(space, self, other)
-        out_size = support.product(out_shape)
-        result = W_NDimArray(out_size, out_shape, dtype)
+        result = W_NDimArray(out_shape, dtype)
         # This is the place to add fpypy and blas
         return multidim_dot(space, self.get_concrete(),
                             other.get_concrete(), result, dtype,
@@ -245,7 +244,7 @@
         return space.wrap(self.find_dtype().itemtype.get_element_size())
 
     def descr_get_nbytes(self, space):
-        return space.wrap(self.size * self.find_dtype().itemtype.get_element_size())
+        return space.wrap(self.size)
 
     @jit.unroll_safe
     def descr_get_shape(self, space):
@@ -253,13 +252,16 @@
 
     def descr_set_shape(self, space, w_iterable):
         new_shape = get_shape_from_iterable(space,
-                            self.size, w_iterable)
+                            support.product(self.shape), w_iterable)
         if isinstance(self, Scalar):
             return
         self.get_concrete().setshape(space, new_shape)
 
     def descr_get_size(self, space):
-        return space.wrap(self.size)
+        return space.wrap(self.get_size())
+
+    def get_size(self):
+        return self.size // self.find_dtype().get_size()
 
     def descr_copy(self, space):
         return self.copy(space)
@@ -279,7 +281,7 @@
 
     def empty_copy(self, space, dtype):
         shape = self.shape
-        return W_NDimArray(support.product(shape), shape[:], dtype, 'C')
+        return W_NDimArray(shape[:], dtype, 'C')
 
     def descr_len(self, space):
         if len(self.shape):
@@ -320,13 +322,15 @@
         """ The result of getitem/setitem is a single item if w_idx
         is a list of scalars that match the size of shape
         """
+        if space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_str):
+            return False
         shape_len = len(self.shape)
         if space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_tuple):
             for w_item in space.fixedview(w_idx):
                 if (space.isinstance_w(w_item, space.w_slice) or
-                    space.isinstance_w(w_item, space.w_NoneType)):
+                    space.is_w(w_item, space.w_None)):
                     return False
-        elif space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_NoneType):
+        elif space.is_w(w_idx, space.w_None):
             return False
         if shape_len == 0:
             raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError, space.wrap(
@@ -347,44 +351,51 @@
 
     @jit.unroll_safe
     def _prepare_slice_args(self, space, w_idx):
+        if space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_str):
+            idx = space.str_w(w_idx)
+            dtype = self.find_dtype()
+            if not dtype.is_record_type() or idx not in dtype.fields:
+                raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
+                    "field named %s not defined" % idx))
+            return RecordChunk(idx)
         if (space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_int) or
             space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_slice)):
-            return [Chunk(*space.decode_index4(w_idx, self.shape[0]))]
-        elif space.isinstance_w(w_idx, space.w_NoneType):
-            return [NewAxisChunk()]
+            return Chunks([Chunk(*space.decode_index4(w_idx, self.shape[0]))])
+        elif space.is_w(w_idx, space.w_None):
+            return Chunks([NewAxisChunk()])
         result = []
         i = 0
         for w_item in space.fixedview(w_idx):
-            if space.isinstance_w(w_item, space.w_NoneType):
+            if space.is_w(w_item, space.w_None):
                 result.append(NewAxisChunk())
             else:
                 result.append(Chunk(*space.decode_index4(w_item,
                                                          self.shape[i])))
                 i += 1
-        return result
+        return Chunks(result)
 
-    def count_all_true(self, arr):
-        sig = arr.find_sig()
-        frame = sig.create_frame(arr)
-        shapelen = len(arr.shape)
+    def count_all_true(self):
+        sig = self.find_sig()
+        frame = sig.create_frame(self)
+        shapelen = len(self.shape)
         s = 0
         iter = None
         while not frame.done():
-            count_driver.jit_merge_point(arr=arr, frame=frame, iter=iter, s=s,
+            count_driver.jit_merge_point(arr=self, frame=frame, iter=iter, s=s,
                                          shapelen=shapelen)
             iter = frame.get_final_iter()
-            s += arr.dtype.getitem_bool(arr.storage, iter.offset)
+            s += self.dtype.getitem_bool(self, iter.offset)
             frame.next(shapelen)
         return s
 
     def getitem_filter(self, space, arr):
         concr = arr.get_concrete()
-        if concr.size > self.size:
+        if concr.get_size() > self.get_size():
             raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError,
                                  space.wrap("index out of range for array"))
-        size = self.count_all_true(concr)
-        res = W_NDimArray(size, [size], self.find_dtype())
-        ri = ArrayIterator(size)
+        size = concr.count_all_true()
+        res = W_NDimArray([size], self.find_dtype())
+        ri = res.create_iter()
         shapelen = len(self.shape)
         argi = concr.create_iter()
         sig = self.find_sig()
@@ -394,7 +405,7 @@
             filter_driver.jit_merge_point(concr=concr, argi=argi, ri=ri,
                                           frame=frame, v=v, res=res, sig=sig,
                                           shapelen=shapelen, self=self)
-            if concr.dtype.getitem_bool(concr.storage, argi.offset):
+            if concr.dtype.getitem_bool(concr, argi.offset):
                 v = sig.eval(frame, self)
                 res.setitem(ri.offset, v)
                 ri = ri.next(1)
@@ -404,23 +415,6 @@
             frame.next(shapelen)
         return res
 
-    def setitem_filter(self, space, idx, val):
-        size = self.count_all_true(idx)
-        arr = SliceArray([size], self.dtype, self, val)
-        sig = arr.find_sig()
-        shapelen = len(self.shape)
-        frame = sig.create_frame(arr)
-        idxi = idx.create_iter()
-        while not frame.done():
-            filter_set_driver.jit_merge_point(idx=idx, idxi=idxi, sig=sig,
-                                              frame=frame, arr=arr,
-                                              shapelen=shapelen)
-            if idx.dtype.getitem_bool(idx.storage, idxi.offset):
-                sig.eval(frame, arr)
-                frame.next_from_second(1)
-            frame.next_first(shapelen)
-            idxi = idxi.next(shapelen)
-
     def descr_getitem(self, space, w_idx):
         if (isinstance(w_idx, BaseArray) and w_idx.shape == self.shape and
             w_idx.find_dtype().is_bool_type()):
@@ -430,7 +424,24 @@
             item = concrete._index_of_single_item(space, w_idx)
             return concrete.getitem(item)
         chunks = self._prepare_slice_args(space, w_idx)
-        return self.create_slice(chunks)
+        return chunks.apply(self)
+
+    def setitem_filter(self, space, idx, val):
+        size = idx.count_all_true()
+        arr = SliceArray([size], self.dtype, self, val)
+        sig = arr.find_sig()
+        shapelen = len(self.shape)
+        frame = sig.create_frame(arr)
+        idxi = idx.create_iter()
+        while not frame.done():
+            filter_set_driver.jit_merge_point(idx=idx, idxi=idxi, sig=sig,
+                                              frame=frame, arr=arr,
+                                              shapelen=shapelen)
+            if idx.dtype.getitem_bool(idx, idxi.offset):
+                sig.eval(frame, arr)
+                frame.next_from_second(1)
+            frame.next_first(shapelen)
+            idxi = idxi.next(shapelen)
 
     def descr_setitem(self, space, w_idx, w_value):
         self.invalidated()
@@ -448,26 +459,9 @@
         if not isinstance(w_value, BaseArray):
             w_value = convert_to_array(space, w_value)
         chunks = self._prepare_slice_args(space, w_idx)
-        view = self.create_slice(chunks).get_concrete()
+        view = chunks.apply(self).get_concrete()
         view.setslice(space, w_value)
 
-    @jit.unroll_safe
-    def create_slice(self, chunks):
-        shape = []
-        i = -1
-        for i, chunk in enumerate_chunks(chunks):
-            chunk.extend_shape(shape)
-        s = i + 1
-        assert s >= 0
-        shape += self.shape[s:]
-        if not isinstance(self, ConcreteArray):
-            return VirtualSlice(self, chunks, shape)
-        r = calculate_slice_strides(self.shape, self.start, self.strides,
-                                    self.backstrides, chunks)
-        _, start, strides, backstrides = r
-        return W_NDimSlice(start, strides[:], backstrides[:],
-                           shape[:], self)
-
     def descr_reshape(self, space, args_w):
         """reshape(...)
         a.reshape(shape)
@@ -484,7 +478,8 @@
             w_shape = args_w[0]
         else:
             w_shape = space.newtuple(args_w)
-        new_shape = get_shape_from_iterable(space, self.size, w_shape)
+        new_shape = get_shape_from_iterable(space, support.product(self.shape),
+                                            w_shape)
         return self.reshape(space, new_shape)
 
     def reshape(self, space, new_shape):
@@ -522,7 +517,7 @@
     def descr_mean(self, space, w_axis=None):
         if space.is_w(w_axis, space.w_None):
             w_axis = space.wrap(-1)
-            w_denom = space.wrap(self.size)
+            w_denom = space.wrap(support.product(self.shape))
         else:
             dim = space.int_w(w_axis)
             w_denom = space.wrap(self.shape[dim])
@@ -541,7 +536,7 @@
         concr.fill(space, w_value)
 
     def descr_nonzero(self, space):
-        if self.size > 1:
+        if self.get_size() > 1:
             raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
                 "The truth value of an array with more than one element is ambiguous. Use a.any() or a.all()"))
         concr = self.get_concrete_or_scalar()
@@ -620,8 +615,7 @@
                                  space.wrap("axis unsupported for take"))
         index_i = index.create_iter()
         res_shape = index.shape
-        size = support.product(res_shape)
-        res = W_NDimArray(size, res_shape[:], concr.dtype, concr.order)
+        res = W_NDimArray(res_shape[:], concr.dtype, concr.order)
         res_i = res.create_iter()
         shapelen = len(index.shape)
         sig = concr.find_sig()
@@ -660,6 +654,11 @@
         raise OperationError(space.w_NotImplementedError, space.wrap(
             "non-int arg not supported"))
 
+    def descr_tostring(self, space):
+        ra = ToStringArray(self)
+        loop.compute(ra)
+        return space.wrap(ra.s.build())
+
     def compute_first_step(self, sig, frame):
         pass
 
@@ -681,8 +680,7 @@
     """
     Intermediate class representing a literal.
     """
-    size = 1
-    _attrs_ = ["dtype", "value", "shape"]
+    _attrs_ = ["dtype", "value", "shape", "size"]
 
     def __init__(self, dtype, value):
         self.shape = []
@@ -690,6 +688,7 @@
         self.dtype = dtype
         assert isinstance(value, interp_boxes.W_GenericBox)
         self.value = value
+        self.size = dtype.get_size()
 
     def find_dtype(self):
         return self.dtype
@@ -707,8 +706,7 @@
         return self
 
     def reshape(self, space, new_shape):
-        size = support.product(new_shape)
-        res = W_NDimArray(size, new_shape, self.dtype, 'C')
+        res = W_NDimArray(new_shape, self.dtype, 'C')
         res.setitem(0, self.value)
         return res
 
@@ -721,6 +719,7 @@
         self.forced_result = None
         self.res_dtype = res_dtype
         self.name = name
+        self.size = support.product(self.shape) * res_dtype.get_size()
 
     def _del_sources(self):
         # Function for deleting references to source arrays,
@@ -728,7 +727,7 @@
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def compute(self):
-        ra = ResultArray(self, self.size, self.shape, self.res_dtype)
+        ra = ResultArray(self, self.shape, self.res_dtype)
         loop.compute(ra)
         return ra.left
 
@@ -756,7 +755,6 @@
     def __init__(self, child, chunks, shape):
         self.child = child
         self.chunks = chunks
-        self.size = support.product(shape)
         VirtualArray.__init__(self, 'slice', shape, child.find_dtype())
 
     def create_sig(self):
@@ -768,7 +766,7 @@
     def force_if_needed(self):
         if self.forced_result is None:
             concr = self.child.get_concrete()
-            self.forced_result = concr.create_slice(self.chunks)
+            self.forced_result = self.chunks.apply(concr)
 
     def _del_sources(self):
         self.child = None
@@ -801,7 +799,6 @@
         self.left = left
         self.right = right
         self.calc_dtype = calc_dtype
-        self.size = support.product(self.shape)
 
     def _del_sources(self):
         self.left = None
@@ -829,15 +826,30 @@
                                self.left.create_sig(), self.right.create_sig())
 
 class ResultArray(Call2):
-    def __init__(self, child, size, shape, dtype, res=None, order='C'):
+    def __init__(self, child, shape, dtype, res=None, order='C'):
         if res is None:
-            res = W_NDimArray(size, shape, dtype, order)
+            res = W_NDimArray(shape, dtype, order)
         Call2.__init__(self, None, 'assign', shape, dtype, dtype, res, child)
 
     def create_sig(self):
         return signature.ResultSignature(self.res_dtype, self.left.create_sig(),
                                          self.right.create_sig())
 
+class ToStringArray(Call1):
+    def __init__(self, child):
+        dtype = child.find_dtype()
+        self.item_size = dtype.itemtype.get_element_size()
+        self.s = StringBuilder(child.size * self.item_size)
+        Call1.__init__(self, None, 'tostring', child.shape, dtype, dtype,
+                       child)
+        self.res = W_NDimArray([1], dtype, 'C')
+        self.res_casted = rffi.cast(rffi.CArrayPtr(lltype.Char),
+                                    self.res.storage)
+
+    def create_sig(self):
+        return signature.ToStringSignature(self.calc_dtype,
+                                           self.values.create_sig())
+
 def done_if_true(dtype, val):
     return dtype.itemtype.bool(val)
 
@@ -909,13 +921,13 @@
     """
     _immutable_fields_ = ['storage']
 
-    def __init__(self, size, shape, dtype, order='C', parent=None):
-        self.size = size
+    def __init__(self, shape, dtype, order='C', parent=None):
         self.parent = parent
+        self.size = support.product(shape) * dtype.get_size()
         if parent is not None:
             self.storage = parent.storage
         else:
-            self.storage = dtype.malloc(size)
+            self.storage = dtype.itemtype.malloc(self.size)
         self.order = order
         self.dtype = dtype
         if self.strides is None:
@@ -934,13 +946,14 @@
         return self.dtype
 
     def getitem(self, item):
-        return self.dtype.getitem(self.storage, item)
+        return self.dtype.getitem(self, item)
 
     def setitem(self, item, value):
         self.invalidated()
-        self.dtype.setitem(self.storage, item, value)
+        self.dtype.setitem(self, item, value)
 
     def calc_strides(self, shape):
+        dtype = self.find_dtype()
         strides = []
         backstrides = []
         s = 1
@@ -948,8 +961,8 @@
         if self.order == 'C':
             shape_rev.reverse()
         for sh in shape_rev:
-            strides.append(s)
-            backstrides.append(s * (sh - 1))
+            strides.append(s * dtype.get_size())
+            backstrides.append(s * (sh - 1) * dtype.get_size())
             s *= sh
         if self.order == 'C':
             strides.reverse()
@@ -997,9 +1010,9 @@
         shapelen = len(self.shape)
         if shapelen == 1:
             rffi.c_memcpy(
-                rffi.ptradd(self.storage, self.start * itemsize),
-                rffi.ptradd(w_value.storage, w_value.start * itemsize),
-                self.size * itemsize
+                rffi.ptradd(self.storage, self.start),
+                rffi.ptradd(w_value.storage, w_value.start),
+                self.size
             )
         else:
             dest = SkipLastAxisIterator(self)
@@ -1014,7 +1027,7 @@
                 dest.next()
 
     def copy(self, space):
-        array = W_NDimArray(self.size, self.shape[:], self.dtype, self.order)
+        array = W_NDimArray(self.shape[:], self.dtype, self.order)
         array.setslice(space, self)
         return array
 
@@ -1028,14 +1041,15 @@
 
 
 class W_NDimSlice(ViewArray):
-    def __init__(self, start, strides, backstrides, shape, parent):
+    def __init__(self, start, strides, backstrides, shape, parent, dtype=None):
         assert isinstance(parent, ConcreteArray)
         if isinstance(parent, W_NDimSlice):
             parent = parent.parent
         self.strides = strides
         self.backstrides = backstrides
-        ViewArray.__init__(self, support.product(shape), shape, parent.dtype,
-                           parent.order, parent)
+        if dtype is None:
+            dtype = parent.dtype
+        ViewArray.__init__(self, shape, dtype, parent.order, parent)
         self.start = start
 
     def create_iter(self, transforms=None):
@@ -1050,12 +1064,13 @@
             # but then calc_strides would have to accept a stepping factor
             strides = []
             backstrides = []
-            s = self.strides[0]
+            dtype = self.find_dtype()
+            s = self.strides[0] // dtype.get_size()
             if self.order == 'C':
                 new_shape.reverse()
             for sh in new_shape:
-                strides.append(s)
-                backstrides.append(s * (sh - 1))
+                strides.append(s * dtype.get_size())
+                backstrides.append(s * (sh - 1) * dtype.get_size())
                 s *= max(1, sh)
             if self.order == 'C':
                 strides.reverse()
@@ -1083,14 +1098,16 @@
     """
     def setitem(self, item, value):
         self.invalidated()
-        self.dtype.setitem(self.storage, item, value)
+        self.dtype.setitem(self, item, value)
 
     def setshape(self, space, new_shape):
         self.shape = new_shape
         self.calc_strides(new_shape)
 
     def create_iter(self, transforms=None):
-        return ArrayIterator(self.size).apply_transformations(self, transforms)
+        esize = self.find_dtype().get_size()
+        return ArrayIterator(self.size, esize).apply_transformations(self,
+                                                                     transforms)
 
     def create_sig(self):
         return signature.ArraySignature(self.dtype)
@@ -1098,18 +1115,13 @@
     def __del__(self):
         lltype.free(self.storage, flavor='raw', track_allocation=False)
 
-def _find_size_and_shape(space, w_size):
+def _find_shape(space, w_size):
     if space.isinstance_w(w_size, space.w_int):
-        size = space.int_w(w_size)
-        shape = [size]
-    else:
-        size = 1
-        shape = []
-        for w_item in space.fixedview(w_size):
-            item = space.int_w(w_item)
-            size *= item
-            shape.append(item)
-    return size, shape
+        return [space.int_w(w_size)]
+    shape = []
+    for w_item in space.fixedview(w_size):
+        shape.append(space.int_w(w_item))
+    return shape
 
 @unwrap_spec(subok=bool, copy=bool, ownmaskna=bool)
 def array(space, w_item_or_iterable, w_dtype=None, w_order=None,
@@ -1143,28 +1155,28 @@
         if copy:
             return w_item_or_iterable.copy(space)
         return w_item_or_iterable
-    shape, elems_w = find_shape_and_elems(space, w_item_or_iterable)
+    if w_dtype is None or space.is_w(w_dtype, space.w_None):
+        dtype = None
+    else:
+        dtype = space.interp_w(interp_dtype.W_Dtype,
+           space.call_function(space.gettypefor(interp_dtype.W_Dtype), w_dtype))
+    shape, elems_w = find_shape_and_elems(space, w_item_or_iterable, dtype)
     # they come back in C order
-    size = len(elems_w)
-    if w_dtype is None or space.is_w(w_dtype, space.w_None):
-        w_dtype = None
+    if dtype is None:
         for w_elem in elems_w:
-            w_dtype = interp_ufuncs.find_dtype_for_scalar(space, w_elem,
-                                                          w_dtype)
-            if w_dtype is interp_dtype.get_dtype_cache(space).w_float64dtype:
+            dtype = interp_ufuncs.find_dtype_for_scalar(space, w_elem,
+                                                        dtype)
+            if dtype is interp_dtype.get_dtype_cache(space).w_float64dtype:
                 break
-    if w_dtype is None:
-        w_dtype = space.w_None
-    dtype = space.interp_w(interp_dtype.W_Dtype,
-        space.call_function(space.gettypefor(interp_dtype.W_Dtype), w_dtype)
-    )
-    arr = W_NDimArray(size, shape[:], dtype=dtype, order=order)
+        if dtype is None:
+            dtype = interp_dtype.get_dtype_cache(space).w_float64dtype
+    arr = W_NDimArray(shape[:], dtype=dtype, order=order)
     shapelen = len(shape)
-    arr_iter = ArrayIterator(arr.size)
+    arr_iter = arr.create_iter()
     # XXX we might want to have a jitdriver here
     for i in range(len(elems_w)):
         w_elem = elems_w[i]
-        dtype.setitem(arr.storage, arr_iter.offset,
+        dtype.setitem(arr, arr_iter.offset,
                       dtype.coerce(space, w_elem))
         arr_iter = arr_iter.next(shapelen)
     return arr
@@ -1173,22 +1185,22 @@
     dtype = space.interp_w(interp_dtype.W_Dtype,
         space.call_function(space.gettypefor(interp_dtype.W_Dtype), w_dtype)
     )
-    size, shape = _find_size_and_shape(space, w_size)
+    shape = _find_shape(space, w_size)
     if not shape:
         return scalar_w(space, dtype, space.wrap(0))
-    return space.wrap(W_NDimArray(size, shape[:], dtype=dtype))
+    return space.wrap(W_NDimArray(shape[:], dtype=dtype))
 
 def ones(space, w_size, w_dtype=None):
     dtype = space.interp_w(interp_dtype.W_Dtype,
         space.call_function(space.gettypefor(interp_dtype.W_Dtype), w_dtype)
     )
 
-    size, shape = _find_size_and_shape(space, w_size)
+    shape = _find_shape(space, w_size)
     if not shape:
         return scalar_w(space, dtype, space.wrap(1))
-    arr = W_NDimArray(size, shape[:], dtype=dtype)
+    arr = W_NDimArray(shape[:], dtype=dtype)
     one = dtype.box(1)
-    arr.dtype.fill(arr.storage, one, 0, size)
+    arr.dtype.fill(arr.storage, one, 0, arr.size)
     return space.wrap(arr)
 
 @unwrap_spec(arr=BaseArray, skipna=bool, keepdims=bool)
@@ -1236,13 +1248,13 @@
                     "array dimensions must agree except for axis being concatenated"))
             elif i == axis:
                 shape[i] += axis_size
-    res = W_NDimArray(support.product(shape), shape, dtype, 'C')
+    res = W_NDimArray(shape, dtype, 'C')
     chunks = [Chunk(0, i, 1, i) for i in shape]
     axis_start = 0
     for arr in args_w:
         chunks[axis] = Chunk(axis_start, axis_start + arr.shape[axis], 1,
                              arr.shape[axis])
-        res.create_slice(chunks).setslice(space, arr)
+        Chunks(chunks).apply(res).setslice(space, arr)
         axis_start += arr.shape[axis]
     return res
 
@@ -1330,6 +1342,7 @@
     std = interp2app(BaseArray.descr_std),
 
     fill = interp2app(BaseArray.descr_fill),
+    tostring = interp2app(BaseArray.descr_tostring),
 
     copy = interp2app(BaseArray.descr_copy),
     flatten = interp2app(BaseArray.descr_flatten),
@@ -1352,7 +1365,7 @@
         self.iter = sig.create_frame(arr).get_final_iter()
         self.base = arr
         self.index = 0
-        ViewArray.__init__(self, arr.size, [arr.size], arr.dtype, arr.order,
+        ViewArray.__init__(self, [arr.get_size()], arr.dtype, arr.order,
                            arr)
 
     def descr_next(self, space):
@@ -1367,7 +1380,7 @@
         return self
 
     def descr_len(self, space):
-        return space.wrap(self.size)
+        return space.wrap(self.get_size())
 
     def descr_index(self, space):
         return space.wrap(self.index)
@@ -1385,28 +1398,26 @@
             raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError,
                                  space.wrap('unsupported iterator index'))
         base = self.base
-        start, stop, step, lngth = space.decode_index4(w_idx, base.size)
+        start, stop, step, lngth = space.decode_index4(w_idx, base.get_size())
         # setslice would have been better, but flat[u:v] for arbitrary
         # shapes of array a cannot be represented as a[x1:x2, y1:y2]
         basei = ViewIterator(base.start, base.strides,
-                               base.backstrides,base.shape)
+                             base.backstrides, base.shape)
         shapelen = len(base.shape)
         basei = basei.next_skip_x(shapelen, start)
         if lngth <2:
             return base.getitem(basei.offset)
-        ri = ArrayIterator(lngth)
-        res = W_NDimArray(lngth, [lngth], base.dtype,
-                                    base.order)
+        res = W_NDimArray([lngth], base.dtype, base.order)
+        ri = res.create_iter()
         while not ri.done():
             flat_get_driver.jit_merge_point(shapelen=shapelen,
                                              base=base,
                                              basei=basei,
                                              step=step,
                                              res=res,
-                                             ri=ri,
-                                            )
+                                             ri=ri)
             w_val = base.getitem(basei.offset)
-            res.setitem(ri.offset,w_val)
+            res.setitem(ri.offset, w_val)
             basei = basei.next_skip_x(shapelen, step)
             ri = ri.next(shapelen)
         return res
@@ -1417,27 +1428,28 @@
             raise OperationError(space.w_IndexError,
                                  space.wrap('unsupported iterator index'))
         base = self.base
-        start, stop, step, lngth = space.decode_index4(w_idx, base.size)
+        start, stop, step, lngth = space.decode_index4(w_idx, base.get_size())
         arr = convert_to_array(space, w_value)
-        ai = 0
+        ri = arr.create_iter()
         basei = ViewIterator(base.start, base.strides,
-                               base.backstrides,base.shape)
+                             base.backstrides, base.shape)
         shapelen = len(base.shape)
         basei = basei.next_skip_x(shapelen, start)
         while lngth > 0:
             flat_set_driver.jit_merge_point(shapelen=shapelen,
-                                             basei=basei,
-                                             base=base,
-                                             step=step,
-                                             arr=arr,
-                                             ai=ai,
-                                             lngth=lngth,
-                                            )
-            v = arr.getitem(ai).convert_to(base.dtype)
+                                            basei=basei,
+                                            base=base,
+                                            step=step,
+                                            arr=arr,
+                                            lngth=lngth,
+                                            ri=ri)
+            v = arr.getitem(ri.offset).convert_to(base.dtype)
             base.setitem(basei.offset, v)
             # need to repeat input values until all assignments are done
-            ai = (ai + 1) % arr.size
             basei = basei.next_skip_x(shapelen, step)
+            ri = ri.next(shapelen)
+            # WTF is numpy thinking?
+            ri.offset %= arr.size
             lngth -= 1
 
     def create_sig(self):
@@ -1445,9 +1457,9 @@
 
     def create_iter(self, transforms=None):
         return ViewIterator(self.base.start, self.base.strides,
-                    self.base.backstrides,
-                    self.base.shape).apply_transformations(self.base,
-                                                           transforms)
+                            self.base.backstrides,
+                            self.base.shape).apply_transformations(self.base,
+                                                                   transforms)
 
     def descr_base(self, space):
         return space.wrap(self.base)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_support.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_support.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_support.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_support.py
@@ -51,9 +51,11 @@
         raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
             "string is smaller than requested size"))
 
-    a = W_NDimArray(num_items, [num_items], dtype=dtype)
-    for i, val in enumerate(items):
-        a.dtype.setitem(a.storage, i, val)
+    a = W_NDimArray([num_items], dtype=dtype)
+    ai = a.create_iter()
+    for val in items:
+        a.dtype.setitem(a, ai.offset, val)
+        ai = ai.next(1)
     
     return space.wrap(a)
 
@@ -61,6 +63,7 @@
     from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimArray
     
     itemsize = dtype.itemtype.get_element_size()
+    assert itemsize >= 0
     if count == -1:
         count = length / itemsize
     if length % itemsize != 0:
@@ -71,20 +74,23 @@
         raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
             "string is smaller than requested size"))
         
-    a = W_NDimArray(count, [count], dtype=dtype)
-    fromstring_loop(a, count, dtype, itemsize, s)
+    a = W_NDimArray([count], dtype=dtype)
+    fromstring_loop(a, dtype, itemsize, s)
     return space.wrap(a)
 
-fromstring_driver = jit.JitDriver(greens=[], reds=['count', 'i', 'itemsize',
-                                                   'dtype', 's', 'a'])
+fromstring_driver = jit.JitDriver(greens=[], reds=['i', 'itemsize',
+                                                   'dtype', 'ai', 's', 'a'])
 
-def fromstring_loop(a, count, dtype, itemsize, s):
+def fromstring_loop(a, dtype, itemsize, s):
     i = 0
-    while i < count:
-        fromstring_driver.jit_merge_point(a=a, count=count, dtype=dtype,
-                                          itemsize=itemsize, s=s, i=i)
+    ai = a.create_iter()
+    while not ai.done():
+        fromstring_driver.jit_merge_point(a=a, dtype=dtype,
+                                          itemsize=itemsize, s=s, i=i,
+                                          ai=ai)
         val = dtype.itemtype.runpack_str(s[i*itemsize:i*itemsize + itemsize])
-        a.dtype.setitem(a.storage, i, val)
+        a.dtype.setitem(a, ai.offset, val)
+        ai = ai.next(1)
         i += 1
 
 @unwrap_spec(s=str, count=int, sep=str)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_ufuncs.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_ufuncs.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_ufuncs.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/interp_ufuncs.py
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
             shape = obj.shape[:dim] + [1] + obj.shape[dim + 1:]
         else:
             shape = obj.shape[:dim] + obj.shape[dim + 1:]
-        result = W_NDimArray(support.product(shape), shape, dtype)
+        result = W_NDimArray(shape, dtype)
         arr = AxisReduce(self.func, self.name, self.identity, obj.shape, dtype,
                          result, obj, dim)
         loop.compute(arr)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/signature.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/signature.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/signature.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/signature.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
      ViewTransform, BroadcastTransform
 from pypy.tool.pairtype import extendabletype
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.loop import ComputationDone
+from pypy.rlib import jit
 
 """ Signature specifies both the numpy expression that has been constructed
 and the assembler to be compiled. This is a very important observation -
@@ -142,11 +143,10 @@
         from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import ConcreteArray
         concr = arr.get_concrete()
         assert isinstance(concr, ConcreteArray)
-        storage = concr.storage
         if self.iter_no >= len(iterlist):
             iterlist.append(concr.create_iter(transforms))
         if self.array_no >= len(arraylist):
-            arraylist.append(storage)
+            arraylist.append(concr)
 
     def eval(self, frame, arr):
         iter = frame.iterators[self.iter_no]
@@ -318,6 +318,20 @@
         offset = frame.get_final_iter().offset
         arr.left.setitem(offset, self.right.eval(frame, arr.right))
 
+class ToStringSignature(Call1):
+    def __init__(self, dtype, child):
+        Call1.__init__(self, None, 'tostring', dtype, child)
+
+    @jit.unroll_safe
+    def eval(self, frame, arr):
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import ToStringArray
+
+        assert isinstance(arr, ToStringArray)
+        arr.res.setitem(0, self.child.eval(frame, arr.values).convert_to(
+            self.dtype))
+        for i in range(arr.item_size):
+            arr.s.append(arr.res_casted[i])
+
 class BroadcastLeft(Call2):
     def _invent_numbering(self, cache, allnumbers):
         self.left._invent_numbering(new_cache(), allnumbers)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/strides.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/strides.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/strides.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/strides.py
@@ -46,22 +46,31 @@
     rbackstrides = [0] * (len(res_shape) - len(orig_shape)) + rbackstrides
     return rstrides, rbackstrides
 
-def find_shape_and_elems(space, w_iterable):
+def is_single_elem(space, w_elem, is_rec_type):
+    if (is_rec_type and space.isinstance_w(w_elem, space.w_tuple)):
+        return True
+    if space.issequence_w(w_elem):
+        return False
+    return True
+
+def find_shape_and_elems(space, w_iterable, dtype):
     shape = [space.len_w(w_iterable)]
     batch = space.listview(w_iterable)
+    is_rec_type = dtype is not None and dtype.is_record_type()
     while True:
         new_batch = []
         if not batch:
             return shape, []
-        if not space.issequence_w(batch[0]):
-            for elem in batch:
-                if space.issequence_w(elem):
+        if is_single_elem(space, batch[0], is_rec_type):
+            for w_elem in batch:
+                if not is_single_elem(space, w_elem, is_rec_type):
                     raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
                         "setting an array element with a sequence"))
             return shape, batch
         size = space.len_w(batch[0])
         for w_elem in batch:
-            if not space.issequence_w(w_elem) or space.len_w(w_elem) != size:
+            if (is_single_elem(space, w_elem, is_rec_type) or
+                space.len_w(w_elem) != size):
                 raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
                     "setting an array element with a sequence"))
             new_batch += space.listview(w_elem)
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_base.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_base.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_base.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_base.py
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_ufuncs import (find_binop_result_dtype,
         find_unaryop_result_dtype)
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_boxes import W_Float64Box
+from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_dtype import nonnative_byteorder_prefix,\
+     byteorder_prefix
 from pypy.conftest import option
 import sys
 
@@ -15,14 +17,16 @@
                 sys.modules['numpypy'] = numpy
                 sys.modules['_numpypy'] = numpy
         cls.space = gettestobjspace(usemodules=['micronumpy'])
+        cls.w_non_native_prefix = cls.space.wrap(nonnative_byteorder_prefix)
+        cls.w_native_prefix = cls.space.wrap(byteorder_prefix)
 
 class TestSignature(object):
     def test_binop_signature(self, space):
         float64_dtype = get_dtype_cache(space).w_float64dtype
         bool_dtype = get_dtype_cache(space).w_booldtype
 
-        ar = W_NDimArray(10, [10], dtype=float64_dtype)
-        ar2 = W_NDimArray(10, [10], dtype=float64_dtype)
+        ar = W_NDimArray([10], dtype=float64_dtype)
+        ar2 = W_NDimArray([10], dtype=float64_dtype)
         v1 = ar.descr_add(space, ar)
         v2 = ar.descr_add(space, Scalar(float64_dtype, W_Float64Box(2.0)))
         sig1 = v1.find_sig()
@@ -40,7 +44,7 @@
         v4 = ar.descr_add(space, ar)
         assert v1.find_sig() is v4.find_sig()
 
-        bool_ar = W_NDimArray(10, [10], dtype=bool_dtype)
+        bool_ar = W_NDimArray([10], dtype=bool_dtype)
         v5 = ar.descr_add(space, bool_ar)
         assert v5.find_sig() is not v1.find_sig()
         assert v5.find_sig() is not v2.find_sig()
@@ -57,7 +61,7 @@
     def test_slice_signature(self, space):
         float64_dtype = get_dtype_cache(space).w_float64dtype
 
-        ar = W_NDimArray(10, [10], dtype=float64_dtype)
+        ar = W_NDimArray([10], dtype=float64_dtype)
         v1 = ar.descr_getitem(space, space.wrap(slice(1, 3, 1)))
         v2 = ar.descr_getitem(space, space.wrap(slice(4, 6, 1)))
         assert v1.find_sig() is v2.find_sig()
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_dtypes.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_dtypes.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_dtypes.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_dtypes.py
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+import py
+from pypy.conftest import option
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.test.test_base import BaseNumpyAppTest
-
+from pypy.interpreter.gateway import interp2app
 
 class AppTestDtypes(BaseNumpyAppTest):
     def test_dtype(self):
@@ -12,7 +14,10 @@
         assert dtype(d) is d
         assert dtype(None) is dtype(float)
         assert dtype('int8').name == 'int8'
+        assert dtype(int).fields is None
+        assert dtype(int).names is None
         raises(TypeError, dtype, 1042)
+        raises(KeyError, 'dtype(int)["asdasd"]')
 
     def test_dtype_eq(self):
         from _numpypy import dtype
@@ -53,13 +58,13 @@
             assert a[i] is True_
 
     def test_copy_array_with_dtype(self):
-        from _numpypy import array, False_, True_, int64
+        from _numpypy import array, False_, longlong
 
         a = array([0, 1, 2, 3], dtype=long)
         # int on 64-bit, long in 32-bit
-        assert isinstance(a[0], int64)
+        assert isinstance(a[0], longlong)
         b = a.copy()
-        assert isinstance(b[0], int64)
+        assert isinstance(b[0], longlong)
 
         a = array([0, 1, 2, 3], dtype=bool)
         assert a[0] is False_
@@ -81,17 +86,17 @@
             assert a[i] is True_
 
     def test_zeros_long(self):
-        from _numpypy import zeros, int64
+        from _numpypy import zeros, longlong
         a = zeros(10, dtype=long)
         for i in range(10):
-            assert isinstance(a[i], int64)
+            assert isinstance(a[i], longlong)
             assert a[1] == 0
 
     def test_ones_long(self):
-        from _numpypy import ones, int64
+        from _numpypy import ones, longlong
         a = ones(10, dtype=long)
         for i in range(10):
-            assert isinstance(a[i], int64)
+            assert isinstance(a[i], longlong)
             assert a[1] == 1
 
     def test_overflow(self):
@@ -181,17 +186,18 @@
         assert dtype("float") is dtype(float)
 
 
-class AppTestTypes(BaseNumpyAppTest):
+class AppTestTypes(BaseNumpyAppTest):    
     def test_abstract_types(self):
         import _numpypy as numpy
         raises(TypeError, numpy.generic, 0)
         raises(TypeError, numpy.number, 0)
         raises(TypeError, numpy.integer, 0)
         exc = raises(TypeError, numpy.signedinteger, 0)
-        assert str(exc.value) == "cannot create 'signedinteger' instances"
+        assert 'cannot create' in str(exc.value)
+        assert 'signedinteger' in str(exc.value)
         exc = raises(TypeError, numpy.unsignedinteger, 0)
-        assert str(exc.value) == "cannot create 'unsignedinteger' instances"
-
+        assert 'cannot create' in str(exc.value)
+        assert 'unsignedinteger' in str(exc.value)
         raises(TypeError, numpy.floating, 0)
         raises(TypeError, numpy.inexact, 0)
 
@@ -404,10 +410,29 @@
             assert issubclass(int64, int)
             assert int_ is int64
 
+    def test_various_types(self):
+        import _numpypy as numpy
+        import sys
+        
+        assert numpy.int16 is numpy.short
+        assert numpy.int8 is numpy.byte
+        assert numpy.bool_ is numpy.bool8
+        if sys.maxint == (1 << 63) - 1:
+            assert numpy.intp is numpy.int64
+        else:
+            assert numpy.intp is numpy.int32
+
+    def test_mro(self):
+        import _numpypy as numpy
+        
+        assert numpy.int16.__mro__ == (numpy.int16, numpy.signedinteger,
+                                       numpy.integer, numpy.number,
+                                       numpy.generic, object)
+        assert numpy.bool_.__mro__ == (numpy.bool_, numpy.generic, object)
+
     def test_operators(self):
         from operator import truediv
         from _numpypy import float64, int_, True_, False_
-
         assert 5 / int_(2) == int_(2)
         assert truediv(int_(3), int_(2)) == float64(1.5)
         assert truediv(3, int_(2)) == float64(1.5)
@@ -427,9 +452,115 @@
         assert int_(3) ^ int_(5) == int_(6)
         assert True_ ^ False_ is True_
         assert 5 ^ int_(3) == int_(6)
-
         assert +int_(3) == int_(3)
         assert ~int_(3) == int_(-4)
-
         raises(TypeError, lambda: float64(3) & 1)
 
+    def test_alternate_constructs(self):
+        from _numpypy import dtype
+        nnp = self.non_native_prefix
+        byteorder = self.native_prefix
+        assert dtype('i8') == dtype(byteorder + 'i8') == dtype('=i8') # XXX should be equal == dtype(long)
+        assert dtype(nnp + 'i8') != dtype('i8')
+        assert dtype(nnp + 'i8').byteorder == nnp
+        assert dtype('=i8').byteorder == '='
+        assert dtype(byteorder + 'i8').byteorder == '='
+
+    def test_alignment(self):
+        from _numpypy import dtype
+        assert dtype('i4').alignment == 4
+
+    def test_typeinfo(self):
+        from _numpypy import typeinfo, void, number, int64, bool_
+        assert typeinfo['Number'] == number
+        assert typeinfo['LONGLONG'] == ('q', 9, 64, 8, 9223372036854775807L, -9223372036854775808L, int64)
+        assert typeinfo['VOID'] == ('V', 20, 0, 1, void)
+        assert typeinfo['BOOL'] == ('?', 0, 8, 1, 1, 0, bool_)
+
+class AppTestStrUnicodeDtypes(BaseNumpyAppTest):
+    def test_str_unicode(self):
+        from _numpypy import str_, unicode_, character, flexible, generic
+        
+        assert str_.mro() == [str_, str, basestring, character, flexible, generic, object]
+        assert unicode_.mro() == [unicode_, unicode, basestring, character, flexible, generic, object]
+
+    def test_str_dtype(self):
+        from _numpypy import dtype, str_
+
+        raises(TypeError, "dtype('Sx')")
+        d = dtype('S8')
+        assert d.itemsize == 8
+        assert dtype(str) == dtype('S')
+        assert d.kind == 'S'
+        assert d.type is str_
+        assert d.name == "string64"
+        assert d.num == 18
+
+    def test_unicode_dtype(self):
+        from _numpypy import dtype, unicode_
+
+        raises(TypeError, "dtype('Ux')")
+        d = dtype('U8')
+        assert d.itemsize == 8 * 4
+        assert dtype(unicode) == dtype('U')
+        assert d.kind == 'U'
+        assert d.type is unicode_
+        assert d.name == "unicode256"
+        assert d.num == 19
+
+    def test_string_boxes(self):
+        from _numpypy import str_
+        assert isinstance(str_(3), str_)
+
+    def test_unicode_boxes(self):
+        from _numpypy import unicode_
+        assert isinstance(unicode_(3), unicode)
+
+class AppTestRecordDtypes(BaseNumpyAppTest):
+    def test_create(self):
+        from _numpypy import dtype, void
+
+        raises(ValueError, "dtype([('x', int), ('x', float)])")
+        d = dtype([("x", "int32"), ("y", "int32"), ("z", "int32"), ("value", float)])
+        assert d.fields['x'] == (dtype('int32'), 0)
+        assert d.fields['value'] == (dtype(float), 12)
+        assert d['x'] == dtype('int32')
+        assert d.name == "void160"
+        assert d.num == 20
+        assert d.itemsize == 20
+        assert d.kind == 'V'
+        assert d.type is void
+        assert d.char == 'V'
+        assert d.names == ("x", "y", "z", "value")
+        raises(KeyError, 'd["xyz"]')
+        raises(KeyError, 'd.fields["xyz"]')
+
+    def test_create_from_dict(self):
+        skip("not yet")
+        from _numpypy import dtype
+        d = dtype({'names': ['a', 'b', 'c'],
+                   })
+        
+class AppTestNotDirect(BaseNumpyAppTest):
+    def setup_class(cls):
+        BaseNumpyAppTest.setup_class.im_func(cls)
+        def check_non_native(w_obj, w_obj2):
+            assert w_obj.storage[0] == w_obj2.storage[1]
+            assert w_obj.storage[1] == w_obj2.storage[0]
+            if w_obj.storage[0] == '\x00':
+                assert w_obj2.storage[1] == '\x00'
+                assert w_obj2.storage[0] == '\x01'
+            else:
+                assert w_obj2.storage[1] == '\x01'
+                assert w_obj2.storage[0] == '\x00'
+        cls.w_check_non_native = cls.space.wrap(interp2app(check_non_native))
+        if option.runappdirect:
+            py.test.skip("not a direct test")
+
+    def test_non_native(self):
+        from _numpypy import array
+        a = array([1, 2, 3], dtype=self.non_native_prefix + 'i2')
+        assert a[0] == 1
+        assert (a + a)[1] == 4
+        self.check_non_native(a, array([1, 2, 3], 'i2'))
+
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_numarray.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_numarray.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_numarray.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/test/test_numarray.py
@@ -5,15 +5,23 @@
 from pypy.interpreter.error import OperationError
 from pypy.module.micronumpy import signature
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.appbridge import get_appbridge_cache
-from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_iter import Chunk
+from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_iter import Chunk, Chunks
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimArray, shape_agreement
 from pypy.module.micronumpy.test.test_base import BaseNumpyAppTest
 
 
 class MockDtype(object):
-    def malloc(self, size):
-        return None
+    class itemtype(object):
+        @staticmethod
+        def malloc(size):
+            return None
 
+    def get_size(self):
+        return 1
+
+
+def create_slice(a, chunks):
+    return Chunks(chunks).apply(a)
 
 class TestNumArrayDirect(object):
     def newslice(self, *args):
@@ -29,116 +37,116 @@
         return self.space.newtuple(args_w)
 
     def test_strides_f(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(100, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
         assert a.strides == [1, 10, 50]
         assert a.backstrides == [9, 40, 100]
 
     def test_strides_c(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(100, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
         assert a.strides == [15, 3, 1]
         assert a.backstrides == [135, 12, 2]
 
     def test_create_slice_f(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 3
         assert s.strides == [10, 50]
         assert s.backstrides == [40, 100]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 9, 2, 4)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 9, 2, 4)])
         assert s.start == 1
         assert s.strides == [2, 10, 50]
         assert s.backstrides == [6, 40, 100]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2), Chunk(1, 2, 1, 1), Chunk(1, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2), Chunk(1, 2, 1, 1), Chunk(1, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.shape == [2, 1]
         assert s.strides == [3, 10]
         assert s.backstrides == [3, 0]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 20
         assert s.shape == [10, 3]
 
     def test_create_slice_c(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 45
         assert s.strides == [3, 1]
         assert s.backstrides == [12, 2]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 9, 2, 4)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 9, 2, 4)])
         assert s.start == 15
         assert s.strides == [30, 3, 1]
         assert s.backstrides == [90, 12, 2]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2), Chunk(1, 2, 1, 1),
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2), Chunk(1, 2, 1, 1),
                             Chunk(1, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 19
         assert s.shape == [2, 1]
         assert s.strides == [45, 3]
         assert s.backstrides == [45, 0]
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 6
         assert s.shape == [10, 3]
 
     def test_slice_of_slice_f(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(5, 0, 0, 1)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(5, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 5
-        s2 = s.create_slice([Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s2 = create_slice(s, [Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s2.shape == [3]
         assert s2.strides == [50]
         assert s2.parent is a
         assert s2.backstrides == [100]
         assert s2.start == 35
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2)])
-        s2 = s.create_slice([Chunk(0, 2, 1, 2), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2)])
+        s2 = create_slice(s, [Chunk(0, 2, 1, 2), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s2.shape == [2, 3]
         assert s2.strides == [3, 50]
         assert s2.backstrides == [3, 100]
         assert s2.start == 1 * 15 + 2 * 3
 
     def test_slice_of_slice_c(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), order='C')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(5, 0, 0, 1)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), order='C')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(5, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s.start == 15 * 5
-        s2 = s.create_slice([Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s2 = create_slice(s, [Chunk(3, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s2.shape == [3]
         assert s2.strides == [1]
         assert s2.parent is a
         assert s2.backstrides == [2]
         assert s2.start == 5 * 15 + 3 * 3
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2)])
-        s2 = s.create_slice([Chunk(0, 2, 1, 2), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(1, 5, 3, 2)])
+        s2 = create_slice(s, [Chunk(0, 2, 1, 2), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         assert s2.shape == [2, 3]
         assert s2.strides == [45, 1]
         assert s2.backstrides == [45, 2]
         assert s2.start == 1 * 15 + 2 * 3
 
     def test_negative_step_f(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(9, -1, -2, 5)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(9, -1, -2, 5)])
         assert s.start == 9
         assert s.strides == [-2, 10, 50]
         assert s.backstrides == [-8, 40, 100]
 
     def test_negative_step_c(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), order='C')
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(9, -1, -2, 5)])
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), order='C')
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(9, -1, -2, 5)])
         assert s.start == 135
         assert s.strides == [-30, 3, 1]
         assert s.backstrides == [-120, 12, 2]
 
     def test_index_of_single_item_f(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'F')
         r = a._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 2, 2))
         assert r == 1 + 2 * 10 + 2 * 50
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         r = s._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 0))
         assert r == a._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 2, 0))
         r = s._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 1))
         assert r == a._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 2, 1))
 
     def test_index_of_single_item_c(self):
-        a = W_NDimArray(10 * 5 * 3, [10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
+        a = W_NDimArray([10, 5, 3], MockDtype(), 'C')
         r = a._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 2, 2))
         assert r == 1 * 3 * 5 + 2 * 3 + 2
-        s = a.create_slice([Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
+        s = create_slice(a, [Chunk(0, 10, 1, 10), Chunk(2, 0, 0, 1)])
         r = s._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 0))
         assert r == a._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 2, 0))
         r = s._index_of_single_item(self.space, self.newtuple(1, 1))
@@ -416,6 +424,7 @@
         from numpypy.core.numeric import newaxis
         a = array(range(5))
         b = a[newaxis]
+        assert b.shape == (1, 5)
         assert (b[0,1:] == a[1:]).all()
 
     def test_slice_then_newaxis(self):
@@ -1140,7 +1149,7 @@
         assert array([True, False]).dtype is dtype(bool)
         assert array([True, 1]).dtype is dtype(int)
         assert array([1, 2, 3]).dtype is dtype(int)
-        assert array([1L, 2, 3]).dtype is dtype(long)
+        #assert array([1L, 2, 3]).dtype is dtype(long)
         assert array([1.2, True]).dtype is dtype(float)
         assert array([1.2, 5]).dtype is dtype(float)
         assert array([]).dtype is dtype(float)
@@ -1647,6 +1656,7 @@
         a = arange(12).reshape(3,4)
         b = a.T.flat
         b[6::2] = [-1, -2]
+        print a == [[0, 1, -1, 3], [4, 5, 6, -1], [8, 9, -2, 11]]
         assert (a == [[0, 1, -1, 3], [4, 5, 6, -1], [8, 9, -2, 11]]).all()
         b[0:2] = [[[100]]]
         assert(a[0,0] == 100)
@@ -1921,6 +1931,12 @@
         #5 bytes is larger than 3 bytes
         raises(ValueError, fromstring, "\x01\x02\x03", count=5, dtype=uint8)
 
+    def test_tostring(self):
+        from _numpypy import array
+        assert array([1, 2, 3], 'i2').tostring() == '\x01\x00\x02\x00\x03\x00'
+        assert array([1, 2, 3], 'i2')[::2].tostring() == '\x01\x00\x03\x00'
+        assert array([1, 2, 3], '<i2')[::2].tostring() == '\x01\x00\x03\x00'
+        assert array([1, 2, 3], '>i2')[::2].tostring() == '\x00\x01\x00\x03'
 
 class AppTestRanges(BaseNumpyAppTest):
     def test_arange(self):
@@ -1966,3 +1982,57 @@
         cache = get_appbridge_cache(cls.space)
         cache.w_array_repr = cls.old_array_repr
         cache.w_array_str = cls.old_array_str
+
+class AppTestRecordDtype(BaseNumpyAppTest):
+    def test_zeros(self):
+        from _numpypy import zeros
+        a = zeros(2, dtype=[('x', int), ('y', float)])
+        raises(IndexError, 'a[0]["xyz"]')
+        assert a[0]['x'] == 0
+        assert a[0]['y'] == 0
+        raises(ValueError, "a[0] = (1, 2, 3)")
+        a[0]['x'] = 13
+        assert a[0]['x'] == 13
+        a[1] = (1, 2)
+        assert a[1]['y'] == 2
+        b = zeros(2, dtype=[('x', int), ('y', float)])
+        b[1] = a[1]
+        assert a[1]['y'] == 2
+
+    def test_views(self):
+        from _numpypy import array
+        a = array([(1, 2), (3, 4)], dtype=[('x', int), ('y', float)])
+        raises(ValueError, 'array([1])["x"]')
+        raises(ValueError, 'a["z"]')
+        assert a['x'][1] == 3
+        assert a['y'][1] == 4
+        a['x'][0] = 15
+        assert a['x'][0] == 15
+        b = a['x'] + a['y']
+        assert (b == [15+2, 3+4]).all()
+        assert b.dtype == float
+
+    def test_assign_tuple(self):
+        from _numpypy import zeros
+        a = zeros((2, 3), dtype=[('x', int), ('y', float)])
+        a[1, 2] = (1, 2)
+        assert a['x'][1, 2] == 1
+        assert a['y'][1, 2] == 2
+
+    def test_creation_and_repr(self):
+        from _numpypy import array
+        a = array([(1, 2), (3, 4)], dtype=[('x', int), ('y', float)])
+        assert repr(a[0]) == '(1, 2.0)'
+
+    def test_nested_dtype(self):
+        from _numpypy import zeros
+        a = [('x', int), ('y', float)]
+        b = [('x', int), ('y', a)]
+        arr = zeros(3, dtype=b)
+        arr[1]['x'] = 15
+        assert arr[1]['x'] == 15
+        arr[1]['y']['y'] = 3.5
+        assert arr[1]['y']['y'] == 3.5
+        assert arr[1]['y']['x'] == 0.0
+        assert arr[1]['x'] == 15
+        
diff --git a/pypy/module/micronumpy/types.py b/pypy/module/micronumpy/types.py
--- a/pypy/module/micronumpy/types.py
+++ b/pypy/module/micronumpy/types.py
@@ -1,15 +1,20 @@
 import functools
 import math
+import struct
 
 from pypy.interpreter.error import OperationError
 from pypy.module.micronumpy import interp_boxes
 from pypy.objspace.std.floatobject import float2string
 from pypy.rlib import rfloat, libffi, clibffi
-from pypy.rlib.objectmodel import specialize
-from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import LONG_BIT, widen
+from pypy.rlib.objectmodel import specialize, we_are_translated
+from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import widen, byteswap
 from pypy.rpython.lltypesystem import lltype, rffi
 from pypy.rlib.rstruct.runpack import runpack
+from pypy.tool.sourcetools import func_with_new_name
+from pypy.rlib import jit
 
+VOID_STORAGE = lltype.Array(lltype.Char, hints={'nolength': True,
+                                                'render_as_void': True})
 degToRad = math.pi / 180.0
 log2 = math.log(2)
 
@@ -62,6 +67,15 @@
     def _unimplemented_ufunc(self, *args):
         raise NotImplementedError
 
+    def malloc(self, size):
+        # XXX find out why test_zjit explodes with tracking of allocations
+        return lltype.malloc(VOID_STORAGE, size,
+                             zero=True, flavor="raw",
+                             track_allocation=False, add_memory_pressure=True)
+
+    def __repr__(self):
+        return self.__class__.__name__
+
 class Primitive(object):
     _mixin_ = True
 
@@ -76,7 +90,7 @@
         assert isinstance(box, self.BoxType)
         return box.value
 
-    def coerce(self, space, w_item):
+    def coerce(self, space, dtype, w_item):
         if isinstance(w_item, self.BoxType):
             return w_item
         return self.coerce_subtype(space, space.gettypefor(self.BoxType), w_item)
@@ -97,32 +111,41 @@
     def default_fromstring(self, space):
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def read(self, storage, width, i, offset):
-        return self.box(libffi.array_getitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
-            width, storage, i, offset
-        ))
+    def _read(self, storage, width, i, offset):
+        if we_are_translated():
+            return libffi.array_getitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
+                                        width, storage, i, offset)
+        else:
+            return libffi.array_getitem_T(self.T, width, storage, i, offset)
 
-    def read_bool(self, storage, width, i, offset):
-        return bool(self.for_computation(
-            libffi.array_getitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
-                                 width, storage, i, offset)))
+    def read(self, arr, width, i, offset, dtype=None):
+        return self.box(self._read(arr.storage, width, i, offset))
 
-    def store(self, storage, width, i, offset, box):
-        value = self.unbox(box)
-        libffi.array_setitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
-            width, storage, i, offset, value
-        )
+    def read_bool(self, arr, width, i, offset):
+        return bool(self.for_computation(self._read(arr.storage, width, i, offset)))
+
+    def _write(self, storage, width, i, offset, value):
+        if we_are_translated():
+            libffi.array_setitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
+                                 width, storage, i, offset, value)
+        else:
+            libffi.array_setitem_T(self.T, width, storage, i, offset, value)
+        
+
+    def store(self, arr, width, i, offset, box):
+        self._write(arr.storage, width, i, offset, self.unbox(box))
 
     def fill(self, storage, width, box, start, stop, offset):
         value = self.unbox(box)
-        for i in xrange(start, stop):
-            libffi.array_setitem(clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(self.T),
-                width, storage, i, offset, value
-            )
+        for i in xrange(start, stop, width):
+            self._write(storage, 1, i, offset, value)
 
     def runpack_str(self, s):
         return self.box(runpack(self.format_code, s))
 
+    def pack_str(self, box):
+        return struct.pack(self.format_code, self.unbox(box))
+
     @simple_binary_op
     def add(self, v1, v2):
         return v1 + v2
@@ -214,6 +237,17 @@
     def min(self, v1, v2):
         return min(v1, v2)
 
+class NonNativePrimitive(Primitive):
+    _mixin_ = True
+    
+    def _read(self, storage, width, i, offset):
+        return byteswap(Primitive._read(self, storage, width, i, offset))
+
+    def _write(self, storage, width, i, offset, value):
+        Primitive._write(self, storage, width, i, offset, byteswap(value))
+
+    def pack_str(self, box):
+        return struct.pack(self.format_code, byteswap(self.unbox(box)))
 
 class Bool(BaseType, Primitive):
     T = lltype.Bool
@@ -242,8 +276,7 @@
         return space.wrap(self.unbox(w_item))
 
     def str_format(self, box):
-        value = self.unbox(box)
-        return "True" if value else "False"
+        return "True" if self.unbox(box) else "False"
 
     def for_computation(self, v):
         return int(v)
@@ -267,15 +300,18 @@
     def invert(self, v):
         return ~v
 
+NonNativeBool = Bool
+
 class Integer(Primitive):
     _mixin_ = True
 
+    def _base_coerce(self, space, w_item):
+        return self.box(space.int_w(space.call_function(space.w_int, w_item)))
     def _coerce(self, space, w_item):
-        return self.box(space.int_w(space.call_function(space.w_int, w_item)))
+        return self._base_coerce(space, w_item)
 
     def str_format(self, box):
-        value = self.unbox(box)
-        return str(self.for_computation(value))
+        return str(self.for_computation(self.unbox(box)))
 
     def for_computation(self, v):
         return widen(v)
@@ -347,68 +383,117 @@
     def invert(self, v):
         return ~v
 
+class NonNativeInteger(NonNativePrimitive, Integer):
+    _mixin_ = True
+
 class Int8(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.SIGNEDCHAR
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int8Box
     format_code = "b"
+NonNativeInt8 = Int8
 
 class UInt8(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.UCHAR
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt8Box
     format_code = "B"
+NonNativeUInt8 = UInt8
 
 class Int16(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.SHORT
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int16Box
     format_code = "h"
 
+class NonNativeInt16(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.SHORT
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int16Box
+    format_code = "h"
+
 class UInt16(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.USHORT
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt16Box
     format_code = "H"
 
+class NonNativeUInt16(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.USHORT
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt16Box
+    format_code = "H"
+
 class Int32(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.INT
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int32Box
     format_code = "i"
 
+class NonNativeInt32(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.INT
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int32Box
+    format_code = "i"
+
 class UInt32(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.UINT
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt32Box
     format_code = "I"
 
+class NonNativeUInt32(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.UINT
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt32Box
+    format_code = "I"
+
 class Long(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.LONG
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_LongBox
     format_code = "l"
 
+class NonNativeLong(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.LONG
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_LongBox
+    format_code = "l"
+
 class ULong(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.ULONG
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_ULongBox
     format_code = "L"
 
+class NonNativeULong(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.ULONG
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_ULongBox
+    format_code = "L"
+
 class Int64(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.LONGLONG
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int64Box
     format_code = "q"
 
+class NonNativeInt64(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.LONGLONG
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Int64Box
+    format_code = "q"    
+
+def _uint64_coerce(self, space, w_item):
+    try:
+        return self._base_coerce(space, w_item)
+    except OperationError, e:
+        if not e.match(space, space.w_OverflowError):
+            raise
+    bigint = space.bigint_w(w_item)
+    try:
+        value = bigint.toulonglong()
+    except OverflowError:
+        raise OperationError(space.w_OverflowError, space.w_None)
+    return self.box(value)
+
 class UInt64(BaseType, Integer):
     T = rffi.ULONGLONG
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt64Box
     format_code = "Q"
 
-    def _coerce(self, space, w_item):
-        try:
-            return Integer._coerce(self, space, w_item)
-        except OperationError, e:
-            if not e.match(space, space.w_OverflowError):
-                raise
-        bigint = space.bigint_w(w_item)
-        try:
-            value = bigint.toulonglong()
-        except OverflowError:
-            raise OperationError(space.w_OverflowError, space.w_None)
-        return self.box(value)
+    _coerce = func_with_new_name(_uint64_coerce, '_coerce')
+
+class NonNativeUInt64(BaseType, NonNativeInteger):
+    T = rffi.ULONGLONG
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_UInt64Box
+    format_code = "Q"
+
+    _coerce = func_with_new_name(_uint64_coerce, '_coerce')
 
 class Float(Primitive):
     _mixin_ = True
@@ -417,8 +502,8 @@
         return self.box(space.float_w(space.call_function(space.w_float, w_item)))
 
     def str_format(self, box):
-        value = self.unbox(box)
-        return float2string(self.for_computation(value), "g", rfloat.DTSF_STR_PRECISION)
+        return float2string(self.for_computation(self.unbox(box)), "g",
+                            rfloat.DTSF_STR_PRECISION)
 
     def for_computation(self, v):
         return float(v)
@@ -702,13 +787,128 @@
                 return -rfloat.INFINITY
             return rfloat.NAN
 
+class NonNativeFloat(NonNativePrimitive, Float):
+    _mixin_ = True
 
 class Float32(BaseType, Float):
     T = rffi.FLOAT
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Float32Box
     format_code = "f"
 
+class NonNativeFloat32(BaseType, NonNativeFloat):
+    T = rffi.FLOAT
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Float32Box
+    format_code = "f"    
+
 class Float64(BaseType, Float):
     T = rffi.DOUBLE
     BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Float64Box
     format_code = "d"
+
+class NonNativeFloat64(BaseType, NonNativeFloat):
+    T = rffi.DOUBLE
+    BoxType = interp_boxes.W_Float64Box
+    format_code = "d"
+
+class CompositeType(BaseType):
+    def __init__(self, offsets_and_fields, size):
+        self.offsets_and_fields = offsets_and_fields
+        self.size = size
+
+    def get_element_size(self):
+        return self.size
+
+class BaseStringType(object):
+    _mixin_ = True
+    
+    def __init__(self, size=0):
+        self.size = size
+
+    def get_element_size(self):
+        return self.size * rffi.sizeof(self.T)
+
+class StringType(BaseType, BaseStringType):
+    T = lltype.Char
+
+class VoidType(BaseType, BaseStringType):
+    T = lltype.Char
+
+NonNativeVoidType = VoidType
+NonNativeStringType = StringType
+
+class UnicodeType(BaseType, BaseStringType):
+    T = lltype.UniChar
+
+NonNativeUnicodeType = UnicodeType
+
+class RecordType(CompositeType):
+    T = lltype.Char
+    
+    def read(self, arr, width, i, offset, dtype=None):
+        if dtype is None:
+            dtype = arr.dtype
+        return interp_boxes.W_VoidBox(arr, i + offset, dtype)
+
+    @jit.unroll_safe
+    def coerce(self, space, dtype, w_item): 
+        from pypy.module.micronumpy.interp_numarray import W_NDimArray
+
+        if isinstance(w_item, interp_boxes.W_VoidBox):
+            return w_item
+        # we treat every sequence as sequence, no special support
+        # for arrays
+        if not space.issequence_w(w_item):
+            raise OperationError(space.w_TypeError, space.wrap(
+                "expected sequence"))
+        if len(self.offsets_and_fields) != space.int_w(space.len(w_item)):
+            raise OperationError(space.w_ValueError, space.wrap(
+                "wrong length"))
+        items_w = space.fixedview(w_item)
+        # XXX optimize it out one day, but for now we just allocate an
+        #     array
+        arr = W_NDimArray([1], dtype)
+        for i in range(len(items_w)):
+            subdtype = dtype.fields[dtype.fieldnames[i]][1]
+            ofs, itemtype = self.offsets_and_fields[i]
+            w_item = items_w[i]
+            w_box = itemtype.coerce(space, subdtype, w_item)
+            itemtype.store(arr, 1, 0, ofs, w_box)
+        return interp_boxes.W_VoidBox(arr, 0, arr.dtype)
+
+    @jit.unroll_safe
+    def store(self, arr, _, i, ofs, box):
+        assert isinstance(box, interp_boxes.W_VoidBox)
+        for k in range(self.get_element_size()):
+            arr.storage[k + i] = box.arr.storage[k + box.ofs]
+
+    @jit.unroll_safe
+    def str_format(self, box):
+        assert isinstance(box, interp_boxes.W_VoidBox)
+        pieces = ["("]
+        first = True
+        for ofs, tp in self.offsets_and_fields:
+            if first:
+                first = False
+            else:
+                pieces.append(", ")
+            pieces.append(tp.str_format(tp.read(box.arr, 1, box.ofs, ofs)))
+        pieces.append(")")
+        return "".join(pieces)
+
+for tp in [Int32, Int64]:
+    if tp.T == lltype.Signed:
+        IntP = tp
+        break
+for tp in [UInt32, UInt64]:
+    if tp.T == lltype.Unsigned:
+        UIntP = tp
+        break
+del tp
+
+def _setup():
+    # compute alignment
+    for tp in globals().values():
+        if isinstance(tp, type) and hasattr(tp, 'T'):
+            tp.alignment = clibffi.cast_type_to_ffitype(tp.T).c_alignment
+_setup()
+del _setup
diff --git a/pypy/module/test_lib_pypy/numpypy/core/test_numeric.py b/pypy/module/test_lib_pypy/numpypy/core/test_numeric.py
--- a/pypy/module/test_lib_pypy/numpypy/core/test_numeric.py
+++ b/pypy/module/test_lib_pypy/numpypy/core/test_numeric.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
         assert repr(a) == "array([], dtype=float64)"
         a = zeros(1001)
         assert repr(a) == "array([ 0.,  0.,  0., ...,  0.,  0.,  0.])"
-        a = array(range(5), long)
+        a = array(range(5), int)
         if a.dtype.itemsize == int_size:
             assert repr(a) == "array([0, 1, 2, 3, 4])"
         else:
diff --git a/pypy/objspace/fake/objspace.py b/pypy/objspace/fake/objspace.py
--- a/pypy/objspace/fake/objspace.py
+++ b/pypy/objspace/fake/objspace.py
@@ -207,6 +207,11 @@
         is_arguments(args)
         return w_some_obj()
 
+    def get_and_call_function(space, w_descr, w_obj, *args_w):
+        args = argument.Arguments(space, list(args_w))
+        w_impl = space.get(w_descr, w_obj)
+        return space.call_args(w_impl, args)
+
     def gettypefor(self, cls):
         return self.gettypeobject(cls.typedef)
 
diff --git a/pypy/objspace/flow/model.py b/pypy/objspace/flow/model.py
--- a/pypy/objspace/flow/model.py
+++ b/pypy/objspace/flow/model.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 from pypy.tool.descriptor import roproperty
 from pypy.tool.sourcetools import PY_IDENTIFIER, nice_repr_for_func
 from pypy.tool.identity_dict import identity_dict
-from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import is_valid_int
+from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import is_valid_int, r_longlong, r_ulonglong
 
 
 """
@@ -546,6 +546,8 @@
                     for n in cases[:len(cases)-has_default]:
                         if is_valid_int(n):
                             continue
+                        if isinstance(n, (r_longlong, r_ulonglong)):
+                            continue
                         if isinstance(n, (str, unicode)) and len(n) == 1:
                             continue
                         assert n != 'default', (
diff --git a/pypy/objspace/std/complexobject.py b/pypy/objspace/std/complexobject.py
--- a/pypy/objspace/std/complexobject.py
+++ b/pypy/objspace/std/complexobject.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 from pypy.rlib.rfloat import (
     formatd, DTSF_STR_PRECISION, isinf, isnan, copysign)
 from pypy.rlib import jit
+from pypy.rlib.rarithmetic import intmask
 
 import math
 
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@
 def hash__Complex(space, w_value):
     hashreal = _hash_float(space, w_value.realval)
     hashimg = _hash_float(space, w_value.imagval)
-    combined = hashreal + 1000003 * hashimg
+    combined = intmask(hashreal + 1000003 * hashimg)
     return space.newint(combined)
 
 def add__Complex_Complex(space, w_complex1, w_complex2):
diff --git a/pypy/rlib/clibffi.py b/pypy/rlib/clibffi.py
--- a/pypy/rlib/clibffi.py
+++ b/pypy/rlib/clibffi.py
@@ -233,6 +233,7 @@
     (rffi.LONGLONG, _signed_type_for(rffi.LONGLONG)),
     (lltype.UniChar, _unsigned_type_for(lltype.UniChar)),
     (lltype.Bool, _unsigned_type_for(lltype.Bool)),
+    (lltype.Char, _signed_type_for(lltype.Char)),
     ]
 
 __float_type_map = [
diff --git a/pypy/rlib/libffi.py b/pypy/rlib/libffi.py
--- a/pypy/rlib/libffi.py
+++ b/pypy/rlib/libffi.py
@@ -429,6 +429,11 @@
             return rffi.cast(rffi.CArrayPtr(TYPE), addr)[0]
     assert False
 
+def array_getitem_T(TYPE, width, addr, index, offset):
+    addr = rffi.ptradd(addr, index * width)
+    addr = rffi.ptradd(addr, offset)
+    return rffi.cast(rffi.CArrayPtr(TYPE), addr)[0]
+
 @specialize.call_location()
 @jit.oopspec("libffi_array_setitem(ffitype, width, addr, index, offset, value)")
 def array_setitem(ffitype, width, addr, index, offset, value):
@@ -439,3 +444,8 @@
             rffi.cast(rffi.CArrayPtr(TYPE), addr)[0] = value
             return
     assert False
+
+def array_setitem_T(TYPE, width, addr, index, offset, value):
+    addr = rffi.ptradd(addr, index * width)
+    addr = rffi.ptradd(addr, offset)
+    rffi.cast(rffi.CArrayPtr(TYPE), addr)[0] = value
diff --git a/pypy/rlib/rarithmetic.py b/pypy/rlib/rarithmetic.py
--- a/pypy/rlib/rarithmetic.py
+++ b/pypy/rlib/rarithmetic.py
@@ -569,3 +569,33 @@
     if not objectmodel.we_are_translated():
         assert n <= p
     return llop.int_between(lltype.Bool, n, m, p)
+
+ at objectmodel.specialize.ll()
+def byteswap(arg):
+    """ Convert little->big endian and the opposite
+    """
+    from pypy.rpython.lltypesystem import lltype, rffi
+    
+    T = lltype.typeOf(arg)
+    # XXX we cannot do arithmetics on small ints
+    arg = widen(arg)
+    if rffi.sizeof(T) == 1:
+        res = arg
+    elif rffi.sizeof(T) == 2:
+        a, b = arg & 0xFF, arg & 0xFF00
+        res = (a << 8) | (b >> 8)
+    elif rffi.sizeof(T) == 4:
+        a, b, c, d = arg & 0xFF, arg & 0xFF00, arg & 0xFF0000, arg & r_uint(0xFF000000)
+        res = (a << 24) | (b << 8) | (c >> 8) | (d >> 24)
+    elif rffi.sizeof(T) == 8:
+        a, b, c, d = (arg & 0xFF, arg & 0xFF00, arg & 0xFF0000,
+                      arg & r_uint(0xFF000000))
+        e, f, g, h = (arg & (r_ulonglong(0xFF) << 32),
+                      arg & (r_ulonglong(0xFF) << 40),
+                      arg & (r_ulonglong(0xFF) << 48),
+                      arg & (r_ulonglong(0xFF) << 56))
+        res = ((a << 56) | (b << 40) | (c << 24) | (d << 8) | (e >> 8) |
+               (f >> 24) | (g >> 40) | (h >> 56))
+    else:
+        assert False # unreachable code
+    return rffi.cast(T, res)
diff --git a/pypy/rlib/rstruct/runpack.py b/pypy/rlib/rstruct/runpack.py
--- a/pypy/rlib/rstruct/runpack.py
+++ b/pypy/rlib/rstruct/runpack.py
@@ -4,11 +4,10 @@
 """
 
 import py
-from struct import pack, unpack
+from struct import unpack
 from pypy.rlib.rstruct.formatiterator import FormatIterator
 from pypy.rlib.rstruct.error import StructError
 from pypy.rlib.rstruct.nativefmttable import native_is_bigendian
-from pypy.rpython.extregistry import ExtRegistryEntry
 
 class MasterReader(object):
     def __init__(self, s):
diff --git a/pypy/rlib/test/test_rarithmetic.py b/pypy/rlib/test/test_rarithmetic.py
--- a/pypy/rlib/test/test_rarithmetic.py
+++ b/pypy/rlib/test/test_rarithmetic.py
@@ -383,3 +383,9 @@
     assert not int_between(1, 2, 2)
     assert not int_between(1, 1, 1)
 
+def test_byteswap():
+    from pypy.rpython.lltypesystem import rffi
+    
+    assert byteswap(rffi.cast(rffi.USHORT, 0x0102)) == 0x0201
+    assert byteswap(rffi.cast(rffi.INT, 0x01020304)) == 0x04030201
+    assert byteswap(rffi.cast(rffi.ULONGLONG, 0x0102030405060708L)) == 0x0807060504030201L
diff --git a/pytest.py b/pytest.py
--- a/pytest.py
+++ b/pytest.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 # and the branch stage 2 is started, where we remove this patch.
 import sys
 if hasattr(sys, "maxsize"):
-    if sys.maxint <> sys.maxsize:
+    if sys.maxint != sys.maxsize:
         sys.maxint = sys.maxsize
         import warnings
         warnings.warn("""\n


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